Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2019 | Great Smoky Mountains & The Upstate

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE EDITION

FREE Bass Bed

Primer

World Record

Cutthroat Lonestar Lunkers PHOTO COURTESY OF BRETT CANNON

VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 288

F R A N C H I S E

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LIFE ON THE COAST IS BETTER WHEN YOU STAY CENTERED.

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For: Coastal Angler

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FROM SHIP TO SHORE

All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2018.

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Tampa Bay, A Jewel On

Florida’s Gulf Coast

By Rosemary J. White

T

ampa Bay has some of the very best fishing in the state of Florida, which means it is some of the best fishing in the world.

What makes Tampa Bay so unique is the many different varieties of both freshwater and saltwater fish to catch, as well as the many different ways to catch them.

If you are not a boat person, Tampa offers the world’s longest fishing pier, the Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here you can catch snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, red snapper and pompano. That’s 10 species of highly desirable fish from just one location, without a boat! And if that list alone is not impressive enough, fishing the bridge is convenient, too. You’ll need some specialized gear, but once

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you’ve got it you can drive right onto the pier to your exact sweet spot and unload. It’s also lit at night! There’s no limit as to what time of the day you can fish.

Feel like delving into the ocean world a little deeper than a concrete bridge? Tampa Bay boasts the stunning Fort Desoto County Park. Here you can simply slip on a pair of old sneakers and wade into cerulean blue waters and lush seagrass beds. Sound surreal? It is. Wading is a stealthy approach to fishing. In addition to species from the list above, you can also catch redfish, trout and flounder.

Looking to fish the deeper waters of the bay? About 45 miles out, the water depths start to reach the 80-foot range. Out here, the possibilities are endless. Varieties of grouper, assortments of snapper, arrays of sharks, blackfin tuna, sailfish, mahi, amberjack, jack crevalle, permit and bonita can be added to the previously mentioned lists of available species.

What if you tend to lean more toward the fresh side? Tampa Bay has some of the most diverse freshwater fishing opportunities one can imagine. Use a kayak to quietly glide through the tannic waters of our creeks to catch largemouth bass that grow upwards of 10 pounds. The creeks also hold massive bluegills, crappie, toothy alligator gar, tilapia, catfish and carp. The secret to what makes our freshwater fishing so thrilling is that you never know what you are going to catch. You see, many of our saltwater species inhabit our freshwater, as well. It is not only possible, but it is common to catch a big largemouth and then five minutes later a 15-pound common snook.

Tampa Bay offers a temperate climate, direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, artificial reefs, a unique slowly sloping continental shelf, and an abundance of freshwater feeds. From grass flats and mangrove systems in our inshore ecological system, to the deeper channels throughout the bay and Intracoastal Waterway, anglers have the opportunity to catch anything from sharks to Goliath grouper. The potential for the catch of a lifetime exists on every cast.

*At Ma sal inc

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*At participating dealers only. Qualifying retail customers may receive instant savings off the selling price of a Honda powered boat package or Honda Marine engine(s) sold for repower. This promotion is limited to new Honda Marine 40 HP through 250 HP outboard engines, 2014 and newer models, sold and delivered between January 3, 2019 and June 3, 2019 and registered by the Dealer in accordance with American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s sales registration requirements. Only Honda Marine outboard engines sold for personal use qualify for this promotion. Fleet, commercial & government sales are ineligible. Engines sold under special pricing / promotions including (but not limited to) demo and tournament fisherman engines are also excluded. Honda Marine reserves the right to modify, amend, cancel or revoke, in whole or in part, this promotion at any time without prior notice. © 2019 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a COASTALANGLERMAG.COM personal flotation device while boating and read• your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emissionIlevels.

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NauticStar Introduces

SEE IT AT THE MIAMI INTL BOAT SHOW BOOTH A237 The 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a new 25-foot model to NauticStar’s very successful hybrid lineup. This unique multipurpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform.

NauticStar has also moved into the 30-foot plus category with its

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newest member of the family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater performer delivers all the necessary fishing features for the serious angler with a smooth, dry, comfortable ride with cutting edge styling and comfort features never before seen in a boat of this style and size.

With its 10’ 6” beam, the 32 XS Offshore offers a spacious and comfortable bow that features large forward lounge seating with arm rests and plush wrap-around bow seats. The head console has a fully lined interior with a sink, SeaDek floor and electric flush toilet. It has a spacious and ergonomic helm to allow for dual 12-inch or 16inch multifunction displays. The leaning post features ergonomically correct Llebrock double billfish seats with flip-up bolsters and pivot arms. It has a sink, tackle storage, and a slide-out, 35-quart YETI cooler. The D-channel, integrated T-top can be fitted with a variety of options such as a retractable shade and fold-down cockpit television.

Aft, the jump seats flip-up for a spacious fishing deck with sizable, infloor fish boxes and large port side dive door.

“Engineered for exceptional reliability and performance, the new 32 XS Offshore carries forward NauticStar’s 100-percent wood-free construction and one-piece foam filled fiberglass stringer system,” said Ryan Witt, director of engineering. “Additionally, we’ve added some great new design features such as sculpted hull sides, a sideentry cockpit door, and large insulated in-floor fish boxes. The 32 XS Offshore also features cutting edge technologies with NaviOP digital vessel control system and Klipsch custom-tuned audio system.”

“I am very proud of the team and all they have accomplished over the past year,” Schiek added. “These new models are truly exciting and we look forward to introducing many great new models in the future.”

The 251 Hybrid and 32 XS Offshore will be on display in Miami at booth A237 and available for test rides in the Yamaha in-water display.

For more information on each of NauticStar’s new model introductions, please visit: 195 Bay - https://nauticstarboats. com/boats/nauticbay-boats/195-nauticbay/ 251 Hybrid - https:// nauticstarboats.com/boats/hybrids/251-hybrid/

TI EES EHT TA LTNI IMAIM WOHS TAOB 732A HTOOB

auticStar Boats, a subsidiary of MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc., has been reinvesting in the business at an accelerated pace, specifically, modernizing the plant and developing leading edge new products. The Company launched the new 195 Bay Boat in August, followed by the 251 Hybrid in September and will debut its largest offshore model yet, the 32 XS Offshore, at the Miami International Boat Show.

“To say we have been busy at NauticStar is an understatement,” NauticStar President Tim Schiek said in a statement. “We have assembled a strong team of marine experts focused on delivering the highest quality and best performing boats in their segment. This is not only driving continuous improvement in our boat building processes, but throughout the entire organization. We have also implemented a more disciplined product development process that is delivering more new products, at a faster cadence, with increased consumer insights and innovation that ultimately will deliver the best boating experience for our consumers at a reasonable price.”

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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With its sleek lines and stylish contours, the new 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a 25 foot addition to the NauticStar Hybrid lineup.

This unique multi-purpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform. If you need a serious fishing machine for yourself or a boat with enough room for a large crowd, the 251 Hybrid is the boat for you!

Check out all the incredible features of the 251 on our website and design the boat of your dreams.

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By Tom Schlichter

Winter Bulldogs Out Of Ocean City, Maryland

By Tom Schlichter

Ron McClelland caught this 24-pound blackfish aboard the Fish Bound out of Ocean City, Md. in April of 2018. Mate Kevin Twilley helps hoist the beast. Photo courtesy of Fish Bound Charters.

K

enneth Westerfeld was expecting a big blackfish when he set up on a solid, single-tug while wreck fishing out of Ocean City, Md. back in January of 2015. What he wasn’t expecting was a new International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record at the end of the line.

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“We were into big blackfish right off the bat,” explained the Queens, N.Y. angler, “and I knew immediately when I set the hook that this was a double-digit white chin. I got three quick turns on the reel and then all I could do was hold the rod high and tight while she dove for the wreck. More than half way to the top, however, she got a second wind and tore 40 feet of line from my drag, which was nearly locked tight. I couldn’t believe the power.

That’s when I knew this one was more than special.”

When the monstrous bulldog finally hit the deck, Westerfeld was stunned by its size. Back at Sunset Marina in Ocean City, the huge white chin officially tipped the scales at 28 pounds, 8 ounces. That blackfish, still the all tackle world record for the tough-lipped bottom feeders, was decked aboard Capt. Kane Bounds’ six-pack charter boat Fish Bound, a vessel on which Westerfeld has taken several ’teen-sized bulldogs over the years.

“I’m convinced there’s even bigger blackfish in Maryland waters,” he said. “A couple of years ago, an experienced SCUBA diver reported seeing two giant blackfish on an offshore reef there—the smaller one he estimated at 30 pounds.”

Capt. Kane agrees that bigger fish probably lurk in the 80- to 150-foot depths where he concentrates most of his blackfish efforts. “I think our ’tog have a little longer growing season than up north,” he reasoned. “That makes a difference with a fish that can live more than 30 years. In 2017 alone, we had five that broke the 20-pound mark. Three of those were released.”

You’ll want to fish heavy in these waters if giant ’tog are your target.

Bounds recommended conventional outfits with smooth drags and 50- to 60-pound test braided lines. He also goes big on hooks, choosing 5/0 and 6/0 sizes over more traditional 3/0 and 4/0 selections. Expect to need 8 to 12 ounces of lead to get to the bottom.

Monster blackfish bite right through the winter months, with many of the largest fish decked each year in February, March and April.

Westerfeld advised anglers looking for the blackfish of a lifetime to use fluorocarbon leaders no matter which rigs or hooks they choose.

“Maryland’s waters are pretty clear in the winter and low visibility fluorocarbon leaders really provide an edge,” he said. “Seaguar’s 60-lb. test Blue Label fluorocarbon leaders have worked well for me. They have great abrasion resistance and impact strength, plus very little stretch—three things you really need with these brutes.”

To fish with Capt. Kane on the six-passenger Fish Bound, contact: www. fishboundcharter.com; 443-497-1361. Open boat fans can check out the Morning Star (http://morningstarfishing.com; 410-520-2076).

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Central Florida Bass Are On The Beds

By Nick Carter • Photo by Brett Cannon

W

hile largemouth bass across much of the country remain hunkered down in a winter pattern, bass in central Florida are running full tilt in all three stages of the spawn. Right now tournament angler and guide Ricky Congero is wearing out big Florida strain largemouths on the eight Kissimmee Chain lakes around Orlando.

Whether you’re an angler in need of a road trip or if you’re sitting in an easy chair waiting on your reservoir to get right, Congero’s tactics might help steer you to the largemouth of a lifetime.

Starting in November and December, Kissimmee largemouths begin staging up in prespawn behaviors. The first big waves of fish hit the flats toward the end of January. They’ll move in and out with the passage of cold fronts, but from January into early March there will be fish in all stages of the spawn. The key to locating them among miles of thick vegetation is to find hard-bottomed shallow flats.

“You can pattern them year-round based on the spawning flats,” Congero said. “During prespawn, they’ll be staged in the first grass maybe

100 yards off those flats. Postspawn, they’ll move out into the dense hydrilla and hyacinth.”

Congero starts by covering water with moving baits like swim jigs and Chatterbaits in search of bass preparing to move up. When the smaller males arrive on the flats to fan out beds, it’s an indicator that fishing is about to get very good.

“If you start catching a bunch of young bucks on the flats, the big females won’t be far behind,” he said.

In the tannic waters of the Kissimmee lakes, it’s difficult to spot fish on the bed. Instead of sight fishing, Congero looks for the locations big females prefer.

“You always find the bigger females bedded on isolated pads, as opposed to the big clumps of pads,” he said. “They’ll spawn right at the base of the stem.”

And while heavy braid and heavy-duty tackle are mainstays for hossing big fish out of thick vegetation, fishing beds requires stealth and finesse. Sizing down to 17- or 20-pound fluorocarbon, Congero likes a short 5- or 6-inch Senko. A staple on the Kissimmee lakes is black with a blue tail. He Texas rigs it with 1-ounce tungsten bullet weight, which is pegged to the head of the worm. This allows him to feel when his bait hits the stalk, at which time he lets it sit on the bottom until the bass picks it up.

“Don’t set the hook as soon as you feel her pick it up,” he warned. “She might just have the tail in her mouth and you’ll come back with half a worm. Wait until she’s swimming off with it. Reel up all the slack and give her a second or two before you set it.”

For a guided trip, contact Congero at (973) 6998981 or email info@blackcloudfishing.com. Follow him on Instagram @Ricky_Congero.

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VISIT AND Visit andEXPLORE Explore Burnsville, NC Burnsville, N.C.

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hether you’re hiking, exhibits. The restaurant, conces- through Yancey fishing or camping sion stand and gift shop are open County. hether you’re hiking, fishing or Mountains and the South Toe in the mountains or May thru a fun camping in the mountains, at- October.

River Campground Valley. StretchingEnjoy nearly has 9 tent sites only. attending a performance at Parkfilled day on tending a performance at Parkway 500 miles through the mountains the Playhouse ororcoming North Virginia way Playhouse comingtotothe theMt. Mitchell Winding of along the Carolina southern and water, catching Crafts Fair Crafts or Carolina Literary without a single red light, Mt. Mitchell Fair orMountains Caro- edge of Yancey County, the Blue the the fishBlue native to Festival, there’sLiterary alwaysFestival, a good day waiting Ridge one of the best lina Mountains Ridge Parkway givesParkway travelersisan our mountains. for you in Burnsville, North Carolina, espe- scenic drives in America. there’s always a good day waiting amazing view of the Black MounWe is guarantee cially for travelers who like to discover their The Blue Ridge Parkway the forown youjourney. in Burnsville, North Car- tains and the South Toe River your fishing only access to Mount Mitchell County is home State Park at Hwy andwill mileolina, Yancey especially for travelers whoto waterfalls, Valley. Stretching for nearly 500128trip be full campgrounds, hiking post It’s five miles sumSnakeroot Ecotours offers custom tours like to discover theirbackroads, own journey. milestrails, through the355. mountains of to of the fish-catching clean rivers, and six the 10tohighest peaks mit. and The Parkway

by Civilian Con-Observation at Mount State Park. of one ofplatform the wildest andMitchell most scenic corNorth Carolina Virginia was – built Yancey County is ofhome experiences! in the eastern United States. servation Corps labor in the 1930s. Workers ners of Western North Carolina. They invite and not one single redlight – the waterfalls, campgrounds, backToe River, Located in southern Yancey County, used dynamite to blast tunnels through the you into astoundingly Southern diverse Appalachian habitatsMounand Blue Ridge Parkway is one the a Carolina roads, hiking trails,(6,684 clean feet) rivers,is the Hemlocks, Black Mount Mitchell highest mountains andofcarve road through rough, and reveal the mysteries of the Southern Appatains. More info at www.snakemountain of the peaks Mississippi River.

It drives remote terrain. The Parkway rises to an el- lachian scenic in America. and six of theeast 10 highest in best Mountain Campgrounds are all lo-Mountains. See more info at www. rootecotours.com. was designated North evation over 5,000 as it off passes through snakerootecotours.com.

Blue Ridge Parkway is thefeetcated Eastern America. the first state park in The Highway 80 in the South The Burnsville-Yancey ChamCarolina in 1916.

Today it features an obYancey County.

Located in southern Yancey only access to Mount Mitchell Toe River area of Yancey County. servation platform on the summit next to Enjoy a fun-filled day on the water, The Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of ber of Commerce and Visitor State Park at catching Hwy 128the andfish mileCounty, Mount Mitchell (6,684 State Park and and Visitor Center is located at Elisha Mitchell’s grave and an interpretive nativeMount to ourMitchell mountains.

Commerce Center is located at 106 West Main post 355. It’s miles to thefishing feet) is the highest mountain East Crabtree Meadows

by Main Street in Burnsville. Inside museum with historical and environmental Wefive guarantee your trip will be full are of accessed 106 West findofa inforhelpful The restaurant, standThe Parkway fish-catching experiences! was built by the Blue Ridge Parkway. you’ll find aStreet. of exhibits. the Mississippi River. It wasconcession des- summit. helpfulInside staff you’ll and lots and gift are park openinMay through River, Carolina Hemlocks andEcotours Black offers staff and lotslodging, of information mation shopping,on CCCOctolabor in theToe 1930s.

Workers ignated the shop first state North Snakeroot cus-on attractions, ber. Theincampground limited to used only nine Mountain are all located off dining and local businesses and services.

The attractions, lodging, shopping, dynamite to blastcampgrounds tunnels tom Carolina 1916. Today itisfeatures tours of area one of of the wildest tent sites.

Highway 80 in the South Toe River Visitor Center and office are open Monday& dining, and local businesses through the mountains and carve an observation platform on the most scenic cornersthrough of West-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Winding along the southern edge of Yancey County. Mountand Mitchell State Park road through rough, remote ter- ern summit to Elisha services. Visitor Center and office Carolina.

Yanceynext County, the Mitchell’s Blue Ridge a Parkway and Crabtree Meadows areNorth accessed by theWe invite (828) you 682-7413. givesand travelers an amazing view ofrain. the Black Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Parkway rises to an ele- into astoundingly diverse habitats open Monday thru Friday 9am to grave, an interpretive museum with historical and environmental vation over 5,000 feet as it passes and reveal the mysteries of the 5pm. Call (828) 682-7413.

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SOUTHEAST

Photo by Capt. Jordan Todd, Saltwater Obsessions

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s we transition from winter to spring, the fishing really starts to heat up along the Franklin County, Fla. coastline. Many pelagic fish are still not quite readily available, but Spanish mackerel usually show up in a big way just as soon as water temps start to warm a bit. Once located, Spanish can provide non-stop action trolling a Clarkspoon Mackerel Tree rig or other small spoons.

Casting at schools with spoons like the Hopkins Shorty or Kastmaster can be especially fun and productive. Spend some time cruising around looking for diving birds, they’re usually feeding on the same baitfish as the Spanish.

Here’s a tip for your Clarkspoon Tree rig: Try sliding a 1-ounce

or heavier egg sinker on the main line above the leader. Trolling it this way gets the rig deeper for more bites. Also, vary your trolling speeds from slow to fast to see what’s working best for that day; slow is usually best, but not always.

Early season means sheepshead to many folks here, and these fine-eating fish are plentiful. They’re not always easy to catch, but light line, small hooks and live shrimp or crabs will get lots of bites.

Getting them hooked and landed is at times the challenge. They like to be close to rocks and bridge pilings, and some can be large, hard fighters.

Locations like bridges, causeways and inlets offer deeper water that holds redfish and black drum… and they can be massive in size.

Once located, they can be stacked up and very aggressive, which makes for some big fun!

A strong outgoing tide is best, but an incoming or slack tide doesn’t mean fish are any less hungry. Live bait like pinfish or menhaden work great, and live or fresh shrimp will really get the job done too. Black drum are especially fond of fresh shrimp. Use a simple Carolina-style rig with a 1-ounce or heavier weight and a 16- to 24-inch leader of 20- to 50-pound-test mono or fluorocarbon matched with an appropriate sized hook.

Offshore, mangrove snapper are a good bet for reef fishing, while the abundant red snapper are out of season for harvest. Chumming chunks of Spanish sardine or cigar minnows, followed by a chunk on a free-line will get some big bites. Use a 30- to 50-pound fluorocarbon leader with a small but strong circle hook. They can be tricky to coax into biting, so fluorocarbon line is important. Try to bury the hook in the bait so it is not visible to the fish.

Experienced guides are at the ready to put you on some great early season action, but this fisherman-friendly area is perfect for accommodating boaters, so drag your rig down for the early season bite and have a ball!

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BLUE RIDGE

By CAM Staff

W

hen it comes to trophy managed trout waters in the Southeast, not all are created equal. There are a multitude of factors to consider when fisheries managers set out to create a trophy fishery. Balancing the needs of the fish with the expectations of paying anglers is a trick that can be tough to master.

While any yahoo with some stream frontage can stock a few hundred trout and feed them until they’re fat and sloppy, it takes careful strategy to nurture a fishery for trout that not only grow large but also retain the natural instincts that make them such worthy game fish.

North Georgia’s Noontootla Creek Farms (NCF) is an example of trophy trout fishing done right. Guide David Hulsey will be the first to tell you that location has as much to do with their little creek’s productivity as anything.

To begin with, Noontootla Creek is a thriving wild trout fishery without any help at all. Upstream of the 1,200-acre NCF bird-hunting and trout fishing preserve, Noontootla flows off Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area as one of the best public wild trout streams in the state. Its pristine, cold and clear waters provide almost everything required for a trophy fishery… including trout.

Hulsey said the farm doesn’t need to stock any fish at all. The trout are mostly stream-born rainbows and browns. A few stocked brookies and bows show up from time to time, likely migrants from the Toccoa River downstream, and the appearance of these introduced fish is dull in comparison to the bright wild fish that remain on the NCF property year-round.

Noontootla offers small-stream fishing for big trout over 2 miles of private water. With supplemental feedings, their fish grow to 2 feet and longer, but these are not pellet pigs. The fish at NCF exhibit the looks and feeding behaviors of wild trout, and it takes a certain amount of skill for anglers to catch them.

The fishing is limited to fly gear only, with barbless hooks and a strict catch-and-release requirement. The creek is broken into four half-mile beats to control the amount of fishing pressure. Through this careful management, NCF has created a trophy fishery that is as close to natural as they come, which means it can be as challenging as it is rewarding.

A strong stonefly population makes stonefly nymphs a good option year-round, while seasonal hatches of various caddis and May fly species keep trout tuned to natural feeding patterns. One of the highlights each year is the summer terrestrial bite, when giant trout jump on big, high-floating hopper patterns.

For information, see ncfga.net or call or email David Hulsey at 770-639-4001 or david@ncfga.com.

Augusta, GA (706) 738-4536

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C

orridors, ditches, pinch points, funnels—whatever you name them, these descriptions relate to the terrain fish use to travel. These corridors carry fish to and from resting and feeding grounds and play a major role in social behaviors, including spawn-related activities.

A common denominator in these fish thoroughfares is the attractant source to both predator and prey, which is current flow.

Culverts that allowed small creeks to flow under road beds that were flooded on impoundment, deliberate cuts that were established to permit boat travel, blowouts in flooded dams, road support bridges across terrain gaps, the tip ends of underwater bars or short cut-throughs between land masses are all conducive to these marine life highways.

One such area is only a mile from my home on the banks of Lake Eufaula, which sits on the Georgia/Alabama border. The now underwater confluence of Dry Branch and Sandy Branch is only 50 yards east of where a concrete culvert passed under the old highway 39. The amount of bass and crappie I have caught in this one spot cannot be counted or measured, and the area is no larger than an average-size carport.

So stretch your imagination and come up with a figure that might represent the total pounds of fish that have been caught by all anglers visiting this exact spot in 54 years, the age of Lake Eufaula. I am going to declare this one spot to be nominated to the Bass Fishing Hall Of Fame.

As I sit here plinking on my computer writing this article, at least 10 such “honey holes” come to mind. No matter where you fish, careful study of your Lake Master Maps and Humminbird units will disclose multitudes of these fish-concentration magnets. When you find one that has not previously been discovered, you just might encounter Ol’ Mossy Back, a fish that has never before seen a fishing lure.

Arguably, no person dead or alive has more fishing hours on Lake Eufaula than yours truly. Having fished this lake for a portion of 150 days a year for 54 years equals a bunch of fun. So if I can find new “honey holes,” so can you… wherever you fish.

An old saying goes: the value of any land, whether above water or below, is determined by location, location, DETECTION.

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MURPHY AREA LAKES

Murphy Area Lakes February Forecast

By Aaron Kephart

A

fter what seemed like a never-ending fall, winter fishing is finally here. Water temperatures are in the 40s on all of our area lakes, and fish have finally set up in their winter patterns.

With that in mind, I would like to take a lake by lake look at what to expect in the next few weeks.

Hiwassee:

Hiwassee Lake is higher than it should be this time of year due to the unprecedented amount of rain our area has received, but the TVA is pulling it down rapidly, and it is nearing normal winter pool. The striper bite has been phenomenal, with most days providing both numbers and size. Fish have come from the dam to the river, but the upper third of the lake has gotten colder and dirtier lately, so we have been focusing on the lower two thirds, especially the creeks. The most productive bait has been a jumbo herring or 8-12 inch gizzard shad, but a lot of the bass guys have been picking a few up on jerkbaits, a-rigs, and crankbaits. This bite will get better and better through February and into the spring months.

The bass are also biting relatively well, with two distinct patterns present. The first pattern is to look for the fish on creek channel bends and points in 20-40 feet of water in the clearer sections. The

second option is to get shallow and grind a crankbait in the dirtier water. February or March also provides the best walleye fishing of the year, depending upon the run, and if this is something that interests you, please realize that this bite is all dependent upon timing, and please stay in regular contact with me regarding this opportunity.

Chatuge:

The bass on Chatuge are very similar to the ones on Hiwassee in terms of location. There are deep schools scattered throughout the lake, and there are also a number of fish that just seem to want to spend the winter shallow. The good news is that these fish are well fed and fat, and we have caught multiple 5 pound spots, and largemouth to 9 pounds, on recent trips to the lake.

Chatuge is a bit higher in elevation than our other lakes, and it is also a bit shallower, so it generally gets colder. Late February and early March are traditionally the best time of year to catch a monster on this lake.

supposed to have been completed sion limit for brown trout when last spring, but more pressing is- the lake reopens, but I would ask sues lower down the TVA chain all anglers to contact the Comresulted in the reopening of the mission and request that they ramp). This is particularly sad to also designate Apalachia a trophy me for two reasons: number one smallmouth water, with only one is that the fishing for both small- fish over 22 inches in possession. mouth and brown trout is abso- It is going to need all the help it lutely phenomenal right now and can get with the influx of anglers I hate to be forced off the water. due to a new ramp.

However, the second reason it If you want to experience some saddens me is from a practical great winter fishing for stripers, standpoint: I am a firm believer spots, largemouth, smallmouth, that a new ramp could effectively crappie, walleye, or anything else destroy this lake. The main rea- that swims in the Murphy area son that it is as good as it is, is lakes please give me a call at 865because of the inaccessible nature 466-1345, and remember that of the ramp, and I hate to see the if you have been wanting to hit lake decimated. The NC Wildlife Apalachia with me you have to do Apalachia: It is with great sadness that Resources Commission has re- it this month (February). I look I share the most recent news on quested a change on the posses- forward to hearing from you!

Apalachia: the TVA will be shutAaron Kephart is the Owner of Mountain Lakes Guide Service. To ting down the only ramp on the book a guided trip on one of the Murphy area mountain lakes, contact lake effective March 1st in order him by phone or by email at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com Check out to build a new launch, and there is his website at http://www.mtnlakesguideservice.com and catch him on no set date for reopening (this was facebook@mountainlakesguideservice.

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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 3

LAKE HIWASSEE

Lake Hiwassee Stripers

J

anuary’s here and the holidays are gone. It’s time to put those awesome Christmas fishing gifts to good use, and there’s no better place to start than on this excellent western North Carolina reservoir. Located in Murphy, North Carolina, Lake Hiwassee offers some amazing striper fishing. For me, January seems to really kick off the start of monster striper season. So, if Santa forgot to leave you those rods and reels, just book a trip with Murphy, NC’s #1 and only fulltime striper guide: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We specialize in striper and hybrid fishing on these mountain lakes and have what it takes to put you on some huge trophy stripers.

Currently, the water temps are in the upper 40’s. The water clarity is clear in the main lake area, and the backs of creeks are

By Shane Goebel

slightly stained. Water levels on Lake Hiwassee are extremely low, about 32 feet below June’s water levels but no worries. It just concentrates the fish.

Striper fishing is EXCELLENT lately. We are still catching a lot of nice fish every morning. Averaging 20 to 30 a trip. We’ve already had several big fish in the 20 to 40 pound range. Most of our fish are being caught early in the morning on planer boards and free lines with either live bluebacks or big gizzard shad. We’ve also had an incredible downline bite once the sun gets up. This is pretty typical for this time of year. Look for these hard fighting stripers in the backs of creeks, all the way out the mouths of creeks. We’ve also been picking up some nice fish in the rivers.

In the upcoming month, look

for stripers to be searching for warmer water, especially on cold sunny days. Continue to work the backs of creeks, around shallow humps and in the river. Pulling planer boards and free lines with live blueback herring and gizzard shad will be your best technique for landing these wintertime monsters. Keep an eye out for seagulls and schools of baitfish.

It’s not uncommon to see stripers crushing bait right under those birds. I like to cast a Red Fin or a fluke right into these guys for some nice top-water action.

January is a fantastic month for catching a lot of stripers on this western North Carolina lake.

Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service

a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, NC’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely, Chatuge, and Lake Blue Ridge.

And for all your live bait and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing and have the best live herring around.

So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!

Shane Goebel is the Owner of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and a member of The Angler Fishing Team. Contact him at www.bigolfish.com or (828) 361-2021 / 1-(844)-4-ANGLER.

4 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

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Make Time for The Sunrise

By Capt. James McManus

I

t’s still January as I am writing this report. I know that New Year’s resolutions are already fading but this year I am going to try and maintain, and expand, on one I recently made for myself. The last day of deer season, in Georgia at my in-law’s place, I was in my stand before light and the most serene sunrise bloomed over my right shoulder. It brought to mind the many times I have seen sunrises on Fontana waiting for clients to arrive. Some mornings, I have all my little duckies in a row and can sit back in the quiet and just take in the view. Other mornings I slip into the boat just in time for their trek down the ramp while I busily arrange gear and do my safety checks. You

can’t always be ahead of schedule, light plugs suddenly don’t work, bait stores open late, ramps are full to capacity with tournament

anglers, but the one thing I plan to do is take in and share the rising of the sun. Every day starts out with the hope of lots of bites, good conversation and satisfied clients. I think, by starting out with an acknowledgement of the wonder of another sunrise regardless of the day’s outcome, the trips will be a success.

Having said that, we are to February. February can be a weird month on Fontana. Give us a couple of warming stable days and the smallmouth, spots and whites really start thinking about the upcoming spawn. Most have slugged through the winter, their bellies are swelling with eggs and they are starting to think the banks may hold just what they are looking for. If we have long, hard, cold rains then the last thing on their minds is a place to take up housekeeping. You will find them on flats lying on the bottom sometimes with absolutely no interest in feeding. So weather is always going to be your first consideration when trying to pattern fish.

Some of my best days ever have been in February; I remember one day just past Greasy Branch Flats when the whole area was full of breaking fish. Midmorning, a little drizzle started and there were spots, smallies, whites and trout everywhere. We caught two trout

over 6 pounds on topwater, and from the banks to the middle of the 120 foot channel, there were feeding fish, all mixed up and hungry. That should be one key for success, fish here will bunch up and if you aren’t seeing or marking fish, keep moving, you can’t catch’em where they ain’t.

Areas towards the river mouths haven’t quite opened up yet so I like to stick to main lake points and mid arm flats. Places with big sweeping channels surrounded by flats are good areas to try like T-2, the theatre on the Little Tennessee, and the area just outside of Almond Boat Dock. Farther down lake the areas at the mouth of Hazel Creek, or back in Eagle Creek, sometimes hold big schools of fish.

If you find fish in an area they likely will be there on similar days, but a sudden change in

weather can send them to parts unknown, so keep looking. There are times when live bait really helps with the bite. Sluggish fish have time to see, smell and taste what you are offering but even then, they may just mouth the bait but it still gives you a little head start over artificials. So back to my opening thoughts, a relatively open, cloudless sky in the morning may bring warm gentle breezes that will wake up fish. A vibrant red in the morning, sailors warning sunrise, may bring a gentle drizzle, but both scenarios can at times can be harbingers of great days on the water, so take the time to enjoy both, hopeful that this day will bode well for taut strings but regardless, there was a beautiful start to a new day.

Let me know if you want to start a few days with a sunrise. Later, Capt. James

Capt. James McManus is the Owner of 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day of boat fishing!

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FEBRUARY 2019

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 5

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Great Smoky Mountain Excursions

A

Hazel Creek, Gateway to the Smokies

beautiful trail, miles from anywhere! Fontana Village Resort & Marina is excited to offer you a voyage on our famous vessel Miss Hazel to the backcountry that was once a bustling mill town. Even though early pioneers settled this town, it was originally established by the Cherokee Indians.

Dating back to its prime in the late 1800s, it was a booming

mining and log milling town.

Remnants of the old town and life on Hazel Creek are scattered throughout. Old chimneys, stoves, foundations and even full structures such as the famous Calhoun House will be seen, as our guide takes you back to a simpler, more rustic era on the historic trail.

Bring your thermos and enjoy fresh mountain spring water as the first settlers did. No hiking experience needed!

This trail consists of an old road bed and bridges that cross Hazel Creek, making this an

easy outing into the backcountry. Bring your camera! While hiking on the creek you may observe black bear, bald eagles, grouse, deer and fox that live in the area.

This 4-hour expedition consists of a onehour round-trip boat ride with 3 hours in the backcountry.

Come enjoy one of Fontana Lakes’ most visited sites!

All that is needed is a reservation and a sense of adventure. Different drop-off points on Fontana Lakes’ NorthShore available; call Fontana Marina for details.

For excursion and marina details, call Fontana Marina at 828498-2129.

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FEBRUARY 2019

To book rooms or cabins, call Fontana Village Resort at 800849-2258.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 7

SWAIN COUNTY / BRYSON CITY / ROBBINSVILLE Swainglers Inspire Junior School Students To Follow In Their Tracks

H

By Tammy Millsaps

appy 2019 from the Swainglers! We have returned to school from our two-week Christmas break.

Due to the holiday, we didn’t have our monthly fishing trip. This article won’t contain a fishing report but I have great news about Swain County Schools in western North Carolina. Swain East Elementary and Swain Middle School have fishing clubs now! That is a great addition to our high school club, which is in our third year.

The middle school has approximately 25 members, made up of both young men and women. They take one fishing trip per semester.

Their first trip was on November 20th to Darnell Farms.Trips last approximately two hours each. They are exploring the possibility of an actual boat trip in the spring, which is in the planning stage right now!

Most of their club time is devoted to talking about fishing, fly tying and knot tying. They were able to get one guest speaker for one of their clubs and will have another at the end of January who will talk

about his experiences in collegiate bass fishing and now his first experience in the BASS Opens on the Harris Chain in Florida.

Staff sponsors are Kevin Allman and Brandon Sutton. The club founders and student leaders are Enoch Franklin, Andy Ledford, Dallas Hunt and Logan Green.

Some of the students have named their club the Swaingler Juniors!

East Elementary’s fourth grader and one of the fishing club’s student leaders, Noah Brown, contributed the following: “We taught the fishing club members how to tie fishing knots and how to cast with a spinning reel. We had a casting contest and looked at different kinds of fish. We would have liked to go fishing at the lake.” The other student leaders along with Brown, are Feniz Taylor and Cody Fox. Club sponsor, Plato Posey described the club as follows: “We had three leaders and ten or so members. Some of the kids had never used a fishing reel before but had a really good time learning. The three club leaders planned and led the meetings

Two of the Middle School Fishing Club Members, Lawson Woodard and Enoch Franklin.

and I just rode herd, keeping things safe and moving. We had three, sixty-minute meetings. I would have liked to have taken them fishing, but the time and staff members were not available.”

I am so excited that these clubs have formed! As I have said many times in previous articles, it is so important to get kids outside.

Learning opportunities are endless

in the great outdoors. Who knows, some of the students might choose an outdoor career such as a forest/ park ranger, wildlife/marine biologist, farmer, and so on! The foundation for any of these career paths is not only an education but, most of all, support and encouragement from the parents/caregivers of these young adults!

Tammy Millsaps is the Leader of The Swainglers fishing club at Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. They fish once a month of the school year during club time. Contact her at tmillsaps@swainmail.org for more information or to support this popular club.

Snowbird Creek in Robbinsville

I

By James (Josh) Lane

hope everyone is doing well, and catching lots of fish! I haven’t written an article in several months, but I have definitely been fishing. This winter has been above average on Big Snowbird Creek. Lots of rain has had the water level above normal for this time of the year, and the trout numbers are doing great. Having fished almost every weekend through December and January, Snowbird Creek is thriving. The best days I’ve found have been what most would think is a day to sleep in. In high water, dingy water with cloudy sky’s, and

even on rainy days, trout have fed. Bluebird Skies have shown very little action. The brown trout population is doing well, despite my having thought it was low.

Delayed harvest section is also maintaining a good population of fish too. Previously in the past years Otters was said to be putting a hurt on Snowbird, but honestly, I don’t think that’s a problem if it ever was one. Angler traffic has also been low this winter; at the most, I’ve only seen a few people on the creek. Nymph droppers have been the ticket lately. A tip I’ll share is to move up on a good

8 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

FEBRUARY 2019

hole or pocket slow and low, especially on a clear day. On dingy rainy days, you can move more and I recommend throwing a streamer. Be patient, you may land a 20 plus brown. The fishing is good on Snowbird Creek, if you’re looking for a low pressure, winter trip come on over. Winter is my favorite time on the creek, with it’s calm and low pressure alone, allowing for enjoyment of Gods beautiful creation.

James “Josh” Lane is a native of Western North Carolina in the town of Robbinsville. He is a long time avid fisherman and enjoys hiking, backpacking, writing and singing gospel music.

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When It Rains, It Pours!

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By Ronnie Parris

o date, this has been one of the wettest years I can remember. For sure, the rain has had both a negative and a positive effect on our mountain lakes and streams. Back in February, we had a week’s worth of rain and the lake levels in Fontana jumped overnight. The walleye fishing had just started to get good and the rains came and if you spent much time on the water, you know what it did to the bite. We went from catching limits of really big walleye to searching for hours, watching a depth finder, hoping to catch a school of fish off the bottom feeding on a school of threadfin shad. I saw a drop in the Santeetlah bite as well, with the fish feeding sporadically and you better have been in the perfect place right when the feed happened, or you might just miss out on the bite completely.

During one of these trips, me and my son in-law got on some really nice yellow perch and bass for what turned out to be a great 2 hour bite. Float trips down the Tuck were off as well with the high waters making fly fishing difficult. After the water cleared, it seemed like both rainbow and brown trout bounced back fast, with good numbers and size. One trip where a client preferred fishing spinning gear, some really big fish were brought to the boat.

As sure as the rains made for

tough fishing, it should pay off with some great spring and summer fishing as a lot of fish were spared to complete their spawning runs and also our springs and mountain creeks should be in really good shape for the summer. I would say the water table should be the best it’s been in 20 years. It will be interesting to see how the summer plays out but I would be shocked if the fishing isn’t awesome. We’re getting close to the time of year for some good crappie fishing, not to say you can’t catch them now, it just seems like the ones caught now tend to run small and are bunched in the same place day after day. A submerged slide where the trees are still standing barely above water is like getting the perfect parking spot at Wal-mart. You better be there early and stay till the fish decide to bite because if you leave to look elsewhere, someone will be tied to the branches when you come back. All the up and down lake levels have picked up a lot of wood and debris from the shoreline, so be extra careful to not hit a submerged stump with your boat. Hopefully TVA will have a cleanup but it doesn’t seem Fontana is on their list of priorities as far as this is concerned. Dress warm as the temps are bone chilling and as always, stay safe!

Ronnie Parris is the Owner and Head Guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, North Carolina, heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. (www. smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com)

Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING We offer both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.

1012 East Alarka Road, Bryson City, NC • 828-488-9711, Cell: 828-736-9471

smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com

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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 9

ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD

How to Ethically Handle Trout

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By Ethan Hollifield

he varying trout species that are found in western North Carolina are the quintessential essence of what makes our fisheries here so special. In order to keep the trout fishing here as best managed as possible; it’s important for all anglers, regardless of whether you spin fish or fly fish, to use proper catch and release practices to ensure that fish are in good condition after the fight is over.

I’ll touch on some basic tips that can help to better the chances of a trout’s survival through proper fish handling techniques by going through the process of landing, unhooking, photographing, and releasing a trout.

If I could pick one essential tool that makes handling trout a breeze, it would be a good landing net. A quality net is able to accommodate trout at least to the 25” mark, has a wide opening, and is made of rubber instead of rope material. Wet rubber will help to keep the delicate slime layer on the fish that protects it from bacterial infections in the water.

Once the fish is in the landing net, the trout needs to be left in the water while in the net. A critical rule in trout handling is to leave the fish in the water as much as possible. Trout build up

lactic acid in their bodies just like we do whenever we’re put into a stressful situation that deprives our bodies of oxygen. Toxic levels of lactic acid build up can occur from fighting a trout for too long along with leaving the fish out of the water for more than ten seconds at a time. Studies have shown that a rainbow trout’s gills can begin to degrade after even seconds out of the water. Just because a trout may swim off after being released doesn’t always ensure that it’s body has flushed out the lactic acid, and often many trout die after being released from this unfortunate situation. Simply leaving the fish in the water and allowing for its gills to move to process oxygen can diminish lactic acid build up significantly.

Use barbless hooks and carefully remove the hook while being as gentle on the fish as possible.

Do NOT squeeze or grab the trout by the lower jaw at any point and time! This can cause detrimental internal bleeding and can also break the jaw of a trout, inhibiting its ability to breath and feed properly. Again, leave the fish in the net and in the water while removing the hook.

Photographing a fish is a touchy subject. I love fish pictures as much as anyone, but I

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think more big trout are killed during this process than any other point and time simply because a fish is left out of the water for too long. Remember the ten second rule, gently cradle the fish just behind its front fins with one hand and just in front of the tail with the other to help support the body of the fish. A good fish picture should also show water dripping from both your hands and the body of the fish itself. Wet hands and a wet fish will help to protect that delicate slime layer mentioned earlier. I’ll also reiterate here, do NOT squeeze the trout or lip it by the lower jaw!

When releasing the fish: make sure that it’s in calm water away from clouds of silt or dirt that have been stirred up on the bottom of the streambed that could potentially clog it’s gills. Do NOT move the fish back and forth by the tail before letting it go. Contrary to popular belief, this motion will actually inhibit a fishes’ gills from processing dissolved oxygen and make it harder for the

fish to revive itself. Hold the fish upright in the water and allow for it to swim off under its own power.

A good sign of a healthy release is to watch for the movement of the gill plates pushing water through its gills, along with the gills being dark red in color.

A good rule of thumb is to try and keep this entire process to less than a minute. If you follow these steps, you can help ensure the future of our fisheries here in western North Carolina along with helping to give these special fish the respect they deserve. If you’re still unsure about any of these guidelines or have any questions: contact me and the other experienced anglers at Southern Appalachian Anglers. We’ll be happy to help make your catch and release practices as ethical as possible.

Ethan Hollifield is an Environmental/Physical Science Teacher and is also a guide for South-ern Appalachian Anglers.

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What a Robot Might Write

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By Wilson Love

aul Harvey used to say, “Not all that is called progress is progress”. A few weeks ago, I was composing a gmail message when, to my utter surprise, gmail started finishing my sentences for me. Yep, when I typed in “See”, instantly the words “you later” popped up in order for me to one-click them into my sentence. I didn’t.

Google calls this little word game Smart Compose. I can think of other words for it. When anyone starts prompting us, at any level of conversation, as to what to say, or when, where, or how to say it – that isn’t smart, it’s disturbing.

W-a-i-t a minute, you say. I’m making way too much of this.

Well, is manipulating people with words to say, think, or do things for a hidden agenda not a big deal? In real estate sales it’s called

“steering” and is strictly illegal.

In war it is known as propaganda and costs lives. Deception, by any other name, works against us.

W-a-i-t another minute, you say. We’re not talking about war or even real estate here, only about email. That’s right, only email; only an unassuming, common as dirt worldwide method of communication - only one of the easiest doors into the house of human psyche. Oh, and texting obviously has its own versions of Smart Compose.

So you’re not convinced that a seemingly harmless writing aid that saves time and effort is inherently crooked. Let me explain. The short answer is the misuse of power. If you can interrupt a person’s conscious thought, that is the first step to replacing that thought with something else. I’m not out to

give a history lesson here, but what I’m saying is easy enough to demonstrate from the past.

When our thinking process is consistently interrupted, we don’t think – we only respond.

Thieves love it when we are distracted and don’t think to lock our cars or homes. Firemen hate it when we are preoccupied and

don’t think of potential hazards.

Not thinking can get us in all kinds of trouble.

Been to an amusement park lately? Muse is an old English word we don’t use much anymore. It means, “to think”. The prefix a means “not, or opposite”.

So, a-muse-ment literally means “that process, state, or result of

CONTINUED, WHAT A ROBOT, PAGE 15

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FEBRUARY 2019

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 11

Fish for Hungry Trout at Hunger Games Site in Western North Carolina

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uPont State Recreational Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, provides not only a scenic setting for trout fishing, but also a unique one.

The delayed harvest waters of Little River flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls. Those same waters were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie.

Movie buffs who wet a line on Little River in the DuPont Forest will no doubt recognize Triple Falls, which played a prominent role in multiple scenes in the movie. But there is good news for anglers: spending time on this stretch of Little River does not involve the

life or death struggle it did in Hunger Games. Everyone is expected to come out alive.

Many anglers also come out happy as this 1.8-mile stretch of Little River is stocked annually with a combination of 7,750 brook, rainbow and brown trout. North Carolina Wildlife regulations require a valid fishing license and the delayed harvest designation means it is single-hook artificial lures only with no harvesting of fish from Oct. 1 through the first Friday in June.

Starting the first Saturday in June and continuing through Sept.

30, there are no bait restrictions and a creel limit of seven trout per day with no minimum length on trout harvested.

Because DuPont is a state recreational forest, there is ample parking in both the Hooker Falls

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Access Area and the High Falls Access Areas, with wide, easy-to-navigate trails to many of the key fishing spots.

One downside to fishing this stretch of Little River is the popularity of the trails and waterfalls with those who do not fish. Expect plenty of hikers and sightseers, especially on nice weekends.

And when the fishing is done, Hendersonville provides plenty of options for outdoor exploring, listening to live music, sipping craft beverages and enjoying great meals. The town’s main street has a serpentine shape surrounded by pedestrian-friendly sidewalks punctuated by planting beds, park benches and outdoor dining.

The abundance of orchards makes Henderson County an ideal

location for hard cider fans. Three cideries offer tasting rooms: Flat Rock Ciderworks on Main Street, Bold Rock Hard Cider in Mills River and Appalachian Ridge Artisan Ciders in a 1940s-era barn-turnedcidery. Another craft beverage experience is the East Coast location of Sierra Nevada Brewery, considered the Taj Mahal of craft breweries in the eastern U.S.

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Crawl

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By Scott Norton

aters are so cold and only the hardened anglers are focused on the battle of wits. Most, at this point, have given up for the winter and started preparations for the spring pre spawn. For those who have wondered why an angler would do such a thing and the answer is- many reasons. You are probably going to have the whole

lake to yourself and there is zero percent pressure on the fish. Many of the small fish have slowed down but the biggest ones still have to feed. The two things you will find out is that the fish are deep and retrieve must be slow, real slow.

This is the time you won’t catch much but what you do catch is big. The more mass a fish has, the more calories it must consume to maintain itself. If you are looking to get a trophy, now is the time.

You won’t have small fish competing over your presentation. These fish are looking for the biggest and easiest meal, if offered the opportunity. They will still bite but they will not use a lot of energy to get it. When you hang into a big fish, they will not put on a big fight and, some compare them to a wet log.

You can expect soft bites so keep your line tight or you will loose your chance at a fish of a lifetime.

The baits that come to mind

are ones that have little to no action at all. The retrieve and cadence are painfully slow. Sometimes the right speed could take ten minutes or more. Jigs, swimbaits, and spoons are my “go to” baits. Picture your bait crawling the bottom as fast as it takes your fingernails to grow. That’s how slow we’re talking about.

The depth at which you will be looking for bass will be twenty to sixty feet. Some people don’t like to catch them from the forty to sixty foot depth, because it’s hard on the fish. If you decide to fish deep, make sure they get put back in the water as fast as you can because their air bladder will come out of their mouth, making it almost impossible for them to make it back to the bottom. If you decide

to do this, educate yourself on how to fizz the fish. In the fizzing process, you take a needle and insert it in the air bladder to release the air. The bladder will blow up like a balloon and they can’t swim. If you are a responsible conservationist you must weigh the risks involved.

Make sure you dress for the weather as the lake can get cold and windy where all the surrounding areas can be calm. I’m seeing good results in the local lakes this year. Lots of great pictures, stories, and memories are being made right now and you can get in on a piece of the action if you choose to do so. Hope this helps for those of you that are on the fence with trying a new way to fish. Be safe and have fun.

Scott Norton is a native of Western North Carolina. Born in Asheville, NC, he is a long time avid hunter, angler, and weekend warrior. He is a member of Southern Raft Supply’s prostaff team representing them in his Jackson Kayak Coosa FD.

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FEBRUARY 2019

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 13

Making The Most of Winter Fishing

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By Karl Ekberg

o say the rivers around the Chattooga River Fly Shop have been high would be an understatement, for most of the month of January. Heavy rains, every five to six days, and then a clearing off period, have made fishing somewhat tough. If you were able to make it out fishing, a day or two just prior to the next storm, you were fortunate, and the fishing was productive. To say we could use a break from the heavy rains would be a prayer we would all like answered.

The extended forecast is for more rain, snow, and colder weather. Let’s remember, as February sets in, we are still in the winter, even here in the South.

Temperatures will range from the teens to 20’s in the mornings, with daytime temperatures

ranging from the 30’s to even 60 on any given day. The water temperatures will range from the mid 30’s to 40’s, and possibly hit 50 at times.

Good cold weather gear is a necessity for fishing during these cold winter days. Wearing cotton or denim jeans holds the moisture against your body, which cools you down quickly while standing in the water. Save your jeans for after your fishing trip and casual wear. Wicking base layers, and heavy wool pants (Redington I/O Fleece), and upper layers are great ideas for keeping warm. Wicking socks are a must as well, to keep your feet warm and dry. Let’s remember not to let yourself get too cold while fishing, and a walk along the river bank for a few minutes to get the blood flowing back

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through your lower extremities, will help you warm up quickly, and provide a much better day while on the river.

Warmer days have been producing great numbers and large fish as well. Tight line nymphing has been a great way to land many fish. Fishing near the river bottom, where the water of the river is the warmest, has been the key to successful days. Heavy nymphs to get to the river bottom with small fly trailers, is the way to go. A pinch or two of split shot may be necessary during higher stream flows.

The use of streamers at this time of year is equally rewarding. While fishing streamers, one must remember that with

the colder water temperatures, the small bait fish are lethargic as well. Casting your streamers slightly upstream, letting them fall in the water column, and twitching them through the drift will be successful. Also, after the drift and twitch, a slow pulsing retrieve can be very beneficial.

The use of a sinking leader to keep your streamers down, or a pinch of split shot a foot above the streamer may be necessary.

It will not be long until the warm weather of spring embraces us, and we will be fishing dry flies to many rising fish. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers, and let’s remember to enjoy the beauty of our greater outdoors, while leaving “No Trace”.

Karl Ekberg is the owner of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832A Highlands Hwy, in Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 or look them up on the web at chattoogariverflyshop.com.

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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Testing The Waters

By Brandon Barber

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ne rule of thumb that I have for trout fishing in the winter is to never leave the house without plenty of split shot. I discovered, over the many years of chasing this cold water fish, that the majority of them are content to be lazy and hold right near the bottom of a river as the water temps drop.

Probably a variety of reasons for this, but I have suspected that it is a combination of the fish’s metabolism slowing and the fact that the bug activity in our rivers is also not at the level of the warmer weather months. That being said, I always seem to catch more fish this time of year when I make sure my offerings are getting very near the bottom of the river, which usually means adding split shot to my leader.

On my most recent trout fishing outing, I was joined by one of my fishing buddies who had not been able to trout fish for quite some time. As we arrived at the river, we noted that the water levels were certainly higher than normal, and realized that we were likely going to have to wade downstream with the current in order to cover water. My fishing buddy likes to throw streamers when he fly fishes for trout, which works well in this scenario because streamer fishing is typically a downstream presentation any-

WHAT A ROBOT

way. Baitfish, crawfish, leaches, sculpins and the like, are all able to swim around in a river in any direction they want, as they are not at the mercy of the current. Any fly pattern that mimics these things is categorized as a “streamer” and is typically cast downstream and then worked back against the current, looking like something struggling to swim upstream. This is a tempting meal for a trout, but usually only the more aggressive fish that are willing to chase a meal down will take it. I decided to take a different approach just so we wouldn’t be showing the fish the same thing. Because the water was running high, I tied on a rather large stonefly nymph pattern and one of my old standbys for high water, a worm pattern. Of course, the next thing to do was add some split shot to get them near the bottom. Stoneflies and worms are things that are at the mercy of the current, meaning they don’t swim upstream or across a river; the proper technique here is to dead drift them as naturally as possible in the currents. Typically, this is achieved by casting upstream and then managing your fly line as the currents carry your flies downriver to waiting trout. I positioned myself along the shallower side of the river and began making my casts at an angle, upstream and across from my position. As my

continued from page 11

not thinking”. All those park operators are counting on the proposition that we will be not thinking when we dole out our money for their many attractions.

Now, I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer and certainly not technically savvy. But I know when I’m being messed with, and mine is not the voice of the Lone Ranger. One kindred blog-

ger wrote about Smart Compose that “this is what a robot might write”. So why does Google want to finish my sentences? What will this result in, and why does Google want that result? You may not agree, but I don’t see this as innocent, progressive technology.

It smacks of Big Brother.

So I’ve decided to continue in control of my own thought

luck would have it, it only took a few drifts before I had my first hookup of the day, a nice feisty rainbow trout that measured out around 15 inches. I always like to fish two flies in tandem, showing the fish two different things and letting them tell me what they are in the mood to eat. As the next hour or two passed, and another 10 to 15 fish brought to the net, I discovered that the majority of them were taking the worm pattern. I decided then, as I took a few minutes for lunch, that I would just fish with two different worm patterns

for the remainder of the day. That turned out to be the correct call, as I caught numerous fish during the afternoon and they were taking both of the worm pattern flies I was throwing. And of course, don’t forget the split shot.

Brandon Barber is the owner of RiverBlade Knife & Fly Shop in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Locally Owned and Operated

1398 Boiling Springs Road, Suite 1, Spartansburg, SC

864-699-9433

www.riverbladeknifeandfly.com process. Disabling Smart Compose is easy enough, even for a recovering technosaur like me.

But the question remains: why would a giant of influence like Google start programming the world to communicate in a certain way? I smell a dead fish. If I’m being diverted away from my own thoughts and channeled into their thoughts in a simple email today, then what is coming to-

morrow? Could it be that those grooming the giant want greater control of us in the future? Don’t be deceived. Innocence may be presumed in court, but not on the internet. Predators are noted for wearing sheep costumes.

I’d like to go fishing and forget about all this, but I’ll probably go fishing and muse on it instead. (I Peter 5: 8)

Wilson Love is Owner/Operator of The Practical Outdoorsman.

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FEBRUARY 2019

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 15

Keep Public Lands in Public Hands

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By Meredith Sessoms

e have heard a lot in the recent years about the public land struggle in the western states of the lower 48, but what people don’t know, is that the public land struggle on the east coast is affecting anglers in our home region as well. Several western states like Montana have laws in place that allow public access on private sections of land, so long as the angler is within the “high water mark” of the river. In essence, you are allowed to fish as long as you are wading within the riverbanks. Unfortunately, in North Carolina, this is not the case.

Anglers are not allowed to wade upstream within the high-water mark, thus greatly limiting public fishing access.

Most eastern states don’t have any laws addressing public access.

Here in North Carolina, you can get in trouble for wading on a state designated public stream if the landowner has posted “their” section of the stream. As a professional guide service that solely guides on public water, we at Due South Outfitters have taken a stance on the issues at hand with the production of “Our Water”, a film that we have created to highlight NC angling access (you can find it on YouTube). The response has been overwhelming to say the least and in return, people asked; “Well are they doing anything to help with the problem that we can be involved with?” The answer is a very enthusiastic “YES!”.

We have since created The Due South Classic, which is a public access fly fishing tournament that takes place in beautiful Boone, NC. The tournament

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is unique in the sense that the anglers aren’t fishing on private streams that are shut down to the public, instead the anglers are fishing right along side members of the public. We wanted to highlight how crowded our public access waters can be and how important it is to protect and continue to add to public access.

The proceeds of the event will be donated to the nonprofit Middle Fork Greenway, which is working to build a greenway that connects Blowing Rock to Boone, running alongside the Middle Fork of the New River. That section of river is currently under a hatchery supported regulation. This year the tournament is taking place March 8th and 9th. March 8th

will be a banquet style fundraiser with Booneshine Brewing providing refreshments, with donations from Mast General Store, Syndicate, Hardy, and Aftco for a raffle and auction. March 9th is the tournament where we currently have a waitlist for anglers that we can add you to or feel free to join us as a volunteer to help judge the event. It takes everyone to protect our diminishing access to our resources.

For more information on the event please visit www.duesouthoutfitters.com/blog or call the shop at 828-355-9109. You can also watch the video we made “Due South Classic” on YouTube to get an idea on how the event goes.

Meredith Sessoms is the Owner of Due South Outfitters located in Boone & Banner Elk, NC .

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Atlanta Fly Fishing Show Is Feb. 1-2

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nglers from across the Southeast are waiting for the unofficial opening of the 2019 season: the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show, Feb. 1-2 at the Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

The show will feature a tribute ceremony to the late fly fishing icon Lefty Kreh plus demonstrations and audio/visual presentations each hour together with wall-to-wall displays of the newest rods, reels, lines, boots, waders, clothing and flies.

In addition to tackle, lodges and exotic destinations, show visitors can view continuous fly tying demonstrations, how-to seminars and presentations ranging from Fly Fishing the Carolinas to Dorado in the Bolivian Jungle to Blue Marlin on a fly.

Seminars include those on striped bass with Henry Cowan to Fly Fishing for Bass Top to Bottom. Casting demonstrations are scheduled by Gary Borger, Bob Clouser, Landon Mayer, Brian O’Keefe and George Daniel among others.

Featured fly tiers include Ed Engle, Mayer, Cowan, Clouser, Borger and Dave Whitlock.

For the first time at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show, the Women’s Showcase offers a women’s seminar on Saturday from 10-4 with presentations

by Heather Hodson of United Women on the Fly; Maurrie Sussman, Sister Number One of Sisters on the Fly; Emily Mauri of Bullsugar; Jen Ripple of DUN Magazine and others.

The southeast premiere of the 2019 Fly Fishing Film Festival will be held Friday at 6:30. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Fly Fishing Show admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days. Children 5 and under are free as are Boy and Girl Scouts under 16 in uniform.

Children 6 to 12 are $5. Active military with an ID is $10.

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FEBRUARY 2019

BLUE RIDGE

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By O’Neill Williams

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outh Carolina’s Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie form what is known as the Santee Cooper Lakes. They are connected by a diversion canal. Lake Marion is the larger of the two lakes, covering 110,000 acres. Lake Moultrie covers 60,000 acres. They spread out between Charleston and Columbia, S.C. The Santee Cooper Lakes have gained a well-deserved reputation for yielding some of the best catfishing in the world.

Capt. Darryl Smith (www.captaindarryls.com) fishes out of Canal Lakes Marina in Cross, SC. It’s a good, safe, clean place to overnight, and Mac Daddy’s Restaurant is there with some good eats. Darryl guarantees you will catch at least 100 pounds of catfish per day. After all, he has 23 line-class world records. Call Darryl, and you’ll be fishing out of a 30foot pontoon boat with a shelter, so you’ll be dry and warm no matter what.

Darryl guides on the lake 320 days per year. In 2018, he averaged

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ith winter fishing in full swing, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of hellbenders (water dogs) to the

agency.

Reported sightings are an important part of a long-term inventory and monitoring project for hellbenders that agency staff, along with partners, began in 2007. Agency biologists want to learn more about where hellbenders—gigantic, aquatic salamanders averaging 16 to 17 inches in length—are located and how their populations are faring.

In North Carolina, hellbenders are found only in fast-moving, clean mountain streams in the western part of the state. Hellbenders, also called “snot otters” and “Alleghany alligators,” were once common but have disappeared throughout much of their habitat, due mainly to declining water quality and habitat degradation, and to a lesser degree to persecution from anglers who mistakenly think that

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catching 60 catfish per day. His largest blue weighed 140 pounds, which pushed the lake record of 143 pounds.

I’ve fished with Darryl three times, each time producing a television show. Once we fished the shallow backwaters filled with trees and stumps. Twice we fished “out in the lake” over sunken islands and old river channels. We always caught a giant cooler full, about 50 or more cats ranging from 4 pounds to 35 pounds. I think my largest blue with Darryl was 63 pounds. On many occasions, we’d have three hooked at once. Think about that, at a 20-pound average, which is very conservative, we’d have 60-pounds of cats on at once. To complete the necessary television production, Darryl and I have never been fishing more than 5 hours. I’m going back soon.

What makes these lakes so fertile to be able to produce what may be the best catfishing destination in North America? In simple terms, the water temperatures, amount of both freshwater and sea-run baitfish, shad, clams, mussels, shrimp, menhaden, even black mullet abound.

The various species of catfish: blues, channel, yellow, mud, flathead, etc. spawn up to seven times per year. It’s the perfect catfish habitat.

So, what do you have to bring along? Tackle if you like, but Darryl has just the right stuff.

You bring food and drinks and a big smile. The only other thing I might suggest is to bring some children. It’s perfect for children. The fish are very friendly and there are plenty of them. Darryl will set the rods and reels, bait up the rigs and make the casts. All you need to do is start reeling when the rod tip dips. Think about what that might do for a child’s confidence, reeling in catfish as big as they are.

At Santee Cooper, the bottom is paved with giant catfish. Go get some. But don’t wait too long. I’ve already made reservations for 2019.

The column above is one of the chapters from new book “O’Neill Outside, The Outdoor Experience,” coming out in April of 2019.

hellbenders decrease trout populations.

Although they may occasionally go after a trout on a line or stringer, looking for an easy meal, hellbenders eat mainly crayfish according to wildlife diversity biologist Lori Williams, who has done extensive work on hellbenders. “They may also eat unsuspecting minnows and scavenge for dead fish, discarded bait or other dead animals,” she said. “However, fish can be bigger predators of young or larval hellbenders than hellbenders of fish.”

Contrary to popular belief, hellbenders are not poisonous, venomous, toxic or harmful to humans, although they may bite if someone tries to pick them up. Leaving them alone is not only good for hellbenders but also it is the law. Hellbenders are listed as a species of special concern in North Carolina. Because of this listing, it is illegal to take, possess, transport or sell a hellbender or to attempt to do so.

A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in a fine and up to 120 days in jail.

Williams also cautions people to refrain from moving rocks in mountain streams as these rocks provide shelter for hellbenders, as well as other species of fish, salamanders and insects.

Anyone who finds a hellbender is asked to leave it alone but to note the location (physical location or GPS coordinates) and take a photo, if possible, and email that information to Williams at lori. williams@ncwildlife.org. If anglers happen to catch one on hook and line, they should carefully remove the hook if it is safe to do so without harming the animal or cut the line as close as possible and return it back to the water. People also can call the commission’s Wildlife Interaction Helpline (866) 318-2401 and provide details of the observation.

For more information, visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s hellbender webpage at www.ncwildlife.org.

To learn more about the Hellbender, go to

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FISH & FISHING

r spread C

onsider this an important decision.

Other than deciding whether or not to use one, a surprising number of anglers seldom give leaders much thought. As long as there is some type of buffer against the deadly dentures of some species or the abrasive hide of others, fishermen tend to be satisfied.

Their attention shifts to other aspects of the sport.

Choosing the right material and proper construction for an effective leader are some of the most overlooked challenges in rigging. The ultimate, of course, centers on fishing a light line without a leader. That seldom is possible on the saltwater scene.

Experience will prove to you that the fish you hook has teeth, abrasive skin, or the bottom is rugged. Any of these factors will end the battle almost before it starts.

The general rule is that the heavier the leader material, the fewer strikes you will get. The solution demands a compromise. You want the strongest leader possible without sacrificing too many strikes. Monofilament leader invariably produces more strikes than single strand wire or nylon coated wire.

Sometimes you have to use wire or every fish of a given species will cut you off. When you do use wire, rely on the shortest length that will produce favorable results. For offshore trolling, a short length of wire makes it easier to rig a bait.

Some anglers even insist that a skipping offering being trolled works better if there is a short length of wire in front of it.

The length of the leader is equally significant. From

MARK SOSIN a protective standpoint, if the species you seek has an abrasive body, the leader should be longer than the average fish you might catch.

Then, when the fish is moving away from you and the line streams over its back, you have the protective advantage of a leader. This part of the leader does not have to be as heavy as the short length around its mouth and gills, but it should be stronger than the line.

Fly fishermen become aware of a leader’s importance very quickly. In that type of fishing, the leader helps to turn over the fly properly so it lands on the water delicately.

In very clear and shallow water, a longer leader enables the caster to enjoy a more delicate presentation where the fly line lands farther from the fish. This is particularly important on the saltwater flats for a variety of species including bonefish, permit, tarpon and redfish.

Fly leaders take many basic forms, but the most important thing to remember is that each succeeding section should be shorter than the one before.

The majority of tournaments and all recordkeeping organizations establish specific leader requirements.

It makes sense to study them before you decide to compete or fish for a record. Leaders are a critical part of rigging each outfit you use. Cutting corners or ignoring details can be a serious mistake.

If you lose a trophy fish because of a faulty leader, you’ll have a hard time forgiving yourself.

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Queen Conch In The Bahamas Sheri Daye

W

hile hunting for that perfect fish for dinner, you sometimes run across other tasty treats. One of my favorites is from the Bahamas: the famous queen conch.

This creature is as delicious as it is beautiful and deserves to be treated with great respect.

Their slow growth and late maturation makes them susceptible to overfishing. Once abundant in the Florida Keys, it became illegal to harvest them in the 1980s when they were harvested to the point of collapse. It’s taken quite a few years to see the beginning of a comeback, but they will likely need continued protection for years to come in the U.S. In the Bahamas, the importance of this valuable resource has been realized and rules are in place to protect it. The recreational limit is six, and they must have a thick, well-formed lip—meaning they had a chance to grow into adulthood and reproduce. Also, they must be harvested while freediving.

Inside the conch shell is a soft-bodied mollusk, which is in the same family as clams, oysters, octopi and squid. They live near coral reefs and seagrass beds and can reach up to 14 inches long. Besides humans, they have a few predators in the water—loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, spiny lobsters and more. The meat has been consumed for centuries by islanders in the Caribbean and serves in a multitude of dishes such as salads, chowders and fritters.

Conch Tips:

1) Regulations are subject to change so double check before harvesting any marine life.

2) When diving, it is easy to see that in certain places in the Bahamas, especially close to highly populated areas, the conch are 16

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not as abundant. Do not take any from these areas, even if it’s legal.

3) They are easy to spot and move slowly, so use good judgement. Target mature adults that have reproduced and are toward the end of their lifecycle. Consider taking less than the legal limit.

4) The mollusk is not easy to extract or to clean, so if you don’t know how, make sure you have a professional on hand at the end of the day to help you or teach you.

5) Don’t forget to check for pearls in the mantle. These pink pearls are beautiful and more rare than traditional pearls.

6) The inedible part of the conch (the guts, also called “slop”) makes excellent bait for fishing, especially for mutton snappers. Nothing goes to waste!

7) You might (or might not) want to eat the pistol, also known as “Bahamian Viagra.” It is part of the conch’s digestive system and looks like a clear noodle.

8) The Bahamas exports conch to the U.S., but bringing your own conch meat back to the U.S. by boat is strictly prohibited.

Safe diving and Happy Hunting!

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.

Go here to watch the video,

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As fisherman, we all know how hard live bait can be to find. Seasonal weather patterns change the way fish are biting, so a variety of bait is key. Bait fishing is so important that fishermen spend weeks prior to tournaments catching bait and then keep them penned up all for a couple epic days of fishing.

The last thing you want is for your bait to die because of a pump failure. At Hooker Electric, we have designed a durable, strong and long-lasting baitwell system. This system is capable of supplying multiple livewells with its adequate DC brushless motor.

You will no longer need multiple pumps to supply each livewell.

Now, by adding the Hooker Electric custom manifolds, you can divert water to the designated wells by adjusting the amount of water flow to each well with our variable flow knobs. This allows you to run all of the wells from one Hooker Electric pump and have another one for redundancy.

The system is easy to use with the variable flow dial, without having to restrict the pump. This Hooker Electric livewell system is a plumb-andplay setup with a variety of sizes. It’s available in 2500, 4500 and 7500 GPH and we also offer an on/off feature for the pumps.

For more information, visit www.hookerelectric.com or check out their Instagram page @Hookerelectric_pumps.

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Tim Barefoot

he older I get, the more I like to fish inshore for all the usual suspects from the Northeast, down through the Carolinas all the way to the Keys. From stripers and specks, to drum and snook, every fish loves a shrimp or minnow imitation under a float. And this includes many freshwater predators.

I always keep a float rig tied on when fishing inside. Popping, cigar and oval floats all have their place, and an added “clicking” sound adds value, especially when fishing a soft plastic shrimp under the float.

There are plenty of commercially available floats, but I want to share a simple and effective way to achieve the same end result… and one that will rarely foul or tangle. Whether the beads are external or internal, the clicking sound is perfectly married with the splashing sound that drives fish bananas.

To make the simple external-bead-style clicking float, view the video below. Allow 1/16- to 1/8-inch clearance (total, not both ends) between the beads and ends of the pegs to allow the beads to tap the plastic pegs.

Follow the instructions below to make the internal-bead-style clicking float.

Materials: 80-pound fluorocarbon; small plastic beads, like those found in sliding cork kits; small swivels; a commercially available foam slip cork with plastic pegs.

Steps: • Thread braided mainline through the plastic peg and one of the small beads.

• Feed the mainline through to the other side of the slip cork and then tie it to one side of the swivel.

• For the other side, thread a fluorocarbon leader through the other peg, thread on a small bead and tie it to the other end of the swivel.

• Press one peg securely into the slip cork, and then pull the bead and swivel into the float’s interior channel.

• Press the second peg into the cork, and your slip cork is now a clicking float. The tiny beads slide back and forth on the line to tap the plastic pegs inside the float.

• Tie a 3/8-ounce jig head and a soft plastic shrimp onto the leader, and… just add water.

There are a number of opinions on how deep to fish below the cork. I like between 18 and 24 inches of fluorocarbon, depending on water depth.

This same tackle works extremely well in freshwater for striped and hybrid bass in moving water. Just use a fluke-style soft plastic instead of a shrimp. The largest largemouth bass I caught this year was under cigar float with an internal clicker. I was fishing a Super Fluke for striped bass.

Smallmouth bass in rocky rivers are complete idiots over this same rig.

Wherever you are, and whatever you’re fishing for, a float rig is something you should keep tied and ready on the deck.

Visit Barefootcatsandtackle.com.

For video instructions on making a clicking cork, see:

FORTHELO VEOFFISHING.COM

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nglers are catching a lot of big largemouths in Texas. Last year’s Toyota ShareLunker Program, which tracks bass heavier than 8 pounds, certified 486 bass caught from 89 Texas lakes in 2018, and that’s just the fish that were reported.

At the beginning of 2018, the Toyota ShareLunker program debuted a new year-long season for anglers to enter bass for prizes, recognition, and to help enhance bass fishing in Texas.

Anglers entered largemouths into four categories including six “Legacy Class” bass of 13 pounds or heavier that were entered during the spawning window Jan.1 through March 31 and loaned to TPWD for the selective breeding and stocking program. The total number of entries in other categories who provided citizen science data included: five “Lunker Legend” bass 13 pounds or heavier caught outside the spawning window or not loaned for spawning, 107 “Lunker Elite” bass weighing 10 to 12.99 pounds, and 368 “Lunker” bass at least 24 inches or weighing between 8 and 9.99 pounds.

The top five ShareLunker producing lakes in 2018 included Lake Fork near Quitman with 73 entries, Lake Conroe near Houston with 41 entries, Lake Athens in Athens with 28 entries, Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper with 21 entries, and O.H. Ivie Lake near San Angelo with 17 entries.

For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker program visit https:// www.facebook.com/ShareLunkerprogram and https://texassharelunker.com/.

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CA YMAN BILLFISH

RUNDOWN

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others withou Ad while fi length dethro Ga cords, caught longer class r Py der no where ery sin amid,

by Joh

All currency in USD.

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FRESHWATER Nevada’s WORLD-CLASS CUTTHROAT

T

he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) keeps the most extensive list of fishing records in the world. With categories for all types of tackle and species, some records are more impactful than others. This potential all-tackle length world record for cutthroat trout is without a doubt an impressive fish.

Adam Garcia caught and released this giant cutthroat on Nov. 11, 2018 while fishing Nevada’s Pyramid Lake. The fish measured 85 centimeters in length, or more than 33 inches. Once the paperwork clears, the fish could dethrone the old 81-centimeter length record.

Garcia is no newcomer to the record books. According to IGFA records, he holds four line-class world records for weight, all cutthroats caught from Pyramid Lake in 2016 and 2017. Some of those were actually longer than his Nov. 11 fish. The biggest one, which holds the 16-lb. line class record, weighed 24 pounds.

Pyramid Lake is a large and natural desert lake near the California border northeast of Reno. It is the world hotspot for giant cutthroat trout, where anglers can wade from shore and cast jigs for record-class fish. Every single one of IGFA’s line class cutthroat records were caught from Pyramid, as well as the all tackle world record, which was caught back in 1925

by John Skimmerhorn.

Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time

I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly

at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth.

There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point.

Second, the fruit just taste

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better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature.

Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together.

Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com

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TIPS FROM A PRO

Cold-Water Bassin' BRANDON LESTER

F

ebruary is one of those transition months.

Spring is just around the corner, and it might have already arrived in some places, but it’s still wintertime for most of the country’s bass fisheries.

Bass are cold-blooded animals, which means the colder the water is, the more the fish’s core body temperature decreases.

That also means the fish’s metabolism slows down.

Metabolism is the chemical processes that occur which allow the fish to maintain life, grow, heal and make energy.

Humans are warm blooded, so our body temperature stays a steady 98.6 degrees. A fish’s temperature drops with the water temp, which makes them more sluggish the colder it gets. If you’re like me, you’re ready to eat three meals a day and some snacks 365 days a year. It’s different with fish.

In warm water, fish feed every day, throughout the day and into the night. In the winter they don’t feed nearly as often. One reason is they don’t move around as much, so they don’t come into contact with prey. Fish feed-up heavily in the fall when the water is still warm to put on weight. Bait is plentiful then, and instinctually they feel cold weather coming.

I have way more 20- and 30-fish days in spring than winter.

You’re not likely set any records for fish catches in cold water. Fish bite for two basic reasons, either because they’re hungry and the bait looks like food or because the bait has come into their territory

and they instinctively attack it. Reaction strikes are greatly reduced during the winter. In water mid-50 degrees and lower, you really need to make the fish want to eat in order to catch them.

I try and fish the warmest water on a lake, as fish in these areas will be more active. A couple degrees in water temperature can make all the difference.

Slower-moving baits work best for cold-water bass. I like baits that stay in one place and can be worked slowly, like a jig. A suspending jerkbait with Mustad KVD trebles will hang in one place, hopefully right in front of their face. Use lighter line in cold water, as it allows the bait to move more realistically. Eight or 10-pound Vicious fluorocarbon is preferable on a jerkbait.

Objects in the water, especially rocks, retain heat. On sunny days, the shallow water near rocks on the bank will often be warmer. Keep in mind that fish don’t bite nearly as hard in cold water. You will feel them kind of “load up” on the bait instead of slamming it. The fish are just picking up the bait and doing as little as possible to catch it. Those “light bites” increase the importance of having a sensitive rod.

I build my own rods and will tell you that MHX Rods from Mud Hole Custom Tackle help me catch more fish, especially in cold water. Higher quality graphite makes a more sensitive rod. MHX Rods are much more affordable and the quality is better than a vast majority of rods out there. For extremely light bites, I recommend the NEPS series of blanks built with Winn Grips.

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COASTALANGLERMAG.COMAt •Harbor THEANGLERMAG.COM I NATIONAL 25 was Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means Ithat FEBRUARY the specified comparison,2019 which is an item with the same or similar function, *Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 6/3/19. advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

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1/21/19 10:31 AM 1/2/19 11:24 AM

L E A S S EVEN R E T IN T W With Special Offers For the 2019 Boat Show Season Your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals in store for you when you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 350 horsepower during the winter Boat Show Season. Get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.

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Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash.

Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

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1/21/19 10:31 AM

12/9/18 12:09 PM

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Annual premium for a basic liability policy not available all states. Prices vary based on how you buy. *Available with comprehensive and collision coverage.

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