Coastal Angler Magazine | July 2021 | Daytona/New Smyrna/Deland Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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Three Days For Atlantic Snapper PHOTO BY CAPT. BLAKE RIGBY COURTESY OF TRIPLETAIL CHARTERS WWW.TRIPLETAILCHARTERS.COM VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 316

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very once in a while a timepiece comes along that’s so incredibly good looking, masterfully equipped and jaw-droppingly priced, that it stops us stone cold. A watch that can take you seamlessly from the 18th hole to the board room. A watch that blurs the line betweens sports watch and dress watch. We’re talking the Blue Stone Chronograph, and it sits at the top of the discerning gentleman’s watch list. Striking in appearance and fully equipped with features, this is a watch of substance. The Blue Stone merges the durability of steel with the precision of crystal movement that’s accurate to 0.2 seconds a day. Both an analog and digital watch, the Blue Stone keeps time with pinpoint accuracy in two time zones. The watch’s handsome steel blue dial seamlessly blends an analog watch face with a stylish digital display. It’s a stopwatch, calendar, and alarm. Plus, the Blue Stone resists water up to 30 meters, making it up for water adventures. A watch with these features would easily cost you thousands if you shopped big names. But overcharging to justify an inflated brand name makes us blue in the face. Which is why we make superior looking and performing timepieces priced to please. Decades of experience in engineering enables Stauer to put quality on your wrist and keep your money in your pocket.

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n the era of the coronavirus, outdoor recreation has become an important survival tool. Last year, the boating industry saw a record number of new boat owners. Both new boaters and seasoned boaters changed their habits to social distance while making the most of their love for the recreational outlet. According to a survey of 3,500 boaters by Sea Tow Services International, this trend is expected to continue into the 2021 summer season. Pandemic-influenced boating behavior: • 52 percent of boaters surveyed anticipate their boating activity to increase this summer compared to last. • 20 percent cite the pandemic as the reason for extending their boating season again in 2021. • 24 percent plan to vacation on/by boat (versus other forms of travel) because of the pandemic. • 35 percent plan to use their boat primarily for cruising near their home. • 16 percent upgraded to a larger boat in 2020 or plan to do so in 2021. • 52 percent plan to use their boat primarily for fishing (65 percent inshore/30 percent offshore/5 percent freshwater). • 30 percent have found it more difficult to find dockage and/or marina space. “Our member survey has typically been a very strong indicator for seasonal recreational boating trends,” said Kristen Frohnhoefer, President of Sea Tow. “Last year, Sea Tow saw a 34 percent increase in requests for on-water assistance in the summer of 2020, and our nationwide network of captains are anticipating another busy season for 2021.” With the sale of a record number of new boats in over a decade and an influx of new boaters, Sea Tow noted that in 2020 owners of new boats were 142 percent more likely to need ungrounding services, 108 percent more likely to need fuel delivered to them and 11.2 percent more likely to need a battery jump. Alternately, new boat owners are 22 percent less likely to need a tow. “These numbers are very interesting,” Frohnhoefer said, “They reflect the fact that new boaters are not yet familiar with things like shifting sandbars and hard to navigate channels, or how to manage their fuel, like their more seasoned counterparts–which is getting them into trouble and causing them to call us for assistance. But likewise, these stats demonstrate what we’ve been saying all along—that when it comes to new boats, on-water assistance typically is needed due to user error, not mechanical failure, as newer boats and engines are more reliable than ever before.” With the number of new boaters recreating on the water, the need for boating education has never been more important. Sixty-nine percent of boaters surveyed are looking for more advice on local navigational assistance, mishap prevention and general boating basics. “2021 is sure to be another banner year for boating,” said Frohnhoefer, “We’ll find out real soon if these trends for recreational boating activity are in fact here to stay.” For more on Sea Tow, visit www.seatow.com.

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TIPS TO DIAL IN RIVER-RUN BASS S

By Nick Carter

triped bass don’t stay in the same place long. Huge spring runs up the Atlantic Coast and into freshwater rivers to spawn is natural behavior for stripers. Even fish trapped by dams in inland reservoir systems retain a strong urge to move. Across the east, wherever reservoir striped bass exist, the movement begins as a spring spawning run. Fish push out of the lakes and as far up creeks and rivers as they can go. This spring run is followed by a larger summer migration, when stripers pile into the rivers seeking more comfortable water conditions. Here are a few tips from the pros for dialing in river-run stripers. • Make Shots Count: “Fish good water, and fish it well,” said Bill Stranahan. Stranahan guides with Southeastern Anglers, and the striper run on Tennessee’s Hiwassee River is a summertime staple. Fishing the Hiwassee run is like deer hunting. You’re fishing hard for a few bites from monster fish that get up into the 40-pound range. “Look for good structure, whether its wood, shoals or rock faces,” Stranahan said. “When you’re on that good structure, don’t rush it. You can spook ’em with a bad throw, so take your time and make good shots.” Whether you’re throwing streamers with a fly rod or swimbaits with conventional gear, Stranahan warned against locking into the big bait, big fish theory. “We all know stripers will chase down big 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-inch skipjack and gizzard shad, but don’t forget your smaller baits,” he said. “A lot of their forage base is 4 inches or less. There’s a time and a place for fishing small stuff.” • Fish it All: Rob “Mustache” Smith, of The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, has guided the Chattahoochee River striper run for two decades or more. He knows all the hotspots where there are always fish. He also knows those spots

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARNER REID

get a ton of pressure. Smith said to slow down and fish all the likely structure instead of rushing to areas where you’ve caught fish before. “If you’re on the river, fish everything,” he said. “Those fish are constantly moving, and you’d be surprised at the fish you’re passing when you’re rushing to get to that one little area. Fish it all, and fish it like you expect a fish on every cast.” • Move Some Water: “When they’re in the river, those fish are laid up in ambush,” said Garner Reid, who made his name guiding fly fishers to big Georgia stripers on the Etowah River. “You’re drawing reaction strikes, and what triggers them is a fly that looks like it’s wounded or fleeing.” Reid said it’s easy to get sloppy with the retrieve when you’re blind casting all day. He reminds anglers that it takes an aggressive presentation to move some water, cause a little commotion and trigger a striped bass’s predatory instinct. “Use the current and the swing to enhance your strip,” he said. “Make that fly hunt for you.” Visit Southeastern Anglers at www.southeasternanglers.com. See The Fish Hawk website at thefishhawk.com. Call Garner Reid at (770) 866-0301.

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JULY 2021

NATIONAL 7

THREE CLUES TO

Mahi Mahi By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

ahi fishing can be tricky in some places and times of year. They congregate under floating material adrift in the current, leaving them with no fixed address within an area of greatly variable depths. If you are fortunate enough to be able to target dolphinfish along the Gulf Stream this summer, you are in the right place at the right time. You shouldn’t have much trouble filling your cooler and even maxing out on the generous daily bag limit of this species. Head out to target mahi with a full tank of fuel. Assume you will have to run far and wide to find them, but hope to get lucky along the way. Recruit everyone on board to remain on the look out for the three telltale mahi hangouts: weeds, birds and floaters. Weeds can be productive whether they are formed tightly in a line, or even a tight patch. Birds can be a great sign of actively feeding fish at the surface, but they can also just be birds being birds. Learn to read them properly to avoid wasting time. A group of circling birds or diving birds is what you want to look for, and the more the better. Sometimes, a bird that’s on fish will flicker in the sun, reflecting the sunlight in a sporadic pattern as it moves its body to stay on top of something it has spotted under the surface. Circling frigate birds are always a good sign. If you see one even attempt a dive, start trolling immediately. Floaters can be anything floating in the water, from debris to sea turtles. When you find floaters in open water, it doesn’t take long to feel out if it is productive or not. If you happen to see all three of these goldmines come together, with birds diving around debris sucked to a weedline, troll the ever loving shi…mano out of it. When trolling for mahi, you won’t need to run more than four lines. Troll two small lures long, ideally on the outriggers, to draw in smaller dolphin. Troll one medium lure or ballyhoo at mid-length, and one large lure close. Dolphinfish have the mentality of a toddler. When you reel one to the boat, leave the fish in the water, put your rod in the rod holder, and cast out behind the hooked fish. The school should have followed your mahi to the boat, and with their mahi-see, mahi-do mentality, they’ll all want to partake in snack time. Continue hooking mahi and leave them in the water until you run out of available rods to cast. Start by putting one fish in the boat, but don’t take the second out of the water until the first rod has gone back out and hooked another fish. Try switching from live bait to chunk bait to keep them eating. If they don’t slam a bait as soon as it hits the water, try twitching the bait. Even a completely healthy and well-presented live bait sometimes isn’t as enticing as one that’s getting yanked away from them. Mahi will eat nearly anything, especially if you know how to taunt them properly. One of the biggest challenges in catching them is trolling through weeds. Weeds that cling to your lures is a pain to manage on the deck, while constantly clearing lines, and you also miss a lot of opportunities to catch fish. All lures catch weeds, the determining factor is whether they shed those weeds. Deep diving lures that never breach the surface are not your friend in this situation. Lightweight, squid-skirted lures do an excellent job of popping out of the water when bogged down with weeds. Most times, they clear themselves of weeds. Blue Magic Charters makes their own 3D-printed lures designed to troll in weeds. Visit them in Marathon, Fla., and ask us about their DR. BUBBLES lures. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters in Marathon, Fla. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 and visit CaptainQuinlyn.com.

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RHODAN: TOTAL GAME CHANGER FOR GROUPER

Tim Barefoot

here was a time—not too long ago— when only a select few would consistently come home with grouper, and not just “bottom fish.” There were several reasons for this. First and foremost, not everyone wanted to learn and spend the energy it took to learn to anchor. Anchoring accurately is an art form not mastered by all, but when mastered, it is the gateway to consistently catching grouper. Rhodan trolling motors, with their GPS Anchor systems, have made it so anyone can have a shot at catching grouper and not just all the other species down on the bottom. It’s one thing to have a trolling motor with “Spot Lock” that will hold position in a small bay boat, but Rhodan made the tool for serious offshore

boats to sit on the same place without using the anchor. Partner this Rhodan with a couple 36 volt lithium deep-cycle batteries, like Dakota, Ionic or Lithium Pros on a battery switch, and you have the tools it takes to score. Rhodan is just one aspect of what it takes to go grouper fishing, and not just “bottom fishing.” The way I set the dinner table for a grouper on every ledge is to have everyone on the boat sending down whole squid on the first five or six drops. I don’t care what they’re catching during this “chumming exercise,” because chumming is exactly what we’re doing. We’re getting one spot on the bottom chummed up with little pieces of squid swirling around. The smell and sound of an ongoing feeding

frenzy draws in the top of the food chain in no time at all. This is the point when we start to grouper fish. Yes, I’ve caught a lot of grouper on the whole squid, also, but this part of the routine is strictly to get the party started. Once it’s going, we drop live baits that none of the grunts, pinkies or sea bass can fit in their mouths. The smaller fish just hang out looking at these bigger baits and hoping for scraps. This is when grouper see four or five live baits on the bottom attached to Squid or Crab Decoy Jigs. To them, it’s a no-brainer. The sight of a grass grunt, pinfish or sailor’s choice struggling against the weight of the jig is more than a grouper can understand. They are hardwired to eat these fish that eat their eggs. The live bait and Decoy Jig combo gets the bite because a struggling bait is a “gimme.” Also, while you’ve got those grouper lines on the bottom, don’t forget to send a light out near the surface. Bait it with a live or frozen bait to catch pelagics like kingfish, dolphin, wahoo or tuna that happen to be swimming past. What does this all have to do with the Rhodan? Well, Rhodan’s powerful and precise GPS anchoring eliminates drift without all the aggravation and hard work of anchoring. Let Rhodan change your game by allowing you to concentrate on the fish while it keeps the boat in place! See more from Capt. Tim Barefoot, of Barefoot Cats and Tackle, at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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LIFE IS A BEACH S By Richard L. Matteson

The

Weeds G3 Sportsman 1810

argassum is a brown seaweed with berry-like bladders that at times covers the beaches and is washed into the lagoon around the inlets. Recent fishing at the beach has proven difficult because of the large mats of sargassum. Piles of sargassum are dumped on the beach at high tide and those same piles are pulled back into the ocean with the next high tide. The good thing is baitfish like to hang around sargassum—it protects them from predator fish. Sometimes the fishing is better with sargassum in the water. Conventional crocodile silver spoons with treble hooks do not work at all; they get hung up and you drag seaweed in on every cast. All your conventional crankbaits with treble hooks won’t work either. What to do? You simply have to fish lures with single hooks and use weedless spoons. The Johnson 3-inch weedless spoon is a regular bass and redfish lure. If you want to spice it up, use a pork rind or plastic trailer. This is a deadly lure for any saltwater fish. I like gold, but silver works too. Yo-Zuri makes crankbaits with a single hook, and you can also take off the front hook and put a weedless hook on the back of any crankbait. This might affect the action and takes some tinkering, but it keeps you from catching so many weeds. My favorite lure is a DOA 3/16-ounce jig with a 4-inch shad tail. Surprisingly, unless you fish it deep or hit a large mat of seaweeds, the jigs do not get hung up much. I just caught a nice snook in the weeds this week by popping the jig off the bottom. Sure, you’ll get hung up sometimes, but the jigs can be fished near the surface and usually come up clean. Try a topwater. Now is the time for great topwater action. Most of the time you can maneuver your topwater lures around the weed masses. If it’s bad, just take off the front treble hook and replace the back hook with a single hook. You can use a weedless hook, but it’s usually not necessary. You won’t have many weed problems with topwater, anyway. I like Skitter Walks in trout color and gold Zara Spooks. Lots of Sargassum on the beach? No problem. Switch to weedless or single hooks and catch the big ones feeding on the bait in the weeds. Richard L. Matteson Jr., of the Stuart Rod and Reel Club, is a regular contrinutor to Coastal Angler Magazine. Call him at (336) 414-3440.

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First Winner Named in State’s Largest Fishing Competition

n just the second week of this year’s STAR competition, CCA Florida has named the first verified winner in the CCA Florida STAR West Marine Tagged Redfish Division. After catching his tagged redfish, Ken Clarke, of Fort Pierce, selected a prize package from Contender Boats and Yamaha Outboards valued at more than $80,000. It will be awarded to him during the STAR Awards ceremony on Oct. 9 in Crystal River. A CCA Florida STAR registrant and CCA Florida member, Clarke caught the 20-inch redfish while fishing from a dock with live shrimp near St. Lucie Village on June 10. Clarke immediately notified the organization to begin the verification process. “I read the rules and knew I needed to follow them. Only after I submitted my catch through the STAR app, did the real excitement begin to set in,” Clarke said. “I’m still in shock and incredibly fortunate to be the first registered angler to win. I can’t wait to take out my new Contender 2200 Sport with 200HP Yamaha motor on the water.” This year, 160 West Marine Tagged Redfish were released across Florida’s coastal waters on average four per coastal county with Brevard, Charlotte and Citrus counties being Destination Counties with eight tagged fish each. Remaining prizes in the division include a Pathfinder 2200 TRS with Minn Kota trolling motor, Humminbird

electronics and a Spyder FX19 Vapor all powered by Yamaha. Additionally, STAR’s other tagged division, the Tigress Outriggers & Gear Tagged Dolphin Division, will award $10,000 to the first registrant to catch a tagged dolphin. Unlike traditional fishing competitions, CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha focuses on conservation and offers $500,000 in prizes and scholarships during the 101-day event. As a “catchphoto-release” competition, STAR’s smart phone app eliminates the requirement for anglers to harvest or capture and transport fish. “Our state’s fisheries are here for everyone’s enjoyment, and CCA Florida understands that smart fishing can help restore, preserve and improve marine habitats and water quality for today and tomorrow,” said CCA Florida STAR Director Leiza Fitzgerald. “Implementing a catchphoto-release competition is just one way to continue fulfilling our organization’s mission and protect our coastal waterways.” STAR is also focused on youth participation, with its Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors offering more than $100,000 in scholarships. Youth anglers (ages 6-17) can register for free with a current CCA Florida youth membership. Prizes for the first two youth anglers in the West Marine Tagged Redfish Division include a Salt Marsh Skiff 1656 powered

with a Yamaha 40 HP motor and trailer, and the first registered youth angler who catches one of 20 tagged dolphin (mahi mahi) is eligible to win a $10,000 scholarship in the Tigress Outrigger & Gear Tagged Dolphin Division. The STAR competition includes 17 divisions and 12 species, and most winners are determined by random drawing, giving anglers of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to win. Registration is $40 for current CCA Florida members or $75 for non-members.

Because every ﬁsh could be a winner!

CATCH. PHOTO. RELEASE. WIN. MAY 29 TO SEPTEMBER 6 inner First W home to take ER! TEND CON NEW

CCA Florida STAR is the largest family-friendly saltwater ﬁshing competition in Florida, and it’s unlike traditional ﬁshing tournaments.

• $500,000 in Prizes & Scholarships

• West Marine Tagged Redﬁsh Prizes Include Boat, Motor & Trailer Packages • 1st Tagged Tigress Dolphin/Mahi Mahi Wins $10,000 cash • 101 days of ﬁshing $40 entry for current CCA members. All others add $35 for one year membership.

• Prizes for Additional Non-Tagged Non Species Snook, Trout, Redfish, Grouper, Kingfish, Dolphin, Tarpon & Lionfish

CCAFLSTAR.COM A CCA FLORIDA EVENT

4 FLORIDA

JULY 2021

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SURF FISHING FORECAST S

BY CAPT. LUKAS BRICKWEG

increases ummer surf fishing patterns have taken hold, that reigning in what looks to be a great season the chance of for catching big snook, pompano, whiting and injury or death. ones sharks. The snook bite has already elevated itself Wetting to a degree which gives anglers confidence to hands before handling target these trophy sport fish. Many fisherman a fish is another measure to insure have hit the beaches to find amazing snook you don’t wipe away fishes’ protective slime success. Live baits such as croakers, mullet and which protects them from fungus and bacteria. threadfins accounted for the majority of these Practicing these measures promotes a healthy fishery during the snook’s slot size fish and oversize spawning season which, in fish that hit the shoreline. turn, will lead to increased Look for this trend to numbers of fish for the continue in the months future. It’s an incredible ahead and remember with time to catch a memory and warmer water temps, fish to practice these guidelines, being out of season, and while also sharing with larger fish being present, others. to handle with care. Never Pompano fishing may hold the fish from the lip not be the talk of the vertically, or touch the town compared to winter gills or eyes, and to always months, but let me assure support fish in a horizontal you there are banner days manner with two hands, get to be had over the summer a quick release and don’t months. Many pompano take excessive time with reside in the area year round fish being out of the water. so these fish are referred Another tip is to use circle Plenty of pompano are still in the to as residential pompano. hooks when live baiting Space Coast surf for the taking. While the majority of larger to avoid gut hooked fish 4 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

JULY 2021

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schools travel north following their ideal water temps, these residential fish can be found along Brevard County beaches for the entirety of the summer surf fishing season. Similar tactics to winter season can be implemented, with pompano rigs using chartreuse, orange, and white floats producing best. Match these pompano rigs with Fishbites, sandfleas, shrimp or clams for the ideal combination to target pompano in the surf. Don’t be surprised if you catch a trophy snook while targeting pompano and whiting, as numerous times these fish key in on crustaceans before the arrival of the mullet in the latter summer months. In summary, it’s an exciting time to hit the beach knowing the diversity and opportunities on hand. Everything from catching dinner fish like pompano, whiting and croaker up to the trophyclass fish including snook, tarpon and sharks. Water clarity will continue to drive success for the target species who feed primarily by sight, so put in the work to find areas depicting shades of blue and green. With that being said, the diminishing seaweed problem accompanied by calmer winds will be beneficial as the days pass. Enjoy the weeks ahead with family fishing trips to the beach, accompanied by calm conditions and the exhilarating sensations all our coast has to provide.

CAPT. LUKAS BRICKWEG

Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters cocoabeachsurffishingcharters@gmail.com www.cocoabeachsurffishingcharters.com (321) 205-4672

IN LA

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON FORECAST

BY CAPT. TOM VAN HORN

he hot summer days have finally arrived, but that does not mean there are no fish around. Try fishing in the early morning, at night, and late afternoons after the thunderstorms dissipate. Fishing early and late in the day can prove to be prudent for successful anglers. In the lagoons, target sea trout and redfish on the flats in areas of mullet schools using top water plugs during the early morning or late afternoon hours, and at night. Once the sun grows hot and the top water bite slows, switch to live bait (pigfish) or jigs fished on the deeper edges of the flats or just call it a day and stop for lunch on the way home. Also, July and August are the time of year when large schools of ladyfish and smaller sea trout shadow the schools of glass minnows in the deeper water and the larger breeder redfish begin the school up for their fall spawning ritual. Along the beaches, look for silver kings (large tarpon), smoker kings (large kingfish), blacktip sharks, jack crevalle, and redfish to be shadowing pods of pogies (Atlantic menhaden), greenies (thread fin herring), glass minnows (bay anchovies), in close to shore. Also, look for snook fishing in the surf to improve, as we get closer to the commencement of the fall bait run. Remember, snook are out of season, so if you target them, please handle and release them with extreme care. If you do decide to fish during the heat of the day, wear plenty of sunscreen, keep a close eye on the afternoon thunderstorms and stay hydrated.

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CAPE CANAVERAL

nesses

JULY 2021

)

Height

17 AM -0.2 :50 AM 2.2 42 PM 0.0 06 PM 2.0 55 AM 0.0 25 AM 2.1 21 PM 0.0 46 PM 2.0 35 AM 0.1 :02 PM 2.0 01 PM 0.0 :30 AM 1.9 17 AM 0.2 :41 PM 1.9 45 PM 0.1 8 AM 1.8 06 AM 0.3 24 PM 1.8 34 PM 0.1 11 AM 1.8 02 AM 0.4 15 PM 1.7 29 PM 0.1 12 AM 1.8 02 AM 0.4 13 PM 1.7 27 PM 0.0 15 AM 1.9 :02 AM 0.4 16 PM 1.8 :24 PM -0.1 16 AM 2.0 :59 AM 0.3 18 PM 1.9 19 PM -0.3

ute s n utes 17 min ute s 4 min ute s

13 min ute s , 9 min ute s

ute s te s

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1 Thu 2 Fri 3 Sat 4 Sun 5 Mon 6 Tue 7 Wed 8 Thu 9 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri 31 Sat

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2nd TIDE

3rd TIDE

4th TIDE

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY COEFFICIENT

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� 6:28 am� 8:23 pm

1:22 am 3.3 ft � 7:54 am 0.1 ft � 1:55 pm 3.2 ft � 8:16 pm 0.4 ft �

average

� 6:29 am� 8:23 pm

2:10 am 3.2 ft � 8:47 am 0.2 ft � 2:51 pm 3.1 ft � 9:12 pm 0.6 ft �

low

� 6:29 am� 8:23 pm

3:00 am 3.0 ft � 9:38 am 0.2 ft � 3:47 pm 3.1 ft � 10:05 pm0.6 ft �

low

� 6:29 am� 8:23 pm

3:50 am 3.0 ft � 10:26 am0.1 ft � 4:40 pm 3.1 ft � 10:55 pm0.7 ft �

� 6:30 am� 8:23 pm

4:40 am 2.9 ft � 11:12 am0.1 ft � 5:30 pm 3.2 ft � 11:42 pm0.6 ft �

� 6:30 am� 8:23 pm

5:29 am 3.0 ft � 11:56 am0.0 ft � 6:17 pm 3.3 ft �

� 6:31 am� 8:23 pm

12:26 am0.6 ft � 6:16 am 3.0 ft � 12:39 pm0.0 ft � 7:02 pm 3.4 ft �

� 6:31 am� 8:23 pm

1:08 am 0.5 ft � 7:02 am 3.1 ft � 1:19 pm -0.1 ft � 7:45 pm 3.5 ft �

� 6:32 am� 8:22 pm

1:49 am 0.5 ft � 7:46 am 3.2 ft � 1:59 pm -0.2 ft � 8:26 pm 3.6 ft �

� 6:32 am� 8:22 pm

2:28 am 0.4 ft � 8:28 am 3.3 ft � 2:38 pm -0.2 ft � 9:07 pm 3.6 ft �

� 6:33 am� 8:22 pm

3:07 am 0.4 ft � 9:11 am 3.3 ft � 3:17 pm -0.2 ft � 9:48 pm 3.7 ft �

� 6:33 am� 8:22 pm

3:47 am 0.3 ft � 9:54 am 3.3 ft � 3:58 pm -0.2 ft � 10:28 pm3.6 ft �

� 6:34 am� 8:21 pm

4:28 am 0.2 ft � 10:39 am3.4 ft � 4:41 pm -0.1 ft � 11:09 pm3.6 ft �

� 6:34 am� 8:21 pm

5:12 am 0.2 ft � 11:26 am3.4 ft � 5:28 pm 0.0 ft � 11:51 pm3.6 ft �

high

� 6:35 am� 8:21 pm

6:00 am 0.1 ft � 12:17 pm3.4 ft � 6:21 pm 0.1 ft �

average

� 6:35 am� 8:20 pm

12:36 am3.5 ft � 6:53 am 0.0 ft � 1:12 pm 3.4 ft � 7:18 pm 0.3 ft �

average

� 6:36 am� 8:20 pm

1:26 am 3.4 ft � 7:50 am -0.1 ft � 2:12 pm 3.5 ft � 8:21 pm 0.4 ft �

� 6:36 am� 8:20 pm

2:21 am 3.4 ft � 8:51 am -0.2 ft � 3:17 pm 3.5 ft � 9:25 pm 0.4 ft �

� �� average �� average ��

� 6:37 am� 8:19 pm

3:22 am 3.4 ft � 9:53 am -0.4 ft � 4:22 pm 3.6 ft � 10:28 pm0.4 ft �

average

� 6:37 am� 8:19 pm

4:27 am 3.5 ft � 10:53 am-0.5 ft � 5:26 pm 3.8 ft � 11:28 pm0.3 ft �

� 6:38 am� 8:18 pm

5:30 am 3.6 ft � 11:52 am-0.6 ft � 6:25 pm 3.9 ft �

� 6:38 am� 8:18 pm

12:26 am0.2 ft � 6:31 am 3.7 ft � 12:48 pm-0.7 ft � 7:21 pm 4.1 ft �

� 6:39 am� 8:17 pm

1:20 am 0.1 ft � 7:28 am 3.9 ft � 1:42 pm -0.7 ft � 8:12 pm 4.2 ft �

� 6:39 am� 8:17 pm

2:13 am 0.0 ft � 8:21 am 3.9 ft � 2:34 pm -0.7 ft � 9:00 pm 4.2 ft �

� 6:40 am� 8:16 pm

3:04 am -0.1 ft � 9:12 am 4.0 ft � 3:24 pm -0.5 ft � 9:46 pm 4.1 ft �

� 6:41 am� 8:16 pm

3:54 am -0.1 ft � 10:01 am3.9 ft � 4:13 pm -0.3 ft � 10:31 pm4.0 ft �

� � high � high �� very high �� high �� high �

� 6:41 am� 8:15 pm

4:43 am 0.0 ft � 10:49 am3.8 ft � 5:02 pm -0.1 ft � 11:13 pm3.8 ft �

high

� 6:42 am� 8:14 pm

5:31 am 0.0 ft � 11:36 am3.6 ft � 5:51 pm 0.2 ft � 11:55 pm3.6 ft �

� 6:42 am� 8:14 pm

6:19 am 0.1 ft � 12:23 pm3.5 ft � 6:40 pm 0.4 ft �

� 6:43 am� 8:13 pm

12:37 am3.4 ft � 7:08 am 0.3 ft � 1:12 pm 3.3 ft � 7:32 pm 0.7 ft �

� 6:43 am� 8:12 pm

1:21 am 3.2 ft � 7:59 am 0.4 ft � 2:03 pm 3.2 ft � 8:26 pm 0.8 ft �

6 BREVARD/VOLUSIA OM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

BY CAPT. CHRIS CAMERON

July, 2021

TIDES FOR CAPE CANAVERAL 1st TIDE

FORECAST

CAPE CANAVERAL

DAY

PORT CANAVERAL OFFSHORE

TIDE CHARTS

arts

� � average �� average �� average �� high �� high �� high �� high �� high � low

average

average high

� �� average �� low �

ishing off Port Canaveral has been fantastic and hopefully it continues. Bait has been easy and plentiful with just a few throws of your net, those bunker are thick. Use the right net folks. Still amazes me seeing that blue 6 footer being tossed. Go to the Fish and Dive Center in Cocoa Beach and tell Nick you need a Canaveral pogie net. They are custom made and worth every dime. Offshore has been “Fired Up!” Kings are chewing hard and every reef has them going off. The early bite seems to be the best still. Mixed in those kings are cobia, mahi, cudas and bonitas. Capt. Stan had a 20.8-pound bone—that’s huge! And some excellent eating as well. Good job! I would take some fresh bonita any day. Google some recipes. Also, seeing some random wahoo recently. Try some high speeding as it has been paying off. As many of you noticed, we had some beautiful clean water all the way to the beach that has brought flying fish to the bouy line, and a few mahi as well. Cool stuff. Along with the clean water, we also have the cold-water thermocline. This happens every year and usually shuts the bottom fishing down. But it will also push a lot of fish up. Amberjack and red snapper have been awesome; Monster blacktip! you can almost pick out what fish you want. Sure, you have to throw the reds back, but still fun sight fishing for red snapper. Joke. The thermocline usually only lasts a few weeks or so, and the chicken rigging will get back to normal. As will grouper. Nearshore shark fishing has been great. We are running shark trips every single day and averaging some great numbers. Big blacktips, hammerheads and sharpies. The Jewfish have also been consistant and providing the fish of a lifetime for many. Some trips we are averaging two or three fish to 300 plus pounds!

high

average

CAPT. CHRIS CAMERON

Fired Up Fishing Charters www.firedupcharters.com www.sharkfishingcocoabeach.com (407) 222-3573

Your premier fishing guide charter for shark fishing Cocoa Beach, offshore fishing Port Canaveral, and nearshore fishing Cape Canaveral.

This amazing group of guys caught their limit on king mackerels fishing with Capt. Joe aboard the Fire Fight. JULY 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

12/13/2019 10:24:07 AM

January layout.indd 15

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JULY 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA 12/13/2019 10:24:28 AM 7

ST. JOHNS RIVER FORECAST BY CHARLIE McCULLOUGH

he hot weather transition in freshwater means fish early and late for successful fishing trips. Afternoon rains will make your trip more comfortable, but also lowers water temperature a couple degrees triggering bass to feed. Match the hatch—top water, stick baits, lipless crank baits, suspended slash baits, flukes, trick worms, swim baits, Carolina rigged worms, Texas rigged worms and creature baits are all going to catch fish. You’ve got to throw one of them in the water to get a bite. Bass: Cooler water temps in the morning entice bass to shallow ambush feeding areas; hydrilla edges and lily pads are their hiding places. Points along the river with running water cause bait to be flushed bringing in the schoolies for an evening feed. The springtime panfish and

Respectable summertime St. Johns River bass.

shad hatchlings are now 2-3 inches. Try lures of same size: Rattle Traps (chrome), Rapala Countdown, small plastics etc. 4-inch soft plastics rigged on an eighth ounce weighted hook should produce quality fish along hydrilla edges. Flukes worked as finesse baits cast into the shallows are sure to get strikes. Panfish: Artificial fun with a Johnson Beetle Spin or ZMan Chatterbait - slowly troll 20-30 feet out from the shoreline or seawall along your favorite stretch of the St. Johns with ultralight spinning tackle. Cast to the bank and retrieve slowly to catch bluegill, shellcracker, and stumpnockers. Bonus fish are largemouth bass, many will be keepers. Catfish: Cooler temps at night make the cats hungry. Circle hooks are great for catfish - the fish hook themselves and most times the hook ends up in the corner of the mouth making hook removal easier when handling these spiny fish. Tip: use just enough weight to hold the bottom and tie the weight 10 inches from the hook.

CHARLIE McCULLOUGH

Coastal Angler Magazine charlie@coastalanglermagazine.com

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TIPS

BY CAPT. JONATHAN MOSS

ey there and welcome back to another edition of Pro Tips. My name is Capt. Jonathan Moss, and I am a full time guide here in Central Florida and the host of the TV show, “The Captain’s Log.” In this article, I want to talk about the importance of proper fish handling for warm summertime conditions. As you all know, summertime in Florida means very hot weather, which raises the water temperature significantly. The warmer the water gets, the less oxygen it contains. Just like us, fish need oxygen to survive. Think about how we humans become short of breath during strenuous activity and how that is even more affected (or noticable) in the summer months. The same thing happens with our fish. After a tough battle, our inshore species become exhausted, and without proper handling they will not survive their release. What can we do? Here are 3 easy tips to remember: 1. Have your landing net and pliers ready to go. Landing nets are very helpful in not only landing your fish but as a tool to support your fish in the water as it catches its breath. My preferred method after landing the fish with the net, is to quickly remove the hook and then place the fish back in the water for an opportunity to rest. Keeping the fish in the net allows it time to breathe and be supported without swimming away. 2. Once the fish shows signs of improved strength, pull it from the net and take your photos. Be quick. The fish’s life is worth more than social media popularity. Storing your cell phone or camera in a place that is quick to access will assist in a speedy process. When holding your fish, do so without damaging its gills and hold on tight to avoid dropping it, which can hurt the internal organs of the fish. Additionally, wetting your hands prior to grabbing the fish will aid in preserving the fish’s protective slime. This is very important in the health of our estuary.

3. Lastly, place the fish back in the water and firmly hold its tail. Doing this will keep the fish in your possession while it once again regains its breath and strength. It is crucial to take the time necessary to ensure that the fish is ready to go prior to release. Pushing the fish off or just tossing it back in the water increases the odds of the fish dying because of exhaustion or being eaten by a nearby dolphin because of its inability to swim away. If we all do our part to not only practice catch and release, but also to properly handle and release our fish, our estuary and fish numbers will improve. Pictured is my good friend, Capt. Nick Labadie, and me, after landing a nice Key West Bonefish. As mentioned in the article, we used the net to quickly land the fish. We were beyond excited as this was my first ever bonefish and the final fish needed to complete the Key West Slam of tarpon, permit and bonefish all in one day. We quickly snapped a picture and then performed a successful release of this incredible fish. Tight lines,

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CAPT. JONATHAN MOSS

Go Castaway Fishing Charters www.gocastaway.com (407) 760-8593 JULY 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA 9

SEBASTIAN INLET TO EAU GALLIE CAUSEWAY

TIDE CHARTS

SEBASTIAN INLET JULY 2021

July, 2021

TIDES FOR SEBASTIAN INLET

DAY

1st TIDE

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

2nd TIDE

3rd TIDE

4th TIDE

FORECAST

SEBASTIAN INLET

BY CAPT. GLYN AUSTIN

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY COEFFICIENT

��

� 6:29 am� 8:22 pm

1:40 am 2.1 ft � 8:14 am 0.1 ft � 2:13 pm 2.0 ft � 8:36 pm 0.3 ft �

average

� 6:29 am� 8:22 pm

2:28 am 2.0 ft � 9:07 am 0.1 ft � 3:09 pm 1.9 ft � 9:32 pm 0.4 ft �

low

� 6:30 am� 8:21 pm

3:18 am 1.9 ft � 9:58 am 0.1 ft � 4:05 pm 1.9 ft � 10:25 pm0.5 ft �

low

� 6:30 am� 8:21 pm

4:08 am 1.8 ft � 10:46 am0.1 ft � 4:58 pm 1.9 ft � 11:15 pm0.5 ft �

� 6:31 am� 8:21 pm

4:58 am 1.8 ft � 11:32 am0.1 ft � 5:48 pm 2.0 ft �

� 6:31 am� 8:21 pm

12:02 am0.5 ft � 5:47 am 1.9 ft � 12:16 pm0.0 ft � 6:35 pm 2.0 ft �

� 6:31 am� 8:21 pm

12:46 am0.4 ft � 6:34 am 1.9 ft � 12:59 pm0.0 ft � 7:20 pm 2.1 ft �

� 6:32 am� 8:21 pm

1:28 am 0.4 ft � 7:20 am 1.9 ft � 1:39 pm -0.1 ft � 8:03 pm 2.2 ft �

� 6:32 am� 8:21 pm

2:09 am 0.3 ft � 8:04 am 2.0 ft � 2:19 pm -0.1 ft � 8:44 pm 2.2 ft �

� 6:33 am� 8:20 pm

2:48 am 0.3 ft � 8:46 am 2.0 ft � 2:58 pm -0.1 ft � 9:25 pm 2.3 ft �

� 6:33 am� 8:20 pm

3:27 am 0.3 ft � 9:29 am 2.0 ft � 3:37 pm -0.1 ft � 10:06 pm2.3 ft �

� 6:34 am� 8:20 pm

4:07 am 0.2 ft � 10:12 am2.1 ft � 4:18 pm -0.1 ft � 10:46 pm2.3 ft �

� 6:34 am� 8:20 pm

4:48 am 0.2 ft � 10:57 am2.1 ft � 5:01 pm -0.1 ft � 11:27 pm2.2 ft �

� 6:35 am� 8:19 pm

5:32 am 0.1 ft � 11:44 am2.1 ft � 5:48 pm 0.0 ft �

high

� 6:35 am� 8:19 pm

12:09 am2.2 ft � 6:20 am 0.1 ft � 12:35 pm2.1 ft � 6:41 pm 0.1 ft �

average

� 6:36 am� 8:19 pm

12:54 am2.2 ft � 7:13 am 0.0 ft � 1:30 pm 2.1 ft � 7:38 pm 0.2 ft �

average

� 6:36 am� 8:18 pm

1:44 am 2.1 ft � 8:10 am -0.1 ft � 2:30 pm 2.1 ft � 8:41 pm 0.3 ft �

� 6:37 am� 8:18 pm

2:39 am 2.1 ft � 9:11 am -0.2 ft � 3:35 pm 2.2 ft � 9:45 pm 0.3 ft �

� �� average �� average ��

� 6:37 am� 8:18 pm

3:40 am 2.1 ft � 10:13 am-0.3 ft � 4:40 pm 2.3 ft � 10:48 pm0.3 ft �

average

� 6:38 am� 8:17 pm

4:45 am 2.1 ft � 11:13 am-0.3 ft � 5:44 pm 2.4 ft � 11:48 pm0.2 ft �

� 6:38 am� 8:17 pm

5:48 am 2.2 ft � 12:12 pm-0.4 ft � 6:43 pm 2.4 ft �

� 6:39 am� 8:16 pm

12:46 am0.1 ft � 6:49 am 2.3 ft � 1:08 pm -0.5 ft � 7:39 pm 2.5 ft �

� 6:40 am� 8:16 pm

1:40 am 0.0 ft � 7:46 am 2.4 ft � 2:02 pm -0.5 ft � 8:30 pm 2.6 ft �

� 6:40 am� 8:15 pm

2:33 am 0.0 ft � 8:39 am 2.4 ft � 2:54 pm -0.5 ft � 9:18 pm 2.6 ft �

� 6:41 am� 8:15 pm

3:24 am -0.1 ft � 9:30 am 2.5 ft � 3:44 pm -0.4 ft � 10:04 pm2.6 ft �

� 6:41 am� 8:14 pm

4:14 am -0.1 ft � 10:19 am2.4 ft � 4:33 pm -0.2 ft � 10:49 pm2.5 ft �

� � high � high �� very high �� high �� high �

� 6:42 am� 8:13 pm

5:03 am 0.0 ft � 11:07 am2.3 ft � 5:22 pm -0.1 ft � 11:31 pm2.4 ft �

high

� 6:42 am� 8:13 pm

5:51 am 0.0 ft � 11:54 am2.3 ft � 6:11 pm 0.1 ft �

� 6:43 am� 8:12 pm

12:13 am2.3 ft � 6:39 am 0.1 ft � 12:41 pm2.1 ft � 7:00 pm 0.3 ft �

� 6:43 am� 8:12 pm

12:55 am2.1 ft � 7:28 am 0.2 ft � 1:30 pm 2.1 ft � 7:52 pm 0.5 ft �

� 6:44 am� 8:11 pm

1:39 am 2.0 ft � 8:19 am 0.3 ft � 2:21 pm 2.0 ft � 8:46 pm 0.6 ft �

� � average �� average �� average �� high �� high �� high �� high �� high � low

average

average high

� �� average �� low � high

average

uly is one of my favorite months of the year to fish the beaches from Melbourne down to Sebastian Inlet. The snook bite is very good in the inlet as well as along the beaches. Fish live bait along the jetties in the day and fish Rapala Long Cast 14 lures and Hogy 7” jigging eels at night off the jetties for consistent action. If you are fishing the beaches from Melbourne south to Sebastian, use live bait rigged on a VMC circle hook, or anglers using artificial baits can use Rapala Long Cast 12 or D.O.A. 4” Cal and Baitbusters fished in the trough to target snook from the shore. Beachgoers targeting tarpon should be able to find good numbers, but it will take a bit of work to find and stay on the fish. Look for bait pods along the beaches and use the Rapala Long Cast 14 to be able to reach the fish cruising the trough looking for a meal. If anglers plan on fishing the flats, islands or mangrove shorelines in the Indian River Lagoon from Palm Bay to Sebastian, get out early and the bite will be good, but once the sun comes up, the bite will slow a bit. Topwater baits such as Rapala’s Skitterwalk as the sun comes up and as it sets should be a sure bet for trout, snook or redfish. If the fish won’t hit topwater, go subsurface with the new Rapala Twitchin’ Mullet and Twitchin’ Minnow. If soft baits are your preference, D.O.A. Shrimp and Cal 4” jerkbaits in the mullet pattern or rainbow trout work well. Look for bait pods in the areas you are fishing and work the bait pods, cast under the mangroves and along the deeper parts of the spoil islands. I don’t spend a lot of time fishing the creeks in July, but get James with a nice IRL Slam in the creeks early for snook and with some quality fish! tarpon action, as well as big jacks and sharks. After the rains, the action can be great around the dams using live shrimp or artificial baits. Whether fishing the beaches or the lagoon, be aware of the clouds forming and make sure to get off the water before you get caught in a lightning or hail storm.

CAPT. GLYN AUSTIN

Going Coastal Charters www.goingcoastalcharters.com (321) 863-8085 Capt. Glyn Austin and Capt. Jesse Austin are both lifelong Brevard County residents and full-time inshore/nearshore fishing guides. They run a 23’ Shoalwater tunnel boat and 24’ Wellcraft Bay boat which are comfortable for up to four anglers, letting them get shallow for inshore fishing the Inlet and nearshore waters of Brevard County. 10 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

JULY 2021

27 Bl

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vard . They ich are nshore

27th Annual Sebastian Exchange Club Blue Water Open Results By Karen McElveen

Crew aboard The Other Woman—Doug Relick, Blake Relick, Code Scholer and Clayton Schlitt— with their 31.38 pound first place mahi mahi. (Not pictured, Rory Mueller.)

he annual Sebastian Exchange Club Foundation’s Blue Water Open Charity Offshore Fishing Tournament was held on June 5, with a field of 122 boats vying for the $20,000 guaranteed payout. The bite was a little off due to a confused sea with three-to-four-foot seas and a stiff 10-to-15 knot wind out of the southeast. Trollers had a tough time because of very scattered weed, and bottom fishermen had a strong current to deal with. Only 44 boats weighed in fish at Capt. Hiram’s tournament headquarters, although there were some nice catches. Dolphin and kingfish dominated the board until near the end when several nice grouper were recorded. The main-board fish included dolphin, kingfish, grouper and wahoo, with four places in

Capt. Joel McKenney and Rocky Polfa took first for this 46.49 pound kingfish, caught aboard Easy Drinkin’.

each category. Also included was a bonus board with an additional 15 places, giving anglers who didn’t quite make the mainboard another chance to collect some winnings. The boat The Other Woman took top dolphin with a 31.38-pound beauty, followed by Tormentor with 25.67 pounds, third place going to Miss Possum with 18.40 pounds and Mixed Emoceans in fourth with 18.29 pounds. The biggest kingfish weighed in at an impressive 46.49 pounds, caught aboard Easy Drinkin. Second place king was 34.43 pounds caught on Sundance Kid, third place was 33.94 pounds caught on Little Debbie, and Fish Reaper with a 26.07 pounder rounding out fourth place kingfish. First place and second place grouper were only separated by two and a half ounces, top winner going to Signed In with a 20.63 pounder. The 20.36 pound second place grouper was caught on Reef Affliction, third place went to Big Country with a 17.19 pound fish, and fourth place was 14.93 pounds caught aboard Reef Thief. That two-anda-half-ounce lead for top grouper also landed Signed In the Capt. William Charles Memorial Largest Grouper Award of $1,000, donated by Carol Knapstein. That’s fishing for you! There were no wahoo caught. The Top Boat Award is based on an aggregate weight of three fish in at least two main-board categories. The 2021 BWO Top Boat Award went to Knot Scared with an aggregate weight of 43.97 pounds, for a nice $2,500 prize. Two “Bonus” Fish, amberjack and cobia, pays out $1,000 each for the single heaviest fish. The Top Amberjack Award went to Legal Limit this year, with a hefty 45.47 pounder. No cobia were caught this year. The Top Junior Angler went to Gavin Carter aboard Knot Scared, who caught a 14.89-pound kingfish. Top Lady Angler went to Crissy Shoonmaker with a 33.94-pound kingfish caught aboard Little Debbie. Crissy also took third place

Top Lady Angler Crissy Shoonmaker with her 33.94 pound kingfish, caught aboard Little Debbie. PHOTOS CREDIT: SEBASTIAN EXCHANGE CLUB

kingfish with that fish. The Sebastian Exchange Club has raised over $750,000 over the years through the Blue Water Open. All proceeds go to worthy charities in the local community with a special emphasis on the prevention of child abuse. For complete tournament results, visit www.bluewateropen.com or find Sebastian Blue Water Open on Facebook.

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JULY 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA 11

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JULY 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA

FISHING REPORT & FORECAST CAPTAIN VINNY

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s the days become warmer and warmer, I tend to start really fishing strictly night-time tides. Good structure and good lighting will aid in the task of finding trophy fish this time of year. The fish as of late have been stuck on small rain bait, which is great for the fly guy but no so good for the artificial or bait angler. I have had some great size fish this past few weeks laying at my feet but only to deny everything I offered them. The fish I am getting into are being taken on a few very select baits. I have really focused my attention as of late on the FishBites fight club line and am having nothing short of amazing success on them. The haymaker color seems to be the go-to as of late but with each passing tide that can change. Also at the ready is a x-rap and big Bucktail style jig. Again snook season is CLOSED and they should be returned quickly and safely. LAST MONTH WE HAD SOME GREAT TRIPS TAKING ANGLERS OUT

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14 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

JULY 2021

First mention is young Chase with his personal best trout. Then we have Blake with a nice poon. Lisa with it’s just a fish lol (nice red). We would also like to wish Michal a special Happy Birthday and congrats on his birthday trout. Have a great month everyone and remember to take a kid fishing. Tight lines, Capt Vinny Conwell / Back water Outfitters / 631-662-5029 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

nd start tly Good d the phy ar. have all great no so cial or

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FISHING REPORT & FORECAST

INSHORE ADVENTURES WITH SKYE

Snook Fishing

t some point throughout their lifestyle, Snook will inhabit almost every type of inshore and nearshore habitat. One day you may sight cast Snook in clear water and another pulling monster Snook from pilings under bridges in the night hours. You can spend a lifetime chasing Snook. Snook have a unique profile with a long lateral line that starts from the gill plates and ends at the fork in their tail. There eyes are located on top of their heads, which is great for ambushing bait as they pass above. The Common Snook is everything BUT common! Throughout the tropical hemisphere there are over 10 species of Snook. The largest on the East Coast reaching lengths of over 4ft! These fish lives start in the passes and inlets. Large female Snook release up to a million eggs every time they spawn. This requires the female to feed voraciously, which is great for us anglers fishing the beaches and inlets! Snook are a non migratory fish, a west coast Snook may not leave their estuary system, but throughout their years may use the entire system., from freshwater to saltwater passes. Along their way, Snook spend time in various places such as deep river channels, mangroves, shorelines, grassy flats, oyster bars, passes and inlets.

Reading the Water

Knowing how to read the water is important for a successful fishing trip. When out in the flats, looking for distinct color changes giving various water depths, drop-offs and transition zones, these are places that hold fish. Watching for signs such as, strong currents wrapping around structure during that last our of a tide change. Pelicans, birds flying, diving or grouped up in an area is a good sign bait fish are present letting you know fish are most likely there! Finding Oyster bars especially during a low tide where wind is pushing up against oysters, that is creating what we call an artificial current, this gives an ambush point, pushing all the bait up to. Learning how to read the waters will help you to learn where the fish are at.

Whether it is natural or manmade, soft as mangroves or hard as wood pilings, if it is disrupting the flow you are bound to see a Snook angler there! There are so many reasons Snook are a number one target for us anglers here in Central Florida, they truly are a challenge and not an easy catch. Which makes it that much more rewarding bring that Snook to your boat.

FUN FACTS ABOUT SNOOK • Throughout the tropical western hemisphere there are over 10 species of Snook

Photo Courtesy of FWC (Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis)

• Snook have a lateral line that starts from their gill plate and runs to the fork in their tail • Snooks eyes are on the top of their heads, making it easy to ambush their prey • Whether it is manmade or artificial Snook love structure • Snook have razor sharp gill plates and sandpaper mouths • Snook began their lives in passes and inlets • Large female Snook lay up to one million eggs every time they spawn

Baits and Lures

Everyone has their preference, I am a spinning reel angler. I find when using a spinning reel it is best for casting in tight spots and getting that perfect cast under bridges. When targeting Snook, top waters, suspenders, diving spoons, plugs and jigs will all work, when presented properly. A basic paddle tail jig is my go to and I believe every angler should have them in their tackle box, there is something about a jig Snook just cant seem to resist them! Of course now depending on the size of your bait will determine the size and style of the hook you use. When using a live bait I typically use a 3/O 4/O circle hook, I fish as small as jumbo shrimp and finger sized mullet. When trying to decide which line is best, there is such a large variety out there making it difficult to choose. Working and knowing how to play your fish is key to a successful landing, It all depends on the angler. I use light tackle from 10lb braid tied with a double uni-knot or FG knot to a 20lb liter. I find braid is much smaller then mono and spool my reels with Power Pro. Because of Snooks sharp gill plates and ruff mouths, I always add a foot extra of liter to keep my line fresh when changing baits or hooks while on my Snook fishing mission! With long runs and frequent jumps Snook will make your heart race and beat a bit faster, I know mine does! Every Snook landed is a trophy in my eyes, because no matter the size, I put in the same hard work and time. One thing I have learned fishing for Snook, Snook love structure! 16 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

JULY 2021

Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce. 3218 S. Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118

386-275-1492

Hours: INSHORE ADVENTURES WITH SKYE 11am-9pm •on Tuesday closed Feel free to check out my inshoreMonday fishing adventures Facebook @ Inshore Adventures with SkyeWednesday and on Instagram brassyangler - Saturday 11am-9pm

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Sunday 9am-9pm

uly ce mo fishing favori one of fish in flound with j hold t the tri minno or shr plastic done a mistak when trying feel a lightly em in to flip As the sh tarpon

FISHING REPORT & FORECAST CAPT JAMIE THRAPPAS

Ponce Inlet & Backwaters

here! here ch

uly, will most certainly be a hot month for temps and fishing! It’s one of my favorite months to target one of the best eating fish in the water……. flounder! Short leaders with just enough led to hold the bottom will do the trick. I prefer mud minnows, small mullet, or shrimp, but soft plastics will get the job done also. The biggest mistake people make when flounder fishing is trying to set the hook. You almost need to do the exact opposite. When I feel a flounder grab my bait I’ll actually put slack in the line. Pull ever so lightly every few seconds to get him to finally swallow the bait then reel em in. I always net them as well, you never want to lose a big one trying to flip them in the boat! Aside from flounder, there’s also a ton of fun things to pull on behind the shrimp boats including sharks, Bonita, and the ever so powerful tarpon! Just be respectful of those guys working on the shrimp boats and

don’t get to close and hook their gear. Also watch out for the other boats fishing as it can get a little busy. All of the docks in the Halifax should be holding nice redfish and snook this time of year. Early morning is the key here as the fish bite usually slows down as these summer days heat up. As always, if you see us on the water say hello! James Thrappas | Splash Brand Representation LLC | 386-366-3424 splashbrandsllc@gmail.com | Native Eyewear

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ue 32118

KYE closed ook @ angler -9pm COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA

Locally Owned With A Chef Inspired Menu

Millie’s offers fresh LOCAL seafood, meat and produce.

3218 S. Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118

386-275-1492

Hours: Monday 11am-9pm • Tuesday closed Wednesday - Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 9am-9pm

he big winds and the giant seaweed showed up and plastered the beach in June. Some places saw 3 to 4 feet high? It shut down everything for a few weeks until Mother Nature dried it out. The highlight of this Freak’s June happened at home in Wilbur by the Sea. We set up early waiting for high tide to come and the beach was more crowded than usual. I was almost dozing off after two hours of nothing when my old trusty rod (named Pompano Pat) bent in half!! I could hardly get it out of the rod holder. I had no idea yet that a nice permit was going to give me all it had! Permits are very rare to catch off the beach and very challenging to land. It took a big run and a lot of line when I tightened up the drag a little and started making some headway. After a bunch of zigzagging it Flopped on to the beach with my adrenaline peeking! As I was taking it off the hook my other pole went off and it was game on again! I’m in the game this time and I had a pretty good idea of what I might have and sure enough….permit number two showed up flopping on the beach to the delight of the crowd that formed and was watching. After a thrilling day on the beach we now have the sweet island sounds going, and the Red Stripe flowing! Our friends are gathering for the feast! Ceviche, fish cakes, fish stories, and memories formed. Now some of these fish me and some of these fish are heading to the smoker

Lik

Startin

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Nationa

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BREVARD/VOLUSIA 18 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

JULY JULY 2021 2021

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19 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

Ponce Inlet

FISHING REPORT & FORECAST CAPT. MICHAEL SAVEDOW

TIDE CHART T JULY 2021

www.USHarbors.com

Ponce De Leon Inlet South, FL - Jul 2021 High

Date

Low

Rise

Set

Thu