Coastal Angler Magazine | August 2023 | Treasure Coast Edition

FREE

TREASURE COAST EDITION

@CAMTAMagazine

ON THE HUNT:

YELLOWEDGE & SNOWIES REDS ON THE

ROCKS

LOCAL FORECASTS & CATCHES VOLUME 28 • ISSUE 341

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. QUINLYN HADDON WWW.CAPTAINQUINLYN.COM IG: @CAPTAINQUINLYN

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM

F R A N C H I S E

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

AUGUST 2023

Go on a power trip with

GET BENT. With all this power, you'll find, pinpoint & catch fish like never before.

TZT19F 19" M ulti Touch IPS Display TZT16F 16" Mu lti Touch IPS Dis play

TZT12F 12" Hyb TZT9F 9" Hyb rid Touch IPS rid Touch IPS Display Display

Unleash the power to see fish clearer, deeper & on both sides of your boat, with unprecedented clarity.

Built-in Dual Channel1 1kW TruEcho CHIRP™ 1

2kW/3kW TruEcho CHIRP™ "Deep Impact" Power Booster2

TZT9F is a Single-Channel 1kW TruECHO CHIRPTM

DFF3D Multi Beam Sonar See 120° Port-Starboard 2

Hi-Power Radar3 With Bird Detection Mode

Compatible with TZT12F/16F/19F only

Get the whole story at NavNet.com

3

Premium Fishing & CMOR Charts

Requires external sensor

Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for fishing gear and personal property too.

1- 8 0 0 -PROG RE S S IVE / PROG RE S S IVE .COM

Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. & affiliates. Additional charge may apply. Prices vary based on how you buy.

Shhhhh. No wake zone.

Why Wax When You Can Coat?

3

PROTECTION

YEARS

MARINE CERAMIC COATING www.gtechniq.com

Explore the Depths in Style For Only $99 PRAISE FOR STAUER DIVE WATCHES

êêêêê

I love it. I have several Stauer watches and once again you don’t disappoint.”

— F. from Jersey City, NJ

Dive in Without Taking a Plunge

T

The Explorer is one well-constructed 20 ATM dive watch for a price that won’t take you under.

he market’s swimming with overpriced dive watches.

We’re here to tell you those guys are all wet. At Stauer our philosophy is everyone deserves the best without having to dig deep into their pockets. We’ve been in the watch industry for decades and know more than a thing or two about getting the ultimate bang for our buck— which means we can pass the fruits of our know-how onto our clients.

Case in point: The Explorer Dive Watch. This tough-as-nails sophisticate would cost you in the thousands if you got it from a high-end retailer that’s really in the business of selling a big name more than a quality watch. We keep the big names out of the equation so we can price this top-notch timepiece for just $99 –– a price that let’s you dive in and have enough left over for an excursion or two...or three.

You’re getting a lot for your money with this watch. The Explorer is the perfect companion in any locale–– whether you’re exploring coral reefs or investigating the rum options at a beachside bar. With a case, band and crown of stainless steel, this watch is built to last, and its water resistance rating of 20 ATM means it can handle most of your aquatic adventures to a depth of 678 feet. The striking metallic blue face reflects the “...dive watches feel authentic—they project an air of necessity which other categories of timepieces simply fail to match” —Hodinhee.com

deep waters it was designed to explore and it’s sporty screw-down crown can take the pressure in stride.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you are not completely convinced you got excellence for less, simply return the Explorer Dive Watch within 30 days for a refund of the item price. At Stauer, we never leave our customers high and dry.

Limited Edition. Sure you could give your hard-earned money to those other guys, but why would you? We’ve got the thinking man’s timepiece right here. This watch takes six months to engineer and it’s already making waves, so we can’t guarantee it will be around for long. Call today, and experience how good it feels to get true luxury for less.

Limited to the First 1400 Respondents to This Ad Only Stauer Explorer Dive Watch $399†

Your Cost With Offer Code $99 + S&P Save $300

1-800-333-2045 Offer Code: EXW147-01

You must use this offer code to get our special price.

† Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

14101 Southcross Drive W., ® Ste 155, Dept. EXW147-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 Rating of A+

Stauer

www.stauer.com

• Precision movement • Stainless steel crown, case, caseback and bracelet • Date window at 3 o’clock • Water resistant to 20 ATM • Bracelet fits wrists up to 8 1/2"

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

HUNTING

A

s with most swimmingsandwiches harvested from the cooler waters of great depths, deep-water grouper are some of the better tasting fish in the ocean. The two main species of deep-water grouper we target off the Atlantic coast of the Florida Keys are snowy grouper and yellowedge grouper. They are found in depths of 400 to 1,000 feet.

Yellowedge are open year-round, and they can be a little difficult to find. They congregate in localized areas in depths between 600 and 800 feet. You might find snowies and tilefish where you find yellowedges, but this is not true the other way around. When you find an area with yellowedge grouper, mark it, save it, and do not over fish 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 five-hook rig. Mustad 11/0 circle hooks provide excellent hookup ratios for this kind of fishing. Affix 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 tilefish.

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

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

hook is the one that hooks a fish. With an electric reel in deep water, you should wait for few good movements of the rod tip before engaging the reel. Don’t go full Bassmaster in 800 feet of water; give the circle hook a chance to do what it is made to do.

Bait selection can vary greatly, so use anything and everything. I use chunks of fresh fish, 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, tilefish, barrelfish and rosies, you don’t need to break the bank to get a reliable electric set-up. The lower priced reels can handle these fish 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 PHOTO COURTESY OF SWEET E’ NUF CHARTERS. water has a shelf life, and you never know how they E’nuf Charters’ two-boat fleet is available to help were cared for previously.

With mahi-mahi still prevalent in offshore put you on the grouper. waters, and with snowy grouper still in season, the Contact Capt. Quinlyn Haddon and Sweet E’nuf timing is perfect to hunt yellowedge grouper. If you aren’t interested in the trial and error of searching Charters at (504) 920-6342, CaptainQuinlyn.com and on social @captainquinlyn. the depths of the vast ocean by yourself, Sweet

Tesoro spinning reels feature a carbonite high-output DFD drag system with Cal’s drag grease that puts out over 55-pounds of fish stopping power. Built with strength and protection in mind, Tesoro features an IPX-7 full-body waterproof design and proprietary ALUMILITE body, side plate and rotor. With an interchangeable screw-in handle system and five models from 8000 to 20000 size, Tesoro spinning reels are sure to complement any big game saltwater arsenal. okumafishingusa.com

4 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2023

TA-140000HA

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

TRIPLE THREAT ROD HOLDER

TM

Retention Collar

Spinning Baitcasting Fly

QT Adjust

TM

Gimbal for Vertical Storage

Lift For 360° Rotation 3 Leash Attachment Points

o help

E’nuf n.com

SEA-DOG.COM

Pictured with Optional Track Mount Base

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

NATIONAL 5

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

ill Dance Signature Lakes will connect the world’s most-loved angler with some of Tennessee’s most excellent natural resources – its lakes.

This 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 fishing legend Dance’s stamp of approval. Tennesseans will benefit from increased stocking, habitat and fisheries management and improved access for fishing and boating.

The collaborative effort between Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of fishing 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 benefit 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 effect for a mighty long time, not only giving the weekend fisherman but tournament anglers a wonderful fishery 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 fishing for a variety of fish. 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, fishing 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 fishing 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.

6 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

scotthawaii.com FAMILY RUN IN HAWAII FOR 90 YEARS

Hanapa‘a - Marlin

Fish flags tell the story!

Catch all 4 Hanap‘a “slippahs” from Scott Hawaii Hanapa‘a - Ono

Hanapa‘a - Mahi

Hanapa‘a - Ahi

Fish flags inspired by Sun Dot Marine Flags.

8 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

@fishflags

THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT

Performance Bulletin Available 59 YEARS OF REPOWER EXPERIENCE!

Suzuki RePower Centers are stationed around the southeast to help with your Suzuki service and repower needs.

Mastry Engine Center has received the Suzuki Marine Super Service Award and has been ranked #1 in Suzuki Marine US Sales!

Repower packages designed to best fit your needs and not stretch your budget.

Financing available.

All Suzuki repowers come with the new Suzuki 5-year factory warranty.

Many of our Suzuki RePower Centers feature Water Accessible Drop Travel Lifts.

Request a quote! • suzukirepower.com • 1-800-545-4574

• STEEL BUILDING • SALE • NEW HABITABLE SINGLE AND TWO STORY TINY HOMES • SAVE • STEEL BUILDING • SALE • CARPORTS • SAVE • CALL NOW • SUMMER HOT SAVINGS ARE ON •

THE SUMMER HEAT KEEPS RISING AND WE’RE LOWERING OUR PRICES ON SOME OF OUR TOP SELLING METAL STRUCTURES! MANAGERS SPECIAL

10X20 SHE-SHED / MAN CAVE / OFFICE

$175.00

Call For

Call For

/Month*

Pricing

18X31 BOAT PORT AS-LOW-AS $48.02/MO

Pricing

42X21 HEAVY DUTY METAL STEP-DOWN DOWN BARN W/ ENCLOSED STORAGE

With Approved Credit. Restrictions May Apply.

With Approved Credit. Restrictions May Apply.

THE 10X20 ROBIN AVAILABLE WITH CONCRETE The Mix Use Shed

$316.00

Call for

Financing Options Available

/Month

Pricing

Cash Price $12,390

Includes:

• HARDI PANEL SIDING • SINGLE SLOPE 1’ OVER HANG

100 AMP PANEL BOX / EXTRA ELECTRIC OUTLETS

7 Locations

SERVING ALL OF FLORIDA AND SOUTH GEORGIA

• 36X36 WINDOWS • RESIDENTIAL DOOR • AND MORE

LIVE OAK (Corporate Office) P: 386-364-7995

CHIEFLAND P: 352-490-5028

PERRY

LIVE OAK SUPER CENTER P: 386-364-1548

MASARYKTOWN P: 352-797-2291

DADE CITY

620 W. Howard St. (Hwy 90 W.)

211 72nd Trace Financing Disclaimer:

2561 N. Young Blvd.

568 S. Broad St.

P: 850-223-1939 2444 S. Byron Butler Pwky

30X50X14 METAL GARAGE AS-LOW-AS $254.00/MO

AS-LOW-AS $386.00/MO With Approved Credit. Restrictions May Apply.

With Approved Credit. Restrictions May Apply.

WAYCROSS

P: 850-223-1939 2203 Memorial Drive Waycross, GA 31501

FIVE STAR RATED ON

P: 352-583-2410 20229 US 301

Subject to credit approval. Fixed APR of 3.99% for 84 months. For each $1,000 financed, 5 payments of $3.33 followed by 79 amortized payments of $14.41.

Subject to credit approval. Fixed APR of 11.99% for 84 months. For each $1,000 financed, 5 payments of $9.99 followed by 79 amortized payments of $18.36.

24X38 BARNDOMINIUM

SCAN FOR COMPLETE DETAILS AND TO ENTER KEENSBUILDINGS.COM

Subject to qualifying credit approval. Interest is billed during the promotional period but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid in full within 12 months.

Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender or familial status.

• PROUDLY MADE IN AMERICA • PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDINGS • SAVE • STEEL BUILDING • SALE • CARPORTS • SAVE • CALL NOW • SPECIALS • SALE • STEEL BUILDING • SALE •

THE

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

GETS THE FISH

W

hen the low for the month is 82 degrees and the highs average 100, we have to make some modifications to our lifestyles… and so do the fish. 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 fishing 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 flow. This obviously encourages the fish 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 flat, and you should be in business. The area obviously needs to be holding bait, also.

Topwater lures are always fun and a popular

2 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2023

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

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 specific 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 off. This is a good method to locate fish and cover different depths.

Fish could be shallow early and fall off 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 after a summer rain. Take advantage of these showers, which cool

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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

I hope these tips can help you catch a few more fish this summer and stay out of the heat. Another benefit of fishing 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.

STEEL BU

FIND THE BAIT, FIND THE FISH

Tim Barefoot

A

ugust is a pre-transition month, when we’re at the end of summer, and just before the true transition months of September and October. The fishing can be hot as a firecracker if you pay attention to the bait. This is a pre-staging month for the bait and the bottom fish, 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 offshore bottom fishing, I’m looking for large stacks of beeliners as well as cigs and sardines. This is where you find the fish.

Period. Many years ago when I was commercial fishing, 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 often found fish on slick, flat, 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 fish… and so did we!

We’d fly the anchor and move around until we found them again. It was just like magic, with instant bites on the bottom. This is the reason I keep saying, find the bait, find the fish. It doesn’t matter where these big stacks of bait go, the fish 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. The water temperatures on the beach will be close to the water temps in the Gulf Stream by now, and the fish will follow bait wherever it goes. In August and September, some unsuspecting king mackerel fisherman always catches a stud wahoo trolling live bait on some nearshore stack of bait. I remember wrestling a yellowfin for more than an hour on lightweight king mackerel tackle just 10 miles off the

4 FLORIDA

A nice scamp caught off a big stack of beeliners.

AUGUST 2023

D

S

T

The allo

TH beach. We were bottom fishing and had a live cigar minnow out on the light line. Eventually, I lost the fight 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. This is where you’ll find 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 specific reasons during different seasons.

Whatever you are fishing for requires food to keep them in a place. So… find the bait, find the fish.

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

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

DO THE MATH! SUZUKI REPOWER OWNER’S EDGE

TRADE ALLOWANCE PROGRAM The Suzuki RePower Trade Allowance Program is exclusive for members of Owner’s Edge. Members receive a trade allowance based on the age and hours of their original engine toward a new Suzuki outboard as detailed below.

THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT

on the take it

UP TO AGE*

round gs and r. This

12

t a few he big asons. . So…

MONTHS

LESS THAN HOURS*

OR

TRADE IN ALLOWANCE OF THE ORIGINAL SUZUKI ENGINE PURCHASE PRICE

500 85% HOURS

18 750 78% 24 1000 70%

e.com.

MONTHS

HOURS

MONTHS

HOURS

30 1250 63%

MONTHS

HOURS

36 1500 55%

MONTHS HOURS * WHICHEVER COMES FIRST

• Suzuki RePower Centers are located throughout the southeast.

• Mastry has over 5-decades of repower experience.

• Options that will fit most any budget.

• Financing available. suzukirepower.com

1-800-545-4574

• All Suzuki RePowers come with the Suzuki Factory Direct 5-Year Warranty.

C SO

BRAND WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/REAPERRODS

I

FEAR THE REAPER ALL REAPER RODS FEATURE THE

AS WELL AS OTHER AMERICAN TACKLE COMPONENTS FOR ONE OF THE MOST DURABLE RODS ON THE MARKET

www.americantackle.us

Repower Center ✓ Large Inventory ✓ Factory Trained Technicians ✓ Custom Fabrica�on Solu�ons ✓ Service and Maintenance Advanced Marine Services 1322 Carolina Ave Saint Cloud, FL 34769

407-498-5142 866-768-2628 advancedmarine.com 6 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

nl he slo in the Th the oc some somet These Instea get th three lobes grow range up a h M these scienc they m coast Gulf, their proba free sw So triplet

CATCH LATE SUMMER TRIPLETAIL SOAKING IN THE SUN n late summer, the humidity is crazy and the heat wants to take you down. The fishing can slow down during this time; however, chilling in the sun is a lifestyle for some fish species.

The tripletail is one of the strangest fish in the ocean. Tripletail are usually dark brown with some lighter shades mixed around, and they can sometimes be yellow, depending on their area.

These fish don’t have a typical body structure.

Instead, they have a flat almond-shaped body and get their name from the appearance of having three tails, which is an adaptation of enlarged lobes on the posterior fins. They 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 fight.

Many tagging studies have been done on these fish to track their migrations. However, science has yet to figure it all out. The 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. The 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 float offshore to breed. Like most,

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

When these fish aren’t offshore spawning, they typically hang near lots of structure. You might spot them floating near crab buoys, mangroves, floating leaves and poles in the water. Tripletail are known for mimicking and blending in with their surroundings. This makes it especially difficult while fishing to spot these creatures. However, it gives them amazing benefit, since their prey is also hiding in these places. Tripletail usually prey on shrimp, fish and small crabs.

There are many different ways to target tripletail. Since they aren’t big swimmers, you’ll normally find them floating 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 drift in front of them. If live bait isn’t your style, you can also use small jigs or swimbaits to grab their attention. Another 42 pounds. It was caught in South Africa in 1989. great way is fly fishing. Here, you’ll want a fly that mimics a small shrimp or baitfish. When Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in targeting them, make sure to find which end is various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, their face. Then try to drift your offering in front where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on of their nose. social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

The current IGFA all-tackle world record is PHOTO COURTESY OF AMY LOCKHART

I

By Emily Hanzlik

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

FLORIDA 7

Florida together.

8 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Let’s grow with

COASTAL ANGLER TREASURE COAST EDITION Serving outdoors enthusiasts in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.

ARC KDW FISHING TOURNEY REELS IN FUN FOR ALL A

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

Richard Rhatigan (right) with his first place kingfish.

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

PHOTOS COURTESY of ARC of the Treasure Coast.

PHOTO CREDIT: The Roaming Railfan.

Noah Scammell, first place grouper.

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

TOWING FROM

THE BAHAMAS! Sea Tow is happy to extend it’s service to include tows from Nothern Bahamas, Green Turtle, West End Marsh Harbour, Hope Town and Grand Cay to the U.S. Whether you need a timely tow or help offshore, Sea Tow Captains are standing by 24/7.

Why wait? Join today and get 2 months free!

(That’s a $28 value!) Use discount code: TCT. Join Sea Tow Treasure Coast \ 772-225-3144 seatow.com/local/treasurecoast

800-4-SEATOW

SEE ARC KDW...............................PAGE 6 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST 1

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

COASTAL ANGLER

STAY COOL STAY

COOL

FOR THE

Long Dog Days Of

Summer ASK ABOUT THE CURRENT REBATE SPECIALS TO UPGRADE YOUR CURRENT SYSTEM!

Let us help with your comfort needs.

Service, Maintenance, Upgrades, New Construction, Air Quality, Mini-Splits & Much More.

Ask about our

HEPA FILTRATION UNIT AND UV LIGHTS

3700 SOUTH U.S. HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE• WWW.NISAIR.COM

877-7NISAIR

Free Estimates, 100% SAC Financing, Emergency Service Serving Your Community Since 1973 Lic. CACO 41199 2 TREASURE COAST

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST AUGUST DAY 1TU

TIME

2:17 AM 8:47 AM 2:39 PM 9:31 PM 2W 3:10 AM 9:42 AM 3:32 PM 10:19 PM 3TH 4:02 AM 10:36 AM 4:25 PM 11:07 PM 4F 4:54 AM 11:29 AM 5:17 PM 11:54 PM 5SA 5:46 AM 12:23 PM 6:11 PM 6SU 12:42 AM 6:40 AM 1:17 PM 7:07 PM 1:32 AM 7M 7:35 AM 2:14 PM 8:05 PM 8TU 2:24 AM 8:33 AM 3:13 PM 9:06 PM 9W 3:20 AM 9:33 AM 4:15 PM 10:07 PM 10TH 4:20 AM 10:32 AM 5:19 PM 11:07 PM

HEIGHT 0.08 2.64 -0.47 2.86 -0.07 2.78 -0.48 2.93 -0.19 2.86 -0.42 2.94 -0.27 2.87 -0.28 2.88 -0.28 2.83 -0.1 2.77 -0.24 2.73 0.1 2.62 -0.15 2.6 0.3 2.46 -0.04 2.47 0.46 2.32 0.07 2.37 0.57 2.22 0.15 2.31 0.63

L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L

11F

5:21 AM 11:29 AM 6:19 PM 12SA 12:02 AM 6:20 AM 12:23 PM 7:12 PM 13SU 12:53 AM 7:12 AM 1:11 PM 7:58 PM 14M 1:39 AM 7:59 AM 1:55 PM 8:38 PM 15TU 2:21 AM 8:41 AM 2:35 PM 9:15 PM 16W 3:00 AM 9:21 AM 3:13 PM 9:50 PM 17TH 3:37 AM 10:00 AM 3:49 PM 10:24 PM 18F 4:11 AM 10:38 AM 4:23 PM 10:58 PM 19SA 4:44 AM 11:16 AM 4:58 PM 11:31 PM 20SU 5:17 AM 11:55 AM 5:33 PM 21M 12:05 AM 5:52 AM 12:35 PM 6:11 PM

2.18 0.19 2.31 0.64 2.19 0.19 2.35 0.61 2.24 0.18 2.4 0.55 2.3 0.16 2.46 0.49 2.37 0.15 2.52 0.42 2.42 0.17 2.56 0.37 2.46 0.21 2.57 0.34 2.48 0.27 2.54 0.32 2.48 0.35 2.5 0.31 2.46 0.45 2.43 0.32 2.44 0.56

H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L

22TU 12:41 AM 6:31 AM 1:19 PM 6:55 PM 23W 1:20 AM 7:18 AM 2:10 PM 7:48 PM 24TH 2:07 AM 8:15 AM 3:09 PM 8:51 PM 25F 3:05 AM 9:20 AM 4:16 PM 9:59 PM 26SA 4:15 AM 10:29 AM 5:25 PM 11:07 PM 27SU 5:27 AM 11:34 AM 6:29 PM 28M 12:09 AM 6:35 AM 12:34 PM 7:26 PM 29TU 1:06 AM 7:37 AM 1:30 PM 8:18 PM 30W 1:59 AM 8:33 AM 2:24 PM 9:07 PM 31TH 2:50 AM 9:27 AM 3:15 PM 9:54 PM

2.36 0.33 2.4 0.66 2.3 0.35 2.36 0.75 2.25 0.35 2.34 0.81 2.24 0.33 2.37 0.81 2.29 0.25 2.47 0.72 2.41 0.13 2.63 0.56 2.59 -0.01 2.81 0.35 2.81 -0.14 2.98 0.14 3 -0.2 3.11 -0.05 3.15 -0.2 3.17

SEBASTIAN (INLET)

VERO (OCEAN)

FORT PIERCE

TIME OFFSET High Tide -48 min Low Tide -24 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .93 feet Low Tide 1.0 foot

TIME OFFSET High Tide -55 min Low Tide -35 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.45 feet Low Tide 1.36 feet

TIME OFFSET High Tide -31 min Low Tide -18 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.14 feet Low Tide 1.50 feet

JENSEN BEACH (INDIAN RIVER)

ST. LUCIE INLET

JUPITER INLET

TIME OFFSET High Tide +55 Low Tide +1 hr; 42 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1 foot Low Tide .50 feet

TIME OFFSET High Tide -10 min Low Tide -9 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.08 feet Low Tide 1.42 feet

TIME OFFSET High Tide +2 hrs; 17 min Low Tide +3 hrs; 4 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .48 feet Low Tide .92 feet

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H

Fort Pierce Youngster Selects White’s Tackle TREASURE COAST COASTAL ANGLER Shopping Spree for Make A Wish PUBLISHER EMERITUS GARY GUERTIN

By Ed Killer for CAM

PUBLISHER & EDITOR MISTI GUERTIN

M

ost 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

GRAPHIC DESIGN LAURA KELLY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Capt. Gus Brugger Capt. Rocky Carbia Capt. Jonathan Earhart Capt. Scott Fawcett Capt. Scotty Gold Ed Killer Capt. Michael Mauri Brian Nelli Jim Oppenborn Capt. Bo Samuel Chris Beachwalker Sharp Capt. Nate Shellen Capt. Adam White Capt. Terry Wildey

PHOTOS CREDIT: Ed Killer.

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.

For advertising or other inquiries, call

(772) 285-6850

or email TreasureCoast@

CoastalAngler Magazine.com

Florida’s Oldest and Most Complete Fishing Tackle Store!

• Rods & Reels: SHIMANO - PENN - DAIWA - GLOOMIS - CROWDER TIBOR - NAUTILUS - SAGE - ST. CROIX - BULL BAY • Apparel & Soft Goods: Simms-Patagonia-Olukai-White’s Tackle Gear & More...

• Sunglasses: Costa Del Mar-Maui Jim-Smith-Ocean Eyes-Bajio • Services: Rod and Reel Repair-Custom Rigging • Huge Variety of Frozen Bait • Knowledgeable & Experienced Staff to Serve You • Follow Us on Social Media for Upcoming Events & More…

• Sign Up for Our Weekly Fishing Reports

Whether your passion is offshore, inshore, freshwater, or fly fishing, we have everything to make your next fishing adventure the…

Adventure Of A Lifetime!

WWW.WHITESTACKLE.COM STUART FT. PIERCE VERO BEACH MON-FRI Now in Four 261JUPITER 8AM - 6PM A-1-A Alt 4271 SE Federal Hwy. 1106 U.S. Hwy. 1 3006 Cardinal Dr. Convenient Jupiter, FL 33477 Stuart, FL 34997 Ft. Pierce, FL 34950 Vero Beach, FL 32963 SATURDAY (772) 492-6203 8AM - 5PM Locations! (561) 316-4088 (772) 266-4010 (772) 461-6909 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST 3

NOW IS THE TIME TO UPGRADE TO GET MORE ENJOYMENT OUT OF YOUR TIME ON THE WATER…

Home of

Garmin on the TREASURE COAST

A

u fo Coast month

SALES - SERVICE - INSTALLATION

formerly METCo

Customer Centered • Quality Products Competitive Pricing • Experienced Staff

Electronics | Outfitting

BOEmarine.com

(772) 600-5701

Tackle & Bait

River, Inshore & Offshore

Marine Supplies Apparel Beer & Wine Food/Drink & Ice

Your one-stop headquarters for all your fishing needs.

Fish Heads of Stuart is a family owned and operated Small Business located on the beautiful grounds of Sailfish Marina. Located near the mouth of the Manatee Pocket, we are adjacent to Sandsprit Park and just minutes to the ICW and St. Lucie Inlet.

3585 SE SaInT LucIE BouLEvaRd • STuaRT, FL 34997 772.220.6008 • www.fishheadsofstuart.com • info@fishheadsofstuart.com AUGUST 2023

nap dom most summ specie vermi mutto yearly These family swath system allowi in a d suits i De will b snapp angler

77

No 18 VE

BOA

Professional Rigging • Line Spooling • Expert Reel Repair Incredible Selection • Easy Parking • Boat Trailer Friendly

4 TREASURE COAST

S

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

FRI

WW

FISHING FORECASTS

MARTIN COUNTY INSHORE NEARSHORE

Capt. Jonathan Earhart Chaos Fishing Charters (772) 341 – 2274 www.chaosfishigcharters.com jon@chaosfishigncharters.com

A

ugust 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 Capt. Jonathan hydrated. Inshore fishing is best with a pair for big snook, tarpon, and jack of nearshore crevalles. Live whitebaits and or mutton mullet depending on what baits snappers are available. We can expect to see while fishing with dead an influx of mullet this month as a cut sardines. 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 PHOTO PROVIDED by Capt. Jonathan Earhart. for the fish box. Long leader rigs and or chicken rigs with cut bait choice for tarpon, snook, jacks, or late afternoon around dawn and will get the snapper bites. permit, and sharks. Live bait, dead dusk.

Beach fishing will be a good bait, and or artificials early morning Tight lines!

MARTIN COUNTY DEEP SEA

Capt. Rocky Carbia Safari I Deep Sea Fishing Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno Reservations: (772) 334-4411 Safari-1.com

S

napper 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

772-569-2723 North Location: 1803 90TH AVE VERO BEACH, FL 32966

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.

PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1.

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

772-286-0996

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.)

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 Located at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina

South Location: 2601 SE MIAMI ST STUART, FL 34997

4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno/Stuart, FL

www.Safari-1.com

BOAT & RV STORAGE • SECURITY FENCE • VIDEO CAMERAS FRIENDLY MANAGERS • ALL GROUND FLOOR UNITS CONVENIENT WEEKEND HOURS WE SELL: MOVING SUPPLIES & LOCKS

MENTION THIS AD AND GET A FREE LOCK AT MOVE IN! WWW.DMSVEROBEACH.COM • WWW.DMSSTUART.COM

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

Adults $70; Children $60

Sunday 8:30AM-3:00PM

Find Us!

Adults $80; Children $70

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST 5

FISHING FORECASTS

ST. LUCIE COUNTY OFFSHORE

Capt. Bo Samuel Pullin Drag Charters (772) 971-6661 facebook.com/Pullin-Drag-Charters catainbofishing@gmail.com

W

Do you live in Florida?

Do you have family or friends who live in Florida?

Did you know you can help our oceans and estuaries?

By purchasing one of these Specialty License Plates you can directly support critical scientific research, outreach and education!

BUY YOUR PLATE TODAY AT YOUR LOCAL TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE OR ONLINE AT

hboifoundation.org/license-plates benefitting programs at

arm 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

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

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Bo Samuel.

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!

ARC KDW........................... FROM PAGE 1 Dynamics, Inc., Breakthru Beverage, 3545 Ocean Drive, Suite 201 ~ Vero Beach, FL 32963 772-466-9876 | www.hboifoundation.org Like us on Facebook!

6 TREASURE COAST

AUGUST 2023

f

Florida Insurance Trust, Flora Fine Resort, live music by Leah Orchid, Foods, Closets by Design, H.E. Hill raffle drawings and a silent auction, Foundation, Yates Funeral Home, and made possible by donations from Owen Insurance Group. local businesses.

Tournament sponsors included For more information on Boar’s Head, PUBLIX Charities, Frito The ARC of the Treasure Coast, Lay, JJ Taylor Companies, Inc., Jordan visit www.arcmc.org.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

ction. also tential will be wning pths so rategy. nd the also a a bite o have

ngfish, sailfish s and o start y bait kings show

onster a live 50 feet.

e picky r a hit to pull ly and

sh the fishiest or you. e, and al area ishing Tackle. a salty

ST. LUCIE COUNTY INSHORE

Capt. Adam White St. Lucie Flats Fishing Charters (609) 820-6257 www.stlucieflatsfishing.com

A

s summer 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

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

ST. LUCIE COUNTY DEEP SEA

Capt. Scotty Gold Miss Fort Pierce Fishing (772) 766-0191 fortpiercefishing.com

Stephanie with a solid snook caught on live bait.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Adam White.

time of year. Our normal afternoon thunderstorm pattern switches to be an all-day affair. We can have some violent storms show up well before

noon. Although so long there isn’t any lightning, I have to admit that I don’t mind a soaking rain while dealing with the heat of the summer.

ledges in 90-to-180-feet of water.

Use live bait with very heavy leaders of 80-to-100-pound test line, and plenty of weight to fish through the current.

The Miss Fort Pierce will continue to sail daily at 7 a.m., returning

between 3-to-4 p.m. We limit our loads to 28 passengers in our fully air-conditioned boat.

If you’d like to join us and one of our excursions, please go to www. fortpiercefishing.com. We look forward to meeting you on board.

A

s 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

Novice & Experienced Anglers Of All Ages Welcome

4903 SE Dixie Hwy. Stuart, FL 34997 (772) 220-3287 (EATS) www.prawnbroker.com

PHOTO CREDIT: Miss Fort Pierce Fishing.

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

All Bait, Rods and Tackle Included!

No License Required!

SAILING DAILY AT 7AM Located at Causeway Cove Marina, 601 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce

For Reservations, Call (772) 766-0191 or Visit: FortPierceFishing.com

“On the Water at the Manatee Pocket” Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner • Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 3-7pm Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10pm • Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST 7

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.

FISHING FORECASTS

SEBASTIAN INSHORE

Capt. Gus Brugger

Big bull reds are a good possibility throughout Sebastian Inlet in August.

Pattern Setter Charters (772) 360-6787 www.WelcomeToSebastian.com

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. may also find some trout, redfish and mangrove snapper in the same INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – Fishing areas taking advantage of the shade. around docks and mangrove Mosquito impoundment outflows shorelines has been the most are excellent places to look for consistent way to bend a rod in juvenile tarpon and snook when the lagoon this summer. Fishing rains flush baitfish out. plugs, jerkbaits and D.O.A. shrimp around shoreline cover will draw SEBASTIAN INLET – August is strikes from snook of all sizes. You always a great month to catch and

NEAR SHORE ATLANTIC –

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger.

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.

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!

®

50 years!

Thank you for

CALM-SEAS STAY CHARGED UP

Marine Batteries Truck & Trailer Tires Truck & Trailer Brake Service Complete Truck & Vehicle Service

®

®

800-432-1064

WE DELIVER & INSTALL AT YOUR BOAT OR DOCK

page SLBT.IAGM.6.2022.indd 1 8 1.5 TREASURE COAST AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

SLBT.com 6/6/2022 7:38:41 AM

AR

C

B

c www

Capt. Terry Wildey Big Easy Fishing Charters (772) 538 - 1072 captwildey@bellsouth.net www.bigeasyfishingcharters.com

W

arm, 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!”

BOATS TAKEN SERIOUSLY. ™

Have Your Marine Electronics Installations Performed by a Reputible Company with over 35 Years of Experience…

• GARMIN CERTIFIED INSTALLER AND WARRANTY CENTER • BACKED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY • CLEAN & DETAILED ELECTRONICS INSTALLATIONS AUTHORIZED DEALER:

2135 N. OLD DIXIE HWY, FT. PIERCE • 772-466-0100

OffshorePerformanceMarine.com

FRESHEST LIVE BAIT IN SEBASTIAN AREA LARGE SELECTION OF FROZEN BAIT Fresh Shrimp, Fish, Worms, Clams, Fiddler Crabs, Sand Fleas & More

Ashley Wells with a monster mangrove snapper.

Y PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Terry Wildey.

SEBASTIAN AREA OFFSHORE

WE NOW CARRY FROZEN BLUE CRAB! ishing Outfi tter o ca l F L r !! ! u o

LAYAWAY AVAILABLE

YING...

NOW CARR

RODS • REELS • REPAIRS Line Spooling • Combos • Tackle Accessories • Apparel • Sunglasses Snacks • Cold Drinks & Beer • Ice & More!

821 US Highway 1, Sebastian Mon - Fri 6:30am - 6pm • Sat & Sun 6am - 6pm

www.reeleminbaitandtackle.com reeleminbt@gmail.com ~ 772-581-1027

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST 9

FISHING FORECASTS

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Capt. Nate Shellen Shellen Guide Service Okeechobee Bass Fishing Guides/Charters (863) 357-0892 sjmike7@aol.com OkeechobeeBassFishing.com Headwatersfishingguide.com

G

reetings, 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!

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Nate Shellen.

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.

Remember, always adapt your

FOREMOST ARMY NAVY SURPLUS 755 NW Federal Hwy. • Stuart, FL 34994

AUTHORIZED FIREARM & AMMO DEALER! WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING, GET YOUR BEST DEAL HERE!

HOME DEFENSE 12-GAUGE SHOTGUNS ON SALE!

NOW CARRYING A LARGE SELECTION OF AMERICAN AND MILITARY FLAGS

DROP OFF SPOT FOR TORN & TATTERED FLAGS

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK ~ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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!

00eas M1R,0 EM l

s O F K N IV $99.95EPSER TO CHOOSCEASE FROM with this

ad

1,000s OF KNIVES

TO CHOOSE FROM

BOOTS H CLOTHING MILITARY BACKPACKS TOOLS H HARDWARE AND MUCH MORE!

772-773-2737 • www.FOREMOSTARMYNAVY.com

10 TREASURE COAST

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

e Shellen.

on the havior their r, and

reel in

E

M

G KS RE

m

BOATS TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

FROM THE SHORE

™

Chris Beachwalker Sharp (772) 320 8611 beachwalkerfish@gmail.com

C

hristmas 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

AUTHORIZED DEALER

Janet Crockett with a nice sized snook from the beach.

PHOTO PROVIDED by Chris Sharp.

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!

YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR HONEST, AFFORDABLE AND PROFESSIONAL MARINE REPAIR SERVICES, ENGINES, AND TRAILER SALES & SERVICE. ®

2135 N. OLD DIXIE HWY, FT. PIERCE • 772-466-0100

OffshorePerformanceMarine.com

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.

PHOTO CREDIT: Brian Nelli.

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 OFFSHORE: Fishing offshore should my clients and I get into.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST 11

NOW THRU AUG. 21

Back to school...around town...or just hangin’ out, do it all in the most lightweight, breathable and comfortable shoe you will ever wear!

Largest COSTA dealer on the Treasure Coast

Many Styles & Colors to Choose From in Men’s, Women’s & Youth

DEEP SIX DIVE & WATERSPORTS www.deepsix.com

CL

VERO BEACH • 772-562-2883 STUART • 772-692-2747 416 21st St., Vero Beach, FL 32960 2525 NW Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34994

200 N. INDIAN RIVER DR. FORT PIERCE, FL 34950

N 27° 26'57.59 W 80° 19'22.844

Cobbs-landing.com

LI

US VE M

FO IC •

O D • FULL B

COBB'S LANDING

#AMERICANCUISINE #CRAFTCOCKTAILS #LIVEMUSIC #COBBSLANDING 12 TREASURE COAST

AUGUST 2023

601 NORTH CAUSEWAY FORT PIERCE

N 27° 28'42.071 W 80° 18'45.047

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AR •

BAI

TSH

OP

994

Fly Fishing Corner

By Capt. Michael Mauri

Bucket List Tarpon

A

fter 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

LARGEST SELECTION OF FIREARMS ON THE TREASURE COAST

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

Her jawbone was so massive I could barely get my hands around it.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Michael Mauri.

TAKE YOUR FLY FISHING GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL! GUIDED TRIPS CASTING LESSONS

LARGEST INDOOR GUN RANGE IN MARTIN COUNTY Memberships Available OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

3558 NW FEDERAL HWY. 772.232.6470 JENSEN BEACH, FL 34957 Find Us Online!

STORE HOURS:

Tuesday- Saturday 10-6 Sunday 10-4 Monday Closed

RANGE HOURS: Tuesday- Saturday 10-6 Sunday 10-4 Monday Closed

FULLY INSURED USCG LICENSED CAPT.

W W W . M A U R I F LY F I S H I N G . C O M “Wir Sprechen Deutsch”

S T U A R T, F L • 7 7 2 - 4 8 5 - 3 3 2 1

WWW.LOTUSGUNRANGE.COM

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST 13

St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program:

INSHORE FOCUS

T

he 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

The Most Interesting Shop...Ever!!

Crow’s Nest

We Buy or Consign Your Fishing, Boating & Nautical Treasures...

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.

PHOTOS COURTESY of St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program.

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.

Marine Consignment Estate Buying

3521 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart (one light south of Indian St. on Dixie)

772.341.4474 | 772.361-5599 crowsnesta1a@gmail.com

14 TREASURE COAST

AUGUST 2023

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.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

rried hen eefs) e

he vide .

OVER 10,000 ITEMS IN STOCK! Serving the Treasure Coast and Beyond Since1985 Scheduled Delivery from Daytona to Ft. Lauderdale Worldwide Shipping via FedEx or UPS Available

2201 SE INDIAN ST., A-5 • STUART, FL 34997 (772) 283-9110 • (800) 245-3622

www.ChapmanMarine.com

WHOLESALE & RETAIL...OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

TREASURE COAST 15

Share Yooutor Brag Phere!

H

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

Email your information ality and high-qu rger) (500KB or la @ easurecoast photos to tr e.com. lerMagazin CoastalAng

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.

PHOTO COURTESY of Andrew Jordan.

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

PHOTO COURTESY of Chris.

16 TREASURE COAST

AUGUST 2023

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

PHOTO COURTESY of Patrick.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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.

Dealer!

Florida’s Highest Rated

Carports • Utility • Barns Garages • Residental Portable Buildings Quality second to none combined with first class service, we sell the best built portable and steel buildings on the market!

Many Styles to Choose From ~ Financing Available

386.364.1364 Live Oak (Headquarters) 2008 Ohio Ave. N Live Oak, FL 32064

EliteOutdoorBuildings.com

Chiefland Office Perry Office Madison Office 14107 NW U.S. Hwy. 19 3180 S. Byron Butler Pkwy.

702 S Duval Ave. Chiefland, COASTALANGLERMAG.COM FL 32626 Perry, FL 32348 Madison, 323409 • THEANGLERMAG.COM AUGUST 2023 FL FLORIDA

FLORIDA’S WATERS NEED YOUR HELP! A Learn that this right doesn’t mean your nglers, your help is needed: Florida’s Given how critical clean water is to Floridians, we merit this right. We need this right. With neighbor can sue you for fertilizing your lawn, waters are in serious trouble.

Even a partial list of facts demonstrates it enshrined in our constitution, we can hold or that there will be a proliferation of lawsuits. the broad failure of Florida’s environmental state government accountable when it permits It means our government must provide real pollution and degradation of our waters and remedies for polluted waterways. regulatory system to protect our waters.

Then, if you are a registered Florida voter, aquatic ecosystems.

• Red tides have increased dramatically in To get on the 2024 ballot, 891,589 signed and print out, sign, and mail the petition. Get family frequency, duration and intensity. and friends to do the same. approved petitions are needed by Nov. 30, 2023.

• South Florida is bracing for yet another Florida waters depend upon it, and we all Go to FloridaRightToCleanWater.org to summer of massive blue-green algae blooms. read the full text of the amendment. Browse depend upon clean water.

• Nearly a million acres of estuaries and 9,000 the FAQs. Note the growing list of over 150 miles of rivers and streams are contaminated Visit FloridaRightToCleanWater.org for more organizations and businesses supporting this with fecal bacteria. ways you can help make a difference. amendment.

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

• Eighty percent of CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT INITIATIVE PETITION FORM – VOLUNTEER our 1,000 springs are polluted.

Amendment Information • No state has lost more acres of wetlands.

Ballot Title: Right to Clean and Healthy Waters • No state has more acres Ballot Summary: of polluted lake water.

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 When it comes to our waters, which include aquatic ecosystems. This amendment defines terms, identifies polluted waters, the buck affected constitutional provisions in Article IV governing the executive branch, provides for stops with the state. Florida civil action enforcement, allows attorney’s and expert witness fees to prevailing plaintiffs, waters suffer because our and provides equitable remedies including restoration of waters. state government permits pollution and environmental degradation through its See separate document for the full text of the proposed constitutional amendment. actions and inactions.

Date Approved 04/22/2022 2202 The primary problem is Serial Number special interests, such as big agriculture, big development Sponsor's Information (Return all completed petition forms to the address below.) and big mining, which Name: FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org wield undue influence Address: 13300 South Cleveland Avenue Suite 56 Fort Myers, FL 33907 over legislators and thus environmental policy. It’s profit over public interest.

Voter's Information I am a registered voter of Florida and hereby petition the Secretary of State to place the above proposed amendment to In 2020, looking to clean the Florida Constitution on the ballot in the general election. up their polluted waterways themselves, an astounding 89 percent of Orange County Name - Last First Middle voters approved a Right Address to Clean Water/Rights of Nature charter amendment.

City Zip County The state legislature swiftly Update my voter registration record to this address. (check box) took that right away by preempting the authority of Registration No. or Date of Birth M M / D D / Y Y Y Y local governments statewide from passing such laws.

If you want proof that a Date Signed M M / D D / Y Y Y Y Signature rights-based approach to protecting our waters would be effective, it’s right there.

Petition Circulator's Information That preemption left Floridians with only one This Petition form is only to be collected by a volunteer or directly by the voter him or herself. viable course of action: amend our state constitution to give all Floridians a fundamental A paid petition circulator must use the DS-DE 155B version of the form. Forms for paid petition circulators can be right to clean and healthy obtained from the Division's Paid Petition Circulator website. waters, a right beyond the reach of legislators. The Visit https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/InitiativePetitions/ for more information. amendment is indefeasible and self-executing; it can’t be Attention annulled or compromised by the legislature.

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

This fundamental right • It is a first degree misdemeanor to knowingly sign the same petition more than once. [§104.185, F.S.] would be on par with other • An improperly completed form will not be validated. fundamental rights such DS-DE 155A (10-2021) R1S-2.009, Fla. Admin. Code as the right to free speech and the right to bear arms.

Seawall Erosion Control

your lawn, wsuits. e real

voter, family

we all

ore

SIGNS OF SEAWALL EROSION

o

Y

Y

de

Competitive Pricing Serving All of Florida Family Owned Guaranteed Work Free Estimates Free 2nd Opinions Experienced and Reputable Fully Licensed

1. Cracks in the seawall vertical panels or seawall cap 2. Depressions in your yard 3. Water bubbling up from the ground 4. Small sinkholes along the wall 5. Leaning or bowing of a seawall

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE EVALUATION NOW

888.426.1002 www.FloridaSeawallSolutions.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

#CBC1255391

AUGUST 2023

FLORIDA 11

Discount Marine Supplies

Marine Supplies

OEM Marine Parts

Jacksonville

Locations Same Low Prices

Melbourne

Certified Service Department

Authorized OEM Marine Engine & Parts Dealer Trailer Parts

Trailer Sales

• AUTOMOTIVE • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

CTX NANO-CERAMIC TINT •SUPERIOR HEAT REJECTION MELBOURNE •ENHANCED STYLE 557 N. HARBOR CITY BLVD •99% UV PROTECTION MELBOURNE, FL 32935

(321) 254-2535

JACKSONVILLE

5615 BLANDING BLVD. JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244

904 7787775

BoathouseDiscountMarine.com

*LIFETIME WARRANTY 16 BREVARD

JANUARY 2019

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

TIPS FROM A PRO

BOATHOUSE

TIPS FROM A PRO

THROW A WACKY RIG TO GET BIT!

H

TYLER WOOLCOTT

ave you ever heard the saying, “going catching, not fishing?”

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.

There are a few reasons this bait outperforms many others when it comes to getting bites. First off, 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 fish through cover. What kind of cover? The 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 fish that might never have seen a bait before. The natural falling shimmy action of the Senko drives fish 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 fish 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 fish 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. The 13 Fishing Defy 7’1” medium is an awesome rod for a wacky rig, and it’s super affordable. Pair it with your favorite 2000 or 3000 size reel, and spool up with 10-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid. I use a fluorocarbon 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 fluorocarbon line that I use for most of my spinning rod leaders.

(561) 758-8758 Phone Orders Can Be Shipped

Custom Spliced Dock Lines & Anchor Rodes

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide.

Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

FLORIDA 13

SHORELINE

AT SURF EXPO TO DEBUT SEPT. 7-9 Shoreline at Surf Expo Evolves the Waterman’s Lifestyle from Coastal Shoreline Activities into Camping, Hiking, Climbing and More

S

We Specialize in Heavy Duty Beach Wheels, Custom Axle Kits & Pompano Rigs WE SELL 12-INCH AND 16-INCH HEAVY DUTY BEACH WHEELS $149.99/Pair w/Bushing $189.99/Pair w/Bearings • Fits 3/4 Axles • 350 lb. Weight Capacity Per Pair • Stainless Steel Needle Roller Bearings We Sell 3/4 In. Solid Aluminum Axle Kits for $34.99!

779.770.2100 • benjaminsbeachwheels.com 14 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2023

urf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow, enhances the buying experience for both watersports and outfitter retailers with the debut of its new Shoreline offering 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 fishing, boating, wakeboarding, technical apparel, outerwear, camping, watersports hardgoods as well as essential gear and accessories.

The newest floor category complements Surf Expo’s extensive product offerings—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 first year participating at Surf Expo, he knows it will be the right fit 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 fit 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 offshore apparel and accessory products ranging from lifestyle and technical apparel to footwear, outerwear, sportswear, T-shirts, sunglasses and much more.

“Blending the inshore and offshore 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 Outfitters, Burnside Sierra Pacific 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, The Grateful Diver, XTRATUF, Welly Bottle, and ZEP-PRO.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

he al g,

eshow, utfitter e Sept.

hnical a day

SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2023 ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER SOUTH A/B ORLANDO, FL

pports el and es into along Show

tailers pparel, ar and

roduct usiness across

games bocce at Surf

ocean. d what

Expo’s pparel arel to

e roof in the

ni Bay racken Ocean omo & Bottle,

Discover the Newest Fishing & Marine Apparel and Accessory Products for 2024!

REGISTER AT SURFEXPO.COM A Trade-Only Event. Qualified Retailers Attend for Free.

Summer-Long Fishing Competition Engages Youth Anglers

C

CA Florida’s summer-long STAR fishing competition offers 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 skiffs to youth anglers across the state.”

The 2023 STAR competition ends Sept. 4 and includes 15 divisions targeting 12 species both inshore and offshore. Awesome boat, motor, trailer packages and cash prizes and more will be awarded for different divisions.

STAR and its scholarship partners also provide tremendous incentives to engage youth in fishing 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.

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

The Tagged Redfish Division Youth Prizes include two skiffs, complete with Minn Kota trolling motors and Humminbird electronics and powered with Yamaha Outboards sitting on a trailer. The Tagged Dolphin Division offers a $10,000 scholarship if the first 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. They must submit a photo Registered youth anglers may submit one photo a of the 5-gallon buckets full of trash for a shot at a day of their fish on the 2023 STAR Official STAR $1,500 prize package, Kahuna Wagon, sunglasses measuring device of the following species: ladyfish, certificate and other great prizes. For every 5-gallon jack crevalle, sheepshead, snapper, snook, spotted bucket of garbage a STAR Youth participant seatrout, redfish, tarpon, grouper, dolphin or submits, they will also be provided with 30 minutes of community service hours. kingfish.

For a full list of divisions, visit ccaflstar.com.

The STAR Youth Scholarship Division presented by Realtree Fishing, offers $100,000 in For more information on STAR, or to register, scholarships: two $25,000 scholarships presented by visit the Facebook page or ccaflstar.com.

Realtree Fishing and The Slade Kerr Family and 10

BOAT INSURANCE SINKING YOU?

SAVE

50%Insurance

up to

on Boat

GET THE

LOWEST RATES!

BOATS & $37,000 $75,000 JETSKI From: $264/yr $474/yr

$100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $586/yr $2,975/yr $5,985/yr

GET A QUOTE! (888) 977-4500 (954) 785-5000

BoatInsuranceFlorida.com Bradley Insurance Group

Covering Boaters throughout the South Since 1988

Your #1 Source for Boat Insurance 16 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

CLEANS EVERYTHING.

PERIOD.

Clean, Waxes & Protects Glass, Lexan, Isinglass, Metal, Gelcoat, Fiberglass, Paint, Plastic & Rubber

Remove & Prevents Oxidation, Scuff Marks, Bird & Spider Poop, Fish Blood, Rust, Water & Exhaust Stains

Restores Gelcoat, Fiberglass, Metal, Plastic Windows & Rubber

USE CODE BOAT10 FOR 10% 0FF

www.koenigpolish.com • 1-877-843-9929

SPECIALIZING IN RESTORATION OF AGED, SUNBURNT, OR FADED LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS.

WE SERVICE MORE THAN JUST GAUGES!

If your device has an LCD that has faded over time, or want to inquire about possible repair options for your unit, give us a call or visit our website!

CHART PLOTTERS, VHF’S, RADARS, SOUNDERS, AUTOPILOTS, JET SKI CLUSTERS, AND MUCH MORE.

904-701-9726 • GAUGESAVER.COM 5049 HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH, GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL 32043

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

NATIONAL 9

CRAPPIE TIPS ER

pring is long gone and so are the quick limits of shallow-water crappie. That doesn’t mean you can’t go load the cooler with some slabs for a fish 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 fish 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: There’s no sense baking in the sun for a few fish when you can load the boat in just a few hours before and after daybreak. Boat traffic and water temps are both lower in the morning, which means crappie and the small baitfish they feed on will be most active. In the morning, crappie move shallower up on the humps and ledges to chase bait. They are more likely to bite when they are actively feeding.

Troll the Humps: Offshore humps that top out at 15 feet or deeper will hold crappie this time of year. They’re even better when there’s brush on them.

Early and late, or if there is some dam-generated current, the fish will move

NICK CART

S

for Deep Summer

PHOTOS BY

By TAM Staff

up to feed on these humps.

They suspend off 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 fish. 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 fish under a dock, they usually won’t let that jig hit the bottom.

Drown a Minnow: A school of crappie suspended off 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 fish. Then just let it sit. The bites will be light, so pay attention.

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO GET OUT ON THE WATER...

Visit Us Online To Find Your Nearest Dealer

www.MitziSkiffs.com www.CHawkBoats.net 10 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

PHOTOS BY

NICK CART

ER

why get we cover towing? the cost

An average tow is $750 or more but with an Unlimited Towing Membership, BoatU.S. covers the costs. At a fraction of the price of a tow – it pays to belong.

JOIN TODAY! BoatUS.com/Towing Details of services provided can be found online at BoatUS.com/Agree. TowBoatU.S. is not a rescue service. In an emergency situation, you must contact the Coast Guard or a government agency immediately.

SC

AL FREE LO G PI UN EQ NG & RIG UI LO GI PM B NG EN STE T RI NG

7610 Industrial Ln. Suite 8H Tampa, FL. 33637

neptonics.com 813-867-3250

www.VisitDixie.com Where the

Suwannee &

Your Spearfishing Headquarters.

Steinhatchee

Rivers Meet the

Use code coastal10 for

10% OFF

Gulf of Mexi

your order

Scallop Season

OPENS

June 15 on Dixie County Coast COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2023

NATIONAL 11

CATCH REDFISH

ON THE ROCKS

Re-Discover Old Florida O

Waterfront Charm

The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts

NEW BRICK PAVER SIDEWALKS THROUGHOUT!

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 Kingfish Lodge includes a wide screen TV and bar for small gatherings Sailfish 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 TRAVEL • Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet Cover Your Vacation • 2 miles to the Ft. Pierce Inlet with Travel Insurance • 12 miles to the Gulf Stream • Laundry, BBQ Grilles and FREE use of our Kayaks P R O T E C T I O N

NIGHTLY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY • SEASONAL RATES

3011 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34946

www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com

Reservations and Information: (772) 349-2206

Your Health and Safety are our utmost concern. COVID-19 CDC Guidelines are in full effect.

All accommodations are completely cleaned and sanitized prior to guest arrival

n a dark, muggy morning, we eased into Campo’s Marina in Shell Beach, Louisiana. They open at 5 a.m., and it would be getting light at 5:30.

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

For some of us— Dewayne and Blake Proffit, Darrel and I—this was the first time we had been to Shell Beach in search of giant redfish,

By Gary Turner

massive sheepshead and gator trout. Touted as the “Best Inshore Fishing in the World,” Shell Beach did not disappoint!

The redfish fishing was incredible! We hooked some giants, some we never even saw!

We fished 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 different techniques. Some of us popped a Cajun Thunder 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 fish we never saw! We fished some flats right where the tall marsh grass met the canals. The water was usually less than a foot deep.

We would cast right next to the grass and wait for fish that were cruising this edge in search of food. Then it was on! Your line would cut a wake as the fish ran for deep water and peeled drag. These fish used any structure or rocks they could find to break off. 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.

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

The 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. The last 30 minutes of daylight were always the most productive. We fished rock walls and hooked up several big redfish each evening. Mixed in with the redfish 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.

12 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

H

S

NORSE BY NORSEWEST?

Embrace your Scandinavian side with a 7" blade

I

f 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.

Sta

Impossibuer le Price ®

99

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.

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

— Gene, Auburn, WA

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: VGK168-01 Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. VGK168-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com

Stauer® |

AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

®

AUGUST 2023

NATIONAL 13

Tennessee Angler Breaks His Own State Record

A

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

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

Burkhart’s monster blue officially weighed 122.3 pounds and measured 57.5 inches long, with a 42.25-inch girth. It ate a white bass head fished on 40-pound-test line. After transporting the fish in a large livewell on his trailered boat to get official 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. That’s a mighty fine day of fishing.

The IGFA all-tackle world record blue catfish weighed 143 pounds, even.

It was caught from Kerr Lake, Virginia by Richard Nicholas Anderson in June of 2011.

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

The Return of a Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989

Pig Cookers, Patio Grills, Smokers, Customized BBQ Trailers

For More Info 1-252-236-4464 www.BQGRILLS.com 6043 Hwy 301N, Elm City, NC 14 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Micka catfish nding rkhart

uTube ith the

asured fished ell on to the ounty ers.

9- and g. , even. son in

This Is How You Walk the Walk

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

T

hey 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 only $59 each!

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 PRAISE FOR STAUER WALKING STICKS handcrafted beauties take months to craft and are running (not walking) “An excellent walking out the door. So, take a step in the stick. Solid and elegant.

Perfect for a night out. right direction. Call today!

Well crafted.”

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

You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

– J. from Pacific Grove, CA

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: WSC286-01

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. WSC286-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com *Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

• 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.

Rating of A+

A.

D.

Exquisite walking sticks not shown actual size.

B.

C.

E.

SAVOR THE SEASONS in Upcountry South Carolina

Every season is the best season to explore the many treasures in the Upcountry.

A N D E R S O N  C H E RO K E E  G R E E N V I L L E  O C O N E E  P I C K E N S  S PA R TA N BU R G

Perfectly Seasoned 16 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2023

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

FishUpcountrySC.com 864-233-2690

A Time of Porpoise A

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

Imposs ible Pr ONLY ice

29

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

What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Topaz

Balinese Dolphin Pendant (1 carat) $299 $29* Save $270



*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

1-800-333-2045

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

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

Your Insider Offer Code: DNP141-01 Stauer, 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DNP141-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 www.stauer.com

AFFORD THE EXTRAORDINARY