FREE
TREASURE COAST EDITION
GEAR
Win a
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PHOTO COURTESY OF TUCKER HARRIS @MACH1TUCK VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 275
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RADAR
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Target AnalyzerTM function, facilitated by Doppler technology, immediately alerts you to targets (displayed in red) that pose a threat to your vessel. Simultaneously track up to 100 moving targets, displaying their speed & course vectors.
RezBoostTM beam sharpening displays higher resolution targets, similar to those from a large open array antenna.
DRS4D-NXT & DRS6A-NXT Doppler Solid State Radar Experience The
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2018 242CC
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THE NEXT GREAT GREAT THE NEXT
THE NEXT GREAT HAVALON HAVALON HAVALON INNOVATION INNOVATION
INNOVATION HAS LANDED. LANDED. HAS LANDED.
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EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com VICE PRESIDENT : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
Anglers Wanted Dear Reader,
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com EMERALD COAST/DESTIN/PENSACOLA : Scott Risher • (850) 428-0996 • srisher@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com Laura Seitz • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA : Gregg Thompson • (864) 542-3112 • gregg@theanglermagazine.com WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Kenny Ritter • (910) 550-9094 • kenny@coastalanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST
GALVESTON/MATAGORDA/UPPER COAST : Chanci & David Mowry • (713) 446-7395 • chancim@coastalanglermagazine.com • davidm@coastalanglermagazine.com MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com NEW ORLEANS : Dr. Dave Dunaway • (225) 400-8156 • nola@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2017-2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
Coastal Angler Magazine and its freshwater component The Angler Magazine are both part of a unique franchise publishing model developed 10 years ago by duplicating the working elements of the local Coastal Angler Magazine that had been publishing since 1996 in Melbourne, Fla. Today, there are more than 30 franchise locations throughout the Continental U.S., Costa Rica and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are now one of the largest, most widely read outdoor publications in the country. Guess what? We’re not done yet. Our goal is to have more than 100 franchise editions throughout the U.S. and abroad. We’ve tweaked and refined our systems over the last 10 years, and now we are ready to continue our expansion.
Let’s Grow Again! If you (or someone you know) loves the outdoors and would be comfortable running your own business, please contact us for more information about joining our franchise team. Best regards,
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
1-888-800-9794
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Marine Wintertime Blowout $209* mon
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www.factorydirectmarine.com *payments calculated at 180 months for well qualified buyers with 20% down. Please note: Prices do not include freight, dealer make ready, and rigging. Pictures may not reflect actual unit and/or available inventory. Price and payment do not include sales tax or fees. Not responsible for typographical errors.
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WE BUILD FUN INTO 26 FEET OF PURE EVERY NAUTICSTAR! FISHING JOY SPORT THE ALL NEW 265XTS DECKS
Step up to NauticStar’s biggest bay boat, the all new 265XTS – Xtreme Tournament Series. The carefully designed hull and deck is optimized for performance, functionality and fishability that will give you capabilities never before seen in a bay boat. Inshore or offshore, the STAR Performance hull is designed to minimize draft for skinny fishing and provide a forgiving ride through tight open chops and coastal swells. Check out all the incredible standard and innovative features of the 265XTS on our website.
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Some photos shown with optional equipment COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Researchers Embark On $10 Million Gulf Red Snapper Study By CAM Staff
W
ith the ongoing debate over red snapper population estimates in the Gulf of Mexico, researchers from the University of Florida have received a $10 million grant to hopefully settle the dispute and determine what the snapper population actually is. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service and Sea Grant are funding the study, which will be conducted over two years by UF associate professors Robert Ahrens and Will Patterson along with researchers from other institutions from around the Southeast. Currently under a federal recovery plan, the Gulf red snapper fishery has been considered overfished since the 1980s by the federal government. Under the recovery plan, coastal communities and businesses, such as charter boat operations and all the others that benefit from money spent by anglers, have been hurt by extremely limited opportunities to harvest this important recreational and commercial species. All the while, recreational anglers and biologists with Gulf state wildlife agencies have been pointing to flaws in the formal stock assessments. And the structure of the allowed catch has created a rift between recreational and commercial fishermen. Over the vast Gulf of Mexico, it will be one of the largest and most ambitious fish studies ever conducted, and even with $10 million in funding, there are those who doubt the study will achieve its goal of a population estimate with a coefficient variation of 30 percent, according to a UF release. Meeting the requirement would require numerous supplementary samples until the numbers contract into the accept-
Jeff and Payton Oney caught their limit of beautiful Gulf red snapper as well as red and gag grouper and other reef fish while fishing off Anna Maria Island with Capt. Larry McGuire and Show Me The Fish Charters. able range of variance between locations. Researchers will use methods beyond catch data in their study. Remote operated vehicles, camera sleds, acoustics and divers will play a role in producing the estimate. Researchers will also be capturing some fish and taking fin clips to develop genetic tags to be used in future estimates. Along with the snapper study, there is excitement over additional information that can be gathered in a study of this size. The distribution and size of other reef fish, as well as the invasive lionfish are of particular interest.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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GEAR GUIDE Beach Marine Products Bay Buddy Bait pens by Beach Marine Products are not your average bait cages. Built by engineers and hard-core anglers, every care was taken to design bait pens that are rugged, durable, convenient for the angler, and stress-free for the bait. They feature a sloped-bottom design and industry-changing false bottom, making recapturing your bait easy. Heavy duty aluminum construction with zinc anode assures a durable product. All hardware is stainless steel and doubled up. The pens are powder coated with no sharp edges to injure or red nose baits. Large oversize doors allow access for cast nets and large dip nets. Beach Bait Pens come in many different shapes and sizes. Their smallest pen is the Bay Buddy, which is ideal for holding shrimp, crabs and multiple species of live baitfish. The Bay Buddy is 20 inches wide by 18 inches deep.
beachmarineproducts.com
Kaku Kayak Wahoo 10.5 With the release of their new Wahoo 10.5, Kaku Kayak is building on its reputation of excellent stability and performance with a more compact boat that retains all the features and performance of the larger Wahoo 12.5. The Wahoo 10.5 tracks extremely well for a shorter kayak, is easy to stand in and responds to tight turns easily. It has all the features of its older brother, the Wahoo 12.5, with plenty of gear tracks, a raised aluminum seat and integrated mounting for the Power Pole Micro. It is also rudder ready and comes standard with a great looking deck pad. It is an extremely versatile fishing kayak that offers a stable, roomy platform for standing to cast or sight fish. There is also plenty of storage in the bow hatch, rear tankwell and a rear day hatch.
kakukayak.com
Wilderness Systems Kayak Krate Wilderness Systems has built a reputation for producing some of the finest fishing kayaks available. The fishability of their boats is improved with a unique and useful line of accessories designed to help anglers fish harder and more efficiently. The Wilderness Kayak Krate is the ultimate tankwell storage option. The Kayak Krate sophisticates tankwell storage with superior function and a sleek look that make storing and accessing gear hassle-free. An open main compartment accommodates larger gear and tackle boxes and features removable dividers. Smaller items can be stowed in the secondary lid storage. Functional and durable inside and out, the Kayak Krate is blow-molded, water resistant, is easily lashed down and comes with four rod holders.
wildernesssystems.com
Tsunami Forged 12 Lever Drag Reel Tsunami recently introduced its new FORGED 12 lever drag reel. It’s a larger and more powerful version of the popular FORGED 10, and it’s perfect for jigging, bottom fishing and live baiting. The Tsunami FORGED 12 is built to catch the strongest saltwater game fish. Its powder-forged frame is lightweight and precision machined for braided line tolerances and strength. The hardened high-precision stainless steel 4.3:1 ratio drive and pinion gears are strong, tough, and operate smoothly. The completely disengaged “floating” spool rides freely on two shielded stainless steel ball bearings mounted to a spool shaft, giving the FORGED extreme free-spool and maximum castability. The instant anti-reverse bearing, along with two failsafe backup dogs, ensure strong, sure hooksets with no line loss. That is when the smooth, powerful carbon fiber drag comes into play, giving you all the fighting control you need. Look for Tsunami’s FORGED 12 online and at your favorite sporting goods retailer.
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biminibayoutfitters.com
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
12/14/17 1:01 PM
GEAR GUIDE Vexilar FishPhone Vexilar has launched a game changer in the underwater camera market. The FishPhone takes Vexilar’s proven Fish Scout camera technology and uses an innovative new WiFi transmitting system to send high quality video directly to your smartphone or tablet. FishPhone turns your smart phone or tablet into a fully functional underwater camera monitor by creating its own 100-foot WiFi hotspot that can be shared with friends or kept secure. The FishPhone works anywhere in the world, and you don’t need cell phone coverage to use it. The free software app works with both Android and IOS systems. The FishPhone comes with a unique holder and battery pack system that makes it easy to carry and manage 50 feet of cable. The camera used in the FishPhone system is a Sony Color/ B&W camera that automatically shifts from color to black and white when light conditions are limited.
vexilar.com
Native Eyewear Eddyline Native’s Eddyline model features a wood Trilaminate construction with silver polarized Reflex lenses. These shades are ideal for inshore adventures since they weigh less than an ounce, and their eight-base curvature fits your face perfectly while blocking side light with thicker temple arms. All Native Eyewear lenses are polarized, impact and scratch resistant, include Cushional non-slip nose and temple pads and come with a limited lifetime warranty. Whether you’re hitting the backcountry or going to the inlet, you need a pair of Natives!
Nativeyewear.com
Dexter SOFGRIP Knives Dexter has been famous for their SOFGRIP white-handle knives for years. It’s a handle other companies try to duplicate but can’t match. The handle is soft to the grip, ergonomically perfect in your hand, and the patented textured pattern makes it slip free. The blades are made of DEXSTEEL, a high-carbon, high-alloy stain free steel that is ultra-sharp out of the package, holds its edge and can be easily re-sharpened. Dexter has been manufacturing knives in the U.S.A. for nearly 200 years. They offer proven quality, proven designs and proven reliability. That’s why Dexter is the No. 1 choice for fishermen. The SOFGRIP comes in a large selection of designs and sizes.
dexteroutdoors.com
Phenix Rods RTS Inshore Whether you’re fishing the flats for trout and snook or pulling big reds from the mangroves, Phenix Rods’ new RTS inshore line has the power to deliver. Super light weight and sturdy, RTS rods feature a T-40 carbon fiber blank with Phenix’s own Nanolite resins that produce excellent sensitivity, while retaining the backbone to fight big hard-pulling reds and snook. The RTS series utilizes the new Phenix Essex T-Ring premium carbide guides with Ring Lock to FrameLok technology and premium high density EVA and cork blend grips, with a carbon reel seat. The RTS series, meaning “reds, trout and snook,” promises to be the lightest, most sensitive inshore rod on the market. It offers 5 casting and 5 spinning models to fit your needs.
phenixrods.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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8 CIGARS
ONLY 10 $
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YOUR PERSONAL LIFEGUARD...
ALWAYS ON - NEVER INTRUSIVE
FREEDOM WITH SAFETY The MOB+™ is a life-saving device for your boat. It provides greater freedom of movement than a traditional kill switch, and stops the engine should you fall overboard. Connect up to 4 people at the same time.
Now available at: &
www.fellmarine.com
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT FELL MARINE MOB+ WIRELESS MAN OVERBOARD SYSTEM
Fell Marine has developed a man overboard system that promises to replace the traditional kill-switch lanyard. The MOB+ Wireless Man OverBoard system is an innovative, ABYC compliant, life-saving safety device for your boat. It provides greater freedom of movement than a traditional kill-switch lanyard, and stops the engine should you fall overboard. But its capabilities extend way beyond that. Up to four xFOB’s can be connected to the xHUB at the same time, with one unit acting as the captain’s stop unit, and the additional three as alarm units for passengers. The system consists of an easy to install xHUB (mounted on or near the boat console) and a wearable xFOB. The two communicate wirelessly with each other and stop the engine when the xFOB is submerged in water or is beyond range of the xHUB. The xFOB can be worn on your wrist, around your neck, or clipped to your PFD using xBAND or xTAG accessories. The waterproof xFOB has more than 300 hours of battery life and is powered by an easy to change standard coin cell battery. The xHUB connects to your boat power (12V-24V) and to your engine-stopping system. The system is intuitive and easy to use, and it is compatible with all major outboard and most sterndrive engines.
WWW.FELLMARINE.COM
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Center sp By Matt Jorn
“I
’ve heard people say ‘A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work,’” said Master Capt. William Mendoza with his trademark wry smile, “I’m not really sure I know the difference.” Capt. Mendoza is a Costa Rica-based charter captain with 30 years of experience. Since 2009 he has run over 250 trips a year on the Wanderer for the FishingNosara team from his home port on the north Pacific coast, making him the busiest charter captain in all of Central America. This area has become a hot spot for anglers because of the nearby bluewater and virtually non-existent commercial pressure; in fact the Costa Rican government has mandated that all commercial fishing must be done at minimum 60 miles from shore. The main fear of men like Captain Mendoza is: will this fishery last? Many have heard stories of Cabo Blanco, Peru and its famous “Marlin Boulevard”. In the 1950s this area produced the most granders in the world, including a 1,560-lb. black marlin catch that is still the world record. Now Cabo Blanco is a ghost town, due to human conceit and greed.
The argument still rages as to why. Some say it was overfishing of the apex predators like marlin and swordfish by sport-fishermen, while others maintain the government opened up the feeder fish, mostly sardines, for overharvesting. Let’s look at the problem from both ends of the food chain. The Costa Rican government enforces their 60-mile line vigorously and is very strong against unlicensed commercial operations. These efforts maintain a healthy number of feeder fish. At the apex level, the preservation of billfish has been spearheaded by groups like the International Billfish Foundation and the IGFA. Costa Rica has also taken the lead in this effort by prohibiting sportsmen from removing billfish from the water (no hero shots allowed) and by banning the sale of meat from marlin and sailfish. “The advantage of catch-and-release billfishing is mainly economical,” noted Capt. Mendoza. “Essentially, we want to create a market where these apex predators are more valuable swimming in the ocean than they are on the scale at a fish market.” On average, a full day of marlin fishing costs $900 and provides renewable income for the captains and mates. Conversely, the value of the same fish at an unlicensed fish market can be as low as pennies per pound. Charter fishing lies somewhere in between the bottom-line driven world of commercial fishing and the fun-loving experience of recreational fishing. “A good charter trip should be fun, productive and educational, especially for novice anglers,” said Capt. Mendoza. “These trips can bring together multiple generations, as fishing tactics are handed down from grandfather to father, father to son.” Capt. Mendoza knows all about that. This season, his 22-year-old son joined him in the mate position on the Wanderer to continue the family legacy. By operating under common-sense regulations, the fishing in Nosara should stay strong for generations to come “The ocean provides me with a livelihood, and I want to protect her the way she’s protected me. My idea of a perfect day is catch billfish, get a nice photo, set it free, and get the lines back out there again. Clearly that’s not a bad day at work.” concluded Capt. Mendoza.
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Starting at $700 pp (904) 591-2161 FishingNosara.com 14
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FLORIDA
By Jennifer Granneman
D
o you live on St. Joseph or St. Andrew Bay and have a privately owned dock or a way to get out on the bay (e.g. kayak, boat, paddleboard)? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking for volunteer scallop-sitters. FWC staff will provide you with juvenile scallops and a predator-exclusion cage. We ask that you either hang your cage with scallops from your dock or place your cage in the bay. Additionally, volunteers will be asked to clean their scallops once a month from April 2018-January 2019. We will provide cages, scallops and training to you during our Florida Sea Grant-sponsored scallop restoration workshops taking place in April 2018. If you are interested in volunteering, email us at BayScallops@MyFWC. com. This project is part of an effort that began in 2016 by FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to restore bay scallops in Florida’s Panhandle. Bay scallops play a big role in the economies of many coastal Florida towns, and this project is intended to increase scallop abundance and
recreational fishing opportunities in the Florida Panhandle. The goal is to both increase depleted scallop populations in some bays and reintroduce scallops in other suitable areas from which scallops have disappeared. While we only ask volunteers to participate for a period of nine months, the project itself will last until 2026. It is funded by restoration money set aside after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This project will boost other restoration efforts already in place. Prior to the 2016 and 2017 scallop season, FWC staff enlisted the help of community members in Port St. Joe to collect scallops prior to the opening of the scallop season and place them in cages in a no-entry zone in St. Joseph Bay. In addition, each year FWC collects adult scallops from St. Joseph Bay and brings them to a hatchery, which provides juvenile scallops the following year. There are currently about 50 cages holding both wild and hatchery-produced scallops in the no-entry zone in St. Joseph Bay. Placing scallops in cages protects them from predators and from people harvesting scallops and increases the likelihood scallops will successfully produce offspring during spawning season. Although we have made progress in our efforts to restore scallops, we think this project would be more successful with additional help from the communities around St. Joseph and St. Andrew Bays. To summarize, the only requirements to participate in this program are: • Live near St. Andrew or St. Joseph Bay from April 2018 - January 2019 • Have access to the bay: either a private dock, boat, or kayak • Be willing and able to care for and clean scallops once a month from April 2018 – January 2019 • Attend or view via webinar our scallop-restoration workshop in April 2018 We hope that partnering with the community on this project will increase our chances of successfully restoring scallops to St. Joseph and St. Andrew Bays. If you are interested in volunteering, email us at BayScallops@MyFWC.com. Jennifer Granneman, an Associate Research Scientist at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, can be reached at Jennifer. Granneman@MyFWC.com.
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Experience the Best in Boating and Sailing from Around the Globe. More than 1,400 boats—in water and on land • Over 1,100 exhibitors New boat models and product debuts • Demo docks • Marine electronics pavilion NEW for 2018! ONE location for power and sail. We’re welcoming Sail to Miami Marine Stadium—with nearly 100 sailboats and catamarans, plus sailing gear, and rigging, sail travel and charter services and education.
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ith new Sail and VIP areas, the 2018 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show drops anchor at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin from Feb. 15-19. The five biggest days in boating will dock over President’s Day weekend, attracting an estimated 100,000 boating enthusiasts to experience the show, which is now in its 77th year. Creating the ultimate destination for boating enthusiasts from around the globe, sail will join power in one location, as the Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Miami moves to Miami Marine Stadium, where boaters and sailors alike will have the opportunity to browse, board and buy more than 1,400 boats in-water and on-land on Virginia Key. From sport fishing boats and high performance boats to personal watercraft and wake sport boats, family cruisers, sailboats and luxury yachts, there is something for every lifestyle and budget. The latest marine technology and fishing accessories will also be on display, making the Miami Boat Show a can’t miss winter destination for those with a taste for life on the water. “Miami’s favorite Boat Show is back, bringing the best in boating and accessories from around the globe,” said Larry Berryman, manager for the 2018 show. “We have all new boats—including worldwide model debuts,
more yachts and larger boats than ever before, and every leading boat brand and major engine manufacturer on site. There truly is something for every lifestyle and budget. ” Compare and try before you buy! If you’re looking to get out on the water, the Miami Boat Show will offer sea trials, where interested shoppers can take the boat of their dreams for a spin in Miami’s open waters. This year, more boat exhibitors will participate, giving boat buyers a chance to test-drive a number of options to find the perfect fit. In addition, following last year’s popular sold-out on-water boating skills workshops, the show will offer its Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training with more daily power boating and sailing courses. Space is limited; advance registration is recommended. “Center console and sport fishing boats are the bread and butter of our show,” said Berryman. “Buyers will be able to go for a ride on the water and then browse thousands of marine products and accessories featuring the latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies, as well as an entire tent dedicated to fishing.” Attendees seeking the VIP treatment will have access to the new, all-inclusive VIP experience, which includes one-day entry to the show and all its features, as well as complimentary food, drink and entertainment within an exclusive luxury VIP deck offering unparalleled views of Miami and the show. Travel to the show by land or sea! With the streamlining of the show’s venues into one location also comes the streamlining of transportation options. The Miami Boat Show will offer seamless transportation to and from Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin by water taxi and shuttle bus, and include more convenient parking options on Virginia Key. www.miamiboatshow.com
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t the age of 15, fishing has become as much a part of my life as the food that sustains me. Addicted? Obsessed? Crazed? Yes, yes and yes… Thanks dad! My first experience with fishing was at the age of four while cobia fishing with my dad out of Destin, Fla. The plan was to head out and try to intercept migrating fish early in the season. I spent the day going back and forth between playing with the eels in the livewell and watching Power Rangers on my portable DVD player. Although we never found the cobia, the highlight for me (aside from the eels and Power Rangers) was reeling in a small grouper from 30 feet below the surface. I remember that day as an exciting, fun-filled adventure which ended with me asking, with a big smile on my face, “When are we going again?” Years have passed since my indoctrination. Since then, there have been countless fishing adventures, experiences and learned lessons, all of which have led me here today; writing my first column and sharing with you the first part of what it means to “Take a Kid Fishing.” The significance of this much-used catch phrase is far reaching and encompasses everything from strengthening bonds to protecting our oceans for future generations. This sport presents opportunities on all levels, from the novice angler to the most experienced. However, kids rely heavily on adults to facilitate opportunities for them, to mentor and show them the way. We are the future of fishing; we need adults to help us be the voices of tomorrow. My most recent outing took place out of Crystal River, Fla. We
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chased the gag grouper that invade the shallow-water rock piles in the Gulf as the water temperature cools. These grouper are caught in as shallow as 10 feet of water. So, on nice days even the smallest skiffs can get in on the fun. If you don’t own a boat or are not familiar with the area, there are dozens of local charter captains who will put you on the fish. We started our day by loading up the livewell with pinfish for bait. Soon after, we arrived at the first pile of rocks in 12 feet of water. Within minutes, the pinfish was on the bottom and the anticipation of a grouper inhaling my bait had me shaking with excitement. It didn’t take long before my rod doubled over as a fish tried getting back to the rocks. With the drag almost locked, I had him coming to the surface, and after a few minutes a beautiful 12-pound gag grouper was in the boat. Another five spots, and we had our limit of four fish and released another seven. We smiled all the way back to the dock. That evening, we loaded the grill with grouper and veggies, then sat back and reminisced on the awesome day we shared. Cory Gurman is a freshman at Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Besides reveling in the great outdoors, Cory enjoys spending time with his three golden retrievers and rooting for the Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Instagram @fishhunter1119.
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hen a team of Kaku Kayak pro-staffers took their boats out at Flamingo in Florida’s Everglades National Park, they were hoping to catch some tarpon or big snook for promotional material on the new Kaku VooDoo. What they ended up catching was perfect testament to the boat’s stability as a fishing platform. For many, the idea of doing battle from a standup paddleboard (SUP) with a nearly 5-foot-long bull shark might seem ridiculous. The VooDoo passed this test with flying colors, which belies the fact that the boat is not really an SUP in its truest form. Kaku owner Kevin Hawkins has designed a boat that melds the best aspects of an SUP, a kayak and a micro-skiff. Flamingo was still a mess of downed trees and debris from Hurricane Irma when the four pro-staffers launched in early December. With channels to the backwater blocked, they were forced to paddle outside into Florida Bay, to fish some small mangrove islands. With a steady wind pushing it, the outgoing tide was ripping, Hawkins said. They hadn’t found the fish they were looking for, so they Power Poled down in a group to snack, talk and soak a cut mullet. “Out of nowhere, this shark jumped up right out of the water so close it splashed one of our kayaks,” Hawkins said. “We couldn’t figure out why a shark would act like that if it wasn’t chasing bait or something.” From aboard a VooDoo, pro-staffer Preston Haytac had an idea. He asked to see the cut-bait rod from the rod-holder on another team member’s boat. He cranked up the slack, and a sleigh ride ensued. “The shark must have grabbed the bait and run right toward our boats,” Hawkins said. It only took about five minutes for Haytac to battle the beast to the side of his VooDoo. Hoisting it onto the deck for the hero shot was an ordeal in itself, and further testament to the boat’s stability. It was an exciting catch that seems unimaginable from the deck of an SUP. Of course, even though it’s got the wide-open deck and stand-up capabilities of an SUP, Hawkins doesn’t really consider it an SUP. At 13 feet long, with a width of 35 inches, and weighing less than 80 pounds, the boat boasts off-the-charts stability and paddles well from seated or standing positions. The design of the chair makes the Voodoo a fantastic sight-fishing vessel. Without need for adjustment, the chair offers two seating positions and can be used as a sight-casting/poling platform. It can be adjusted forward or back on tracks to suit angler preference, load and water conditions. The vessel’s stern also sets it apart. It features five molded-in Power Pole mounts to allow for single or dual Power Pole Micros, and the options also include the ability to motorize the VooDoo along with those Power Pole mounts. Check out all of the capabilities of Kaku’s new VooDoo at kakukayak.com.
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By Richard Matteson, staff writer for Stuart Rod and Reel Club
E
ither wading or in a flats boat, the vast flats of the Indian River Lagoon offer opportunities to catch fish in skinny water, sometimes in depths of less than a foot. In general, most shorelines and flats are very shallow, and the best fishing for trout, snook and redfish is often in those shallow 1- to 4-foot depths. There are several strategies for fishing the flats, and they are always dependent on the tide and baitfish. At high tide, the fish will be nearer the shoreline around fallen trees, piers and mangroves. The shallow humps in the flats areas offshore will be best. If it’s low or falling tide, fish will pull out to secondary spots along the break line.
There’s a shelf that extends along the shoreline that is a breakline. At the edge of the shelf, it drops 6 inches to a foot and creates an ambush point in slightly deeper water. A different breakline is created by sandbars, where a trough between the sandbar and the bank provides deeper water that predator fish swim along looking for bait. Traditional hotspots like Walton Road have both—a sandbar that’s just past the piers for several miles and a trough nearer the shoreline. This deeper water area is a staging place for trout, snook and redfish as they move to the shallows in search of food. Shallow water means an easy meal for the predators since bait has nowhere to go to escape. When the tide is low, predators move out past the sandbar of find deeper haunts off the ends of piers. When the tide is high, they move back to the inside of the sandbars to cruise the shoreline and venture into the mangroves. Look for shadow lines along the mangroves, and fish the shadows of the piers. The flats extend several hundred yards from the shore in most places before the water deepens to 4 or 5 feet deep. Any shallow contour change will attract feeding fish. There are a number of shallow water locations far from the shore that hold fish. Some flats with shallow areas are north Herman’s Bay (east side), Sailfish Flats (east side), The Moorings (west side), Bear Point (east side), Harbor Branch (west side), and the flats across from The Crossroads. In the winter months, these flats are ideal places to catch pompano, and other seasonal cold-water fish like mackerel and bluefish. Jacks and ladyfish also provide plenty of action, although they aren’t table fare. The trout fishing this winter is best north of Fort Pierce inlet, and there are numbers from Harbor Branch to Wabasso. Some keys to fishing the flats: 1) look for birds and baitfish; 2) find places along the flats that have 3 to 5 feet of water and that are near a trough or shallow edge. The South Indian River Lagoon is a shallow estuary with lots of fishing action. Put on your waders or hop in your boat and head for the flats.
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Warner University Opens Marine Technology Program
L
ocated right off Highway 27 in Lake Wales, Fla. is a small Christian university designed to fit the needs of its students and community. With hundreds of lakes surrounding the area and abundant marine life, Warner University saw a need to add a vocational side to their list of programs, specializing in marine technology. In 2016 Dr. Hoag, president of Warner University, began work on the perfect plan to fit the bill. There has been a large increase in demand for marine technicians, and Warner is working to provide hard-working young men and women to the industry. A representative at a marina close to campus said, “ . . . There is a huge shortage in the market. Every certified marina/boat dealership in Florida will tell you that. If you have a program for marine mechanics, we would love to talk to your graduating students.” One thing that is special about the program is the two different approaches students can take when getting their certificate. The first is the more traditional route, which will be the certificate only. This is best for students who want to be certified in several different areas surrounding the marine technician field. For those who want this experience as well as their two-year degree, there is a second route, which would be earning their Associate of Applied Science degree in Marine Technology. No matter which route the students choose to take with the program, employers can be ensured the students will come out well prepared to perform routine maintenance as well as effectively and efficiently diagnose mechanical, electrical and electronic problems. Experiences each student gain while enrolled in the program will take them anywhere from product assembly to hull, from vehicle identification to propulsion, and from fuel and lubrication systems to electrical and electronic systems. We can’t forget to mention their service training and customer care as well! Warner University is extremely excited to kick-off classes in January for their first group of students coming in, and is still accepting applications until the start of classes on January 15. Only a few spots remain, though. “We are really happy to offer this course to everyone. After years of seeing what is going on in the industry, we have assembled an amazing team to not only help students but also address what the dealerships, marinas and OEMs are looking for.” Said Justin Maley, program manager. Located in Central Florida with exclusive access to a 7,000acre lake right out the back of their classroom, the new Warner University Marine Program can offer much more than most similar programs in the country. Along with the ability to gain an A.S. in Marine Technology, interest in the program has been extremely high. If you or someone you know may be interested in the program or would like to tour our facility, contact admissions director Stacey Robertson at Stacey.Robertson@warner.edu or by visiting warner.edu. You will find the marine program by going to the academics tab then selecting undergraduate programs.
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COASTAL ANGLER Treasure Coast edition Co-Publishers Gary and Misti Guertin
Sailfish Season on Treasure Coast Opens with Steady Action
Finest Kind Quickie winner Showtime!
By Ed Killer, TCPalm.com and USA Today Network
S
oon after the Thanksgiving leftovers were put away in the refrigerator, it was time for sailfish tournament specialists to get out on the water for bow to bow action. Boats from up and down the eastern seaboard arrived in Stuart to participate in the five-event season which extends into early January in this region. The first two tournaments – the Fish Heads of Stuart Quickie and the Pirates Cove Sailfish Classic – hosted fleets of 17 and 18 boats, respectively. Mullet were rigged for teaser baits, fresh ballyhoo were fitted with circle hooks, and some of the nation’s finest crews assembled. Only trouble was, someone forgot to tell the sailfish. Fish Heads of Stuart Quickie The Quickie, known as the Fish Heads of Stuart Invitational for the past four years, after it ran for about 12 years under the Finest Kind flag, returned this year. Fish Heads owners Brent and Heather Kane added a tournament to the Treasure Coast calendar by bringing back the Quickie on its original post-Thanksgiving dates, and moving the Fish Heads Invitational to Dec. 14-17. Brilliant move by the Kanes which should pay off with a solid tournament for both fishing and participation. Showtime! — with Capt. Wink Doerzbacher and owners and anglers Nancy and Fred Hardwick of Sailfish Point, Howard Webb, Ebby Hall and Tom Russell, and crewmen Jon Meade, Jimbo Brogan and Mike Everly Jr. — capitalized on all three of the team's sailfish bites around midday on the event’s second day to win the Quickie with nine total sailfish catches. The fleet of 17 boats tallied 70 sailfish in two days. Not bad, but nothing that is going to burn
up social media, either. Day one daily award winner Miss Victoria — with Capt. Brian Speedy, owner and angler Bob Genord of Palm Beach Gardens, angler David Lopez and crew Chris Martin, Heath Brown, Colton Reiser and Dave Berard Jr. — caught the only sailfish bite the team had to finish runner-up with eight sailfish. Challenge, led by Capt. Jim Hardee and with owner Mike Fogel of Stuart and team, finished in third place overall, also with eight releases, dropping the tiebreaker with Miss Victoria based on time of last release. For more information about this tournament or events go to the Fish Heads of Stuart Facebook page. Pirates Cove Sailfish Classic What is the anniversary present for a couple’s first year? Paper? Not in Stuart, Sailfish Capital of the World. In the Cameron household, the best anniversary present is a sailfish tournament daily award and tournament victory. Floridian's Capt. Glenn Cameron, wife of one year, Jennifer, one of Floridian's anglers, angler Jimmy Vaughan of Lake Wales, and crewmen J.J. Davidson and Justin Drummond, won the 29th annual event. For Cameron, one of Florida's all-time winningest sailfish tournament captains, he relied on a gut feeling on the tournament’s final day, which was affected by the bright full supermoon. "I ran to a place just northeast of Fort Pierce Inlet and set out on a spot that I know holds bait," said Cameron, who holds the Sailfish Classic tournament record with 33 sailfish caught during the 2008 tournament. "I figured with the moon, there might be a better morning bite, and then the action might slack off." Floridian wound up with 12 sailfish releases, won the first day
PHOTO CREDIT: Ed Killer.
daily with six, and held off late charges by Toast led by Capt. Newt Cagle, Miss Victoria led by Capt. Brian Speedy and Intents led by Capt. Rhett Bailey. Champagne Lady, led by Capt Josh Chaney, the 2016 Pirates Cove champion, won the day two daily award and began the final day in
PHOTO CREDITS: X
TOWING FROM
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the lead, but was unable to find a fish as slow fishing persisted. The fleet of 18 boats wound up with 101 sailfish in three days. For more on the Sailfish Classic and dates for next year go to the Pirates Cove Resort and Marina website.
JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 1
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s ’ r a e y new ? n o i t u l o s re e m i t e r o M d spen ! r e t a w e h t on
325 FREEDOM
FWC
news updates
$25,000 received for new 2018 tagged-lionfish removal incentive program At the Dec. 5 Commission meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) gratefully acknowledged $25,000 in charitable donations from six generous sponsors. These funds will go to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and will be used as cash prizes for a new and novel lionfish removal incentive program, rewarding harvesters who find and remove lionfish previously tagged by FWC staff. Lionfish are a nonnative invasive species that can reduce native fish populations and negatively affect the overall reef habitat. This program will run May 19 through Sept. 3, 2018, and will coincide with the annual summer-long Lionfish Challenge, which rewards recreational and commercial lionfish harvesters with prizes for submitting their lionfish removal efforts. “The FWC could not be more thankful and excited about the rallying efforts to draw attention to the important lionfish issue,” said FWC Commissioner Bo Rivard. “The control of nonnative lionfish populations has always been a group effort, and what these companies and organizations came forward with to help encourage removals is simply outstanding.” The following companies and organizations made contributions at the December meeting: • Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. • American Sportfishing Association. • Boat Owners Association of the United States. • National Marine Manufacturers Association. • Coastal Conservation Association Florida. • Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. The goal of the 2018 tagged-lionfish removal program is to increase statewide removal efforts by giving divers a greater incentive to harvest lionfish more often while in search of the valuable tagged fish. Additional non-cash prizes are also available for those who harvest and submit a tagged lionfish. The program also will provide FWC with valuable data on the movement of lionfish. Approximately 6 to 8 lionfish will be tagged at each of 50 randomlyselected public artificial reef sites throughout the Atlantic and Gulf between the depths of 80 and 120 feet. Participants will have access to the reef locations at ReefRangers.com. Additional information about the rules and requirements of the taggedlionfish removal program will be announced in early 2018. PHOTO CREDIT: MyFWC.com.
236 FishERMan
Florida Fish and Wildlife
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JANUARY 2018
New program to be rolled out in 2018 to increase statewide removal efforts of lionfish.
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8 to onfish.
JANUARY FISHING CONDITIONS
772-405-9092 Kevin Moody 3970 NW Federal Hwy | Jensen Beach Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. See geico.com for more details. GEICO and Affiliates. Washington DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2015. © 2015 GEICO.
January 1
BEST
Evening
January 22
POOR
January 2
BEST
Evening
January 23
POOR
Evening
January 3
FAIR
Evening
January 24
FAIR
Morning
January 4
FAIR
Evening
January 25
FAIR
Morning
January 5
FAIR
Evening
January 26
POOR
Morning
January 6
FAIR
Evening
January 27
POOR
Morning
January 7
POOR
Evening
January 28
BEST
Morning
January 8
POOR
Morning
January 29
BEST
Morning
January 9
GOOD
Morning
January 30
FAIR
Morning
January 10
GOOD
Morning
January 31
FAIR
Evening
January 11
GOOD
Morning
January 12
POOR
Morning
January 13
POOR
Morning
January 14
POOR
Morning
January 15
POOR
Morning
January 16
POOR
Evening
January 17
FAIR
Evening
January 18
FAIR
Evening
January 19
BEST
Evening
January 20
BEST
Evening
January 21
BEST
Evening
Evening
What do the ratings mean? POOR day basically means the fish will either steal all your bait or will not even touch your line. FAIR day means that you catch one or two fish but you will have to work hard to do so. GOOD day means that you will catch enough fish to feel gratified. BEST day means that you will catch something almost every time you cast your line in the water. SOURCE: The Old Farmers’ 2017 Almanac
Tackle & Bait
River, Inshore & Offshore
PHOTO CREDIT: MyFWC.com.
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JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 3
12/13/17 2:20 PM
fishing forecasts
martin county offshore
Capt. Scott Fawcett
Off the Chain Fishing Charters (772) 285-1055 fishscottyf@bellsouth.net offthechainfishing.com
H
appy New Year fellow fish fans! If there’s one thing I’m sure about, it’s that, although 2017 offered up some great fishing, the weather was a little off. Excessive wind, rain and waves made it difficult to get out on a regular basis but when we did, it was worth it. January is one of my favorite months to fish off the Treasure Coast, but again, don’t expect the weather to be overly inviting. Usually this time of year, the rougher the better. Look for cold fronts with stiff north winds to push sails, mahi, blackfin tuna and all the other pelagic species down the reefs. While dredges work well for all species of fish year-round,
this is the time when you don’t want to be fishing without one. Focus around color changes, bait, and bottom structure for your best Look for cold fronts with opportunities. Four small naked stiff north winds to push ballyhoo, rigged on circle hooks and sails, mahi, blackfin tuna fished behind mullet or ballyhoo and all the other pelagic dredges, is my go-to spread for species down the reefs. this time of year. A squid chain is a great attractor too, especially on calmer days. Light line, and light drags is the recipe for success when targeting sails this time of year. Try fishing your baits just out of freespool so when the fish bites there is less resistance allowing the fish to get the bait in his mouth easier. After a short drop back, push the lever forward and reel slowly. The key to circle hook fishing is let them eat and don’t strike the fish. While the beginning of the new year is known for its sail fishing, Martin County offers a lot more than just that right now. With warmer waters for the last few years, the reef fishing and bottom fishing has been very steady year-round. Unfortunately, grouper season just ended but there are still plenty of seabass and a variety of different species of snapper that you are allowed to target. Check out PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Scott Fawcett. Capt. Rocky’s deep-sea report from the Safari for a better idea of what’s there and be safe. I hope your 2018 and big thumps. Looking forward to going on the bottom. Good luck out is Off The Chain, full of teaser bites seeing you on the rip.
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JANUARY 2018
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martin county inshore nearshore
Capt. Giles Murphy Stuart Angler Bait & Tackle (772) 288–1219 www.stuartangler.com giles@stuartangler.com
A
s we settle into the winter months, the fishing continues to change. Our local snook have moved further inshore, away from the inlet, and back toward the St. Lucie and Indian rivers. Juvenile snook can be found along the mangroves and seawalls feeding on small menhaden minnows. The bigger snook like to sit belly-down on the bottom during the colder months in deeper water. We like to target deep bridges and certain areas of the channel with little current and boat traffic. The medium and big snook can also be found under any big boat at dock in
MARTIN COUNTY deep sea
Capt. Rocky Carbia
Safari I Deep Sea Fishing Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno Reservations: (772) 334-4411 Safari-1.com
B
est fishes for the New Year will be found around and atop the expansive reef system just offshore of Martin County. Naturally occurring coral reefs, along with over five dozen artificial reef sites east of our St. Lucie Inlet will become the focal point for offshore game plans and fishing strategies. Like the changes on the pages of the New Year`s calendar, the offshore playing field will display a new profile in the form of winter time fish that will settle into these salty reef habitats. Schools of Spanish and king mackerel and lane snapper will congregate this month and populate seasonal, preferred reef areas. While most species of fish can be found over a wide area in our local zone, these fish seem to have a predilection to certain spots, like the offshore Peck Lake/ Kingfish Hole, the 140 King Numbers, and the Sand Pile (the Texas Reef), just to name a few. Local knowledge of the preferred and proven fish haunts will be the primary component to any angler`s chance for success.
the river. Simply park up-current and pitch a big shrimp or any live baitfish under a big boat and wait for a big hit. The winter months are sometimes the best months to fish the Indian River from the Sailfish Flats, up north to Jensen Beach. Along the shorelines, you have two options, the east side and the west side of the river. The east side offers endless mangrove shoreline to pitch soft-plastic lures or flies for 15-to-24-inch snook. The east side also offers lots of grass flats to target redfish and trout. The grass flats can be easily found by searching Google Earth. When fishing the grass flats, I prefer drifting instead of using the trolling motor. On windy days, a drift-sock helps a lot by slowing the drift. By attaching the driftsock midway bow to stern, the boat will drift perpendicular in the wind giving two anglers perfect position, bow and stern, to cast downwind. Some lures I use are D.O.A. C.A.L. Jigs, MirrOdines, Spinnerbaits, Gulp Minnows Bucktail jigs, and topwater MirrOlure Popa Dogs. As the water
gets colder, early mornings aren’t always the best. When the sun makes direct contact, and the water temp spikes a few degrees, the fishing turns on, usually 8-to-10 a.m. The pompano have started to show up for anglers surf-casting from the beaches. Some pompano
Anglers can search out for GPS numbers for many of Stuart`s reef locations by logging on to www. martinreefs.com. This website will give one an expansive selection of all of Martin County`s offshore Artificial Reefs. The seasonal conditions associated with the Florida winter, will be firmly in place in January`s near coastal fishing zone. This month, the steady and rhythmic procession of cold fronts will have patterned the way these fish feed and move through this zone. Given the proper, user-friendly weather window, anglers will be able to ply honey holes in depths from 25 to 180 feet of water, where pelagic and resident fish will frequent, for feeding and spawning. Live bait should be available in abundance
by January, however, anglers should always bring a good selection of dead baits (like Spanish sardines, ballyhoo, and squid) in case live bait is not easily found on a particular fishing day. Spoons and jigs should always be part of good offshore tackle box, so don`t forget to bring a selection of artificial baits or lures, along with whole dead baits. A good selection of frozen baits and jigs will always compliment a live well full of ammo and give January`s offshore angler endless options as they dial in the desired fish catching strategy. So, in January, watch the weather, find your fish-friendly window and keep your offshore strategy options open. With preplanning and a cooler full of bait, this will lead to happy fishing and a Happy New Year!
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
KJ Detterman with a nice trout caught on bucktail jig.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Giles Murphy.
1/2 Day Trips aboard a Custom 19’ Flats Boat
not valid in combination with other offers or discounts-offer valid thru January 31st.
Safari I Deep Sea Fishing Boat Located at Pirates Cove Resort and Marina 4307 SE Bayview St. Port Salerno/Stuart, FL
For Reservations call (772) 334-4411
TRiP TiMES Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Adults $50; Children $40
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PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1 Deep Sea Fishing.
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Jumbo lane snapper caught aboard the Safari 1.
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Snook, Trout, Redfish!
Ft. Pierce, FL www.captjoeward.com
have been caught north of the St. Lucie Inlet at Tiger Shores Beach and Virginia Forest Beach. The bait of choice is salted clams with incoming tide morning or afternoon. Among the pompano, lots of croakers and some whiting have been caught as well.
Sunday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Adults $60; Children $50
JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 5
12/13/17 2:20 PM
fishing forecasts
south indian river lagoon
Capt. Charlie Conner
Capt. Charlie’s Fish Tales Charters (772) 284-3852 captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com www.fishtalescharter.com
Black drum are plentiful in January and you can find nice sized fish this month. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Charlie Conner.
H
appy New Year! January is typically windy, and the tradition will continue if recent weather gives insight to the coming month. Using the right ramps can make your day a little easier; there are many that allow you to launch depending on wind direction. Although the river can be rough some days, you can still fish most days if you plan your trips carefully. Bridges will continue to produce sheepshead, black drum, croakers, sand perch and bluefish. Most of the anglers on the catwalks prefer
live or frozen shrimp for these fish. The inlet and turning basin will be full of bluefish, jacks and mackerel. Live or dead bait on a jig head will give you plenty of action along with silver spoons or shiny lures. Around seawalls, channel edges or deeper structure you can find grouper for catch and release action in January. Snook action around the jetties and bridges will be active mostly at night for anglers using feather jigs, Terror Eyz and live bait. Snook closed on December 15, so it will be catch and release for them. Redfish can be found around
Fort Pierce Deep Sea
and with a little searching you can lock in on them by finding their reef of choice. Look for bottom structures, artificial and natural reefs and cast your line, if no bite, move to the next one. Be prepared for other reef species such as trigger fish and black sea bass to take the bait as well. Try your favorite structures or check out www.floridagofishing.com for GPS coordinates along the Treasure Coast. Fish smack on the brain? Fresh catches of Spanish and king mackerel, along with cobia, will make for delicious appetizers. These darting delights will be seen shooting out of the water left and right. While making
Capt.'s Cole and Zach Hazellief Lady Chris Charters (772) 971-7179 TheLadyChris.com
H
ello 2018! January will offer an array of good catches. The cold fronts will produce cooler water temperatures and get the reef fish and migratory species moving. The reefs will be harboring various schools of delicious snappers,
docks and sitting on the flats on warm, sunny days. The new 2 ¾-inch D.O.A. shrimp, Terror Eyz or C.A.L. jerk baits work great for wintertime fishing. We had fantastic results around mangroves for redfish last year. C.A.L. paddle tails in the 411 color were a hit with the reds. Docks will be loaded with sheepshead. They have moved in early this year and have been hungry! Pompano fishing will depend on water temperatures, but they will be in the area throughout the winter. Surf anglers will be targeting these fish on days when the beach is fishable.
Flounder should be found around the jetties on the beach side and on sand flats around the inlet. If you can find warmer water on the flats, you will most likely find trout feeding in those areas. Last year, we were rewarded many days as the sun would warm up a patch of water and get the fish actively feeding. Trout fishing in 2017 rewarded us with many big fish in the 25- to 30-inch range. C.A.L. jerk baits and Deadly Combos were very successful on the trout, and 2018 should prove to be another good year. Ladyfish and jacks will be all over the river for fun action for the little ones. January Tips: Dress for the weather. We might get one or two days each week that might be warmer, but most days will be on the cooler side. There can be a 30-degree temperature swing some days. Dressing in layers can keep you comfortable throughout the day. Once you become cold, it's hard to warm back up again. Keep yourself comfortable and enjoy some good fishing in January. Remember, fishing is not just another hobby, it's an ADVENTURE!
Butch Scott is always ready for ‘Fryday’! Triggerfish is on the menu and always a delightful bite.
PHOTO CREDIT: Lady Chris Charters.
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JANUARY 2018
your way offshore, don't forget to stop by buoys, they are good places to find a prized tripletail seeking shelter under flotsam. Trolling ballyhoo or live bait past the reefs could hook you up with a speedy sailfish, unless the kings or bonitos get to it first. As long as the winds stay calm,
2018 will start off with great catches! We want to thank everyone who has come out fishing with us this past year, and are excited to see what 2018 has in store for us. Let the new year resolutions reflect the need to do more deep-sea fishing. Tight lines and good vibes!
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12/13/17 2:20 PM
st. lucie county inshore
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters (772) 201-5770 or (772) 461-1335 CWard11605@aol.com captjoeward.com
T
he inshore fishing should be red hot in January if the weather conditions are good. This is the time of year when the cold fronts start coming south with all the low temps and strong northeast winds causing a lot of headaches for anglers. But, it is time for the bluefish, Spanish mackerel, croakers and black drum to show up in full force. These fish will be coming in the mouth of the Fort Pierce Inlet and working their way into the turning basin and both north and south in the river. On the nicer days, try some of
st. lucie county offshore
Capt. Danny Markowski
LottaBull Fishing Charters (772) 370-8329 lottabull4@bellsouth.net lottabullfishingcharters.com
W
ith the winds still blowing hard in January, there are still fish to be caught. The water temperature should have dropped enough to bring in the schools of bluefish from the north. Bluefish will be from the beaches to one or two miles offshore. On days that the weather will allow, you can find bluefish cruising the near shore waters in larger schools. This will
these tips. Redfish and trout will be in the deeper holes and channels around places like Harbor Branch and Queen's Cove to the north and to the south try places like Pete Stone Creek or Big Mud Creek. Try working a live shrimp on an ⅛- or a ¼-ounce jig head and fish it very slow if the water is cold. For some fun, and maybe a fish dinner, try fishing in the Fort Pierce Inlet and the area between the bridges for some nice Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Your best results will probably come from using a Gulfstream Flash Jig or a small spoon. Just look for the birds and the fish feeding on top. Remember, don't take more than you can eat because these fish don't freeze well and there should be plenty of them around all winter. For the bottom fish like black drum, sheepshead and croakers, use a live shrimp or a fiddler crab on a #2 hook and a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader with just enough weight to
allow you to get out and bend some rods. They travel in schools looking for anything that swims to eat. You can catch bluefish on smaller mullet, pilchards and sardines if you are a live bait fisherman. The faster the bait swims, the better the chances of hooking these fish. If you like to fish with artificial bait and lures, the bluefish will hit anything that is shiny and quickly retrieved. It doesn’t matter if you are using top water or sub-surface lures, they will hit them. Bluefish will also hit a silver spoon with a fast retrieve. Watch for birds diving and the bluefish will be in that area. A good setup for these fish is a light 10-to-15-pound rod with about a 4000-size reel. I prefer using 10-pound mainline with 20-pound leader and a small barrel swivel. You will want to put a piece
John Gilson with a nice croaker.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Joe Ward.
hold the bottom. Try places like the Drum Hole, Sand Pit or around the bridges. In the surf, the pompano bite should be good for anglers using sand fleas or clams fished on a pompano
This is Octavious with a nice kingfish caught out of Ft. Pierce inlet on a trolled live bluerunner. This fish was caught in 50 feet of water and weighed in at 18-pounds. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Danny Markowski.
rig. Try one kind of bait on each hook to see which one is working better that day. Just a reminder, snook season is closed from December 15 until February 1.
of #3 wire up to your hook or lures so you don’t get bit off due to their razor sharp teeth and attach the wire to the swivel. On days that the winds subside and conditions allow for a run further offshore, look for the sailfish as they will still be in the area. There will possibly be some mahi mixed in with the sailfish. The best bet to get hooked up will be to troll ballyhoo from 90 feet on out towards the warmer Gulf Stream waters. If live baits can be found, such as big blue runners or sardines, they will improve your chances of hooking up with a sailfish or a nice mahi. If you pull a dredge or teaser in front of your baits, this will entice a deeper fish to come to the surface to check out your baits. The offshore bite will be good this time of year when you can get out.
Capt. Danny Markowski U.S.C.G. Lic. Captain
OFFSHORE, INSHORE & NEAR SHORE (Full Day/Half Day Available)
Call (772) 370-8329
Email Lottabull4@bellsouth.net
www.lottabullfishingcharters.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 7
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fishing forecasts George Vogel with a nice backwater snook.
sebastian inshore
Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters (772) 360-6787 www.WelcomeToSebastian.com
J
anuary is usually the heart of the winter fishing season in East Central Florida. Water temperatures will be in the 60s if all is normal, with cold snaps driving them as low as the upper 40s and occasional warm spells lifting them into the upper 70s. The quickly changing temps will move the fish around more than at other times of the year, but by using a bit of common sense you can find some excellent inshore opportunities. I’ll break it down area by area and you can choose. Sebastian River – The Sebastian River’s most prominent role in January is a sanctuary. It keeps a large number of manatees warm in its north forks 15-plusfoot depths. It also keeps a hoard of
PHOTO COURTESY of Capt. Mike Peppe.
ladyfish, jacks, an occasional gator trout, redfish, snook and even a few pompano warm on the colder days. Indian River Lagoon – Not every January day warrants hiding away in some protected nook, but even if that is the case the lagoon offers some great options for trout and redfish. Canals,
protected shallow bays, and sunny shorelines are excellent areas to find both trout and reds soaking up the sun’s warmth and sucking up some sluggish baitfish and crustaceans. A good January cold front should clear the waters of the Indian River Lagoon. The immediate benefit will be the ability to sight-fish for reds
and possibly even “gator” seatrout. Sight fishing along shorelines is a good way to find slot size reds, which will generally eat a properly placed live shrimp or D.O.A. soft plastic. Sebastian Inlet – A few nice flounder will remain around the inlet throughout the winter and bluefish, jacks, pompano, black drum, and Spanish mackerel will keep jetty anglers busy throughout the day. Near Shore Atlantic – Pompano and whiting are the mainstay of surf fishermen along the Treasure Coast in the winter. Sand fleas, cut clams and dead shrimp on three hook dropper rigs are the baits of choice. Boaters looking along the beaches are apt to find blues, mackerel and some pompano on the calmer days. Goofy jigs, spoons, and bucktail jigs worked from the beach or toward the beach from a boat are good ways to search for pompano and blues on calm days. January is a month of opportunity in the Sebastian area, you just need to get out and fish. This is when getting way back in the mangroves and creeks can pay big dividends. Tight Lines.
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3009 S Stuart, 30
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3009 S.E. Monr Stuart, Florida Stuart, Florida 34997
3009 S.E. Monroe St. Stuart, Florida 34997St. 3009 S.E. Monroe
3009 S.E. Monroe St. Stuart, Florida 34997
12/13/17 2:20 PM
sebastian area offshore
Capt. Randy Lang
Sebastian Gypsy Fishing Charters Email: gypsycharters@gmail.com www.sebastianfishingcharter.com
J
anuary finally gets that ocean water cold and it’s time for the bottom fish to come in tight. It’s a time when nice snapper and grouper can be caught along the shallow “beach reefs” to the south. Those reefs along the beach and within a few miles of shore are good alternatives when the wind is westerly and the waters well offshore are no fun. Big gag grouper can move into these shallower areas so try heavier gear and a live bait on the bottom. Also, big sheephead and triggerfish will be present, so mix it up with some lighter tackle and a #2 hook. In January, the reefs in 60 and 90 feet are excellent fishing. In addition to snapper and grouper we always seem to pick up some nice cobia off the bottom. Remember, when you are grouper fishing and you realize you’ve hooked a cobia, loosen the drag immediately. The
Gary and Martha had a fun trip out of Sebastian last January. Plenty of bottom fish along with some kingfish and cobia action too.
hammered down drag of grouper fishing may result in a lost cobia. The cobia will need to run a bit to prevent broken lines and pulled hooks as you fight him near the boat. Kingfish fishing will continue to be solid this month. Keep a live bait or a frozen sardine freelined while bottom fishing. The kings will need a small wire leader. Target them by slow trolling and drifting over the reefs. Keep a couple baits near the surface and a couple baits at middepth. A simple rig is a two-tofour-ounce jig head with a live bait or frozen sardine hooked through the lips. Prepackaged “kingfish
rigs” are always a good way to go. Put an egg sinker above the swivel to get your bait to the proper depth. Sailfish are a great treasure of Sailfish can be hot this month our area and should be treated when the fish move to the north. properly. Here, Dave, Shawn Look for them in the 180 feet range and Robert from Pittsburg, off of Bethel shoal. Trolling smaller successfully revive and blue/white Islanders with ballyhoo photograph a sailfish boat side. seems to work well. Keep a naked Jarod (the smiling angler) was ballyhoo in the spread too. If you almost spooled by the fish and locate the fish, switch to drifting we all witnessed a dancing/ live baits and circle hooks on eight drag screaming flurry. feet of 60-pound flour leader. Remember that regulations require PHOTOS CREDIT: Capt. Randy Lang. keeping released sailfish in the water while dehooking and getting boat side before releasing. pictures. Please handle these great Best of luck out there everyone fish gently and revive them well and have a great New Year!
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JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 9
12/13/17 2:20 PM
Land autiful while e Indian sin Die r.
OKEECHOBEE NORTH END
Capt. Nathan M. Shellen Okeechobee Bass Guide Service (772) 501-6886 Okeechobeebassfishing.com sjmike7@aol.com
T
he water level in Lake Okeechobee is very high, the present 15.90-foot level is 13- to 14-inches higher than on this date day last year. The high-water period seems to have affected the timing of the late fall bass bite that normally occurs in mid- to late-October and continues throughout the fall and winter seasons. The large trophy size bass did not show up in daily catches of local guides and other anglers until late November. As we approached December’s full moon, the large bass made their presence known, when anglers caught bass to 9.8-pounds along with numerous other fish in the 7- to 8-pound class. Catch rates rose dramatically as the full moon approached, with 40 to 60 bass per day being caught in addition to the trophy size bass. Shiners are the bait of choice for the bass that have just moved into the shallow grass lines as they feed
OKEECHOBEE SOUTH END
Capt. Mark Shepard
Lake Okeechobee Fishing Guide (888) 321-0202 www.lakeokeechobeeguide.com
L
ake Okeechobee fishing is back in gear. Season is upon us and it is time to catch some quality spawning largemouth bass. The next couple of months are your chance to catch the trophy bass you have been looking for. Enjoy your January Lake Okeechobee Bass Fishing Forecast. Lake Okeechobee bass fishing should be fantastic over the course of the next couple of months. We have seen a great kick start to the spawning season. Great numbers of big fish are beginning to make their way in off the main lake fast and hard. Spawning season is going to be excellent this year. Water levels are coming down allowing for the water to finally get to the clarity it needs to be. The levels are at 16 feet above sea level. Clean and clear water will promote for a strong spawning for
As we approached December’s full moon, the large bass made their presence known, when anglers caught bass to 9.8-pounds along with numerous other fish in the 7- to 8-pound class. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Nathan M. Shellen.
heavily on shad and shiners during this pre-spawn period. Several of the bass caught the first of December were very fat and their bellies were swollen with roe, whether they went ahead and completed spawning is anyone’s guess. In addition to largemouth, there were a number of one- to four-pound sunshine bass caught on shiners too, these fish are great table fare although somewhat difficult to hook due to the size of their mouth, which is very small in
largemouth bass. We are starting to see females preparing for this season already. Water levels should be around 15 feet by the end of this month, which will dramatically help the grass beds to grow and bounce back from the hurricane. January is also the time of year where we can experience cold fronts. Cold fronts that are severe and change the water temperatures dramatically are the ones that will influence the fishing and feeding patterns the most. Small cold fronts will allow for the temperatures to get right for spawning. When the water begins to cool, rattle traps and jerk baits are highly effective baits to catch largemouth bass. Also, this month during the new and full moon, we will be able to experience a great migration of crappie. You can catch them currently in key areas, but we will begin to see them in numbers coming soon. If you find deeper waters in the Kissimmee River, you will generally be able to find some great numbers and quality of crappie or speck. Buggy whips and saw grass edges as well will begin to produce an excellent bite as well, just get your jig pole ready. The south end of Lake Okeechobee
relation to a largemouth, making the large wild shiners we use to catch largemouth difficult for them to inhale quickly. Patience is key if you suspect that sunshine is attempting to eat your bait, they have a tricky way of grabbing the bait and then swimming toward the open water as they attempt to turn and swallow the shiner. The tackle used for shiner fishing is somewhat basic, although the advent of high quality spinning reels,
The next couple of months are your chance to catch the trophy bass you have been looking for.
PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Mark Shepard.
out of Clewiston and Belle Glade seem to be the strongest parts of the lake. You can experience more of an explosive migration of largemouth bass moving in. Don’t count out the north shore though because we are seeing some quality females appear as well. Explore the waters from Harney Pond and above for an adventure you won’t forget in the next upcoming months.
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rods and braided line have been a game changer for some. Most anglers are using 40- to 65-pound braided Power Pro loaded onto a spinning reel that looks more like a piece of fine jewelry than a fishing reel. Preferring a medium to large series reel that will hold 150- to 200-yards of premium braided line insures that bass are not broke off in the weeds when they dive for them after the initial hook set. The fishing has been great and will continue to be very good as we move into the winter months. Now is the time to start planning those Okeechobee bass fishing trips to Lake Okeechobee for the fall and winter months when it is the coldest up north. The crappie “speck” bite should start picking up by January and we are looking forward another awesome season. Don’t forget to take your kids/grandkids out fishing and also please take the time to thank a veteran by taking him or her fishing for a little stress relief. Until the next report good luck, tight lines, and Bucket Lips. I hope to see everyone on the water! Special Thanks to the D.O.A Lures, Mercury Marine, Bow to Stern, Power Pole and Costa Del Mar sunglasses, and Man O War Rods for always being available and providing some high-quality lures and equipment.
Artificial baits can be an effective method to catching largemouth bass this time of year as well. Some of your favorite Florida fishing techniques can also help produces an excellent bite. Throw a frog in the grass, flip your favorite bait and swim that swim jig or swim bait around hydrilla and hold on! When the water is just right you can catch a few on top water as well.
JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 11
12/13/17 2:20 PM
diving forecast
Steve Wood
Deep Six Watersports - Stuart (772) 288-3999 Stuart (772) 562-2883 Vero Steve.wood@deepsix.com www.deepsixintl.com
W
eather windows dictate diving in January and timing is everything. Calm seas may only last a day or two between fronts and divers are wise to have tanks filled in advance to take advantage of favorable conditions. Wind swells associated with cold fronts make for sloppy seas topside but have minimal effect on visibility beneath the surface, especially in deeper water. Provided large groundswells stay away, visibility offshore is quite good on sites such as the Six Mile Reef, David-T or the Evans Crary Bridge Rubble As the new year gets underway, hunters have a few fishing regulations to pay attention to. As of January 1, grouper season closes and hogfish season continues to be closed in state Atlantic
Between plentiful lobster action and the chance encounter with seasonal sharks, diving in January is well worth braving potentially chilly air temps. PHOTOS CREDIT: Steve Wood/Deep Six Watersports.
waters. Lobster season remains open through March 31. For more information on fishing regulations visit http://myfwc.com/fishing/ saltwater. Interesting creatures can be found roaming reefs this time of year. Sharks will keep divers on their toes as they migrate past local waters. Lemon sharks congregate on area reefs in large numbers each year between December and April in order to reproduce. This can be quite a spectacle as 20-to-30 individuals in one area have been commonly reported in years past. Local dive operators run special
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trips this time of year to witness these aggregations that are found nowhere else in the world. Other species, such as sand tiger sharks, usually common off the Carolinas, have been found offshore on the Treasure Coast this time of year too, presumably forced south due to cooler water temperatures. Bull sharks are also common. Hunters should consider floating speared fish to the surface on a lift bag or sausage to avoid losing a catch or provoking an encounter. A common technique is to color code lift bags, so boat crew know what’s attached to the other end- red for marking divers’ positions beneath the surface and yellow or green for fish. Between plentiful lobster action and the chance encounter with seasonal sharks, diving in January is well worth braving potentially chilly air temps. Be sure to take advantage of the annual lemon shark aggregations before they are gone—witnessing these events are considered by many to be a mustdive this time of year.
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n and sonal worth mps.
Fly Fishing Corner By Capt. Michael Mauri
The Spanish Mackerel are Back in Town
Capt. Michael with his first Spanish mack of this season.
O
h boy do I love fly fishing the Treasure Coast! There are so many options that it is sometimes hard to make a decision of what to fish for, however, not at this time of year! Catching these little torpedo’s on fly are too much fun to pass by. Spanish mackerel are easy to find and easy to catch in big numbers even for fly fishing beginners, as long as you are able to cast your fly out there. Look out for these big schools, the splashing and flashing when they are running wild on the surface, keep an eye on the birds, or have a look on your fish finder. If you are not confident in finding them, just look out where all the commercial fisherman are. You can’t miss all these boats but make sure to stay out of their way. There is more than enough fish and no need to get too close to other boats. Mix up your game and fish your
fly from very fast to very slow. Many times, I don’t even strip my fly but just swing it in the current. Search in different depths and when you get the bite, strip strike! Set the hook through a long and strong pull with your line hand and make sure that you always point your rod tip towards the fly. You generate most pressure towards the fish through a straight line! This is important to know especially for setting the
PHOTOS CREDIT: Mauri Flyfishing.
hook. Enjoy the fight, watch out for their teeth and eat them fresh! I love Florida! What to use: 8wt. set with a fast sinking line like the Sonar Sink 30 Warm from Scientific Anglers (floating line is fine too but the fast sinking works way better). Use a 6-to-9-foot leader and add a 30-pound or 40-pound fluorocarbon
tippet. I prefer Seaguar Blue Label. Flies: (Photo) Mustad Beak Hook in 1/0 or 2/0. Lead eyes and Enrico Puglisi’s fibers and brushes in white, chartreuse, yellow. Capt. Michael Mauri Mauri Flyfishing www.mauriflyfishing.com Email: michael@mauriflyfishing.com
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JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 13
12/13/17 2:20 PM
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JANUARY 2018
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12/13/17 2:20 PM
12th Annual
Port Salerno
Seafood Festival
I
t’s seafood time at the 12th annual Port Salerno Seafood Festival. The fun begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 27th, 2018 and goes until 8 p.m. Three stages featuring musical entertainment from some of the area’s top bands, a large array of art, crafts, community vendors, a free Kids Fun Zone (including the Harbor Branch touch tank), food for seafood and land lubbers alike and refreshing libations make the Port Salerno Seafood Festival the place to be. “We brag that we have the best seafood,” says Edward “Butch” Olsen, Jr., president of the Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority. “We serve the freshest seafood and locally caught fish when available. Most of our seafood is prepared by the fishermen and their families. This is truly a family affair.” “Our Fishermen’s Village and Market will serve more than 20 different seafood dishes prepared by
PHOTOS CREDIT: Michael Lee/Cinegraphix Studios.
the local families with support from our partners Pelican Seafood, Pirates Cove, Shrimpers Raw Bar and Grill, Tausha’s Seafood and Twisted Tuna, which gives us bragging rights on having the best food in the region,” says Olsen. The Port Salerno Seafood Festival is made possible through the support of many corporate sponsors, including Southern Eagle Distributing, and more than 1000 volunteers. In addition to supporting the commercial fishing docks in Port Salerno in 2017, more than $20,000 raised at the event have benefited local charities. Event tickets are $7 in advance online; $10 at the gate for adults. There is no fee for children
12 and under. Complimentary transportation to and from the event via trolley or water taxi is provided courtesy of the Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority. For complete list of trolley stops, water taxi and parking locations, festival information, volunteer opportunities, or a list of last year’s benefiting charities visit www. portsalernoseafoodfestival.org or call (888) 6124192. The Port Salerno Seafood Festival, Inc. is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to preserving the heritage and integrity of the Commercial Fishing Industry in Port Salerno.
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JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 15
12/13/17 2:20 PM
PHOTO CREDIT: DCP.
TOP: Spotted dolphins are born without spots, then develop spots throughout their lives in unique patterns. BELOW: Kel Melillo Sweeting records Atlantic spotted dolphins, in The Bahamas, using DCP’s specialized video/acoustic array.
Connect the
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JANUARY 2018
IT: Al Sweetin
D
o you ever look up at the night sky and search for your favorite constellation? Look over at your freckled friend’s arm and find a pattern of speckles? We get to do this very thing – with dolphin spots! As researchers with the Dolphin Communication Project (DCP), we work to promote the scientific study of dolphins and inspire their conservation. We find one of the ways people become the most excited about a creature that lives, essentially, in another world, is to show dolphins as individuals. Which is, of course, exactly what they are. We are privileged to collect acoustic, video and photographic data of wild dolphins off the coast of Bimini, The Bahamas. That’s right; while others go to Bimini for big game fishing, SCUBA diving, bonefishing and more, we are there documenting and researching wild Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins. We use natural markings to recognize individual dolphins; this is called photo-identification. We do not need to disturb the dolphins with tags, just snap some images and spend a lot of time trying not to go cross-eyed noting patterns! Each dolphin’s spots are unique, like our fingerprints; however, they gain new spots throughout their entire lives, so we aim to capture – on camera – as many dolphins as we can each year, so we can note their newest spots.
Atlantic spotted dolphins are born without spots. So normally, during our first observations of a new member of the group, a calf looks just like every other calf. We make note of its mother, who it will spend virtually all of its time with, and keep a close eye out for injuries and new spots. Once we’re confident a marking, whether an injury or a spot, is permanent, the dolphin is given a unique ID number. And so begins our years of following that individual – who does it hang out with? What does it play with? What sounds does it make? If female, when does she have her first calf? This information is then funneled into both scientific studies and presentations and education programs. And during our education programs, a young adult female dolphin isn’t just an abstract mammal trying to make it in the ocean. She isn’t even just DCP ID#35. She’s “Lil’ Jess.” And we’ll tell you lots about her. And her friends. And we’ll hope that you’ll want to protect them. Interested in learning more? Our website (www.dolphincommunicationproject.org) is full of educational information and stories from the field. Our Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin program is an accessible ($30-35) way to learn more about a specific Bimini spotted dolphin as well as dolphins in general. You receive a biography,
PHOTO CRED
By Kelly Melillo Sweeting
g Jr.
Dots
photographs and video to enjoy and share. Or, sign-up for our May 2017 Field Course in Cetacean Ecology with Sacred Heart University. You can also become a member of DCP! Kelly Melillo Sweeting is a researcher with the Dolphin Communication Project, a U.S. 501(c)3 organization based in Port Saint Lucie, FL. You can follow their research and education efforts at www.dolphincommunicationproject.org as well as on Facebook, Twitter (@dolphincommu) and Instagram.
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12/13/17 2:21 PM
PHOTO CREDIT: DCP.
Association of Bahamas Marinas Launches On-Line Booking Engine and Reservations Call Center for Member Resorts and Marinas
New “One Stop Shop” Reservations for Bahamas Travel Plus the Latest Marine Technology to Connect Cruisers with Marinas Throughout the Bahamas Online or Via Mobile App
T
he Islands of The Bahamas have extended their market reach while simplifying the process of locating a marina and making slip reservations, with the introduction of the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) new reservations office and website booking engine. ABM’s new website (https:// bahamasmarinas.com) leverages technology to simplify the process of locating and reserving at marinas throughout the islands, including the integration of Dockwa, which allows boaters to submit reservation requests directly to marina staff. Marinas confirm reservation requests on their end with a single click. Boaters are automatically notified and securely billed when their reservation requests
are approved, and the marinas’ reservation books are updated. In addition to the booking engine, the ABM has a dedicated call center, which responds to requests for information or reservations that come in by telephone (toll-free: 844556-5290, or U.S.: 954-462-4591), or email reservations@bahamamarinas. com. The call center is a ‘one stop shop’ for travelers to The Bahamas with the ability to make slip and hotel reservations at all of the 29-member properties, as well as flight reservations for those not traveling by boat, with just one phone call. ABM President, Stephen Kappeler, described the new facility as “A leap forward for boating to The Bahamas. While we’re close and relatively
easy to reach from points in the southeast, it now becomes a simple, secure procedure to identify your marina destination and make your reservation. We also expect to achieve greater market penetration using the on-line tools we have developed. In addition to our web site, the ABM is now very active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. We’re easy to find and, if you’re an avid boater, chances we’ll find you.” Dockwa co-founder and CEO Mike Melillo looks forward to improving the boating experience in The Bahamas via this partnership with ABM. “The Association of Bahamas Marinas is at the forefront of making new technology accessible to their partners. Boaters familiar
with cruising these islands will be pleasantly surprised when they are able to seamlessly reserve their slips and moorings online or with the free Dockwa app.” For ABM partner marinas, Dockwa’s marina management software streamlines the reservation process. Dockwa not only expands a marina’s marketing reach and provides a better customer experience, it increases operational efficiency and frees up time for marina staff. By incorporating Dockwa’s reservation platform into the ABM website, boaters can explore their options in the Bahamian archipelago – on eight islands of which the ABM has members – and request a slip or mooring, all from a mobile device.
PHOTO CRED
IT: Al Sweetin
g Jr.
ns are then ghout atterns. eeting tted amas, zed ay.
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JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 17
12/13/17 2:21 PM
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JANUARY 2018
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COASTAL ANGLER
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JANUARY Day
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height -0.7 2.84 -0.22 2.66 -0.78 2.91 -0.3 2.72 -0.78 2.92 -0.34 2.71 -0.7 2.86 -0.34 2.65 -0.55 2.75 -0.29 2.54 -0.36 2.6 -0.23 2.41 -0.16 2.43 -0.16 2.27 0.02 2.26 -0.1 2.16 0.16 2.12 -0.07 2.08 0.25 2.02 -0.06
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2.06 0.29 1.97 -0.08 2.08 0.28 1.97 -0.12 2.12 0.25 1.99 -0.16 2.17 0.2 2.03 -0.2 2.22 0.14 2.08 -0.24 2.27 0.1 2.11 -0.26 2.3 0.06 2.12 -0.25 2.3 0.03 2.11 -0.23 2.28 0.01 2.09 -0.18 2.23 -0.01 2.06
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21SU 4:33 AM 11:19 AM 5:01 PM 11:39 PM 22M 5:16 AM 11:59 AM 5:45 PM 23TU 12:27 AM 6:05 AM 12:42 PM 6:37 PM 24W 1:20 AM 7:02 AM 1:32 PM 7:35 PM 25TH 2:22 AM 8:06 AM 2:30 PM 8:38 PM 26F 3:28 AM 9:13 AM 3:36 PM 9:43 PM 27SA 4:35 AM 10:18 AM 4:43 PM 10:45 PM 29SU 5:39 AM 11:19 AM 5:47 PM 11:44 PM 29M 6:37 AM 12:16 PM 6:47 PM 30TU 12:40 AM 7:31 AM 1:11 PM 7:43 PM 31W 1:34 AM 8:22 AM 2:03 PM 8:36 PM
-0.12 2.17 -0.03 2.04 -0.04 2.1 -0.06 2.01 0.05 2.04 -0.1 2 0.12 1.99 -0.15 2.02 0.16 1.98 -0.24 2.08 0.14 2.01 -0.36 2.18 0.06 2.1 -0.51 2.33 -0.07 2.24 -0.66 2.49 -0.23 2.4 -0.78 2.63 -0.37 2.53 -0.85 2.73 -0.49 2.62
Sebastian (Inlet)
Vero (Ocean) TIME OFFSET High Tide -55 min Low Tide -35 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.45 feet Low Tide 1.36 feet
TIME OFFSET High Tide -31 min Low Tide -18 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.14 feet Low Tide 1.50 feet
Jensen Beach (Indian River)
St. Lucie Inlet
Jupiter Inlet
TIME OFFSET High Tide -48 min Low Tide -24 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .93 feet Low Tide 1.0 foot
TIME OFFSET High Tide +2 hrs; 17 min Low Tide +3 hrs; 4 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide .48 feet Low Tide .92 feet
L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H L H
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TIME OFFSET High Tide +55 Low Tide +1 hr; 42 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1 foot Low Tide .50 feet
TIME OFFSET High Tide -10 min Low Tide -9 min HEIGHT OFFSET High Tide 1.08 feet Low Tide 1.42 feet
“On the Water at the Manatee Pocket” Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner • Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 3-7pm Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10pm • Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm
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Topwater Time! By Brandon Barton, a 2017 Hobie Top Gun
LEFT: Nice redfish caught on a topwater lure. ABOVE: Topwater lures come in many different sounds, colors and sizes.
T
opwater lures are some of the most exciting and productive to fish with from a kayak. Not only do to you get to watch a fish explode on a lure from the surface level, you also are able to cover a lot of water with this great search bait that you can cast a mile. Some of the top baits you will find in my tackle box are the Tactical Angler’s Crossover Stalker,
Rapala Skitter Walk, Heddon One Knocker Spook, MirrOlure Top Dog, and Heddon Super Spook Jr. Choosing the Right Topwater Topwater lures come in many different sounds, colors and sizes. Picking the right topwater for the fishing conditions is the key. For calm flat water I prefer a small
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topwater that has less disturbance when it hits the water. For rough or choppy water, I like to use a bigger topwater. Topwater lures also have different sounds inside them that can help attract hungry fish. Some have high pitch rattles and some have low pitch knocks. Try both types while on the water to see what pitches the fish want. I try to not focus a lot of the color of a topwater since most fish will just see the silhouette of the lure from underneath. I do like to match the hatch and throw natural looking colors most of the time. How the bait lays in the water when it is stationary is another important characteristic of a topwater lure. I prefer the rear of the bait to sink a little when paused so that there is a more of the bait below the surface when fish don’t want to fully commit. In areas with heavy floating grass the stock treble hooks can be swapped out with inline single hooks to minimize catching the floating grass. Topwater Techniques A topwater lure is one of the best search baits out there. You can cover a lot of water in a short amount of time. Never throw in the same place twice unless you had a missed hit or
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Mon–Thu 7:30am-5pm • Fri 8am-4:30pm Closed Sat. & Sun.
JANUARY 2018
PHOTOS CREDIT: Brandon Barton.
(Boat, Motorcycle, Landscape, Construction)
strike. Walk the dog type topwaters only take a twitch of the rod and steady reeling to get a great side-toside walking action. It takes some practice to get the perfect cadence but when you dial it in you will be walking the dog like a pro. When walking a topwater pause every couple of seconds to give fish the chance to catch up to the lure and entice them to strike. For targeting redfish and trout in my area I like to throw topwaters along grass edges, drop offs, points, rocks and around docks. They are also great to throw at fish when they are blowing up on bait. Just make sure you throw past the bait schools and work through it or along the edges. When a fish does blow up on a topwater lure don’t set the hook right off the bat or you will pull the bait right out of the fish’s mouth. Let the fish take off with it and pull your line tight until the hook sets itself. If the fish misses the topwater do not stop it just keep walking it till the fish finally finds the hooks. Hopefully these tips will help you put more fish in you kayak and start a new addiction to topwater fishing. These tips and techniques can be used in many fisheries and not just on the redfish and trout of northwest Florida. To read additional articles by Brandon Barton, visit https:// www.hobie.com/team-members/ brandon-barton/.
Topwater lures are some of the most exciting and production to fish with from a kayak.
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pwater me in d sizes.
PHOTO CREDIT: Backcountry Fishing Association.
Winner of the 2017 Classic and the grand prize, a 14-foot Billfish Boatworks skiff, Andy Fantini (in the boat) and tournament participants.
Visit the Best Kept Secret in Martin County! THE HISTORIC...
Backcountry Fishing Association Readies for 2018 Tournament Season
On THE waTERfROnT In PORT SalERnO
& Gallery
T
he Backcounty Fishing Association (BCFA) was founded in 2015 and its ten-month artificial lure tournament circuit spans from January through October. Two-person teams and solo anglers compete to win cash and gain points in the nine Fort Pierce, FL monthly tournaments, with a 2018 classic finale in October. TOURNAMENT Redfish, trout and snook (seasonal) are the qualified SCHEDULE species. Anglers attempt to Captain’s Meeting Tournament bring one legal fish of each January 5 January 6 species to the scales for weigh in and a live release. February 2 February 3 Teams must fish a minimum March 2 March 3 of five tournaments and pay April 6 April 7 entry fees to at least eight tournaments to be eligible May 4 May 5 to fish the ending “Classic,” June 1 June 2 which is a two-day event. July 6 July 7 The top five eligible teams August 3 August 4 with the highest accumulated points from the season will be August 31 September 1 given a bye from day one and October 5 October 6 automatically entered for day (Classic) (Classic) two. The remaining eligible teams will compete on an elimination basis the first day, with the top five teams from day one moving on to compete for cash and the grand prize, a Billfish 14-foot boat, motor and trailer combo. The annual BCFA membership fee is $25 for the year, and the entry to each monthly tournament is $60 per team. Tournaments are held the first Saturday of each month, with a captain's meeting the Friday evening prior at Little Jim Bait and Tackle, Fort Pierce. BCFA 2017 board of directors consists of Zachary Foltz, president; Loraé Simpson, secretary and treasurer; Denver Kesner will be this year’s weighmaster; Chris Beall is in charge of sponsorships; Samantha Jericiau will manage raffle prizes; and Cherlyn Arnold, social media and publicity.
NoW oPeN!
Backcountry Fishing Association
To learn more, email Zachary Foltz at foltzzr@gmail.com or call (772) 882-8721. Follow Backcountry Fishing Association on Facebook and Instagram for announcements and tournament results.
Come by boat or car and stroll our “Boardwalk” or as it is known, the “PocketWalk.” Browse the two story “Gallery” with fine art and jewelry, architectural salvage, and eclectic nautical home décor, as well as the finest tattoo studio on the Treasure Coast.
Come see all the mermaids & the artists!
Get a feel for the unique artists’ community with eight different artist; enjoy craft beers, fine wines and 24 flavors of ice cream at the Twisted Craft and Creamery; or take an exciting boat ride on the Pocket Hopper!
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NoW oPeN!
JANUARY 2018
TREASURE COAST 21
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TREASURE COAST CASTERS RECAPS
Rochedieu Wins Senior Division December Tournament
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reasure Coast Casters’ Senior Division Inshore Tournament, held on Dec. 3, 2017 in Fort Pierce, was won by Michael Rochedieu. Owen Nail, a student at Liberty Baptist Academy, took second place and Jake Lee, also a student at Liberty Baptist Academy, took third place. Anglers left the dock at 7 a.m. and fished until noon. A variety of species were weighed in---black drum, croaker, flounder, mangrove snapper, redfish, Spanish mackerel, snook, trout, and others not on the catch list or of legal size—but this tournament was all about the sheepshead. All three placing anglers weighed in sheepshead, Michael Rochedieu a 2.09-pounder, Owen Nail, a 1.14-pounder, and Jake Lee, a 2.11-pounder, which was also the biggest fish of the tournament.
Results 1st: Michael Rochedieu St. Anastasia - Ft. Pierce - 20 points 2nd: Owen Nail - Liberty Baptist Academy - Ft. Pierce - 20 points 3rd: Jake Lee - Liberty Baptist Academy - Ft. Pierce - 10 points Dorothy Markowski was the Decembers tournament’s weighmaster, (thank you!). The next Senior Division tournament is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2018. Treasure Coast Casters offers experiences that educate young anglers on the importance of marine conservation, while maintaining
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Michael Rochedieu with his 2.09-pound sheepshead. PHOTO CREDITS: Treasure Coast Casters.
a sustainable and healthy estuary and marine environment. The allvolunteer non-profit offers two fishing tournament divisions, a Junior Division for youth 5-11, and a Senior Division for youth 12-18. There is no cost to join or to fish a tournament. Anglers bring their own bait and fishing gear. For the latest tournament news and updates, follow the Treasure Coast Casters Facebook page. Cammie and Capt. Joe Ward www.treasurecoastcasters.org (772) 201-5773
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St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Update:
Creating an Inshore Dive Site I
inshore dive site in St. Lucie County. After Krista’s research, the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program decided that a dive site near the Fort Pierce Inlet would be an excellent location for creating an inshore dive site. The water near the inlet is frequently clear on incoming tide, the inlet is the major route for any fish, turtles, and crustaceans that use both the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean during their life history, and local residents have remarked that a well-developed wormrock reef existed in the Fort Pierce Inlet prior to being impacted by channel dredging in the 1990s. In 2016, biological justification for an inlet area dive site was supported by construction of four subtidal oyster reefs near the Fort Pierce City Marina. Post-deployment dives of these four reefs revealed that juvenile lobster, stone crab, yellowtail snapper, black seabass, red grouper, as well as other fishes, colonized the oyster reef within days of deployment. Unfortunately, Open Daily there were state regulations dating Lunch & Dinner back more than 50 years, which Breakfast prohibited diving within 1000 feet Saturday & Sunday of either the North Causeway or the South Causeway and throughout the Happy Hour Fort Pierce Inlet. 3pm to 6pm In late 2016, the Special Acts Everyday prohibiting diving near the bridges were repealed, paving the way for an inlet area dive site. Earlier that year, the Dockside Inn had allowed 4307 SE BayviEw StrEEt • Stuart, FL 34887 the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef For reservations call: 772.287.2500 Program to deploy an inexpensive www.piratescoveresort.com homemade module under a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit. This was important to show that artificial reef modules can provide additional habitat, as well as form the foundation for an inshore dive site.
n 2005, a local dive shop, Dive Odyssea, noted that they needed a shallow water dive site that they could use as a training site when seas were too rough to dive offshore. Krista Marr, then a senior at the University of Central Florida, tired of taking her dive classes to the Blue Heron Bridge in Palm Beach County, researched creating an
t n o r f r e t a W r e v Disco ! t s e B s t i t a g Dinin
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Volunteers from the Plymouth State University Alternative Spring Break deployed the module in March of 2016 to test whether module was stable, would attract juvenile fishes, and whether it would subside or get fouled with floating debris. In November 2017, inspection of the module revealed (1) the module was stable and hadn’t been moved by storms including Hurricanes Matthew and Irma, (2) benthic growth had started to accumulate on the surfaces of the module and the growth did not prevent water from circulating through cavities in the module, (3) the module had only subsided three-inches, and (4) the module was attracting several fish including a juvenile African pompano. In December 2017, MMPS Environmental and the County
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CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP: The 50-year old barge sunken near the mangroves to be moved, if possible, to a nearby location for use in the inshore dive site; Volunteers carrying module underneath the pier; Relocated homemade reef module. PHOTO CREDITS: St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program.
Artificial Reef Coordinator moved the module to allow for replacement of docks behind the Dockside Inn and placed the module next to the adjacent red and black mangroves. Representatives from Brothers Marine Construction, DLS Environmental Services, Dockside Inn, the FDEP, met to ensure that neither the mangroves nor the module would be damaged. Portions of a 50-year old barge sunken near the mangroves will also be moved, if possible, to a nearby location for use
in the inshore dive site. The location of the St. Lucie County Inshore Dive Site has not been chosen yet. Based on the performance of subtidal oyster reefs and the volunteer oyster reef module, this latest reef should be deployed somewhere near the Fort Pierce Inlet to ensure continued development of recreational diving in the County as well as aid in fish movements between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.
For more information on the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program, restoration of wormrock reef in the Fort Pierce Inlet, a St. Lucie County inshore artificial reef, or juvenile fish habitat artificial reef modules, contact Jim Oppenborn, St. Lucie County Coastal Resources Coordinator at oppenbornj@ stlucieco.org or (772)462-1713. Similarly, if divers are interested in learning more on the rules and regulations concerning diving near the Fort Pierce Inlet, they should contact Mason Smith at Mason Smith, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Biological Scientist IV at Mason.Smith@MyFWC.com. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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PHOTO CREDIT: AllSports Productions.
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he 44th annual Stuart Boat Show, presented by Infiniti, returns to the Treasure Coast January 12-14, 2018 to celebrate the boating lifestyle with a three-day event along the waterfront. Situated along three marinas and spanning a quarter of a mile on land, the Stuart Boat Show is the largest boat show on Florida’s Treasure Coast and will feature over 200 local, national and international exhibitors displaying hundreds of boats in-water and on land. Boats on display will include the latest models of motor yachts, cruisers, center consoles, speedboats, sport fishing boats, and pontoons ranging in size from 12 feet to over 80 feet in length. Additional exhibits will include the latest in personal watercraft, marine electronics, outboard and inboard engines, safety equipment, accessories, boat lifts, fishing gear, nautical clothing and jewelry, as well as financing and insurance companies. Combined with live music, festive island food and drinks the Stuart Boat Show is a great place for a family to spend their day! Three days of seminars will provide education for all boaters and
outdoor enthusiasts, ranging from boating electronics, navigation and destinations, and top fishing tips, as well as demonstrations by the U.S. Coast Guard, kids fishing clinic with free fishing poles for those attending donated by FISH FLORIDA, the MISS GEICO RACING TEAM, and an expanded food court area with a bar and large screen TVs round out the show. The show is located along the scenic St. Lucie River near the foot of the Roosevelt Bridge in downtown Stuart, from 54 to 290 North Dixie Highway, Stuart, FL 34994. Show hours are Friday, January 12, and Saturday, January 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $13 for adults, $11 for veterans, and $6 for children 12 and under. No pets allowed. Free parking with shuttle service is available. The Stuart Boat Show is owned by the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and is produced and managed by AllSports Productions, Inc. For more information, visit www. stuartboatshow2016.com or https:// www.facebook.com/stuartboatshow.
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PHOTO CREDIT: AllSports Productions.
SEBASTIAN AREA REAL ESTATE Upcoming Backcountry Fishing No one knows Sebastian area properties Association suited for anglers and their families like February Capt. Gus & Khristine Brugger. Tournament Fort Pierce, FL
Allow Capt. Gus & Khristine to use their extensive local knowledge to guide you to your next home.
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Sponso:red By Backcountry Fishing Association is grateful for the support of our sponsors:
Monthly Tournaments Begin in January and the Season Finishes with a Two Day Classic in October RE/MAX Crown Realty 1603 US Highway 1, Sebastian, FL 32958 Phone: (772) 360-6787 Email: captaingusrealtor@gmail.com www.WelcomeToSebastian.com Check Out Sebastian & Vero Beach, Exit 156 off I-95
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TREASURE9/6/17 COAST 27 4:53 PM
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Gone Coastal Fishing for the future through Sport Fish Restoration By Melissa Crouch
PHOTO CREDIT: MyFWC.
I
grew up fishing in Florida’s coastal waters. My dad would often take me on his pre-fishing shopping trips to stock up on tackle and fishing equipment. There was such a huge variety to choose from, I always wondered how he knew just what to purchase. The day before our fishing
adventure we would gas up the boat and make final preparations. I was too excited to fall asleep on those nights, and in the morning I readied myself before the sun came up for what was sure to be a memorable day. I became hooked on the sport. Today, I engage my children in
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For information call Frank Gamber at (443) 992-8428. Vendor Application can also be obtained at www.pslanglers.com Note: No pets permitted at the Botanical Gardens
JANUARY 2018
the same perpetual cycle of strolling through tackle shops, fueling-up the boat, fishing, cleaning, rinsing and repeating. While this cycle helps reenergize my soul and introduces my children to the water, it is also part of an even bigger cycle known as the Sport Fish Restoration Program. By purchasing fishing gear, motorboat fuel and a fishing license, I’m participating in a cycle of success that not only leaves me feeling good, but provides fishing opportunities to all who enjoy and appreciate the sport. A quick history lesson on this important program – back in 1950, Congress enacted the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (also known as the Dingell-Johnson Act) to collect a 10-percent fee on the purchase of fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies and artificial baits for projects to improve recreational fishing opportunities. In 1984, funds from the sale of motorboat fuels and additional fishing equipment, as well as import duties on boats and fishing tackle, were included as part of the Wallop-Breaux amendment. These revenues are transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which then distributes funds to the states for recreational sport fishing enhancement projects. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) receives about $13 million annually from SFR, of which $3 to $4 million supports saltwater sport fish projects and 15 percent funds the creation and maintenance of boating-access points. Over the years, SFR has provided nearly $500 million to the states for thousands of individual projects. All
because you bought tackle, fueled-up your boat and purchased a fishing license. Projects supported by SFR in Florida include: • Marine and freshwater fisheries research. • Stock enhancement. • Angler and boater outreach. • Aquatic resource education. • Artificial reefs. • Boating-access improvements. Using SFR funding, the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management, Outreach and Education subsection travels throughout Florida to offer a variety of engaging programs for recreational anglers and participates in numerous public events. Through their efforts, the public has opportunities to learn more about some of Florida’s most important marine fisheries resources. Just a few of these activities include Women’s Fishing Clinics, Kids’ Fishing Clinics, displays at fishing expos and boat shows, presentations to fishing clubs, and Saltwater Angler Recognition Programs. Staff also disseminates a variety of SFR-funded publications including a “Boating and Angling Guide” series for coastal areas, saltwater fish identification posters, “Fishing Lines: An Angler’s Guide to Florida’s Marine Resources,” “Fishing Florida” youth activity books, saltwater habitat brochures, catch-and-release brochures, “Sea Stats” for saltwater species, and brochures explaining the importance of SFR. So next time you go fishing, buy tackle, fuel-up your boat, or purchase your fishing license, remember that you contributed to this important program with far-reaching impacts. When you see the SFR logo at a boat launch, know that you made it happen. Fishing for the future – that’s something to be excited about! To learn more about Florida’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Sport Fish Restoration” or visit the USFWS page.
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PHOTO COURTESY of Port St. Lucie Anglers.
Treasure Coast Nautical Flea Market T
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January 13 • Port St. Lucie
he Port St. Lucie Anglers will hold its eighth annual Nautical Flea Market, on Saturday, January 13, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Botanical Gardens, 2310 SE Westmoreland Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, Fla. This annual market features a full day of cash and carry shopping, swapping fishing stories, dozens of tables filled with new and used fishing tackle, and boats and nautical gear, along with free admission and parking.
Easy travel from all points. From I-95, take Exit 120, travel east on Gatlin Boulevard, then east on Port St. Lucie Boulevard and follow signs to the flea market. From the Turnpike, take Exit 142, then travel east on Port St. Lucie Boulevard and follow the signs. Vendor tables available. For more information, call Frank Gamber at (443) 992-8428 or visit www.pslanglers.com.
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Kevin ‘REEL’ McCoy with a 39.5-inch Fort Pierce Jetty snook, caught and released on a Live Target Mullet. Photo SUPPLIED by Kevin McCoy.
Email your information ality and high-qu rger) (500KB or la @ easurecoast photos to tr e.com. lerMagazin CoastalAng
Alex Adams with a solid trout from a canal. Photo courtesy of Capt. Mike Peppe.
Mckinley Claire Taylor shot these 16-inch and 17-inch lionfish in only 50 feet of water out of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Time to get out there divers and get these guys back under control! Photo CREDIT: Dustin Veatch.
King mackerel will populate the offshore reefs of Martin County this month, like this smoker king caught by Scott Harwood aboard the Safari 1.
Deryk Gee knows how it’s done. Here he is with one of his stud mangrove snapper catches.
Photo CREDIT: Safari 1.
Photo CREDIT: Lady Chris Charters.
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Mark Parsons with his personal best snook, a 43-plus-inch monster caught on a chartreuse bucktail jig with a grub tail. Photo credit: Matt Kwader.
12/13/17 2:21 PM
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100,000 Pounds of Gizzard Shad FWC Photo Removed Lake Apopka
F
ishermen recently netted 100,000 pounds of nutrient-laden gizzard shad from Lake Apopka in one week. The St. Johns River Water Management District funds the harvest as part of a multifaceted approach to restoring water quality and improving habitat for desirable game fish. Large numbers of gizzard shad may contribute to nutrient recycling by stirring up bottom sediments during feeding. Removing large numbers of undesirable fish from a waterbody also removes the nutrients in their bodies, which helps improve water quality. It’s expected that 1 million pounds of undesirable fish, mostly gizzard shad, along with some tilapia, gar and invasive armored catfish, will be harvested during the season, which began in late October and runs through the beginning of 2018. For every 1 million pounds of fish caught, about eight thousand pounds of phosphorus are removed. The district pays $0.58 per pound to harvest, process and transport the inedible fish, which are eventually used as bait for crayfish and crabs. Last season, about 985,000 pounds were removed from Lake Apopka. The fish harvest had been previously used at Lake Griffin. In combination with other nutrient removal projects and technologies, the work was successful enough that water clarity improved, and submerged aquatic vegetation and game fish returned.
Photo courtesy of The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
A
t its December meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed a draft change to extend the spawning season closure for permit inside the Special Permit Zone (SPZ). This draft proposal was approved and will be brought back before the commission at the February 2018 meeting. The proposed change, if approved in February, will add April to the existing May-through-July season closure for the harvest of permit inside the SPZ, which includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast and south of Cape Florida on the Atlantic coast. Recent research confirms spawning-size permit are visiting known aggregation sites from April through July. To comment on this proposal, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments or email Marine@MyFWC.com.
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t its December meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set the greater amberjack recreational season in Gulf state waters to open May 1-31 and Aug. 1-Oct. 31. This change is similar to pending changes in Gulf federal waters. Greater amberjack is overfished and undergoing overfishing, and the season has closed increasingly early in recent years due to federal quotas being met or exceeded. This new season structure will optimize recreational fishing opportunities in both the spring and fall while minimizing harvest during the spawning season, helping to rebuild the stock. Greater amberjack is currently closed to recreational harvest in Gulf state and federal waters. State waters will remain closed through April 30, 2018. For more information or to view the presentations given at the Commission meeting, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings” then click on the link below “Next Meeting.”
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12/14/17 10:48 AM
By Capt. Randy Cnota
R
ecently, I was enjoying a quiet morning on the boat, all by myself, catching several fish in a remote place on the lower end of the Apalachicola River system. The bass were chomping on my topwater jerkbait like they’d never seen one before, and I got complacent while de-hooking one. The fish made a sudden, violent shake and suddenly I had two hooks in my hand with a flopping fish on the jerkbait’s third hook. This is one of the many hazards anglers should be prepared for when they occur; and hazards WILL occur, it’s just a matter of time. Being an old experienced salt, the removal of those hooks from my hand was not that big of a deal; it just took some time because I was alone and had only one hand to use. Had that happened to an angler who’s never had a hook in his hand, it might have been a different story. Imagine this happening to your child, an elderly person or a loved one… would you know what to do? Obvious hazards like foul weather, high winds and extreme cold are easy to negotiate as a recreational angler; you just don’t go that day! It’s the calm, pleasant, inviting days when you least expect some hazardous event to take place that they seem to occur. My intent is to inspire you to prepare for the unexpected as best you can. There are way too many hazardous scenarios that could play out in a day of fishing, so the following is just an overview of a strategy. People getting hooked, cut or falling in or out of a boat are likely the most common hazards anglers experience. Make sure everyone on board knows exactly where lifejackets and throw cushions are located and how and why to use them. Lifejackets are obvious, but some might not realize the importance of the throw
cushion. When someone falls overboard, it’s imperative that someone keeps their eyes on him to maintain his location and get a cushion tossed to him immediately! You’d be surprised how quickly this scenario can turn bad, so make sure all aboard know the drill. A basic first-aid kit on board is a good start for tending to cuts, sprains and burns, but be sure to take the next step and keep a few extra items like duct tape, rescue tape, zip ties, super glue etc. Also, make sure you know how to remove hooks and be able to determine if a hooked situation is something that can be treated on the water or if a trip to the ER is required. As a licensed captain and retired military, I’ve had plenty of training with first aid, CPR and other emergency matters, but many folks on the water have not. If you captain a vessel, be sure to get this kind of training. You owe it to the people who rely on you out there. Capt. Randy “C-note” Cnota is co-publisher of the Panama City/ Forgotten Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.
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inter is a very important time for the southern California saltwater fly fisherman. This time of year means transition, and with this transition comes the seasonal migration of Pacific bonito to the nearshore waters off southern California. Although SoCal has a yearround population of bonito, many of the fish who take up residence here from early fall and through winter are the larger pelagic bonito that trek to our coast from southern waters. These fish can range in size between 5 to 15 pounds and are probably the hardest fighting fish readily available to fly fishermen off the southern
can be put in the path of the moving fish. The fly tackle best suited for bonito fishing includes 9-foot, 6- to 10-weight rods matched with a good directdrive saltwater fly reel with a minimum of 120 yards of 20to 30-lb. Dacron backing. In terms of fly lines, a shooting head with a built-in running line in weights of 175 to 350 grains will work best. Tippets should be 8 to 12 pounds, and abrasion-resistant fluorocarbon works wonders on leader-shy fish. As for flies, Clousers, Deceivers, Crazy Charlies and any anchovy pattern in sizes
California coast. These fish are found both inshore and offshore, however, most of the offshore bonito are in 30 fathoms (150 feet) or less. When fishing for openwater bonito, the angler’s best approach is to look for birds and schools working along current or temperature breaks. Once these areas are found, look for bonito chasing anchovies or sardines near the surface. Bonito can be very shy, so cutting the engine and sidling up on the fish is very important. Once the boat is in position, a 40- to 80-foot cast placed to the outside edge of the schooling fish is best. The angler should make sure the fish are moving either toward the skiff or in a crossing direction so the cast
8 through 2 will do the trick. Color is an important factor, so match the fly color to the color of the bait being taken. Green/ white and blue/white are great choices, however, chartreuse/ white is always a great attractor color. Fighting a bonito once it is hooked is an exciting and sometimes exhausting experience for the fly angler. Because the bonito is built like a mini rocket, it will make some amazing runs and will usually take line well into the angler’s backing. It’s worth a trip to southern California where fly anglers can take part in the famous bonito run.
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n their profession, surgeons require the most accurate and precise cutting tools. Professional taxidermists figured out long ago that a scalpel is the best tool for carefully cutting through all kinds of fish and animal hides. Now sportsmen can enjoy the same level of precision in knives designed to be taken into the field or out on the water. Havalon has revolutionized the market for sportsmen’s knives with surgical-edge technology redesigned for use by hunters and anglers. And they know their business. Havalon’s parent company, Havel, provided surgical cutlery to doctors and hospitals long before they brought them to the outdoors market. What Havalon dreamed up was a line of high quality folding and now fixed-blade knives that feature replaceable surgical-quality cutting edges. Whether gutting and skinning game or filleting fish, sportsmen can now enjoy the advantages of a scalpel edge in the field. And the easily replaceable blades not only ensure the knife will be scalpel sharp and ready for use without any sharpening, it opens up the opportunity for one knife to serve many purposes by switching out the style of the blade. Need a fine-bladed fillet knife that doubles as a limb saw and game-skinner, Havalon has you covered with products like the Havalon Hydra Kit, which includes 17 blades in seven different styles to fill all your needs with one tool. The latest innovation from Havalon, which every angler should have in the arsenal is the Havalon Talon. Set to hit the market this spring, the Talon is the first high-quality, surgically sharp, longest lasting replaceable fixed blade knife system. The Talon provides a firm, safe grip on heavier, stronger, larger sized
versions of the company’s already proven fillet blades, as well as a few new ones. It is the most versatile and sharpest “in-the-wild” quick-change cutlery set there is. A military-grade polymer handle has many functional features, from a Easy-Clean opening chamber to a super easy, strong and safe Quik-Change II Thumb Release Blade System. Within a water resistant roll-up pack, the Talon Fishing Pack includes the Talon handle, a serrated blade, two 5-inch fillet blades and a 7-inch fillet blade. A separately sold 9-inch fillet blade is also available. Professional captains, guides and outfitters have already discovered the benefits of using surgical-grade cutlery in the field and on the water, making Havalon a staple in the market for serious outdoorsmen. Which leaves the question: Why wouldn’t you want the most precise, accurate and versatile cutting tools in your pack or on the deck? Check out all the innovative tools Havalon has to offer at www.havalon.com.
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King of Sling – Art Pinder
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n the spearfishing community, there is one man everyone agrees deserves the title of “legend.” That is Art Pinder. Art was born in Miami in 1929, the fourth of five children. He looked up to his father and older brothers and wanted to follow in their footsteps. His father was an outdoorsman and worked his way up to captain of the Miami Beach lifeguards. Naturally, the children grew up around the water, and they learned to hunt at a very young age with homemade equipment. Their slings were different from modern spearguns, and consisted of a free-flying shaft inserted into a cylindrical wooden “shooter.” Similar to a slingshot, the shaft was powered by pulling a band back and letting go. This primitive form is making a comeback, and is the only allowable method of spearfishing in the Bahamas. The Pinder brothers dove and speared at a time when the ocean was considered mysterious and dangerous. The brothers dominated and won every tournament. Meanwhile, Art worked as a lifeguard and crewed for big-game fishermen such as Walter Clay, Bob Stewart and Tommy Gifford. He later served in the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed at the Carysfort Reef Lighthouse. In the water, Art accomplished feats that might never be duplicated. He slinged a 7-foot sailfish, a 135-pound cubera snapper and a 584-pound Goliath grouper. Outside of spearfishing, he was credited with saving many lives, including a challenging rescue of 23 people whose boat had capsized in rough waters. As Art became known for his spearfishing achievements, opportunities arose. He appeared in magazine and TV ads for liquor companies even though he didn’t drink. He graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1955 and was featured in a three-part series. His most uncomfortable assignment was modeling Jantzen bathing suits. They paid more in one day than he got in a whole month of lifeguarding, so he put up with the embarrassment. He did
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several shoots with Frank Gifford (NFL MVP), Bob Cousy (NBA MVP) and Ken Venturi (golfer). Art wondered why they picked him alongside these sports giants, though he did believe spearfishing combined the best of many sports. It required strength and coordination, involved body contact with 300-pound fish, had danger and excitement—all set against a backdrop of unimaginable beauty. In later life, Art became a pilot, a professional captain and a business owner, and he never stopped Above: Even later in spearfishing. I had life, Art Pinder could the honor of diving capture fish like a with him in his 20-year-old. Photo by sunset years, when Chad Carney. he could still capture Left: Art Pinder fish like a 20-yearappeared on the cover old. Art passed away of Sports Illustrated in 2014 at the age of in 1955. 84 and is survived by his loving wife, Alice. Rest in peace, Art. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
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Tips For Winter Fishing BRANDON LESTER
S
ome people don’t go fishing when it’s cold. That’s a huge mistake. Some of my most memorable days on the water have come this time of the year. If you outfit yourself properly, it will increase your winter fishing success astronomically. The Proper Gear First, dress properly. Layers are important, but don’t bulk up so much that it affects your mobility. I start with thermals, both the shirt and pants. My next layer is jeans and a thick hooded sweatshirt. I sometimes add a fleece jacket and then put on an outer-layer suit. You want a suit that blocks the wind and is waterproof. There are a lot of good Gore-Tex suits on the market. Headgear is also important. A fleece beanie and a neck gaiter make all the difference. A good pair of thick socks, boots and a pair of gloves, and you will be good to go. Last winter, a friend and I went fishing when it was 12 degrees. We caught 19 smallmouth. It was
cold, but we were dressed properly and had the lake to ourselves. Use Proper Equipment Fishing tackle needs to be finetuned for winter. First, I use Winn grips on all the rods I build. Most gloves have a sticky grip material on the palms. When that material meets the Winn material, it gives you unbelievable grip on your rod; it does the same for bare hands. Winn also has a new product called Winn Reel Sleeves. They are made of the same great grip material and slide over the handles of your reel. When it comes to finicky fish in the winter, you can’t afford for your hand to slip off the reel for a split second. I will have Reel Sleeves on every reel I own for the 2018 season. Check out all the Winn products and custom rod building materials at www.mudhole.com. Winter is a great time to learn how to build your own rods for 2018.
Get more tips from Lester at
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FISH & FISHING 22
Words Of Wisdom MARK SOSIN
D
id you ever wonder how leading charter captains produce consistent catches on a daily basis in heavily fished waters. I asked a long-time friend of mine who chartered for years out of a center console, and I think you’ll find his answer of interest. By the way, his methods can be adapted to any segment of coastline and a wide variety of species. Success centers on three primary approaches. You must constantly cover the maximum amount of water with your baits. They must be fished in a totally natural manner. And, baits must be kept in the productive zone or proper depth as long as possible. One way of doing this is to fish two or three baits from a kite or two kites. By using small weights in a corner of each kite, you can keep them spread so that they do not tangle in the air. For the starboard kite, the weight goes in the upper right hand corner and just the opposite for the port kite. Assuming the seas are moderate, start by positioning upwind from the spot you want to fish. By working the engines between neutral and reverse, you can back into the wind when necessary to keep the boat at a predetermined depth. This allows the baits to hang directly below the kites and look natural. Currents will push the boat over new areas. While the kites are flying, this skipper streams a couple of flat lines 50 to 125 feet from the boat. Finally, he works two more lines, one at a depth of 50 feet and the second at a depth of 75 or 80 feet. Rougher seas dictate the use of sea anchors and they also make sense when maintaining a specific depth is not paramount. A single sea anchor tied off midships will keep the boat broadside to the wind or current. One off the bow and a second off the stern is an even better setup. At times, this captain will drag a frozen block of chum in a mesh bag in front of one or two of the baits. All this is a lot of work, but you are covering close to 100 yards of water from
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a depth of 100 feet to the surface, and this approach can produce strikes when many anglers go fishless. Weekenders often wonder why professional skippers succeed day after day, even with boats all around them. Some observers simply suggest that regulars know the spots. That’s partially true, but there is much more to the total package. It takes continuous effort to tend all those rods, monitor conditions, and handle the boat all at the same time. You can certainly get by with less, but in the tradeoff, you can expect fewer fish. Whether you decide to follow this method, modify this skipper’s approaches to your needs, or you decide you really don’t want to work that hard, you can’t overlook the obvious. Aggressive anglers catch more fish consistently, even when Lady Luck isn’t sitting on their shoulders.
For more about artifical lures with Mark Sosin, visit
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