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SEATROUT VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 346

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By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

Tuna Town TO

had only been fishing a few years when I wound up taking a job in Venice, Louisiana. I had gotten the lead on a first mate position through a mutual friend of a captain who I had never met before. When I called the captain, I asked when he needed me. He told me, “yesterday.” So I went to the tackle shop, bought my first pair of slickers, and hit the road. The only thing I knew about Venice was that there was no cell phone service and no women. As I drove down the road south of New Orleans, I began to notice ships on both sides of the road simultaneously. I realized I had better call someone to let them know I was heading to a deadzone in the middle of nowhere, filled with lonely, salty men. I arrived at night and located my captain’s houseboat, where I would be staying. I made the jump across to the boat and opened the door without knocking—as I was instructed to do. A dozen men, drinking beer, went silent as they stared at me. I looked around the room at the welcoming party, and the walls that were lined with shelves of alcohol bottles and a deer head decorated with Mardi Gras beads and bras. They offered me a beer and I declined. After the 14-hour drive, I most definitely wanted a beer, however, this did not seem like the time and place to let my guard down. The captain showed me the boat docked out back, my bunk where I would be staying, and told me what time to set my alarm for the charter the following morning. I had no idea what to expect or what I had gotten myself into, but I quickly fell in love with the fishery and a week-long trip turned into a year and a half. The fishermen there were nothing but respectful and treated me like one of the guys. I had only been fishing for two years at the time and had a lot to learn. I spent evenings teaching myself how to tie snell knots and throw a cast net. When the locals would go out fun fishing and bring back coolers with hundreds of trout, they were more than happy to teach me how to fillet fish. The fishermen didn’t cut me any slack for being a woman, which I was grateful for. I worked just as hard as they did, earned respect, and learned everything I needed to become a competent fisherman. I was openly doubted every step of the way, until I was able to learn and prove myself, which I did. But I was told that if I made it to the fall, there was no way that a woman could handle shrimp-boat season. Shrimp-boat season involves pulling behind shrimp boats and then boarding them by jumping from the bow of your boat onto the tires that hang from the stern of the shrimp boat. Then you promptly scurry up before your bow has a chance to crush your feet. You then shovel bycatch into a bag or basket, get it back to your boat, and hopefully get yourself back on the boat before your crew hooks up to a big tuna and abandons you there for the fight. The goal is to not die, break your ankles or get murdered by the shrimp-boat crew in the process. I did make it to the fall, and I did survive shrimp-boat season, and it was some of my favorite fishing I’ve done, to this day. It wasn’t until I left that the ball-busting ceased and I received positive feedback, when a captain called to tell me I did a really great job and that I’d earned a place and should come back for the following season. I am so grateful Tuna Town was a stop on my journey to where I am now. I am indebted to the fishermen there who helped teach me things the right way, without mercy. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon, with Sweet e’nuf charters out of Marathon, Florida Keys, can be reached at (504) 920-6342. See CaptainQuinlyn.com and @captainquinlyn.

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THROW UMBRELLA RIGS FOR WINTER BASS

When the bass are feeding up on baitfish in the winter, the natural bait ball presentation with multiple baits swimming together drives these bass absolutely crazy. It can make for a very fun day on the water. Setting up your “rig” is not complicated. Depending on how deep you are looking to fish, use 1/8-ounce jig heads for shallow water (10 feet or less) and ¼-ounce jig heads for anything deeper than 10 feet. Pick TYLER WOOLCOTT out some small 3- to 4-inch natural shad colored boot-tail swimbaits to attach to your jig heads and that’s all there is to it. inter can be a tricky time of year to go fishing, The winter months is typically the time when bass to feed up before but I want to tell you about a bait that might help you put some more fish in the boat. In fact, this lure is so good that they spawn. Whether you see it going on or not, they are eating a lot of bait somewhere on your some tournaments don’t allow body of water. You can throw anglers to use them anymore. this rig basically anywhere, I’m talking about the Alabama and if there are fish around, rig, which some people call they will bite it! I throw it the umbrella rig. around grass, rocks, docks, This device made its debut open water, points and on the bass fishing scene in ditches. 2011 and absolutely dominated the tournament fishing scene Gear for a few years before it was When throwing an A-rig, eventually outlawed by most it can get pretty heavy once professional fishing series for you add all the jig heads and basically being an unfair way swimbaits onto it. You’ll want to catch fish. The rig consists to use a big heavy rod with of a baitfish-style head where some strong line. A 13 Fishing you tie your line with multiple Muse Black 7’6” rod paired metal-wire arms that extend with a Concept A 6:8:1 reel is out where you attach jig heads a good fit. Spool this up with with a swimbaits. Most come 20-pound Seaguar Abraz-X standard with five metal arms line and you are good to go! and five jig heads. Good luck out there! Even though the Alabama rig is outlawed by most pro fishing leagues, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it when you are out fun Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. fishing or even fishing smaller tournaments. It is a fish-catching machine! Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

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JANUARY 2024

NATIONAL 7

A GREAT LAKES FORMULA FOR

By Nick Carter

JUST ONE FISH

obi Pellerito’s goal in a day is just one fish, and with the surge in Great Lakes smallmouth fisheries, there’s a good chance he’ll find what he’s looking for: one giant smallie. “Big smallmouth is my jam,” he said. “It’s not like tournament fishing, where you’re looking for a limit. I’m out there looking for one big fish.” Pellerito theorized that three invasive species are responsible for Great Lakes smallmouth achieving grotesque proportions with weights in the 7- to 8-pound range. European round gobies and rusty crayfish from the Ohio River Basin have become important prey species since their invasion. European Zebra mussels are forage for another smallmouth favorite: perch, and these filter-feeders also create clear water, which is great for visual hunters like bass.

8 NATIONAL

JANUARY 2024

Pellerito bemoaned the destruction these invasives wreak but figures we might as well take advantage. THE FORMULA: The size of the Great Lakes system is incredible. From a home base in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Pellerito has explored parts of it from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, downstream through lakes Michigan, St. Clair, Huron, Erie and over to the St. Lawrence River. Over this vast expanse, state fisheries reports tell him where the largest smallmouth are. “Once you’ve picked a fishery, there’s no substitute for time on the water,” he said. “Find the most desirable structure in the lake or in the part of the lake you’re fishing.” Smallmouth can be patterned seasonally. From there, Pellerito fishes long days to eliminate water. He looks for big points and transitions in bottom composition. He seeks out subtle structure like boulders or logs on barren flats. Bait presence is important, whether its gobies or crayfish in the rocks, perch in the grass or balls of suspended baitfish. THE FISHING: When he finds an area he likes, Pellerito covers water quickly with a crankbait. He likes a Megabass Deep-X 300, which dives 12 to 15 feet. “Covering water until you find where the fish are is important, then you slow down,” he said. “The biggest fish tend to be a step off from where the rest of them are.” Big smallmouth hold in “wolf packs” of two or three fish, and this can sometimes lead to days of more than “just one fish.” Recently, Pellerito boated an incredible 35-pound, 9-ounce five fish limit. Find one big fish, and it pays to pick that area apart. For this, Pellerito switches to classic drop shots or tubes. A standard tube crawls through the rocks like a goby or a crayfish. With the drop shot, Pellerito fishes a Megabass 3-inch Hazedong, which looks like a goby. It takes light line to draw strikes in clear water. Pellerito uses 15-foot leaders of 5- to 7-pound fluorocarbon with a main line of 8- to 10-pound braid. He’s experienced tremendous success with these tactics. This season, he boated 39 fish heavier than 6 pounds, 19 heavier than 7 pounds and two heavier than 8 pounds. To see more of Cobi Pellerito’s giant fish, see his Instagram @cobi.pellerito.

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CATCH FRENZIED SPANISH MACKEREL

panish mackerel are a year-round target, but this time of year they love following bluefish schools to clean up injured baitfish left behind. During this time, bluefish and mackerel all tend to school together into a feeding frenzy of terror. I definitely wouldn’t want to get my hand in the way of any of those toothy fish. Spanish mackerel are sometimes confused with baby kingfish and cero mackerel, since they can school all together. However, there are a few ways to differentiate these fish, which is important since they all have different regulations. All these mackerel have yellow spots on their sides, but there are a few differences to look for. Cero mackerel have yellow lines along their lateral line that are combined with the yellow spots. King mackerel tend to have smaller spots that are closely grouped along the lateral line. As for the Spanish mackerel, they have large uncontrolled spots. There is simply no rhyme or reason for their pattern. Another way to identify Spanish mackerel is they usually have a wider girth compared to the other mackerel. A large Spanish mackerel is considered to be around 24 inches and over 5 pounds, while kingfish are typically over 20 pounds and ceros tend to be smaller. Spanish mackerel are typically nearshore fish that hang close to shore in order to feed on bait

schools by pushing them into the breakers. In certain locations, you can find Spanish inside the intracoastal. In specific conditions, if the water becomes too warm, mackerel move deeper to find their preferred 70 degrees. Spanish mackerel are found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. They follow a migration pattern of spending the winter off Florida and then move north to North Carolina in early April and all the way up off the coast of New York by June. There are many ways to target Spanish mackerel. Some use live bait such as sardines, baby pilchards and smaller threadfins. A simple freeline with a short wire leader to a live bait hook and one of these smaller baitfish can be deadly. The wire is not absolutely necessary, but mackerel do have extremely sharp teeth. When mackerel are tailing bluefish schools, they are normally frenzied. They’ll slash at everything that comes their way. I like throwing crappie jigs into the frenzy, and I think any kind of small jig will work. A lot of commercial anglers use popping corks with a spoon tied about 4 feet below. The pop gets their attention, and then the shiny fluttering spoon is too much for them to resist.

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For larger Spanish mackerel, X-Raps or other diving crankbaits work best since they imitate larger baits. If you’re throwing a lure, don’t use your favorite one. There is a good chance you might lose it. Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 62 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

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No Telling What You’ll Catch

ON THE PATCH

atch reef fishing is the epitome of, “You never know what you’re going to catch.” These underwater gems are filled with all sorts of fish, and it makes them fun and exciting places to be an angler. Patch reefs are small coral formations found in the shallower parts of the water. They were named for the patchy appearance when viewed from the surface and form wherever hard bottom exists in 10 to 25 feet of water. The rocky bottom, combined with ledges, coral heads and other growth provides the structure fish love. Many of these areas are well-known here in the Keys, but if you’re up for some exploration you can find less-pressured patch reef especially when the water is clear and visibility is good. Just keep an eye out for rocky or live bottom. These areas are usually not too far from shore, so they’re easy to reach and perfect for angling action. All sorts of fish congregate around these patches. The variety includes mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper, lane snapper, hogfish, black grouper, red grouper, gag grouper, porgy, cero mackerel, yellowjack and barracuda. We fish a lighter setup on the patch reefs, and this makes for a blast. Our go-to is a PENN Authority 4500 reel with the PENN Carnage III rod. Live bait like pilchards or shrimp work like a charm. If catching live bait is a problem for you, just stop at a local tackle shop and grab some live shrimp, pinfish, or even some frozen ballyhoo. Keep it simple, and tie on a knocker rig or jig head. Anchoring the boat in the right position to present baits around the reef is an important part of this style of fishing. Dropping bait on the sandy areas near the reef allows you to fish the bottom without getting hung up. Chum can be a good idea, but don’t be so quick to put out the chum as soon as you get lined up. I recommend breaking it out only if the fishing is tough. Chum can attract some of the “trash fish” like blue runners, jacks and sharks. Also, make sure you’re up to date with the rules and regulations. There are so many species you might catch, and some of those species might be out of season. Patch reef fishing is a blast. It’s a mix of stunning views and tons of action. If you want to experience this, the cooler months are the best for this type of fishing. That’s when some better-quality fish move into the shallower reefs.

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SLIP CORKS AREN’T JUST FOR LIVE BAIT

Tim Barefoot

here was time in my life when I was fanatical about live bait, and a lot of the fishing I did was under a sliding cork. Well, that ship has sailed, at least the live bait part. I still fish under a sliding cork, but I now fish artificial lures under the cork for several reasons, only one of which is the evolution of soft plastic baits. Here are a few arguments for fishing artificial: 1) There’s no need to catch and store live bait. 2) My entire tackle box is now small and light enough to fit in a backpack for travel. 3) Soft Plastics are versatile in terms of presentation, and they’re effective. 4) Artificials can be cast farther and more accurately. 5) You can be ready to fish at a moment’s notice anywhere, under almost any conditions. These advantages add up to the sum of my new fishing style under a sliding or popping cork. I cherish my two- or three-hour mini vacations after work, wherever I am while traveling. I travel quite a bit and can bail out of the truck and fish for whatever is there. I’ve grown fond of fishing under and around bridges for several species, and the ease and effectiveness of this style of fishing is easy to love. In addition to fishing just a single lure under a cork—or without a cork in deeper, faster water—I’ve started fishing a tandem tackle. The bottom bait is the jig head for the weight, and the second bait has no weight and just trails out behind the jig. Some days, it’s all bites on the jig; other days, it’s a third or more of the bites on the weightless trailer. This suspended bait and trailer under a cork is not only effective, but it keeps you from staying hung up. Once I figure out how deep the water is, it’s easy to adjust the depth. I typically keep one rod set up for 6 feet deep as a starting point. If I see the cork laying over, it means the jig is sitting on the bottom. I’ll shallow it up a bit to where the jig is just off the bottom and makes a clean drift. If the water is deeper, I’ll adjust it deeper. The end goal is to keep the jig a foot or two off the bottom and allow a natural drift. I like to fish a pair of DOA Shrimp on this tackle in saltwater, and this same tactic is deadly in freshwater with Zoom Flukes or Super Flukes for smallmouth, largemouth and striped bass. The other bait I love for this style of fishing is Gulp! baits. For more detailed videos of the tandem tackle and how to tie it, and the construction of my sliding cork set up, visit my Youtube channel and/or the website. For more from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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50TH ANNUAL STUART BOAT SHOW RETURNS JANUARY 12-14, 2024 By Bonnie Schultz

he 50th Annual Stuart Boat Show, named one of the top 20 events in the Southeast, is celebrating its golden anniversary in the Sailfish Capital of the World, Friday, January 12 to Sunday, January 14, 2024. The largest boat show on Florida’s Treasure Coast features more than 200 local, national, and international exhibitors displaying technology, gear, and hundreds of boats in water and on land, including the latest models of motoryachts, cruisers, center consoles, sportfishing boats, speedboats, and pontoons ranging from 12 feet to more than 90 feet in length. The 2024 Stuart Boat Show, owned by the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and produced by AllSports Productions, has something that will interest every boating enthusiast.

Stroll the grounds and see what’s new in marine electronics, engines, accessories, personal watercraft, boat lifts, fishing gear, and safety equipment; talk insurance and financing with experts, and browse the nautical apparel and jewelry. Lively music and delicious food and drink add to the festivities. Southern Boating Media’s popular on-water Pelican Lounge is back this year. The floating dock display is the ideal gathering spot to take a break, have a cool drink, chat with friends, get your Southern Boating apparel, and soak up the breathtaking water views. On shore, the Coco Bar offers an upper deck to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the show. The Association of Bahamas Marinas will once again be hosting the Bahamas Pavilion, and don’t miss Legacy Marine’s display not only in the show but also welcoming guests at the gate. Parking for the boat show is at Martin County’s Witham Field

Airport off Monterey Road with additional parking available in the lot at the intersection of Dixie Highway and Northwest Wright Boulevard. Free shuttle service, sponsored by Hurricane Boat Lifts, will take attendees directly to and from the show. Don’t miss this fantastic, family friendly, outdoor event. For more information, or to purchase advance tickets (which is strongly recommended), visit www.stuartboatshow.com.

DATES/TIMES

Friday, January 12 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, January 13 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday, January 14 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

LOCATION

55 NW Dixie Hwy, Stuart, FL

ADMISSION

Adults: $18; Veterans: $15; Children: $8 - 12 & younger; Infants Free

PARKING: $5

SOUTH: Witham Field Airport: off Monterey Road, turn onto Southeast Flying Fortress Lane NORTH: 827 NW Dixie Hwy. (Dixie Hwy. and NW Wright Blvd.) Free shuttle service provided directly to and from the show.

Sorry, no pets allowed.

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

Hundreds of boats will be on display, in water and on land, ranging from 12 feet to more than 90 feet in length.

800-4-SEATOW

PHOTO CREDIT: AllSports Productions.

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PUBLISHER EMERITUS GARY GUERTIN PUBLISHER & EDITOR MISTI GUERTIN 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

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Be On the Lookout During Right Whale Calving Season

f you plan to boat or fish in the Atlantic Ocean this winter, be on the lookout for North Atlantic right whales that are calving in state and federal waters off Florida, Georgia and South Carolina from November through April. This endangered species is extremely hard to spot and collisions with vessels put passengers and crew at risk and could cause injury or death to right whales. With approximately 360 individuals remaining, right whales are one of the world’s most endangered large whale species. The first right whale mothercalf pair of the season was spotted on Nov. 28 off South Carolina. Several more adult females have been sighted from North Carolina to Georgia since Nov. 15, all potential mothers this winter. Aerial survey

efforts will increase off Florida and Georgia heading into December. Follow these boating safety tips during right whale season: • Go slow, which can give you time to react. • Post a lookout! Watch for black objects, unusual or persistent whitewater, and splashes. • Avoid boating in the dark, when visibility is poor or in rough seas. • Use org or the Whale Alert app to monitor the seasonal presence of right whales in your area. • Check for signage at your local boat ramp or marina as a reminder of what to look for and how to identify and report right whale sightings. • If a whale is spotted, slow down, operate at a slow speed or put your engine in neutral if possible. Assess the scene and slowly leave the area

Right whales.

while keeping watch. Never pursue or follow a whale. Keep at least 500 yards from right whales (it’s the law). • Report whale sightings and collisions immediately to the U.S. Coast Guard on marine VHF Ch. 16 or call 1-877-WHALE-HELP (9425343). Learn more about what you can do to prevent right whale collisions at MyFWC.com/Research by clicking “Wildlife” then “Mammals” and select “North Atlantic Right Whales.”

Tackle & Bait

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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.

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JANUARY 2024

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PHOTO CREDIT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Florida Fish and Wildlife

PHOTO CREDIT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

pursue st 500 e law). s and e U.S. Ch. 16 (942-

an do ns at king and hales.”

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TREASURE COAST 3

COASTAL ANGLER TREASURE COAST JANUARY DAY 1M

TIME

5:29 AM 12:00 PM 6:01 PM 2TU 12:22 AM 6:14 AM 12:40 PM 6:47 PM 3W 1:11 AM 7:03 AM 1:22 PM 7:35 PM 4TH 2:04 AM 7:57 AM 2:09 PM 8:25 PM 5F 3:01 AM 8:54 AM 3:01 PM 9:17 PM 6SA 4:00 AM 9:51 AM 3:58 PM 10:10 PM 7SU 4:59 AM 10:45 AM 4:56 PM 11:01 PM 8M 5:55 AM 11:36 AM 5:52 PM 11:52 PM 9TU 6:48 AM 12:25 PM 6:47 PM 10W 12:42 AM 7:38 AM 1:14 PM 7:39 PM 11TH 1:31 AM 8:26 AM 2:03 PM 8:31 PM

HEIGHT 0.24 2.12 0.31 1.96 0.36 2.03 0.3 1.91 0.46 1.95 0.28 1.89 0.52 1.89 0.22 1.91 0.54 1.86 0.14 1.97 0.51 1.87 0.02 2.07 0.44 1.93 -0.13 2.2 0.33 2.03 -0.29 2.33 0.2 2.16 -0.44 2.47 0.07 2.29 -0.56 2.57 -0.06 2.4

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 H

2:21 AM 9:13 AM 2:52 PM 9:22 PM 13SA 3:11 AM 10:00 AM 3:42 PM 10:14 PM 14SU 4:02 AM 10:47 AM 4:33 PM 11:08 PM 15M 4:55 AM 11:34 AM 5:27 PM 16TU 12:03 AM 5:51 AM 12:24 PM 6:23 PM 17W 1:01 AM 6:50 AM 1:16 PM 7:22 PM 18TH 2:03 AM 7:53 AM 2:13 PM 8:23 PM 19F 3:08 AM 8:57 AM 3:14 PM 9:24 PM 20SA 4:14 AM 10:00 AM 4:17 PM 10:24 PM 21SU 5:17 AM 10:59 AM 5:19 PM 11:20 PM 22M 6:14 AM 11:53 AM 6:16 PM 12F

-0.63 2.64 -0.18 2.47 -0.62 2.66 -0.28 2.5 -0.55 2.62 -0.35 2.49 -0.41 2.54 -0.38 2.43 -0.24 2.42 -0.38 2.34 -0.06 2.27 -0.35 2.25 0.1 2.14 -0.31 2.18 0.2 2.03 -0.28 2.14 0.25 1.98 -0.27 2.14 0.25 1.98 -0.28 2.16 0.21 2.01

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 H

23TU 12:12 AM 7:05 AM 12:43 PM 7:06 PM 24W 1:00 AM 7:49 AM 1:28 PM 7:51 PM 25TH 1:44 AM 8:29 AM 2:11 PM 8:32 PM 26F 2:25 AM 9:06 AM 2:51 PM 9:12 PM 27SA 3:03 AM 9:40 AM 3:28 PM 9:50 PM 28SU 3:40 AM 10:14 AM 4:05 PM 10:28 PM 29M 4:16 AM 10:47 AM 4:40 PM 11:06 PM 30TU 4:52 AM 11:21 AM 5:15 PM 11:46 PM 31W 5:29 AM 11:55 AM 5:52 PM

-0.3 2.2 0.16 2.05 -0.32 2.23 0.11 2.08 -0.32 2.25 0.05 2.1 -0.3 2.25 0.01 2.1 -0.25 2.23 -0.02 2.08 -0.17 2.18 -0.03 2.05 -0.07 2.12 -0.03 2 0.04 2.03 -0.01 1.94 0.15 1.94 0.01

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

4 TREASURE COAST

JANUARY 2024

The seasonal conditions associated with the Florida winter will be firmly in place in January`s near coastal fishing zone. This month, the continued procession of cold MARTIN COUNTY fronts will have patterned the way DEEP SEA these fish feed and move through the zone. Given the proper, user-friendly Capt. Rocky Carbia weather window, anglers will be able to ply honey holes in depths from 25 Safari I Deep Sea Fishing to 180 feet of water, where pelagic Pirates Cove Resort and Marina and resident fish will frequent, for 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno feeding and spawning. Live bait, at Reservations: (772) 334-4411 times, should be available in January; www.safari1deepseafishing.com however, anglers should always bring a good selection of dead baits (like he promise of a New Year will Spanish sardines, ballyhoo, and squid) shine bright in the eyes of in case live bait is not easily found on January’s offshore anglers, whose a particular fishing day. Spoons and happiness will be gauged by a color spectrum of fish, that will magically appear on our doorstep. Like “sleight of hand”, the magic of fish color will be found around naturally occurring coral reefs and the (over) seven dozen artificial reef sites east of our St. Lucie Inlet. These bottom structures will become the focal point for offshore game plans and fishing strategies. Like the changes on the pages of the New Year`s calendar, the offshore playing field will display a new profile in the form of wintertime fish that will settle into these salty reef habitats. Schools of Spanish and king mackerel and lane snapper will congregate this month Pretty lane snapper caught by and populate seasonal, preferred Shelby Payette aboard the Safari 1. reef areas. While most species of fish PHOTOS CREDIT: Safari 1. can be found over a wide area in our local zone, these fish seem to have a jigs should always be part of a good predilection to certain spots, like the offshore tackle box, so don`t forget to offshore Peck Lake/ Kingfish Hole, the bring a selection of artificial baits or 140 King Numbers, and the Sand Pile lures, along with whole dead baits. A (the Texas Reef), just to name a few. good selection of frozen baits and jigs Local knowledge of the preferred and will always complement a live well full proven fish haunts will be the primary of ammo and give offshore angler’s component to any angler`s chance for endless options as they dial in their success. Anglers can search out for desired fish catching strategy. So, in January, watch the weather, GPS numbers for many of Stuart`s reef locations by logging on to www. find your fish-friendly window, and martinreefs.com. This website will keep your offshore strategy options give one an expansive selection of all open. With pre-planning and a cooler of Martin County`s offshore Artificial full of bait, this will lead to happy fishing and a Happy New Year! Reefs.

FISHING FORECASTS

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

Lane snapper swamping the tables of January.

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MARTIN COUNTY INSHORE NEARSHORE

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

can’t believe it’s January 2024 already! This month we can expect some excellent pompano fishing along the Indian River around shallow sandy flats. Drift fishing for pompano around or along the flats is a great way to cover a large area to locate the pompano. Once you locate said fish it can be a good idea to anchor and bait fish with

pompano rigs and sand fleas while casting pompano jigs off the bow to cover the entire area around your boat. This will increase your odds at catching multiple fish as the school swims near your vessel. Shrimp fishing this month will produce good black drum and sheepshead action when fishing around the structure. Expect a few flounder, snapper, croaker, redfish, snook, and the occasional trout mixed in as well. Colder water temps mean low and slow. Fishing close to the bottom will yield more bites from a variety of species. Fish finder rigs, knocker rigs, and or shrimp on a jig head all work well this time of year. Snook fishing has been tough with colder water temps but if you have live pilchards and you’re willing to soak them for extended periods

MARTIN COUNTY OFFSHORE

Off The Chain Circle Hook Rods. They have a very soft tip so hooked fish don’t pull off, strong midsection for lifting stubborn fish, and are super light so you can handle them all day and not get worn out. Call our local shops to order. Four small ballyhoo, two dredges and a squid chain is my go to this time of year, so when you see us sliding down sea at 5.5 knots you

Capt. Scott Fawcett Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) 285-1055 offthechainfishing.com fishscottyf@bellsouth.net

appy New Year, and is it ever. If Chicago hadn’t already claimed the name, I think we would definitely be known as the Windy City by now. Normally these hard north winds and cooler temps fire off the fishing, but last month almost everyone was a huge letdown. There were a few days when the sailfish and dolphin bite was good but it was short lived each time. There have been some blackfin tuna and wahoo around and with the sail fishing being on the slow side, I would recommend fishing a planner or using a downrigger to get a bait down unless you’re pulling two dredges. A dredge is an umbrella rig teaser with ballyhoo or mullet to simulate a school of fish. Very similar to decoys while hunting, these dredges will get all types of fish to come right up behind the boat. Not only can you see them, but they’re normally very willing to take a bait. Conditions on the whole have been good, pretty water along with seeing some bait and flushing schools of flying fish, I know these conditions can only go on for so long before fishing picks up. One of these fronts is going to bring a body of fish down here that will find the bait and keep us busy for the season. Focus along the reefs, wrecks, color changes and temp breaks, keep an

closer to the bottom you will catch a few fishing around docks and bridges. Nearshore fishing has been on fire. Spanish mackerel are running very large in the Peck Lake area. Fishing closer to the beach has been better over the past few weeks. Remember they frequent the beach and the nearshore reef, each day can be different. General rule is to find the boats and find the fish. Fishing around the commercial boats is a great idea. Keep your distance as they can be somewhat aggressive. I typically try to stay just outside casting distance so that everyone fishing remains friendly. Bring plenty of chum such as small sardines or glass minnows to start a feeding frenzy behind your boat. Cast shiny lures and reel them in very fast for nonstop mackerel action!

Fred Church with a wonderful day of fly fishing aboard Off The Chain. A sailfish release and a great catch of nice sized dolphin. If you enjoy throwing the fly and would like to target sails, mahi and other pelagic species, give us a call.

Eric Diem with a trophy Spanish mackerel caught on a 3/8-ounce Tsunami glass minnow jig. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Jonathan Earhart.

know what we’re pulling. I still expect big things this January, so get everything ready and get out there! Sails, wahoo, dolphin, kings, blackfin and swords are all here this month. Please give me a call if you have any questions or if you’d like to set up a trip. Whether you’re fishing with us or on your own boat this new year, I hope your next bite is Off The Chain!

Monday-Saturday Sunday TRIP 8:30AM-1:30PM 8:30AM-3:00PM TIMES Adults $70; Children $60 Adults $80; Children $70

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett.

eye out for flying fish and watch your depth finder for bait. Fish between 65 feet and 265 feet with either live or dead bait along any of these conditions. I recommend at least one dredge during either style of fishing whether it’s trolling or live baiting. It can be artificial, natural or a combination of the two. I fish ours off our Cannon downriggers. The Optimum TS 10 is awesome. They make it extremely easy and are very effective for the job. Auto set out, auto retrieve, a cycle mode which prospects, and Bluetooth which links to your phone, pad or HumminBird MFD. I can control my dredges from the tower and the cockpit with this set up. It’s wonderful! This time of year with the fish still spread out I prefer trolling. For our 12th year we are using Blackfin Rods

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

For Reservations Call (772) 334-4411 Located at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina Find Us! 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno/Stuart, FL

WWW.SAFARI1DEEPSEAFISHING.COM

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JANUARY 2024

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

esolve to fish more in 2024! Happy New Year, Treasure Coast! The cooler waters of January provide a very productive time to fish out of our beautiful Fort Pierce Inlet. The lower water temps are attractive to many fish moving in from the north and anglers can enjoy the excitement of catching 10-to-15 different species on any given day. The last few months have seen seriously windy days/weeks and January is typically a windy month, but watch for good weather windows and “seas” the day to tackle your salty grocery list. January is an absolutely great time for bottom fishing. The snapper bite has been phenomenal and shows no signs of slowing down. I target lanes,

chumming to help bring them up from the bottom. Be prepared for a strong fight from the muttons. You might get a 10-to-15-minute battle from a monster mutton and landing one will make your entire trip! Nothing better than pullin’ drag on a good size fish! Tripletail fishing has been hot with great reports from area anglers. The Atlantic Tripletail, as it is commonly known, has elongated dorsal, anal, and caudal fins that give the illusion of three tails. These fish like to float just beneath the surface and are often found near structures and floating objects. The best way to hook one is to sight cast away from the spot and drag the line towards them. I like to use live shrimp with no weight. If you get a hit, be prepared for a fight as they will strongly run to structure to try to break off. The near-coast reefs are very productive for nice sheepshead, pompano, and triggerfish. When targeting sheepshead, I head to the 15-to-30-foot reefs and use live shrimp or fiddler crabs with a quarter-ounce weight. Fishing first Captain Bo teaming up with two terrific tripletail! thing in the morning when the sun PHOTO CREDIT: Pullin Drag Charters. comes up will give the most success. muttons, mangroves, and vermillion stellar. Pilchards and pinfish are the This is a great option for those high on the area reefs at 50-to-100 feet top choice for snapper fishing but and the catch amounts have been frozen bait will work, too. I prefer SEE SLC OFFSHORE......................PAGE 9

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ST. LUCIE COUNTY INSHORE

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

ard to believe that another year has arrived! Happy New Year! January should provide both boaters and anglers on foot with lots of exciting action this year. We have been dealing with some decent fronts the past several weeks that have been fluctuating the water temps quite a bit. Fish tend to become lethargic in cold water and are slow in moving to strike at lures. Finding water that is a couple degrees warmer than the

surrounding area can also give you an edge on finding fish. The sheepshead fishing has been very good so far this winter and should remain steady all through early spring. Fishing the docks and channel markers is where we find the bulk of our fish. Set yourself up so when you pitch back the current will pull your bait towards the structure you’re fishing. We have a fair amount of bycatch when we do this type of fishing so be prepared for anything. It is not uncommon to catch croakers, black drum, snappers, tripletail, pompano, or snook. I like using a 7-foot Crowder ESS708, a 2500 size reel, 15-pound braid, and 20-pound fluorocarbon. That set up is a balanced combo that will cast well and have the backbone

if you hook a bigger fish. The pompano will be all through the Treasure Coast for the remainder of the winter and spring. There have also been some good reports of pompano on the beach. Using clams, sandfleas, or peeled shrimp on a two or three hook rig is the most popular way to target them in the surf. If you’re working the river for pomps, jigs are my favorite way to fish for them. Working Goofy jigs in the areas we are skipping fish will always bend a rod. The ladyfish can be a nuisance while jigging for pomps. They often travel together so don’t give up on an area too quick. Hopefully everyone else is excited as me about the memories that 2024 is going to provide!

Chris with one of many sheepshead caught on live shrimp. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Adam White.

ST. LUCIE COUNTY DEEP SEA

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

s a new year is upon us, we are in full swing of wintertime fishing. Grouper fishing is closed until later in the spring, but the bottom fishing for mutton snapper, mango snapper, lane snapper, triggerfish and porgies will continue. Don’t be surprised if you see more cobia showing up at this time. The area along the reef from 75 to 90 feet of water should be productive. The deadly rig this time of year is a chicken rig which is a two-hook rig with a sinker on the bottom. Bait it with squid or freshly cut bait, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised about the groceries that you can catch. This time of year, the action with the hook chicken rig is fast and furious.

Bottom fishing for snapper, triggerfish and porgies will be productive. Don’t be surprised if you see more cobia showing up at this time. PHOTOS CREDIT: Miss Fort Pierce Fishing.

Also continue to fish the drop off and ledges with your longer leader 10 to 25 feet of 40- or 50-pound floor carbon with a 5/0 or 6/0 hook. Fish with grunt plugs or good quality sardines. At this time of year, the bites are not as rapid as in

NAVIGATE THE REAL ESTATE WATERS...

AND MAKE WAVES WITH JESSICA, THE LOCAL EXPERT.

the spring and summer months. Also, watch your weather windows and take opportunities as this time of year tends to be very windy. We look forward to meeting you on board!

Novice & Experienced Anglers Of All Ages Welcome

All Bait, Rods and Tackle Included! No License Required!

Jessica Fee Realtor

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

561.716.0619 • jessicafee@beachfrontproperties.us

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

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JANUARY 2024

TREASURE COAST 7

FISHING FORECASTS Winter is “Gator” trout time in the Sebastian area.

SEBASTIAN INSHORE

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

sun’s warmth. A good January cold front should improve the clarity of the waters of the Lagoon and with more reds in the area, sight fishing will be a consistent option. A live shrimp is hard to beat this time of year but jigs, plugs and D.O.A. shrimp fished slowly close to the bottom will also produce.

SEBASTIAN INLET – Pompano

fishing can peak in early January around the drop-offs and sandbars at the back of Sebastian Inlet where bouncing a Goofy jig is the ticket. A few nice flounder will remain around the inlet throughout the winter. Bluefish, jacks, black drum, sheepshead and Spanish mackerel will keep jetty anglers busy most days.

hankfully, the weather over the last month or two has been cool in comparison to the late fall season of the previous few years. Not only is this a welcome relief from the heat for Sebastian area anglers, but also to the species they pursue. Many of the target species again seem to be acting according to ageold patterns, without the delays and detours in their migration routes that have slowed the fishing during this “normally” productive season the last few years. The most pronounced effect being seen by inshore anglers is a revitalization of the seatrout numbers and the presence of enough redfish to again make them worth fishing for in the lagoon.

NEARSHORE PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger.

months. Ladyfish, jacks, an occasional gator trout, redfish, snook, bluefish and even a few pompano seek out the deep warm waters of the north fork and lower river on the colder days. Casting jigs and plugs in the deeper waters can yield every cast action from jacks and ladyfish with SEBASTIAN RIVER – The Sebastian the occasional surprise such as a big River is a thermal sanctuary for a snook or a tasty pompano. If there variety of fish species in the winter are periods of summerlike weather

and water temps get above 70 degrees, juvenile tarpon will be a viable option in the upper south fork.

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – The Lagoon offers some great options for trout and redfish during colder weather. Residential canals, protected shallow bays, and shallow sunny shorelines are excellent areas to find both trout and reds soaking up the

ATLANTIC

–

Pompano and whiting are the mainstay of surf fishermen along the Treasure Coast in the winter. Sand fleas, cut clams and dead shrimp on three hook dropper rigs are the baits of choice. Boaters looking along the beaches are apt to find blues, mackerel and some pompano on the calmer days. Goofy jigs, spoons, and bucktails worked from the beach or toward the beach from a boat are good ways to search for pompano and blues on calm days. Tight lines!

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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 8 TREASURE COAST

JANUARY 2024

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PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Terry Wildey.

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

ith the unusually warm water temps we’ve had in December, January weather will be the big cool down of water temperature. The cold fronts pushing down from the north should move a good number of Spanish mackerel and bluefish down the beach. Kingfish and cobia will gather ahead of the cooler water as it pushes south. When the water temperature drops to low 70s, and even high 60s, you’ll find them migrating south ahead of the colder water. Knowing where this temperature change is will determine where I’m fishing each day, north of the waters mid 70s and south as it drops to low 70s or high 60s. Windy cold fronts

in January are always an issue. Fishing will usually fire up as the wind increases. So, fortune favors the bold. If you can catch that day when it’s the calm before the blow, whether you’re fishing the 80- or 90-foot reefs or trolling 150 feet and deeper for dolphin, wahoo and sailfish, it’s gonna be worth the trip. I believe fish feel the change in barometric pressure as the front approaches. January is not a month known for great sea conditions so you need to watch that future forecast for your window. For those of you who were fortunate enough to get fishing tackle from Santa, it’s a great time to break it in. Remember to be sure to use the new fish descending devices you’re required to carry when reef fishing in federal waters now. Don’t get CAUGHT without it, lol. From all of us at Big Easy Charters, we wish everyone a Happy New Year and we look forward to another great year of fishing in 2024. “Fish on, gotta go!”

JANUARY FISHING CONDITIONS January 1

FAIR

Evening

January 21

POOR

Morning

January 2 January 3

POOR

Evening

January 22

BEST

Morning

POOR

Morning

January 23

BEST

Morning

January 4

POOR

Morning

January 24

BEST

Morning

January 5

GOOD

Morning

January 25

FAIR

Evening

January 6

GOOD

Morning

January 26

FAIR

Evening

January 7

POOR

Morning

January 27

GOOD

Evening

January 8

POOR

Morning

January 28

GOOD

Evening

January 9

POOR

Morning

January 29

FAIR

Evening

January 10

POOR

Morning

January 30

POOR

Evening

January 11

FAIR

Evening

January 31

POOR

Evening

What do the ratings mean? POOR day basically means the fish will either steal all your bait or will not even touch your line. FAIR day means that you catch one or two fish but you will have to work hard to do so. GOOD day means that you will catch enough fish to feel gratified. BEST day means that you will catch something almost every time you cast your line in the water.

January 12

FAIR

Evening

January 13

GOOD

Evening

January 14

BEST

Evening

January 15

POOR

Evening

January 16

POOR

Evening

January 17

POOR

Morning

January 18

FAIR

Morning

January 19

FAIR

Morning

January 20

POOR

Morning

SOURCE: The Old Farmers’ 2023 Almanac

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Javier Atencio with a nice holiday tripletail.

SLC DEEP SEA......................FROM PAGE 6 area. Spanish mackerel are excellent wind days when you want to stay closer to shore. The Spanish mackerel are here and always fun to catch as they are aggressive feeders and will hit a wide variety of natural and artificial bait. These schooling fish migrate to our warmer, southern waters when the northern water temps drop to 70 and below. You can find them by looking for them jumping out of the water and seeing diving birds in the

NOW CAR

for putting on the smoker and make great fish dip. So, start 2024 with a trip offshore! Give us a call to get in on the action and schedule your personal fishing mission! Remember fishing rules, regulations, tackle, and bait can be found at local tackle shops like DeBrooks Fishing Corner and my home base of Little Jim Bait & Tackle. I can easily help you keep those fishy New Year resolutions with a little Pullin Drag!

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TREASURE COAST 9

number one choice. The never quit jack crevalle will hit anything you throw at them. I like to use Topwater Chuggers to watch them explode on the surface. FROM THE SHORE Pompano from the beaches or Stuart or Jensen causeways, you can Chris Beachwalker jig up some tasty fish. I like to get Sharp there early and check the tides for (772) 320 8611 the bite. If trout and redfish are your beachwalkerfish@gmail.com target, wading on the west side of appy New Year!!! The new year Indian River Drive just north of brings a lot of choices of what Walton Road with a live shrimp you can target from land. Spanish mackerel have shown up and if you like to target these tasty fish. Peck Lake is the number one place to find them. At the Fort Pierce jetty you can catch plenty of fish using a spoon or a Gulfstream Troll Rite, and If trout is your target, try wading on the when the schools are there, you west side of Indian River Drive, will catch plenty. just north of Walton Road. Bluefish will be all along PHOTO CREDIT: MyFWC.com. the beaches. Whether you use cut bait, like mullet, or throwing under a popping cork, can’t be beat. Take a kid fishing and enjoy the spoons, you will find them quick. Walton Rocks Beach being my outdoors!

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Brian Nelli Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters (772) 201-5899 Brian@tckayakfishing.com www.tckayakfishing.com

OFFSHORE: Prepare for being cold

and wet when going offshore this time of year. Get a good pair of bibs or light waders from Frogg Toggs to keep you dry launching and wave splashes while out there. Sailfish and kingfish will be the most common catches with a random mahi and wahoo in the mix. Slow trolling goggle eyes and blue runners 90-to-250 foot of water will be your best bet get a bite. Don’t forget to grab a few Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows to troll as well if bait is hard to come by. I like to run a deep diver and shallow runner to cover more of the water column.

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INSHORE: January targets should be pompano, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead and bluefish. Fishing the beach and the Intracoastal near inlets will be your best bet. The more cold fronts we get the more fish will push into the river and Intracoastal. Try fishing for pompano along channel edges near your favorite inlet.

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Launching your kayak at Sawfish Park in Jupiter will put you in good vicinity of some good channels. Pompano jigs, D.O.A. Lures 2¾-inch shrimp and a good ole bucktail jig are a few of my favorite lures. Spanish mackerel can give you some nonstop action on the beach and on the inside Intracoastal. Finding the schools and throwing spoons and bucktail jigs will entice a bite.

FRESHWATER: Peacock bass and

clown knifefish will be chewing this month. Launching at Lake Ida West Park is a good place to launch your kayak. Try 15-to-20-pound Yo-Zuri To p k n o t fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 circle hook casting in and around structure and weed lines to get onto a few clowns with finger mullet and shiners. Look to fish midwater column and below Jeff with his first by adding a clown knifefish. pinch weight PHOTO CREDIT: Brian Nelli. to your leader and get that bait in their face. Check out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into.

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Fly Fishing Corner By Capt. Michael Mauri

WINTER FLY FISHING

Bill with a nice bluefish.

on the Treasure Coast

rowing up in Germany, my level of appreciation for Treasure Cost winters is at an all-time high. Living the fly-fishing dream 24/7, 365 days a year is just unbelievable. Getting out on the water even in bad weather conditions, catching fish on fly consistently, is just amazing! The combination between the cold weather and dropping water temperatures is adding some different hot spots in the game. Look out for some channels, little creeks and mangrove shorelines to fish your fly. Try different speeds but usually I prefer to fish slower and deeper in colder water conditions. Keep in mind that you want to fish a half down or half up tide when you

fish in front of mangroves. Brown water, which holds fine sediments, is warming up faster in the sun than clear water. Snook, juvenile tarpon, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, trout, redfish and jacks all love little bait fish patterns, clousers and shrimp flies. Use your 8 or 9 weight set up with a floating line and a 20-to-30-pound (juvenile tarpon 40-to-50-pound shock tippet and for mackerel and bluefish, wire). If you are looking for hardcore action grab your 10 weight with a super-fast sinking line and 40-to50-pound tippet. Fish size 2/0 and bigger clousers in white/olive, white/ Make sure that you feel bottom while chartreuse, chartreuse/olive or just jigging or dragging your fly. black in the deep holes along the Have fun and enjoy the cooler bridges and channels for big snook. temperatures.

PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Michael Mauri.

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GIVE A GIFT OF HEALTHY FLATS 60,000 Trees Planted To Date Help Us Reach Our Goal of 100,000!

ou can help BTT restore the mangrove habitats that support the Northern Bahamas’ flats fishery by donating to the Bahamas Mangroves Restoration Project TODAY. All donations include a year-long BTT membership and a personalized certificate acknowledging your contribution to BTT’s Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project.

About The Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project In September 2019, Category 5 Hurricane Dorian tore through the Northern Bahamas, leveling the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco. The worst natural disaster in the nation’s history, Dorian had a devastating impact on the islands’ red mangrove forests, which serve as a buffer against storms, prevent coastal erosion, and provide important habitat for bonefish and many other species. Bonefish have drawn anglers to the northern Bahamas since the 1950s and are protected under catch-and-release regulations due to their economic significance; bonefishing generates $169 million annually for the Bahamian economy. To ensure that the flats fishery fully recovers from the damage inflicted by Dorian, BTT has partnered with Bahamas National Trust (BNT), Friends of the Environment (based in Abaco), and MANG Gear to replant 100,000 mangroves in the hardest hit areas. This largescale, multi-year project, the first of its kind in the country, is targeting Abaco, Grand Bahama and surrounding cays. The mangroves are planted with the help of students, volunteers, and Bahamian fishing guides, whose livelihoods are supported by the flats fishery. This unprecedented project will help nature heal while also providing a means for the fishing community to get back on its feet. Multiple mangroves nurseries have been established on Grand Bahama and Abaco, and to date more than 60,000 trees have been planted. PHOTOS COURTESY of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

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Jonah Levy with a 30-pound mahi caught the last fish of the day off the Halsey wreck on a Sunday daddy-son fishing adventure.

Makayla Schumm, 11, and Kate Harnden, 9, threw into a school of Spanish macks eating bait on the surface at Peck Lake. They were using a live shrimp on a 2/0 circle hook with a wire leader.

PHOTO CREDIT: Hawk Levy.

Capt. Cody Baker with a slot snook that couldn’t resist an A&S Jigs 3-inch artificial shrimp. PHOTO COURTESY of Capt. Cody Baker.

PHOTO CREDIT: Makayla’s proud dad.

Stevie caught herself a little snapper fishing with her Pappy.

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he results are in for Florida’s 2023 Lionfish Challenge, and it was a record-breaking year for divers working hard to protect our reefs from the scourge of invasive lionfish. With 281 participants embarking on 917 trips, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) annual four-month tournament removed 30,494 lionfish from Florida waters. It was a recordbreaking year for participation, nearly doubling the program’s previous high. The total number of lionfish removed was also a new record and beat last year’s numbers by nearly 5,000 fish. The event is one tool in FWC’s box to beat back the invasion of these beautiful but destructive little critters that plague Florida’s reefs. Lionfish are native to the Indo Pacific and the Red Sea. They were first reported off the Atlantic coast of Florida in 1985, and since then have spread like wildfire. They now inhabit the Atlantic coast up to North Carolina, the entire Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Lionfish are well equipped to outcompete native species on warmwater reefs. An array of venomous spines makes them unlikely prey item for larger fish, and they are voracious predators of smaller native fish and invertebrates. Lionfish reproduce prolifically and populate suitable habitat in high densities. They reduce native reef populations and have negative effects on overall reef habitat and health. They are a nasty invasive, and humans killing them continuously is the only way to combat them by controlling their numbers. By the way, they taste pretty good sizzled up in butter. Divers competing in the Lionfish Challenge are rewarded for their efforts, and winners are announced at the conclusion of the tournament. The following are the divers who speared the most lionfish in the 2023 Lionfish Challenge.

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river River was y betwe W reprod River situati bass. Conse Chipo state w popul Th when and d shoal FW of sho Then pure s Ov shoal subseq than 6 these

THE RACE TO RESCUE

By Nick Carter

CHIPOLA SHOAL BASS

hen it comes to warm-water fly fishing, shoal bass are about as fun as it gets. These pugnacious river bass are native to only one river system: The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, and their preferred swift-water habitat was years ago reduced to tributaries and stretches between dams in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. While Georgia claims the healthiest native, reproducing populations of the species in the Flint River and in pockets of the Chattahoochee River, the situation is a little more tenuous for Florida’s shoal bass. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), The 95-mile-long Chipola River is the last remaining waterbody in the state with a known naturally reproducing shoal bass population. The species was dealt a massive blow in 2018, when Hurricane Michael ripped over the Panhandle and depleted more than 90 percent of the Chipola’s shoal bass population. FWC stepped in to suspend harvest and possession of shoal bass in the Chipola River and its tributaries. Then they began hatching and releasing genetically pure shoal bass into the river. It appears to be working. Over the last two years, 11,000 fingerling shoal bass have been stocked into the Chipola. In subsequent samplings, DNA analysis showed more than 60 percent of yearling fish sampled came from these stockings.

“The stockings over these past two years have certainly made an impact on the population; shoal bass that were stocked last year are already within the 9-10 inch range,” said FWC biologist Andy Strickland. This is the first time genetically pure shoal bass have been successfully raised in an FWC hatchery, which is a big deal because genetic impurity is one of the largest threats shoal bass face. Across their native range, interbreeding with introduced non-native black bass species like Alabama bass and spotted bass has muddied the gene pool except in small pockets where genetically pure populations are isolated from interlopers. “It is extremely encouraging not only to successfully spawn this species in a hatchery setting but also to document the significant contribution the hatcheryreared fingerlings have made to the existing shoal bass population in the Chipola River to date,” said Bob DeMauro, Hatchery Manager at FWC’s Blackwater Research and Development Center. Biologists will continue to monitor Chipola River shoal bass and evaluate these stocking efforts in years to come. To learn more about a great shoal bass fishery, visit flyfishga.com.

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JANUARY 2024

FLORIDA 15

Cruising Into Adventure: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show

et ready to set sail into an ocean of excitement at the 2024 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, where innovation meets Miami’s vibrancy and electric culture. This year promises an experience like no other, and we’ve got the scoop for navigating you through the show’s must-see experiences. Taking place throughout President’s Day weekend, Feb. 14-18, the show has historically welcomed over 100,000 visitors and featured more than a thousand highly sought-after boating and marine products, generating major economic revenue for the recreational boating industry and over a billion dollars to the state of Florida.

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ENTICE BIG TROUT WITH

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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

common principle anglers abide by during winter months is to slow down their retrieve or presentation. Although this is a good default option, it may fail to entice strikes of those big, cold, winter trout. Let’s discuss. Some of my favorite lures for targeting trophy trout in the winter are those that suspend, slow sink, and have an erratic movement. When I

define a slow presentation, I am referencing the speed at which the lure moves toward the angler, the retrieve speed, not the motion. As a young angler, I was always told to slow down when it’s cold and then slow it down a little more. Although this has its place, it should not be set in stone, or ice if it’s really cold. OK, enough of the bad jokes. When trout are cold and may not be feeding

as aggressively as we would like, an extremely erratic motion can entice the strike. This erratic motion makes the lure dance in place with little to no forward movement. I use a rod with a whippy action for this. This allows me to point my rod tip at the lure and shake it up and down aggressively causing the lure to almost dance in place. I then let it pause, suspending or slow-sinking as I reel up the slack. I then repeat this practice, modifying according to the conditions. Fishing braided line is imperative for this method. The stretch in mono will not allow your slow-sinking lure to dance in place at the end of a long cast, but the zero stretch of braid makes it move like it is on a wire. I learned this the hard way 20 years ago. I was fishing with four friends, and I was the only one using mono and the only one not catching. I mimicked every move my buddy made to no avail. I then ask him to cast his lure and retrieve it near me. I watched it dance past with great action. I then cast my lure near him. Although I moved my rod more vigorously, he said my lure was moving in a straight line as if I was just reeling it in. I switched to braid on the next trip and never went back, and of course this dancing method started to produce fish! If you pay attention to the strike, this method will let you know if you should modify your retrieve. If they bite on the pause, you may want to slow it down a bit. If they bite on the shake, you may want to speed it up. I hope this helps you land more big trout this season. Good Luck! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com

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t was a chilly winter morning, and my crew—a good friend Zach and his two sons—all knew it was going to be either a tough day or a great one. It was a typical morning for winter here in the Daytona, Fla. area, with overcast skies, highs in the low 60s and a dominant wind and swell headed from the northeast. The inshore bite is typically pretty good this time of year, with a variety of different species usually willing to cooperate. Red drum are a favorite backcountry target during the colder months. When they move up on the flats to feed, it can lead to good action on spoons and paddletails. On the end of the outgoing tide, we hoped to bag a few redfish before the switch, but the bite never happened. We kept busy with some small permit, pompano, mangrove snapper and even a flounder. By the time the tide switched mid-morning, the bite had slowed down with just a few small sheepshead taking our bait. Sheepshead are delicious, and around here the causeways of the Intracoastal along with barnacle- or oyster-encrusted docks, bridges and jetties are a pretty good bet for picking up a few for the cooler. They love sand fleas and fiddler crabs but will also eat shrimp on a jig head or Carolina rig. Something I like to do while targeting other species is to leave baits out for red or black drum. I had two dead stick bottom rods out the back soaking halved blue crabs in the hopes that a drum would be hungry enough to pick it up. With the action pretty slow, and while we still had some time left in the trip, I decided we should make a move. I told Zach’s younger son Gavin, who is an employee of mine at Yellow Dawg Bait & Tackle in Ormond Beach, to reel in the back rods that had been soaking. At first it looked like he had a snag as the rod bent when he picked it up, but then the drag took off. Big black drum are tanks! It’s almost like they have shoulders and they’ve been working out all week waiting for you. The big ugly that highlighted that trip was somewhere in the 50-plus-pound range, a trophy for sure! Gavin, who is the younger guy in the photo, will be in U.S. Coast Guard boot camp when this edition hits the racks. His dad, Zach, is a veteran, along with his other two sons Logan and Cameron. A big thanks to all the men and women out there who serve our country! Capt. Jamie Thrappas is Co-Publisher of Coastal Angler - Volusia County and owner of Yellow Dawg Fishing. Check out yellowdawgfishing.com. To win a free half-day inshore or offshore charter with Capt. Thrappas, enter the Fish with Coastal Angler drawing at coastalanglermag.com/contest.

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Delayed Harvest Trout By Nick Carter

AT FIRES CREEK, N.C.

delayed harvest trout stream is a better place than most to spend a winter afternoon, and if you can find a two- or three-day warming trend, there’s a good chance you’ll get into some pretty good fishing. North Carolina’s Fires Creek has a 2-mile stretch of delayed harvest water on U.S. Forest Service land off U.S. 64 between Murphy and Hayesville. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are stocked in the creek and protected under catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial only regulations during the October into June delayed

harvest season. It’s a small-stream setting with more and bigger trout than one would find in most creeks this size. The creek is gorgeous, with clear plunge pools and deep bend runs sliding into skinny pocket water that twists for miles through the bottom of a rhododendron-choked valley. Even the rounded river rocks are notable for their beauty, with striking dark gray and tan bands that’ll make you want to stash a few flat stones in your vest to take home. The fishing is about like any other delayed

harvest in terms of fish size and the density of stockings, but it is a small stream, so you’ll be tempted to—and you should—explore your way upstream instead of settling in on the big holes. Small streams are just more fun when you fish them that way. Around each bend lies a new challenge, another series of pools and runs. Tightlining nymphs is probably the most effective way to fool fish this time of year. They might fall for the standard “junk flies,” but a few months into the DH season, the fish might also be looking for something more natural. In winter, the aquatic insects will be small. Little black stoneflies, midges and blue-winged olives might hatch off on a warm afternoon and lead to some dry fly action, but unless you see bugs in the air, you’re better off fishing subsurface imitations of these insects. A double-nymph rig with a big attractor nymph below a smaller more natural looking nymph is always a good option. The foot bridge at the Fires Creek Picnic Area is the lower boundary of the DH water. Access above the foot bridge is easy on a streamside trail and also along Fires Creek Wildlife Road. This gravel track parallels the creek way up into its headwaters. The delayed harvest ends at the Forest Service 340A bridge. Upstream of this point, the trout population trends toward stream-born rainbows that top out at 10 or 11 inches. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of North Carolina and Georgia’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available at fly shops, on Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author by e-mailing nsc8957@gmail.com.

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A FEW THOUGHTS ON

SHEEPSHEAD By CAM Staff

heepshead have become a wintertime staple when water temps drop and the regular cast of inshore characters become more difficult to target. If you’re a cold-weather inshore angler, you’re probably already familiar with sheepshead, so here are a few tips you might not have heard yet. Finding Fish: Convict fish travel and feed in packs. Once you locate them, the action can be fast, but you have to find them first. Obviously, they like structure like bridges, docks and jetties, where they can happily gnaw on barnacles. When considering structure, older, rambling docks with lots of pilings provide more surface area for established colonies of crustaceans. These can be honeyholes, but keep moving if you’re not catching fish. You might run a dozen different structures in a day and catch 90 percent of your fish on one. In the clear water of winter, sheepshead can often be sight fished, and they don’t really spook, so look for them before casting. If the water is too dingy to see them, you can sometimes hear them crunching shells if you listen quietly. Chum ’Em Up: This might sound silly, but sheepshead get excited about free food just like any other species of fish. Keep a shovel on the boat and scrape barnacles off the structure you’re fishing. This rings the dinner bell, and it’ll also help you spot them as they dart around to pick off the falling morsels. Looking for scraped pilings is also a good way to identify where other anglers have chummed sheepies before. Play the Tides: Pretty much every fish feeds best on a moving tide, but a ripping flow can be detrimental when fishing for such a structure oriented fish. Fast moving water tends to pin sheepshead right up against structure. This, and the tide itself, can make presenting baits more difficult. Find a moderate tide, and

sheepshead will spread out and move around a little more, which makes them easier to catch. Position yourself up-current and allow your baits to drift down into the fish. The Business End: Although they are not skittish, sheepshead can be selective. Whether you’re fishing fiddler crabs, shrimp tails, sand fleas, oysters or clams, use a small, short-shank hook and hide it inside your bait. Also, fish braided line. Braid has less stretch, so those little bumps when a sheepshead taps your bait translate better to the rod tip. Braid also has better abrasion resistance for when they pull you around a piling, but the increased sensitivity is key. With their black and white bars, convicts are notorious bait thieves. You need to know it the instant they suck in your bait.

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