Coastal Angler Magazine | August 2019 | Volusia by Coastal Angler Magazine

DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND EDITION

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Nearshore Destination + Kingfish Basics

SURF EXPO IN ORLANDO SEPT. 5-7 2019

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OUT OF PANAMA CITY

By Nick Carter

he rising sun revealed unaddressed devastation as Capt. Randy Cnota backed his 22-foot Pathfinder down the ramp at Tyndall Airforce Base. Less than a year after Hurricane Michael rocked the Florida Panhandle, we launched near the heart of the destruction. Just east of Panama City and a short drive from the catastrophe that unfolded at Mexico Beach, this slice of the Panhandle is a community doggedly enduring the slow process of rebuilding. The bright boards of new framing show progress in neighborhoods of single-story homes. Blue-tarped roofs, shredded metal buildings and acres of tall pines snapped like so many twigs are reminders of just how far there is to go. At the docks, bare wood pilings and concrete footings are left from what was a bustling little marina before the storm surge. But the fish don’t care. And with an eager 8-year-old angler perched on the leaning post, Capt. Randy pointed us toward the open Gulf of Mexico. This was early July, during the Gulf red snapper season, and Capt. Randy’s numbers would take us a few miles out to some hard-bottom that promised big snapper. But first we had to catch bait, which was plentiful in the form of Spanish sardines balled up around the markers just outside the pass from St. Andrews Bay. The 8-year-old would have spent all day catching sardines on a Sabiki rig, but shortly we left the other boats jockeying for position at the marker. We had our bait, and Capt. Randy now had an idea of how the boy would handle his first fishing trip on the open ocean. The kid emitted enthusiasm, and it’s a good thing we didn’t make a several hour run. The waiting would have driven him mad. Bigger boats out of Panama City can comfortably take anglers dozens of miles out to deeper water, quick limits and huge fish, but this nearshore trip was more our speed. Less than 10 miles from the coast, and even inside the 9-mile state waters, there are wrecks, reefs and hard bottom in the 100-foot depths that offer plentiful bottomfish as well as shots at some big pelagics. Within minutes at our first drop, the boy was hooked up with a big bonito, and Capt. Randy was steering with one hand, while holding the butt of the rod with the other. The kid had a death grip on the handle and cranked with all his might. “You’re gonna have to come over here and make sure this rod doesn’t get pulled out!” Randy barked at me with both hands full. But I couldn’t. On the other side of the boat, I was pumping and grunting on what turned out to be a stud red snapper. Somehow, both

fish made it onto the deck, and Randy went right back to work feeding out a freelined sardine from the stern. “Where there’s Bonnies, there’s kings,” he called the shot. Shortly thereafter, he handed me a rod with line ripping off the spool. I came up tight on a good king mackerel. It was one of three kingfish we had on that morning, but it was the only one that made it in the boat. Through the morning, the fish kept us continuously busy. We caught more red snapper than we could keep track of as well as gag and red grouper. Capt. Randy was great with the kid. Seeing the big bottom rigs were too much for an 8-year-old, Randy tied up a chicken rig on a lighter rod, showed the boy how to bait and fish it and then set him loose. Although the beeliners we were hoping for didn’t show up, the boy had a field day hauling snapper and triggerfish off the bottom. He was particularly proud of an FWC-tagged trigger he caught. “Part of the fun is you never know what you’re going to catch when you’re out here,” said Randy as he unhooked a 2-foot-long smoothback pufferfish. The whole time out, we kept eyes peeled for weeds and surface activity that might belie the presence of mahi-mahi or cobia. In the week before our trip, Randy managed to put clients on a sailfish and a big blackfin tuna. Although we didn’t encounter these species, we did watch in awe as two 10-foot tiger sharks circled uncomfortably close to the boat. We went home with a cooler full of fish. But more importantly, while those meaty chunks of snapper sizzled in hot oil, the boy regaled his grandparents with stories of the trip. His first time was an experience he will never forget. Snapper seasons may be over along the Gulf Coast, but if you find yourself hankering for a good fishing trip that’s fun and easy, consider hiring a captain out of the Panama City area. Capt. Randy said fall brings better opportunities for sailfish and tuna nearshore, and with his smaller boat, he is also well equipped to fish inshore. The fall redfish and trout bite can be off the charts. These hurricane-battered communities remain in recovery, but the fish, beaches and visitor ammenities are still there. Go spend some time at Panama City and eastward along The Forgotten Coast. You’ll be glad you did, because the fishing is pretty spectacular. Capt. Randy Cnota is co-publisher of the Panama City/Forgotten Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine and owner of C-Note Charters. Check him out online at www.cnotecharters.com or call 229-834-7880.

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By Tom Werkman

hy do people feel the need to head to remote destinations a million miles from nowhere to fish? Some of the best fishing opportunities exist right under our noses, and many times they are very close to major metropolitan areas. The Grand River is just such a place. Michigan’s largest river runs through the heart of the state’s second largest city, Grand Rapids, and offers great fishing through its 252-mile run from rural headwaters in Hillsdale County down to Lake Michigan. Downtown Grand Rapids: Home to more than 37 craft breweries, Grand Rapids is Beer City. But there is another side of Grand Rapids that few know about. It offers the

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lure of big-river fishing in an urban environment. The river through downtown Grand Rapids offers the angler a unique opportunity to fish for steelhead in swift rapids beneath the city’s skyscrapers. On an early leg of their run up out of Lake Michigan, these fish are strong and as hot as they come. From October through December and again during March and April, droves of steelhead run through downtown as they migrate through and hold up in the rapids. Some of the best steelhead fishing lies between Sixth Street Dam and the Fulton Street Bridge. It’s not uncommon to see people wading the river, fishing from the banks or in boats landing these chrome bullets. When fishing here, the angler can expect to only move a few times to get on fish. Once you have your spot, you don’t want to move very much as it can be crowded at times. If you’re not on a fish right away, be patient. These fish get backed up at the dam and constantly move around in search of the fish ladder to pass through and continue their migration up the river. Lowell To Ada Section: Just minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, a roughly 10-mile stretch of the Grand River between the towns of Lowell and Ada offers fishing that is a little more secluded. From late spring through early fall, this section offers smallmouth bass and northern pike. There is little public access here, and the angler can expect solitude and no-pressure fishing in a remote river setting just outside Grand Rapids. A typical trip involves floating in a drift boat or jet boat from Lowell to Ada, covering a lot of water while casting to the banks, river timber and rocks. Bald eagles, osprey, blue heron and deer are common sights on this piece of river. Rarely will the angler lay eyes on another boat or fisherman. On the Grand River, one can enjoy spectacular fishing and then enjoy a cold beer and everything else the city has to offer. Tom Werkman, and his son Max, are owner/guides at Werkman Outfitters, a guide service on the Grand River in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan. Contact them at tom@werkmanoutfitters.com or check them out at werkmanoutfitters.com.

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FISH & FISHING

FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS MARK SOSIN

t may seem logical, but it’s not always right. My favorite example is George Westinghouse, the man who invented the air brake for oversized vehicles. Researchers relied on logical thinking and experimented continuously on using air to apply the brake. It didn’t work. Westinghouse took an opposite approach and used the air to hold the brake off the drum until the driver stepped on the brake pedal and released the air. The common approach to understanding fish behavior lies in applying human values with the assumption that a fish’s brain has the capacity to reason. Just because a particular lure looks good to us does not mean it’s a fish’s favorite, too. Few of us can boast even the slightest knowledge of the release that triggers a fish into striking or simply passing up an offering. And, we probably wouldn’t recognize it if we saw it. Repeated observations hold the key to helping us focus our efforts on techniques that have worked in the past. As an example, fish have an amazing alertness to movement. It can cause them to flee a situation or take advantage of it and feed. The same applies to underwater sound. Low frequency vibrations such as those that indicate a fish is in distress usually cause predators to investigate with the hope of finding food. The more natural a bait or lure appears to a fish, the greater the chance a strike will occur. When you can see your quarry

and observe hesitation of any type, assume that something in your offering appears unnatural. Fish may be curious, but they are seldom in the habit of wasting energy to pursue something needlessly. Many species have the ability to measure energy expended in chasing food against the value received. Because fish are creatures of habit, they tend to do the same things over and over. That’s why captains and guides boast the ability to find fish. The quarry may hold in one spot with uncanny precision day after day, month after month, and year after year. If that fish is caught or leaves for any reason, another will take its place. Those fish that work a tide follow the same pattern daily. Even offshore skippers understand reliable patterns that fish follow and troll the waters where their quarry should be. For some unknown reason, fish tend to hold at the same depth over a wide area. If another angler can tell you the depth where he found fish, you don’t need to know the precise spot. Keep in mind that water temperature can play a role. Each species has its upper and lower limits. As water temperature drops, fish tend to swim slower and chase an offering for shorter distances. Figuring out what motivates a fish to strike a bait or lure becomes a continuous challenge for leading anglers as well as the scientific community. The important thing to remember is that fish do not think like humans. Their basic approach is simple, yet it is not always easy to detect. The more you observe fish behavior and understand that it follows patterns and procedures established a long time ago, the more successful you are going to be.

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t first glance, Alphonso Jackson’s 2-pound, 1-ounce redbreast sunfish might not seem all that impressive. But when you consider the size of your average redbreast, this thing is a monster. Jackson was fishing the Lumber River in central North Carolina’s Scotland County on June 10 when he caught the fish on a cricket. It bested a 36-yearold North Carolina state record for the species by 5 ounces. The previous record, caught in 1983 by Ronald Stanley in Big Swamp in Bladen County, N.C. weighed 1 pound, 12 ounces. Jackson’s fish also outweighs the world record. The current IGFA all-tackle world record for the species has stood at 1-pound, 12-ounces since 1984. That fish came from Florida’s Suwannee River. Wikipedia claims the heaviest redbreast on record weighed 2.3 pounds (2 pounds, 4.8 ounces), but there’s no information as to where that weight came from or whether it was angler-caught. So, if Jackson bothers to complete all the paperwork properly, he would definitely be the new IGFA record holder. Jackson, 43, is an avid fisherman, a passion he attributes to his father Johnny Jacobs who taught him how to fish when he was a boy, and one that he has passed on to his children, ages 23, 18 and 17. They were with him the day he caught the massive readbreast. “We started fishing in a pond but weren’t having any luck, so I said to my kids, ‘Let’s go back to where I learned how to fish.’ And this is what we caught,” Jackson said. “I’d like to thank my daddy for teaching me how to catch fish and where to catch fish.” COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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TIPS FROM A PRO

READ GRASS MATS FOR BIG BASS

BRANDON LESTER

ate summer and early fall absolutely scream for a frog. With big bass holed up in thick vegetation, working a frog across grass mats can lead to some of the most explosive strikes in fishing. I always look forward to the frog pattern setting up around this time of year. This year should be especially sweet because of the reemergence of Alabama’s Lake Guntersville as one of the best bass fisheries in the nation. This Tennessee River impoundment is frog fishing heaven. Over the last decade the Guntersville bass fishery saw a bit of a decline. But the “Big G” has come back in a big way. Bassmaster ranked Guntersville the No. 2 fishery in the nation in this year’s “100 Best Bass Lakes” listings. It is fishing lights-out, with five-fish tournament sacks regularly approaching and surpassing 30 pounds. I just came off a top-10 finish in the June Elite Series event on Guntersville. Some fish came off frogs, but the best patterns I found were deep cranking and worms. You can bet the frog bite will ramp up soon, though. No matter where you fish, the key to topwater frog fishing is reading the grass. To really dial in a pattern, you need to observe what’s happening on the lake. At Guntersville, the two prominent grass types are hydrilla and milfoil. There are other types, but these are the two you will encounter

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most often. From the time the grass first tops out in the summer until the first frost of the fall, I will concentrate on milfoil. Milfoil creates a great canopy and is hollow underneath, so the bass can get through it to get to your frog. When the hydrilla is still green, it is so thick that a bass has trouble seeing your frog on top of the mat. With that said, later on in the fall when the hydrilla starts to turn brown and break up, it starts to get hollow underneath. That is the time to start targeting it more. Another key to frog fishing is to listen and watch for “active” grass. Bass school up in grass mats just like they do on ledges, points and humps, so it is important to find a mat that has activity in it. Listen for bluegill popping the mat or watch for shad to flicker. Those are signs that bass are not far away. Also, look for points, turns and indentions in the mat itself. Anything different will often hold bass. Rod selection is important for hauling bass out of matted grass. I throw a MHX-MB-874. This rod is 7’3” heavy power with plenty of backbone, but more importantly it has enough action in the tip to allow the fish to eat the bait. I use 50-pound Vicious braid and a 7:1:1 reel. Try a topwater frog on your next trip out, or better yet plan an excursion to Guntersville for the trip of a lifetime.

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Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit & Education Available Online

The education and permit requirements also apply if you plan to fish from shore for any species of fish with tactics and tackle including: • fishing with a metal leader more than 4 feet long • Using a fighting belt/harness • Deploying bait by any means other than casting (kayaking for example) while using a hook that is 1.5 inches or larger at its widest inside distance OTHER REGULATION CHANGES:

• Prohibit of chumming when fishing for any species from the beach. • Require immediate release of prohibited shark species when fishing from the shore and require anglers to cut the leader or hook to prevent delaying release of prohibited species. • Require that prohibited shark species remain in the water (when fishing from shore or from a vessel). • Require the use of non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks to target or harvest sharks when using live or dead natural bait (when fishing from shore and from a vessel). • Require the possession/use of a device capable of quickly cutting the leader or hook when targeting sharks (when fishing from shore or a vessel). These rules are intended to increase survival of released sharks, improve information-gathering from the fishery and address public safety concerns.

lorida’s new shark fishing regulations were enacted July 1, including a mandatory, no-cost, annual Shore-based Shark Fishing Permit and educational course for shore-based anglers and other requirements that apply to all shark fishing and fishing from the beach in general. The Shore-based Shark-Smart Fishing educational course and Shore-based Shark Fishing Permit are now available online. To take the educational course, which must be completed before getting the permit, visit MyFWC.com/SharkCourse. The permit is required for all shore-based shark anglers age 16 and older, including those 65 and older who are normally exempt from needing a fishing license. Those under 16 are required to take For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on the educational course unless they are fishing with an adult who already holds the permit. Persons under 16 are not required to get the “Recreational Regulations” and “Sharks.” permit.

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FLORIDA LOBSTER SEASON

Sheri Daye

he beginning of Florida lobster season gets many divers more excited than kids at Christmas. Barely able to sleep, the divers nestle all snug in their beds, while visions of lobster dance in their heads. Whether locals or out-of-state visitors, many arrange their vacation plans around this special time, either during the two-day mini-season or the actual start of lobster season on Aug. 6. Mini season falls on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, while the regular season is Aug. 6 to March 31. Some will brave the two-day mini season, when tourists descend on the state, and some simply wait until Aug. 6 when things calm down. The most popular destination in Florida is The Keys, where shallow warm waters provide great breeding grounds and easy dives. However, the east coast from Miami to Jupiter and beyond can also be popular and productive destinations. Generally speaking, the farther north you go, the farther out and deeper you will need to dive, but you can also be rewarded with larger lobsters. The biggest challenge is finding lobster spots. Divers who find good spots tend to go back to them year after year and, understandably, don’t like to share their locations. However, there are

plenty of charter boats that specialize in taking new divers or tourists to productive spots. What you need to know: 1) A recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit are required to harvest spiny lobsters. Information is available online at MyFWC.com. 2) The recreational limit for spiny lobster is six per person, and the carapace must be longer than 3 inches. By law, it must be measured in the water. Possession and use of a measuring device are required at all times. You can google “how to measure a lobster” to be sure you are doing it correctly. 3) The possession of egg-bearing lobster is prohibited. Egg-bearing lobsters have hundreds of orange eggs that are easily visible and attached under the tail. While most lobsters have completed reproduction by the start of season, some still have eggs in August and beyond. 4) Do not take lobsters using any device which could puncture, penetrate or crush the lobster. The most common methods are the net and tickle stick combination or the looper. There are plenty of videos online to show you how to use each method. 5) Lobsters must be landed in whole condition. Separating the tail from the body is prohibited in state waters, so bring a cooler large enough to hold the entire catch until you reach land. 6) Although most people wring/twist the tail, it’s possible to get more meat by cooking the whole lobster. Just split it in two lengthwise and broil. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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lorida Marine Flea Market and BBQ Fest Sails Into West Palm Sept. 1415. The 10th Annual Florida Marine Flea Market and BBQ Festival will be held Sept. 14-15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, Fla. Bargain hunters looking for deals can visit marine booths, as vendors exhibit and sell their nautical and marine-related merchandise and services during the twoday festival. The marine flea market area will have offshore rods, reels, tackle, dock lines, halyards, sheet lines, anchor lines, ladders, seats, bimini tops, life vests, mooring whips and bases, gauges, wakeboards, skis, wake surfers, kneeboards, boat covers, scissors, fenders, antique collectibles and maps, marine artifacts, lures and lines, boating apparel, taxidermy, diving equipment, and all kinds of other marine items. Come by for some super discounts on surplus, liquidation, closeouts, new and used boating and fishing supplies. The event promises some super discounts on new and used boating and fishing supplies as well as liquidation and closeouts items. Speaking on the location, event promoter Larry Burdgick said, “The South Florida Fairgrounds is the perfect venue since it’s right in the heart of Palm Beach County. It offers the space we need along with free great parking for our guests.” The South Florida Fairgrounds is located at 9067 Southern Blvd West Palm Beach, Fla. The Marine Flea Market is easily accessible from I-95 and the Florida Turnpike and there are acres of free parking. Admission is $10 and Children 12 and under are free. Visit The Florida Marine Flea Market, Boat Show and BBQ Seafood Festival website www.FLNauticalFleaMarket.com for more information, discount tickets, vendor applications and specific driving directions. Contact Under the Sun Promotions, Inc. at 954-205-7813.

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69.3-pound flathead catfish was recently certified as a new Florida state record. Measuring 47 inches long, with a girth of 34.25 inches, the monster Yellow River flathead bested the old record of 63.8 pounds. The angler, Marvin Griffin, of Santa Rosa County, is no stranger to the Yellow River or huge catfish. Griffin’s family has been fishing the Yellow River for years and they have caught exceptionally large catfish there. Griffin’s uncle, James Auston Jr., caught a state record flathead catfish in the Yellow River, which held the record from 2011 until 2016. “I have always wanted to catch a state reFWC Photo cord,” said Griffin. “After my uncle caught his, I made it a mission of mine to catch my own. “I wasn’t expecting to catch a state record when I started fishing that day with John Babb. But, it was the first and only fish we caught that day. I never would have been able to bring the fish into the boat without his help.” Flathead catfish are a non-native fish found in many northwest Florida panhandle river systems. Flatheads prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately turbid rivers. Their solitary lifestyle makes them more difficult to catch than other catfish. Adult flathead catfish feed primarily on live fish, crawfish, freshwater clams and mussels. To properly certify a new Florida state record, an FWC biologist must identify the fish species and witness its weighing on a certified scale. Anglers can check the current state records at BigCatchFlorida.com by clicking on “State Record,” and should notify the nearest FWC regional office if they believe they have caught a record fish. Contact information for FWC regional offices can be found at MyFWC.com/Contact by clicking on “Contact Regional Offices.”

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135 BOATS FISH SEBASTIAN EXCHANGE CLUB BLUE WATER OPEN

By Eva Chapman

he 26th Annual Sebastian Exchange Club Foundation’s Blue Water Open Charity Oﬀshore Fishing Tournament was held June 1, with tournament headquarters at Capt. Hiram’s Resort in Sebastian, Fla. It was a beautiful weekend with a thunderstorm threat that fortunately passed with just a light drizzle. The field was competitive, with135 boats registered and 58 boats weighing in ﬁsh.

The event included dolphin, kingfish, wahoo and grouper on the main board and bonus board. The total purse was a guaranteed $20,000, which included $1,000 each for the biggest amberjack and yellowfin tuna, as well as $2,500 for Top Boat. The catch was dominated by kingfish, with the biggest king weighing 51.29 lbs., caught aboard Easy Drinkin’. To round out the board for kingfish, second place weighed 37.46 lbs., caught on Wet Rods; third place was 35.06 lbs., caught on Knot Scared; and fourth place was 34.41 lbs.; caught on Slab Grabber. First-place dolphin was 29.79 lbs., by Bottoms Up; second place was 23.22 lbs., by Reel Twisted; third place was 22.68 lbs., by Risky Business; and fourth place was 22.37 lbs., by Team Shoot Out. Top wahoo was a big 50.61 lbs., caught on Far Side, with Capt. Jeff Driscoll. No other wahoo made it to the scales. First-place grouper was 22.27 lbs., by On The Rocks; second place was 18.48 lbs., by Smooth Finish; third place was 17.45 lbs, by Reef Affliction; and fourth place was 16.54 lbs., by Pura Vida. Top Boat went to Far Side. The Top Boat award is based on an aggregate weight of three fish in at least two of the main-board categories. Far Side weighed in a total of 97.71 lbs., with the top wahoo, a 21.65-lb. dolphin, a 21.20-lb. dolphin as well as a 25.45-lb. kingfish and an 18.87-lb. kingfish. The $1,000 Top amberjack award weighed in at 43.12 lbs. It was caught by Out For Fun, captained by James Kahn. No yellowfin tuna were weighed in. On top of the $20,000 purse, there was the Capt. William Charles Memorial Largest Grouper award of $1,000, donated by Carol Knapstein. This year, the award went to On The Rocks Captain Josh HUff, with a 22.27-lb. grouper. Our winning Lady Angler was Dina Strickland on Slab Grabber with a 26.42-lb. kingfish. The Junior Angler winner was Owen Zierer, fishing aboard Reel Twisted, with a 23.22-lb. dolphin. For complete tournament results, visit www.bluewateropen.com or like Sebastian Blue Water Open on Facebook. The Exchange Club of Sebastian has raised over $700,000 over the years through the the Blue Water Open. All proceeds go to worthy charities in the local community with a special emphasis on the prevention of child abuse.

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AUGUST 2019

CENTRAL FLORIDA 1

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES FOR WADING THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

By Richard Matteson

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AUGUST 2019

ne of the best ways to catch fish in the Indian River Lagoon is wading. I’m not the only local fisherman to recommend it; Mark Nichols, founder of DOA lures, recognizes wading as a top method also. The advantages are obvious: you can fish shallow mangroves and docks better; you can be in the same environment as the fish and not disturb them with a boat and motor; and it’s easier to maneuver hooked fish around pier pilings. Here are some considerations before you set off on foot into the lagoon. Although I used to fish with tennis shoes and shorts, chest waders are recommended for local wading because of the changing water quality. Waders also protect you from submerged dangers. There are two types of chest waders, stockingfoot and those with attached boots. I use the stockingfoot type and wear a pair of boots over them. Keep in mind, boots worn over neoprene stockingfeet must be at least a full size bigger than your regular shoes. A longer 10-foot rod is best to get more distance on your casts. You need a good inshore spinning reel, a 3000 or 4000 series, which will be spooled with braided line. Use light or white line for visibility. I use 6- to 10-pound braid, which is easier to cast and heavy enough to land most fish. You won’t be able to land medium-sized tarpon or horse large snook from under piers with light braided line, so if you are fishing for these species you’ll want to upgrade your line. Tied to the end of the braided line with a double uni knot is a 2-foot length of fluorocarbon leader. Tie your lure to the fluorocarbon with a standard loop knot. For instructions on tying these two knots, run a search for them online. Make sure to bring pliers, extra lures, jig heads and leaders, since you will likely break off several times during a wade. Summer is a good time to use topwater lures. I also use jigs and shallow-running crankbaits as search lures. The fish feed more at night, in the early morning and at dusk when water temperatures drop. I prefer fishing in the morning or evening after a high tide, when fish move shallow on the shoreline, mangroves and piers. Fishing at night is easiest around lighted bridges. Fish the shadow lines with a crankbait, topwater or heavier jig, since the current under bridges is stronger. I like the two large bridges in Stuart and usually wade the northeast section of the southern bridge, officially known as the Earnest Lyons bridge. There are many great areas to wade. Some of my favorites are Walton Road (PSL), Midway Road (Ft. Pierce) and Harbor branch (Vero). On the east side, try Herman’s Bay (Stuart) or Bear Point (Ft. Pierce). Richard Matteson is staff writer for Stuart Rod and Reel Club. Contact him at (336) 414-3440.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

uly is behind us and so is the Atlantic Red Snapper season. I certainly do not claim to know the biology and reasoning behind our available fishing days, but I hope that next we will have even more days to bring these beauties home to the dinner table. As most of us who go offshore know, it can be tough just to get away from these snappers. With more days this year than last, we can only hope that next year we will all be eating more of these snappers at our dinner tables. I am sure most of your social media feed looked like mine did in July…..it looked RED! Once of my favorite things about snapper season is the fever that it creates among anglers. For weeks before the season people will share tactics, baits, and stories of seasons past. Then for weeks after the season we get to hear all

the fish stories and memories that were created through those offshore trips. After all, it’s the memories that we are really after. Now that we are into August we can start to see the light at the end of the heat tunnel. August and September will still be sweltering, but we know at this point of the year that it won’t last forever. We have been using this time to really hone in on our night fishing techniques and locations. This is a fantastic way to beat the heat while still getting to feel the pull. Tune in to our social media channels to see a few of our recent night fishing videos for some special tips and tactics! Tight lines The Chibbaro Family

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AUGUST 2019

DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND 1

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ot much is going to change this month from June or July. Most anglers with a pretty constant schedule on the water will be using a lot of the same tactics and presentations as the earlier summer months. With the local shrimp run all but done in the Highbridge area, the only thing really changing will be the color of the artificials or even hanging up the shrimp lures all together as you switch to more of a finger mullet type lure. Using the shallow diving Rapalas, Bombers or even Yo-Zuri 3d crystal minnows will be your best bet. Redfish, trout and snook are sure to be at many of your favorite spots. Add that with a little sprinkle of tarpon and Jacks, with an early morning departure, and your forearms are sure to be sore by the end of the day. Keep in mind that you should not shy away from the live shrimp fishing. Everything in this saltwater ecosystem eats shrimp, especially live!!! Find a nice hole with a little structure and the snapper, black drum and sheepshead are likely to keep you busy for your excursion. If you are predominantly a live bait angler who likes to use mostly shrimp, do not shy away from cast netting some mullet or even buying some mud minnows or pinfish from your local bait shop. Free line one of these off the back of the boat while you are bottom fishing with shrimp and you could be surprised with a nice tarpon, trout, snook or even a redfish. Remember though, that if you are free lining, leave your drag really loose or use a bait runner style reel so the fish has time to swallow the whole bait. Do not limit yourself to just one style of fishing. Allow yourself to try and experience new methods of artificials, live bait tactics or even fly fishing. Push yourself to uncomfortable territory and I promise, if you stick with it, you will be a better angler on the other side. Monotony is an angler’s worst nightmare, spice it up a bit and have some fun out there. Until next time, keep your lines wet and your rods bent!!!

AUGUST 2019

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DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND 3

FISHING REPORT & FORECAST CAPT. MICHAEL SAVEDOW

Edgewater Backcountry and Mosquito Lagoon

angrove Snapper have been growing Snook, Snapper, and Jack Crevalle. It is important to larger all year in our inshore waters, with twitch your rod often, keeping the pig active and off the more of keeper size in the Intracoastal bottom can be the best technique. On open water with Waterway, Edgewater Backcountry, Mosquito Lagoon rolling Tarpon try live baitfish on the surface or with a and Ponce de Leon Inlet. They are a schooling, small weight down deeper. Shallow water Redfish are a structure-oriented fish, hanging around docks, jetties, year-round target in the backcountry and lagoon. underwater rocks, and drop offs in the backwaters. Nighttime dock and bridge light fishing continues Shrimp is always a good bait for river Mangos, but to to be a good choice for late summer. Docks and target larger fish, go with any type of small live bait bridges all along the ICW from Ponce Inlet to fish or cut bait. Minimum size is 10” overall length Ormond Beach on the Halifax River and on the with a pinched tail and bag limit is 5 per person. Indian River from New Smyrna to Oak Hill to Young Lance with a Catch and In late summer Bull Redfish are preparing for the Bethune Beach have lights on at night which attract fall spawn at the Inlet, they can be found in the channels Release Summer Snook schools of baitfish, shrimp, Trout, Snook, and more. from the inlet, south into the ICW at New Smyrna, the Late in the evening through early morning hours can bridges, Edgewater, and Haulover Canal. You can drift the channels, or anchor be best with less boat traffic and human activity. The best bait for the most to drift, ride the tide. Trolling blue crabs, live pinfish, pigfish, croakers or mullet bites is a free lined live shrimp, no weight or swivels, just a floroucarbon on the outgoing tide can be best with the natural movement of drift crabs, a leader tied to your line and a hook. By the end of the m onth the early signs main draw for the fish to be in any location. It is also best to use heavier tackle of the mullet run will arrive with the very first schools of “scout” migrating outfits to shorten the battle on these big fish which are 20 to 35 plus pounds. mullet coming in from the north, starting the baitfish and inshore game I recommend that you always hold it horizontal for its best chance of healthy fish migration. First sign of these mullet is around Ponce Inlet as they survival and make baby Redfish for our future fishery. travel the surf line with some entering inside the inlet area. Lagoon and backcountry fishing with live pigfish, croakers and shrimp continues to be good in August. Free line casting near drop offs, docks, oyster Capt Michael Savedow / Edgewater River Guide bars, points, flats edges, and island shorelines will catch Seatrout, Redfish, www.EdgewaterRiverGuide.com / 386-689-3781

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FISHING REPORT & FORECAST CAPT. BARRY ENGLEHARDT

Tomoka Report

ugust is a great month to fish; however, the key is to know when to fish. During the day water temperatures are in the mid-80s to 90s resulting in the fish becoming sluggish. In this heat, you must alter the time of day you fish. Night fishing can be explosive! The water cools down and the fish become more active and they leave the deep areas to move into the shallow water. I enjoy fishing 2am to 8 am. When fishing at night the docks that are lighted are the best. The light attracts the bait fish and the bait fish attract the big fish. Under the lights, I use jigs with a paddle tail, popping corks with shrimp and free line mullet down current. Artificial lures such as poppers, skitter walk and top dog also work well. Throw the lures toward the bank where red fish tend to hang out. The fish right now to catch are trout, snook, reds and tarpon. Another good area at night is under the bridges. Use an Arkansas rig with a finger mullet for great snook action.

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AUGUST 2019

DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND 5

FISHERMAN’S WORKSHOP

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angrove Snapper have been growing larger all year in our inshore waters, with more of keeper size in the Intracoastal Waterway, Edgewater Backcountry, Mosquito Lagoon and Ponce de Leon Inlet. They are a schooling, structure-oriented fish, hanging around docks, jetties, underwater rocks, and drop offs in the backwaters. Shrimp is always a good bait for river Mangos, but to target larger fish, go with any type of small live bait fish or cut bait. Minimum size is 10” overall length with a pinched tail and bag limit is 5 per person. II grew up fishing with my father. Fresh, salt, surf, lakes, boats, etc. You name it, we fished it. As I got older and kids, job, and house got in the

way I found myself rarely on the water. Fast forward to today, I purchased a 2013 Toyota Tacoma out of want and not need. It was then I began to get the itch to fish again, and where better to go than the beach? I was rusty at first but re-taught myself how to surf fish. As I started to go more and more, the family started to come with me. Now I was on to something. Fishing and family time? This was a home run for me. As I began to go more and more with kids or alone, I always said, “This trip would have been better if I had X”. Well, I started to purchase that “X” after each trip. Then the real buildout of the truck started. Many of the modifications were designed to keep us out on the water longer. The ARB awning provides cover from the sun. The ARB fridge / freezer gives us cold drinks and fresh food all day. I even purchased a porta – potty setup which is a gamechanger for the kids (and myself). To help fish, I’ve mounted rod holders on the front and Yakima powderhounds on the roof rack. This easily transports 10’ rods anywhere safely. The tail gate has been converted to a cutting board to cut fresh bunker, squid, or whatever the bait of the day is. I’ve mounted a Waterport hose inside the back to wash off the blood from cutting bait. In the back of the truck we’ve also installed multiple cooking systems to either cook lunch or cook our catch if lucky enough to grab a keeper from the water. Inside the truck there’s waterproof seat covers, an iPad to track tides, a GMRS radio, VHF to listen to the head boats, GPS, dash camera, amazon alexa, amongst other comforts. Since driving on the sand can be risky, I’ve mounted Maxtrax to the roof. There’s also a slew of recovery straps and hooks inside the truck. Airing down your tires for soft sand is necessary where I fish, but also a chore. I’ve simplified this with staun tire deflators set to 17 PSI. All four tires are ready within 5 mins. When we come off the beach and there’s a line at the air station there’s an ARB dual compressor with a 1-gallon air tank in the back. This will have us ready to leave within 10 mins for all four tires. For anyone interested, the underneath is protected with a full set of skid plates, solid rock sliders, and 255/75 – 17 goodyear duratracs to get me anywhere I need to drive to fish. There’s also scene lighting on the cap, and multiple lights up front. I get a lot of compliments and questions. The main question people ask me is “Don’t you think this is overkill?” No, I don’t. You only live once. If you enjoyed this summary of our truck build and would like to hear more about specific products in continuing articles, just let us know! Eric Beauchea Coastal Angler Staff Writer

6 DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND

AUGUST 2019

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Fishing The Heat of Summer

t sure is a hot one outside! What’s that saying? “A bad day on the water is better than a good day in the office.” With this Summer heat, that just may not be the case. The high tempatures are sending many of anglers running inside to sit in the air conditioning, sipping on a sweet iced tea. As for myself, I need to be outside fishing daily, so I can stay consistent. Running for air conditioning is no option for this lady angler. I need to stay on top of the fish, so no matter what the weather conditions, rain, wind, heat, cold, I will be out on the water scouting, tracking down fish learning their bite and following those elusive Reds to their next location. With this heat you will find it much more challenging to hook up. Sure, you may have found that school of Reds but with the high temps they are stubborn and wont chew.

bound to watch your hookup do some epic acrobats in hopes of landing that silver king! I prefer to target Tarpon on artificials, if you are a beginner shrimp or live mullet will get the job done!

When to fish

Don’t be that fishermen

Where to find fish

Most fish will school up but in the heat they tend to scatter. You will find redfish against mangroves , Tarpon under bridges and Snook against finders and pilings. Which is why I look for vegetation and structure. I fish places that have cuts and openings that allow me to cast deep and can skip baits. When targeting tarpon and Snook I prefer to fish for them the night hours. Tarpon are mostly nocturnal feeders and this time of the year I find the Tarpon bite to be on fire, Same for Snook. These species like structure, I target them posting up under brides and under docks. I get more hits free-lining a shrimp or working artificial. My go to for Tarpon or Snook is a pearl mullet paddle tail jig, you want a little weight so you bait isn’t sitting on top of the water as you are working it, I recommend tossing on a split shot.

I find that during this time of the year, the early morning and before sun down is when the fish are biting. I spend most of my time specializing Inshore fisherman and specialize in the grassy flats of Mosquito Lagoon for Redfish, and Tomoka back country for Snook and Tarpon. The great thing about Reds is you can find and land these beauties year around. Of course, there are better times to fish for them than others and the Summer can be tough time of the year to catch fish, which is why fishing the tides can be key in your success while out on the water. I prefer to fish the high tide in the flats. This pushes the Reds up under and against the mangroves, protecting them for the heat. Sure, it may make it more difficult to get these fish to come out from hiding, so that leaves it to you to find the right bait.

How many of you were so excited to just get out on the water or you were certain you had everything you needed? All you brought was your lures and you have tried everything in you tackle bag, but nothing is biting. I know I am guilty of being that guy. This Summer heat makes it difficult to get that fish to the boat. I recommend bringing live and artificial baits because you never know what the fish are chewing on and it is always best to be prepared.

What baits to use

times of the day * giving yourself options, by bringing artificial and live baits.

I am all about artificial baits, so my bait of choice to start with is a basic paddle tail jig on a weedless hook casting and working it alongside the mangroves and under bridges and docks anything that holds structure you are more than likely to find Snook. Tarpon have been a bit more challenging but with the right bait and knowing how to work it you are

Keys to a successfuly summer fishing trip * fishing the high tides and deeper waters * working the mangroves * fishing structure, pilings, bridges and docks * casting at the first and last light of the day (which are your cooler

INSHORE ADVENTURES WITH SKYE Feel free to check out my inshore fishing adventures on Facebook @ Inshore Adventures with Skye and on Instagram brassyhooker87

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Summer Is Nearing the End

ummer is nearing the end, and the fish are changing their patterns. Much like us two-leggers, they are seeking relief from the relentless sunshine. August typically Keep an eye for afternoon has calm winds but high afternoon temps thunderstorms and enjoy the that warm our surface end of summer fishing temps and push fish down for more oxygenated and cooler water. I most commonly fish from the middle column to bottom mostly, and we always put a free line out the back for a lost Mahi or Cobia. I suggest mixing it up while fishing for an array of species like Amber Jack, Vermillion Snapper, trigger, mutton, grouper, cobia and Kingfish.

Different baits, and different rods, can offer you a variety of different experiences in late summer. Chicken rigs are a good way to get the bite moving followed by dropping some live bait down for the big bite. If Snapper season thins the herd some you might have a good shot at spectacular grouper fishing off some bottom spots. If you’re set on trolling, in August you can find fish cruising the bait pods nearshore for kingfish and a stray sailfish day here and there. If you wanna burn some fuel, the other side still has a bite going in that 80-130 mile range. Either big Marlin lures for trophies of ballyhoos on long fluorocarbon for Tunas will work well. Keep an eye for afternoon thunderstorms and enjoy the end of summer fishing. Good luck! Capt. Shane Ryan | Back to Blue Outdoors

Lure Review

Automotive Tech Tip from NSB Chevy

n this month’s lure review column we are going to talk about one of the most common soft plastic baits in our tackle bag, the DOA C.A.L. paddle tails. These great lures come in all types of colors and offer you a truly versatile bait to keep tied on to your rod. We love to fish these on jigheads from 1/16oz to 1oz depending on depths and current, but will also rig them weedless if we are on a grass flat. What we like the most is how many different ways you can fish these lures. You can keep your rod tip up with light weight and use it as a topwater, you can straight retrieve to get those reaction strikes, and most commonly we like to bounce bounce bounce and then let fall to your desired place in the water column. If you are fishing inshore, you need to have a pack of these in your bag. I usually have several in different colors.

ince we are in the heat of the summer, and we also live in an area where you can drive on the beach, we wanted to talk a bit about awnings for your truck. There are several options out there for you to choose from, a quick google search will show you all the options. We absolutely love these things. Especially for when you are on the beach with your family and friends. In the heat of the summer, a little shade can be a life-saver. Many of these sun-shades require you to drill into the body of your vehicle to install. We highly recommend having a licensed technician complete this for you to ensure correct installation and prevent from having leaks in your vehicle. If you want to stay and look cool on the beach this summer, just give NSB Chevy a call and we will be happy to order and install one for you today!

— www.aquadreamliving.com

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New Smyrna Beach Middle School

OUTDOOR PURSUITS

Outdoor Pursuits & Adventure Club

ummer break is over and school is back in session! Outdoor Pursuits is kicking off the school year by teaming up with local organization “Marine Discovery Center” to help improve the quality of our local waterways of Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, and Ponce Inlet. For the entire month of August all the Outdoor Pursuit students have been actively growing Black Mangroves, Spartina Grass, and making Oyster mats. All of these items Morgan showing off her catch while on the boat with Coach Sanders and are a part of our local ecosystem that her dad Robert Bell. make up a “living shoreline.” Outdoor Pursuits wants to thank MDC staff member Jessy for coming out each week as a guest speaker and assisting with the planting of all the living shoreline plants. Our student of the month is a former Outdoor Pursuits student “Morgan Bell” who has gone above and beyond to help improve our local habitat and beaches. Morgan believes in giving back to nature and fighting for our local waterways to improve water quality. Morgan participates in almost all off our local beach clean ups and various conservation efforts. She is also an avid lady angler who enjoys catching redfish, snook, trout, and cast-netting for shrimp. Tight Lines & Screaming Drags, Coach Sanders

NEW SMYRNA BEACH SURF FISHING REPORT & FORECAST THE OPINIONATED SPORTS GUY

August Update

he high humidity is back, along with the 90 degree plus temps and afternoon thunderstorms, which can only mean one thing here on the beach - summer is in full swing and this year is as hot as ever. Fishing changes with the seasons, but it’s still a great time to catch some keepers. Ocean fishing is typically simple to predict, 12 DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND

AUGUST 2019

with just whiting, catfish, and shark being caught. In July, however, there was colder water inshore which brought several fish in closer than normal. There were reports of black drum, barracuda, grunts and even some small tarpon being caught; also, some nice size jacks as well as a few sheepshead. And if you’re lucky, you might even snag a big bull redfish out of the surf! The typical baits are working, with shrimp being a favorite along with cut bait, and sand fleas have also worked well here. The sand fleas are still small, but they always work in the summer. If you’re not catching anything after a while, here’s a quick hint: try moving around. As you may know, there are lots of troughs and holes around New Smyrna Beach. Maybe look for a good spot during low tide and then come back to fish it later when the higher water is around. Yes, it’s hot folks but there’s almost always a slight sea breeze over here on the island so grab your gear hit the beach and come have some fun. Send us your best surf catch a we will gladly share it in next month’s issue.

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FLYFISHING

A New Passion by Mason Nettles

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was recently asked by a good friend, Chris Chibbaro, to do a short fly fishing Column for his magazine Coastal Angler. We will start with an introduction to you, the readers, whom I wholeheartedly excited to engage with. I am an NSB native who grew up with a passion for surfing and skateboarding. But recently sustained an injury that has made those activities impossible. Since then I’ve rediscovered the Mosquito Lagoon that was always at my fingertips as a child, and I couldn’t be more thankful. I started off fishing spinning rods with friends, and always had a great time. But found myself craving more. I started doing more solo trips, exploring and poling through the backwaters on my Jon Boat. I grew bored with just throwing out lures through “fishy” areas and hoping to get picked up. The idea of sightfishing was always something that peaked my interest, and fly fishing alike. So I ventured out on my own and purchased my very first fly rod, I was so thrilled, I couldn’t wait to get out there and stalk some fish. But as I spent more and more time on the water I realized the gravity of the situation; that sightfishing Redfish with a fly rod was much more difficult than I had anticipated. Through future articles I’ll be sharing experiences, conservation, rods, reels, flies, and anything else regarding the sport that I find interesting. Feel free to reach out with questions, or topics, you’d like to hear my take on. Until next time, I’ll see you on the water! Mason Nettles | Coastal Angler Staff Writer Theflyside386@gmail.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

AUGUST 2019

DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND 13

Alan Adams with a beautiful redfish

Carter Bagnoli landed this little redfish

Brylee Simmons was out for a great red snapper trip

Hanna May & Kayla Youngman with a killer double-header

Haven Caudill with a great catch

Michael Sharp landed this great snook

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AUGUST 2019

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Ponce Inlet

TIDE CHART AUGUST 2019

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