FREE FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE COASTALANGLERMAG.COMVOLUME 27 • ISSUE 330 SEPTEMBER 2022 PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERLYN ARNOLD IG: @SLAYHERLYN @CAMTAMagazine FREAKYFISH Monster Florida THE QUEST FOR ROYALTYGAMEFISH SNOOK TREASURE COAST EDITION
Experience Home of world class fishing on the beautiful Watauga Lake, rugged Doe River and designated trophy trout stream, Watauga River PLAN YOUR TRIP TOURCARTERCOUNTY.COMAT Watauga River Watauga Lake Doe River
Shhhhh. No wake zone. Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for shing gear and personal property too. 1 800 PROGRESSIVE / PROGRESSIVE.COM buy.youhowonbasedvaryPricesapply.maychargeAdditionalliates.af&Co.InsuranceCasualtyProgressive
FORFAMILYscotthawaii.comRUNINHAWAII90YEARS
TYLER WOOLCOTT DROP SHOT FOR FINICKY FISH
Once onshore you can take it a step further showing your fellow anglers your catch of the day wearing “slippahs” from Scott Hawaii.
You raise the flags of the fish just caught to show you weren’t skunked.
There are a few different styles of baits you can use on the drop shot, depending on what your fish are feeding on. This is what I usually base my bait and color choices off of. I usually throw a small finesse worm like the 13 Fishing Joy Stick Ultra Thin or a baitfish-style bait like the 13 Fishing Vertigo minnow. Both baits are small in size and can really pick up some bites when the fishing is tough.Bait color is important, but I like to keep things fairly simple. I typically throw a green pumpkin or a black-and-blue worm style bait. For the baitfish-style lure, I stick with whites or natural baitfish colors. Remember, you are trying to be as finesse as possible to trick a bass that’s not hungry into biting, so something simple and natural will excel. This technique has worked wonders for me all across the country. From down South in Florida all the way up to New York, bass eat this rig up everywhere. Next time you’re on the lake and the bite is tough, downsize your presentation and drag a drop shot around. It will pick up a few more bites.
4 NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Drop Shot Gear: Picking the right setup for a drop shot doesn’t have to be too difficult. I like a rod around 7 foot with a medium or a medium heavy action like the 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1M. Pair up a 3,000 sized reel with some 10lb. Seaguar Smackdown braid and a 10-lb. fluorocarbon leader. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.at
PROAFROMTIPS
The water can be a little warm this time of year, and it makes bass finicky. When the bite gets tough, a drop shot flat out gets bit. It catches fish everywhere I go, and every angler should have the technique in their arsenal.There are a few reasons a drop shot can out-perform other techniques this time of year. The first of these is because of how versatile you can be with it. I have thrown a drop shot around rock, wood, grass and even in completely open water. Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass will all pick up a drop-shot rig, so it’s a great option regardless of what part of the country you fish or what species you target.Another factor that makes this technique excel when other things aren’t working is it’s effective on heavily pressured and sluggish fish. Sometimes getting these fish to bite calls for light line and a smaller profile bait. The dropshot rig consists of a fluorocarbon leader leading to a hook of your choosing then, below the hook, about 12 inches of line tied to a drop shot weight on the end. This creates a rig that keeps your bait up off the bottom and drives finicky bass crazy.
Hanapa‘a - Marlin Hanapa‘a - Ahi
you
discount. Rating of A+ Stauer Evergreen Diver Watch non-offer
price $399† Offer Code Price $99 + S&P Save $300 OUR DIVELOVECLIENTSSTAUERWATCHES… êêêêê “...I love it. I have several Stauer watches and once again you don’t disappoint.” — F., Jersey City, NJ Your Greenlight to A Deep Dive Without Going in the Red Stauer ® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. GDW160-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code. 20 ATM DivejustWatch$99 “You simply will not find a better made precision dive watch for such an unbelievable price.” ––George Thomas, Noted watchmaker&historian At just $99, the Evergreen Diver goes deep without going overboard on price. “Whether you’re looking for something to wear in the ocean, the office, and everywhere in between, a diver’s watch is for you.” — Business Insider, 2018
• Precision crystal movement • Stainless steel crown, case, caseback & band • Screw down crown • Magnified lens over date window at 3 o’clock • Water resistant to 20 ATM • Fits wrists up to 8 ½" Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary .® Every year in Basel, Switzerland, the world’s best-known luxury watchmakers gather to display their new timepieces. It’s a great event for spotting timepieces that standout–– in performance and in personality. We saw one impossible to ignore: a precision dive watch with an arresting green dial. But we also saw the five-figure price tag and knew we could bring our customers that exact same precision and stand out appeal for a whole lot less. The Stauer Evergreen Diver is that Builttimepiece.likeasubmersible battleship with a stainless steel case, caseback, and band, the Evergreen Diver is water-resistant down to 660 feet or 20 atmospheres, a feat facilitated by a hardened crystal and screw-down crown.
Green On Your Wrist AND In Your Pocket. You could pay an awful lot elsewhere for this verdant virtuoso, but the majority of the cost is in the big designer name upcharge. We think those guys are all wet. This is how you own a top-of-the-line dive watch without helping pay for some marketing guy’s yacht.
Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back. Wear the Evergreen Diver for 30 days. If you’re not completely happy, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserve. A watch of this caliber, with a price that won’t drag you under, takes 6 months to create and won’t stick around for long. Call today! must use the offer code to get our special price. use this code when order to receive your code
You
1-800-333-2045YourOfferCode:GDW1 60-01 Please
©2022 Pure Fishing, Inc.
Introducing Authority ™ , the spinning reel with a name that is set in steel. PENN ® ’s first IPX8 fully sealed body wrapped around a best-inclass stainless steel gear train and a 12-plus-one stainless steel ball bearing system. All eight sizes and select high speed models come with a Dura-Drag ™ system that can handle anything the ocean dishes out, making Authority the most durable reel ever seated.
PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN ™. OUT HERE, AUTHORITY MUST BE EARNED. IT IS NOT GIVEN OUT FREELY.
Agiant snook should be on every angler’s bucket list. They’re big, they’re strong and they’re aggressive. Southern Florida boasts the most prolific snook fisheries in the world, and Capt. Patrick Smith, of Swamp to Sea Guide Service, operates in the heart of one of the best. Swamp to Sea fishes throughout Palm Beach County up to Stuart, Fla. At times, the snook fishing can be so good that the prospect is almost mundane for Capt. Smith. “If I’ve got clients who want to catch the snook of a lifetime, we’ll go out to the inlet and let them catch one or two. Then we’ll go do something else,” he said. “It’s cool to check a big snook off the list, but light tackle is moreCapt.fun.”Smith’s nonchalance about catching snook 35 to 43 inches long and up to 25 pounds is an attitude geared toward conservation of a species he loves. When big females congregate in the inlets to spawn around the full moons of summer, they are easy targets for anglers armed with big live baits like perch and croakers.
Before the Transition
“They’re not smart fish. If they’re turned on, they’re going to eat. If they’re not, it may be five hours before they do,” he said. “But there’s going to be 30 to 40 minutes on the tide when those snook are eating. There’s not a lot of thought that goes into it. If one is interested, they all are.”
By Nick Carter
Throughout the summer, snook are catch-and-release-only to protect spawning fish. On the Atlantic side, snook harvest opens Sept. 1, with a 28- to 32-inch slot limit. Capt. Smith said the spawning pattern lasts well into September most years, but the big females are over the slot and must be released, anyway. He is more concerned with the beatings these fish take all summer long. His solution is to limit the number of fish he targets and to gear up heavy. Smith fishes 10,000 size reels on 50- to 100-lb. rods. He runs 80-lb. braid to a 60-lb. fluorocarbon leader and locks down the drag. The weakest link is an 8/0 thin wire circle hook, which is easier on the fish but must be changed out Heavyfrequently.gear combats a big snook’s propensity for bulldogging into structure. It also shortens the length of the fight to lessen the likelihood of fish succumbing to exhaustion or sharks. Smith said these large spawners can be 25 years and older. He urged anglers to handle them carefully for release and never to hold them vertically by their mouths.Ifyou’re looking for a snook to eat, there’s plenty of opportunity for that also. Between the moons some of the snook spread out to the bridges, docks and deep holes. The smaller, slot-sized males become more interested in feeding. Also, the mullet run will kick in toward the end of September. When mullet schools show up, everything from the fish to the anglers switch over to chasing bait. Contact Capt. Patrick Smith through his website www.swamptosea.com.
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
Work with what Mother Nature gives you. Here on the upper Texas coast, we’ve had about seven years of excessive rainfall which, in general terms, made some of our bays unfishable for most of that time. Due to excessive fresh water, those of us who like to fish where the tributaries enter into the bays had to seek new areas where the salinity levels were suitable for speckled trout. This year, things are back to normal, and we need to relearn old patterns and work with what Mother Nature is giving us.
LURESTAILKNOCKINOFCOURTESYPHOTO
8 NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
The Texas heat and drought are one for the record books and can make a day on the water unpleasant if you plan to stay much past noon, but there are some methods to help you be productive until things start to cool off. Many of the estuaries that were impacted by the floods are some of our deeper bay systems, and that is a good thing this time of year. Heading out early will greatly increase your odds and give you more time on the water while it is cool, relatively speaking. I have found these bays have been forgotten by some, and they’ve never been fished by those new to our sport, which makes for less crowds on the water. I target the deeper reefs in the upper stretches of the bay near the rivers. Locating new washouts can also pay off, and those are not on the maps or public knowledge, so doing a little recon before you head out on each trip can make for a more productive day.
Although the temps are still high, you can have a successful day on the water if you modify your techniques. Remember to apply sunblock before you leave the dock, wear appropriate protective clothing and drink plenty of water. Stay safe and have fun!
Although I prefer lures over bait, success rates lean toward live shrimp or finfish this time of year. Depending on conditions, these can be free-lined, Carolina rigged, or fished under a loud popping cork. A free-lined shrimp tossed near a granite jetty is a good bet on any day. Stepping away from the live version, cut mullet or shad can be winners for a big pull from a red, black drum or shark. A circle hook Carolina rigged on the bottom can entice those large predators to strike. This is a great method if you have kids aboard.
CONDITIONSCHANGINGTACTICSCHANGINGFOR
As always, the jetties are a favorite. The high current and cooler Gulf water attract every fish species that swims in our bays and nearshore waters. It’s not uncommon to catch some offshore fish there as well; it happens every year.
THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT Request a quote! • suzukirepower.com • 1-800-545-4574 Mastry Engine Center Clearwater COMING SOON Volsuia County McKenzie Marine St. Augustine Atlantic Marine Store Hialeah Calusa Certi ed Marine Cape Coral Bayfront Yacht Works Siesta Key On-Site Marine Ruskin Innovation Marine Corp. Sarasota Lou’s Marine, Inc. Gulf Breeze Marina One Deerfield Beach Boat Services Group Key West Twin MarineScrewsService Fort Myers MarineCustomService Panama City Oyster City Suzuki Apalachicola Mastry Engine Center has received the Suzuki Marine Super Service Award and has been ranked #1 in Suzuki Marine US Sales! 58 YEARS OF REPOWER EXPERIENCE! 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. Suzuki RePower Centers are stationed around the southeast to help with your Suzuki service and repower needs.Performance Bulletin Available
Find Your Sweet Spot Discover, map, then fish structure and wrecks in an entirely new way. Get the whole story at NavNet.com Go on a power trip with Create maps with PBG & DFF3D 50-100x faster than the competition A lifetime of map storage on TZtouch3 MFDs Bathymetric mapping up to 3x fishing depth Draw contour lines where none exist Create shaded relief maps from 10 ft. to 1,000 ft. DFF3D Multi Beam Sonar* *required for PBG TZT9F 9 " Hybrid Touch MFD TZT12F 12 " Hybrid Touch MFD TZT16F 16 " Multi Touch MFD TZT19F 19 " Multi Touch MFD Build your own custom, high-resolution Personal Bathymetric Generator (PBG) charts to discover fish-hoarding structure others have missed.
By Emily Rose Hanzlik
INLETSINREDSBULLTHE
The IGFA world record redfish weighed in at 94 lbs. 2 oz. It was caught off the North Carolina Outer Banks in 1984.
4 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
n September, with the famed mullet run in full swing, big bull redfish will be following schools of mullet and feeding heavily. It’s one of the best times of year to hook up with a bull red, and my favorite place to target them is in the Sebastian Inlet. Red drum, more commonly known as redfish, are a familiar species to most saltwater anglers. With beautiful coppercolored scales fading into a white belly, their distinctive mark is an eye spot at the base of the tail. Catching a red with multiple black spots is a true honor for many inshore and nearshore anglers. This eye spot is not merely a decoration, it also serves as a defense mechanism to confuse predators into thinking a redfish’s tail is its Reds can be found on the coasts of Mexico all the way to Cape Cod, Mass. Their habitats can vary widely due to redfish being euryhaline, which means they tolerate a wide range of salinity. Redfish are typically a nearshore species, meaning they can be found in estuaries, bays, mudflats, oyster beds and off of beaches. Young redfish prefer estuaries, where there is an abundance of prey as well as protection from larger predators. Once they reach about three years old, they tend to move off of the beaches into coastal areas. Once redfish reach maturity, at three or four years, they begin spawning. Their spawning season usually takes place from mid-August to mid-November; however, this may vary due to temperatures and other factors. Redfish usually congregate to spawn near or inside tidal inlets or fast-flowing water to ensure as many eggs as possible are fertilized. Males produce a drumming sound to attract females by contracting their muscles to vibrate their swim bladders. Females produce one-half to two million eggs per season. Most eggs do not make it to the safety of bay areas. During the mullet run, large schools of redfish follow migrating mullet. The easiest way to target these fish is to drop a live mullet below the main school of mullet. If you’re specifically targeting bull reds, you’ll want to give it a go at night. Drifting large chunks of ladyfish on an outgoing current will almost always produce a large fish. Occasionally, you will come across large schools of redfish feeding on the surface at the mouth of the inlet on an outgoing tide. When this occurs, use topwater plugs, swimbaits and large jigs. In the backcountry around the mangroves, gold spoons, live shrimp and small crabs work best.
• TINY HOMES • SALE • NEW HABITABLE SINGLE AND TWO STORY TINY HOMES • FINANCE THE BUILDING OF YOUR DREAMS • CARPORTS • RV CARPORTS • CUSTOM BUILDING DESIGN • • TINY HOMES • SALE • NEW HABITABLE SINGLE AND TWO STORY TINY HOMES • SAVE • FINANCE THE BUILDING OF YOUR DREAMS • CARPORTS • RV CARPORTS • KEENSBUILDINGS.COM •
Emily Rose Hanzlik holds 51 IGFA world records in various categories. She hails from West Palm Beach, where she has a part time Bowfin Guide Service as well as fishing classes for Jr. Anglers. Find her on Social Media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
I
REPOWERThereisaReasonMoreProfessionalsChooseSuzukiRePower – It Simply Makes Sense When you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from an authorized Mastry RePower Center you qualify to become a member of the Mastry Suzuki Owner’s Edge. Owners receive an identification card that provides them with important information about their Suzuki outboard motor as well as a passport to additional benefits during ownership. Members enjoy a detailed engine maintenance schedule, Mastry Suzuki RePower Trade Program and special pricing from Mastry Suzuki Partners. THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT When Considering A Repower, Consider These Factors: •Mastry Suzuki RePower Centers have decades of repower experience providing proper rigging, controls, propeller matching and in water testing •With a Mastry Suzuki RePower, owners gain improved performance, less noise and greater reliability •Options that will fit most any budget, financing available •Mastry Suzuki RePower’s exclusive Owner’s Edge Program* •All Suzuki RePowers come with Suzuki’s 5-years of protection suzukirepower.com | 1-800-545-4574 *Get with the Program! With 13 Locations Across Florida There is a Mastry Suzuki RePower Center Near You • With Why are More Professional Mariners Choosing Mastry Suzuki RePower - Power, Reliable, Durable & Best Value • Mastry and • Options • Mastry • All Suzuki RePowers come with Suzuki’s 5-years of protection
Since 2018, CCA Florida and Duke Energy have released more than 110,000 redfish along Florida’s Gulf Coast in effort to relieve the declining population. The Duke Energy/CCA Florida Reef deployment is an expansion of its collaboration and symbolizes its continued dedication to enhancing Florida’s marine habitat and expanding fishing opportunities for local anglers.
6 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
“Duke Energy Florida recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship and the economic benefit it provides to the communities we serve,” Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president said. “We are proud to invest in CCA Florida’s work with the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association to bring this new artificial reef to Mexico Beach, a win for marine life, local anglers and outdoor enthusiasts along Florida’s West Coast.”
New Artificial Reef Deployed Off Mexico Beach
T hose looking for some new numbers to fish off Mexico Beach now have them thanks to CCA Florida, Duke Energy and the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association. In May, the organizations teamed up to deploy four 38,000-pound and four 5,000-pound artificial reef modules off Mexico Beach. They are calling the new honeyhole “The Duke Energy/CCA Florida Reef.” The eight reef modules were deployed by Walter Marine at the prepermitted Sherman Site, an area known for attracting red and gray snappers, amberjack, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, gag grouper and cobia. These specific reef structures, ranging in height from 8 to 25 feet, provide greater habit diversity while attracting fish and appealing to recreational anglers. The reef site is located offshore 11 miles west of Mexico Beach at approximately 29º 55.384, -85º 40.765.
“Improving and creating sustainable fisheries, coastal habitats and waterways is CCA Florida’s purpose,” CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski said. “Today’s reef deployment is an extension of that commitment and also of our partnership with Duke Energy – signifying our mutual dedication to protecting Florida’s marine habitat for today and generations to come.”
For more information, go to ccaflorida.org.
Artificial reefs initiate the development of natural, thriving habitats for various species of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life, such as smaller organisms that are vital food sources for other marine species, with the overall goal to create an ever-evolving ecosystem while enhancing fisheries and improving water quality.
The way we spend our time defines who we are..... Let us help you get the perfect machine for your “ME” time. Designed to work smarter than the competition, the 1 Series Compact Tractors maximize your yard without breaking the bank. From the comfort of your seat, you’ll appreciate big performance and convenient sizes. The affordable 1023E is easy to use and provides plenty of muscle for jobs around the Fromyard. mowing and loading to tilling and digging, these compact tractors are built to make a long day of chores feel simple. When you turn the key of a John Deere 1 Series, you’ll quickly see why these tractors are the one. www.EFE1963.com
The only problem is the kings are there too. You may like to catch kings, and I apologize for that last sentence, but if I catch a king, it’s accidental. A lot of folks don’t even consider fishing at night, and certainly not fishing the light line at night, but it can be extremely effective for wahoo and kings. The first wahoo I ever caught from an anchored boat was at night, and it was a heck of an experience. We saw the fish swim under the lights, and I quickly put out a live beeliner. The beeliner swam away from the boat, and just as he got to the dark water, we saw the bite. I was instantly addicted to this style of bottom fishing and light lining versus just trolling for wahoo, tuna and dolphin. Dolphin will not eat at night, normally, but the night bite for tuna can be good. The stack of beeliners is the main thing I’m looking for as a good starting point for a place to fish. Gags and scamps will definitely go with the food (beeliners) until the beginning or middle of October. Then the gags will leave the beeliners to migrate inshore in search of cigs and sardines and to spawn. For more information, see www.barefootcatsandtackle.com.
THE CHANGE WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER
8 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM2 LOCATION JUNE 2020 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Tim Barefoot
E verything offshore will start to notice when water temps drop a little at the end of the month, and even more obvious will be shorter daylight hours. All the fish we pursue will start thinking about one of three things: spawning, gorging to fatten up for winter or migrating back south. I’m most concerned with the grouper/snapper complex and the wahoo, so this puts my fishing in overdrive for the next few months. Groupers and snappers will be hot as a firecracker until after Christmas. Wahoo fishing will be at the peak by then as well. Another species I like to stay tuned into are the beeliners (vermillion snapper). When you stay in touch with these guys, you pretty much stay in touch with everything, because everything out there loves to eat a beeliner. The full moon is going to be on Saturday, Sept. 10. This will be a good time to spend the night at the break and have the livewell full to fish just before dawn. Beeliners will chew hard during this full moon, and the bite will shut down as soon as the moon disappears on the western horizon. If you can keep the bright lights going all night, the squid and the biggest, fattest beeliners will be readily available for the taking. When you have these two things gathered up in mass, you definitely have the wahoo and grouper there also. This is a good reason to keep the light line out with a fresh squid or a Boston mackerel just past where the light disappears into the dark water.
Here we go again. The hubbub over federal management of red snapper seems never ending. Most recently, Southeastern legislators penned a letter asking NOAA to suspend consideration of area closures in the South Atlantic. Meanwhile, legislators from states on the Gulf of Mexico are pushing back against new proposed federal regulations. Both groups contend the federal government is not using “the best available science” in management decisions.
“Now, on top of a short red snapper season, it is our understanding that there are discussions about broad area or season closures of all bottom fishing to stop red snapper encounters altogether,” reads the letter. “This decision would be crippling economically for our states that rely heavily on our coastal Legislatorseconomy.”havecalled on NOAA to hold off on area closure consideration until data from the ongoing South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count can be considered. Results of this study, which began in 2021, are expected by 2025.
“By requiring the states to calibrate their more accurate—and NMFS certified—catch data to an outdated and fundamentally flawed MRIP, NMFS has failed to find an effective solution and is not making decisions based on the best available science while refusing to appropriately integrate the new data,” reads a letter from legislators. For more information on the continued political wrangling over red snapper, visit coastalanglermag.com.
It’s worth noting that last year’s data from a similar study, the Gulf of Mexico Great Red Snapper Count, indicated there were up to three times as many red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico as the numbers federal managers were using to make management decisions. On that note, Gulf legislators are not pleased with how “more accurate” state data is being calibrated into the “fundamentally flawed” MRIP data that federal managers have used to set regulations for years. The “data calibration framework” included within proposed rule changes would result in reductions of the state annual catch limit for some states and increases for others. State annual catch limits would increase for Florida and Louisiana by 100,000 and 50,000 pounds, respectively. Texas’ limit would remain the same, while Alabama and Mississippi’s limits would decrease by 586,000 and 95,000 pounds, respectively.Theproposal would also increase the overall red snapper overfishing limit from 15.5 million pounds to 25.6 million, while increasing the acceptable biological catch from 15.1 million to 15.4 million. That might sound pretty good for anglers; however, legislators pointed out that this would reduce allowable catch from 97 percent to 60 percent of the sustainable limit.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 9
The Red Snapper Battles Continue ALL REAPER RODS FEATURE THE www.americantackle.us BRAND FEARTHEREAPER AS WELL AS OTHER AMERICAN TACKLE COMPONENTS FOR ONE OF THE MOST DURABLE RODS ON THE MARKET WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/REAPERRODS
The South Atlantic fishery seems to be in a situation similar to what the Gulf fishery faced a few years ago. Following years of ridiculously short red snapper seasons to rebuild the stock, anglers on the water report red snapper so thick that it’s the only species they can catch. These fish must be released, despite the high likelihood they will succumb to pressure-related injuries. Ultimately these discards count against fishermen.
10 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM2 LOCATION JUNE 2020 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Legendary angler Patrick Sebile is a world record holder and an award-winning designer of innovative lures and fishing gear.Check out his creations at abandofanglers.com.
LURES PATRICK SEBILE ROD, REEL AND LINE FOR DISTANCE
W e’ve talked a lot in this column over the last few months about lures that help achieve long-distance casts. Now, I’d like to cover the rest of the equipment that will help you cast farther and reach more fish.The first key element is the rod. When it comes to casting for distance, you want a fast-action rod. This is true if you are a surf angler, a boat angler targeting fast-moving tuna, or an inshore angler targeting shallow-water reds and trout that are easy to spook. The more flexible your rod is, the less momentum it will impart to the lure. Make sure your blank is stiff. Rod blanks come with a lure weight range. Most of the time the optimal lure weight for casting distance is between 1/2 and 2/3 of the weight the rod is rated for. So, for a 2- to 6-ounce rod rating, the best weight for long casts is typically 3 to 4 ounces. A rod rated for 3/8 to 1 ½ ounces usually casts farthest with a 3/4 to 1 ounce lure. Choose a rod that matches the lures you’ll be throwing. The rod handle is also a big deal when it comes to distance. For a spinning rod, you want the length of a forearm, plus a fist, between the reel seat and the butt of the rod. Length gives you leverage, but you don’t want it to be too long. For surf-casting rods, about 1 ½ times the length of your forearm seemsHigh-qualitybest. guides also make a big difference in how far you can cast. Typically you’re going to have to spend more for quality guides, but consider it an investment that results in consistently longer casts.
Proper guide placement makes a difference, as well. On some rods, the first guide is too close to the reel and/or the legs holding the rod to the blank are too short. This creates an angle at which the line hits the guide and adds drag to the line and lure. This simple detail can reduce casting distance as much as 10 percent. If you find a rod you really like, but the first guide is not seated properly, consider moving the guide. On the reel side, I prefer a slightly conic spool that dumps and winds line evenly. That is pretty much all you need from a reel dedicated to long distance. For line, stick to braid for its smaller diameter. I prefer braid with a smooth finish without coating. When distance is what matters most, do not hesitate to drop 25 to 50 percent lighter line than what you would normally use. For example, 40-lb. braid is common when surf fishing for striped bass. If you need longer casts to reach the fish, it is worth dropping to 30or even 20-lb. test. If you’re using a heavy lure, tie in a shock head 50 to 100 percent stronger to absorb the impact of the cast.
The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.
The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within
30 days for a complete refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary .® Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79! BONUS! Call today and you’ll also receive this genuine leather sheath! Not actualshownsize. 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. HUK831-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.comStauer ® *Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price. California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. Rating of A+ Bad to the Bone -aEXCLUSIVEFREEStauer®8x21CompactBinoculars$99value-withpurchaseofHuntsmanBlade Huntsman Blade $249* Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170 1-800-333-2045YourInsiderOfferCode:HUK831-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price. •12" overall length; 6 ¹⁄2" stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives êêêêê “This knife is beautiful!” — J., La Crescent, MN êêêêê “The feel of this knife is unbelievable...this is an incredibly fine instrument.” — H., Arvada, CO
If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.
the last few months about lures that help achieve longdistance casts. Now, I’d like to cover the rest of the equipment that will help you cast farther and reach more fish.
The first key element is the rod. When it comes to casting for distance, you want a fast-action rod. This is true if you are a surf angler, a boat angler targeting fast-moving tuna, or an inshore angler targeting shallow-water reds and trout that are easy to spook. The more flexible your rod is, the less momentum it will impart to the lure. Make sure your blank is stiff. Rod blanks come with a lure weight range. Most of the time the optimal lure weight for casting distance is between 1/2 and 2/3 it to be too long. For surf-casting rods, about 1 ½ times the length of your forearm seems best. High-quality guides also make a big difference in how far you can cast. Typically you’re going to have to spend more for quality guides, but consider it an investment that results in consistently longer casts. Proper guide placement makes a difference, as well. On some rods, the first guide is too close to the reel and/or the legs holding the rod to the blank are too short. This creates an angle at which the line hits the guide and adds drag to the line and lure. This simple detail can reduce casting distance as much as 10 percent. If you find a rod you really like, but the first guide is not seated properly, consider moving the guide. On the reel side, I prefer a slightly conic spool that dumps and winds line evenly. That is pretty much all you need from a reel dedicated to long distance. For line, stick to braid for its smaller diameter. I prefer braid with a smooth finish without coating. When distance is what matters most, do not hesitate to drop 25 to 50 percent lighter line than what you would normally use. For example, 40-lb. braid is common when surf fishing for striped bass. If you need longer casts to reach the fish, it is worth dropping to 30- or even 20-lb. test. If you’re using a heavy lure, tie in a shock head 50 to 100 award-winning designer of innovative lures and fishing gear. Check out his creations at abandofanglers.com. The very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.
12 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
OKUMA
SPINNINGSALINAREEL OKUMAFISHINGUSA.COM
Okuma’s new Salina spinning reels are lightweight, ready for battle, and designed for inshore and offshore duty. These reels are constructed of Okuma’s LITECAST body material which is 15 percent lighter than die cast aluminum. They are built for everything from light inshore to heavy offshore, and they’re perfect for high-speed vertical jigging or all-day casting.The Salina features a 6HPB +1RB corrosion-resistant stainless-steel ball bearing system with a full grease pack and waterproof seals. Salina’s Hybrid Carbonite and Japanese felt Dual Force Drag system puts out over 33 pounds of drag. With Okuma’s HDGII: High-Density Main Gear and precision machine cut brass pinion gear, you will get a smooth retrieve cast after cast. Okuma also uses a machined aluminum, screw-in handle arm with a machined aluminum twotone anodized ball handle knob. The three larger size reels feature a manual bail trip Therefunction.aresix models of Salina. The 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000 size reels feature high-speed 5.8:1 gear ratios. The 8,000, 10,000 and 14,000 size reels feature standard gear ratios of 5.4:1. All models have an interchangeable screw-in handle system that can be changed from left to right-hand retrieve. For more information on Salina Spinning reels, visit your local retailer.
New Okuma ECS Custom rods are designed for the harsh environment east coast fishermen face daily. They are constructed with a hybrid 24ton carbon and e-glass blank that features Okuma’s UFR-II: Ultimate Flex Reinforcement rod tip technology for the ultimate in lifting power. With spinning, casting and trolling rods, the new ECS Custom series will adorn the back of your boat nicely. There are two spinning rods in the lineup with a 6’ Heavy and 6’6” Medium Heavy. Three casting rods for live bait and bottom fishing come in 6’ Heavy, 6’6” X-Heavy and 7’ Medium actions. There are also two trolling configurations. Two rods feature Roller Stripper and Roller Tip. These rods come in a 6’4” Medium Heavy and 6’ Heavy action. The other two trolling rods feature all roller guides and are both 6’ Heavy and X-Heavy actions. With the brute strength and drag-ripping speed anglers see on the east coast, Okuma went with only high-end components on the ECS Custom rods. All spinning and casting rods feature ALPS deep press 316-grade stainless steel guide frames with zirconium inserts. Models with All Roller Guides feature ALPS RX Series Rollers as well as Sea Guide Neptune Adjustable Rod Butts. All ECS Custom rods feature machined aluminum, anodized rod gimbals. For more information on ECS Custom Rods please visit your local retailer.
ECS CUSTOM RODS
3.9
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 1 St. Lucie County shoreline cleanup by junior volunteers.
“The
Annual MIATC Cleanup Removes Tons
City of Stuart team members filling the boat.
he Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC) held its 15th annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup which began on Saturday, July 16 with selfreporting volunteers and ended on Saturday, July 23 with organized groups tackling local waterways and waterfront parks. This year, 1181 volunteers rallied together to collect 3.90 tons of trash. The additional 123 volunteers increased the garbage collected by 66-pounds (.03 tons) from the year prior. Since 2008, MIATC has engaged more than 13,441 volunteers, who together have removed more than 99.25 tons of trash from the waterways of Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. Cleanup participants ranged from 18 months to over 90 years of age, representing all segments of the Treasure Coast community. trash collected tells its own story and trends are easily identified from year to year, whether it be storm events, homelessness due to a enthusiasts in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.
SEE CLEANUP....................................................................................................PAGE 19 T Mention This Ad for Your Coastal Angler Discount Service from Melbourne to West Palm Beach Since 1980 GOT A UPPROPELLER?DAMAGEDBADLYWE‚LLFIXITLIKENEW! ...TO MACHINING...WELDINGFROMBALANCINGPRECISION,HIGH-DYNAMIC&
of Trash from WaterwaysLocal
EDITION COASTAL ANGLER TREASURE COAST Serving outdoors
In an effort to prepare for peak hurricane season, the following is a list of boating tips to consider before, during and after a hurricane. Before a Storm Check marine insurance and marina policies carefully for storm information. Boat owners should speak with their insurance agent and marina contact to understand all procedures and requirements during a stormMakesituation.avideo inventory of all property onboard and place legal documents such as policies, licenses, and registration in a secure, dry place away from the vessel. Learn the difference between a hurricane watch and warning and the area’s evacuation rules and instructions.Beknowledgeable of the storm surge history and the area’s elevation. When a storm is impending, consider where the boat will ride out the storm. Boaters who plan to relocate their vessel should make a plan ahead of time. Insurance
TOWING FROM 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. Tow \ 772-225-3144
Why wait? Join today and get 2 months free! (That’s a $28 value!) Use discount code: TCT. Join Sea
ea Tow urges boaters to prepare for the 2022 peak Atlantic hurricane season. After an active 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, predict above-average hurricane activity for 2022’s peak season. NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 have the potential to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.
Treasure Coast
“Sea Tow is committed to the safety and wellbeing of its members and their vessels. As peak hurricane season is upon us, the potential impact of these storms is unpredictable,” said Sea Tow CEO, Joseph Frohnhoefer III. “We urge boaters to be prepared and know what steps need to be taken if a storm were to make landfall in their area, and that our team of knowledgeable and experienced captains are available to help.”
AS SARRIVESSEASONHURRICANEPEAK
2 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR BOAT
THE800-4-SEATOWBAHAMAS!seatow.com/local/treasurecoast
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 3 TREASURE COAST COASTAL ANGLER For advertising or other inquiries, call (772) 285-6850 or email Magazine.comCoastalAnglerTreasureCoast@ PUBLISHER EMERITUS GARY GUERTIN PUBLISHER & EDITOR MISTI GUERTIN GRAPHIC DESIGN LAURA KELLY CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Capt. Gus Brugger Capt. Rocky Carbia Capt. Jonathan Earhart Capt. Scott Fawcett Capt. Scotty Gold Capt. ColtonEdHesterKiller Capt. MichaelBrianJimMauriMoirNelli Jim Oppenborn Capt. Nate Shellen Capt. Adam White Capt. TerrySteveWildeyWood Tackle & Bait River, Inshore & Offshore Marine Food/DrinkBeerApparelSupplies&Wine&Ice Professional Rigging • Line Spooling • Expert Reel Repair Incredible Selection • Easy Parking • Boat Trailer Friendly 3585 SE SaInT LucIE BouLEvaRd • STuaRT, FL 34997 772.220.6008 • www.fishheadsofstuart.com • info@fishheadsofstuart.com 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. Your fishingheadquartersone-stopforallyourneeds. companies may require owners to haul out the boat or store in a specific location. Be sure to check the policy. Move boats on trailers close to a house, weigh them down, and lash securely to anchor the trailer. If the boat must stay in the water, secure it to the dock with longer, thicker lines and use lines that are protected against chaffing so that they will hold up to the swinging and swaying that is often caused by storms. During a Storm Frequently monitor radio, TV, NOAA Weather Radio, and/or hurricane hotline telephone numbers for official bulletins of the storm’s progress.Once the boat is secured, leave it, and don’t return until there is an official announcement that the storm has passed, or the marina is open. After a Storm Inspect the boat carefully before re-entry into the water and look for any structural damage outside or damage to the lashings or riggings placed pre-storm. If the boat is affected by the storm, know that Sea Tow is available to assist with the recovery process. “If your boat is affected by a storm, Sea Tow has the experience and expertise to safely recover your property and prevent any further damage. It’s important to ensure you’re working with licensed and insured companies that do this every day and are built to respond,” continued Frohnhoefer. PHOTO PROVIDED by Sea Tow.
(772) 692-9938 Email: northforkstlucie@aol.com 4340 NW Federal Hwy Jensen Beach 34957 (Next to Dunkin Donuts) MON–SAT 5:30AM–8:00PM • SUN 5:30AM–6:00PM TORQUEEDO ULTRALIGHT 403 OUTBOARD MOTOR FOR KAYAKS AND CANOES FEATURES: • Up to 100km Range • Weighs only 8.8 kg including battery • Compatible with most popular kayak brands AUTHORIZED DEALER Frontier FULL SERVICE TACKLE SHOP • FRESH & FROZEN BAIT KAYAKS & MOTORS • FISHING CHARTERS & MORE AUTHORIZED DEALER 2023 INMODELSNUCANOENOWSTOCK!
put together
aboard
4 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
A great day of sailfish action last month with Capt. Scott Fawcett. Expect September fishing to be better than average this year.
FORECASTS FISHING MARTINOFFSHORECOUNTY Capt. Scott Fawcett Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) fishscottyf@bellsouth.net285-1055offthechainfishing.com Sails, mahi, king mackerel and snapper—a
Iusually take this month to pull the boat out of water to address anything that needs to be taken care of and get it ready for the upcoming season. This September might have a little more to offer than years past though. Over the last ten years, summertime fishing off the Treasure Coast has gotten progressively better with each heatwave. Bait has been plentiful, and the water has been cleaner than it has been in years thanks to the lack of rain and the lake not being dumped into our precious estuary. With water temperatures pushing 90-degrees, look for cold water eddies spinning off the Gulf Stream or cooler strips of water along our 6and 8-mile reef systems. Live baiting is still probably the best tactic to target the variety of pelagic fish we have off our coast, but in another month, you’ll notice a lot of the local charter boats will start trolling again. This is also a month where I switch my downriggers from teaser reels to what they’re made for. Fishing a bait around the first thermocline can be very effective this time of year. The Cannon 10 TS is programmable to keep your bait where it needs to be and is extremely effective during these hot summer months.Bottom fishing should continue to be good with lots of snapper and the occasional grouper, but while you’re bottom fishing, be ready to back your drag off when you get a bite from something other than what you’re expecting. On these hot summer days, very often you’ll hook cobia, dolphin, sails, kings, and bonito on the down rod where the water is cooler, so be ready. But! All the glory this time of year is the mullet run. Over 35 years living in Martin County and this mass migration never gets old. Tarpon, snook, jacks, bluefish and everything else is hot on the tails of these tasty little bait fish. Look for dark shadows of bait moving along the coastline and on the more obvious days, birds diving and huge explosions everywhere. Since switching to HumminBird side imaging sonar, staying on these schools of fish has never been easier. The Blackfin Carbon E series is the perfect spinning rod for these with a soft tip for good casting and a lot of backbone for heavy lifting. When things really get good, it’s also a great opportunity to target these fish with a Whateverflyrod.itis you decide to do this September I hope your next trip is off the chain and looking forward to seeing you out there. Thanks. Please give me a call for your next fishing adventure. fun three-quarter day last month Off The Chain. Anglers can expect a little bit of everything again this month.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett.
S eptember can produce some of the season’s best inshore game fishing. Tarpon, snook, redfish, and seatrout will be around actively feeding due to our annual seasonal mullet run on the Treasure Coast. Millions of mullet are due to invade local waterways producing unlimited amounts of bait if you have a cast net handy. Freelining live mullet on a 4/0-to-8/0 BKK circle hook with 40-to-60-pound Tsunami fluorocarbon leaders will yield lots of action from a variety of species while fishing around mullet schools in our local river systems. Hook size will depend on bait size, match your hook to the size bait you are using. Smaller baits--smaller circle hook, larger bait--larger circle hook. If you are targeting large tarpon with larger mullet, I would suggest using 2X Strong hooks with heavy leaders to ensure a short battle and increased odds at bringing the fish boatside for pictures.
MARTINNEARSHOREINSHORECOUNTY
Chaos Fishing Charters (772) 341 –
Mike McHugh with a large cobia caught on a live finger mullet with a 6/0 BKK circle hook and a 20-foot, 40-pound Tsunami fluorocarbon leader on a standard fish finder rig with an 8-ounce egg sinker.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 5
Capt. Jonathan Earhart
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Jonathan Earhart. For Reservations Call (772) 334-4411 Located at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno/Stuart, FL www.Safari-1.com 8:30AM-1:30PM $60 Sunday
Monday-Saturday
Adults $70; Children
jon@chaosfishigncharters.comwww.chaosfishigcharters.com2274
8:30AM-3:00PM Adults $80; Children $70 TRIP TIMES MARTINDEEPCOUNTYSEA Capt. Rocky Carbia Safari I Deep Sea Fishing Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno Reservations: (772) Safari-1.com334-4411
Run and gun techniques work well this month. Run and gun fishing consists of covering large swaths of river systems until you find concentrated mullet schools with predators actively feeding on these said mullet schools. Typically, these predators will be most active from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and then again from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Binoculars work great this month as well; this will enable you to see further along the river system and enable you to determine what types of predators are feeding on each school of migrating mullet. Artificials will also work incredibly well this month. I prefer fishing topwater lures at first light then switching to subsurface lures after 9 a.m. Find the bait and the predators won’t be far Nearshorebehind.fishing will be excellent along local beaches around mullet schools as well. Tarpon and sharks will be very active around larger beach mullet schools, be sure to have heavy duty tackle for these larger apex predators. Nearshore reefs and wrecks will hold plenty of kingfish, cobia, sharks, and snapper. Chumming with live mullet can really help get the fish actively feeding and make them much easier to catch. Live finger mullet on the bottom will yield plenty of snapper and the occasional cobia. Tight lines!
A ll Floridians will cast a wary eye towards tropical weather zones this September as summer transitions to fall. The potential for tropical low-pressure systems to peak this month will set the stage for many possible impacts for near coastal fishing interests. Barring any weather systems of this nature, offshore fishing can be business as usual, this month, when favorable weather windows allow fishing crews to fish the many reef structures east of the St. Lucie Inlet. Reefs and wrecks that form the bottom contour of our fishing zone are the foundation for saltwater ecosystems and will set the food chain in action as larger fish are attracted to the smaller fish and creatures that magically associate themselves with these structures. Many species of fish, including snapper and grouper, will be found around the base of these reef sites and can also patrol to the higher profiles along the reef line and “suspend” atop of a particular reef, at mid-level depths in the water column.Liveand dead bait strategies will work in tandem as anglers deploy their spreads at different depths. The key component to bait deployment will be to make sure the baits are deployed near or directly over top of these reef structures. Fishing around structure is the common thread that runs through all types of successful fishing strategies. Vermilion snapper are typically found in good numbers this month and will best be caught using cut bait (especially squid). Mangrove, lane, and mutton snapper will also avail themselves to salty grocery collectors during the days of September. Safari 1 snapper trips will rule the days of September.
PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1.
ST.
With September upon us, we have some of our best fishing upon us to come. As we get through the “August upwelling of cold water” the bottom warms pound weight line with 8-to-25 feet of leading, with 4/0 to 6/0 octopus or circle hooks. Grunt plugs will work good, as well as “live greenies, small live mullet, or pinfish”. Remember to be patient when the fish bite, take your time and LET THEM EAT. We say in the industry, “If you feel them, they feel you.” Fish on an open spool and wait for the strike you feel is best. Snapper will “play” with your bait until they feel comfortable to take it andRedrun.groupers are found on some of the shallower bottom in the 40to-80 foot range and most groupers are in 80-to-250 foot on rough reef structures or on the wrecks. Jigging, live bait, or fresh cut bait works best. While fishing for grouper you want to fish with 80-to-120-pound line and a heavy bank sinker to keep your bait from not moving. You want a shorter, stand-up type of setup with a high gear ratio reel with two speeds to hoist them up while they try and “dig in” to break you off. During the fall fishing you will see a good number of kingfish, mahi and cobia. I recommend you have a spinning rod with 25-to-40-pound lines ready to go with a triple hook rig and no weight so you may cast out a “flat line” when you see the fish. Remember some of the largest fish are caught in the fall as the water temperature on the bottom balances out.Come check us out on the 65-foot Miss Fort Pierce, as we sail all day daily at 7 a.m. by reservation at www. fortpiercefishing.com, or see our daily reports on Facebook.
PHOTOS CREDIT: Miss Fort Pierce Fishing. LUCIE COUNTY DEEP SEA Capt. Scotty Gold Miss Fort Pierce Fishing (772) fortpiercefishing.com766-0191
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM FORECASTS FISHING
766-0191 or Visit: FortPierceFishing.com Novice & Experienced Anglers Of All Ages Welcome All Bait, Rods and Tackle Included! No License Required! SAILING DAILY AT 7AM Located at Causeway Cove Marina, 601 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce
ST. LUCIEINSHORECOUNTY
Capt. Adam White St. Lucie Flats Fishing Charters (609) www.stlucieflatsfishing.com820-6257
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Adam White. T he weather is HOT and the fishing is NearshoreHOTTER!thefishing does not get any better. There will be some snapper around the rocks and wrecks from 40-to-60 foot of water. There will also be cobia swimming with the sharks around that 60foot range. These cobia are usually feeding and easy to get to bite. However, you will have to be quick when angling them to get them past the sharks! Also, this time of year is the best time to catch those big smoker kingfish off of the coast of Fort Pierce. The best way to fish is slow trolling live bait. I prefer live greenies, pilchards, or sardines this time of year to target kingfish, cobia, mahi-mahi, and sailfish. There have been a lot more mahi-mahi this year in the 45-to80 foot range than I can remember from past years. This is great for those who don’t want to run 20 miles out to catch these prized fish. There are also some wahoo around this month on the 80 foot reef. So, make sure you’re using a wire leader when out fishing live bait. The sailfish and mahi-mahi will not shy away from the wire leader. Therefore, I fish it on all of my rods all the time. On the bottom there are some grouper and amberjacks being caught out in 120-to-200 foot of water around rocks and wrecks. There are also some nice snapper out in these depths as well. Surprisingly, there have been some big mangrove snapper around these wrecks! If you’re looking to fish 80 foot, the mangrove and mutton snapper bite has been pretty consistent, though a few grouper have been caught shallow as well. Now that the cold water on the bottom has moved on, the fishing should get better and better. The night bite has been very good as well if you are willing to get out and brave the darkness. Good luck, stay safe and tight lines!
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 7
OFFSHORECOUNTY Capt. Colton Hester Sonna Girl Fishing Charters (772) colton@sonnagirlfishing.com293-5342www.sonnagirlfishing.com
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Colton Hester. C.E. Chavis with a kingfish caught aboard Sonna Girl Fishing Charters on a live sardine. Call (772)
Frank with a fat trout that ate a thewhileD.O.A.four-inchC.A.L.workingmangroves.
ST. LUCIE
Ialways look forward to September. Snook season re-opens, the mullet run starts later in the month, and the fishing gets red hot. It’s a great time of year to target tarpon, snook, and trout. August was incredibly hot this year! Water temperatures will continue to be warm. Expect low to mid-80s most days. When fishing the flats of the river, it’s always best to start your days very early or go late in the day. Whether you’re running the beach or fishing the river, the mullet will bring some exciting action to the area as they start to migrate through the area later this month. The trout bite will pick up through the month of September. Look for schoolie size fish and larger “gator” trout hanging around the mullet schools. I look at trout like bass fishing. Catching small ones are fun, but I would much rather catch them north of five-pounds. I like starting pre-dawn to target these larger fish. I am usually going to arrive at my location by 5:30-6:00 a.m. Using larger topwater lures will weed out your smaller fish. YoZuri hydro pencils, MirrOLure top dogs, and the larger Zara Spooks, are all great big trout lure. If they keep short striking or missing the topwaters, switch to something subsurface. Large hard twitch baits like a MirrOdine XXL, or large soft plastics like a Z-Man 6-inch SwimmerZ are good options when the fish won’t commit to the top. Please handle these larger fish with extreme care. The warmer temps really stress out these bigger fish. I’ll try to unhook them in the net, very quick photo with wet hands, and watch them swim away. Find the bait schools and you’ll find the action! If you do not find bait around your favorite fishing spot, you will most likely not find many fish there. Fish love this time of year and they are out there gorging themselves on the bait in anticipation of the coming winter months. As the days start to get shorter the water temps will slowly start to drop, and the bite will only get better.
For Reservations,
SEBASTIAN INLET – The snook population seems to be better than ever and they will be stacked up in the inlet when the season opens September 1st. Live croakers, pigfish, shrimp and finger mullet will all get the attention of snook and redfish at the inlet. The tips of the jetties, the channel east of A1A and the north and south shorelines west of A1A will hold snook. Daytime snook fishing has historically required live bait for consistent success, but after dark bucktails, swimbaits and diving plugs will do the trick.
INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – The arrival of the migrating masses of three-to-five-inch mullet fire-up the fishing in the Indian River Lagoon. Flats that seemed to be near lifeless all summer can suddenly produce all day topwater action when the mullet show up. All types of artificials and live finger mullet fished wherever pods of mullet are found will draw strikes from a variety of gamefish. Snook will ambush passing finger mullet pods around shoreline structures including docks and mangroves. The numbers of trout and redfish in the lagoon have been dishearteningly low, but an angler fishing topwater plugs, jigs and jerkbaits on the flats and around spoil islands should find some.
Capt. Mike Peppe cradles a 25-pound red that mistook his topwater plug for a blue crab on a Sebastian Inlet outgoing tide.
Inshore and inlet anglers welcome September’s arrival as they bid adieu to the dog days of summer. Shortened day lengths, along with increased rains combine to lower water temps in the shallow waters of the Indian River Lagoon. Amenable water temps and an influx of migratory baitfish rejuvenate the inshore fishing. Snook are again in season as of September 1st and can be caught anywhere from the beaches to the backwaters. Atlantic zone rules apply, with one snook overall length between 28-and32 inches allowed per angler per day. Snook are the major focus in September, but they are not the only gamefish available to Sebastian area anglers. I’ll break down each venue available in the Sebastian area and discuss what to expect during this period of change.
NEAR SHORE ATLANTIC When weather conditions are favorable, the waters within two miles of the beach between Melbourne and Fort Pierce can be explosive in September. Tarpon, snook, reds, blues, Spanish, cobia, tripletail, sharks, jacks, and flounder all follow the migrating mullet southward. Fish live mullet, large plugs, spoons, shad tailed jigs, and the like from the beach or from a boat to take advantage of some of the best surf/nearshore fishing of the year.Tight lines!
8 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
SEBASTIAN RIVER – The tarpon and snook action in the Sebastian River will pick up by leaps and bounds as the schools of finger mullet make their way into the estuary. Live finger mullet, TerrorEyz jigs, as well as suspending and topwater MirrOlures are excellent ways to target tarpon and snook throughout the day and night. The area between the junction of the two forks and the railroad bridge are a good place to look for rolling tarpon most mornings and evenings. The docks below the railroad bridge offer snook of all sizes day and night.
PHOTO SUPPLIED by Capt. Gus Brugger.
FORECASTS FISHING SEBASTIANINSHORE Capt. Gus Brugger Pattern Setter Charters (772) www.WelcomeToSebastian.com360-6787 ® Thank you for50 years! CALM-SEASSTAYCHARGEDUP Marine Batteries Truck & Trailer Tires Truck & Trailer Brake Service Complete Truck & Vehicle Service WE DELIVER & INSTALL AT YOUR BOAT OR DOCK800-432-1064 SLBT.com ® 1.5 page SLBT.IAGM.6.2022.indd 1 6/6/2022 7:38:41 AM
There are over a dozen of them listed on the Internet in our area. These reefs hold bait, such as thread fins, as well as snapper, kingfish, cobia and. barracuda. They’re always a good place to take the kids for some rod bending action. The 80 foot and 90 foot reefs should also produce a few big mango snappers providing you’re geared to crank them up past the sharks.
821 US Highway 1, Sebastian Mon - Fri
Capt. Terry Wildey Big Easy Fishing Charters
(772) 538 -
Looks like our shark problem is here to stay until our South Atlantic Fisheries Council does something to control the imbalance in our fishery. The water temps should be pushing over 85-degres so this should make for a picky, most lethargic bite of the year. Light fluorocarbon leader’s and a variety of live baits should help pick up the bite. I like fishing the smaller pieces of bottom when it’s like this. Some of the little two-to-four-foot pieces that only mark a little fuzz on your bottom machine spots that most people wouldn’t even waste a drop on. These spots usually will produce some nice lanes snapper, vermilion snapper and triggerfish. Even if we don’t get major storms, we usually get large ground swells coming from the storms that will stir up the water and make fishing less than favorable. So, pick your days and keep your eye on the tropics. I take advantage of this time to do that boat maintenance that gets overlooked when you spent all July and August on the water. September is when I go through all my safety gear. Life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers. Do it all at once at the same time every year it might save a life or at the very least save you a $250 ticket. As always be courteous to your fellow anglers you never know when you might need a tow. Take a kid fishing, he might return the favor when you get old (lol). Fish on, gotta go!
AREASEBASTIANOFFSHORE
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 9
www.bigeasyfishingcharters.comcaptwildey@bellsouth.net1072
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Terry Wildey. Shawn Newman, John Williamson, Andy Newman, and Sam Simons with kingfish, cobia and mangrove snapper on the Big Easy. 6:30am
September being the peak of hurricane season, be sure to have your boat prepped and ready for it. Assuming the waters are not too stirred up fishing should still be good. We should have some decent kingfish around bait pods and in the 40 foot to 50 foot range, as well as around the artificial reefs. For those of you who are new to the area, and who don’t have any spots in your GPS, that’s a good place to start.
- 6pm • Sat & Sun 6am - 6pm www.reeleminbaitandtackle.com reeleminbt@gmail.com ~ 772-581-1027 Local Fishing Outfitter!!! REELS • REPAIRS Line Spooling • Combos • Tackle Accessories • Apparel • Sunglasses Cold Drinks & Beer • Ice & More! LARGE SELECTION OF FROZEN BAIT FRESH SHRIMP, FISH, WORMS, CLAMS, FIDDLER CRABS, SAND FLEAS & MORE FRESHEST LIVE BAIT IN SEBASTIAN AREA LAYAWAYNOW for the holidays Birds on Safari 1290 N.W. Federal Highway, Stuart (772) www.birdsonsafari.com692-0294 FRIENDLY MANAGERS • ALL GROUND FLOOR UNITS CONVENIENT WEEKEND HOURS WE SELL: MOVING SUPPLIES & LOCKS 772-569-2723 772-286-0996 BOAT & RV STORAGE • SECURITY FENCE • VIDEO CAMERAS WWW.DMSVEROBEACH.COM • WWW.DMSSTUART.COM MENTION THIS AD AND GET A FREE LOCK AT MOVE IN! North Location: 1803 90TH AVE VERO BEACH, FL 32966 South Location: 2601 SE MIAMI ST STUART,34997FL
INSHORE: Fishing early or late in the day is going to be your best option this time of year. The flats and inlets are holding large amounts of glass minnows. Using lures to imitate these baits will be your best bet. Fishing the inlets, docks and bridges will continue to be a great option. Try using a D.O.A. TerrorEyz or jerk bait bounced near the bottom around the inlet. Fishing the bridges at night with a mullet imitation will work great as well. Fish the shadow line that is being put off by the lights on the bridge for a successful night.
Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters (772) Brian Nelli.
BELOW: Kyle with his personal best blackfin tuna.
Brian Nelli
Now in ConvenientFourLocations! WWW.WHITESTACKLE.COM STUART 4271 SE Federal Hwy. Stuart, FL 34997 (772) 266-4010 FT. PIERCE 1106 U.S. Hwy. 1 Ft. Pierce, FL 34950 (772) 461-6909 VERO BEACH 3006 Cardinal Dr. Vero Beach, FL 32963 (772) 492-6203 JUPITER 261 A-1-A Alt Jupiter, FL 33477 (561) 316-4088 8AM8AMMON-FRI-6PMSATURDAY-5PM Whether your passion is offshore, inshore, freshwater, or fly fishing, we have everything to make your next fishing adventure the… Adventure Of A Lifetime! 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
LEFT: Mike with a trophy snook caught from a kayak.
OFFSHORE: September has always been a great month for wahoo in the kayak. Concentrate on live baiting large goggle eyes deeper in the water column. The best time of the month will be a few days before and after the full moon. Kingfish will be in decent numbers with 10-to15-pound fish the norm. Sailfish will be in the mix as well. Smaller goggle eyes and blue runners on a flat line will work to lure them in. Finally blackfin and skipjack tuna will come through in small schools. Look to target them with smaller vertical jigs and trolling feathers.
Check us out at Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into. See you on the water!
Brian@tckayakfishing.com201-5899www.tckayakfishing.com KAYAKFORECASTFISHING PHOTOS CREDIT:
10 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 11 1TH 12:18 AM 2.6 H 6:07 AM 0.2 L 12:57 PM 2.68 H 6:34 PM 0.58 L 2F 1:01 AM 2.54 H 6:57 AM 0.23 L 1:50 PM 2.63 H 7:30 PM 0.69 L 3SA 1:52 AM 2.48 H 7:57 AM 0.27 L 2:52 PM 2.58 H 8:34 PM 0.78 L 4SU 2:54 AM 2.45 H 9:04 AM 0.29 L 4:00 PM 2.58 H 9:44 PM 0.8 L 5M 4:04 AM 2.47 H 10:15 AM 0.26 L 5:10 PM 2.64 H 10:53 PM 0.72 L 6TU 5:18 AM 2.57 H 11:22 AM 0.18 L 6:15 PM 2.76 H 11:57 PM 0.58 L 7W 6:26 AM 2.73 H 12:23 PM 0.09 L 7:13 PM 2.91 H 8TH 12:55 AM 0.41 L 7:27 AM 2.91 H 1:20 PM 0.01 L 8:05 PM 3.04 H 9F 1:47 AM 0.23 L 8:22 AM 3.06 H 2:12 PM -0.03 L 8:53 PM 3.13 H 10SA 2:37 AM 0.09 L 9:13 AM 3.17 H 3:01 PM -0.01 L 9:38 PM 3.16 H 11SU 3:24 AM 0.01 L 10:01 AM 3.21 H 3:48 PM 0.07 L 10:21 PM 3.13 H 12M 4:09 AM 0 L 10:47 AM 3.17 H 4:34 PM 0.21 L 11:02 PM 3.03 H 13TU 4:54 AM 0.06 L 11:32 AM 3.08 H 5:20 PM 0.39 L 11:43 PM 2.9 H 14W 5:39 AM 0.18 L 12:17 PM 2.93 H 6:06 PM 0.58 L 15TH 12:25 AM 2.74 H 6:25 AM 0.35 L 1:02 PM 2.76 H 6:54 PM 0.77 L 16F 1:08 AM 2.58 H 7:14 AM 0.52 L 1:51 PM 2.6 H 7:46 PM 0.94 L 17SA 1:54 AM 2.44 H 8:09 AM 0.67 L 2:44 PM 2.46 H 8:44 PM 1.07 L 18SU 2:47 AM 2.33 H 9:09 AM 0.77 L 3:43 PM 2.38 H 9:46 PM 1.12 L 19M 3:47 AM 2.29 H 10:11 AM 0.81 L 4:45 PM 2.38 H 10:47 PM 1.11 L 20TU 4:51 AM 2.31 H 11:08 AM 0.79 L 5:43 PM 2.45 H 11:41 PM 1.03 L 21W 5:51 AM 2.4 H 11:59 AM 0.72 L 6:34 PM 2.56 H 22TH 12:28 AM 0.91 L 6:44 AM 2.52 H 12:44 PM 0.64 L 7:18 PM 2.68 H 23F 1:09 AM 0.77 L 7:32 AM 2.67 H 1:25 PM 0.56 L 7:59 PM 2.8 H 24SA 1:47 AM 0.62 L 8:15 AM 2.82 H 2:04 PM 0.49 L 8:37 PM 2.89 H 25SU 2:23 AM 0.48 L 8:57 AM 2.94 H 2:42 PM 0.45 L 9:15 PM 2.94 H 26M 2:59 AM 0.35 L 9:39 AM 3.04 H 3:20 PM 0.44 L 9:53 PM 2.96 H 27TU 3:36 AM 0.26 L 10:20 AM 3.1 H 3:59 PM 0.47 L 10:31 PM 2.94 H 28W 4:14 AM 0.21 L 11:03 AM 3.1 H 4:41 PM 0.54 L 11:11 PM 2.9 H 29TH 4:57 AM 0.21 L 11:49 AM 3.06 H 5:26 PM 0.64 L 11:54 PM 2.83 H 30F 5:44 AM 0.26 L 12:39 PM 2.98 H 6:16 PM 0.76 L DAY TIME HEIGHT COASTAL ANGLER TREASURE COAST VERO (OCEAN) TIME OFFSET High Tide -55 min Low Tide -35 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.45 feet Low Tide 1.36 feet ST. LUCIE INLET TIME OFFSET High Tide +55 Low Tide +1 hr; 42 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1 foot Low Tide .50 feet SEBASTIAN (INLET) TIME OFFSET High Tide -48 min Low Tide -24 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .93 feet Low Tide 1.0 foot JENSEN BEACH (INDIAN RIVER) TIME OFFSET High Tide +2 hrs; 17 min Low Tide +3 hrs; 4 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .48 feet Low Tide .92 feet FORT PIERCE TIME OFFSET High Tide -31 min Low Tide -18 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.14 feet Low Tide 1.50 feet JUPITER INLET TIME OFFSET High Tide -10 min Low Tide -9 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.08 feet Low Tide 1.42 feet SEPTEMBER 4275 SE Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34997 (772) 223-1500 • www.southriveroutfitters.com AVAILABLE AT A VARIETY OF MODELS IN STOCK. Please call for current model availability. Crow’s Nest The Most Interesting Shop...Ever!! 3521 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart (one light south of Indian St. on Dixie) 772.341.4474 | crowsnesta1a@gmail.com Marine Consignment *** Estate Buying We Buy or Consign Your Fishing, Boating & Nautical Treasures...
F ollowing up on last month’s column on how we should use our fly line as an indicator for certain things, I thought we would follow up with our rod position since it’s all connected. Keep your rod tip down and straight to the fish! I have to give my clients consistent reminders while fishing. Rod tip down while stripping also means less slack in your line. When swinging your fly, you also want to follow the line with your rod tip to stay connected with the fly. This is important for you to have the best possible position for a good strip set! While fighting a fish, rod tip down with a small rod angle (not more than 45 degree to the fish) this gives you a lot of pressure on the fish using the butt from your fly rod. Also, keep in mind that if the fish pulls right, you pull low left and if the fish pulls left, you pull low right with your rod. This helps a lot to wear the fish out quickly which allows you to get him/her in for a quick release. If you have a lot of structure, like a reef in the water, you might have to adjust your rod angle and lift up your rod to keep the line out of the reef, and so forth. I know, I know, just saying and a friendly reminder.
3558 NW FEDERAL HWY. JENSEN BEACH, FL LARGESTLARGESTWWW.LOTUSGUNRANGE.COM34957INDOORGUNRANGEINMARTINCOUNTYSELECTIONOFFIREARMSONTHETREASURECOAST HOURS:STORE Tues.- Sat. 10-6 Sunday 10-4 Monday Closed HOURS:RANGE Tues.- Sat. 10-6 Sunday 10-4 Monday Closed 772.232.6470 MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE Open to the Public Find Us Online! Scan this code to follow us on Facebook and receive the latest and greatest news! COASTAL ANGLER Treasure Coas T
Capt. Michael michael@mauriflyfishing.comwww.mauriflyfishing.comMauri(772)485-3321 Michael Michael Mauri.
Mauri PHOTO CREDIT: Capt.
“WirDeutsch”SprechenWWW.MAURIFLYFISHING.COMSTUART,FL•772-485-3321 LESSONSCASTINGGUIDEDTRIPS TAKE YOUR FLY FISHING GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL! CAPT.LICENSEDUSCGINSUREDFULLY Keep Your RodDown!Tip Fly Fishing Corner By Capt.
12 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Crowds from opening weekend have thinned and reef sites should be restocked and ready.
Fun for Ages
and Up, Learn How to Scuba Dive in a Relaxed, Supportive Learning Environment. LEARN TO
Taught by highly-trained PADI Instructors, by the end of the course you’ll have the skills and knowledge to dive at home or abroad and be an ambassador for the underwater world.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 13 VERO BEACH • 772-562-2883 416 21st St., Vero Beach, FL 32960 STUART • 772-692-2747 2525 NW Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34994www.deepsix.com DEEP SIX DIVE & WATERSPORTS
Family 10 SCUBA
FORECASTDIVING Steve Wood Deep Six Watersports - Stuart (772) 288-3999 Stuart (772) 562-2883 Steve.wood@deepsix.comVerowww.deepsixintl.com PHOTO CREDIT: MyFWCMedia. veryshouldSeptemberbeaproductivemonthforthosediversseekinglobster.
Diving in September is heavily dependent on tropical activity in the Atlantic and Caribbean, with dive conditions going one of two ways: (1) great visibility, calm seas and warm waters of summertime or (2) tropical storms/hurricanes and blown out Lobstervisibility.hunting is great this month too since females that may have held on to their eggs for mini season have now dropped them and are ready to come home for dinner.
Shore dives off Bryn Mawr Beach or straight out from the concession stand at Jensen Public Beach are great reefs to explore and catch bugs when visibility allows. Water temps will also reach their peak this month and temps in the mid to upper 80s are common. Unfortunately, hurricane season reaches its peak in September and divers should pay attention to the forecast for changing weather. Storms far out to sea may have minimal effect on land but these systems can drastically change the landscape beneath the surface. Large swells generated from tropical storms may shift huge amounts of sand or move wrecks into new positions allowing divers to explore fresh territory. After the seas calm down, diving can be really exciting since new reefs maybe uncovered along with grouper, lobster and large whelk and helmet conch shells scattered over the reef. Thanks to the proximity of the Gulf Stream current to our area, many are surprised to learn good visibility usually returns in a week or two once a storm has passed. The Georges Valentine wreck that sits just a few hundred yards offshore of the House of Refuge is a great example of how a dive site may be affected by tropical activity. As sand shifts with each swell, water depths on the wreck maybe as deep as 20 feet or as shallow at 10 feet, depending on the time of Diversyear.should count on calm seas and big lobster in September and if a storm passes the area, be prepared for some exciting diving when the water clears.
By Don “Red” Norton
Ican remember when I was a kid, fishing out of an aluminum boat, and the loud noise when you dropped a lure or anything fell to the bottom of the boat. My dad would shoot me that look, like “shush! You’ll scare the fish!” I never really gave it that much thought, and as the years passed by and I got older, I moved from an aluminum boat to a bass boat with plush seats and padded carpeting. The idea of “noise” effecting my ability to catch fish never really occurred to me. I mean think about it. Bass don’t have external ears like humans. Sure, I’ve heard that they can “hear” or sense sound through their lateral lines, but I never really thought it was that important.
14 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
It’s an interesting story, and it does make you think about a bass’s ability to hear and what impact that might have on your fishing. I’ve heard that trout are now being “dumped”
A couple of nights ago, as I walked out to my dock to feed the fish, I noticed the fish coming in from every direction as I walked across the dock. The water wasn’t that clear, it had just rained, so I don’t think they “saw” me, but I’m sure they “heard” me, or at least they felt the vibrations from the dock as I walked across. It reminded me of a story I’d heard years ago that took place in California. Back in the late 90’s there were a lot of articles written about the huge bass being caught in many of California’s lakes. The Florida-strain bass were close to world record size due to the fact that they ate trout, almost exclusively. Bass are much faster than trout, and since the state stocks trout into their lakes, bass quickly discovered they made a pretty goodButmeal.the interesting part of the story was when the trucks arrived to dump the young trout into the lakes, the bass were actually stacked up waiting for theirHowrelease.did anyone figure this out? Well, a couple of scuba divers dropped below the sur- face prior to the trucks arriving to witness what would happen when the trout were released. The divers said they could actually “feel” the vibrations in the water as the huge trucks drove down the old, dirt roads to the water. As the trucks approached, scores of bass began showing up. One diver said hundreds of bass were lined up before the trucks even got there. When the trout were released, it was a feeding frenzy. Very few trout survived.
According to Doug Hannon, the Bass Professor, in his book, Big Bass Magic, “The bass, with its ear inside its body, hears everything and has the added advantage of a lateral line along its sides. Bass do not hear with this but there is a close relationship between hearing and feeling in fish. They can actually feel the water with this line and use it for schooling and orientation in moving water. Nerves of bass come all the way to the surface of their scales. They have tiny holes visible as a thin line above the dark lateral stripes. They feel with this organ, like a human with his fingertips, and react more quickly than they could be hearing and having to think. Like humans who instantly jerk a finger from a hot object by reflex, bass will shy away from danger instantly, without thinking. They act automatically when the lateral line picks up a message.”
into the lakes with planes. I wonder if the bass can figure that out. I’ve fished with guys who believe the splash of your lure frightens a fish, and that the softer you can enter the water, the better. I think that may be partially true, but my observations of bass in large aquariums proved that it does seem to scare the fish, but only momentarily. In most cases, as quickly as they appear to swim away, they turn and quickly attack the source of the noise. In fact, after years of pitching and flipping, I think the louder the sound of your lure hitting the water the better. I believe the bass hears the sound and comes looking for the intruder. In many cases, where I have one or two clients behind me flipping and pitching their own baits, the bass may come looking for my bait – the original source of the sound, only to find that I’m already flipping to a new spot, but my client’s bait is now where mine was. And they get bit! Everyone knows that hawks and eagles can spot a mouse 1000 yards away because their sight is so keen. Fish do not see that well, but their hear- ing compares favorably with the sight of these predator birds.
While bass have no “ears” their sensitivity to sound is so remarkable that they can easily determine whether a noise many yards away is one of their cousins striking a forage fish or a distress pattern after an encounter with a fisherman’s lure or other predator. It’s easier to understand this when you realize that water is a better conductor of sound than air. Sound travels only 1087 feet per second in air, but flashes 4800 feet per second (almost a mile) in water, many times more efficiently.So,ifyou’re a “noisy” angler, maybe that’s why you’re not catching any fish. On the other hand, maybe that’s why you are catching them! ...the bass may come looking for my bait – the original source of the sound, only to find that I’m already flipping to a new spot, but my client’s bait is now where mine was. And they get bit!
There are probably countless interconnections in nature and wonderful examples of feedback loops: The cost of artificial fertilizer is very high right now and is directly correlated to the cost of petroleum. Ammonium nitrate and urea have been synthesized from natural gas for over a century. Another fertilizer is phosphate, Florida has abundant phosphate in its soil, we are a major exporter of the mineral. Our waterways are suffering from a serious overload of nutrients and plastic litter. Plastic and fertilizer are
By Jim
16 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
I often tell folks that I’m the luckiest guy I know. I sometimes feel a little guilty about the advantages and privileges the circumstances of my life have provided me, but that can be motivational too. I live in a wonderful place that is enchantingly beautiful and environmentally complex. We have been exceedingly lucky with our weather this summer. It’s likely that Saharan dust has been ourI’msavior.intrigued by superficially unlikely connections in nature. Our rainfall and probably our exposure to tropical storm impacts have been moderated by El Niño and dust originating from thousands of miles away. While our weather luck allows seagrass and the damaged habitat of the Indian River Lagoon to recover, many others around the world are not so lucky; droughts and floods and fires seem to be everywhere. Dust and hot water may also have some devastating effects on coral health even while moderating our weather this season.
SEE RIVERKEEPER .......................................... PAGE 21PHOTO CREDIT: Shutterstock/Kyle Smith. What is the true cost of a bright green Florida lawn? NatureFeedbackConnections,Loops SEPTEMBER UPDATE
Moir, Executive Director
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 17 3700 SOUTH U.S. HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE • WWW.NISAIR.COM 877-7NISAIR Free Estimates, 100% SAC Financing, Emergency Service Family owned and serving the Treasure Coast by Phil, Pat, Christine and Phil Jr Nisa since 1973 • Lic. CACO 41199 Let us help with your comfort needs. Service, Maintenance, Upgrades, New Construction, Air Quality, Mini-Splits & Much More. Ask about our HEPAUNITFILTRATIONANDUVLIGHTS STAYSTAY COOL DogLongDaysOfSummer ASK ABOUT THE CURRENT REBATE SPECIALS TO UPGRADE YOUR CURRENT SYSTEM! We don’t just reach anglers. Our readers enjoy all of the outdoors and a variety of recreational activities. Reach an exclusive demographic: 90% male, 80% home owners, 35% college degree, $82K annual income. Geo-Target your ad to reach: 10,000+ locally, 190,000+ throughout Florida, or over 400,000 nationally. A FREE publication means new readers and “fresh eyes” each month that see your ad. Local editorials from the area’s most experienced fishing guides, charter captains, and Awriters.rateschedule that offers the lowest cost per thousand impressions in the industry. For the small business a regional or national ad can be a life-changing event. Your ad will also appear in Coastal Angler Magazine’s E-magazine, marketing your business on the WeInternet.arethe largest Free outdoor publication in the US and Bahamas with over 400,000 readers each month. You are not buying an ad, but investing in your business with Coastal Angler Magazine. REASONS TO ADVERTISE IN 10987654321 Contact Coastal Angler Magazine -Treasure Coast Publisher Misti Guertin for More Information: 772.285.6850 | Misti@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com
18 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM TOURNAMENTCALENDAR Aug. 25 – 27, 2022 9th Annual Chasentailz KDW Fishing Tournament Harbourside Place –www.chasentailz.comJupiter. Sept. 17, 2022 SaltWater Sisters Pre-Party, 4 – 6 p.m., Pirate’s Cove Resort, 4307 SE Bayview St., Stuart. www.stuartsailfishclub.com Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2022 Stuart Sailfish Club Saltwater Sisters 37th Annual Ladies Fishing Tournament to benefit Friends in www.stuartsailfishclub.comPink. Dec. 1-4, 2022 35th Pirate’s Cove Sailfish Classic. Registration now www.piratescovesailfishclassic.comopen. Dec 8-10, 2022 Stuart Sailfish Club 68th Light Tackle Sailfish Championship, www.stuartsailfishclub.comStuart. Submit Your Tournament Information to: coastalanglermagazine.com.treasurecoast@ September 1 GOOD Evening September 2 POOR Evening September 3 POOR Morning September 4 FAIR Morning September 5 FAIR Morning September 6 GOOD Morning September 7 BEST Morning September 8 BEST Morning September 9 BEST Morning September 10 BEST Evening September 11 FAIR Evening September 12 FAIR Evening September 13 GOOD Evening September 14 FAIR Evening September 15 POOR Evening September 16 POOR Evening September 17 POOR Morning September 18 BEST Morning September 19 BEST Morning September 20 POOR Morning September 21 POOR Morning September 22 POOR Morning September 23 POOR Morning September 24 POOR Morning September 25 POOR Evening September 26 POOR Evening September 27 FAIR Evening September 28 GOOD Evening September 29 GOOD Evening September 30 POOR Evening SEPTEMBER FISHING CONDITIONS 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. SOURCE: The Old Farmers’ 2022 Almanac
The 2023 Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup week will take place Saturday, July 15-23, 2023, with the larger group cleanup event to take place on Saturday, July 22, 2023.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 19 #AMERICANCUISINE | #CRAFTCOCKTAILS #LIVEMUSIC | #COBBSLANDING 200 NORTH INDIAN RIVER DRIVE DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE | WWW.COBBS-LANDING.COM LIVE MUSIC | FOOD FULL BAR | BAITSHOP 601 NORTH CAUSEWAY FORT PIERCEhousing crisis, algae blooms or a pandemic,” says April Price, the cleanup organizer. “This year our volunteers repeatedly reported seeing less trash and smaller pieces. Most common was picnic trash including bottles, cans, cups, wrappers, and straws. I believe our golfing community may have seen a significant improvement in their game since we only collected 37 golf balls this year compared to 90 balls in 2021. We still collected 403 articles of clothing (407 in 2021), which included shoes, tops, bottoms, underwear, and more. Some of the more unusual items we found included 17-foot boat intact up in the mangroves near Jimmy Graham Boat Ramp, a train wheel hub found in Sebastian and a pair of antlers found on Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County. Our strong community partnerships with the Florida Inland Navigation District, Martin County, the City of Stuart, City of Fort Pierce, City of Port St. Lucie, Indian River County, City of Vero Beach, City of Sebastian, and many more, make the event possible,” added Price. “Additionally, thank you to our business sponsors who supported this years’ effort.”
CLEANUP
Indian River County, Riverside Park.
2022 TREASURE COAST WATERWAY CLEANUP RESULTS BREAKDOWN BY COUNTY
Results, photos, and a list of supporters for the 2022 cleanup are available www.TCWaterwayCleanup.com.at FROM PAGE 1
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY: 188 volunteers removed .85 tons of trash. Groups included The City of Vero Beach, with 101 volunteers that removed .23 tons and the City of Sebastian, with 68 volunteers removing .52 tons. PHOTO PROVIDED by MIATC.
MARTIN COUNTY: 455 volunteers removed 1.48 tons of trash. Teams included the City of Stuart, with 83 volunteers who removed .83 tons, and the Peck Lake Reef Dive with 51 volunteers that removed .12 tons from the offshore reefs and inshore spoil islands. ST. LUCIE COUNTY: 538 volunteers removed 1.57 tons of trash. Groups included the City of Fort Pierce, with 189 volunteers who removed .66 tons, and the City of Port St. Lucie, with 89 volunteers that gathered .51 tons.
20 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM 2201 SE INDIAN ST., A-5 • STUART, FL 34997 (772) 283-9110 • (800) 245-3622 www.ChapmanMarine.com Scheduled Delivery from Daytona to Ft. Lauderdale Worldwide Shipping via FedEx or UPS Available OVER 10,000 ITEMS IN STOCK! WHOLESALE & RETAIL...OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!! Serving the Treasure Coast and Beyond Since1985 INGREDIENTS • 6 Tb. unsalted butter, softened • 1½ tsp. Cajun seasoning (or a mixture of paprika, garlic powder [or fresh minced garlic], cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper) • 1 tsp. lemon zest • 1 tsp. minced parsley (alt. chives, basil, cilantro) • Pinch kosher salt • 4 Florida whole spiny lobsters • Fresh lemon wedges • Minced parsley, for garnish Crab E Bill’s Grilled Florida Lobster with Cajun Butter PREPARATIONS: 1. Combine butter, seasoning, parsley and lem on zest in a small bowl; set aside until ready to use. 2. Heat a clean grill to medium** and season the grates with a little vegetable oil. 3. **For tender lobster meat, cook low and slow, basting throughout the cooking time. 4. Place lobsters on the hot grill, shell side down, and spread a little of the butter over the meat.
For fresh seafood, more great recipes and the latest issue of Coastal Angler Magazine, visit Crab E Bill’s in Sebastian, located at 1540 Indian River Drive, Sebastian, FL 32958.
COOK YOUR CATCH!
6. Remove from grill, spread on remaining butter, sprinkle lemon juice and parsley, and then serve in the shell.
5. Cover the grill, cook about 5 minutes then open the cover and you’ll likely notice the shells have turned bright orange/red. Spread on a little more butter (be sure to reserve about 1 Tb. for the final step) then flip onto the meat side and cook another 3-5 minutes, just until the meat is opaque/white and slightly firm. (It should pull away from the shell when done.)
To learn more about the benefits of supporting Indian Riverkeeper, email Executive Director Jim Moir atwww.theindianriverkeeper.org.org,keeper@theindianriverkeeper.call(772)521-1882orvisit
RIVERKEEPER .................FROM PAGE 16 You Can’t Catch New Business Advertising!WithoutREEL IN More Business by Advertising In And Reach The Entire TREASURE COAST Every Month! COASTAL ANGLER LOW RATES, HIGH REACH! Treasure Coast Coastal @TCCoastalAnglerAngler To advertise or for more information, call us at (772) 285-6850 or treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.comemailwww.coastalanglermag.com/treasure-coast Magazine and ads also available online, so readers around the world can find you.And, your online ad links to your website! U.S. CIRCULATION 300,000 TREASURE COAST 10,000 Benefits of a FloridaFriendly Landscape • Reduced use of water, fertilizer, and pesticides, which saves money • Properly selected and maintained plants thrive • Provides habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife • Helps keep nutrient pollution out of our water • Can be designed for low maintenance • Aesthetically pleasing while protecting the environment BOATS TAKEN SERIOUSLY. ™ 2135 N. OLD DIXIE HWY, FT. PIERCE • 772-466-0100 OffshorePerformanceMarine.com Your One-Stop Shop for Honest, Affordable and Professional Marine Services & Sales Marine Repair Service • Electronics Installation Engine Sales • Trailer Sales & Service AUTHORIZED DEALER From state-of-the-art electronic systems to impellers and propellers, to inboard and outboard motors, Offshore Performance Marine’s expert installation and repair services cover marine electronics, rigging, LED underwater lighting, trailers and more. With over 30 years of experience, our marine and electronics services are available for most all the major brands, including Garmin, JL Audio, Fusion, Mercury™, Suzuki™ and Yamaha™
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 21 both byproducts of fuel refining, and the surplus of those products are polluting our waters, surplus phosphate is also a pollutant. Incidentally the oil we use are hydrocarbons laid down 300-plus million years ago by living things powered by sunlight that struck the earth back then. We are using 300-plus-million-year-old sunlight to power our world, and the surplus is toxic to our environment. And your yard is connected to the Indian River Lagoon. This may seem like a bit of a thought experiment, but it’s true.The way we use our land has a direct effect on the health of our estuaries. About a third of the rain that lands on your property will probably end up in the Lagoon taking with it traces of everything you put on your property. While big agricultural industries use more fertilizers and chemical pesticides than private homeowners, we need to be accountable for our own contributions to the problem. The turf grass industry is now the biggest agricultural industry in the state. As the summertime “fertilizer ban” comes to an end, please consider your part in the big picture. Try being Florida Friendly and consider the cost of a bright green lawn. There are resources available to find out how to have Low Impact Design and Florida Friendly landscape (https:// ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/).
22 TREASURE COAST SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM Boatlift Canopies • Dock Canopies Carport and RV Canopies & All Your Canopy Needs Just CanopiesA Shade Above the Rest! 772-634-2927 • Telephone10FREEwww.justcanopiesinc.comjustcanopiesinc@gmail.comMinuteEstimate Radius Beam • Popular and Proven • Built with side protection instead of standard overhangs • Excellent for pontoon boats or areas with property restrictions Radius Verandah Beam • The People’s Choice over the last two years • Standard overhangs at 24” that gives your boat maximum sun and rain protection • Excellent wind resistance and overall durability
A sawfish,smalltoothPristispectinata
These efforts were published in the 2009 Recovery Plan which recommends specific steps to recover the population, focusing on (1) educating the public to minimize human interactions with sawfish and any associated injury and mortality, (2) protecting and/or restoring important sawfish habitats, and (3) ensuring sawfish abundance and distribution increase. After the Recovery Plan was developed, the effort shifted to putting that plan into action and so the Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Implementation Team, comprised of partners from federal and state government, non-government organizations, universities, and the fishing industry, was created. The team members are the leaders of the research, outreach and education, and management efforts in the United States to protect remaining sawfish while also rebuilding the population. To foster support for the conservation and recovery of this endangered species, the U.S. Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Implementation Team encourages you to visit their website and follow their social media accounts.
Meet the U.S. Sawfish Research and Conservation Team
Find the U.S. Sawfish Recovery Implementation Team at: Web: Facebook:www.SawfishRecovery.orgU.S.SawfishRecoveryTwitter:@SawfishRecoveryInstagram:u.s.sawfishrecoveryPhone:1-844-4SAWFISH
Visit www.SawfishRecovery.org to meet the team members and to learn about the biology of sawfish, including the threats they face. While there you may also provide details of your sawfish capture or sighting and review the recommended sawfish safe release and viewing guidelines. Follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on management, research, and outreach efforts.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 TREASURE COAST 23
By Tonya Wiley, Havenworth Coastal Conservation SAWFISH NEWS
Wiley.TonyaCREDITPHOTO
The goal of the Endangered Species Act is to protect and recover listed species until the point they no longer need the protections afforded by the Act. After the smalltooth sawfish was listed as an Endangered species in 2003, NOAA Fisheries convened the Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Team to develop a plan to recover the U.S. population. The team worked several years to build additional knowledge of the species, to identify the most severe threats affecting the U.S. population, and to develop specific actions for countering the threats and rebuilding the population.
The ImplementationSawfishSmalltoothRecoveryTeam.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Bo Samuel. Marley Osep caught this 24-inch snook at the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart, Fla. at the end of all night fishing. “I grabbed some bait before I went home to sleep, hit the dock before a charter the next day and BAM! The sleepless night paid off.”
Jose Cristales posing with his best red snapper of the 2022 season! Caught fishing with Pullin Drag Charters off Sebastian.
Jumbo mutton snapper caught by Bill Payne (left) aboard the Safari 1.
Christina George caught this 15-inch yellow jack on a live shrimp at the Fort Pierce Inlet.
Leonard and Melissa Fox (father and daughter fishing team) found great action in 80 feet of water south of St. Lucie Inlet all on live bait.
PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1. Todd Taylor Jr., with Hailey and Savannah, snapper catching! The trio caught this nice snapper on a frozen sardine.
PHOTO SUPPLIED by Leonard Fox.
PHOTO CREDIT: Alan George.
PHOTO SUPPLIED by Todd Taylor, Jr.
Email informationyourandhigh-quality(500KBorlarger)photostotreasurecoast@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com.Share Your Brag PhotoHere!
PHOTO CREDIT: Shannon Logue.
#CBC1255391 Experienced and Reputable Fully Licensed Free Estimates Free 2nd Opinions SEAWALL EROSIONCONTROL SAFE FOR ENVIRONMENTTHE 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 SIGNS OF SEAWALLGuaranteedFamilyEROSIONOwnedWorkCompetitive Pricing Serving All of www.FloridaSeawallSolutions.com888.426.1002Florida “This company and its employees are awesome, can’t say enough nice things about them. Great job and neat and tidy!” - Kevin O. OurStrengthensSealsFillsPolyurethanevoidscrackssoils
The eight remaining pink-tagged bass are still swimming in the following Florida waterbodies: Lake George, Lake Talquin, Lake Walk-in-Water, Tenoroc Fish Management Area, Lake Trafford, Lake Istokpoga, Lake Rousseau and Johns Lake. With the 10-Tag promotion ending Sept. 30, FWC is dropping hints by way of online maps showing the area where each of the remaining bass were tagged. These new tagging maps of the remaining lakes could lead lucky anglers to the pink-taggedThroughbass.Florida bass telemetry and tagging studies, FWC biologists have found that where a largemouth bass is tagged and released can frequently coincide with where an angler catches the same bass weeks, months or even yearsDewlater.caught his 10-Tag bass within yards of where the fish was released with its pink tag in Lake Griffin. Of course, these hints come with a caveat: while bass can be predictable, there are many exceptions to their typical home range patterns and some bass are not homebodies at all. In contrast to Dew’s catch, the second reported 10-Tag bass caught by RJ Crawford in Newnans Lake was more than 3 miles from where it was tagged. These hints don’t eliminate water in which a 10-Tag bass might be found but should be treated as higher-probability areas. View each of the ranges on the maps located on the 10-Tag Celebration web page. For more information, go www.trophycatchflorida.com.to Bass Worth Thousands in Lakes
Eight Tagged
Still Swim
14 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Florida
The first pink-tagged bass was caught by Florida angler Dale Dew from Lake Griffin on May 22. Florida angler RJ Crawford caught the second pink-tagged bass from Newnans Lake on June 11. Both anglers were awarded $5,000 Bass Pro gift cards and $1,000 AFTCO gift cards. They will also be entered in a drawing for an additional $10,000, which will be awarded at a ceremony this fall.
With a deadline of Sept. 30, eight tagged largemouths worth thousands of dollars are still swimming in Florida waters.In celebration of Season 10 of FWC’s TrophyCatch big bass program, FWC tagged 10 largemouth bass with bright pink tags in Florida lakes. Just two of those pink-tagged largemouths had been caught as of presstime, so eight are still out there waiting for anglers to catch them and collect thousands of dollars worth of gift cards.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 15
The grant program is open to new or existing freshwater and/or saltwater fishing clubs or teams at public, private and charter schools throughout Florida. To be considered for the grant, school fishing clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent who will follow the provided instructor’s manual.Thedeadline for submitting applications is Sept. 16, 2022 at 5 p.m. The application can be found online at MyFWC.com/SFC by scrolling down to “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.” Applicants can complete the form online or download the application to submit by mail or e-mail. Submit the downloaded applications to R3Fishing@MyFWC.com or mail them to: FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management Attn: School Fishing Club Program Grant 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399. The 2022-23 School Fishing Club Program is supported by partners including Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Pure Fishing, Coastal Conservation Association and Baitstick Fishing. For more information, contact Brandon Stys at Brandon.Stys@MyFWC.com.
•99%•ENHANCED•SUPERIOR *LIFETIME Get the LOWEST Rates! SAVE50% up to on $37,000 $75,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $264/yr $474/yr $586/yr $2,975/yr $5,985/yr BOATS & JETSKI From: InsuranceBoat BOAT INSURANCE SINKING YOU? Your #1 Source for Boat Insurance GET A QUOTE! Covering Boaters throughout the south since 1988 (888) 977-4500 (954) 785-5000 BradleyBoatInsuranceFlorida.comInsuranceGroup
The Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Fishing Grant will award up to 40 high school fishing clubs or teams $500 to assist with club expenses and the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for participants. Participating clubs and teams will receive an updated educational curriculum comprised of lessons and activities on fisheries conservation and resource management, plus a chance to win prizes by completing the program’s Conservation Project.“The School Fishing Club program is an important program for teaching the next generation of anglers about ethical angling and conservation in Florida,” said Director of Marine Fisheries Management Jessica McCawley. “I look forward to seeing the hard work and creativity each club puts into their conservation project activities each year to help preserve the health and quality of aquatic habitats.”
B ack-to-school season is underway and Florida parents, teachers and school staff can apply for funding to support school fishing clubs for students. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2022-23 School Fishing Club Program, previously named the High School Fishing Program, offers school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to apply for the Florida R3 Fishing Grant. The application period is open until Sept. 16. This grant program is focused on engaging youth anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida.
Apply for a Grant to Support School Fishing Clubs
16 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Discount Marine Supplies MELBOURNE 557 N. HARBOR CITY BLVD MELBOURNE, FL 32935 (321) 254-2535 JACKSONVILLE 5615 BLANDING BLVD. JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244 (904) 778-7775 MarineOEMPartsSuppliesMarine PricesSamePricesSameLocationsLowLow JacksonvilleMelbourneMelbourne • AUTOMOTIVE • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL CTX NANO-CERAMIC TINT •SUPERIOR HEAT REJECTION •ENHANCED STYLE •99% UV PROTECTION *LIFETIME WARRANTY Certified DepartmentService Authorized OEM Marine Engine & Parts Dealer Trailer SalesTrailer Parts BoathouseDiscountMarine.comBOATHOUSE
18 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM GREAT FISHING! WHERE THE SUWANNEE & STEINHATCHEE RIVERS MEET THE GULF OF MEXICO YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A BOAT RAMP DIXIEVISITDIXIE.COMCOUNTY SpaceVendorStillaVailable $3.00OFFadmiSSion withthiS flyer Marine Flea Market BOat ShOw and Sale • FiShing SeMinarS • new & USed BOating eqUipMent • SeaFOOd • naUtical decOr
For more information, including complete rules and regulations, go to MyFWC.com.
Bay scallop season is winding down along the west coast of Florida. In most zones it will continue well into September, so here are some tips to help you have fun on the water and maybe pick up a last-minute limit.
One trick to finding productive bottom is to pull a keen-eyed diver on a rope at idle speed. This will help cover water quickly, and once old eagle eye spots a few, you can put out the anchor.
• Hunt the Slack Tides: Finding scallops is generally easiest on a slack tide during calm days when currents are minimal. When the water is still, seagrass stands up straight, and it’s easier to spot scallops at the base of the grass.•Look in the Sand: Pay attention to those sandy potholes on the grass flats. Scallops like grass, but they are easier to see against a sandy bottom. Many times, if you spot one on the sand, there will be several in the grass around it.
• Search in a Pattern: Some divers search in a grid by swimming a straight line out from the boat and then moving sideways 5 or 10 yards before returning to the boat in a straight line. This way you’ll always be looking at fresh bottom.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 19
• Clean Them Quickly: An alternative to keeping scallops alive is to just clean them right away. There should be at least one person in the boat at all times, and this person can clean the scallops while the rest of the team is searching. Scallops open up when they are put on ice, so chunk them in a cooler and clean them while you’re on the water. You can discard the shells into the bay.
• Keep Them Alive: Storing scallops in a livewell is a great idea if you’ve got one. They can also be kept in a cooler of ice, but be careful to drain the freshwater out of the cooler as the ice melts because it will kill your scallops. You want them to be living right up until you clean them.
• Slow Down: If you find one scallop, slow down and search the area thoroughly. There’s usually another one nearby.
TIPS FOR BETTER SCALLOPING By CAM Staff Charters.FishingGrassRockofcourtesyPhoto
• Be Sure to Hydrate and keep yourself greased up with sunscreen. Also, know the seasons, limits and safety regulations for the area you’re scallop hunting.
• Find Your Spot: The most common advice on finding a good scalloping area is to look for the boats. It’s good advice. The flotilla bearing diver-down flags is hard to miss when you find it. Be courteous, give everyone plenty of room and drive the boat slowly, keeping an eye out for swimmers.
20 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM The Return of a Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989 For More Info www.BQGRILLS.com1-252-236-4464 6043 Hwy 301N, Elm City, NC Pig
BBQPatioCookers,Grills,Smokers,CustomizedTrailers
Bait is Everywhere: Live bait is king when it comes to getting bit. A single good throw of the cast net should provide all the bait you need once you find a good school of mullet. Many anglers prefer fishing 5- to 8-inch mullet, because they’re small enough to cast and they’ll draw strikes from fish of all sizes. However, if big tarpon are pounding a bait school, some anglers swear a foot-long mullet catches bigger fish. Either way, freelined mullet are tough to beat. Gamefish look for isolated and injured baits on the outside of the school. Your mullet, hooked just behind the anal fin, will look like the perfect meal as it struggles to stay near the surface. For more on the mullet run, go to coastalanglermag.com.
Find the Bait: Giant schools of bait pull all of the gamefish out of their summer patterns. Tarpon, redfish, snook, jacks, flounder, sharks, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and more transition from whatever they were doing and begin tailing and herding mullet pods. The predatory fish move with their food source. As an angler, you’re wasting your time if you’re not on top of the action.From a boat or from the beach, keep moving until you see fishy looking water. It’s unmistakable when you witness mullet fleeing from leaping jacks and tarpon, but the action can sometimes be harder to spot. Wear your polarized shades, keep the sun at your back and look for diving birds and the ripples of nervous water. There will be gamefish wherever there are huge schools of bait. Also, stay current with mullet activity in your area by sharing information with other anglers and being a regular at the local bait shops.
schools of mullet as they move down the coast. These are perfect feeding areas for gamefish because they provide ambush points as well structure to herd mullet against. Loud and Proud: When it comes to fishing artificials, anything that resembles a mullet is likely to get slammed around actively feeding fish. The hard part is getting marauding fish to notice your lure among thousands of real mullet. This is the time to make a commotion. Early in the mornings, loud topwater plugs that pop, walk-the-dog and throw a lot of water around will get noticed. When the topwater bite slows, it’s time to break out sub-surface plugs, spoons or paddletails on jigheads. Cast around the edges of the bait pods, because gamefish often target baitfish that stray from the pod.
THE MULLET ARE COMING!
Check the Pinch Points: Seawalls, rocky shorelines, jetties and any other structure that juts from the shore will consolidate and channel
D epending on where you fish on Florida’s east coast, the mullet schools have either already arrived or they are on the way. Each fall, mullet flood down the coast in an enormous migration to their spawning grounds off south Florida. Along the way, they are assaulted by everything that eats fish. It’s a special time to be an angler. Here are some of the basics of fishing the mullet run to help you get in on the action.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 FLORIDA 21 Donate A Boat or Car Today! Family Owned & Operated for 45 Years Largest Ship Store in Lake & Sumter Counties Leesburg 352787-5792 Crystal River www.NoblesMarine.com352795-1119 437 N Palmetto St. Leesburg 1931 NW Hwy 19 Crystal River
BLUEFIN SPAWN STUDIED OFF NORTHEASTERN U.S.
22 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Phone Orders Can Be Shipped (561)Custom758-8758Spliced Dock Lines & Anchor Rodes
For as much as we do know about the ocean and the species we love to pursue as anglers, it’s amazing the things still left to be discovered. A scientific paper recently published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences presents evidence that the Slope Sea off the northeastern coast of the United States is a major spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna. The Slope Sea is an area of the Atlantic bounded to the north and west by the northeast United States Continental Shelf and to the south by the Gulf Stream. Science to this point had identified two populations of Atlantic bluefins. One returns to the Gulf of Mexico to spawn and another spawns in the Mediterranean Sea. A 2016 paper established the Slope Sea as a third spawning ground for the species, and this most recent research suggests the Slope Sea is a good place to be a larval bluefin. Researchers used plankton nets to collect larvae in the Slope Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. They compared larval growth in the two regions by studying larval otoliths, which are small bones found in the heads of tuna. Researchers also conducted larval transport simulations to estimate the movement of larvae floating in ocean currents forward and backward in time to evaluate the origin of the larvae. What they found was evidence that Slope Sea tuna larvae grow at a similar rate as those in the Gulf of Mexico. The paper notes that an additional spawning site likely offers resilience for the species in the face of harvest as well as climate change. For more information, read the research at cdnsciencepub.com.
America's #1 fishing map Real-time catch reports for any species. Trusted by 14 million anglers. Scan to download for free!
24 FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
SLOB SNOOK ON THE FLY Nestled on six lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon, take
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. The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts Re-Discover Old Florida Waterfront Charm • FULLY FURNISHED 3 ROOM COTTAGES WITH FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHENS Kingfish Lodge includes a wide screenTV 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 • Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet • 2 miles to the Ft. Pierce Inlet • 12 miles to the Gulf Stream • Laundry, BBQ Grilles and FREE use of our Kayaks NIGHTLY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY • SEASONAL RATES 3011 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com Reservations and Information: (772) 349-2206 Cover Your Vacation with Travel Insurance TRAVELPROTECTION FORYOURRESERVESTAY28DAYSORLONGER&RECEIVE50%OFF STAY 7 DAYS, GET 2 FREE!!! 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 YourHeadquarters.Spearfishing 7610 Industrial Ln. Suite Tampa,8HFL. 33637 813-867-3250neptonics.com SCALLOPINGFREEGUNRIGGING&LOBSTERINGEQUIPMENT Use code coastal10 for 10% OFF your order
Florida angler John Kelly seems to have figured out how to catch big snook with a fly rod. According to the International Game Fish Association, Kelly caught this beautiful 88-centimeter (almost 35inch) snook with a crab pattern on the Indian River Lagoon on July 28. Snook longer than 40 inches are caught pretty regularly from Florida waters, so this one isn’t a true monster. However, IGFA said it could potentially set the all-tackle length fly world record for the species, replacing Kelly’s own record for an 86-centimeter snook he caught in early June. On top of that, Kelly submitted another application for a 91-centimeter snook he landed in early August. These potential records are currently pending and under review by IGFA. Records or not, it’s probably safe to say that Kelly has something figured out about targeting slob snook with fly tackle. For more information, go to igfa.org. a
White catfish are rare anomalies that never fail to set social media abuzz each time an angler catches one. In most instances, biologists attribute the looks of these beautiful pinkishwhite fish to leucism, a genetic trait that results in reduced pigmentation and the pale, sometimes patchy coloration they display.
Contact Scenic City Fishing Charters via www.sceniccityfishing.com.
Staff www.MitziSkiffs.com • www.CHawkBoats.net TO FIND YOUR NEAREST DEALER, VISIT US ONLINE: 25’ C-Hawk CC .comwww.SUMMERTIME FISHING... LET’S GO!
Scenic City has three captains who specialize in guiding anglers to catfish. They’ve encountered four of these white catfish since 2018. Simms keeps records of his catches, and he estimated Scenic City catches about 5,000 catfish a year. While one white catfish in 5,000 caught is hardly good odds, it’s a lot better than one in a million. This one stretch of river is producing more of these strange fish than anywhere else we’ve heard of.
On June 28, 15-year-old Edwards Tarumianz caught a gorgeous, almost pure white blue catfish on the Tennessee River near downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. It was the latest in a string of such fish to come from one small stretch of river. While catching a white catfish has been likened to winning the lottery, it seems the odds are much higher on the Tennessee River below Chickamauga Dam.“It’s become pretty clear to us that we’ve got a little recessive gene floating around in the river right here in the Chattanooga vicinity,” said Richard Simms, owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters. “I actually saw another one just a week or so ago. A guy, just a regular fisherman, caught a piebald. So, yeah, we’ve got a recessive gene floating around.”
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 NATIONAL 9
The Tennessee River’s WHITE BLUE CATS
PHOTO BY RICHARD SIMMS
By TAM
“They are so consistent with their yearly patterns that if you caught them in a spot in previous years, they are probably going to be there again,” he said.
Paylor said a rule of thumb is to troll live baits at around 2 miles per hour. When you get a bite, the rod slams down and the reel starts screaming. Make sure your drag is not set too tightly or it’ll be over.You’ll get a nice long run when the fish is first hooked. The smaller fish of less than 20 pounds will run out of energy pretty soon. Bigger ones, from 30 to 50 pounds, won’t tire as readily, and the real monsters may do it a few times before they tire. Keep your drag set light and let the fish do its thing; follow it with the boat if necessary. A fish (besides sharks) that is the bane of king mackerel anglers is the amberjack. If you troll near any high spot, usually the top of a shipwreck, there may be a school of them there. Their detractors call them “reef donkeys” with disdain. When you are trolling with a carefully prepared trolling rig and putting in hours looking for trophy kings, one of these bad boys can mess you up. Tournament anglers especially dislike them. If you are out trolling for kings and a school of amberjacks show up in your trolling spread, don’t get mad. Have fun! These fish are a blast and hit topwater plugs with abandon. Cast soda-bottlestyle poppers in the 5- to 6-inch-long range such as the Rapala Magnum Xplode or the Yozuri Bull Pop, retrieve them with a big pull and a pause to make a huge splash, and be prepared for an amazing display. Often a group of them will come up together and slash at it with reckless abandon until one finally gets hooked. Be prepared with a heavy casting rod. I’ve caught them on 12-weight fly rods with the biggest popper I could make. They can show up at any time over any wreck or reef. You just have to be ready. If you’re not fishing in a tournament, why not go have fun with them instead of cursing at them. They will come in fast, hit hard and then keep you occupied for about 20 minutes while they try to pull you out of the boat. This article was reprinted from CoastalReview.org.
He recommends using a sea surface temperature chart and seeing where the water is hovering in the 70-degree range and starting your day at a reef or wreck in that zone. If you see bait working—and especially if you see kings feeding—give it a serious shot. If you have seen kings feeding in open water, you’ll never forget what it looks like; they skyrocket out of the water like a submarine-launched missile.
By Capt. Gordon Churchill
With their aggressive nature, willingness to hit almost anything, and ability to make drag screaming runs when first hooked, king mackerel are just a bunch of fun. Because of these qualities, there is a king mackerel tournament somewhere almost every weekend. Plenty of boats head out in pursuit of them from every port, and plenty of tackle dedicated to them is sold in coastal shops.
CATCHINGKINGSISABUNCHOFFUN
To get an idea of what a day chasing kings is like, I spoke Capt. Matt Paylor, of Sound-N-Sea Charters in Morehead City, N.C. For gear, he likes a 7-foot, live-bait trolling rod with a Shimano TLD reel filled to the brim with 20-pound line. Smaller, school-sized kings eagerly hit trolled spoons and frozen cigar minnows, and you can catch a lot of them.When 10- to 20-pounders are hanging out around a structure, such as artificial reefs, wrecks or ledges, casting to them with swimming plugs and topwaters can lead to fast action. For a challenge, try a 10-weight fly rod rigged with a sinking line and a big streamer fly attached to a wireAleader.20-pound king mackerel can make a fly reel sing, Paylor said, however, if you want to get the big ones, you have to use live bait. His go-to is live menhaden, but he also uses live bluefish in the 2to 3-pound range. For trolling live bait, tie 15 feet of 30-pound fluorocarbon to the end of your main line, and to that attach a double hook live bait rig made with No. 5 single-strand wire and size 4 “quad strong” trebleCapt.hooks.Paylor said kings are very predictable.
Gamefish Royalty
THE CARRIER
For more information onThe Carrier,The Scout or the rest of Parkit360°’s trailer dollies, visit: PARKIT360.CA
The biggest and best fleet of towboats are on your waterways, ready to jump into action when you need help on the water. For peaceful, worry-free boating, be sure to get Unlimited towing from TowBoatU.S. Get Towing and Get Going! BoatUS.com/Towing 800-395-2628
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 NATIONAL 11
Parkit360° was founded with a mission to make maneuvering trailers a breeze, even in tight spaces. They are the worldwide leader in manufacturing trailer dollies, and their dedication to innovative problem solving recently led to the release of two new dollies that are again revolutionizing the industry.
The Scout is the only nonelectric trailer dolly manufactured by Parkit360°. It is the perfect cost-effective solution for moving lightweight trailers in ways that would be impossible with a vehicle. The Scout weighs just 28 pounds, and it can be wallmounted or easily disassembled to fit into the trunk of any vehicle. It’s capable of moving up to 3,000 pounds, so it’s ideal for maneuvering lighter boats, campers and utility trailers at home or on the go.
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. OUT NEW SOLUTIONS
PARKIT360° ROLLS
FOR PARKING TRAILERS
THE SCOUT
The Carrier’s Drop & Go connection is an industry first. There’s no need for tightening or external stabilization with an adapter that’s capable of moving up to 13,0000 pounds. Just lower the trailer hitch onto the adjustable height adapter and go. The Carrier helps you move more trailers faster. It’s also remote controlled, which is super cool, and allows the driver freedom to see exactly where the trailer is at all times, even from a distance. With such precise control and the ability for 360-degree rotation, steering within inches of any obstacle is safe and easy.
904-701-9726 • GAUGESAVER.COM SPECIALIZING IN RESTORATION OF AGED, SUNBURNT, OR FADED LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS. WE SERVICE MORE THAN JUST GAUGES! CHART PLOTTERS, VHF’S, RADARS, SOUNDERS, AUTOPILOTS, JET SKI CLUSTERS, AND MUCH MORE. 5049 HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH, GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL 32043 If your device has an LCD that has faded over time, or want to inquire aboutrepairpossibleoptionsforyourunit,giveusacallorvisitourwebsite!
boats, including pontoons, runabouts, RIBS, aluminum fishing
center consoles. Read more at dometic.com
Mobile Living Made Easy.
The Xtreme Power Assist is engineered to bring the smooth, easy control of electric power-assisted steering to a wide of popular boats and
ULTIMATE
range
CONTROL
www.dexteraxle.com
All Dexter actuators are proudly assembled and tested in the USA
A lot of good reputations are riding on Dexter, let us carry yours.
For over 60 years, customers have trusted the innovation & quality designed into every Dexter product. Thoroughly proven in our world-class testing labs, our products are supported by a diversified & well-developed supply chain, strict manufacturing processes & over 350 distribution facilities nationwide. Our history, highly engineered designs, and authentic Dexter parts allow you to spend time on the water instead of working on your boat trailer.
AUTHENTIC
An angler from New Jersey caught a North Carolina state record for cubera snapper on Aug. 3. Thomas Madsen caught the 58-pound, 8-ounce fish offshore of Hatteras while fishing with Capt. Tyler Fleetwood and Sea Dream FishingMadsen’sCharters.big fish measured 49.5 inches total length and had a 41-inch girth. He caught it using a Shimano jigging rod, and a Diawa Saltist reel with 80-pound test. It replaces the previous record, which weighed 58 pounds and was caught off Beaufort Inlet in 2016.The IGFA all-tackle world record for Atlantic cubera snapper was caught off Louisiana in June of 2007 by Marion Rose. It weighed 124 pounds 12 ounces. For more information on North Carolina state records, find the State Saltwater Records webpage at deq.nc.gov.
14 NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2022 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Being original sometimes means others will try to copy you with inferior imitations, but true experience knows it’s never the same.
RECORD CUBERA CAUGHT OFF N.C.
This is not someone’s escaped goldfish; it’s a bright orange smallmouth bass. Angler Josh Chrenko caught the rare genetic anomaly this summer from the Muskegon River in Michigan. Biologists explained that the fish’s odd coloration is due to a rare genetic condition called xanthochromism, which— like albinism or leucism—is usually caused by a recessive gene.
Enter to win sandals in the month of September by visiting: Coastalanglermag.com / contest Every FRIDAY Through September! A PAIR OF KAIKO OCEAN COLLECTION SANDALS! Choose from 5 different strap variations: Dark Ono, Dark Ahi, Dark Mahi, Fish Camo and K-Bay. All with non-marking soles, perfect for boats! ENTER TO WIN
Xanthochromistic fish are orange because the red pigmentation in their skin is replaced by yellow pigmentation.
“Until I caught this guy, I didn’t even know [xanthic bass] existed,” Chrenko wrote in a Facebook post. “For someone that lives and breathes fishing for smallmouth, this is one I’ll remember my entire life… I can only imagine that this little guy had to overcome crazy odds to survive the first couple of years of his life from predation. Being neon-orange would make for a tough life as a small freshwater fish.” Chrenko released his orange smallie after taking a few photos. For more weird fish, go to coastalanglermag.com.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 2022 NATIONAL 15 MAKEOWNYOURICE!BIG TRAYSICE - Makes six 4” cubes - 10 lbs. of Ice per Tray - Last twice as long! - No more plastic bags - Save money by easily reusing bigice.com ANGLER CATCHES BRIGHT SMALLIEORANGE
Xpress • Alweld • stingrAy • VerAndA • Quest AndAlusiA MArine & powersports(334)inc.427-1428 www.facebook.com/andalusiamarine All kinds of parts and accessories in stock and ready for delivery! Innertubes • Ski’s • Wakeboards Ropes • Life jackets Solas and Michigan Wheel Props GreAt service! • Humminbird • Garmin • Lowrance • Minnkota - authorized sales and service center • Rhodan • Certified Full Line Yamaha Dealer 1707 River Falls Street, Andalusia, AL 36421 www.andalusiamarine.com Headquarters For All your Boating needs certified full line YAmAhA deAler!
