Coastal Angler Magazine | August 2023 | Treasure Coast Edition

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By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

Athe cooler waters of great depths, deep-water grouper are some of the better tasting sh in the ocean. of deep-water grouper we target o coast of the Florida Keys are snowy grouper and yellowedge grouper. ey are found in depths of 400 to 1,000 feet.

Yellowedge are open year-round, and they can be a little di cult to nd. ey congregate in localized areas in depths between 600 and 800 feet. You might nd snowies and tile sh where you nd yellowedges, but this is not true the other way around. When you nd an area with yellowedge grouper, mark it, save it, and do not over sh it. Keep your harvest light, and this honey-hole will produce for you again in the future.

When making a deep-dropping rig, use larger hooks on the top and bottom of a ve-hook rig. Mustad 11/0 circle hooks provide excellent hookup ratios for this kind of shing. A x larger baits on these hooks, with the bottom intended for yellowedge, and the top intended for snowy grouper. Pepper in smaller ones in the middle for tile sh.

e nice part about dropping ve hooks is you can play with a variety and see what works. e best

to do what it is made to do.

Bait selection can vary greatly, so use anything and everything. I use chunks of fresh sh, with skin that will stay on the hook longer, for my top and bottom hooks, and squid in the middle. At least one hook should have some greasy, oily, stinky squid for deep dropping.

When it comes to catching deep-water species such as grouper, tile sh, barrel sh and rosies, you don’t need to break the bank to get a reliable electric set-up. e lower priced reels can handle these and can be paired with a rod and stacked with line on a budget of $1,000 to $2,000. I don’t recommend buying these used, as everything electronic on the water has a shelf life, and you never know how they were cared for previously.

With mahi-mahi still prevalent in o shore waters, and with snowy grouper still in season, the timing is perfect to hunt yellowedge grouper. If you aren’t interested in the trial and error of searching the depths of the vast ocean by yourself, Sweet

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SWEET E’ NUF CHARTERS.

BILL DANCE SIGNATURE LAKES to Solidify Tennessee as the Heart of Fishing in the Southeast

Bill Dance Signature Lakes will connect the world’s most-loved angler with some of Tennessee’s most excellent natural resources – its lakes. is program is intended to make Tennessee a best-in-class destination for anglers worldwide.

With the new initiative’s goal to improve and enhance Tennessee lakes, increase visitation and honor Dance’s legacy, Tennessee will invest $15 million in improvements above and below the water at 18 lakes that bear shing legend Dance’s stamp of approval. Tennesseans will bene t from increased stocking, habitat and sheries management and improved access for shing and boating. e collaborative e ort between Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of shing in the southeast and drive economic activity across the state.

“I’m unbelievably humbled and excited to be involved in such a helpful project that will bene t so many people and our natural resources in my great home state of Tennessee,” said Bill Dance. “You can bet your favorite lure this project will have a ripple e ect for a mighty long time, not only giving the weekend sherman but tournament anglers a wonderful shery as well, thanks to the great state of Tennessee and my friends at TWRA.”

Bill Dance Signature Lakes touches 39 counties, including 22 at-risk or economically distressed counties, and is an essential step in helping those communities create new revenue streams through increased visitation. Fishing generates $1.2 billion in economic impact annually and supports 7,480 jobs across the state.

Bill Dance Signature Lakes includes nine large reservoirs with a proven track record for quality shing for a variety of sh. In partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, reservoirs will receive new or upgraded best-inclass ramps to improve public access for both recreational and tournament anglers. Each of the 18 lakes will see such above-water upgrades as courtesy docks, ample parking, additional access points, shing piers and signage, to name a few. Several smaller lakes, many which are located within Tennessee State Parks, will be managed intensively by TWRA for Bill Dance approved family shing with regular stocking to ensure the best chance for success.

Projects are slated to begin in 2022 and near completion by the fall of 2024. For more information, see www.tnvacation.com.

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GETS THE FISH

When the low for the month is 82 degrees and the highs average 100, we have to make some modi cations to our lifestyles… and so do the sh. Let’s cover a few opportunities to take advantage of as we try to entice a bite this summer.

In the past I have written about some night shing techniques, but I realize that is not for everyone. However, optimizing your time on the water when the temperatures are at their coolest is imperative.

Water and air temps should be at their coolest just before dawn, and that is prime time to be chunking and winding. I like to be casting at least 30 minutes before the rising sun. I recommend locating an area that will have ample tidal ow. is obviously encourages the sh to feed, and it also helps keep the temperature lower. Pair the moving tide with some structure like shells or deeper water adjacent to a shallow at, and you should be in business. e area obviously needs to be holding bait, also.

Topwater lures are always fun and a popular

choice before and at sunrise in August. Once that bite slows, it’s time to bounce the bottom with some plastics. I try to not specify jighead weight if I am not covering a speci c location because it depends on tide, depth and a score of other variables. I would position myself to cast toward the shallows and bring my lure down the drop o . is is a good method to locate sh and cover di erent depths. Fish could be shallow early and fall o the edge as the sun rises. I also like to vary my retrieve speed, and don’t be afraid to work your lure very slowly ticking the bottom structure. Fish in warm water can become lethargic just as they do in cold water. Another time to hit the water is a er a summer rain. Take advantage of these showers, which cool

the water temps. ese periods can be short-lived depending on the extent and duration of the rain event. Heavy lighting tends to slow the bite a er the storm moves on, so I am not a big fan of shing a er a lightning storm.

I hope these tips can help you catch a few more sh this summer and stay out of the heat. Another bene t of shing early and heading home is you have the rest of the day to do other things. Wear your sun block, stay hydrated, and have a fun summer on the water!

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

FIND THE BAIT, FIND THE FISH

Tim Barefoot

August is a pre-transition month, when we’re at the end of summer, and just before the true transition months of September and October. e shing can be hot as a recracker if you pay attention to the bait. is is a pre-staging month for the bait and the bottom sh, as well. Huge schools of cigar minnows and sardines will start their annual migration toward inshore waters for spawning, waiting for the fall and winter.

When o shore bottom shing, I’m looking for large stacks of beeliners as well as cigs and sardines. is is where you nd the sh. Period. Many years ago when I was commercial shing, we would stay for days at a time looking for grouper and snapper. We concentrated on the bait as much as the structure. If you found these two together (bait on a ledge), so much the better, but we o en found sh on slick, at, sand bottom on stacks of bait. We’d anchor on these big stacks of bait and go to work. If the bait school moved, so did the sh… and so did we! We’d y the anchor and move around until we found them again. It was just like magic, with instant bites on the bottom. is is the reason I keep saying, nd the bait, nd the sh. It doesn’t matter where these big stacks of bait go, the sh will follow.

With late summer water temperatures, pelagics like the tunas, wahoo and dolphin are scattered all over the nearshore waters due to the hot water. e water temperatures on the beach will be close to the water temps in the Gulf Stream by now, and the sh will follow bait wherever it goes. In August and September, some unsuspecting king mackerel sherman always catches a stud wahoo trolling live bait on some nearshore stack of bait. I remember wrestling a yellow n for more than an hour on lightweight king mackerel tackle just 10 miles o the

beach. We were bottom shing and had a live cigar minnow out on the light line. Eventually, I lost the ght due to a swivel that couldn’t take it anymore. Ha! Neither could I.

Keep a good eye on the recorder and any surface activity around structure. You know the areas that hold the big schools of cigs and sardines. Keep going back to these places now and into September. is is where you’ll nd what you’re looking for.

I’ve always been a bait freak. Now that I’ve seen more than just a few cycles of what happens through the seasons, I’m better able to see the big picture. Bait moves around for speci c reasons during di erent seasons. Whatever you are shing for requires food to keep them in a place. So… nd the bait, nd the sh.

For more from Capt. Tim Barefoot, check out Barefootcatsandtackle.com.

A nice scamp caught o a big stack of beeliners.

CATCH LATE SUMMER TRIPLETAIL SOAKING IN THE SUN

By Emily Hanzlik

In late summer, the humidity is crazy and the heat wants to take you down. e shing can slow down during this time; however, chilling in the sun is a lifestyle for some sh species.

e tripletail is one of the strangest sh in the ocean. Tripletail are usually dark brown with some lighter shades mixed around, and they can sometimes be yellow, depending on their area. ese sh don’t have a typical body structure. Instead, they have a at almond-shaped body and get their name from the appearance of having three tails, which is an adaptation of enlarged lobes on the posterior ns. ey usually don’t grow any larger than 15 pounds and typically range from 20-30 inches. For their size, they put up a heck of a ght.

Many tagging studies have been done on these sh to track their migrations. However, science has yet to gure it all out. e idea is they move north to south, then back up the coast going no further than Georgia. In the Gulf, they make it as far as Texas. e timing of their movements appears to be random, but it probably depends on currents, since they don’t free swim much.

Sometime during the summer months, tripletail will oat o shore to breed. Like most,

they broadcast spawn, with females producing anywhere from 4 to 8 million eggs. ey can spawn every three to ve days.

When these sh aren’t o shore spawning, they typically hang near lots of structure. You might spot them oating near crab buoys, mangroves, oating leaves and poles in the water. Tripletail are known for mimicking and blending in with their surroundings. is makes it especially di cult while shing to spot these creatures. However, it gives them amazing bene t, since their prey is also hiding in these places. Tripletail usually prey on shrimp, sh and small crabs.

ere are many di erent ways to target tripletail. Since they aren’t big swimmers, you’ll normally nd them oating around with seaweed or next to buoys. You can pitch baits, like live shrimp, to target them. Usually, you’ll want to use a small live bait hook without a weight to get a natural dri in front of them. If live bait isn’t your style, you can also use small jigs or swimbaits to grab their attention. Another great way is y shing. Here, you’ll want a y that mimics a small shrimp or bait sh. When targeting them, make sure to nd which end is their face. en try to dri your o ering in front of their nose.

e current IGFA all-tackle world record is

42 pounds. It was caught in South Africa in 1989.

Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bow n Guide Service as well as shing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMY LOCKHART

Let’s grow with Florida together.

Serving

nglers of all ages fished Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged (ARC) of the Treasure Coast’s 9th Annual KDW Offshore Fishing Tournament on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina in Port Salerno. It was a day of fun in the sun and on the water in support of more than 1000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, from Jupiter to Fort Pierce.

With a fleet of 26 registered boats and a dozen individuals fishing aboard Safari 1, anglers brought in a mixed bag of kingfish, dolphin, grouper and snapper.

First place cash awards went to Rich Rhatigan for his 25.12-pound kingfish, Zach Hayden for his 5.36-pound dolphin, Jimmy Parkes for his 15.01-pound snapper and Noah Scammell for his 21.39-pound grouper. Second place awards went to Michelle Halstead with an 18.7-pound kingfish, Cheyenne

Ellison, Jr. with a 3.75-pound dolphin, and Kaylynn Woods with an 8.15-pound grouper. Third place awards went to Larry Baker in the kingfish category, Camron Sullivan in the dolphin category, Doug Buys in the snapper category and Jeremiah Peloquin and Kevin Beers in the grouper category. Michelle Halstead took top lady angler and Caleb Buys took top junior angler.

Thanks to Capt. Pete Morello on My Last Honey and Capt. Rocky Carbia on Safari 1 Deep Sea Fishing, several ARC individuals were able to participate and enjoy a day of fishing and fresh ocean air. Other ARC individuals manned wheelbarrows to get anglers catches from their boats to the weigh station. Volunteers from Jupiter to Fort Pierce gave their time and attention to all the details, ensuring a fantastically fun day overall.

The fundraising event wrapped up with an awards presentation, a BBQ dinner served by Pirate’s Cove

It was snappers galore for Bryan Williams, Top Junior Angler Cleb Buys and Doug Buys.

Noah Scammell, first place grouper.

Richard Rhatigan (right) with his first place kingfish.

COASTAL

Fort Pierce Youngster Selects White’s Tackle Shopping Spree for Make A Wish

By Ed Killer for CAM

Most Florida teens can enjoy their summers by skateboarding, fishing, going to the beach or kayaking in the Indian River Lagoon. Brandon Reed, 15, of Fort Pierce spends his free time getting cancer treatments.

Reed, an enthusiastic skateboarder and eager angler, was engaged in his favorite activities, in between completing his schoolwork, in November of 2022 when he noticed a strange lump on his left arm. After visiting a walk-in clinic, they sent him to a hospital to seek further examination where it was discovered the lump was a type of cancer. Treatment began in December 2022 and has been working according to plan, according to Devon Reed, Reed’s mother.

Enter Make A Wish Foundation. The organization that helps children with life-altering illnesses reached out to the Reed family to offer their services in helping Brandon achieve a lifelong dream of his. But Reed respectfully declined, telling them to

offer their services elsewhere because in his opinion he has everything he needs.

His magnanimous attitude caused Make A Wish to come back at a later date very motivated to provide something for him. A trip to Alaska to fish for halibut? A tuna trip off Southern California? He was asked to submit three requests to see if the organization could provide any. He came back with the same request three times: A shopping spree at White’s Tackle in Fort Pierce.

June 16, Reed was joined by his family and friends at the Fort Pierce

shop with a $4,000 budget for fishing tackle, gear and other merchandise. He was transported by Cisco Limo of West Palm Beach to the store where he has already been a longtime customer.

Reed spent the next few hours picking out reels, a cast net, lures and bait buckets. No Live Bait Needed donated soft jigs and jerk baits and White’s Tackle donated a Yeti cooler.

Reed and his posse of friends said they plan to fish for 40-inch snook, 100-pound tarpon and 300-pound goliath grouper with his newly purchased gear. Reed already has a small skiff and when he’s not tired and sick from treatments, he’s out pursuing the fish he loves.

FORECASTS FISHING

MARTIN COUNTY INSHORE NEARSHORE

Capt. Jonathan Earhart

Chaos Fishing Charters

(772) 341 – 2274

www.chaosfishigcharters.com

jon@chaosfishigncharters.com

August is always a great month for fishing on the Treasure Coast. It can be one of the hottest months of the year, so be sure to

wear plenty of sunblock and stay hydrated. Inshore fishing is best for big snook, tarpon, and jack crevalles. Live whitebaits and or mullet depending on what baits are available. We can expect to see an influx of mullet this month as a precursor to the fall mullet run.

Nearshore fishing remains steady with some sailfish, bonito, snapper, kingfish, and the occasional mahi. To produce surface pelagic bites, target 25-to-65 foot of water around bait schools.

Bottom fishing on nearshore reefs will provide plenty of snapper for the fish box. Long leader rigs and or chicken rigs with cut bait will get the snapper bites. Beach fishing will be a good

choice for tarpon, snook, jacks, permit, and sharks. Live bait, dead bait, and or artificials early morning

or late afternoon around dawn and dusk. Tight lines!

baits and live baits presented at the end of longer (20 to 70 feet) straight leaders will produce a snapper bite from larger representatives of the mutton and mangrove species at these same reef locations. (For local GPS coordinates for Martin County’s Artificial Reef sites, go to martinreefs.com.)

Snapper catching strategies will dominate the offshore lives of most local anglers, during the hot summer days of August. Several species of snapper—including lane, vermilion, mangrove (gray), and mutton—will be solidly into their yearly spawning period this month. These members of the snapper family will populate an expansive swath of Martin County’s reef system from 50 to 180 feet of water, allowing captains and anglers to dial in a daily fishing strategy that best suits individual tastes and abilities. Depths of 55 to 95 feet of water will be the focal point for most snapper fishing and will allow anglers to catch representatives

from all four categories of snapper mentioned above. Snapper ‘grand slams’ will be a highly achievable feat during offshore bottom fishing outings this month, as these representatives of the snapper family coexist at similar reef sites and will fall prey to similar baits and

tackle presentations. All varieties of cut bait, including squid, bonito, sardines, and ballyhoo, to name a few, will result in snapper catching success. Chicken rigs and single hook, straight leader rigs will suffice for bait delivery options to these tasty bottom dwellers. Large cut

Besides a flavorful selection of snapper as fish targets, anglers will continue to be able to catch and keep grouper this month. Grouper will also be found right alongside schools of spawning snapper at these same reef outcroppings, making a bottom fishing strategy for a day’s outing a highly desirable option.

August’s relatively calm summer seas will allow fishing crews to explore their near coastal fishing zone. As in all summer months, fishing teams must maintain a healthy concern for thunderstorm activity and shape their trips accordingly.

So, in August, stock the boat up with plenty of lead and cut bait and target the many species of snapper that inhabit the near shore waters, east of Martin County.

For Reservations Call (772) 334-4411

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Monday-Saturday 8:30AM-1:30PM

Adults $70; Children $60

Sunday 8:30AM-3:00PM

Adults $80; Children $70

Capt. Jonathan with a pair of nearshore mutton snappers while fishing with dead cut sardines.

PHOTO PROVIDED by Capt. Jonathan Earhart.

PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1.

Safari 1 Fishing Team angler Jimmy Parker with a 15-pound mutton snapper that won first-place honors in the snapper division of the 2023 ARC of Martin County KDW Fishing Tournament this past June.

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FORECASTS FISHING

ST. LUCIE COUNTY OFFSHORE

Capt. Bo Samuel

Pullin Drag Charters

(772) 971-6661

facebook.com/Pullin-Drag-Charters catainbofishing@gmail.com

Warm waters, sunny days, calm seas, and low-to-no winds continue making August a good time to plan on reeling in some of those salty groceries on your list! While Treasure Coast fishing can be a little slow this month, having a plan to target certain species will increase the chances of keeping your boat deck fishy and your dinner table full. No matter what others may say, the right plan of action will keep you on the fish.

August also reminds us that Fort Pierce is a diving destination for divers hoping to catch limits of tasty Florida “bugs”. The highly anticipated spiny lobster season opens on August 6 and we expect significantly more boats in the area as divers from around the state come to enjoy our spectacular inlet and lobster bounty. Local captains and boat operators must be aware of dive flags on boats and personal buoys while navigating busy local waters. Many anglers are also divers but if you’re not a diver, trade some scales for tails and truly enjoy why we live in a fishing and diving paradise.

Local snapper species of lanes, mangroves (gray), and muttons are well into their yearly spawning season now and will be quickly found in area reef systems anywhere from 50-to100 feet. This means that even novice anglers will be able to dial in on a stellar snapper bite and boast some bragging rights. We are consistently pulling in sizable snapper, 8 to 10plus pounders and daily limits, with the key of keeping the bait on bottom with enough weight. I recommend stirring up these aggressive feeders by using a chum bag and throwing some cut bait like frozen sardines and then

get ready for some incredible action.

Targeting snapper can also provide a little luck for potential grouper hookups. Grouper will be found mixed in with the spawning snapper along the reef in all depths so bottom fishing is the go-to strategy. Running a flat line on top behind the boat while bottom fishing is also a great idea as it could help catch a bite from a cruising mahi. Nice to have options...especially for dinner.

Offshore bites of cobia, kingfish, amberjack, some dolphin, and sailfish are being reported. Big kings and cobia follow the bait fish so start looking carefully around any bait pods you find. Some days the kings will demolish anything you show them but other days they can be picky eaters. Always be prepared for a hit though, as kingfish are known to pull 100-to-200 feet of drag quickly and the challenge is on!

If you need a ride out to fish the blue, Pullin Drag has the fishiest boats on the Treasure Coast for you. Remember fishing rules, tackle, and bait can be found at great local area tackle shops like DeBrooks Fishing Corner and Little Jim Bait & Tackle. Here’s to scales and tails and a salty summer Pullin Drag!

Resort, live music by Leah Orchid, raffle drawings and a silent auction, made possible by donations from local businesses.

Tournament sponsors included Boar’s Head, PUBLIX Charities, Frito Lay, JJ Taylor Companies, Inc., Jordan

Dynamics, Inc., Breakthru Beverage, Florida Insurance Trust, Flora Fine Foods, Closets by Design, H.E. Hill Foundation, Yates Funeral Home, and Owen Insurance Group.

For more information on The ARC of the Treasure Coast, visit www.arcmc.org.

Jared Cade caught this monster 35-pound amberjack on a live threadfin over a wreck in 150 feet.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Bo Samuel.

ST. LUCIE COUNTY INSHORE

Capt. Adam White

St. Lucie Flats Fishing Charters (609) 820-6257

www.stlucieflatsfishing.com

Assummer continues to bring the daily chance of afternoon rains and thunderstorms, fishing will take the usual second seat to the opening of lobster season. Expect lots of boats on the water each day as they head out in search of the spiny critters. Be mindful of dive flags, practice safe boating tactics and don’t be in a hurry to get out there.

Bridges will hold some nice snapper during the month along with snook and tarpon in the lights at night. Using 20-to-30 fluorocarbon with live mojarras is a great way to target the mangrove snappers around

ST. LUCIE COUNTY DEEP SEA

Capt. Scotty Gold

Miss Fort Pierce Fishing (772) 766-0191

fortpiercefishing.com

As August is upon us, so is the hot steamy weather. As the mangrove snappers continue to spawn, there is a continued bite in 65 to 85 feet of water. Fish with the shorter leader of 12- and 15-foot, 40-or 30-pound fluorocarbon leader with any kind of cut bait or sardine, as well some live bait like a mojarra or finger mullet. Fish on the bottom on rough reef structures.

Also, the mutton snappers will continue to bite in depth of 30-to120 feet of water. Continue long leaders at 15 to 25 feet of 40-to50-pound test fluorocarbon or monofilament line. Once again, cut

the bridges. Once the sun sets, the shadow line will load up with small pilchards and greenies, and the snook and tarpon will be gorging themselves on them. Using small baits is a good way to get into some snook or tarpon action. D.O.A. TerrorEyz, small MirrOlures, and Yo-Zuri twitch baits are all good small profile lures to work the shadow line at night.

Head out to the docks along the river for snook, snapper, and an occasional redfish. When the water gets very hot, cut bait is a great way to get some of these lethargic fish eat in the mid-morning sun. Ladyfish, mullet, and pinfish are all good baits to soak under a dock or in the mangroves. To beat the heat, fishing the dock lights at night is another good option through the heat of the summer. Snook and trout will be actively feeding in the lights looking for shrimp, crabs, and small pilchards.

Pay attention to the weather this

bait or live bait will work. Fish on the sand adjacent to rocks, reefs or wrecks. Grouper will also be continuing to bite in the deeper

Stephanie with a solid snook caught on live bait.

PHOTO CREDIT: Miss Fort Pierce Fishing.

SEBASTIAN RIVER – The north fork of the Sebastian River will still have tarpon rolling in the early morning and evening, especially after thunderstorms cool the surface waters. Flies, plugs, D.O.A. Root Beer TerrorEyz and finger mullet will all catch these backwater tarpon. The docks and bridges of the lower river will be good places to work jigs, plugs and D.O.A. shrimp both day and night for snook.

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – Fishing around docks and mangrove shorelines has been the most consistent way to bend a rod in the lagoon this summer. Fishing plugs, jerkbaits and D.O.A. shrimp around shoreline cover will draw strikes from snook of all sizes. You

may also find some trout, redfish and mangrove snapper in the same areas taking advantage of the shade. Mosquito impoundment outflows are excellent places to look for juvenile tarpon and snook when rains flush baitfish out.

SEBASTIAN INLET – August is always a great month to catch and

release snook and oversized redfish at Sebastian Inlet. Fishing outgoing tides with live baits including croakers, pigfish, greenies, pinfish, and shrimp will be the key to daytime snook action. Night fishing can also be great, whether you drift through the bridge with live bait, or cast plugs, bucktails or soft plastic swimbaits from the rocks.

Bull reds will take advantage of the buffet provided by the inlets outgoing tides. They can be caught in the same areas and on the same baits as snook, but when juvenile crabs decide to catch a ride on the outgoing tide, big reds and permit can often be seen slurping them off the surface along the rip created by the outgoing tide as it pushes into the ocean. Topwater plugs, poppers, crab flies and live crabs properly placed will do the trick.

NEAR SHORE ATLANTIC –August should find king mackerel, bonito, and the occasional cobia within a few miles of the beach as long as the ocean remains calm and clean. Slow trolling live mullet or greenies around bait pods or hard bottom structure in 30-to-45 feet of water is as exciting as it is productive. As mullet and other baitfish begin their southern trek late in the month, the fishing along the beaches should really heat up. Big tarpon, kings, Spanish mackerel, sharks, snook, jacks, etc. all follow the bait south. The mullet schools generally travel within casting distance of the beach giving surf fishermen a great opportunity to catch a trophy. Tight lines!

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger.

Capt.

Big

Warm, clear water usually makes for tough, slow fishing in August, this combined with the impact of the extra 150 plus boats a day during the red snapper opening for two days this season—it will surely have an impact on the bottom fishing that might last into August. I’d much rather see them open it to one per boat per day until the quota is reached. If we get a thermocline that pushes fish into our area from the deep and southern water such as mutton snapper on the beach reefs 20 feet to 45 feet and amberjack on the 85 to 90 foot reefs it will be something to look forward to.

Kingfish, some in the 40# to 50# class, will be our only sure thing. Start looking around the bait pods that pop up from just outside the inlet and sometimes three to four miles out. You’ll often catch the kings right where you’re catching your threadfins. You have to figure the reason the bait on the surface is because there’s predators underneath.

Also, the artificial reefs will hold bait, cobia and mangroves. The trolling offshore is usually quiet in August so if you do go deep make sure you’re prepared to drop to the bottom to salvage your day.

It’s a good time for some tile fishing. They are usually in the 680 to 740 foot depth. If you’re looking to set up for tile fishing and you don’t have an arm like a wrestler, you might invest in an electric reel. The Diawa Tanacom 1000 is a good start. Pair that with some 80-pound T/C Power Pro on an 50 to 80 bent butt rod and you’re set up for deep dropping. You’ll find it satisfying to have something else to try when you’ve trolled to 600 feet without a knock down.

If there’s one thing to look forward to in August it’s some calm water and sunny days, throw a few extra bottles of water on the boat and stay hydrated. And watch out for those 3 p.m. storms. Always plan to go early and be in early. Early birds catch the worm in August. But it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese. That means it’s a good time to try some night fishing. Especially around the full moon.

Despite what some might say we do have good fishing in August. Let’s all pray the hurricanes stay away. As always be kind to your fellow angler, you might need a tow one day.

“Fish on gotta go!”

Ashley Wells with a monster mangrove snapper.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Terry Wildey.

Greetings, anglers! Here’s your fishing report for the beautiful Lake Okeechobee during the month of August 2023. As always, we’ll cover the latest lake levels and recommended lures to help you have a successful fishing excursion. Currently, Lake Okeechobee is experiencing high water levels due to extreme rain in the north Kissimmee River basin and the lake is hovering around 14.85 feet. The water clarity is good, providing favorable conditions for boating and fishing activities. However, it’s essential to keep an eye on weather forecasts and potential rainstorms,

as they can impact water levels.

August is a fantastic month for bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee. The warm waters and abundant vegetation make it an ideal time to target largemouth bass. Here are some recommended lures and techniques to maximize your chances of landing a big one:

1. Topwater: In the early morning and late evening, try using topwater lures such as buzzbaits, frogs, and poppers. These lures create enticing surface action, attracting bass that are actively feeding.

2. Soft Plastic Worms: As the sun rises and temperatures increase, switch to soft plastic worms rigged Texas-style or wacky-style. Choose colors that mimic the local forage, such as green pumpkin or watermelon red. Cast near weed edges, submerged structures, and lily pads, and work them slowly to entice strikes.

3. Spinnerbaits: When fishing in open water or around grassy areas, spinnerbaits are highly effective. Opt for 3/8- to 1/2-ounce sizes in chartreuse or white. Retrieve at a moderate speed, allowing the blades to vibrate and trigger aggressive strikes.

4. Swimbaits: Large swimbaits, around 6- to 8-inches in length, can

Sal Aquino and his son caught tons of nice bass on their trip in June—including this monster!

be effective for targeting trophysized bass. Fish them near drop-offs, submerged trees, and weed lines. A slow, steady retrieve imitating a wounded baitfish often entices strikes.

lures and techniques based on the current conditions and the behavior of the fish. Pay attention to their feeding patterns, and weather, and adjust accordingly. Tight lines, and may you reel in the catch of a lifetime! FORECASTS FISHING

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PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Nate Shellen.

FROM THE SHORE Chris Beachwalker Sharp

(772) 320 8611

beachwalkerfish@gmail.com

Christmas comes early for those who fish from land. That can only mean one thing: The Mullet Run. This is the time of year that mullet run the beach and river by the millions and it won’t be hard to find them. Most important thing is to get the right cast net for beginners. I suggest a 6-foot with 3/8-inch mesh because it’s easy to throw and catch enough mullet to keep alive in a 5-gallon bucket. For more advanced users, I would suggest a 10-foot 3/8inch mesh to catch with one cast.

Tarpon will be on the beach at first light. Try looking for them up close at Inlets and bridges. Some will be big others will be in the 50-pound range. If you have never caught a silver king, this is the best chance for you to hook up.

I use an 8-foot extra heavy rod with a 6000 series reel lined with 50-pound braid and 80-pound mono leader. Tarpon will jump, pull, and test your will as a fishing person. You can also find the tarpon by just looking at them busting the bait on the beach or river.

Snook will be at your feet at the

beach, chasing mullet and pilchards along the first trough of the beach. It’s going to be hot, so I go before first light and get the bigger ones in the 40-inch-plus range. The best places to catch them are inlets, bridges, and flats around Hermans Bay area.

Never forget the jack crevalle. This fish will fight like a big tarpon without the jump, with some over 40 pounds. The mullet run is a great time of year to take the family to local beaches, bridges, or flats to catch some of the best fishing in Florida has to offer.

Tight Lines!

KAYAK FISHING FORECAST

Brian Nelli

Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters

(772) 201-5899

Brian@tckayakfishing.com

www.tckayakfishing.com

INSHORE: Snook fishing should be your target this month. Fishing dock lights and bridge shadow lines at night are a great way to catch one and avoid the heat of the day. If daylight is more your thing, try fishing seawalls and docks with good water currents. Launching at Sawfish Park in Jupiter will allow you to access some good areas. Don’t overlook fishing the beach for snook as well as tarpon. Get out early and launch at places like the south side of Jupiter Inlet. Fish the beach south and look for rolling fish and snook in the surf.

OFFSHORE: Fishing offshore should

produce plenty of bonito, kingfish, tuna, sailfish and some wahoo in the mix. Slow trolling a live bait like a goggle eye or pilchard will be your best bet. Try trolling 80-to-250 foot of water looking for weed line or current breaks along reefs and ledges. Check out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into.

PHOTO PROVIDED by Chris Sharp.

Janet Crockett with a nice sized snook from the beach.

PHOTO CREDIT: Brian Nelli.

By Capt. Michael Mauri

Bucket List Tarpon

After four years, my good friend and client Achim from Germany came back to fly fish for jacks, albies, snook and tarpon. In the first few days he caught some big jacks, snook, false albacore, jumped a nice 80-pound tarpon and missed some more tarpon bites. At this point he was very happy but neither of us could have predicted the moment on June 27 when all the stars aligned, and he hooked at the last daylight a GIANT tarpon inshore. She took us around other boats and channel markers eventually leading us two miles offshore.

Although we put tremendous pressure on her and I made multiple attempts to leader her, it took us around 1.5 hours until I could finally get my hands on her.

Her jawbone was so massive I could barely get my hands around it and although I’m 6’5” - I felt small.

I told Achim she is definitely over 180 pounds but after a week of studying the footage, doing

some research on the internet, and checking in with some marine scientist friends, I truly believe she is around 200 pounds. While I wanted so badly to measure her, my biggest concern was to release her quickly to avoid the nearby predators like bull and hammerhead sharks. Her release was strong, and she swam off healthy!

In retrospect, there is a part of me that wishes I could have measured her, but deep down, I am confident I made the right choice by ensuring her a healthy release.

I’m grateful for this experience, and I couldn’t ask for a better friend, considering the unfortunate loss of three big tarpon in 2019 due bad luck. He definitely made up for that and then some.

Congrats my friend!

Capt. Michael Mauri www.mauriflyfishing.com

michael@mauriflyfishing.com

(772) 485-3321

INSHORE FOCUS St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program:

The St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program is dedicated to creating additional recreational destinations for boaters on the Treasure Coast. Over the last 18 years, the program has made 68 artificial reef deployments resulting in 57 new recreational destinations. While the program’s focus will remain on providing recreational destinations, it will shift slightly to include inshore fish habitats. Some fish that spawn in offshore waters produce larvae that are carried into the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) by incoming tide. These larvae then use lagoon habitats (seagrasses, mangroves, hardbottoms, oyster reefs) to grow into juveniles, making their way through the Fort Pierce Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean as they develop.

Monitoring of the Fort Pierce City Marina’s (FPCM) breakwater islands by Tetra Tech, Inc. in 2014, 2015, and 2022 showed 57 species of

fish, including juvenile black seabass, common snook, hogfish, mangrove snapper, red grouper, sheepshead, and yellowtail snapper. All of these species have been documented on St. Lucie County’s artificial reefs. The islands, built to protect the marina from storms, are also providing juvenile fish habitat for species before they recruit to the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to fish, the FPCM breakwater islands are home to 79 species of invertebrates including spiny lobster, queen conch, 4 species of corals, and 2 species of anemones. There are also 37 species of macroalgae growing near the breakwater islands. The diverse invertebrate community and high numbers of algal species in the area, combined with the relatively clean water coming from the Fort Pierce Inlet helps to explain the high number of fish species in this area.

The St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program hopes to expand this

hardbottom habitat surrounding the islands to make more room for juvenile fish to recruit to the ocean. Because of this it will be important to educate people about the area’s importance as a juvenile fish nursery. Both anglers and divers will be needed to monitor developments in the proposed inshore reefs, educate visitors about the high currents between breakwater islands, and ensure that patrons of this reef comply with current size and bag restrictions. Because this is a juvenile fish reef, no additional restrictions will be required.

This project will dovetail with the Artificial Reef Program’s effort to clean Moore’s Creek, the urban tributary delivering ground water and sometimes stormwater mixed with pollutants and trash to the IRL. The confluence of Moore’s Creek and the IRL is at the FPCM breakwater islands. Any improvement in Moore’s Creek water quality will positively impact fish habitat at the islands and further into the IRL.

An important component of this project will be the recreational aspect of this area. Both fishing and diving are major boosts to the economy. Any

reef placed at the FPCM breakwater islands needs to accommodate both fishing and diving as well as help local businesses to educate watermen. DeBrooks Fishing Corner and Dive Odyssea are two such businesses that are likely to benefit from the new reefs. These businesses will be surveyed to see how their patrons view the reefs and what can be done to improve their experiences.

RES, LLC is one of the Artificial Reef Program’s consultants and has been charged with helping to develop this reef project. Since recreation is of great importance to the program, it is hoped that RES can develop a means to minimize conflicts from different users on these reefs.

To learn more about the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program efforts to create additional recreational destinations or to learn about the program’s other projects to create fish habitat, contact Jim Oppenborn at (772) 462-1713 or oppenbornj@stlucieco.org. To get involved in RES’ planning for the potential juvenile fish habitat reef, please contact Joshua Mills at (772) 285-8363 or jcmills@res.us.

PHOTOS COURTESY of St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program.

Some fish that spawn in offshore waters produce larvae that are carried into the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) by incoming tide. These larvae then use lagoon habitats (seagrasses, mangroves, hardbottoms, oyster reefs) to grow into juveniles, making their way through the Fort Pierce Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean as they develop.

Fort Pierce City Marina’s breakwater islands, built to protect the marina from storms, has documented 57 species of fish and provide juvenile fish habitat before they recruit to the Atlantic Ocean.

Kasen James Jordan, 8, caught this “toad” in Sebastian using bread balls hoping for blue gill.

PHOTO COURTESY of Andrew Jordan.

Chris Giuffrida in the meat with the Southern Fortune Fishing Team.

PHOTO COURTESY of Chris.

Capt. Cherlyn Arnold with a beautiful red. PHOTO COURTESY of Cherlyn.

Christina George with a grouper caught on a live sardine at the Jensen Causeway. Fish was safely released.

PHOTO CREDIT: Alan George.

Patrick Postle with a nice vermilion snapper caught out of the St. Lucie Inlet.

PHOTO COURTESY of Patrick.

Arianne Friedrich-Buel from Palm City, Fla, celebrated Bahamas Independence Day on the Whoo Dat by deep dropping and being rewarded with a pair of golden tilefish.

PHOTO COURTESY of Arianne.

FLORIDA’S WATERS NEED YOUR HELP!

Anglers, your help is needed: Florida’s waters are in serious trouble.

Even a partial list of facts demonstrates the broad failure of Florida’s environmental regulatory system to protect our waters.

• Red tides have increased dramatically in frequency, duration and intensity.

• South Florida is bracing for yet another summer of massive blue-green algae blooms.

• Nearly a million acres of estuaries and 9,000 miles of rivers and streams are contaminated with fecal bacteria.

• Seagrass beds are on the brink of a death spiral.

• Eighty percent of our 1,000 springs are polluted.

• No state has lost more acres of wetlands.

• No state has more acres of polluted lake water. When it comes to our polluted waters, the buck stops with the state. Florida waters su er because our state government permits pollution and environmental degradation through its actions and inactions.

e primary problem is special interests, such as big agriculture, big development and big mining, which wield undue in uence over legislators and thus environmental policy. It’s pro t over public interest.

In 2020, looking to clean up their polluted waterways themselves, an astounding 89 percent of Orange County voters approved a Right to Clean Water/Rights of Nature charter amendment.

e state legislature swi ly took that right away by preempting the authority of local governments statewide from passing such laws. If you want proof that a rights-based approach to protecting our waters would be e ective, it’s right there.

at preemption le Floridians with only one viable course of action: amend our state constitution to give all Floridians a fundamental right to clean and healthy waters, a right beyond the reach of legislators. e amendment is indefeasible and self-executing; it can’t be annulled or compromised by the legislature.

is fundamental right would be on par with other fundamental rights such as the right to free speech and the right to bear arms.

Given how critical clean water is to Floridians, we merit this right. We need this right. With it enshrined in our constitution, we can hold state government accountable when it permits pollution and degradation of our waters and aquatic ecosystems.

To get on the 2024 ballot, 891,589 signed and approved petitions are needed by Nov. 30, 2023.

Go to FloridaRightToCleanWater.org to read the full text of the amendment. Browse the FAQs. Note the growing list of over 150 organizations and businesses supporting this amendment.

CONSTITUTIONAL

Learn that this right doesn’t mean your neighbor can sue you for fertilizing your lawn, or that there will be a proliferation of lawsuits. It means our government must provide real remedies for polluted waterways. en, if you are a registered Florida voter, print out, sign, and mail the petition. Get family and friends to do the same.

Florida waters depend upon it, and we all depend upon clean water.

Visit FloridaRightToCleanWater.org for more ways you can help make a di erence.

Ballot Title:

Ballot Summary:

Amendment Information

Right to Clean and Healthy Waters

This amendment creates a fundamental right to clean and healthy waters. The amendment may be used to sue State executive agencies for harm or threatened harm to Florida’s waters, which include aquatic ecosystems. This amendment defines terms, identifies affected constitutional provisions in Article IV governing the executive branch, provides for civil action enforcement, allows attorney’s and expert witness fees to prevailing plaintiffs, and provides equitable remedies including restoration of waters.

See separate document for the full text of the proposed constitutional amendment.

04/22/2022 2202 Date Approved Serial Number

Sponsor's Information (Return all completed petition forms to the address below.) Name: Address:

FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org

13300 South Cleveland Avenue Suite 56 Fort Myers, FL 33907

Voter's Information

I am a registered voter of Florida and hereby petition the Secretary of State to place the above proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution on the ballot in the general election.

Address

Update my voter registration record to this address. (check box)

Petition Circulator's Information

This Petition form is only to be collected by a volunteer or directly by the voter him or herself.

A paid petition circulator must use the DS-DE 155B version of the form. Forms for paid petition circulators can be obtained from the Division's Paid Petition Circulator website. Visit https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/InitiativePetitions/ for more information.

Attention

• This form becomes a public record once filed with the Supervisor of Elections.

• It is a first degree misdemeanor to knowingly sign the same petition more than once. [§104.185, F.S.]

• An improperly completed form will not be validated.

DS-DE 155A (10-2021) R1S-2.009, Fla. Admin. Code

THROW A WACKY RIG TO GET BIT!

TYLER WOOLCOTT

Have you ever heard the saying, “going catching, not shing?”

Well, there’s a technique that will help you do just that. More than any other bait I can think of, a wacky rig gets bit at any time, under any conditions. If you haven’t heard of a wacky rig, it’s simply a Senko-style bait with a hook through the very center of the worm.

ere are a few reasons this bait outperforms many others when it comes to getting bites. First o , it is versatile when it comes to areas where you can throw it. I wacky rig with a weedless hook, which allows me to pretty much put this bait anywhere. Hayabusa makes an awesome hook called the Wacky Fluoro Guard that is completely weedless and helps you sh through cover. What kind of cover? e options are endless. Docks, grass, wood and rocks are some of the places I’ll throw a wacky rig.

I use a spinning rod with a wacky rig, which allows easier casts, especially when skipping the bait under cover most people can’t reach. A wacky rig skips extremely well, and this lets you reach sh that might never have seen a bait before. e natural falling shimmy action of the Senko drives sh absolutely crazy. It will catch bass when nothing else seems to be working.

For colors, I like green pumpkin or some type of brown when the water is clear. If there’s some stain to the water, I use a darker color like junebug or redbug to help it stand out. In muddy water, the silhouette of a darker bait is what the bass pick up on.

Typically, the slower you sh a wacky rig, the better. I throw it or skip it under and around cover and then let it sink for a few seconds. A lot of times, bass will eat it on the initial fall. If not, I give it a few small twitches or a pull of the rod to cover some area. Repeat this process a few times until your bait leaves the strike zone. If there is a sh around, it will bite.

Wacky Rig Gear

A spinning rod is ideal for this technique. I like a shorter rod for more accurate casts and skips. e 13 Fishing Defy 7’1” medium is an awesome rod for a wacky rig, and it’s super a ordable. Pair it with your favorite 2000 or 3000 size reel, and spool up with 10-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid. I use a uorocarbon leader to help keep the line visibility down. A 10- to 15-pound leader works, depending on the type of cover I am targeting. Seaguar Abrazx is an awesome uorocarbon line that I use for most of my spinning rod leaders.

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcott shing.com.

Surf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow, enhances the buying experience for both watersports and out tter retailers with the debut of its new Shoreline o ering during the Sept. 7-9, 2023 edition.

Shoreline at Surf Expo will feature products dedicated to technical apparel, equipment and gear any enthusiast needs to transition from a day on the water to stretching out on land.

“From the trails to the lakes and beyond, Shoreline at Surf Expo supports the natural evolution of the waterman’s lifestyle with gear, apparel and accessories that will take consumers from coastal shoreline activities into camping, hiking, climbing and other recreational activities found along rivers and lakes,” said Roy Turner, Emerald SVP and Surf Expo Show Director.

Shoreline is positioned to become the hub for industry-leading retailers and brands focusing on shing, boating, wakeboarding, technical apparel, outerwear, camping, watersports hardgoods as well as essential gear and accessories.

e newest oor category complements Surf Expo’s extensive product o erings—Surf, Skate, Paddle and Bluewater—by targeting the business associated with outdoor amenities and recreation found in lake towns across the country.

Eric Marvin, founder of Elakai Outdoor, is exhibiting outdoor games within the new Shoreline category. Some games include cornhole, bocce ball, croquet and more. While this is Marvin’s rst year participating at Surf Expo, he knows it will be the right t for his business.

“Our products can be used on the beach, by the lake or near the ocean. Exhibiting at Surf Expo is a natural t for who we are as a business and what the Shoreline category is all about,” said Marvin.

Shoreline will also create a seamless connection with Surf Expo’s Bluewater category, which showcases notable inshore and o shore apparel and accessory products ranging from lifestyle and technical apparel to footwear, outerwear, sportswear, T-shirts, sunglasses and much more.

“Blending the inshore and o shore worlds under Surf Expo’s one roof exposes buyers and sellers to this growing crossover market within the coastal lifestyle industry,” added Turner.

SHORELINE & BLUEWATER EXHIBITING BRANDS INCLUDE:

Ronix Wake/ Radar Skis, Columbia OCS, MANG, Hest, Bimini Bay Out tters, Burnside Sierra Paci c Apparel, Elakai, Fahlo, HEST, Kracken Adventure Bikes, Intracoastal Waterway, Kanga Coolers, Lowtides Ocean Product, Line + Cleat, Pirani, Preston 1947 by Ebinger Brothers, Promo & More, Sunski, Sunburn Drink, e Grateful Diver, XTRATUF, Welly Bottle, and ZEP-PRO.

Summer-Long Fishing Competition Engages Youth Anglers

CCA Florida’s summer-long STAR shing competition o ers anglers a shot at more than $500,000 in prizes, with $100,000 in youth scholarships and invites anglers of all ages and skill levels to walk away with prizes from new boats to scholarships and more.

“Since we launched STAR in Florida, we’ve seen anglers catch more, release more, support the recovery of our state’s marine resources and walk away with new boats, scholarships and amazing new gear at the same time,” said STAR Director Leiza Fitzgerald. “Since the start of the competition, we’ve awarded anglers with over $2 million in prizes, including $800,000 in scholarships and two new ski s to youth anglers across the state.”

e 2023 STAR competition ends Sept. 4 and includes 15 divisions targeting 12 species both inshore and o shore. Awesome boat, motor, trailer packages and cash prizes and more will be awarded for di erent divisions.

STAR and its scholarship partners also provide tremendous incentives to engage youth in shing and conservation. For only a $10 New Tide Membership, youth ages 6 to 17 can enjoy free registration in STAR and participate to win boats, scholarships, other great prizes and earn community service hours.

At the conclusion of the competition, scholarship winners will be determined by a random drawing of all eligible photo entries.

Registered youth anglers may submit one photo a day of their sh on the 2023 STAR O cial STAR measuring device of the following species: lady sh, jack crevalle, sheepshead, snapper, snook, spotted seatrout, red sh, tarpon, grouper, dolphin or king sh.

e STAR Youth Scholarship Division presented by Realtree Fishing, o ers $100,000 in scholarships: two $25,000 scholarships presented by Realtree Fishing and e Slade Kerr Family and 10

$5,000 scholarships. is year Academy Sports + Outdoors, Florida Cracker Tournaments, e Plantation Inn Red sh Classic, Sodium Fishing Gear and Millers Boating Center join Coastal Conservation Association Florida, Southeast Environmental Solutions, Florida Sports Coast, Florida Sport shing Association, Phillips & Jordan and Tailin Toads Apparel as partners in presenting the $5,000 scholarships for 2023.

e Tagged Red sh Division Youth Prizes include two ski s, complete with Minn Kota trolling motors and Humminbird electronics and powered with Yamaha Outboards sitting on a trailer. e Tagged Dolphin Division o ers a $10,000 scholarship if the rst tagged dolphin is caught by a New Tide member.

Youth anglers also have another wonderful opportunity in the Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division presented by Papa’s Pilar. Youth participants can pick up garbage from the water or a shoreline during the competition and get rewarded. ey must submit a photo of the 5-gallon buckets full of trash for a shot at a $1,500 prize package, Kahuna Wagon, sunglasses certi cate and other great prizes. For every 5-gallon bucket of garbage a STAR Youth participant submits, they will also be provided with 30 minutes of community service hours.

For a full list of divisions, visit cca star.com.

For more information on STAR, or to register, visit the Facebook page or cca star.com.

By TAM Sta

CRAPPIE TIPS for Deep Summer

Spring is long gone and so are the quick limits of shallow-water crappie. at doesn’t mean you can’t go load the cooler with some slabs for a sh fry; it just means you’ll have to work a little harder. Here are a few tips to help you catch crappie when the weather and water are hot.

Trust the Electronics: Sonar is your best friend when crappie move deep. You might know where good brush and structure are on your lake, but you won’t know where the schools of crappie are until you spot them on the graph. Use side-scan to look under docks and around points, ledges, ditches and creek and river channels. Don’t even bother wetting a line until you’ve located sh with your electronics.

Find the Shade: Crappie don’t like the sun, and deepwater docks or piers can be the mother lode on bright days. Even underwater structure like ledges, humps and creek channels provide shade. Pay attention to the location of the sun, and then start searching the side of a given piece of structure that will provide some shade.

Go Early: ere’s no sense baking in the sun for a few sh when you can load the boat in just a few hours before and a er daybreak. Boat tra c and water temps are both lower in the morning, which means crappie and the small bait sh they feed on will be most active. In the morning, crappie move shallower up on the humps and ledges to chase bait. ey are more likely to bite when they are actively feeding.

Troll the Humps: O shore humps that top out at 15 feet or deeper will hold crappie this time of year. ey’re even better when there’s brush on them. Early and late, or if there is some dam-generated current, the sh will move

up to feed on these humps. ey suspend o the sides when the sun is high or the water is still. Slowly pull a spread of jigs or small, deep-diving crankbaits or spoons over and around humps where you’ve located sh. Pay close attention to how deep your lures are getting and add weight if you need to get them deeper.

Shoot Docks: Main-lake docks with 15 or more feet of water under them are comfortable places for crappie to hang out when the water is warm. Shoot lightweight jigs as far under these docks as you can, and let them sink slowly to the bottom before beginning a steady retrieve. If there are sh under a dock, they usually won’t let that jig hit the bottom.

Drown a Minnow: A school of crappie suspended o structure at 15 or 25 feet over a 40-foot bottom can be a frustrating scenario. You see them on your electronics, but they are slow to bite. Try dropping a live minnow down there where you’re marking sh. en just let it sit. e bites will be light, so pay attention.

PHOTOS BY NICK CARTER

Re-Discover Old Florida Waterfront Charm

The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts

n a dark, muggy morning, we eased into Campo’s Marina in Shell Beach, Louisiana.

By Gary Turner

We picked up 150 live shrimp for our rst day, and every morning began the same way for the rest of the week.

5 a.m., and it would be getting light at 5:30.For some of us— Dewayne and Blake Pro t, Darrel and I—this was the rst time we had been to Shell Beach in search of giant red sh,

Nestled on six lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon, take a step back in time to experience the very best of Old Florida charm with modern conveniences and services to make your stay truly memorable and unforgettable.

• FULLY FURNISHED 3 ROOM COTTAGES WITH FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHENS

Kingfsh Lodge includes a wide screenTV and bar for small gatherings

Sailfsh House features a wide covered wrap-around porch for larger groups

• Boat Trailer Parking on site w/ Water and Power

• 250 Foot Dock w/ Covered Area

• FREE Ice / FREE Guest Dockage

• Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet

Cover NEW

• 2 miles to the Ft. Pierce Inlet

• 12 miles to the Gulf Stream

Your

Insurance

• Laundry, BBQ Grilles and FREE use of our Kayaks

NIGHTLY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY • SEASONAL RATES

3011 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com

massive sheepshead and gator trout. Touted as the “Best Inshore Fishing in the World,” Shell Beach did not disappoint! e red sh shing was incredible! We hooked some giants, some we never even saw!

We shed spinning gear and 17- to 20-pound line with 2/0 circle hooks baited with either live shrimp or chunks of fresh blue crab. We also used two di erent techniques. Some of us popped a Cajun under cork. I used a Carolina rig, with the weight on my line, then a barrel swivel and an 18-inch leader terminating in my 2/0 BKK circle hook with a live shrimp.

Now… back to the sh we never saw! We shed some ats right where the tall marsh grass met the canals. e water was usually less than a foot deep. We would cast right next to the grass and wait for sh that were cruising this edge in search of food. en it was on! Your line would cut a wake as the sh ran for deep water and peeled drag. ese sh used any structure or rocks they could nd to break o . Even when they ran to deep water, they just kept going. We broke several lines before deciding to pull up anchor and chase the next big one.

at worked well, so we started chasing down lots of big red sh. Blake hooked one with the popping cork that broke him o . Later, we spotted the cork in the shallows and eased up to try to net it. Just as we got to it, the sh took o and was never seen again.

e days were hot, in the low to mid 90s with pop-up thunderstorms every day. One day we even spotted two waterspouts. We did our best to dodge all that, but we did get wet a few times. e last 30 minutes of daylight were always the most productive. We shed rock walls and hooked up several big red sh each evening. Mixed in with the red sh were some giant sheepshead that fell for the same tactics as the reds. Blue crabs are everywhere. You can catch them with a long-handle dip net or rod and reel.

Shell Beach is in St. Bernard Parish on the Gulf Outlet Canal near Lake Borgne, just 30 minutes from New Orleans. We plan on going back next year.

Check out Gary Turner’s YouTube channel @FishingMagicWithGary.

O

NORSE BY NORSEWEST?

Embrace your Scandinavian side with a 7" blade

If you looked out your window a thousand years ago and saw a fleet of Viking longships coming your way,you knew you were in trouble. For roughly two centuries, the Vikings voyaged, raided and pillaged wherever they pleased. As expert sailors and navigators, they reached as far from Scandinavia as Iran, Constantinople, North Africa and the New World in their quest to expand their kingdom.

A mini sword. Too organized and too aggressive, no one stood in a Viking’s way. That’s exactly the message that our Viking Blade sends. Crafted from Damascus steel with brass inlay, this 12" full-tang knife is essentially a mini sword. Paired with its hand-tooled leather sheath, this knife belongs in the collection of any avid aficionado.

Join more than 322,000 sharp people who collect stauer knives

The steel of legend. For centuries, a Damascus steel blade was instantly recognizable and commanded respect. Renowned for its sharp edge, beauty and resistance to shattering, Damascus steel was the stuff of legend. While the original process has been lost to the ages, modern bladesmiths have been able to re-create Damascus steel to create the best blades imaginable.

Sure to impress, naturally. Combining natural strength and natural wonder at a price that’s hard to beat, the Viking Blade is a study in Damascus steel that’s sure to impress. And should you ever find yourself facing a Viking horde, a flash of this knife will show that you’re not to be messed with.

Don’t delay: Order within the next week and we’ll offer this blade to you for just $99, a savings of $200! That’s the best bang for your buck we can possibly offer: our Stauer® Impossible Price. Get your hands on one of the fastest-selling knives in our company’s history today.

Knife Specifications:

• 12" overall length. 7" Damascus full-tang blade

•Includes genuine leather sheath

Viking Blade $299 $99* + S&P Save $200

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. *Special price only for customers using the offer code.

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“This knife is everything promised. Beautiful beyond comparison. And completely functional. Love it.”

— Gene, Auburn, WA

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Tennessee Angler Breaks His Own State Record

Aer a grueling 15-minute battle while shing solo, angler Micka Burkhart successfully netted and boated a 122-pound blue cat sh from Tennessee’s Cumberland River on June 28. e sh is a pending state record that should top the 118.7-pound record mark, which Burkhart set himself at Barkley Reservoir last September.

e whole ght can be viewed on a video posted to Burkhart’s YouTube channel, with the action climaxing as Burkhardt breathlessly pleads with the sh and promises to release it if he can just get it in the net.

Burkhart’s monster blue o cially weighed 122.3 pounds and measured 57.5 inches long, with a 42.25-inch girth. It ate a white bass head shed on 40-pound-test line. A er transporting the sh in a large livewell on his trailered boat to get o cial measurements, Burkhart returned to the Cumberland River and successfully released it back to the Stewart County stretch in northwest Tennessee near the Kentucky and Missouri borders. In a Facebook post, Burkhart reported that he also caught 69- and 72-pound blue cats on the same day. at’s a mighty ne day of shing.

e IGFA all-tackle world record blue cat sh weighed 143 pounds, even. It was caught from Kerr Lake, Virginia by Richard Nicholas Anderson in June of 2011.

The Return of a

To watch Burkhart catching the new state record, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ni4BPAaEng&t=1s

This Is How You Walk the Walk

Comfort and class go hand in hand with our Walking Stick Collection. Yours for ONLY $59 each!

They call walking the “perfect exercise.” It gets your heart pumping, clears your head and fills your lungs with fresh air. Not bad, but we found a way to make it even better. Before you take your next 10,000 steps, add a little strut to your stroll. Take a Stauer Walking Stick anywhere and I promise that you’ll feel like a conquering hero. Heads will turn. Doors will open. Its powers will astound you.

What’s the secret? Pure class. Our Stauer Walking Sticks are a tip of the top hat to turn-of-the-century tradition. Today these tributes to a gentleman’s power, prestige, and posture are fetching as much as $200,000 at auction. But only Stauer can deliver a modern version of these vintage classics that looks and feels as good as the original for $59 each!

Stauer Walking Stick Collection

A. Derbyshire $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

B. Earlsford $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

C. Knightsbridge $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

D. Hinwick Hare $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

E. Gentleman’s $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

• 36" long • Imported Eucalyptus wood

• Etched & sculpted solid brass handles with varying finishes

• Rubber tips • Supports up to 250 lbs.

• All models available in 40" height—call for details.

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PRAISE FOR STAUER WALKING STICKS

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the comfort and class of our exquisite Walking Sticks for 30 days. If you’re not feeling the power and prestige, simply send it back within 30 days for a refund of the item price. At Stauer, we walk the talk. Limited Edition. Only 500 each available for this ad only! These handcrafted beauties take months to craft and are running (not walking) out the door. So, take a step in the right direction. Call today!

“An excellent walking stick. Solid and elegant. Perfect for a night out. Well crafted.”

– J. from Pacific Grove, CA

Your Insider Offer Code: WSC286-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

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*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary . ®

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A Time of Porpoise

Amemorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea.

There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and human-like creatures in their natural habitat.

Why not re-create that special moment with our Balinese Dolphin Pendant? We’ve captured two dolphins mid-jump in sterling silver crafted in the Balinese style. Tucked between these beloved sea mammals is a full carat of shimmering blue topaz. Made by some of Indonesia’s finest artisans, this pendant is an absolute steal at JUST $29! That’s what we call our Stauer IMPOSSIBLE PRICE!

Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling, clear blue color and high reflective index, blue topaz is one of the world’s top-selling gemstones. The Gemological Institute of America lauds topaz for its hardness, noting that blue topaz is known for its intense color that’s better than aquamarine. With this special price, you can score quite the catch. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Balinese Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

Limited reserves. This pendant is already one of our best sellers this year. A full carat of genuine blue topaz set in .925 sterling silver for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today! This offer is limited to the first 1,900 responders to this ad!

Jewelry Specifications:

• Made in Indonesia

• Blue topaz and .925 sterling silver

Balinese Dolphin Pendant (1 carat)

$299 $29* Save $270

*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

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Your Insider Offer Code: DNP141-01

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What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Topaz

“Just lovely! Would recommend it as a purchase. Thank you STAUER.” — Mary L.

One carat of shimmering blue topaz set in sterling silver for  $29