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

DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND EDITION

FREE @CAMTAMagazine

SUP

INSHORE TACTICS

TRANSITION TO SPRING

A FISHING KAYAK!

PHOTO CREDIT: PATRICK “TUPAT” EICHSTAEDTO IG: @THEREALTUPAT / YOUTUBE: TUPAT'S FISHING ADVENTURES

VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 313

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM

F R A N C H I S E

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

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

APRIL 2021

Hook, Line & Sea Eagle

Explorer 350fx

11' 6" Solo Inflatable Fishing Kayak Just 51 lbs. Reinforced Double Layers Anchor Trolley Attachments Built-in 40” Fish Ruler

What makes The Sea Eagle® Explorer 350fx Such A Great Inflatable Fishing Kayak? • 7 minute setup / Packs in car trunk easily! • Can take an electric trolling motor with optional motor mount • 16 open/close floor drains • Paddle calm waters or up to Class IV Rapids • Multiple air compartments for maximum safety • High pressure drop-stich floor for incredible stability

1-800-944-7496 or visit SeaEagle.com for more info

Fits In A Bag!

Dept. CS041B

19 N Columbia St., Ste 1 Port Jefferson, NY 11777

Protect your baby (and their toys) with coverage for fishing gear and personal property too. 1- 8 0 0 -PROG RE S S IVE / PROG RE S S IVE .COM

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

Shhhhh. No wake zone.

SUZUKI SPRINGTIME SALES EVENT Seize The Day-And The Deal.

OUR LOVE DIVE

êê

“...I Stau again —F

INSTANT

SAVINGS

REPOWER FINANCE

SAVE RIGHT NOW ON

SELECT SUZUKI OUTBOARDS

INSTANT SAVINGS Instant Savings on select models when you buy a new Suzuki Outboard. See your dealer for details.

REPOWER FINANCE Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/21 and 06/30/21. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/21 and 06/30/21. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

I p i B b a t B c d h G a o g w

20 ATM Dive Watch just $99

“You simply will not find a better made precision dive watch for such an unbelievable price.” –– George Thomas, Noted watchmaker & historian

OUR CLIENTS LOVE STAUER DIVE WATCHES…

êêêêê

“...I love it. I have several Stauer watches and once again you don’t disappoint.” — F., Jersey City, NJ

Your Greenlight to A Deep Dive Without Going in the Red At just $99, the Evergreen Diver goes deep without going overboard on price.

very year in Basel, Switzerland, the world’s best-known luxury watchmakers gather to display their new timepieces. It’s a great event for spotting timepieces that standout–– in performance and in personality. We saw one impossible to ignore: a precision dive watch with an arresting green dial. But we also saw the five-figure price tag and knew we could bring our customers that exact same precision and stand out appeal for a whole lot less. The Stauer Evergreen Diver is that timepiece. Built like a submersible battleship with a stainless steel case, caseback, and band, the Evergreen Diver is water-resistant down to 660 feet or 20 atmospheres, a feat facilitated by a hardened crystal and screw-down crown. Green On Your Wrist AND In Your Pocket. You could pay an awful lot elsewhere for this verdant virtuoso, but the majority of the cost is in the big designer name upcharge. We think those guys are all wet. This is how you own a top-of-the-line dive watch without helping pay for some marketing guy’s yacht.

“Whether you’re looking for something to wear in the ocean, the office, and everywhere in between, a diver’s watch is for you.” — Business Insider, 2018

Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back. Wear the Evergreen Diver for 30 days. If you’re not completely happy, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserve. A watch of this caliber, with a price that won’t drag you under, takes 6 months to create and won’t stick around for long. Call today! Stauer Evergreen Diver Watch non-offer code price $399† Offer Code Price $99 + S&P Save $300

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

1-800-333-2045 Your Offer Code: GDW153-01

Rating of A+

Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.

• Precision crystal movement • Stainless steel crown, case, caseback & band • Screw down crown • Magnified lens over date window at 3 o’clock • Water resistant to 20 ATM • Fits wrists up to 8 ½"

Stauer

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. GDW153-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

FRANCHISOR-CORPORATE DIRECTORY

EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Laura Kelly • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Ryan Clapper • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING & FRANCHISE INQUIRIES:

Corporate Headquarters 126-C N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 321.777.2773 FRANCHISE DIRECTORY LINK

www.coastalanglermag.com/directory

Franchise Opportunities Now Available

Help Starts Here.

Priority service for members.

Your insurance policy does not include a Sea Tow membership and all the benefits that come with it. 25% of our service calls are resolved without towing and Sea Tow members are always served first. Join today and save 10%.

If you love the outdoors and have dreamed of being in business for yourself, now is the time to choose a Coastal Angler or The Angler Magazine Franchise. Established Brand • Proven Systems Training & Ongoing Support Work From Home • Be Your Own Boss • • • •

Arkansas Connecticut/Rhode Island Destin, FL (Panhandle) Georgia (Coastline, Savannah) • Lake Okeechobee, FL • Long Island, NY • Miami, FL

• New Hampshire • New Orleans, LA • North Carolina (Raleigh, Wilmington) • South Carolina (Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach) • Texas (Coastal, Houston) • ...YOUR HOMETOWN!

Don’t see your location? Ask one of our specialists about franchise availability in your area.

seatow.com/angler 800-4-SEATOW

321.777.2773

info@coastalanglermagazine.com

franchise.coastalanglermag.com

4 NATIONAL

APRIL 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

I T B Y N H T A O S A A

IN THIS BATTLE, YOU NOW HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF SHOCK AND AWE.

The next generation of our workhorse spinning reel, the new PENN ® Battle ® III now features our proprietary CNC Gear ™ Technology for ultimate durability, and the proven HT-100 ™ Carbon Fiber Drag System for ultimate control during the fight. Available in nine different sizes, from 1000 to the new 10,000, and in select high speed models, it can handle any situation. The new Battle® III. Fish won’t know what hit them. PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN.

FISHING FROM A PADDLEBOARD:

TUPAT’S TIPS By Nick Carter

THINK AHEAD: Unless your board is staked out or tied off, it is going to move. It blows with the wind and drifts with the tide. Even small fish will tow a board during a fight. Tupat constantly considers these factors and comes up with a plan before making a cast. Sometimes, finding wind-shade in the lee of landscape is necessary to fish. Other times, the wind or tide can be used to set up drifts. When you do hook up, you must adapt to the situation. “It’s spur of the moment to decide what you have to do to land the fish.” Tupat said. “You have to use your common sense.” If you’re in open water, it’s possible to play a fish out. The board serves as a secondary drag system in this situation. In shallow water and tight confines, it sometimes makes sense to step off the board and battle a fish on foot. In other situations, it can be necessary to hold the rod in one hand and paddle with the other to find a more advantageous place to land large fish.

F TUPAT.

Check out Tupat’s Hawaiian Poke Sauce at www. tupats.com, his Youtube fishing show Tupat’s Fishing Adventures and his Instagram feeds @therealtupat and @tupatshawaiian.

URTESY O

board that will float your weight. From there: “You’ve got to develop a core balance and become one with the motions of paddling and fishing and how the board reacts to your movements,” said Tupat. He fishes an 11-foot-long, 36-inch-wide, 5-inch-thick Pau Hana Big EZ Angler. He said it’s stable, yet maneuverable, and called it the ultimate fishing board. Rigging is a matter of preference, but generally “less is more on a paddleboard,” said Tupat. A cooler placed on the middle of the board is a seat and fishbox. Aft of that, a milk crate with zip-tied sections of PVC pipe serves as a rod holder and carry-all. Tupat keeps a softsided, rectangular wet/dry bag in front of him on the deck. This is where he keeps tackle, tools and anything he’ll need quick access to. “I’ve tried attachments and all that crap, and all it’s done is get in my way,” he said. “I need it to be as simple as possible to put me in the best position to catch fish.” STEALTH: The ability to sneak up on fish in shallow water is the primary advantage of a paddleboard. A paddle or any other gear banging on the deck alerts fish to your presence. Tupat said knowing where your paddle is and having a secure place to put it quickly is imperative. You should have a plan for your paddle. Tupat sets his on that soft-sided wet/dry bag, where it is secure and will not bang on the deck.

PHOTOS CO

atrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt has been mucking around in backwater creeks as long as he can remember. He grew up just north of Florida’s famous Mosquito Lagoon, in Bethune Beach, where the Indian River is a labyrinth of saltwater creeks and channels that snake between mangrove islands. Tupat is a surfer, angler and an entrepreneur, and recently life brought him home to Bethune Beach, where his passion for fishing from a standup paddleboard (SUP) re-ignited in a big way. “The things a board allows me to see and do is incomparable to being in a boat,” he said. “It puts me as close to Mother Nature and the fish as I can get. I can get to places you wouldn’t dream of in a boat, and the stealth lets me observe fish at a much deeper level.” Casting from an SUP for big snook, trout and redfish is not, however, something you just pick up and go do well. It’s a melding of sports, and Tupat’s surfing background gifted him with an awareness of how a board handles in the water. Anyone can spend the day SUP fishing and catch some fish. Getting good at it requires time on the water to learn the intricacies of the sport. Here are some tips from Tupat: SETUP: Fishing from an SUP requires confidence in the board and competence on it. Before you hit the water, it’s wise to research and find a stable

Over 4 carats of fiery Blue Helenite in precious .925 sterling silver

Genuine HELENITE

ONLY $149

Save 350!

Mount St. Helen Origin

PRAISE FOR STAUER MEN’S RINGS

staked s with all fish

“This is one cool ring! Feels great and looks even better! Get one!”

actors a cast. lee of es, the

– B. H., Lyons, IL

The Biggest Rock Star to Come out of the '80s

to the

at you u have

o play y drag er and o step other he rod find a

www. pat’s eds

We transformed one of history's most powerful performances into a showstopper of a ring. Then, we gave it an epic price.

n May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in the Pacific Northwest erupted, sending a column of ash and smoke 80,000 feet into the atmosphere. It was the most powerful natural event in U.S. history. But it was what was discovered in the aftermath that really stole the show... a stone that burns with a blue so deep and luxurious it outshines even the world’s most legendary blue sapphire––Kashmir. We're talking helenite. And, the Men’s Blue Heat Helenite Ring showcases over four carats of this smoldering hot piece of geological history for a very cool price of $149. So how did we create such a phenomenon? While it’s not easy to harness the raw power of nature, it can be done. You just need the right gemologists and gemcutters. Our helenite is created under extreme pressure and intense heat, using the natural, volcanic rock found only at the site of the intensely powerful Mount. St. Helens eruption. Then expert jewelers give these stones a high precision cut and polish before placing them “...the eruption of Mount St. Helens sparked the advances in cutting-edge volcano science and monitoring that exist today.” — U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

center stage in gleaming sterling silver. This is a ring for the ages. Bold and intense with a captivating story of American history. Just like your favorite rock star. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Experience the cool fire of the Blue Heat Helenite Ring for 30 days. If you aren’t a fan, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. Headliners priced like this sell out fast. Don’t miss the biggest rock star of the ’80s. Call today! Men's Blue Heat Helenite Ring (4½ ct) $499† $149 +S&P You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: BHR148-01

Please use this code when you order to receive your special discount. † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

Stauer

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. BHR148-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

Rating of A+

• 4½ carat rectangle cushion cut Blue Helenite • Rhodium-finished .925 sterling silver setting • Wholes sizes 8-14

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2021

NATIONAL 7

IGFA Tweaks Electric Reel Rules W ith the skyrocketing popularity of daytime swordfishing and following on the heels of some spectacularly large swordfish caught in the last few years, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has tweaked its rules on electric reels. Effective immediately, anglers will be allowed limited use of power-driven reels and remain eligible for IGFA records. According to an IGFA press release, new language in its rules clarify accepted and nonaccepted uses of electric reels. New rules do not allow for fighting fish with the aid electric reels. Of note is a requirement that power accessories must be removable and may not be attached to a reel during deployment of baits or at any time during fishing, except to retrieve baits all the way to the boat. This function is almost necessary in daytime swordfishing, which requires anglers to commonly drop and retrieve baits deeper, sometimes much deeper than 1,000 feet. The old and new language read as follows: IGFA International Angling Rules: Section E. Reel PREVIOUS RULE: 2. Power-driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device that gives the angler an unfair advantage in fighting the fish.

NEW RULE: 2. Power- driven reels are acceptable under the following situation and configuration. a) Reels that have power accessories (e.g., electric drill attachments, motors or other power accessories specifically designed for a reel) that can be physically removed from the reel may be used strictly for the purpose of retrieving a deployed bait or lure at depth all the way to the boat. b) Power accessories may only be used to retrieve a bait or lure completely to the boat and are not permitted for adjusting the position of a bait or lure in the water column. Once a power accessory is attached to the reel, the bait or lure may no longer be legally used to catch a fish and the bait or lure must be retrieved all the way to the boat for manual redeployment before it may be legally used to hook or catch a fish. Power accessories may not be attached to the reel during the deployment of a bait or lure. c) Power accessories must be physically removed from the reel before the act of hooking and/or fighting a fish. Any fish that strikes a bait or lure being fished with a reel with power accessories still attached—whether or not under electric operation—will not be eligible for record consideration. d) Electric reels that do not have removable electronic components that allow them to be completely manually driven are prohibited.

“Changes to the IGFA’s International Angling Rules are always something we handle with the utmost care,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “This rule in particular has been a point of contention for years, and we are pleased to announce this new language that we strongly feel adapts IGFA rules to the technology of our time, while not jeopardizing the core principles of IGFA ethics.” For more information, see igfa.org.

LET US SHOW YOU HOW TO

BUILD YOUR OWN RODS MUDHOLE.COM/SALT-KIT

8 NATIONAL

APRIL 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

GET A FREE CATALOG! MUDHOLE.cOM/CATALOG

ENTER

TO WIN!

NEW! Pup Plank Dog Ramp

Paddleboard with kit including paddle, leash, pump and backpack

Same Day Shipping on In-Stock Products!

EXPLORER 350FX FISHING KAYAK *

Durango Kayak Kit

Yoga Board

NEW! 350FX SWIVEL SEAT FISHING RIG PACKAGE MSRP $1299

Weighs 51 lbs. 11'6" long x 39" wide. Holds 1 person or 575 lbs of passenger and gear. Made of 1000 denier reinforced PVC w/ 2000 denier reinforced sections. Can take up to a 34lb. thrust electric motor w/optional motor mount. Floor is removable, double layer, high pressure drop-stitch w/ non-slip EVA foam padding. Standard Features: Customized front & rear spray skirts with built-in rod, tool, hook and lure holders plus plenty of storage below • Built-in 40" fish ruler • Sea Eagle FlexBrace™ adjustable foot brace • Right & left side anchor trolley attachments • 16 self-bailing open/close floor drains • Large, removable rear skeg. *Motor not inlcuded

Minimalist Inflatable Belt Pack PFD • Ideal for inshore activities • Manually inflates by pulling activation cord • Provides 18.9 lbs of buoyancy when inflated Item 551483 • Admiral Gray or Azure Blue

9999

ENTER TO WIN IN APRIL BY VISITING:

Defender.com | 800-628-8225

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM/CONTEST

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Coastal_Angler_April2021.indd 1

APRIL 2021

NATIONAL 9

2/25/21 12:17 PM

By TAM Staff

LIFE ON THE TRAIL WITH

KRISTINE FISCHER

hose familiar with kayak bass tournaments have likely heard the name Kristine Fischer. She’s a driven angler from Weeping Water, Nebraska, who dropped out of the rat race a few years ago to hit the road and fish kayak tournaments. Since 2017, she’s proven she’s a lot more than just a breath of fresh air in a male-dominated sport. Fischer has amassed a strong resume from top national tournament trails like KBF, Hobie B.O.S. and B.A.S.S. In 81 tournaments, she’s tallied five firstplace victories and fished her way to top-10 finishes 27 times. Along the way, she’s picked up major sponsors like Tincup Whiskey, Hobie Fishing, Z-Man, PLANO, Hobie Eyewear, AFTCO, Omnia, CalCoast Fishing, Dakota Lithium batteries and Torqeedo. These sponsorships allow her to make a living as a professional kayak angler. And while she doesn’t deny her blonde hair and big smile have helped, the 33-year-old said it also drives her to build on her reputation as one of the fiercest competitors on the circuit. Here’s a little Q&A with Kristine Fischer:

Q: What led you to become a professional kayak angler? KF: My biggest fear has always been leading a life that lacked purpose and didn’t allow me to grow as a person. I’ve always craved adventure in some capacity and fully believe in the importance of submersing yourself in the wilderness as often as possible. To me, routines and having everything planned out can become mundane and almost robs us of spontaneity and ability to live in the moment. Being a full-time angler was a natural fit, given my love for fishing and my competitive nature. 10 NATIONAL

APRIL 2021

I mean, the family camping trips etched on your mind are the ones when gale-force winds destroyed the camp and raccoons stole the last bag of marshmallows. Life is what you make of it, whether it is on the road or at the end of a cul-de-sac. It’s all about your disposition.

Q: What’s the lifestyle on the road? KF: The Internet has a funny way of romanticizing road life. In reality, it’s hardly romantic. Replace sunsets wrapped in fuzzy blankets and barefoot nights by the fire with lights strung in the trees and drone shots of the RV rolling down a picturesque Route 66 with flat tires. Living on the road is 10-second cold showers, eating cans of gas-station beef ravioli with your fingers and praying you get to the next gas station before the truck runs out of fuel. It’s wrapping up a tournament in the Carolinas, knowing you’ve got one day to make it to west Texas. It’s utter chaos. Something always seems to go wrong at the most inconvenient time. It’s little sleep, a gas-station diet and pushing yourself to the limits in every capacity. Despite all that, there’s something about the road that lights my soul. I’ve always found the most joy in those moments of chaos. The best memories are made when everything goes south.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Q: Tell us about being a successful woman in a male-dominated industry. KF: Successful women in fishing are a rarity, and therefore it’s much easier to get noticed. That fact has never sat well with me. I’m the type of person who needs to know I’m absolutely earning opportunities and that they aren’t coming to me simply because I’m a female with a big smile and blonde hair. I wanted to be recognized as a talented angler who is capable of winning any tournament on any given day. I set my sights on that. The sport is inundated with people who pose as anglers to take advantage of the industry. I’ve had to work to overcome negative stereotypes associated with women in the sport. Over the years, it’s gotten easier. The ability to record my tournaments has helped prove that I’m the “real deal.” Q: What are your goals for the 2021 season and into the future? KF: I’m gunning for AOY in the Hobie series, and I want to make “The TEN” for KBF. Future goals: qualifying for the Bassmaster Elites certainly has lingered on my mind. It’s a lofty goal, but I always appreciate a good challenge. Keep up with Kristine Fischer and her life on the tournament trail at her YouTube channel and through Facebook @kristinefischerfishing and Instagram @midwestfishergal.

Flip Flip Hooray! A perfect symbol of fun in the sun for only $79

ere’s a memorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea. There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of the day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat.

A full two carats of shimmering blue topaz set in sterling silver

Why not re-create that special toes-in-the-sand moment with our Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant? The beloved sea mammal has been captured mid-jump in sterling silver. And, tucked into its fins is a full two carats of shimmering blue topaz. Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling clear blue color and high refractive index, blue topaz is one of the top-selling blue gemstones. And with our special price, you have quite the catch.

Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Blue Topaz Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A full two carats of genuine blue topaz set in sterling silver for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today!

Limited to the first 1800 responders to this ad only! Blue Topaz Dolphin Collection A. Pendant (2 1/2 ctw) .....................$395 † $79 + S&P Save $316 18" Sterling Silver Rope Chain ................... $59 B. Earrings (2 3/5 ctw)......................$395 † $99 + S&P Save $296 C. Ring (2 1/4 ctw) ............................$395 † $99 + S&P Save $296

Jewelry shown is not exact size.

Pendant, Chain, & Earrings Set $849 $199 + S&P Save $650 BEST You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

1-800-333-2045

CHOICE B.

Your Insider Offer Code: DPP307-04

Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.

êêêêê “This sterling silver dolphin is absolutely beautiful and the blue topaz is like the color of the ocean”

Rating of A+

— Vivian, Cabool, MO

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

Stauer

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. DPP307-04, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

“Enormously popular, significantly intelligent and scientifically sophisticated, dolphins are amidst the most beloved animals among people.” — Dolphins-World

• Pendant- 2 ctw blue topaz; 1/2 ctw Ultimate Diamond Alternative®, DiamondAura® • .925 sterling silver setting

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

L A

Switch to GEICO and see how easy it could be to save money on boat insurance. Simply visit geico.com/boat to get started.

geico.com/boat | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2021 GEICO. 21_5507299281

THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUYING A NEW BOAT

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

Performance Bulletin Available

Lou’s Marine, Inc. Gulf Breeze

57 YEARS OF REPOWER EXPERIENCE!

Custom Marine Service

St. Augustine Marine Center

Panama City

St. Augustine

Mastry Engine Center has received the Suzuki Marine Super Service Award and has been ranked #1 in Suzuki Marine US Sales! Repower packages designed to best fit your needs and not stretch your budget. Financing available.

Oyster City Suzuki

Apalachicola

COMING SOON Volsuia County

On-Site Marine

Mastry Engine Center

Ruskin

Clearwater

Innovation Marine Corp.

Bayfront Yacht Works

Sarasota

Siesta Key

Calusa Certified Marine Cape Coral

Marina One

Deerfield Beach

Twin Screws Marine Service

All Suzuki repowers come with Suzuki’s “Gimme Six!” 6-year protection.

Fort Myers

Atlantic Marine Store Hialeah

Boat Services Group Key West

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

Go on a power trip with

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

NEW for 2021! 9" Hybrid Touch

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

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

Unleash the power to see fish clearer, deeper & on both sides of your boat, with unprecedented clarity. Built-in Dual Channel1 1kW TruEcho CHIRP™ 1

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

TZT9F is a Single-Channel 1kW TruECHO CHIRPTM

DFF3D Multi Beam Sonar See 120° Port-Starboard 2

Compatible with TZT12F/16F/19F only

Get the whole story at NavNet.com

2 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

Hi-Power Radar3 With Bird Detection Mode

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Premium Fishing & CMOR Charts

Requires external sensor

BUILD BUILD YOUR FLEET FLEET W36M W36M

652R

Z930M Z930M

• • 36-inch 36-inch(91-cm) (91-cm)floating floatingmower mower deck deck • • Smooth-running, Smooth-running,14.5 14.5hp hp(10.8 (10.8 kW) kW)V-twin V-twinengine engine • • Self-propelled Self-propelledhydrostatic hydrostaticdrive drive system system • • Easy-to-use Easy-to-usecontrols controlsfor for operator operatorcomfort comfortand and convenience convenience

••

•• •• •• •• ••

Commercial CommercialWalk-Behind Walk-BehindMower Mower

QuikTrak™ QuikTrak™ Stand-On Stand-On Mower Mower

•• •• ••

Compact design design for for easy easy hauling Hydrostatic drive drive system system Commercial-quality Commercial-quality engine engine Easy to maintain maintain

ZTrak™ ZTrak™Zero-Turn Zero-TurnMower Mower 7-Iron™ 7-Iron™PRO PROdeck deck Mulch MulchOn OnDemand™ Demand™Available Available Gasoline GasolineEngine Engine Propane PropaneOption OptionAvailable Available Rear RearDischarge DischargeDeck Deck

CHALLENGE

NAMES 2021’S

Re-Discover Old Florida

Waterfront Charm

The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts

TOP CUSTOM ROD

T R E S E RV E YOUR ST A FOR 28 D Y AYS OR LONG E & RECEIV R E 50% OFF

Nestled on six lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon, take a step back in time to experience the very best of Old Florida charm with modern conveniences and services to make your stay truly memorable and unforgettable. • FULLY FURNISHED 3 ROOM COTTAGES WITH FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHENS • • • • • • •

Kingfish Lodge includes a wide screen TV and bar for small gatherings Sailfish House features a wide covered wrap-around porch for larger groups Boat Trailer Parking on site w/ Water and Power 250 Foot Dock w/ Covered Area FREE Ice / FREE Guest Dockage TRAVEL Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet Cover Your Vacation 2 miles to the Ft. Pierce Inlet with Travel Insurance 12 miles to the Gulf Stream Laundry, BBQ Grilles and FREE use of our Kayaks P R O T E C T I O N

NIGHTLY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY • SEASONAL RATES

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

www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com

Reservations and Information: (772) 349-2206

YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE OUR UTMOST CONCERN COVID-19 CDC GUIDELINES ARE IN FULL EFFECT

All accommodations are completely cleaned and sanitized prior to guest arrival 4 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

he International Rod Building Challenge pits some of the world’s very best custom rod builders and designers against each other in a competition that considers creativity, craftsmanship and functionality. The 2021 Challenge, hosted by American Tackle Company, featured many entries from throughout the United States, Germany, Indonesia, Canada and Portugal. For the competition, rod builders were presented a mystery American Tackle Mark Crouse took first place in the Bushido blank to build their 2021 International Rod Building creation; everything else Challenge for his stunning was left up to the builder custom spinning rod. for creativity, design and craftsmanship. Each builder showcased their version of a highly ornate yet functional fishing rod in hopes of capturing the coveted 2021 title. The entries submitted featured both spinning and casting rod configurations including one spinning/fly convertable design. The judging panel was comprised of 10 noted fishing and rod-building professionals with extensive diversity of experience in rod manufacturing and custom rod building, as well as noted anglers and editors of wellcirculated fishing media. Each judge scored to a list of criteria ranging from design, theme, functionality and craftsmanship in 11 categories. Judges spent hours carefully grading the top-10 rods for the final results. In the end, Mark Crouse was declared the winner, taking first place in one of the tightest races this competition has ever seen. Mark’s entry in the 2021 challenge featured custom-created acrylic grips, a custom fabricated/machined highly polished aluminum reel seat/ handle trim, custom-fabricated extendable rear handle grip and impressive ultra-smooth epoxy finish over finely detailed thread work. His entry was designed into a spinning rod configuration utilizing the titanium version MicroWave Guide Line Control System for better balancing and enhanced performance. Mark is no stranger to winning rod-building competitions. He has been a true craftsman in rod building for many decades. His rod beat out Wade Christensen and Mark Blabaum, who earned second and third in the competition respectively. To view more of the entries, visit www.coastalanglermag.com/rod-build. For more information, go to www.americantackle.us.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Consider A Mastry Suzuki RePower

It Simply Makes Sense

Repowering your boat with Mastry Suzuki outboards gives you an effective

blend of pure power and rugged durability.

Suzuki’s extensive lineup of four-stroke outboards are built for long life, reliable performance, fuel efﬁciency, quiet operation, ease of access to major parts, and simpliﬁed integration. Plus, with Mastry Suzuki’s reputation for high-quality, customer service and extensive marine dealer network — including genuine Suzuki parts and service — we are prepared to support you wherever your adventures lead.

When Considering A Repower, Consider These Factors: • Mastry Suzuki RePower exclusive Owner’s Edge Program* • Mastry Suzuki RePower Centers are located throughout the southeast • Mastry has over 5-decades of repower experience for proper rigging, controls, propeller matching and in water testing • With Mastry Suzuki RePower owners gain improved performance, less noise and greater reliability • Options that will ﬁt most any budget • Financing available • All Suzuki RePowers come with Suzuki’s “Gimme 6” 6-years of protection

Get with the Program! *When you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from an authorized Marstry RePower Center you qualify to become a member of the Mastry Suzuki Owner’s Edge. Owners receive an identiﬁcation card that provides them with important information about their Suzuki outboard motor as well as a passport to additional beneﬁts during ownership. Members enjoy a detailed engine maintenance schedule, Mastry Suzuki RePower Trade Program and special pricing from Mastry Suzuki Partners. suzukirepower.com

1-800-545-4574

Seasonal Closure Implemented at Western Dry Rocks

n a move widely supported by conservation groups, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a total fishing closure in a 1-square-mile area at Western Dry Rocks from April through July for the next seven years. Western Dry Rocks is an area of reef and rock about 10 miles southwest of Key West that hosts large spawning aggregations of permit and various snapper and grouper species each year. Its proximity to Key West and the dependable nature of the fishery make it a popular spot for charter captains and private anglers in search of bountiful half-day trips. The intent of the closure is to protect populations of several important recreational species by allowing them to spawn unmolested by anglers. Fisheries managers had been considering a two-month, May-June, annual closure prior to the February FWC meeting, after which the four-month closure was announced. Permit, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper and gray snapper are all known to aggregate at Western Dry Rocks from April through July. Other species, such as black, Nassau and gag groupers, aggregate at Western Dry Rocks during the cooler months, and they are already protected by seasonal bag limits. These spawning aggregations, along with the

6 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

swirling currents that sweep past Western Dry Rocks are thought to play a role in the distribution of fish eggs and larvae throughout the Florida Keys and up the Atlantic coast of southern Florida. Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) has conducted tagging studies, which show permit from throughout the Lower Keys attend the annual aggregation at Western Dry Rocks. BTT is one of the organizations that pushed for the longer closure. They were joined in support of the April through July prohibition by American Sportfishing Association, Coastal Conservation Association, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, International Game Fish Association, Lower Keys Guides Association, Wild Oceans and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Doubtless there are private anglers and fishing guides who are upset by the move. FWC data shows angler effort absolutely centers on known aggregation areas. It’s worth noting that permit harvest is already closed throughout the Keys from April through July. BTT, however, has studies that show up to 39 percent of permit hooked at Western Dry Rocks were eaten by sharks before they made it to the boat. “Looking at this from a conservation standpoint, staff has done a really good job of

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

threading the needle,” said FWC Commissioner Robert Spottswood. “For some, it may be too short of a season and, for others, too long, but this seasonal closure is an investment in continued healthy and robust fisheries in the Keys and south Florida.” Starting April 1, 2021, all fishing is prohibited from April through July in a 1-square-mile area near Western Dry Rocks. The Commission adopted a 7-year sunset provision, which ensures FWC can revisit the closure. This closure area is bounded by:

• • • •

24°26.217’N, 81°57.007’W 24°25.676’N, 81°57.002’W 24°25.686’N, 81°55.489’W 24°26.227’N, 81°55.493’W

Learn more about Western Dry Rocks at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations” and “Western Dry Rocks.”

A SPRING BREAK FOR YOUR WALLET!

REPOWER REBATES UP TO $1500

PLUS EVERY ENGINE COMES WITH +2 YEARS OF EXTENDED WARRANTY PROTECTION (Oﬀer Expires April 30, 2021)

2.5 HP – 600 HP

SALES• SERVICE• PARTS• REPOWER• PRE-OWNED• INVENTORY SELECTION

15881 Chief Court, Ft. Myers - 239.489.0884 - offshoreperformance.com

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

Are Back! S

ome of the best eating fish in the ocean are back on the menu, and they’re here to stay throughout the summer. Blackfin tuna have already moved back in on the Gulf Coast in the Tampa area, and they should start becoming a regular visitor on offshore and nearshore trips. We might not have as many blackfin as they do down in the Keys, but what we do have are of the jumbo variety. They produce some respectable-sized steaks. While blackfin aren’t overly common in this area, they are also not impossible to target. You might also find yourself catching them as bycatch while fishing wrecks with live bait. If you happen to hook one up by accident, keep chumming to keep the school on you, and keep sending out lines rigged the same way as the one that was already hit. Do not be afraid to have multiple hookups going at a time. Sometimes the bite will come in hot and leave just as quickly. Catch as many as you can while they are eating. While dropping over hard bottom offshore, always make sure to have at least one flat line set up out the back. Utilizing light mono and a small hook, cast a live bait behind the boat. Greenbacks, cigar minnows, small grunts and pinfish all work well. Occasionally open the bail to send out a little more line, so the bait has an opportunity to swim more naturally, faster, and get further down in the water column. This is especially effective at enticing a bite when the bait is acting nervous. Make sure your drag is set very loose, and don’t do anything fancy until the fish eats the bait and begins pulling drag. If anything, when you’re fishing larger baits, you can open the bail and let the fish really eat before coming tight. You should be burning a chum block, but also make sure to occasionally toss out a few live baits as chummers, especially when one of your flat-line baits seems to be getting nervous. As we move into summer, this exact same method will catch wahoo and sailfish, without you having to change any of your rigs or bait. Alternatively, you might stumble across diving birds above a disturbance on the water. Keep your eyes peeled for the telltale flying football shapes, indicative of tuna. Sometimes it might just be a school

8 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

of bonita, but often tuna and bonita will run with each other, so don’t get discouraged too quickly. Make sure to have a plan and discuss it with your crew in case you do happen to run over a school while heading offshore. Whether you have a rod with a popper on it for casting, a trolling rod rigged and ready or a rod set up for a pitch bait, make sure everyone else knows what the game plan is so you don’t miss out. Blackfin often surface briefly, and you have to be ready to capitalize on it before they dive back down. Happy hunting, and don’t forget to treat your tuna fillets like steak. Cut them on a clean table and pat the meat dry if necessary, but never rinse it with freshwater. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes out of St. Petersburg, Fla. Call her at 504-920-6342 and check her out on Instagram @CaptainQuinlyn.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Spring into Savings!

Pair 2016 350 Mercury Verado Starting At

TWIN 2019 400 VERADOS 25” 3 YEAR WARRANTY

TRIPLE 2016 350 VERADOS 6 MON WARRANTY

2016 350 XXL 30” VERADO 90 DAY WARRANTY

2016 Mercury Verado 350 Starting At

225 – 250 – 275 VERADOS Starting at

$27,500

$12,900 EA

$21,900 EA

$40,900

Call Today! Ask For Tommy

$49,000

$4995

(239) 333-0237

SEAWALL EROSION CONTROL

Depressions and sinkholes along the wall are signs of seawall erosion.

FAILING SEAWALL? WE CAN HELP! SIGNS OF SEAWALL EROSION 1. Cracks in the seawall vertical panels or seawall cap 2. Depressions in your yard 3. Water bubbling up from the ground 4. Small sinkholes along the wall 5. Leaning or bowing of a seawall

• Free Estimates • Free 2nd Opinions

• Fully Licensed

• Competitive Pricing

• Family Owned

• Environmentally Friendly

• Experienced and Reputable

• Guaranteed Work

• Serving All of Florida

813.377.2462

www.FloridaSeawallSolutions.com

#CBC1255391

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2021

FLORIDA 11

MUD HOLE AND CCA BAG OYSTERS FOR INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

n February, volunteers from Mud Hole Custom Tackle, the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida and several other organizations bagged more than 15,000 pounds of recycled oyster shells to create oyster habitats in the Indian River Lagoon. Mud Hole provided 25 volunteers for the Marine Discovery Center’s Shuck and Share initiative at New Smyrna Beach. “Conserving our ecosystems and fisheries is extremely important to Mud Hole Custom Tackle,” said Scott Gimbert, Mud Hole Vice President and avid angler. “We are excited to work with CCA on a variety of restoration initiatives—and with our headquarters in Oviedo, Florida, this one hits close to home.” Mud Hole supports a number of community programs to protect natural resources and bring angling and rod-building knowledge to youth through the education system. For the Shuck and Share initiative, volunteers from every Mud Hole department jumped in and got dirty assembling 515 oyster gabions from oyster shells donated by Central Florida restaurants. “Having the Mud Hole Team here at the Marine Discovery Center was a huge help,” said Brian Gorski, CCA Florida’s Executive Director. “We have a great partnership and share a devotion to the environment, and today was a great example of how we can all work together to protect our natural resources and our fisheries.” Along with supporting the Shuck and Share program, CCA and Mud Hole partner on a number of other initiatives, including Release the East—an Indian River Lagoon redfish restocking program—and CCA’s annual banquet and silent auction. For more information, visit www.mudhole.com.

The MicroWave Line Control System is scientifically proven to improve fishing rod performance.

Cast Further, Smoother & More Accurately with these

info@americantackle.us | americantackle.us

Your babysitter just called, your daughter fell off the swing and broke her arm.....

Now tell me who doesn’t care about speed!

18’ HYDRASTEPP WITH MERCURY 115 HP, 2 PEOPLE, LOADED FOR FISHING, 60 MPH *ALL HYDRASTEPPS COME WITH AN ADJUSTABLE THROTTLE AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT

www.HYDRASTEPP.com • (407) 718-6695 “FOR THE HULL OF IT”

12 FLORIDA

APRIL 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

2 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

APRIL 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

REPOWERSALE Parts • Sales • Service • Trailers

PortsideOrlando.com Powered By:

ORLANDO’S

REPOWER CENTER 407-249-1124

2730 Forsyth Road Winter Park, Florida 32792 SALES DEPARTMENT IS OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 8am -5pm | SATURDAY 9am-2pm COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM APRIL 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA 3

BREVARD/VOLUSIA

COASTAL ANGLER CO-PUBLISHER DIRECTORY FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, CONTACT:

BREVARD COUNTY TRACY PATTERSON tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com 321.777.2773 coastalanglermag.com/brevard

BOATHOUSE Discount Marine Supplies

MELBOURNE SERVICE CENTER Proud to be a Five Star, Certified Service Department

HHHHH

FULL SERVICE

Engine Service • Trailer Repairs Bottom Jobs • New Engine Repowers Electronics Installation MASTER YAMAHA & MERCURY TECHNICIANS

WARRANTY CENTER

VOLUSIA COUNTY CHRIS CHIBBARO cchibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com 386.478.9234 coastalanglermag.com/daytona

Schedule an appointment today for all your boating needs!

(321) 254-2535

557 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne

BoathouseDiscountMarine.com

SURF FISHING FORECAST E

BY CAPT. LUKAS BRICKWEG

xciting opportunities await for surf fishing as you research anglers during the month of April. Traditionally the surf fishing the spring pompano run has coincided during conditions from Beach these warming months, and this year looks no Cocoa different. Pompano fishing looks to continue south to Sebastian Inlet. its reign at the top of the target species list, but The cleanest water should be sought don’t overlook the diversity of other fish to target. out even if it means driving and checking multiple locations. Once you find This transitional time the clear blues or green represents a smorgasbord shades, setup on those of species for shore waters where outflows, based anglers fishing the eddies, troughs and holes surf. Spanish mackerel, are present. Pompano whiting, flounder, black rigs with chartreuse, drum and sharks will white, and orange floats be on tap for our Space will be better for the Coast beaches. greener water, while As mentioned above, white, pink and purple pompano fishing will will perform better in hold steady as the fever blue water. Tip your for the spring run won’t pompano rigs with Fish be diminished for beach Bites in white crab, pink fishing anglers. Finding shrimp, chartreuse clam optimal water clarity Beautiful Brevard Blacktip. and sandfleas flavors, in remains the single most combination with live important factor for targeting pompano in the surf. Southeast trade sand fleas or fresh dead shrimp. This combination winds take hold this month and can thwart any surf will produce the best results for pompano, whiting angler’s hopes with multiple days of southeasterly and black drum. For those wanting to pursue and target species blows. Look for shades of blue and green water

4 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

APRIL 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

on light tackle, I recommend throwing swim baits, diving plugs and spoons in the first and second trough for Spanish mackerel, flounder, bluefish and snook. Depending on the food sources identified at your area beach, match the hatch with similar size lures. If you’re identifying lots of ladyfish, mackerel and blues, most likely they’re feeding on glass minnows, and a spoon or gotcha plug works best. For flounder, snook and redfish, cast swim baits or diving plugs forty-five degrees from the shoreline and retrieve steadily. Shore based shark fishing will continue to be red hot this time of year as the waters warm. Blacktip sharks will remain the top species to target—which put on quite the acrobatic display! Opportunities for big fun abounds this time of the year as shark fishing charters have a chance at multiple catches per trip. Surf fishing equipment with 80 lb. braided line and short cable leaders to the large 10/0 circle hooks prove the most reliable for the task. While blacktip sharks will be the most commonly caught species on these shore based trips, expect lemon sharks, sandbar sharks and nurse sharks to frequent the same waters. April looks to provide all the thrills any beach fishing angler could ask for, so get out there and have fun! Tight lines.

CAPT. LUKAS BRICKWEG

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

Sca

Awa

• Ta •Y

2021 CENTRALPRESENTED FLORIDA SHOOTOUT BY

20 000

Over

IN CASH AND PRIZES!

Only

ENTRY PER ANGLER

2021 TOURNAMENT DATES FRIDAY MAY 7, 2021 Lines in the water at 9:00 pm

SATURDAY MAY 8TH, 2021

Scales open at 12:00pm and be in line to weigh-in by 5:30pm Weigh in two locations: Captain Hirams and Sunrise Marina

SUNDAY MAY 16, 2021

Awards Ceremony & Ticket Drawing will be at Grills Melbourne

BENEFICIARIES • Candle Lighters of Brevard • The Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation • Taylor For Teens • Florida Sport Fishing Association • Youth Fishing • Cancer Care Centers Of Brevard

VALUED AT $60,000! The 2021 CFL Shootout features a weekend of fun, from the Captain’s Party to the Awards Ceremony & Angler Ticket Drawing. Over $20,000 in cash prizes will be paid out for the Tournament! Award categories include 10 different species, a general entry category, as well as entry categories for Lady Anglers and Juniors!

You can also purchase additional angler tickets ($50) which includes a chance to win a brand new 2021 Avid 23 Fusion boat, Yamaha 200, custom trailer, Powder Coated T-top, Garmin electronics, Minn Kota I-pilot trolling motor. Valued at $60,000. Boat will be drawn at the Awards Ceremony. You do not have to fish in the tournament to participate in the drawing.

BUY TICKETS AND REGISTER ONLINE AT

CENTRALFLORIDASHOOTOUT.COM

Cape canaveral

nesses

APRIL 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

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

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

13 min ute s , 9 min ute s

ute s te s

g Basin te s ute s

23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri

CAPE CANAVERAL April, 2021

TIDES FOR CAPE CANAVERAL

DAY

)

PORT CANAVERAL/ BANANA RIVER LAGOON

TIDE CHARTS

arts

1st TIDE

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

2nd TIDE

3rd TIDE

4th TIDE

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY COEFFICIENT

� 7:11 am� 7:41 pm

5:04 am -0.2 ft � 11:08 am3.8 ft � 5:25 pm -0.7 ft � 11:52 pm4.0 ft �

� 7:10 am� 7:41 pm

5:59 am 0.1 ft � 12:02 pm3.6 ft � 6:24 pm -0.5 ft �

� 7:09 am� 7:42 pm

12:51 am3.7 ft � 7:00 am 0.3 ft � 1:02 pm 3.4 ft � 7:28 pm -0.2 ft �

� 7:08 am� 7:42 pm

1:55 am 3.5 ft � 8:08 am 0.5 ft � 2:08 pm 3.2 ft � 8:38 pm 0.0 ft �

� �� average �� low �

� 7:07 am� 7:43 pm

3:03 am 3.4 ft � 9:18 am 0.5 ft � 3:20 pm 3.2 ft � 9:47 pm 0.1 ft �

low

� 7:06 am� 7:43 pm

4:11 am 3.3 ft � 10:24 am0.5 ft � 4:30 pm 3.2 ft � 10:50 pm0.1 ft �

average

� 7:04 am� 7:44 pm

5:11 am 3.4 ft � 11:22 am0.3 ft � 5:31 pm 3.4 ft � 11:46 pm0.1 ft �

average

� 7:03 am� 7:45 pm

6:03 am 3.5 ft � 12:12 pm0.2 ft � 6:24 pm 3.5 ft �

high

� 7:02 am� 7:45 pm

12:34 am0.0 ft � 6:47 am 3.6 ft � 12:56 pm0.0 ft � 7:09 pm 3.6 ft �

high

� 7:01 am� 7:46 pm

1:18 am 0.0 ft � 7:26 am 3.6 ft � 1:36 pm -0.1 ft � 7:49 pm 3.8 ft �

high

� 7:00 am� 7:46 pm

1:58 am 0.0 ft � 8:02 am 3.6 ft � 2:13 pm -0.2 ft � 8:26 pm 3.8 ft �

high

� 6:59 am� 7:47 pm

2:35 am 0.1 ft � 8:36 am 3.6 ft � 2:48 pm -0.2 ft � 9:02 pm 3.8 ft �

high

� 6:58 am� 7:47 pm

3:11 am 0.1 ft � 9:09 am 3.5 ft � 3:22 pm -0.2 ft � 9:37 pm 3.7 ft �

high

� 6:57 am� 7:48 pm

3:46 am 0.3 ft � 9:42 am 3.4 ft � 3:55 pm -0.1 ft � 10:13 pm3.6 ft �

high

� 6:56 am� 7:48 pm

4:20 am 0.4 ft � 10:16 am3.3 ft � 4:29 pm 0.0 ft � 10:50 pm3.5 ft �

high

� 6:55 am� 7:49 pm

4:55 am 0.5 ft � 10:52 am3.2 ft � 5:05 pm 0.1 ft � 11:30 pm3.3 ft �

average

� 6:54 am� 7:50 pm

5:32 am 0.7 ft � 11:31 am3.0 ft � 5:45 pm 0.3 ft �

average

� 6:53 am� 7:50 pm

12:15 am3.2 ft � 6:16 am 0.8 ft � 12:15 pm2.9 ft � 6:34 pm 0.4 ft �

low

� 6:52 am� 7:51 pm

1:06 am 3.1 ft � 7:11 am 0.9 ft � 1:09 pm 2.9 ft � 7:33 pm 0.5 ft �

low

� 6:51 am� 7:51 pm

2:04 am 3.0 ft � 8:16 am 0.9 ft � 2:13 pm 2.9 ft � 8:40 pm 0.5 ft �

low

� 6:50 am� 7:52 pm

3:06 am 3.1 ft � 9:22 am 0.8 ft � 3:23 pm 3.0 ft � 9:46 pm 0.4 ft �

low

� 6:49 am� 7:52 pm

4:07 am 3.2 ft � 10:22 am0.5 ft � 4:30 pm 3.2 ft � 10:47 pm0.2 ft �

average

� 6:48 am� 7:53 pm

5:04 am 3.4 ft � 11:16 am0.1 ft � 5:31 pm 3.6 ft � 11:42 pm0.0 ft �

high

� 6:47 am� 7:54 pm

5:56 am 3.7 ft � 12:07 pm-0.2 ft � 6:27 pm 3.9 ft �

high

� 6:46 am� 7:54 pm

12:35 am-0.2 ft � 6:45 am 3.9 ft � 12:55 pm-0.6 ft � 7:19 pm 4.2 ft �

� 6:45 am� 7:55 pm

1:25 am -0.3 ft � 7:33 am 4.0 ft � 1:44 pm -0.8 ft � 8:10 pm 4.5 ft �

� 6:44 am� 7:55 pm

2:14 am -0.3 ft � 8:21 am 4.1 ft � 2:32 pm -1.0 ft � 9:00 pm 4.5 ft �

� 6:43 am� 7:56 pm

3:04 am -0.3 ft � 9:10 am 4.1 ft � 3:22 pm -1.0 ft � 9:51 pm 4.5 ft �

� 6:43 am� 7:57 pm

3:55 am -0.2 ft � 10:00 am4.1 ft � 4:14 pm -0.9 ft � 10:42 pm4.3 ft �

� 6:42 am� 7:57 pm

4:48 am 0.0 ft � 10:52 am3.9 ft � 5:09 pm -0.6 ft � 11:36 pm4.1 ft �

6 BREVARD/VOLUSIA OM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

high

average

� � ��

� ��

� � 102 very high � 110 very high � � 111 very high � � � 106 very high � � 94 very high � 79

BY CAPT. JIM ROSS PORT CANAVERAL: Cobia may still be a good possibility around the Canaveral waters this month if water temperatures stay in the lower 70-degree range. The spring run usually starts in late February or early March, and wraps up this month outside of the Port. Large jigs and live baits like sardines, pogies, and croakers are great offerings to cast at these fish. Look for them “free swimming” at the water’s surface, following manta rays and turtles, or just hanging around weed patches or other debris floating on the surface. If possible, net the smaller fish to make sure they are legal to harvest instead of gaffing them only to find out that you have to put it back in the water-to almost certainly die. Tripletail are another species to look for when searching around for the cobia. Tripletail are often quite plentiful if weeds are present on our near-shore waters. Anglers can get them to strike live shrimp or small jigs on most days. One of my Favorite species to target in the spring time are giant Crevalle jack. Crevalle usually show up in pods of 10 to 30-fish each. These fish will normally strike the same baits and lures as the cobia. Large chugger plugs are another great lure to cast to these fish as they travel up and down the beaches looking for something to eat. These fish move fast, so its imperative for you to get your boat out in front of the schools of fish and cast to them well in advance of when you actually think they will get within range. Snook are another species we target on our charters this month. Most of the snook we catch this month are really big -well over the slot limit- and must be released, but they are a whole lot of fun to pull on. Live baits like croakers, shrimp, pilchards, sardines, and menhaden usually get these fish to strike. If you are lucky enough to catch one within the slot limit, they are extremely tasty to eat. BANANA RIVER LAGOON: Anglers are hoping that some sea grass will return to the shallow flats in this body of Kyle got this giant black drum water. Last spring we had a on a recent afternoon charter. minor resurgence of grasses due to the restricted use of lawn fertilizers and pesticides that destroy it. We also had Calerpa which looks like grass but is actually an algea that helped to stabilize some of the sediments that are usually stirred up by the march and April winds. This led to some good spring time fishing for trout, black drum, and redfish in these areas, because baitfish like glass minnows, pinfish, pigfish, and fingerling mullet could use this vegetation for protection from predators. Crustaceans like shrimp and crabs rely on these grasses for their survival as well, and of course the larger predatory fish eat these smaller species to survive. So, its vitally important that each and every one of us refrain from applying lawn fertilizers (a.k.a. Lagoon Poison) to our yards this spring in an effort to help save our precious Banana River Lagoon. I am asking people to take the money that they were going to spend on poisoning their lagoon with lawn fertilizers, and send it to the Clam Restoration Project (you can find more info at donate@irlclamproject.com) to help clean up or lagoon waters by introducing clams back into this estuary to help filter and clean the nitrogen out of the wates that we love so much.

CAPT. JIM ROSS

Fineline Fishing Charters www.FinelineFishingCharters.com (321) 636-3728 APRIL 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

12/13/2019 10:24:07 AM

Look ys and on the arvest in the when ds are hrimp spring 0-fish cobia. travel e fast, sh and within Most t- and

which of the This led these erling aceans l, and ve. So, plying ffort to ke the h lawn more ers by rogen

com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA 7

PORT CANAVERAL OFFSHORE FORECAST BY CAPT. CHRIS CAMERON

pril is here, and this is the time of year to well as it’s brush off the dolphin/mahi mahi fishing their spawning tackle. Hopefully we see a little better run than season and we all know that you catch the most grouper we did in 2020 because let’s between January 1st and April face it, last year was a joke in 30th...the closed season. Use the dump for the green ones. proper care when releasing Anglers will need to venture them back (circle hooks). out past the normal 70’-90’ Dorado fishing. It can be reefs to find their action as the time of your life, or you the shallower reefs will slow could question yourself on to a crawl. No worries though why you bought a $100k boat because the deeper waters will or just filled your friends boat be holding the fish! with $800 of fuel. Last year The usual amberjack we just never got the full run. haunts will have it’s share of Those more adventurous went action. Use live bait on a 3-way to the other side and came swivel with the appropriate back in with huge hauls which weight. Heavier tide will means they just never crossed require heavier lead. Croakers, over to the western wall. Look spots, and grunts work best for for the usual—temperature these arm shredding beasts. breaks, weedlines, color Bunkers do work, but tend changes and mass quanities to spin in heavy current and of flying fish. Bobo trolling either cause a tangle or the works in a pinch, but you’re jacks just won’t wan to touch just spinning your wheels, I it because they’re smarter than Brian crushed it on this day can’t stress enough to follow we think. Don’t be surprised with limit of stud amberjacks. the food chain! As far as what if you catch a few grouper as

This young guy caught his first mahi ever on the Fire Fight with Capt Joe.

baits and skirts to use, I personally think it doesn’t matter. I like all natural, so I run all naked baits. Every now and then I’ll send a chugger back to make some noise, but my success rate is much higher on naked ballyhoo. Use teasers, dredges, bowling pins...anything to create a bait school effect. Let’s cross our fingers for a good April dolphin run!

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.

THE ONE STOP BAIT SHOP FOR YOUR DAY ON THE WATER!

Bait & Tackle

Cafe

open 7am-2pm Mon.-Fri 7am-3pm Sat./Sun.

open 6am-6pm daily

Live & Frozen Bait Full Line of Rods & Reels Clothing & Ice Beer & Soda

Call in orders are a great way to expedite lunch hour and enjoy more time on our deck.

BREAKFAST & LUNCH SERVED DAILY.

Grab and Go breakfast Sandwiches Fresh Made Deli Sandwiches

at public boat ramps * Located just past new terminal 3

321.868.1929 8 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

APRIL 2021

300 Christopher Columbus Drive Port Canaveral, FL 32920 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

321.868.0400

ever

January layout.indd 15

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA 12/13/2019 10:24:28 AM 9

Marine Contractors

Boat Lifts Docks • Decks Seawalls Dune Crossovers Piledriving

Bringing Quality to the Water’s Edge

321-720-DOCK E-Mail: admin@floridadocklife.com

Check Us Out on Facebook!

/FloridaDockLife

16-M1-CT-00030

00030

SEBASTIAN INLET TO EAU GALLIE CAUSEWAY

TIDE CHARTS

Sebastian inlet APRIL 2021

FORECAST

BY CAPT. GLYN AUSTIN arch was a great month to fish with the warmer temps, and April means the hot weather is here to stay. With the bait moving into the lagoon for the summer, the inshore fishing will be great for big trout, jacks, snook and redfish. The snook, tarpon and sharks will be plentiful in the Sebastian River, Turkey Creek in Palm Bay, and Crane Creek and Ballard Park in Melbourne. I like to fish Rapala Subsurface baits as well as D.O.A. Shrimp and TerrorEyz, Storm GT360 Paddle-Tail baits. Live shrimp and mullet are a great live baits to use, too. Fish the rolling tarpon in both forks of the river early in the moring and and pick apart the shorelines and docks for snook. The sharks will eat live and dead baits in the lower river between the railroad and U.S. 1 bridges and around the powerlines. The spoil islands in the Lagoon from Palm Bay to Sebastian is where to fish for snook, trout, redfish, jacks and flounder. I like to fish the Rapala Skitter Walk V early mornings for the topwater bite, then move to subsurface baits as the sun comes Greg with a big Mangrove snapper. up. Fish the edges of the bait pods along the mangrove shorelines for the same species. The big jack crevalle will station themselves in the inlet’s swift current looking for a meal to float by. Live pigfish or pinfish are the best bait most days. I also have consistent success with big Storm GT360 Paddle-Tail baits rigged on heavy jigheads. Nightime is when the snook and redfish are more active on artificial baits such as bucktails, jigs, soft plastics and diving plugs for anglers fishing from the rocks or jetties. Tarpon, jacks, bonito, sharks, mackerel and cobia can be along the beaches from Sebastian to Melbourne in April, and can be caught from a boat and from the beach as well. Rapala hard baits and soft baits from Storm, Hogy and D.O.A. all are very productive. Live mullet, greenies and pogies will also work well.

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

April, 2021

TIDES FOR SEBASTIAN INLET

DAY

SEBASTIAN INLET

1st TIDE

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

2nd TIDE

3rd TIDE

4th TIDE

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY COEFFICIENT

� 7:11 am� 7:39 pm

5:24 am -0.1 ft � 11:26 am2.4 ft � 5:45 pm -0.5 ft �

� 7:10 am� 7:40 pm

12:10 am2.5 ft � 6:19 am 0.1 ft � 12:20 pm2.2 ft � 6:44 pm -0.3 ft �

� 7:08 am� 7:40 pm

1:09 am 2.3 ft � 7:20 am 0.2 ft � 1:20 pm 2.1 ft � 7:48 pm -0.2 ft �

� 7:07 am� 7:41 pm

2:13 am 2.2 ft � 8:28 am 0.3 ft � 2:26 pm 2.0 ft � 8:58 pm 0.0 ft �

� �� average �� low �

� 7:06 am� 7:42 pm

3:21 am 2.1 ft � 9:38 am 0.4 ft � 3:38 pm 2.0 ft � 10:07 pm0.1 ft �

low

� 7:05 am� 7:42 pm

4:29 am 2.1 ft � 10:44 am0.3 ft � 4:48 pm 2.0 ft � 11:10 pm0.1 ft �

average

� 7:04 am� 7:43 pm

5:29 am 2.1 ft � 11:42 am0.2 ft � 5:49 pm 2.1 ft �

average

� 7:03 am� 7:43 pm

12:06 am0.0 ft � 6:21 am 2.2 ft � 12:32 pm0.1 ft � 6:42 pm 2.2 ft �

high

� 7:02 am� 7:44 pm

12:54 am0.0 ft � 7:05 am 2.2 ft � 1:16 pm 0.0 ft � 7:27 pm 2.3 ft �

high

� 7:01 am� 7:44 pm

1:38 am 0.0 ft � 7:44 am 2.2 ft � 1:56 pm -0.1 ft � 8:07 pm 2.3 ft �

high

� 7:00 am� 7:45 pm

2:18 am 0.0 ft � 8:20 am 2.2 ft � 2:33 pm -0.1 ft � 8:44 pm 2.4 ft �

high

� 6:59 am� 7:45 pm

2:55 am 0.1 ft � 8:54 am 2.2 ft � 3:08 pm -0.2 ft � 9:20 pm 2.3 ft �

high

� 6:58 am� 7:46 pm

3:31 am 0.1 ft � 9:27 am 2.2 ft � 3:42 pm -0.1 ft � 9:55 pm 2.3 ft �

high

� 6:57 am� 7:46 pm

4:06 am 0.2 ft � 10:00 am2.1 ft � 4:15 pm -0.1 ft � 10:31 pm2.3 ft �

high

� 6:56 am� 7:47 pm

4:40 am 0.3 ft � 10:34 am2.1 ft � 4:49 pm 0.0 ft � 11:08 pm2.2 ft �

high

� 6:55 am� 7:47 pm

5:15 am 0.4 ft � 11:10 am2.0 ft � 5:25 pm 0.1 ft � 11:48 pm2.1 ft �

average

� 6:54 am� 7:48 pm

5:52 am 0.5 ft � 11:49 am1.9 ft � 6:05 pm 0.2 ft �

average

� 6:53 am� 7:48 pm

12:33 am2.0 ft � 6:36 am 0.6 ft � 12:33 pm1.8 ft � 6:54 pm 0.3 ft �

low

� 6:52 am� 7:49 pm

1:24 am 1.9 ft � 7:31 am 0.6 ft � 1:27 pm 1.8 ft � 7:53 pm 0.3 ft �

low

� 6:51 am� 7:50 pm

2:22 am 1.9 ft � 8:36 am 0.6 ft � 2:31 pm 1.8 ft � 9:00 pm 0.3 ft �

low

� 6:50 am� 7:50 pm

3:24 am 1.9 ft � 9:42 am 0.5 ft � 3:41 pm 1.9 ft � 10:06 pm0.3 ft �

low

� 6:49 am� 7:51 pm

4:25 am 2.0 ft � 10:42 am0.3 ft � 4:48 pm 2.0 ft � 11:07 pm0.1 ft �

average

� 6:48 am� 7:51 pm

5:22 am 2.1 ft � 11:36 am0.1 ft � 5:49 pm 2.2 ft �

high

� 6:47 am� 7:52 pm

12:02 am0.0 ft � 6:14 am 2.3 ft � 12:27 pm-0.2 ft � 6:45 pm 2.4 ft �

high

� 6:46 am� 7:52 pm

12:55 am-0.1 ft � 7:03 am 2.4 ft � 1:15 pm -0.4 ft � 7:37 pm 2.6 ft �

� 6:45 am� 7:53 pm

1:45 am -0.2 ft � 7:51 am 2.5 ft � 2:04 pm -0.6 ft � 8:28 pm 2.8 ft �

� 6:44 am� 7:53 pm

2:34 am -0.2 ft � 8:39 am 2.6 ft � 2:52 pm -0.7 ft � 9:18 pm 2.8 ft �

� 6:44 am� 7:54 pm

3:24 am -0.2 ft � 9:28 am 2.6 ft � 3:42 pm -0.7 ft � 10:09 pm2.8 ft �

� 6:43 am� 7:55 pm

4:15 am -0.2 ft � 10:18 am2.5 ft � 4:34 pm -0.6 ft � 11:00 pm2.7 ft �

� 6:42 am� 7:55 pm

5:08 am 0.0 ft � 11:10 am2.4 ft � 5:29 pm -0.4 ft � 11:54 pm2.5 ft �

high

average

� � ��

� ��

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. Glyn runs a 23’ Shoalwater tunnel boat and 24’ Wellcraft Bay Boat which are comfortable for up to four anglers and lets them get shallow for inshore fishing and offers a smooth dry ride when fishing the Inlet and nearshore waters of Brevard County. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA 11

We can’t promise you bigger fish, but we can promise you a better smile.

Cont

At Coral Family Dentistry, we put our patient’s needs at the center of everything we do. Advancements in dentistry and technology have come a long way, but we still believe that the best patient care begins with listening to, and caring for, each individual patient as if they are family. Our goal is to provide exceptional dental care in a positive atmosphere where you feel comfortable and welcomed.

Dr. Emily S. Rutsis

100 FORTENBERRY ROAD • MERRITT ISLAND, FL • 32952 • 321.459.2022 CORALFAMILYDENTISTRY.COM

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

2022

DAYTONA • NEW SMYRNA • DELAND

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

hat can we say about April? For Starters, we can say that the fishing is always outstanding! Warming water temps, and increased bait migrations, means it is time to fish! One of my favorite things about April is the difference in fishing from the beginning of the month to the end. Water temperature will be the biggest determining factor of where and how I fish in April. In the beginning of the month, or any time when the water is colder you will find me back in the creeks looking for some of my favorite inshore species that are still hanging around their winter hideouts. However, once the water warms up (even just four or five degrees), I like to head offshore. This is the time of year where you can really fill up the freezer with meat when fishing offshore. We usually start with looking for cobia in close, then head out for mahi, and end the day with some bottom fishing. One thing is certain, April is an incredible month for fishing. Watch your weather patterns closely and be ready to have a few trips cancelled by big wind. But if you can get out there you will be certain to have an epic trip. Tight lines, The Chibbaro Family

Contact Information: Chris Chibbaro | Coastal Angler Magazine | Daytona, New Smyrna and Deland | 386-478-9234 | cchibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com

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 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

APRIL 2021

BREVARD/VOLUSIA

FISHING REPORT & FORECAST CAPTAIN VINNY

High Bridge Report

Family owned for over 30 years

Come Experience

The Fishin’ Hole Difference Off Shore & In Shore Tackle Live & Frozen Bait Expert Rod & Reel Repair ANGLERS CLOTHING

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

pring has arrived, and that means only one thing. Game on!!! As the water temps start to rise you can count on the action to get red hot. Snook, tarpon, reds, and just about everything else will begin to feed heavily. For the artificial guys be sure to enjoy the top water action with spooks and poppers. If the fish get finicky switch over to a soft plastic. For the live bait guys it will be hard to beat live mullet. Be sure to have a cast net ready to throw and get some freshies for the livewell. So, in other news guys we have some firsts this month and we want to shout out some of our lady and kid anglers. First is Kerie with her first ever redfish on a recent charter with us. Next up is up-and-coming star Daxon with his first ever tarpon. Followed up by Chase with a beautiful trout fishing the flats. And last but not least a very special congratulations is in store for Everleigh with her first Florida fish. Congrats guys on all your catches and thank you for choosing Back water outfitters. I can’t stress how important it is to take a kid fishing. If you have a little one at home, get them out on the water. Have a great month everyone and tight lines. Capt Vinny Conwell / Back water Outfitters / 631-662-5029

SALTWATER PRO SHOP

thefishinholeinc@gmail.com

450 N. Beach Street Downtown Daytona Beach

386-252-9804

14 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

APRIL 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

and ne As

he nook, bout n to

s be ter

Founded in 2016, Two Jerks Seafood has evolved from a means of marketing our own catch to supporting the livelihoods of more than 60 local fishermen.

finicky stic. ea

VERY FRESH, VERY LOCAL SEAFOOD

nt to t ever axon t s in ur s how et

An array of products from homemade smoked fish dips, crabcakes, and other tasty, locally harvested seasonal items available in market for purchase!

2-5029

Locally Caught Flounder Gigged by local river fishermen nightly.

Get Them While They Last Our local red snapper season is expected to close soon!

79 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, FL

386-492-4123

Lobster Season Underway Our commercial spiny lobster season is now open!

twojerks.com

FISHING REPORT & FORECAST

INSHORE ADVENTURES WITH SKYE

Tarpon Time

t is that time of the year, we’re starting to feel the warmer weather and water temps . Which means you will start to see Tarpon! These prehistoric fish are migrating in from our inlet. You should start to see them at your local bridges, in corners, cuts, causeways, canals, and in the river. When fishing for Tarpon there is a lot to take in consideration, such as moon phases, tides changes, and what bait to us. Tarpon also know as our “Silver King” is one of the strongest and smartest fish of all fish. When fishing for Tarpon you want to be sure have the proper Rig set up. I prefer to use liter to braid and beef up my rig to a 50 lb. braid tied 80 lb. liter using the “FG Knot” with a 6/O circle hook, tying liter to hook with a basic “loop” knot. The “FG Knot” is a quality knot with pressure test proven to withhold the most amount of pressure out of all fishing knots It is sure to not leave you disappointed, my go to knot! I fish canals back creeks and marshes and truly enjoy watching them in their habitat rolling, tossing artificials (Egret baits, a 3” vudu is my magic) and reeling in the juveniles while they do acrobatics. Such a blast, even the little Tarpon send you on a run!

a productive fishing trip. With many days, nights, and time in the water studying the tide changes. I find that the bite is on fire the during our last and first hour of the tides switching over. For myself I plan my trips around these tides changes for the best results and fish the last hour of the incoming through the first hour of the outgoing tide and go home very successful. Are you starting to see the Tarpon ?I have started seeing Tarpon rolling under local bridges in New Smyrna Beach, throughout the Basin and out in the river traveling in schools of all sizes!! I prefer to target these guys under bridges and at dock lights in the evening and early morning first light. Lets talk baits! Depending on where I fish for Tarpon plays a huge factor in what baits I am using. A Tarpons instinct is strong, you want a perfect presentation having your bait moving naturally in the current, otherwise they wont bite. Tarpon are nocturnal feeders, now this doesn’t mean they will not bite during the day. Your chances for a hook up are much greater in the first light morning hours and evening or if there’s a school you never know toss a jig, can’t hurt ya! When fishing for Tarpon under bridges and at dock lights I do so in the night time hours with great success, I free-line live jumbo shrimp. When fishing the Causeways , I free-line a small blue crab clipping the tip of its shell to release scent. When fishing out in the river. I find that Tarpon tend to ride the current on the “drop off ” I anchor up in the shallow side of the river and free-

FUN FACTS ABOUT TARPON • Tarpon have been swimming in our ocean since Prehistoric times • They are Nocturnal feeders • Tarpon can reach up to 8 feet and weigh up to 280 lbs. • The oldest Tarpon is 63 years old • The Tarpon “Rolls” to meet its oxygen needs • You an find Tarpon in saltwater and Fresh water

When’s and how too’s

The moon phase plays a large roll in the bite! I find that fishing a few days before and a few days after (not the day of) our new moon and full moon, to be my most productive fishing trips. Did last weeks fishing trip not turn put the best? Where the fish not biting? Or did you go home with no story to tell friends and family of that fish you reeled in. This is where “fishing the tide” comes in Play. Sure the fish may be there but, you want to plan to fish the change of the tides. When the fish are feeding fir 16 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

APRIL 2021

Line a small blue crap, letting it flow naturally with the current, clipping its corner shell as well to release the crabs scent in the water to attract the Tarpon. Small bait fish such as pigfish and fingerOwned mullets are also toA Locally With a Tarpons liking . Cheffishing Inspired Menu I am a kayak angler and One of my greatest experiences was while working mangroves with a paddle tail jog, hoping for a decent Millie’s offers Red. I had a live pig fish Free-lining behind me. Excited fir that Redfish LOCAL , . I here my rod thump little did I know fresh I was hooked up to seafood a 100 lb. Tarpon that surprised me, when I grab mymeat rod theand acrobat’s began! This produce. beauty took me on a sleigh ride against wind and current fighting and wearing him and tiring him out , 45 minutes later I had this big beautiful Tarpon sitting along side my kayak. I was unable to Atlantic get a photo being I 3218 S. Avenue was in my kayak in the river. But a video indeed! I always bring FL live32118 and Daytona Beach Shores, artificial baits when I am going in the water because you never know what the fish are feeding on or what you may hook up too!

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

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Sunday 9am-9pm

the sh W top ch a good workin

FISHING REPORT & FORECAST CAPT JAMIE THRAPPAS

Ponce Inlet & Backwaters

water ur trips r of me

n Basin et y

ge ant rent, oesn’t are e’s a rpon h eways cent. rrent ee-

pril is one of my favorite months for fishing, and for the weather! Look for the water temps to also start warming up along with the bite! I will be spending the early part of the month cleaning up on the sheepshead that will still be biting around structure and the inlet rocks. With the warmer weather, the bait shops should have fiddler crabs as your top choice of bait but sand fleas and shrimp will also do the trick. Ill also spend a good deal of time in the early morning and evenings north of Dunlawton working docks for slot redfish and snook. I use a variety of techniques to get

a bite but soft plastics on jig heads and live shrimp on popping corks will do the trick. With water temps coming up look for the snook to be feeding in the evening and after dark on outgoing tides. They like moving water and lights so find a dock with a good light, moving water, and bait on it and you should have a pretty good shot at getting a bite. I like to use freelined pinfish or select shrimp. Don’t just concentrate on the lighted area, the biggest snook are always just out of the lighted area and I always tend to get my biggest fish on miss casts or after letting the bait drift further out of the light then you think would produce a bite. Lastly on those flat days it may be worth going to look for some rays on the beach, the man in the brown suit (Cobia) will be passing through with the rays at some point so watch the marine forecast and plan accordingly. As always if you see us on the water say hello and get out there and catch some fish! James Thrappas | Yellow Dawg Fishing Charters | 386-366-3424 splashbrandsllc@gmail.com | NATIVE EYEWEAR

pping act so toA th

nu was

t dfish ood , . This e. nd utiful ng I ue e32118 and w

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

APRIL 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

ike I’ve said before, fishing for Pompano takes you to the most wild, beautiful places. One of my favorite places is Canaveral National Seashore, down by Bethune beach. One of the most pristine places there is around here. We decided to take a little road trip, loaded up the rods and reels,

Lik

the beach buggy, and showed up with a fine positive attitude. The sand in Canaveral Seashore is soft

“Don’t worry about a thing, every little thing, gonna be all right”

so I brought my cart with huge soft wheels. We set up and the fun began: I had live sand fleas and Andy from Flagler brought some crab knuckles. Immediately the whiting hit the crab over and over. We had a bucket-full before too long - then the big Pompano began. You are totally off the grid down here; no phone reception or Internet, just miles of natural beach. Nothing to disturb you. Pompano are starting to run north and the bigger ones, which we call scouts, are being caught from Canaveral to Flagler Beach. Just ask my friend Lenny the golf pro, who pulled in a stout beauty at Wilbur by the Sea, and immediately went home and made ceviche. Yay! The spring run is here. So, like Bob Marley said, “Don’t worry about a thing, every little thing, gonna be all right”. Get going! The fish we caught are going to the smoker, and so am I.

Startin

*$3

Nationa

Se * * * * * * *

18 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

APRIL 2021

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

19 BR

REEL IN THE SAVINGS

Like Us on FaceBook

#DiamondSuzuki

PRICES SLASHED ON OVER 30 BOATS IN-STOCK NOW - Financing Available - All Trades Accepted -

OUR PRICES ARE SO LOW THEY WON’T LET US ADVERTISE THEM

Price p to Reduced U

a ng,

oft

es. ab pano

20k

t Starting A

*$34,995

LAST ONE IN STOCK

vertised

Ad Nationally Price

2020 Sea Pro 20’ 8” Bay Series 300hp Suzuki with Float On Trailer

2020 Sea Pro 208 Bay Series Suzuki 175 HP 4 Stroke Outboard with Float On Trailer

SAVE BIG NOW

we call my y the

bout e

PAYMW ENTS

2019 Sea Pro 259 Deep V Series

With Float On Trailer / Demo Call for Details In-Stock & Ready For Delivery Today

As low as

$27,450 2020 Sea Pro 248

300hp Suzuki and Float On Trailer Priced to Move

2019 Mitzi 17 Tournament 60hp Suzuki and Float on Trailer

2019 Bossman Skimmer 18 Lodge Edition with 70hp Suzuki and Float On Trailer

FULL MARINE SERVICE, PARTS, REPAIR, SALES CENTER

UP TO 50% OFF

OUR PRICES ARE SO LOW THEY WON’T LET US ADVERTISE THEM It’s Time To Service Your Boat! * 20 hour service * 100 hour Service * minor/major repairs * bottom paint * fiberglass repair * repower * anything marine

WE DO THAT!

DF60ATLW

White 4-Stroke Discounted

DF200ATX2

4-Stroke Discounted

DF350ATXW2 White

4-Stroke Discounted

CALL FOR PRICING

Your Florida Authorized Suzuki Repower Center

RETAIL CUSTOMERS ONLY, LIMITED SUPPLY, SALE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE TAX OR RIGGING FEES, DEALER RETAINS ALL REBATES. APRIL 2021 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM 386-424-9000 | 911 N Dixie Freeway • New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

19 BREVARD/VOLUSIA

Ponce Inlet

FISHING REPORT & FORECAST CAPT. MICHAEL SAVEDOW

TIDE CHART A

Edgewater Report

APRIL 2021

Date

High

Low

Thu