8 minute read

BROOKER BAIT & TACKLE

1351 A. W. North Blvd.

Leesburg, Fl. 34748

352-460-0695

BrookerBait@gmail.com

Lauren took 2nd place lady angler during the Halifax Sport Fishing Club Kingfish Bananza aboard The Vulcan out of Ponce Inlet! She held first place strong until the final ten minutes of a two hour weigh in and the last fish knocked her to 2nd place. Congratulations Lauren!!!

Astor/Pierson Citgo

Cheapest Gas in Town!

LIVE BAIT & TACKLE

Wine-Beer-Cigs-Soda-Ice

Snacks-Groceries-Refill Propane

Hot Pizza & Chicken Wings

Open 7 Days

Sun-Thur 6am-10pm & Fri-Sat 6am-11pm 1380 W. St Rd. 40, Pierson 386-749-0180

EUSTIS, FL. 80 acres that is being split off and offered for sale. Surrounded on two sides by State Forest, and protected on the other two sides by a privately owned parcel you will find yourself in a bit of hidden heaven. This gorgeous parcel is dotted with a few small ponds for your personal fishing pleasure. $15K per acre

Call Linda Lake • 352-516-6468

• Watson Realty

Bass N Gal Guide Service

352-267-0062 Reports bass are being caught on the Harris chain using Rat L Traps and floating worms. A slow falling sinking weightless worm or a chrome blue or green Rat-L-Trap reeled in as slowly as possible, are both working quite well. In this heat, look for shaded areas or use your depth finders to find a drop off. Under docks where it is shaded all the time is another good place to look.

Calan at BROOKER BAIT & TACKLE 352-460-0695 said on the Harris Chain they are catching some nice bass out of the hydrillia in Lake Griffin using chatterbaits, Rat L Traps and worms. Lake Griffin is also producing some nice shellcracker and bluegill. It took only 11 pounds to win a Friday night tournament held at Buzzard Beach in Tavares.

The Bass Master Open is on the Harris Chain Oct. 12th thru the 14th. There will be an AVA two day championship Sep. 9th and 10th. The 1st of November there is a Xtreme Two day championship.

On the saltwater scene, several customers have been catching some nice Scallops and releasing some big snook.

Florida is

the Fishing Capital of the

World Florida's freshwater fisheries comprise 3 million acres of lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and approximately 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals-with no closed seasons. The recreational fishery resources alone in these waters provide entertainment for more than 1.2 million anglers annually, who enjoyed 25.7 million days fishing recreationally in Florida's fresh waters (National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation-2011).

* Boat Lift Maintenance

* Welding & Fabrication

* Boat Repair & Maintenance

* Sea Walls/Docks/Pilings

Mobile Service Free Estimates

407-383-7767 • Capt Steele Doxtater

Custom Made Lures

By: Shelby Zona

386-341-9278 szonazona@gmail.com

Derek Pell, Collins Davis and Cole Stratton life long friends with a 9’7 and a 10’ gator. This was their first gator season not to bad boys great job!!

1 OZ. Head Colors www.westwindwitches.com

1/4oz assorted head - $6 with mylar - $7

.40z naked head - $6 with mylar - $7

1/2oz red or white head - $7 with mylar - $8

3/4oz white head - $8 with mylar - $9

1oz assorted painted head - $12 with mylar - $13

1 1/2oz red or white head - $12 with mylar - $13

Straight Hair Colors: shine white- matte white- crystalline green chatruese-green- hot pink- purple- black- blue -red

Crimped Hair Colors: crystalline green- blue- pink- orange www.westwindwitches.com

Westwind Witches founder Shelby Zona spent her life watching her parent’s dreams and careers flourish, oftentimes finding her own inspirations along the way. Growing up, Shelby was given a rare and unfiltered look at the ins & outs of magazine ownership. A family tradition on her mother’s side that has been passed down for over half a century, Southern States Fishn’ & Huntn’ Magazine has been providing the area’s anglers and hunting enthusiasts with quality magazines since 1965. At the other helm is her father, a well-known and respected commercial fisherman turned Captain (Southwind Charters) with over 30 years of industry knowledge under his belt. At Westwind Witches, they are more than just a business. They are a family tradition whose dedication to serving the industry has paved the way for her craft today. They understand the importance of using high-quality fishing gear, they are committed to providing their customers with exceptional service and products that they can rely on.

#BoatOfTheMonth

Reel-Axing Fishing Charters

www.ReelAxingFishing.com

Captain John Kyp

(386) 804-9358

We're coming out of our 2 year celebration & kicking it into high gear, our next featured charter is also our 2023 #CharterGiveaway partner! Reel Axing Fishing Charters is helmed by Captain John Kyp, a local firefighter with generational roots in the waters of Volusia County. Captain John first fell in love with fishing at a very young age after firsthand experiencing everything that the family lifestyle had to offer, and now passes that experience over to all of his charter guests. Whether you want to bottom fish our local reefs or troll the wide open ocean for pelagics, he's got you covered!

This 26' Center Console Trophy Pro is an angler's dream and is well stocked for an amazing day out on the water. Recently repowered with brand new twin 150 HP Suzuki outboards, ensuring you get to spend more time catching fish- the reelaxing way! She is outfitted with top-quality Penn & Shimano fishing gear, outriggers & planners, and all necessary navigational & fish finding electronics. This vessel can comfortably accommodate up to 5 anglers, and is docked at Adventure Yacht Harbor in Port Orange. The location is also home to a restaurant that will cook your catch, one of the best ways to enjoy the fruits of your labor at the end of the day.

Growing up at Kyp's Fish Camp, Captain John and his twin brother Mike (Captain, Fire Line Charters) were offered a host of opportunities from a very young age. The camp, situated on Lake Beresford, is where Captain John first learned how to launch a boat. Well before he was able to drive a truck, he was able to operate a vessel with confidence and ease. He has spent his entire life fishing both the fresh & saltwater fisheries here, and has been a local charter Captain for over 5 years now. Captain isn't the only title John holds though, he is also the Battalion Chief with Volusia County Fire Rescue. He acquaints the charter fishing industry to being a firefighter in many ways; each day is very different from the last. A life out on the water often means working with a slew of forever changing elements, and he is always adapting to the days 'bite'.

Being a family man, Captain John's favorite part about running a charter business is being able to connect new families to fishing just as he has done with his own over the years. He maintains that his favorite type of fishing to do would certainly be bottom fishing, noting that the allure of never knowing what's at the other end of the line is a thrill second to none. Our waters are home to a wide variety of species that can be easily found in our area, and he still relishes in the opportunity to get his hands on a rod himself. No matter which trip you choose, Captain John will customize your trip based on your preferences and do his absolute best to put you on big fish, making sure you have an unforgettable day out on the water.

Trips aboard Reel Axing Fishing Charters include: 4 HR Shark Trip, 5/6 HR Nearshore/Offshore Trips, 8/10 Hour Offshore/Trolling Trips.

On Aug. 1, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation dedicating August 2023 as National Shooting Sports Month for the State of Florida. We are grateful for his recognition of hunters and target shooters as vital contributors to conservation.

WHEREAS, hunting, firearms, and shooting sports are part of the history, tradition, and culture of Florida; and

WHEREAS, increasing access to education and shooting sports provides opportunities to safely learn to shoot and to responsibly increase public participation in shooting sports and hunting; and

WHEREAS, sport shooting and training ranges are widely used and enjoyed by Floridians across the state and are a component of the guarantees of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Theodore Roosevelt and his fellow founding members of his hunting and habitat conservation club wrote in their 1887 founding charter that shooting sports “promote manly sport with the rifle,” “promote travel and exploration in the wild and unknown…portions of the country,” and encourage “preservation of the large game of this country;” and

WHEREAS, Governor DeSantis has delivered on preserving Florida’s natural resources by securing more than $600 million for the preservation of land through the Florida Forever Program, conserving nearly 175,000 acres of habitat for native fauna to thrive; and

WHEREAS, Governor DeSantis signed legislation in 2023 to provide constitutional carry in Florida; and

WHEREAS, Florida’s sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitat, and help fund state efforts to provide healthy and sustainable natural resources; and

WHEREAS, World Champion shooter Dania Vizzi stated, “As a professional shooter I am not only proud, but fortunate to live in Florida where my rights are protected as both an athlete and a hunter. With these freedoms, I’ve been able to become a World Champion and bring home multiple World Cup medals while representing the United States of America and the Great State of Florida;” and

WHEREAS, FWC hunter education courses cover the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to be a safe hunter, and offer opportunities to safely learn to shoot and to responsibly increase public participation in shooting sports and hunting; and

WHEREAS, the FWC is committed to safely supporting the needs of recreational target shooters, hunters, and hunter safety students, and manages 11 shooting ranges across the state; and

WHEREAS, sportsmen and hunters teach others to understand the responsibilities of owning and using a firearm, while also working to ensure that our natural resources are safeguarded.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron DeSantis, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing August 2023 as Shooting Sports Month.

Mention this ad and receive $100 off Hog, Deer & Turkey Hunts!

Deer Hunting Season

August 15th-January 1st

3 DAYS HUNTS $1,295.00

5 DAY HUNTS $1,995.00 Meals & Lodging Included with all pricing!

We have the longest deer season in the US August 15th-January 1st, with weapon of choice for the entire season. The velvet hunts last through Labor Day weekend and the rut is throughout the months of October and November. We hunt seven days a week and allow two bucks per day, only with one small (under 12" wide) per hunter, per season.

We have open areas where first timers can take a buck, Long Managed Trophy Areas where bucks must be a minimum of 15" outside spread. Then we have our special Big Trophy Area, where the bucks have been on strict management for only mature bucks for the past 13 seasons, the bucks there have to be 16" outside spread of 110 Boone and Crockett Score. That area will be for very serious Trophy Hunters only.

Spring Turkey Season March 20th-May 5th

3 Days $1,395

Meals & Lodging Included with all pricing!

Turkey Season opens on March 20th each year and runs through May 5th. We have 5,500 of prime turkey woods with a mixture of river bottoms, pine ridges and lots of food plots planted with chuffas, the turkey’s favorite. Our seasoned guides are very familiar with our properties and are very personable and experienced. While on your turkey hunt , if you would like to sit for a wild hog in the afternoon, you are allowed to take one hog during the three day hunt for no extra charge. We have lots of them and some really big ones.

Wild Hog Hunts Year Round

3 Days $1,095

Meals & Lodging Included with all pricing!

We can hunt hogs year round and some of our most productive hunts this past year took place in May, June and July. We have plenty of land now with hogs to be able to hunt large groups, up to 10. We can even accommodate bow groups that large. Hogs are very smart animals, don’t come thinking they are just dumb farm animals. This is a fun hunt for all who just do not want to quit hunting after their deer season closes.

The finest deer, hog, and turkey hunting in the low-country of South Carolina!