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WELCOME
By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon
Tuna Town TO
I
had only been fishing a few years when I wound up taking a job in Venice, Louisiana. I had gotten the lead on a first mate position through a mutual friend of a captain who I had never met before. When I called the captain, I asked when he needed me. He told me, “yesterday.” So I went to the tackle shop, bought my first pair of slickers, and hit the road. The only thing I knew about Venice was that there was no cell phone service and no women. As I drove down the road south of New Orleans, I began to notice ships on both sides of the road simultaneously. I realized I had better call someone to let them know I was heading to a deadzone in the middle of nowhere, filled with lonely, salty men. I arrived at night and located my captain’s houseboat, where I would be staying. I made the jump across to the boat and opened the door without knocking—as I was instructed to do. A dozen men, drinking beer, went silent as they stared at me. I looked around the room at the welcoming party, and the walls that were lined with shelves of alcohol bottles and a deer head decorated with Mardi Gras beads and bras. They offered me a beer and I declined. After the 14-hour drive, I most definitely wanted a beer, however, this did not seem like the time and place to let my guard down. The captain showed me the boat docked out back, my bunk where I would be staying, and told me what time to set my alarm for the charter the following morning. I had no idea what to expect or what I had gotten myself into, but I quickly fell in love with the fishery and a week-long trip turned into a year and a half. The fishermen there were nothing but respectful and treated me like one of the guys. I had only been fishing for two years at the time and had a lot to learn. I spent evenings teaching myself how to tie snell knots and throw a cast net. When the locals would go out fun fishing and bring back coolers with hundreds of trout, they were more than happy to teach me how to fillet fish. The fishermen didn’t cut me any slack for being a woman, which I was grateful for. I worked just as hard as they did, earned respect, and learned everything I needed to become a competent fisherman. I was openly doubted every step of the way, until I was able to learn and prove myself, which I did. But I was told that if I made it to the fall, there was no way that a woman could handle shrimp-boat season. Shrimp-boat season involves pulling behind shrimp boats and then boarding them by jumping from the bow of your boat onto the tires that hang from the stern of the shrimp boat. Then you promptly scurry up before your bow has a chance to crush your feet. You then shovel bycatch into a bag or basket, get it back to your boat, and hopefully get yourself back on the boat before your crew hooks up to a big tuna and abandons you there for the fight. The goal is to not die, break your ankles or get murdered by the shrimp-boat crew in the process. I did make it to the fall, and I did survive shrimp-boat season, and it was some of my favorite fishing I’ve done, to this day. It wasn’t until I left that the ball-busting ceased and I received positive feedback, when a captain called to tell me I did a really great job and that I’d earned a place and should come back for the following season. I am so grateful Tuna Town was a stop on my journey to where I am now. I am indebted to the fishermen there who helped teach me things the right way, without mercy. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, with Sweet e’nuf charters out of Marathon, Florida Keys, can be reached at (504) 920-6342. See CaptainQuinlyn.com and @captainquinlyn.
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THROW UMBRELLA RIGS FOR WINTER BASS
When the bass are feeding up on baitfish in the winter, the natural bait ball presentation with multiple baits swimming together drives these bass absolutely crazy. It can make for a very fun day on the water. Setting up your “rig” is not complicated. Depending on how deep you are looking to fish, use 1/8-ounce jig heads for shallow water (10 feet or less) and ¼-ounce jig heads for anything deeper than 10 feet. Pick TYLER WOOLCOTT out some small 3- to 4-inch natural shad colored boot-tail swimbaits to attach to your jig heads and that’s all there is to it. inter can be a tricky time of year to go fishing, The winter months is typically the time when bass to feed up before but I want to tell you about a bait that might help you put some more fish in the boat. In fact, this lure is so good that they spawn. Whether you see it going on or not, they are eating a lot of bait somewhere on your some tournaments don’t allow body of water. You can throw anglers to use them anymore. this rig basically anywhere, I’m talking about the Alabama and if there are fish around, rig, which some people call they will bite it! I throw it the umbrella rig. around grass, rocks, docks, This device made its debut open water, points and on the bass fishing scene in ditches. 2011 and absolutely dominated the tournament fishing scene Gear for a few years before it was When throwing an A-rig, eventually outlawed by most it can get pretty heavy once professional fishing series for you add all the jig heads and basically being an unfair way swimbaits onto it. You’ll want to catch fish. The rig consists to use a big heavy rod with of a baitfish-style head where some strong line. A 13 Fishing you tie your line with multiple Muse Black 7’6” rod paired metal-wire arms that extend with a Concept A 6:8:1 reel is out where you attach jig heads a good fit. Spool this up with with a swimbaits. Most come 20-pound Seaguar Abraz-X standard with five metal arms line and you are good to go! and five jig heads. Good luck out there! Even though the Alabama rig is outlawed by most pro fishing leagues, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it when you are out fun Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. fishing or even fishing smaller tournaments. It is a fish-catching machine! Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.
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JANUARY 2024
NATIONAL 7
A GREAT LAKES FORMULA FOR
By Nick Carter
JUST ONE FISH
C
obi Pellerito’s goal in a day is just one fish, and with the surge in Great Lakes smallmouth fisheries, there’s a good chance he’ll find what he’s looking for: one giant smallie. “Big smallmouth is my jam,” he said. “It’s not like tournament fishing, where you’re looking for a limit. I’m out there looking for one big fish.” Pellerito theorized that three invasive species are responsible for Great Lakes smallmouth achieving grotesque proportions with weights in the 7- to 8-pound range. European round gobies and rusty crayfish from the Ohio River Basin have become important prey species since their invasion. European Zebra mussels are forage for another smallmouth favorite: perch, and these filter-feeders also create clear water, which is great for visual hunters like bass.
8 NATIONAL
JANUARY 2024
Pellerito bemoaned the destruction these invasives wreak but figures we might as well take advantage. THE FORMULA: The size of the Great Lakes system is incredible. From a home base in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Pellerito has explored parts of it from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, downstream through lakes Michigan, St. Clair, Huron, Erie and over to the St. Lawrence River. Over this vast expanse, state fisheries reports tell him where the largest smallmouth are. “Once you’ve picked a fishery, there’s no substitute for time on the water,” he said. “Find the most desirable structure in the lake or in the part of the lake you’re fishing.” Smallmouth can be patterned seasonally. From there, Pellerito fishes long days to eliminate water. He looks for big points and transitions in bottom composition. He seeks out subtle structure like boulders or logs on barren flats. Bait presence is important, whether its gobies or crayfish in the rocks, perch in the grass or balls of suspended baitfish. THE FISHING: When he finds an area he likes, Pellerito covers water quickly with a crankbait. He likes a Megabass Deep-X 300, which dives 12 to 15 feet. “Covering water until you find where the fish are is important, then you slow down,” he said. “The biggest fish tend to be a step off from where the rest of them are.” Big smallmouth hold in “wolf packs” of two or three fish, and this can sometimes lead to days of more than “just one fish.” Recently, Pellerito boated an incredible 35-pound, 9-ounce five fish limit. Find one big fish, and it pays to pick that area apart. For this, Pellerito switches to classic drop shots or tubes. A standard tube crawls through the rocks like a goby or a crayfish. With the drop shot, Pellerito fishes a Megabass 3-inch Hazedong, which looks like a goby. It takes light line to draw strikes in clear water. Pellerito uses 15-foot leaders of 5- to 7-pound fluorocarbon with a main line of 8- to 10-pound braid. He’s experienced tremendous success with these tactics. This season, he boated 39 fish heavier than 6 pounds, 19 heavier than 7 pounds and two heavier than 8 pounds. To see more of Cobi Pellerito’s giant fish, see his Instagram @cobi.pellerito.
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CATCH FRENZIED SPANISH MACKEREL
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panish mackerel are a year-round target, but this time of year they love following bluefish schools to clean up injured baitfish left behind. During this time, bluefish and mackerel all tend to school together into a feeding frenzy of terror. I definitely wouldn’t want to get my hand in the way of any of those toothy fish. Spanish mackerel are sometimes confused with baby kingfish and cero mackerel, since they can school all together. However, there are a few ways to differentiate these fish, which is important since they all have different regulations. All these mackerel have yellow spots on their sides, but there are a few differences to look for. Cero mackerel have yellow lines along their lateral line that are combined with the yellow spots. King mackerel tend to have smaller spots that are closely grouped along the lateral line. As for the Spanish mackerel, they have large uncontrolled spots. There is simply no rhyme or reason for their pattern. Another way to identify Spanish mackerel is they usually have a wider girth compared to the other mackerel. A large Spanish mackerel is considered to be around 24 inches and over 5 pounds, while kingfish are typically over 20 pounds and ceros tend to be smaller. Spanish mackerel are typically nearshore fish that hang close to shore in order to feed on bait
schools by pushing them into the breakers. In certain locations, you can find Spanish inside the intracoastal. In specific conditions, if the water becomes too warm, mackerel move deeper to find their preferred 70 degrees. Spanish mackerel are found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. They follow a migration pattern of spending the winter off Florida and then move north to North Carolina in early April and all the way up off the coast of New York by June. There are many ways to target Spanish mackerel. Some use live bait such as sardines, baby pilchards and smaller threadfins. A simple freeline with a short wire leader to a live bait hook and one of these smaller baitfish can be deadly. The wire is not absolutely necessary, but mackerel do have extremely sharp teeth. When mackerel are tailing bluefish schools, they are normally frenzied. They’ll slash at everything that comes their way. I like throwing crappie jigs into the frenzy, and I think any kind of small jig will work. A lot of commercial anglers use popping corks with a spoon tied about 4 feet below. The pop gets their attention, and then the shiny fluttering spoon is too much for them to resist.
FWC PHOTO
By Emily Hanzlik
For larger Spanish mackerel, X-Raps or other diving crankbaits work best since they imitate larger baits. If you’re throwing a lure, don’t use your favorite one. There is a good chance you might lose it. Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
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By Astrid deGruchy
No Telling What You’ll Catch
ON THE PATCH
P
atch reef fishing is the epitome of, “You never know what you’re going to catch.” These underwater gems are filled with all sorts of fish, and it makes them fun and exciting places to be an angler. Patch reefs are small coral formations found in the shallower parts of the water. They were named for the patchy appearance when viewed from the surface and form wherever hard bottom exists in 10 to 25 feet of water. The rocky bottom, combined with ledges, coral heads and other growth provides the structure fish love. Many of these areas are well-known here in the Keys, but if you’re up for some exploration you can find less-pressured patch reef especially when the water is clear and visibility is good. Just keep an eye out for rocky or live bottom. These areas are usually not too far from shore, so they’re easy to reach and perfect for angling action. All sorts of fish congregate around these patches. The variety includes mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper, lane snapper, hogfish, black grouper, red grouper, gag grouper, porgy, cero mackerel, yellowjack and barracuda. We fish a lighter setup on the patch reefs, and this makes for a blast. Our go-to is a PENN Authority 4500 reel with the PENN Carnage III rod. Live bait like pilchards or shrimp work like a charm. If catching live bait is a problem for you, just stop at a local tackle shop and grab some live shrimp, pinfish, or even some frozen ballyhoo. Keep it simple, and tie on a knocker rig or jig head. Anchoring the boat in the right position to present baits around the reef is an important part of this style of fishing. Dropping bait on the sandy areas near the reef allows you to fish the bottom without getting hung up. Chum can be a good idea, but don’t be so quick to put out the chum as soon as you get lined up. I recommend breaking it out only if the fishing is tough. Chum can attract some of the “trash fish” like blue runners, jacks and sharks. Also, make sure you’re up to date with the rules and regulations. There are so many species you might catch, and some of those species might be out of season. Patch reef fishing is a blast. It’s a mix of stunning views and tons of action. If you want to experience this, the cooler months are the best for this type of fishing. That’s when some better-quality fish move into the shallower reefs.
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SLIP CORKS AREN’T JUST FOR LIVE BAIT
T
Tim Barefoot
here was time in my life when I was fanatical about live bait, and a lot of the fishing I did was under a sliding cork. Well, that ship has sailed, at least the live bait part. I still fish under a sliding cork, but I now fish artificial lures under the cork for several reasons, only one of which is the evolution of soft plastic baits. Here are a few arguments for fishing artificial: 1) There’s no need to catch and store live bait. 2) My entire tackle box is now small and light enough to fit in a backpack for travel. 3) Soft Plastics are versatile in terms of presentation, and they’re effective. 4) Artificials can be cast farther and more accurately. 5) You can be ready to fish at a moment’s notice anywhere, under almost any conditions. These advantages add up to the sum of my new fishing style under a sliding or popping cork. I cherish my two- or three-hour mini vacations after work, wherever I am while traveling. I travel quite a bit and can bail out of the truck and fish for whatever is there. I’ve grown fond of fishing under and around bridges for several species, and the ease and effectiveness of this style of fishing is easy to love. In addition to fishing just a single lure under a cork—or without a cork in deeper, faster water—I’ve started fishing a tandem tackle. The bottom bait is the jig head for the weight, and the second bait has no weight and just trails out behind the jig. Some days, it’s all bites on the jig; other days, it’s a third or more of the bites on the weightless trailer. This suspended bait and trailer under a cork is not only effective, but it keeps you from staying hung up. Once I figure out how deep the water is, it’s easy to adjust the depth. I typically keep one rod set up for 6 feet deep as a starting point. If I see the cork laying over, it means the jig is sitting on the bottom. I’ll shallow it up a bit to where the jig is just off the bottom and makes a clean drift. If the water is deeper, I’ll adjust it deeper. The end goal is to keep the jig a foot or two off the bottom and allow a natural drift. I like to fish a pair of DOA Shrimp on this tackle in saltwater, and this same tactic is deadly in freshwater with Zoom Flukes or Super Flukes for smallmouth, largemouth and striped bass. The other bait I love for this style of fishing is Gulp! baits. For more detailed videos of the tandem tackle and how to tie it, and the construction of my sliding cork set up, visit my Youtube channel and/or the website. For more from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.
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8 FLORIDA
JANUARY 2024
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*LIF 16 BREVARD
JA
TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT BY: WOODY GORE
Y
ou can still catch snook; however, if the water temperatures are lower than normal, you might want to fish areas like creeks, canals and rivers, especially those with muddy bottoms and deep-water docks. On cool or cold days, snook also like hanging out around sunny sandy bottoms along a shallow shoreline, because the sun tends to quickly warm the water. You can usually find redfish during the winter. Cut bait, shrimp and artificial lures are your best bet. Many times, they’re not going to be large fish, but many rats can make a good fishing trip, especially for the kids. Don’t forget canals, creeks, deep oyster bars and docks. Tampa Bay seems to be full of nice trout, especially around broken bottom grass flats with sandy pot holes. Plenty of trout should show up through the winter months. Most grass flats with moving water seem to produce the best bite using shrimp free-lined or under a popping cork and artificial lures. However, some deeper river channels, canals and creeks will
also hold nice fish and often plenty of silver trout as well. When trout fishing the flats, it’s not unusual to get a decent mackerel bite going. Macks like hanging around chasing schools of glass minnows that may be on the flats. Additionally, we’ve landed some really nice pompano off the same trout flats. When running the flats and looking for your favorite spot, watch the wake behind your boat for pompano skipping the wake. As temperatures drop and waters cool, the power plants are the place to look for cobia and sharks. But be alert, as other species also frequent the warm water discharges during the winter. Sheepshead should start moving in for their spawn. We should begin to see some nice sized fish on the rock piles throughout the Bay. Also, look for quality fish around bridges, pilings, docks, oyster bars and artificial reefs.
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TAMPA 1
ST. PETE REPORT BY: CAPT. ANTHONY CORCELLA
NEARSHORE HOG DOGGING
W
ith the temperature dropping in the Gulf, the hogfish will come
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out to play. If you’re going to be doing this type of fishing, make sure you keep your eye on the bottom machine for small ledges. We have been fishing in about 35 feet of water somewhere around the eight-mile mark as of late. We have caught big hogfish off some of the smaller spots, so don’t overlook these. Keep in mind that, if you’re fishing for hogs on hook and line, you will need to bring at least 20 dozen shrimp with you. There will be plenty of Key West grunts that you will have to work through before you get to the hogs. This process of getting through the grunts will take roughly 30 to 40 minutes. The ideal set up for this type of fishing is a light spinning rod, somewhere around seven feet with 10-to17-pound line on a 4000-size reel. I prefer a Star Rod with a Penn 4500 SSV spooled with 30-pound braid. I like to use a knocker rig with 25-to30-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 3/0 or 4/0 Owner hook. As for the sinker, a three-quarter ounce weight will work just fine. I hope these tips will help next time you’re out looking for hogfish. Take these tips and get out there and fish!
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By: Wes Tallyn
Everglades
Epiphytes By: Capt. Wes Tallyn
E
piphytes are organisms that live or grow on other organisms. The difference between an epiphyte and a parasite is that the epiphyte has a commensal relationship with the host plant, meaning that it does no harm to the host organism. Plants, mildew, moss and lichens are examples of organisms that use other plants or animals for their benefit. Down in the Everglades there are excellent examples of this unique relationship everywhere you look! Air Plants root themselves to cypress trees and other trees almost everywhere you look. The air plants and orchids stay high and dry above the flooded wetlands by holding onto the bark of other trees. The epiphytes get water from rain, fog and the humid air. They get their nutrients from falling organic matter and some have unique relationships with algae or moss to get their nutrients. Many of the native air plants and orchids found in the Everglades are found nowhere else on Earth. The shrinking habitat of the Everglades range and water issues has hurt the populations and made many species endangered, but National Park protections have provided habitat to ensure their future. Air plants and orchids put out flowers just like terrestrial plants and the pollen is what helps spread the species. A few plants like the Potbelly Air Plant grow in clusters which helps ensure future generations. Some great places to see large numbers of epiphytes are the Big Cypress Nature Preserve and the recreation areas as you approach Flamingo Campground at the southern-most point of the Florida peninsula. My recommendations are Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower and Mahogany Hammock down near Flamingo. Get down there for yourselves and see this amazing Florida treasure!
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JANUARY 2024
TAMPA 3
ON FLY
CRAPPIE
A New Spin On An Old Florida Favorite
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 freshwater table fare on the planet. During the early part of my fishing career, having lived on a few freshwater Florida lakes, we fished for specks for one purpose--to fill the box. Multiple rods hanging over the gunwale, soaking Missouri Minnows, was the trick of the trade. Many fish fries took place with neighbors, friends and family. From time to time, I still target these delicious
fish with spin 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. Crappie are found in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, ponds, sloughs, backwaters pools and streams. They prefer cover such as vegetation, fallen trees or rocks. They often form in schools in clear water among vegetation over mud or sand. As adults, they average about 8 to 12 inches and 1 to 2 pounds. The Florida state record is 3.83 pounds, caught on Lake Talquin in 1992. The world record is 5.7 pounds, caught on a small, private Tennessee pond in 2018. Crappie aren’t the pickiest eaters. In addition to the go-to minnows that we use, these predators will hit just about anything that comes their way, including: live worms and crickets, soft plastics, hard-body plugs and flies. They’ll eat a wide variety of flies. My favorite, though, which I use for much of my bass on fly missions, is a simple all-black Woolley Bugger size #10 or #12. Olive is great too, but a hungry, aggressive speck won’t turn down brighter colors either. There are a few ways to target specks on fly. They’re known for hanging out under lily pads in shallows areas, so that’s one area to hit. My favorite technique, however, is fishing for them in deeper water. If you know a deep pond or lake that holds specks, try switching over to a sinking or intermediate fly line. If the spot is really deep, a full sinking line can be very effective. My line of choice, though, is an intermediate with a sink rate of 1 to 2 seconds per foot. This allows your line to slowly sink in deeper water and cover the entire water column. A good rule to follow is to give your line a five second sink count before beginning your strips.
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4 TAMPA
JANUARY 2024
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Long, work finding sink c contac My targeti three w of stic allows you’re fishing you m a four leader huge eyesigh leader I prefe job an mouth Bla you fin put a p hunt, t
to Eas Fa Gu ily m lf, Ac ou IC ce s J W ssi oh & W bl e n’ s P orl as d s
Long, slow strips seem to work best. If you’re not finding them, try a longer sink count, while avoiding contact with the bottom. My rod of choice for targeting specks on fly is a three weight. This is plenty of stick for the job, but still allows for a fun fight. If you’re finding larger fish or fishing around heavy cover, you may want to go up to a four or five weight. Light leader is key. Crappie have huge eyes, thus excellent eyesight. Use the smallest leader you can get away with. I prefer leaders as light as 6 to 8-pound test, as they are strong enough for the job and will increase your hookups. Keep in mind that they have paper-thin mouths. Fight these fish gently or your fly might rip right out. Black crappie are early morning feeders, so try to hit that first-light bite. If you find a school, it can be non-stop, exciting fishing. So, whether you’re trying to put a pile of these tasty guys in the box for a fish fry or you’re just interested in the hunt, try it on the long rod. It’s a super fun way to tackle an old Florida favorite. — 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 - Jan 2024 High
Date
Old Port of Tampa
www.USHarbors.com ezdocktampa.com
Old Port Tampa, FL - Jan 2024
Low
High
Date
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
Mon
4:05
1.7
6:25
1.3
11:39
-0.1
11:32
0.8
7:20
5:47
1
2
Tue
5:06
1.5
6:50
1.5
12:11
0.1
7:20
5:48
3
Wed
6:22
1.2
7:17
1.6
12:56
0.6
12:44
0.3
7:20
5:49
4
Thu
8:04
1.0
7:48
1.7
2:17
0.4
1:15
0.5
7:20
5
Fri
10:06
0.9
8:22
1.9
3:29
0.1
1:46
0.8
6
Sat
12:09P
1.0
9:00
2.0
4:32
-0.2
2:13
1.0
7
Sun
9:43
2.1
5:27
8
Mon
10:31
2.3
9
Tue
11:21
2.4
10
Wed
11
Thu
12:13
2.5
12
Fri
1:07
2.5
4:53
13
Sat
2:01
2.5
14
Sun
2:57
15
Mon
16
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
Mon
4:54
1.9
7:02
1.5
PM
ft
Rise
Set
12:15
-0.2
7:19
5:47
2
Tue
5:51
1.6
7:29
1.6
12:17
3
Wed
6:58
1.4
7:57
1.7
1:24
0.7
12:48
0.0
7:20
5:48
0.5
1:23
0.2
7:20
5:49
4
Thu
8:23
1.2
8:28
1.8
5:48
2:37
0.3
2:00
0.4
7:20
7:20
5:50
5
Fri
10:17
1.0
9:01
5:49
1.9
3:51
0.1
2:39
0.7
7:20
7:21
5:51
6
Sat
12:17P
1.1
5:50
9:38
2.1
5:00
-0.2
3:20
0.9
7:20
-0.5
7:21
5:52
7
Sun
1:54P
1.2
5:50
10:20
2.2
6:02
-0.5
4:05
1.2
7:21
6:18
-0.7
7:21
5:52
8
5:51
Mon
11:07
2.4
6:58
-0.7
7:21
7:06
-0.9
7:21
5:53
5:52
9
Tue
11:58
2.5
7:50
-0.9
7:21
7:53
-1.0
7:21
5:53
5:54
10
Wed
4:36
1.4
8:39
-1.0
6:52
1.3
7:21
8:38
-1.1
5:53
7:21
5:55
11
Thu
12:53
2.6
5:05
1.3
9:24
-1.0
7:51
1.2
7:21
1.1
9:22
-1.0
7:14
5:54
1.0
7:21
5:55
12
Fri
1:49
2.6
5:28
1.3
10:07
-1.0
8:48
1.0
7:21
5:07
1.1
10:03
-0.9
5:55
8:25
0.8
7:21
5:56
13
Sat
2:47
2.6
5:49
1.3
10:47
-0.9
9:45
0.8
7:21
2.3
5:25
1.1
10:43
5:56
-0.7
9:40
0.7
7:21
5:57
14
Sun
3:45
2.4
6:09
1.3
11:24
-0.7
10:45
0.6
7:21
3:57
2.0
5:46
1.3
5:57
11:19
-0.4
11:01
0.5
7:21
5:58
15
Mon
4:44
2.2
6:30
1.4
11:58
-0.4
11:49
0.4
7:21
Tue
5:05
1.7
6:12
5:57
1.5
11:52
0.0
7:21
5:59
16
Tue
5:46
1.8
6:54
1.6
12:29
-0.1
7:21
17
Wed
6:29
1.3
5:58
6:42
1.7
12:28
0.3
12:22
0.3
7:21
5:59
17
Wed
6:56
1.4
7:22
1.7
1:02
0.2
12:58
0.2
7:20
18
Thu
8:25
1.0
5:59
7:19
1.9
1:59
0.0
12:46
0.6
7:20
6:00
18
Thu
8:29
1.0
7:55
1.9
2:24
-0.1
1:25
0.5
7:20
19
6:00
Fri
8:03
2.0
3:26
-0.2
7:20
6:01
19
Fri
10:51
0.9
8:34
2.0
3:51
-0.3
1:49
0.8
7:20
6:01
20
Sat
8:54
2.1
4:43
-0.5
7:20
6:02
20
Sat
9:22
2.1
5:13
-0.5
7:20
6:01
21
Sun
9:51
2.1
5:46
-0.7
7:20
6:03
21
Sun
10:16
2.2
6:23
-0.7
7:20
6:02
22
Mon
10:49
2.1
6:39
-0.8
7:19
6:04
22
Mon
11:14
2.2
7:19
-0.9
7:19
6:03
23
Tue
11:42
2.1
7:24
-0.8
7:19
6:04
23
Tue
3:47
1.3
8:06
-0.9
6:11
1.2
7:19
6:04
24
Wed
8:02
-0.8
7:19
6:05
24
Wed
12:10
2.1
4:06
1.3
8:46
-0.8
7:14
1.1
7:19
6:05
25
Thu
12:29
2.1
4:03
1.1
8:35
-0.7
6:46
1.0
7:19
6:06
25
Thu
1:01
2.1
4:23
1.3
9:20
-0.7
8:05
1.0
7:18
6:05
26
Fri
1:12
2.1
4:06
1.1
9:03
-0.7
7:36
0.9
7:18
6:07
26
Fri
1:48
2.1
4:38
1.3
9:49
-0.6
8:50
0.8
7:18
6:06
27
Sat
1:52
2.0
4:11
1.1
9:29
-0.5
8:25
0.7
7:18
6:08
27
Sat
2:32
2.0
4:52
1.3
10:13
-0.5
9:31
0.7
7:18
6:07
28
Sun
2:32
1.9
4:20
1.2
9:52
-0.4
9:16
0.6
7:17
6:08
28
Sun
3:15
2.0
5:06
1.4
10:34
-0.4
10:12
0.5
7:17
6:08
29
Mon
3:14
1.8
4:34
1.4
10:16
-0.2
10:08
0.5
7:17
6:09
29
Mon
3:58
1.8
5:22
1.5
10:55
-0.3
10:54
0.3
7:17
6:09
30
Tue
4:00
1.5
4:54
1.5
10:38
0.0
11:05
0.3
7:17
6:10
30
Tue
4:43
1.7
5:41
1.6
11:17
-0.2
11:40
0.2
7:16
6:10
31
Wed
4:53
1.3
5:17
1.6
11:00
0.2
7:16
6:11
31
Wed
5:32
1.4
6:02
1.7
11:40
0.0
7:16
6:10
1
AM
ft
Moon
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Tarpon Springs
1500 US 19 Holiday, FL
www.USHarbors.com
Tarpon Springs, AncloteAnclote River River, FL - Jan 2024 High
Date
Hernando Beach
bluepelicanmarina.com www.USHarbors.com
Rocky Creek, LittleFL Pine Island Hernando Beach, - Jan 2024
Low
High
Date
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
Mon
2:53
2.3
4:09
2.1
9:55
-0.1
10:14
0.7
7:21
5:47
1
2
Tue
3:41
2.1
4:40
2.2
10:27
0.2
11:05
0.7
7:21
5:48
3
Wed
4:37
1.9
5:16
2.2
11:04
0.4
7:21
5:48
4
Thu
5:50
1.7
6:00
2.2
12:08
0.6
11:48A
0.7
7:22
5
Fri
7:31
1.5
6:53
2.3
1:25
0.4
12:48
1.0
6
Sat
9:10
1.6
7:50
2.4
2:40
0.1
2:01
7
Sun
10:29
1.7
8:45
2.5
3:45
-0.2
8
Mon
11:29
1.9
9:37
2.7
4:42
9
Tue
12:15P
2.0
10:28
2.8
10
Wed
12:56P
2.1
11:18
11
Thu
12
Fri
12:07
13
Sat
14
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
Mon
3:49
2.5
5:05
2.3
11:56
-0.1
Rise
Set
7:24
5:46
2
Tue
4:37
2.3
5:36
2.3
12:15
0.7
12:28
3
Wed
5:33
2.0
6:12
2.4
1:06
0.7
1:05
0.2
7:24
5:47
0.4
7:25
5:49
4
Thu
6:46
1.8
6:56
2.4
2:09
0.6
5:47
1:49
0.7
7:25
7:22
5:50
5
Fri
8:27
1.6
7:49
2.5
3:26
5:48
0.4
2:49
1.0
7:25
1.2
7:22
5:51
6
Sat
10:06
1.7
8:46
2.6
5:49
4:41
0.1
4:02
1.2
7:25
3:10
1.3
7:22
5:51
7
Sun
11:25
1.9
9:41
5:50
2.7
5:46
-0.2
5:11
1.3
7:25
-0.5
4:12
1.3
7:22
5:52
8
Mon
12:25P
2.1
5:50
10:33
2.9
6:43
-0.5
6:13
1.3
7:25
5:32
-0.8
5:08
1.2
7:22
5:53
9
Tue
1:11P
2.2
5:51
11:24
3.1
7:33
-0.8
7:09
1.2
7:25
3.0
6:18
-1.1
5:58
1.1
7:22
5:54
10
Wed
5:52
1:52
2.3
8:19
-1.1
7:59
1.1
7:25
1:34
2.2
7:01
-1.2
6:44
1.0
7:22
5:54
11
Thu
12:14
5:53
3.2
2:30
2.3
9:02
-1.2
8:45
1.0
7:25
3.1
2:10
2.2
7:44
-1.2
7:29
0.8
7:22
5:55
12
Fri
5:53
1:03
3.3
3:06
2.3
9:45
-1.2
9:30
0.8
7:25
12:56
3.1
2:45
2.2
8:25
-1.0
8:16
0.6
7:22
5:56
13
5:54
Sat
1:52
3.3
3:41
2.3
10:26
-1.0
10:17
0.6
7:25
Sun
1:46
3.0
3:17
2.2
9:06
-0.8
9:05
0.5
7:22
5:57
5:55
14
Sun
2:42
3.2
4:13
2.3
11:07
-0.8
11:06
0.5
7:25
15
Mon
2:40
2.8
3:49
2.2
9:46
-0.5
9:57
0.3
7:22
5:56
5:58
15
Mon
3:36
3.0
4:45
2.4
11:47
-0.5
11:58
0.3
7:25
16
Tue
3:38
2.5
4:22
2.3
10:25
-0.1
10:55
0.2
5:57
7:22
5:58
16
Tue
4:34
2.7
5:18
2.4
12:26
-0.1
7:25
17
Wed
4:41
2.1
4:59
2.3
11:04
0.4
5:58
7:22
5:59
17
Wed
5:37
2.3
5:55
2.5
12:56
0.2
1:05
0.4
7:25
18
Thu
6:00
1.7
5:43
2.4
12:03
0.1
11:47A
5:58
0.8
7:22
6:00
18
Thu
6:56
1.9
6:39
2.6
2:04
0.1
1:48
0.8
7:25
19
Fri
7:48
1.5
6:39
2.4
1:25
0.0
5:59
12:42
1.1
7:22
6:01
19
Fri
8:44
1.7
7:35
2.6
3:26
0.0
2:43
1.1
7:24
20
Sat
9:40
1.6
7:44
2.5
2:49
6:00
-0.2
1:55
1.3
7:21
6:02
20
Sat
10:36
1.7
8:40
2.6
4:50
-0.2
3:56
1.3
7:24
21
Sun
11:02
1.7
8:49
2.5
6:01
4:02
-0.4
3:09
1.4
7:21
6:03
21
Sun
11:58
1.8
9:45
2.7
6:03
-0.4
5:10
1.4
7:24
22
Mon
11:49
1.8
9:48
6:02
2.6
5:01
-0.6
4:17
1.3
7:21
6:03
22
Mon
12:45P
2.0
10:44
2.8
7:02
-0.6
6:18
1.3
7:24
23
Tue
12:23P
1.9
6:03
10:41
2.6
5:48
-0.7
5:14
1.2
7:20
6:04
23
Tue
1:19P
2.1
11:37
2.8
7:49
-0.7
7:15
1.2
7:23
24
Wed
12:52P
2.0
6:03
11:28
2.6
6:27
-0.8
6:02
1.0
7:20
6:05
24
Wed
1:48
2.2
8:28
-0.8
8:03
1.0
7:23
25
Thu
6:04
1:19
2.1
7:01
-0.7
6:42
0.8
7:20
6:06
25
Thu
12:24
2.8
2:15
2.2
9:02
-0.7
8:43
0.8
7:23
26
Fri
12:09
6:05
2.6
1:45
2.1
7:31
-0.6
7:20
0.7
7:19
6:07
26
Fri
1:05
2.8
2:41
2.3
9:32
-0.6
9:21
0.7
7:22
27
Sat
6:06
12:47
2.6
2:09
2.1
7:59
-0.5
7:55
0.6
7:19
6:07
27
Sat
1:43
2.8
3:05
2.3
10:00
-0.5
9:56
0.6
7:22
28
6:07
Sun
1:24
2.5
2:32
2.2
8:27
-0.4
8:31
0.5
7:19
6:08
28
Sun
2:20
2.7
3:28
2.4
10:28
-0.4
10:32
0.5
7:21
6:08
29
Mon
2:01
2.4
2:55
2.2
8:54
-0.2
9:07
0.4
7:18
6:09
29
Mon
2:57
2.6
3:51
2.4
10:55
-0.2
11:08
0.4
7:21
6:09
30
Tue
2:40
2.3
3:19
2.3
9:20
-0.1
9:46
0.3
7:18
6:10
30
Tue
3:36
2.5
4:15
2.5
11:21
0.0
11:47
0.3
7:20
6:09
31
Wed
3:23
2.1
3:46
2.4
9:48
0.2
10:29
0.3
7:17
6:11
31
Wed
4:19
2.3
4:42
2.5
11:49
0.2
7:20
6:10
1
PM
ft
Moon
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Keeping the Boat Organized and Safe on Dive Trips
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t does not matter how big a boat you have; dive trips always turn it into a mess of gear all over the deck. There is no way around it--it’s just a reality of diving. The best thing to do is to have a plan and try to keep everyone organized as best you can. Here are some ideas on keeping the boat organized and safe on dive trips. Gear bags are one of the most underrated components for keeping your equipment organized. Bags can range from a quality fin bag that has some extra storage for other equipment to a solid duffle bag that can hold all ...you have probably kicked a of your gear plus a spare of everyspear shaft laying on a boat deck. thing. Finally, there are speargun Needless to say, it messes up your bags that are designed for travel and to be out on a bouncy panga day immediately and dramatically keeping your equipment protectchanges the mood on the boat. ed and organized. All of these bags have their benefits based of the type on diving you are doing. If you are going out on a buddy’s center console, where storage is limited, try to keep your gear simple. Bring a bag that breaks down and fits in a small space, once you have your gear where you need it.
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One of the best investments you can add to your own boat is plenty of speargun racks. These tend to be available in two varieties, horizontal and vertical. The vertical racks work well if you have the space to safely add them to your boat. Horizontal racks have the benefit of being able to be placed under a boat’s gunnels. They can, additionally, hold fishing rods, if that is, also, a hobby of yours. Having proper storage dramatically reduces the chance of injury from just laying the spearguns on the deck. If you have spent enough time spearing on boats, you have probably kicked a spear shaft laying on a boat deck. Needless to say, it messes up your day immediately and dramatically changes the mood on the boat. For blue water spearfishing, baskets or buckets change the game on gear storage. They still take up a bunch of deck space. Baskets keep float lines and floats organized and easy to deploy. If you’ve ever been on a boat with a bunch of people using float lines without a system, it turns into a tangled mess. Baskets go a long way to keeping the boat organized. — Neptonics: 7610 Industrial Lane Suite 8H Tampa, FL. 33637 813-867-3250. Neptonics.com
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PLANNING AHEAD BY: CAPT. T J SHEA
W
e take the first few weeks of January to forecast and plan out what fishing is going to look like for the upcoming year. We make phone calls and send emails to our regular customers with the change in seasons and bag limits so that they can make their vacation plans and schedule annual fishing trips. Though nothing for the upcoming year has been written in stone, we expect the shortest seasons for many of our favorite species to date. What 2023 taught us is that you had better book your trip or plan your fishing for the opening of all seasons. Emergency closures are becoming the norm rather than the exception. This reduction in catch limits is not just impacting the recreational and for hire sectors. Commercial limits have also taken a big hit, and 2024 will be no different. We are all feeling the effect of questionable data refuting what many of our weathered eyes see on a daily basis. Focusing on the big four species we target, red grouper, gag grouper, amberjack and red snapper, here is what we currently have and what we have heard is pending for next year. Red grouper is slated to open on January 1st and run through the end of April. Remember that for February and March you are limited to inside the 20-fathom break to harvest. Red Grouper were also the 1st species in 2023 that were hit with an emergency closure. Though it’s not official, we have heard that after April 30th, they will most likely be protected for the remainder of 2024 which is a huge change to previous years. Gag grouper was another emergency closure in 2023. What was supposed to be a 70-day season was cut by a ⅓ to 43 days with
very little notice. That is coming off what used to be a six months season, including the Winter months when it’s prime time gag grouper fishing. Our expectations for 2024 is a 20 to 45-day season opening in September, but I have heard talk of possibly just a two week season. For Amberjack, we had a whopping 24 days last year, August 1 through 24. They are looking at a similar season in 2024. The only species that we may see an increase in fishing looks to be red snapper. At first glance, this sounds great. The rebuilding plan that started years back has been a huge success and there are plenty of these guys swimming around out there. On the flip side, are the long runs and significant fuel cost really worth it for just two fish per person? All we can hope is that their resurgence is a foreshadowing for the grouper and amberjack population. Being the eternal optimist, I see more than just a few weeks with fresh caught grouper dinners and Big Brian’s secretly famous fish dip in the years to come. What’s for certain is that the sport of catching fish next year will most likely be fantastic. What you will be able to bring home; well, that may be a different experience. — 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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WATER TEMPS ARE THE KEY!
I
n January, the water temps can vary greatly from year to year and from week to week with cold fronts pushing through our area multiple times throughout the Winter. The water temperatures can vary from 55 to 70 degrees with 61 to 67 degrees being the average. Many times, this will cause fish to drop into deeper holes, dark canals and outflows of the power plants to stay warm, since they are cold blooded. If it really cools off, then your power plant outflows become a gold mine of a variety of species. In between cold fronts, if we have a few days that are warm this will heat up the shallow flats and cause fish like snook, redfish and trout to come out of the deeper waters and feed on the flats. The action can be great, since the feed bags will be on. I typically like to have scaled sardines, cut bait, shrimp and artificial baits during this time of year to cover all the bases. Stalking redfish this time of year can be fun and challenging, since the water will be shallow and clear, which can make them very spooky, so a stealthy approach is a must. Try not to hit them on the head with your cast so as not to scare them off. Instead, cast ahead of the direction they are go-
ing to let them find your bait. Scent can come in really handy, so pinching off the tail of your shrimp or adding Pro-Cure to your Lil P&V brown glass minnow will help attract them. If they are tailing, use no weight or as little as possible not to scare them and then slowly reel your bait closer to them and let the scent work its magic. Speckled trout can be found in the same area, but also in deeper pockets on the flats when its cooler out. A 1/8 to 1/4-ounce jig head with any of the Lil P&V soft plastics with glitter in them to catch the sunlight will work. Also, the MirrOdine in the pilchard or pinfish skin series will work great, and don’t be afraid to add some Pro-cure super gel to the MirrOdine in the inshore saltwater scent. Again, just like the glitter in the soft plastics, the MirrOdine can really catch the sunlight and make a flash that can be seen from a great distance away, which adds to how many fish can see your offering. The great thing about the lures in wintertime is that you can fan cast and cover a lot of territory. As the water temperatures continue to cool, the sheepshead should start to move in more, including
some ones. es are sheeps crabs job w head g for th a varie cludin pilings the fla secret worms findin muscle also w toward the ma Ih No
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BY: CAPT. GEORGE HASTICK some of the larger ones. Shrimp pieces are good bait for sheepshead, but fiddler crabs can really do the job when the sheepshead get finicky. Look for the sheepshead in a variety of places including docks, bride pilings, rock piles and the flats. One of the secret baits is the tube worms (good luck finding them), but muscles and oysters also work. I still lean towards the fiddler crabs, but an alternative is tree crabs. You can find them in the mangroves and on the sea walls. Use your bait net to catch them. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! Now, go use those new rods. — 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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CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES
POT LUCK MONTH
J
anuary can be cold where the currents have dredged cuts or pockets. Producing any change in and windy. Some- the depth of water will make a big difference to fish during the winter. times, if we get lucky, we can have some really beautiful days. The temperature will tell us what to do. If water temperatures are in the mid-sixties or lower, snook action is out, unless we fish the rivers or around the power plants. We can be different and explore new adventures by trying some new techniques Rocky shorelines: and areas. Look for areas that have rocks close by or exposed during low tides. They Dock Fishing: draw heat and, again, increase the water temperature around them. This is a Dock fishing is a very productive way to catch fish during the colder perfect spot for speckled trout, if the rocks are close to grass flats. Flounder months. As the docks take in sunlight, they radiate the heat through the are a good by-catch in many cases, as they tend to look for a food source and piling into the water increasing the temperature up to three degrees warmer. the rocks are a magnet for all small creatures. This will bring in some species, not only to keep warm but, also, to feed on Be different: the bait fish that have the same idea for keeping warm. Sheepshead are one of my favorites during the winter months, as they Live shrimp works great this month, along with a 1/0 circle hook and a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader about 32-inches long for free lining under the prove to be great fighters on light tackle. Feeding on mostly shrimp, fiddlers, small crabs and barnacles they are considered a great table fare. Some anglers docks. Remember, at this time of even call them chicken of the sea. The big females prefer the deeper waters of year, the water is extremely clear, Tampa Bay. They hang around the ledges, wrecks and rock piles in anywhere so the light leader helps a lot in from 12 to 30 feet of water. They average in size from 4 to 8 pounds. Here I getting more strikes. I also use prefer to use medium tackle, a 7-foot medium action rod with a 4000 spinning a yellowtail jig. It’s nothing more reel spooled with 15-pound test braided line and 25-pound test fluorocarbon than a 1/0 hook with lead on the leader tied with a loop knot to a number 1/0-circle hook. I use a Texas rig shank available in 1/16 or 1/8 where the sinker slides on the leader just ahead of the hook. I, also, use a small ounce. This allows me to keep the bait close to the bottom where reds, flounder and sheepshead tend to glow soft bead, because this keeps the sinker from hitting the knot and the hang out. You can use the same method as fishing with artificial baits by glow beads seem to draw the attention of the larger fish. Live shrimp, fiddler working the shrimp along the bottom with a slow retrieving action. This crabs, bloodworms and sand fleas are some of their favorite baits. Smaller sheepsheads prefer docks and oyster bars in shallow water. So, just downsize helps in locating where the fish are staging. your tackle and enjoy catching a great fighting fish.
Power plants:
Can’t leave them out, as there is great fishing early and you never know what you can catch. Best bet for me is using a banana jig with a medium size live shrimp worked slowly on the bottom for pompano and big trout. Let’s not forget jacks. They offer a super fight for their size and, in many cases, pure entertainment for the young ones.
Drop-offs:
I prefer to use artificial baits this time of year, working them slowly along the banks and edges of drop-offs. I can cover more area and increase my chances of finding fish. Look for holes along the mangrove line or points 16 TAMPA
JANUARY 2024
— 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.
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From The Amazon to Your Backyard:
The Peacock Bass in Florida By Rex Hannon
T
here’s an eruption during your retrieve that’s immediately followed by one of the most vicious strikes you’ve ever encountered. The unknown assailant pulls drag, digging deeper only reverse course and perform one of the most acrobatic aerial shows you’ve ever witnessed. Your first thought is a monster Florida largemouth, but that idea vanishes when you see the color scheme and the large bump on the fish’s forehead. After a trying and equipment-testing battle, before you lies an unmistakable fish that many can only dream about or watch on television shows recorded in exotic locations. It’s a butterfly peacock bass. Peacock bass are native to South America, where they are most commonly found in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Because of their appearance and name, there’s a common misconception that they are members of the bass family. Actually, they are cichlids. Peacock bass were introduced to South Florida by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in 1984. They are nonnative, but they are considered noninvasive. Three stocks of fish were imported from Brazil, Guyana and Peru. After spawning at the FWC Non Native Research Lab and being tested for disease and parasites by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Auburn University, they were released to combat exotic invasive fish such as snakeheads, clown knife fish and oscars. Peacock Bass have a body similar to largemouth bass, but the color scheme is noticeably different. The younger examples are generally golden/green with three black bars that fade as the fish matures. There is also usually a prominent black spot with a yellow/ gold halo on the tail. Peacock bass are fast growing, pushing an inch a month from one year to 18 months. A 19-inch fish can weigh 5 pounds. While the Florida state record butterfly peacock
bass is 9.11 pounds, undocumented catches of 12 pounds and heavier have been reported. The IGFA all tackle world record is 12.6 pounds and was caught in Venezuela. Butterfly peacock bass are intolerant of cold water and high salinity. There have been reports of fish north of West Palm County, but they cannot survive temperatures below 60 degrees or salinity above 18 parts per million. This species is commonly found in canals, lakes and ponds, and prefers to feed and spawn in shallow water with vegetation. Live bait is the easiest way to catch these amazing fish, and they will also strike artificial lures and flies. Butterfly peacock bass prefer feeding during daylight hours, when they use their great speed to pursue and capture prey. Butterfly peacock bass are edible, but the FWC recommends catch and release due to the valuable service they provide in keeping invasive species in check. The pursuit of this species is also an economic boon to the state. It is estimated that anglers spend more than $8 million a year chasing peacock bass in Florida. Butterfly peacock bass are another example of Florida’s amazing fishing opportunities.
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The Largest Boat Show on the Gulf Coast St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show
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he Annual St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show, Presented by Progressive, returns to downtown St. Pete January 18-21, 2024. For over 40 years, Informa/U.S. Boats has brought the most comprehensive display of vessels to St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront. From fishing boats to luxury yachts both on land and in the water and a 40,000-square-foot tent housing all types of marine gear, the show attracts boating enthusiasts from all over Florida’s West Coast. The show is located at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater – Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, 400 1st Street S. St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased online at stpeteboatshow. com. General admission is $22 for adults, and children ages 15 and under attend free. Veterans and active-duty military show proof of military service for a free ticket. Boat show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, January 18-20; and Sunday, January 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show, Presented by Progressive, supports Tampa Bay Watch, a St. Petersburg-based organization that protects the area’s waterways and ecosystem. Not far from the boat show site, Tampa Bay Watch has a Discovery Center on The St. Pete Pier downtown. Proceeds from boat show ticket sales will benefit education programs and eco-tours. The Annapolis School of Seamanship (ASOS) and Progressive have teamed up again this year to provide complimentary on-water boat training 20 TAMPA
JANUARY 2024
courses to attendees who pre-register through the show website. Attendees can also look forward to an impressive lineup of educational seminars featuring industry experts like Bill Cullen from Seven Seas Cruising Association, and many more. Among the lineup is also Captain Don Dingman from Hook the Future, returning to host his famous Kids Fishing Clinics on Saturday, 1/20 and Sunday, 1/21 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. All attendees of the St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show, Presented by Progressive, will have the opportunity to connect with boating experts and learn about the latest features and innovations in the marine industry by viewing more than 300 exhibits. With Progressive as the official presenting sponsor, other boat show sponsors include: Goslings, Stella Artois, Budweiser, Ketel One Botanical, Tanqueray, Crown Royal, Southern Eagle Distributing, Summit Marine Fire and Safety, Annapolis School of Seamanship, Center Consoles Only, BlacktipH Fishing, Icon Electric Vehicles, Reef Runner Boats, Aim Marine Group, Marina Life, Abordo, Soundings, Sail, The Mariner, Boat Attitude, Power Boat International, Coastal Angler, Power and Motor Yacht, Yachting Times, Latitudes and Attitudes, and Florida Powerboat Club. Follow the St. Petersburg Sailboat and Power Boat Show, Presented by Progressive, on Facebook and Instagram @stpeteboatshow. Follow Informa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/informa-us-boat-shows/.
About Informa Markets The U.S. Boat Shows division of Informa Markets is the leading exhibitions organizer that owns and operates the world’s foremost international boat and yacht events. Upcoming shows include the Suncoast Boat Show, April 19-21, 2024, attracting record-setting audiences and boat sales to the West Coast of Florida. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.
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JANUARY 2024
TAMPA 21
OFFSHORE SALTWATER REPORT BY: CAPT. RICK KIRBY
FROSY FISHING
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his month we can expect cold north winds combined with multiple fronts. Don’t get me wrong. There have been plenty of January’s in Florida where we are all wearing shorts, but generally speaking, it’s usually cold. Offshore Anglers, those fire trucks open January 1st! Red grouper can be found on limestone, hard bottom, and live rock in depths of 40 to 100 feet for the big ones. There are plenty of juveniles that can be caught in the 10 to 30 foot range. These fish can be caught on squid, cut bait, ballyhoo, pig fish, and pinfish to name a few. We generally start with 50 pound fluorocarbon, but we’ve caught several on as light as 20 pound fluorocarbon leader. One more thing about these red grouper, the closures have come sooner and sooner each year so if I were you, I would get out there the first half of the year while we still have a chance to put them in the box. Fun fact -Did you know that all red grouper are born female, and some change to male when they are mature? Inshore bite should be great this month with the Sheepshead and Sea Trout stacking up. you can target both with shrimp on a small jig head. January is also a great month to gig sheepshead at night. We’ve seen good numbers move in last month! if you’ve never tried it, it’s a different fishing experience. You must move very slow and take our time with the right approach so that you don’t spook them. Another great thing about sheepshead and trout is that they can often be found in the same areas. Keep your eyes out for deep holes and pockets with rocks. There are a few good satellite maps that you can use to help locate the right areas for these fish. Remember the best time to go fishing is any time you can! — Capt. Rick Kirby | 727-494-4666 KirbyKatch.com | CaptainRickKirby@gmail.com
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JANUARY 2024
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Jack Hanley, 9, with a 10inch sheepshead—his first caught fish! Hooked near the Dunedin Causeway, it was just what he wanted as he researched fish the day before a Cub Scout Adventure and was excited about sheepshead as the stripes and cool fins made it his favorite fish.
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he results are in for Florida’s 2023 Lionfish Challenge, and it was a record-breaking year for divers working hard to protect our reefs from the scourge of invasive lionfish. With 281 participants embarking on 917 trips, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) annual four-month tournament removed 30,494 lionfish from Florida waters. It was a recordbreaking year for participation, nearly doubling the program’s previous high. The total number of lionfish removed was also a new record and beat last year’s numbers by nearly 5,000 fish. The event is one tool in FWC’s box to beat back the invasion of these beautiful but destructive little critters that plague Florida’s reefs. Lionfish are native to the Indo Pacific and the Red Sea. They were first reported off the Atlantic coast of Florida in 1985, and since then have spread like wildfire. They now inhabit the Atlantic coast up to North Carolina, the entire Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Lionfish are well equipped to outcompete native species on warmwater reefs. An array of venomous spines makes them unlikely prey item for larger fish, and they are voracious predators of smaller native fish and invertebrates. Lionfish reproduce prolifically and populate suitable habitat in high densities. They reduce native reef populations and have negative effects on overall reef habitat and health. They are a nasty invasive, and humans killing them continuously is the only way to combat them by controlling their numbers. By the way, they taste pretty good sizzled up in butter. Divers competing in the Lionfish Challenge are rewarded for their efforts, and winners are announced at the conclusion of the tournament. The following are the divers who speared the most lionfish in the 2023 Lionfish Challenge.
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THE RACE TO RESCUE
By Nick Carter
CHIPOLA SHOAL BASS
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hen it comes to warm-water fly fishing, shoal bass are about as fun as it gets. These pugnacious river bass are native to only one river system: The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, and their preferred swift-water habitat was years ago reduced to tributaries and stretches between dams in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. While Georgia claims the healthiest native, reproducing populations of the species in the Flint River and in pockets of the Chattahoochee River, the situation is a little more tenuous for Florida’s shoal bass. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), The 95-mile-long Chipola River is the last remaining waterbody in the state with a known naturally reproducing shoal bass population. The species was dealt a massive blow in 2018, when Hurricane Michael ripped over the Panhandle and depleted more than 90 percent of the Chipola’s shoal bass population. FWC stepped in to suspend harvest and possession of shoal bass in the Chipola River and its tributaries. Then they began hatching and releasing genetically pure shoal bass into the river. It appears to be working. Over the last two years, 11,000 fingerling shoal bass have been stocked into the Chipola. In subsequent samplings, DNA analysis showed more than 60 percent of yearling fish sampled came from these stockings.
“The stockings over these past two years have certainly made an impact on the population; shoal bass that were stocked last year are already within the 9-10 inch range,” said FWC biologist Andy Strickland. This is the first time genetically pure shoal bass have been successfully raised in an FWC hatchery, which is a big deal because genetic impurity is one of the largest threats shoal bass face. Across their native range, interbreeding with introduced non-native black bass species like Alabama bass and spotted bass has muddied the gene pool except in small pockets where genetically pure populations are isolated from interlopers. “It is extremely encouraging not only to successfully spawn this species in a hatchery setting but also to document the significant contribution the hatcheryreared fingerlings have made to the existing shoal bass population in the Chipola River to date,” said Bob DeMauro, Hatchery Manager at FWC’s Blackwater Research and Development Center. Biologists will continue to monitor Chipola River shoal bass and evaluate these stocking efforts in years to come. To learn more about a great shoal bass fishery, visit flyfishga.com.
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JANUARY 2024
FLORIDA 15
Cruising Into Adventure: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show
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et ready to set sail into an ocean of excitement at the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, where innovation meets Miami’s vibrancy and electric culture. This year promises an experience like no other, and we’ve got the scoop for navigating you through the show’s must-see experiences. Taking place throughout President’s Day weekend, Feb. 14-18, the show has historically welcomed over 100,000 visitors and featured more than a thousand highly sought-after boating and marine products, generating major economic revenue for the recreational boating industry and over a billion dollars to the state of Florida.
16 FLORIDA
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The World’s Largest Boat and Yachting Show: From Miami’s Mainland to the Deep Blue Embark across the City of Miami and Miami Beach, stopping at six iconic show locations, each with its own unique charm. From the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) to the Venetian Marina to test drive the latest vessels at sea trials, there’s a maritime wonderland waiting for you at every stop. Other show locations include: the Progressive Boat Show Experience at Pride Park, Herald Plaza, Museum Park Marina, and SuperYacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami. Unleash the Adventure with 2-Day Passes Dive into our exclusive 2-Day passes, the golden
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key to unlock all that the show has to offer. Whether you’re eyeing the latest in fishing or charting the course to explore the docks and enjoy over 100 food concessions and satellite bars sprinkled throughout the show, the 2-Day pass is your ticket to an extended celebration. Make sure to stop by the Stella Artois Beer Garden and Goslings Island Bar for a refreshing pause between the vessels up for exhibition. Looking to indulge in the luxury of the show’s Windward VIP experience? This year, the VIP passes are available at two exclusive locations – Herald Plaza and MBCC. Elevate your journey by securing tickets for one or both and enjoy premium perks that come with VIP status. Exclusive access to areas like Superyacht Miami is provided to Windward passholders. VIP ticket holders will also receive a complimentary one-day admission to Art Wynwood, Miami’s premier winter art fair, taking place Feb. 16-18. A Seamless Experience: From Water Taxis, Shuttles, Brightline Skip the traffic headaches by using the water taxi or the show’s bus shuttle network. Visiting from Orlando, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Aventura? Hop on the Brightline and enjoy a complimentary shuttle to the show at Herald Plaza. Water taxi tickets require a separate purchase. As the excitement builds, the 2024 Miami International Boat Show invites you to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Celebrate the maritime lifestyle, cutting-edge technology, and the latest in personal boating and yachting. Secure your tickets by visiting miamiboatshow.com.
FEBRUARY 14-18 • MIAMIBOATSHOW.COM
ENTICE BIG TROUT WITH
ERRATIC ACTION PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
A
common principle anglers abide by during winter months is to slow down their retrieve or presentation. Although this is a good default option, it may fail to entice strikes of those big, cold, winter trout. Let’s discuss. Some of my favorite lures for targeting trophy trout in the winter are those that suspend, slow sink, and have an erratic movement. When I
define a slow presentation, I am referencing the speed at which the lure moves toward the angler, the retrieve speed, not the motion. As a young angler, I was always told to slow down when it’s cold and then slow it down a little more. Although this has its place, it should not be set in stone, or ice if it’s really cold. OK, enough of the bad jokes. When trout are cold and may not be feeding
as aggressively as we would like, an extremely erratic motion can entice the strike. This erratic motion makes the lure dance in place with little to no forward movement. I use a rod with a whippy action for this. This allows me to point my rod tip at the lure and shake it up and down aggressively causing the lure to almost dance in place. I then let it pause, suspending or slow-sinking as I reel up the slack. I then repeat this practice, modifying according to the conditions. Fishing braided line is imperative for this method. The stretch in mono will not allow your slow-sinking lure to dance in place at the end of a long cast, but the zero stretch of braid makes it move like it is on a wire. I learned this the hard way 20 years ago. I was fishing with four friends, and I was the only one using mono and the only one not catching. I mimicked every move my buddy made to no avail. I then ask him to cast his lure and retrieve it near me. I watched it dance past with great action. I then cast my lure near him. Although I moved my rod more vigorously, he said my lure was moving in a straight line as if I was just reeling it in. I switched to braid on the next trip and never went back, and of course this dancing method started to produce fish! If you pay attention to the strike, this method will let you know if you should modify your retrieve. If they bite on the pause, you may want to slow it down a bit. If they bite on the shake, you may want to speed it up. I hope this helps you land more big trout this season. Good Luck! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com
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By Capt. Jamie Thrappas
A BIG INSHORE SURPRISE!
t was a chilly winter morning, and my crew—a good friend Zach and his two sons—all knew it was going to be either a tough day or a great one. It was a typical morning for winter here in the Daytona, Fla. area, with overcast skies, highs in the low 60s and a dominant wind and swell headed from the northeast. The inshore bite is typically pretty good this time of year, with a variety of different species usually willing to cooperate. Red drum are a favorite backcountry target during the colder months. When they move up on the flats to feed, it can lead to good action on spoons and paddletails. On the end of the outgoing tide, we hoped to bag a few redfish before the switch, but the bite never happened. We kept busy with some small permit, pompano, mangrove snapper and even a flounder. By the time the tide switched mid-morning, the bite had slowed down with just a few small sheepshead taking our bait. Sheepshead are delicious, and around here the causeways of the Intracoastal along with barnacle- or oyster-encrusted docks, bridges and jetties are a pretty good bet for picking up a few for the cooler. They love sand fleas and fiddler crabs but will also eat shrimp on a jig head or Carolina rig. Something I like to do while targeting other species is to leave baits out for red or black drum. I had two dead stick bottom rods out the back soaking halved blue crabs in the hopes that a drum would be hungry enough to pick it up. With the action pretty slow, and while we still had some time left in the trip, I decided we should make a move. I told Zach’s younger son Gavin, who is an employee of mine at Yellow Dawg Bait & Tackle in Ormond Beach, to reel in the back rods that had been soaking. At first it looked like he had a snag as the rod bent when he picked it up, but then the drag took off. Big black drum are tanks! It’s almost like they have shoulders and they’ve been working out all week waiting for you. The big ugly that highlighted that trip was somewhere in the 50-plus-pound range, a trophy for sure! Gavin, who is the younger guy in the photo, will be in U.S. Coast Guard boot camp when this edition hits the racks. His dad, Zach, is a veteran, along with his other two sons Logan and Cameron. A big thanks to all the men and women out there who serve our country! Capt. Jamie Thrappas is Co-Publisher of Coastal Angler - Volusia County and owner of Yellow Dawg Fishing. Check out yellowdawgfishing.com. To win a free half-day inshore or offshore charter with Capt. Thrappas, enter the Fish with Coastal Angler drawing at coastalanglermag.com/contest.
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The Alternative TheQuality Quality Alternative The Quality Alternative ToHigh HighCost Cost Fishing Fishing To Boats! To High Cost FishingBoats! Boats! The SeaEagle Eagle® ®FishSkiff FishSkiff™™ 16 Skiff The Sea 16Roll-Up Roll-UpFishing Fishing Skiff ®
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Delayed Harvest Trout By Nick Carter
A
AT FIRES CREEK, N.C.
delayed harvest trout stream is a better place than most to spend a winter afternoon, and if you can find a two- or three-day warming trend, there’s a good chance you’ll get into some pretty good fishing. North Carolina’s Fires Creek has a 2-mile stretch of delayed harvest water on U.S. Forest Service land off U.S. 64 between Murphy and Hayesville. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are stocked in the creek and protected under catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial only regulations during the October into June delayed
harvest season. It’s a small-stream setting with more and bigger trout than one would find in most creeks this size. The creek is gorgeous, with clear plunge pools and deep bend runs sliding into skinny pocket water that twists for miles through the bottom of a rhododendron-choked valley. Even the rounded river rocks are notable for their beauty, with striking dark gray and tan bands that’ll make you want to stash a few flat stones in your vest to take home. The fishing is about like any other delayed
harvest in terms of fish size and the density of stockings, but it is a small stream, so you’ll be tempted to—and you should—explore your way upstream instead of settling in on the big holes. Small streams are just more fun when you fish them that way. Around each bend lies a new challenge, another series of pools and runs. Tightlining nymphs is probably the most effective way to fool fish this time of year. They might fall for the standard “junk flies,” but a few months into the DH season, the fish might also be looking for something more natural. In winter, the aquatic insects will be small. Little black stoneflies, midges and blue-winged olives might hatch off on a warm afternoon and lead to some dry fly action, but unless you see bugs in the air, you’re better off fishing subsurface imitations of these insects. A double-nymph rig with a big attractor nymph below a smaller more natural looking nymph is always a good option. The foot bridge at the Fires Creek Picnic Area is the lower boundary of the DH water. Access above the foot bridge is easy on a streamside trail and also along Fires Creek Wildlife Road. This gravel track parallels the creek way up into its headwaters. The delayed harvest ends at the Forest Service 340A bridge. Upstream of this point, the trout population trends toward stream-born rainbows that top out at 10 or 11 inches. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of North Carolina and Georgia’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available at fly shops, on Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author by e-mailing nsc8957@gmail.com.
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JANUARY 2024
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A FEW THOUGHTS ON
SHEEPSHEAD By CAM Staff
S
heepshead have become a wintertime staple when water temps drop and the regular cast of inshore characters become more difficult to target. If you’re a cold-weather inshore angler, you’re probably already familiar with sheepshead, so here are a few tips you might not have heard yet. Finding Fish: Convict fish travel and feed in packs. Once you locate them, the action can be fast, but you have to find them first. Obviously, they like structure like bridges, docks and jetties, where they can happily gnaw on barnacles. When considering structure, older, rambling docks with lots of pilings provide more surface area for established colonies of crustaceans. These can be honeyholes, but keep moving if you’re not catching fish. You might run a dozen different structures in a day and catch 90 percent of your fish on one. In the clear water of winter, sheepshead can often be sight fished, and they don’t really spook, so look for them before casting. If the water is too dingy to see them, you can sometimes hear them crunching shells if you listen quietly. Chum ’Em Up: This might sound silly, but sheepshead get excited about free food just like any other species of fish. Keep a shovel on the boat and scrape barnacles off the structure you’re fishing. This rings the dinner bell, and it’ll also help you spot them as they dart around to pick off the falling morsels. Looking for scraped pilings is also a good way to identify where other anglers have chummed sheepies before. Play the Tides: Pretty much every fish feeds best on a moving tide, but a ripping flow can be detrimental when fishing for such a structure oriented fish. Fast moving water tends to pin sheepshead right up against structure. This, and the tide itself, can make presenting baits more difficult. Find a moderate tide, and
sheepshead will spread out and move around a little more, which makes them easier to catch. Position yourself up-current and allow your baits to drift down into the fish. The Business End: Although they are not skittish, sheepshead can be selective. Whether you’re fishing fiddler crabs, shrimp tails, sand fleas, oysters or clams, use a small, short-shank hook and hide it inside your bait. Also, fish braided line. Braid has less stretch, so those little bumps when a sheepshead taps your bait translate better to the rod tip. Braid also has better abrasion resistance for when they pull you around a piling, but the increased sensitivity is key. With their black and white bars, convicts are notorious bait thieves. You need to know it the instant they suck in your bait.
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