Coastal Angler Magazine | May 2024 | Florida Keys Edition

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IT’S PEAK BILLFISH SEASON IN THE LOWCOUNTRY

Over the last few years, a burgeoning fshery has established the Gulf Stream out of Charleston as a big-time billfsh destination. Te ofshore trolling bite has been very good.

Capt. Mike Able keeps close tabs on the fshery. He and his brother, Graham, run Haddrell’s Point Tackle and Supply, a familyowned hunting and fshing store, which has grown to two locations and a fy shop in the Charleston area since their father, Mike Sr., started the business in 1983.

“Charleston has defnitely been put on the map with the billfshing we’ve had the last several years. It’s really been phenomenal,” Able said. “I mean, look at the Carolina Billfsh Classic. In the CBC last year there were outriggers full of sailfsh fags… we’re talking double-digit stuf. And not just the big boats. I mean, the big boats have an advantage, but guys are catching blue marlin from center consoles, too. You know the fsh are really chewing when the center-console guys are hitting fsh like that.”

Te Carolina Billfsh Classic (CBC) is one leg of the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfshing Series. It is held out of Mt. Pleasant each June. Last year, with poor weather

conditions during the one-day shootout, 47 boats released nine blue marlin and 53 sailfsh. Te top boat released four blue marlin. Te second-place boat released seven sailfsh and a blue marlin.

Able said conservation eforts, particularly from the Governor’s Cup, have led to healthier stocks. He also thinks anglers are getting better at fnding and catching billfsh. Te run outside the ledge is still 50 to 55 miles, but these days captains can go straight to potentially productive water. Satellite services make it easy to identify blue water, weed lines, temperature breaks and color changes to make a solid gameplan before leaving the docks. Additionally, technology like Omni Sonar can pinpoint fsh with an efective range of 5,000 feet.

“You could mark a fsh from a half mile away and go over and drop baits,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you can make them bite, but you know they’re in the area.”

Peak season for blue marlin and sailfsh is May and June, but blues will be in the area all summer. Sailfsh can be good into October or November, when wahoo enter the mix heavily. Able said a lot of marlin they catch are 150- to 200-pound “rats,” but they see some 300- to 400-pounders and an occasional 500-pluspound blue marlin. White marlin might also show up in a spread.

One of the perks of trolling out of Charleston in spring is you’ll also likely fll the box with dolphin and blackfin tuna. Capt. Able hung up his charter captain hat a few years back.

Now he fun-fshes with pretty remarkable success for billfsh and meat fsh by pulling a mixed spread with dredges, squid chains and circle-hooked ballyhoo from a ’34 Regulator.

Check out Haddrell’s Point Tackle & Supply at HadrellsPoint.com.

ENJOY THE SHORT GROUPER SEASON

Instead of going “bottom fshing” this season, I would focus on going “grouper fshing”… at least for gags while the season lasts. You can go ‘bottom fshing” for the next seven months, but let’s put some gags in the boat while the law allows it! Here are some tips to help you bag some gags.

• Having the right bait is a major part of this puzzle. A pinfsh trap in a productive area for just a few hours and an (otter-proof) foating bait pen at the marina are priceless.

• You must anchor up or use the trolling motor in “spot lock” to properly fsh any piece of good bottom.

• When I frst post up on a good-looking mark on the recorder, I have everyone else on the boat fre down whole frozen squid on a jig. At the same time, I use a sabiki to catch whatever baitfsh are available on the structure. Here’s how it works:

1) Te squid might catch a handful “bottom fsh,” and maybe a grouper or two.

2) Most importantly, it sets a nice chum slick on the bottom that attracts the real predators of the structure directly under

your boat, and they will be ready to eat.

3) Afer four or fve volleys of squid, everyone baits up with a beautiful baseball-in-diameter-sized live bait and sends them back down to the bottom together. Tese baits are too big for most bottom fsh to get their mouths around.

4) Now, the grouper appear on the scene, curious about all the noise and the good smell. What do they see? Tey see a pinfsh from the marina or whatever came up on the sabiki. I like to fsh these baits on one of my Crab Decoy Jigs, which makes it look like the bait is struggling in the grasp of a hungry crab or squid. A big grouper, and especially a gag grouper, sees this as a Happy Meal. Tey love crabs, squid and baitfsh, and with this rig they think they’re getting it all in one bite.

5) An added bonus is that this is clean tackle, free of excess hardware, that sends the correct signal to grouper and results in bites.

• Te downside to this style of fshing is it will attract sharks. It’s all fun and games until the man in the gray suit shows up. Ten it becomes hard work. Sharks of all kinds are drawn to struggling snapper.

For more info on the jig, tackle and/or bait, check out Tim Barefoot’s YouTube channel and website at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

THE GROUPER HUNT IS ON!

May 1 marks the reopening of Atlantic grouper season here in the Florida Keys. Over the past four months of season closure, a multitude of released catches taunted local fshermen, and now the hunt is ofcially back on!

While the Keys might not be well known for grouper, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be. Between the reef, wrecks and ofshore deep-dropping, the Keys are home to a plethora of grouper species. Te reopening of red, black, gag and snowy grouper vastly

increases fshing opportunities here in our Atlantic waters.

When fshing for grouper on the reef, keeping your rig from getting rockedup on the bottom is the biggest challenge. Do not overweight your rig, and keep an angler on or near the rod at all times. Grouper are notorious for grabbing a bait and taking it back into their homes immediately. When you lose a big grouper, especially with a mouthful of your tackle, they grunt a warning to the other fsh. Tis shuts down the grouper bite. It is best to keep the grouper rod in your hand when possible and be ready to crank them away from their hidey-holes. Tere isn’t much room or time for error on the initial bite.

Fishing for grouper over wrecks can also be highly productive. Amberjacks, which received a short closure in April, can be caught as bycatch while wreck fshing for grouper. Teir season also reopens in May.

Deep-dropping ofshore also expands greatly this month, as snowy grouper and blueline tilefsh reopen. Yellowedge grouper remains year-round, but even with large grouper hooks, tilefsh can be a frequent bycatch. Deep-drop rigs can be modifed this time of year to include smaller hooks that welcome the tilefsh bite and increase productivity of each drop.

Te abundance of mahi-mahi this month sweetens the deal for heading shore to deep-drop. Not only can you fsh for mahi-mahi on the route to, from and on your deep-drop numbers, you can also chase birds for a chance to read the bottom for new deep-drop spots. Tere is nothing quite like fnding a new fshing spot, and with so much in season right now, it is the perfect time of year to scout.

Remember to check fshing regulations, as there are ofen surprise closures on many species. Venting and descending tools are required when fshing for grouper and are especially important at the depths where snowy grouper are found. One look at the bug-eyed balloon face of barotrauma will tell you these fsh cannot return home safely without help. It is easy to go over a limit of snowy grouper by accident, so have your gear ready and know how to use it.

Sweet E’nuf Charters specializes in grouper and is already booking up quickly for the much anticipated reopening. Give us a call to get tight!

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’nuf Charters out of Marathon, Florida Keys. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 or Captainquinlyn.com.

Find her on social @captainquinlyn.

ANGLERS SET RECORDS IN NEW FLORIDA CATEGORIES

Julia Bernstein, 12, of Miami, had a record-setting day fshing of Key West on Jan. 5. She set two new state records in a day by catching a 20-pound, 15-ounce cobia and a 1-pound, 8-ounce mangrove snapper while fshing with Capt. Dale Bittner.

Bernstein’s records were the frst two fsh certifed in Florida’s new saltwater record categories, which were launched in January. Tey both set the bar in the new Youth All-Tackle Weight category. Florida is also now recognizing state records for Youth and Adult Length Categories.

“‘Are those all cobia?’ I couldn’t believe it, as we pulled up to the wreck, there was a dark cloud on the surface of the ocean. Sure enough, it was a large school of hungry cobia, and they were ready to eat!” Bernstein said. She quickly hooked up to two smaller fsh, but in her words, “Tird time was the charm; it was an even larger cobia! We had a great afernoon, we caught six fsh from that school, one of which became the Florida state record and one of which is a pending IGFA Junior Record.”

Bernstein already holds 11 IGFA world records.

To fnish the day, they made one last stop, where Bernstein hooked up with her record mango.

“I worked hard to get it of the bottom and then reeled as fast as I could. Good thing I did, turned out to be a state record mangrove snapper!” she said.

Joseph Ingold set the bar for the redfsh length state record with an impressive 36.25-inch red he caught from a Kayak in Panama City in February. His story is of a slow day that turned exciting in a hurry.

“About halfway down, I hadn’t gotten a single hit, so I cast my paddletail and let it sink to the bottom while I grabbed a new lure to tie on. Once I got my new lure ready, I started to reel in my paddletail to switch it out,” he said. “About fve seconds afer I started to reel it back in, the redfsh hit.”

Ingold thought he had snagged the bottom, but then the fsh began to run.

“I got super excited and loosened up my drag at that point. I really didn’t want to break her of since I was only using 10-pound test,” he said. “When I landed the fsh, I honestly didn’t even think about submitting it for the new length record. I actively participate in the Catch a Florida Memory programs, so I just took pictures for myself and for the Reel Big Fish program. Afer I submitted for a Reel Big Fish, I was curious if anyone had submitted for the new length record and, to my surprise, it was still vacant. So, I took all the pictures I had and put in my application.” CALL

Blitz!

You know spring has ofcially arrived when the eastern seaboard welcomes the arrival of voracious blackfn tuna! What better way to shake of the winter doldrums than to get out and target these small but mighty speedsters.

May and June are great months to target these fsh. Tey enjoy a wide range from Cape Cod to South Florida, and during the summer they migrate to temperate waters that remain above 70 degrees. Tey inhabit the warmest waters of all tuna species.

Blackfns are a schooling fsh and feed on migratory baitfsh, squid and shrimp. Tey frequently hunt the deeper side of the ledges and reefs common to the eastern seaboard. Tey commonly range from 5 to 20 pounds, with the occasional 30-pounder blowing up your bait!

Live bait is best for bigger tuna. I prefer goggle eyes, which can be caught or bought. Due to their hardiness, they are worth the cost to have on hand.

For live baiting, I use a Shimano Baitrunner OC size 6000 reel spooled with FINS 40G Braid. With the diameter of 6-pound mono, this braid has a tensile breaking strength of 45 pounds. I pair this reel with the Shimano Terez model TZS69M, 6-foot, 9-inch medium action spinning rod. I use a 6-foot section of Seaguar fuorocarbon in the 30-pound range for leader and Owner SSW 6/0 or 7/0 cutting point hooks. Blackfn are leader shy, so start with a 30-pound leader and move up to 40 only if you are experiencing breakofs.

I combine live bait with jigging techniques when targeting tuna. For high-speed retrieval of lures through the water column, which these fsh prefer, I use the Penn Battle III 4000 HS (high-speed) spinning reel. I pair this with a 6-foot, 6-inch Shimano Trevala B. I start of using Rapala Williamson Kensaki jigs in the 120- to 220-gram range.

Pro tip: Switch sizes and colors until you fnd what best “matches the hatch” rather than switching jigs.

I fsh early mornings, as tuna can be both light and boat shy. During a full moon cycle, the bite can turn of quickly as the fsh have been feeding most of the night. Once on my target area, I set up for a drif just outside the frst reef system, past the drop-of in deeper water to avoid bonito, sharks and kingfsh. Tis is typically in the 225- to 300-foot range. I deploy two live baits—one in the bow and the other in the stern—then jig in the middle. Check your fshfnder ofen to identify “scratches,” or fsh moving through, and mark the depth they appear in the water column. Target these fsh while jigging.

Te food quality of blackfn depends on proper bleeding when they are frst caught. Make a small incision behind the pectoral fn on both sides of the fsh to ensure the highest quality meat. Catching these speedsters will quickly become an addiction, and now is the time to make it happen!

Find Mark Ambert on Instagram @marksgonefshing_™; email: marksgonefshing25@gmail.com.

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ALGAE BLAMED FOR KEYS FISH WITH “THE SPINS”

Since early November, when the frst reports came in from the Florida Keys, scientists have been looking into reports of fsh exhibiting abnormal behavior referred to as “the spins.” Bonefsh & Tarpon Trust (BT&T) recently pointed its fnger at harmful algae as a likely reason for this phenomenon that has killed numerous endangered sawfsh and afected fsh of 30 diferent species.

Fish with the spins lose equilibrium and swim upside down in circles, ofen following a stressful or stimulating event. According to BT&T, a majority of reports for this behavior originated in the Lower Keys, between Big Pine Key and Sugarloaf Key, but there have been reports farther west toward Key West as well as in Miami north of Biscayne Bay National Park. Among the species afected are popular sport and food fsh such as tarpon, permit, snook, jack crevalle, mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, cubera snapper, goliath grouper and redfsh.

In January, BT&T and the Lower Keys Guides Association launched a study with the assistance of numerous other organizations to determine the cause of these events. BT&T stopped short of calling its results conclusive, because there’s still testing to be done, but they indicated occurrences of harmful algae blooms in the gambierdiscus family are the likely culprit.

Saltwater anglers will likely be familiar with ciguatera poisoning caused by the accumulation of ciguatoxin in predatory food fsh. Gambierdiscus is known to produce ciguatoxin and other neurotoxins that can have diferent efects on human and marine life. BT&T in not yet sure whether this variant of gambierdiscus is producing any cytotoxin that would move up the food web, but evidence indicates it is such a toxin that is afecting fsh.

Tese harmful algae are more common in reef areas that are environmentally stressed, according to BT&T. Testing continues and should hopefully provide more insight into this algae’s potential impact to the fsheries.

For more information, go to bonefshtarpontrust.org.

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Tarpon Time!

Hope everybody has been having a great month of fishing, I know we have been dealing with some cold oceanside and every jack cravelle passing through the Florida Keys must have made a stop in Islamorada over the last few weeks.

It’s Tarpon Season here in Islamorada and this is the time of year I live for! I jumped my first silver king when I was in high school and honestly have been hooked ever since. I can remember it like it was yesterday, fishing with a live pilchard on a 15lb spinning outfit in a backcountry spot much like I do today, and if you have not experienced the majestic jump of a tarpon, you are really missing out as this is the time of year to get out on the water and catch one. Most backcountry guides in the Florida Keys will be chasing tarpon till the end of June, so there is plenty of time to make this dream come true. If you want to get out with me my contact info is below and have some prime dates available show you how it’s done. If you want to give it a try on your own get a 15-20lb spinning outfit and a live mullet and a cork. I like to use a circle hook and a 50lb fluorocarbon leader about the length of the rod.

If you head over to Islamorada Fishing Outfitters, which is where I get my tackle, you can check out their selection and they have a shelf of everything you will need and will also show you how to rig it. Here are a few shots of some tarpon we have been tangling with over the last few weeks. If you’re not a tarpon angler, you might give bone fishing a try, as I have been spending a little time at it recently and doing pretty well using a light spinning outfit with a live shrimp.

On the offshore scene, the guys have been catching some Mahi and a big shout out to Capt. Alex Adler and the crew on the KALEX who released a giant bluefin tuna estimated at about 900lbs! I am not sure how many bluefin tuna have been released in the Florida Keys, but these guys have done it a few times over the years and think it’s pretty cool. I have never seen one personally, however, would have loved to have been on board to photograph that one!

LADY CAPTAIN’S CONQUERING

Not so long ago, the marine industry was dominated by male captains, but that is not the case anymore.

We get more female captains every day and darn good ones! I’m going to introduce you to several beautiful and ambitious female captains that inspire myself and others every day.

Captain Whitney Wemett got her USCG 50GRT license with her STCW and Auxiliary Sailing Endorsements at the age of 28! Last season she captained a landing craft in the remote backcountry of Alaska. Back in Islamorada, where she calls home, she is a freelance captain running a variety of trips. She acquired her sea time working in both private industry on sailboats and powerboats from the Keys to Turks and Caicos Islands and on several different vessels doing coral and fisheries research in the Florida Keys. Her favorite part about being a captain is educating guests about the local marine environment, leaving each of her charter clients with knowledge of what they can do to protect our local waters and oceans for future generations. In her free time, you’ll find her as Chair of the Surfrider Foundation Florida Keys Chapter, a local ocean conservation non-profit organization. Captain Whitney has a bright future ahead of her and should be an inspiration to us all. She is my special soul sister of the earth and sea and a very special human being!

it so much!” states Captain Margot of her budding new career! Captain Margot is another incredibly special person to me for so many reasons, but our children getting married next year makes us not only great friends, but soon to be family! Book with Captain Margot at: coolbeanscruises.com

Captain Margot Puleri moved to the beautiful Southwest Florida town of Isles of Capri that she calls “a slice of paradise” about 11 years ago. Living right on the Bay and very close to the Gulf of Mexico, she bought two boats, a Pathfinder for fishing and a pontoon boat for hauling guests, chairs, and coolers to the nearby beach. Having never been at the helm of a boat, she quickly learned how to handle both of the vessels and navigate the precariously shallow waters effectively. She learned how to avoid getting beached, running aground, and how to get both boats on their lifts in crazy tides and whipping winds. Not only was she good at it but one of the few women in her area to captain her own boats. After retiring from a publishing career, Margot couldn’t wait to get her USCG 6 Pack Captains License and get out on the water to show everyone the beauty of her Gulf Coast area. Today she runs Pontoon Charters for a company called Cool Beans Cruises. She is also First Mate on a 20-person catamaran. She does trips for couples, families, or groups of friends for beach runs, sightseeing tours, ecotours, and sunset tours all around Marco Island and South Naples. “This is a dream career that came out of a decision to reinvent myself at 56 years old! Truly, I get to see this piece of paradise from virgin eyes every time I take out a charter. When clients get to see dolphins jumping in my wake, bald eagle and osprey nests, sea turtles, waterfront mansions, manatees, and some of the best shelling and sunsets anywhere I am in heaven! I am getting paid to do something that I would do for free because I love

Captain Regina Teixeira is a woman after my own heart and is a passionate angler and great colleague here in beautiful Islamorada. She chose the path as a USCG licensed Captain because she loves to fish and wants to share that passion with others. She has a new boat, a Blue Wave Makaira 2600 and offers a variety of fishing trips including patch reef, wreck, and offshore fishing. Her favorite thing about being a Captain is watching her client’s excitement with every fish they catch, especially the children. Captain Regina has her own charter business called Size Matters Charters and runs trips out of the popular Lorelei Restaurant in Islamorada, Florida. You can easily book your next fishing adventure with Captain Regina at: sizematterschartersllc.com

And then there is me! I chased a dream like all of the ladies and get to live that dream now every day. I run a 28’ Glacier Bay catamaran out of Key Largo Fisheries. I do offshore trolling and patch reef fishing along with snorkeling trips. Teaching kids and women how to fish has become my specialty. And if you can’t find me there, I’m doing kayak ecotours through our beautiful mangrove trails in Tavernier, FL. I also do private guide services on your own boat from Key Largo to Marathon, Florida. You can always contact me at the number provided below or at: FloridaSaltyCowgirl.com

Lady Captains in a wide variety are making their way in the industry every day now and I am so very proud to be one of them. Keep an eye on these great lady Captains because they are going places others dream of and teaching us all to chase those dreams!

LET’S CATCH SOME YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER!

May is a great time for fishing in the keys. The mahi mahi bite is getting really good, grouper season is open, and the tarpon fishing is red hot. One thing that you shouldn’t overlook this time of year is the awesome yellow tail snapper fishing available on the reef. Yellowtail can be caught year round in the keys, but late spring and early summer have some of the best yellowtailing you’ll find. We’re lucky to have these fish, they’re great eating, readily available, and fun to catch, especially on light tackle.

There are a lot of ways to catch yellowtail. The most common and one of the most productive is to anchor on the reef in depths of anywhere from 40 to 90 feet. While everybody has their favorite spots just about any reef will hold yellowtail and it shouldn’t take long to find them. You’ll want to deploy a chum bag, and also chum with a mixture of oats, sand, and chum. You can scatter that mixture behind the boat and drift your bait back in a cloud of the chum mixture into the current, or make balls similar to snowballs out of the oat mix. Placing your hooked bait in the middle of the ball and letting that sink behind the boat. Most people like to use 12 pound spinning tackle. I like to add a short piece of 15 pound fluorocarbon leader to the end of my rig. Usually either a #2 j hook or a small 1/32 ounce jig head will do the trick to finish it off.

Conditions like current and water color play a big part in determining how the fishing is going to be. If you’ve got dusty colored water and a moderate current going behind the boat it should be game on. If the current is trickling up under the anchor line and the water is crystal clear you might want to consider a different type of fishing that day.

One of my favorite things to do on my charters aboard the Captain Easy is to chum with live pilchards in addition to the oats and chum. Once again, you’ll need current and you’ll need the pilchards to be available as it usually takes a couple hundred of them to get the fish fired up and busting on the surface. When ev erything comes together this is the most exciting way to catch yellowtail snapper and also a great way to target the big ones. Of course, while all this is going on, it’s always good to keep a bottom rod going for the chance of a grouper or mutton snapper and don’t forget to flip a live bait out every now and then to make sure there aren’t any king fish or cero mackerel around.

We’re really lucky to have this great fishery available in the keys. If you want to see what it’s all about, give me a call and I’ll take you out and show you first hand. Hope to see you all soon!

Spearf ishing Grouper

In the diving and fishing world, the long anticipation is finally over, grouper season is open! May 1st embarks the start of a fresh grouper season and a change in fisheries for us in the South Atlantic. All year we look forward to the winter pelagic species, wahoo and sailfish to name a few, but after a few months we start to get excited for the reef fishing and spearfishing. Let’s dive into a few tips that will help your grouper hunting game and set you up for success when you are presented a shot on the big one. My goal is to help you maximize on that opportunity with a fish of a lifetime. Shot placement, gear, and a couple tricks will help you make the most of this year’s grouper season. Let’s dive in!

Shot placement is crucial when it comes to hunting large groupers. You may just want to get a shot off and tag the fish, but recovering a large fish that is rocked up in a wreck or coral head can be very difficult. If you can place your shot right in the soft spot above the gill and back from the eye, you will roll the fish over dead every time. It will not take much penetration to hit the brain and your fish will drop stoned dead. This shot is best taken when the fish is quartering away from you. If the fish is head on, place it right between the eyes, many people will pass up a head on shot like this, but they are a sure way to land the fish if you don’t miss. The way I like to aim my gun is raising the front up enough to where I can see the tip, then drop the gun just enough to where the tip disappears, this will land your shot spot on everytime!

There has been a lot of debate on what the best gear is for hunting grouper and this past season I completely rigged a gun only to target the larger fish. I personally shoot a 60” Hatch Amero speargun, rigged with a heavy 5/16th shaft, cable slip tip, and cable shooting line that is backed up to a 60-meter reel. When freediving, I do not take a shot unless I am confident that I will kill the fish on impact. On scuba, we sometimes are unable to get as close to the fish and longer shots are needed. The slip tip will allow a poorly taken shot to stick and the cable will prevent the fish from breaking you off in the wreck or coral heads. Two years ago, we almost lost the 70-pound cubera snapper that Pat Galyon shot, the slip tip was not rigged with cable and was cut by the fish’s gill plate. Luckily, we landed the fish with a second shot I placed, but this situation did reinforce the need for cable when specifically targeting larger snappers and groupers. Many will say a 60” gun is overkill, but the power will push a heavy shaft through the skull of a large fish with a head on shot. Do not waste your time shooting a lighter 9/32 shaft, you will burn through them as grouper season carries on.

Running a reel on your gun is a nice trick for hunting grouper. The reel allows you to let the fish run, easing the pressure on a poorly placed shot that could tear out. If you don’t have a reel and feel your shot could tear out, then simply let go! The fish will run to the first hole he sees, your shaft will remain in the fish, and you can easily get a second shot while the fish is holed up. We have all had those moments of chasing grouper down the reef, they often never seem to stop. If you bump a grouper and this happens to you, just relax and tail back from him a bit. Keep just the tail of the fish in sight and let him swim off, as you relieve the stress of chasing him, the grouper will relax and choose a hole to swim into. As long as you see where he goes, you’ll have an easy opportunity to shoot the fish holed up. Do not forget a flashlight. Taking this shot and getting the fish out of the hole is a different story. For anglers, any grouper you catch that gets to the bottom will bury themselves into the reef and expend their gill plates to hold them in place. At this point, it is very hard to get them out. For spearfishing, reach in and get your hands on the fish to push them forward as you twist back and out. The forward motion will release the grip they have on the coral around, the twisting motion as you pull out will prevent the fish from clinging back onto the reef. These are just a few tips that will help you maximize your shots, both before you take them and after.

With grouper season finally open, it’s our opportunity to jump in and apply what we learned from last year to a fresh season! Get your rig dialed in, place the right shot, and use these tricks to help maximize every opportunity you get! Remember that every part of a grouper is usable. The filets, throat (collar), cheeks, and the backbone. These fish live a long time and utilizing all of their meat will show a lot of respect to the fish. Enjoy the season and dive safe!

SNOOK HOOKED ON

As the sun came up, the anticipation started for this little angler. A full day of fishing ahead.

Can you guess one of his favorite fish? That’s right, snook! And to his surprise, he was about to have a day full of catching them back-to-back.

As we all know, there’s good days and bad days of fishing. Lucky for us, Brayden doesn’t mind the small ones just as much as the big ones. He’s happy to just be fishing. From small ponds to the open ocean, Brayden will find a way to catch something.

Pictured here, we were fishing with Mike Downs of Task Force Fishing Charters in Punta Gorda. Mike was a great captain and wonderful with B! Brayden was able to catch as many snook as you can count of all sizes! Not bad for a 7-year-old. We tend to find ourselves fishing more times than not but when you see the happiness it brings to your children, it’s like the first time every time.

As the day progressed, Brayden started getting more and more snook. He also had his first barb in the hand, but he took it like a champ. The day finally ended, and it was time to go home with a boat full of memories and smiles. Until next time! Happy fishing.

The Florida Keys have long felt like home to me, even though I’ve lived for a longer time on both the east and west coasts of Florida. I grew up in Clearwater and later in life found my way to Miami. From there I traveled slightly north to Fort Lauderdale and then over to Fort Myers. During that entire time, I made repeated trips to the Keys for fishing and fun,

and on one of those soirees, I met my wife in Key West. That was over 25 years ago!

While living and working in Miami and Fort Lauderdale in the 90’s we kept a flats skiff in Islamorada and fished just about every other weekend on Florida Bay between Little Basin and Cape Sable. That was before the proliferation of GPS, so we learned to navigate the old-fashioned way, with charts and a compass.

We eventually wound up in Fort Myers where I spent almost 20 years as a charter fishing guide near Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach. But job offers for my wife moved us back to Fort Lauderdale and then eventually down to Key Largo.

No matter where I was over the last 40 years or so, my heart was always in the Keys. It’s hard to explain, but I’m sure many others that live here feel the same way. This amazing string of islands running from Key Largo to Key West is what I call the longest small town in America.

The fishing here is better than anywhere in Florida, in my opinion, and I’ve had the pleasure of wetting a line in just about every part of the state. The Florida Keys offers outstanding backcountry, patch reef, offshore and flats fishing for just about any species an angler might be chasing. You can also fish from a kayak and off some of the bridges along the Overseas Highway.

My contributions to Coastal Angler Magazine will be mostly about what anglers like to do besides fishing. Yes, I know it’s a fishing periodical, but let me explain. I was the host of a weekly fishing radio show for 11 years on the ESPN local network in Fort Myers. The original show was an hour, then soon increased to two hours and then eventually three. Believe me, it can be tough to talk about only fishing for two hours, much less three.

So, I branched out and started adding information about things that I thought fishing folks would be interested in, like places to visit, great fishing locations and even recipes for cooking your catch. The audience grew and so did the popularity of the show.

So that’s what I’m hoping to do here in my column in Coastal Angler. Thanks in advance for reading my column and please do your best to get outside and enjoy all of what the Florida Keys has to offer.

BaldEagles Relyon CarefulAnglers

Boaters along Florida’s waterways often see Ospreys perched atop a channel marker or soaring overhead, but sometimes a closer look reveals a bulkier bird with a solid white head and tail. With numbers on the rise, the Bald Eagle is an American success story. Thanks to a variety of conservation efforts, the Bald Eagle is no longer listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act but is still protected by both the state eagle rule and federal law.

The Bald Eagle was chosen as the national symbol of the U.S. because of its power and prowess. While these raptors often catch live prey, including seabirds and small mammals, they are considered scavengers and sometimes dine with vultures on carrion. But fish make up the largest part of this raptor’s diet, and eagles are not shy about stealing their fish from a nearby Osprey whenever possible.

Current threats to Bald Eagles include habitat loss, nest destruction, collision with vehicles, and territorial fights, yet Florida has a robust nesting population, with an estimated 1,500 nesting pairs. Most eagle nests are in live, native pine trees, but the birds also nest in cypress trees, oaks, mangroves, and on artificial structures.

The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland spearheads the statewide EagleWatch program in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Monitoring data from the 2022-2023 season revealed that roughly 150 Bald Eagle pairs lost their nests to Hurricane Ian, but 70% of those pairs rebuilt and made a nesting attempt. The efforts to rebuild, along with the inferior condition of many remaining trees, took a toll on nest productivity for pairs affected by the hurricane. Fewer of the rebuilt nests (66%) fledged chicks compared to the nonhurricane-impacted nests (80%), but Audubon still celebrated the 109 chicks that the impacted eagle pairs successfully raised.

With continuing land development, many eagles resort to nesting on manmade structures, including power lines and communication towers. These non-natural nest sites can present many unique hazards to the young eaglets when they fledge, including entanglement in plastic and fishing line.

In addition to always retrieving your line and tackle from the trees, you can also help eagles by joining Audubon’s EagleWatch program, which engages volunteers and individuals in protecting our nation’s symbol wherever they live, work, or play. Learn more at cbop.audubon.org/eaglewatch

JIG FISHING IN THE MANGROVES

Saltwater fishing is a great adventure, with every cast bringing the promise of excitement and new memories. Whether you’re exploring the serene shallows of inshore flats or delving into the depths of offshore wrecks, there’s a world of possibilities waiting to be explored beneath the waves.

Among the abundance of resources used for bringing in fish, jigs stand out as a popular choice for enticing hungry critters. With their vibrant colors, various sizes, and enticing styles, jigs offer an array of options to suit every angler’s taste. It’s no wonder they’re a favorite among fishing enthusiasts worldwide, both inshore and offshore.

Recently, I spent some time jig fishing while strolling along the inshore mangroves of the Ten Thousand Islands. One lure to standout in my tackle box that trip was the Redfish Jig by Gulfstream Lures. With its eye-catching white and shiny red design, it was proven to be irresistible to the predators of the mangroves. From feisty Redfish to spirited Jack Crevalle and graceful Ladyfish, it seemed like everyone wanted a piece of the action. Nearby fish were lured in by the jig’s quick movement and striking presentation, making for a fun day on the water.

When it comes to jig fishing in the mangroves, precision is key. We have to carefully position our vessel along the mangrove line, getting close enough to see the action but avoiding hitting the branches or scaring away fish. Once we’re in a good spot, I cast my line as close as possible and let it sink. I then employ a series of rhythmic bounces and pauses to mimic the movements of wounded prey, enticing nearby fish with every twitch.

Of course, navigating the winding channels of the mangroves comes with its own set of challenges. Oyster beds commonly lurk beneath the surface, posing a constant threat of getting stuck. But with a keen eye and steady hand, it’s easy to avoid them.

In the end, it’s not just about catching fish, but also about immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the mangroves. When I’m out there, away from devices and worries, it’s easy to forge a deep connection with the world around me. I bet plenty of fishermen can agree with me, especially those that fish inshore.

While you have the option of choosing between various artificial lures for mangrove fishing, consider jigs next time you go. The hard strike from a big fish that follows will be well worth it! So, grab your rod, tie on a jig, and enjoy the peace that jig fishing in the mangroves has to offer.

Who Doesn’t Want to be Here…

Welcome to Los Cayos!

We created an authentic “Keys inspired” lifestyle brand. It’s the no-worries, always-sunny, warm breezes, and sunshine experience that everyone wants to live! Here on the island, you don’t move at the pace society tells you to. It’s no wonder our catchphrase is “Who doesn’t want to be here...”

Come join the Los Cayos family and take the journey with us. We may not know exactly where we’re going, but we’ll know when we get there!

We’re happy to announce our recent partnership with Coastal Angler

It’s spring in the Keys, and that means (BIG) tarpon season is kicking into gear. The larger, migratory tarpon arrive in the spring and hang around until mid June when they continue their migration up the coasts of Florida.

Targeting large tarpon requires some forethought. Night fishing in a kayak for these brutes is asking for trouble. Please don’t take this task lightly! I strongly recommend fishing for these monsters during sunrise/daylight hours, with a buddy along in case things get dicey. Wear your PFD. These fish can commonly be 120 to 150 pounds and have strength and endurance that is shocking to the uninitiated. A big tarpon can easily tow you out to sea, or tow you miles from where you hook them, and this could last for hours in a light vessel like a kayak. Even though you’d love to get a picture with a monster poon to show your buddies, it’s not a good idea.

Fighting a tarpon all the way to exhaustion means the fish probably won’t survive the ordeal. And another player will show up sooner or later as you wrestle your big tarpon - Mr. Shark. As in 300-pound bull sharks and hammerhead sharks up to fifteen feet in length. If any of you doubt the seriousness of what I’m saying, just Youtube tarpon / shark / Florida Keys and you’ll see what a shark will do to a tired tarpon next to a power boat. Now imagine that type of thing in kayak. Yikes! So, I’ll rig my leader pretty light - 30# - and plan for the raspy jaws of the

SILVER KING BY KAYAK

tarpon to wear through the leader after a few runs and jumps. Better for the angler and better for the fish. Another method is to use very thin hooks (“mosquito” hooks) and just tighten down your drag and point your rod tip at the fish and let them straighten the hook with their next surge.

Artificial baits will work for the big tarpon, and the trend lately is definitely smaller, both in lures and flies. But for some almost guaranteed action, live bait is hard to beat. My favorite live baits for the big fish in the channels are live pinfish and blue crabs. Since the big fish are usually in deeper water, I’ll rig a small float about 3 feet up the line from a 4/0 hook and drift the crab or pinfish along with the current in an area where the fish are rolling. Also, I like a monofilament main line for this to cushion the shock of the fish’s head shakes. Keep your attention focused because a big tarpon can easily yank the rod right out of your hand in this situation!

Other than sharks, big tarpon are the strongest, largest fish that us kayakers can target close to shore, so eat your Wheaties, grab your heavy rods, and go have some fun with these hard-fighting sport fish from your little plastic boat!

LCapt. Joel’s FISHIN’ HOLES

ook for the fishing to start picking up and it’s that time of year where the mahi start showing up. Big fish start hanging around the reef, like kingfish, cero mackerel, amberjack, cobia, african pompano, yellow jacks and permit. Wahoo come in a little closer and big tuna start showing up at the humps. Schools of ballyhoo come in with the sailfish smashing them, and schools of mullet come in with the migratory tarpon following right behind the mullet schools.

Once the tarpon show up, the sharks come to greet them. This is also the time of the year when mutton snapper bunch up outside the reef, yellowtail gather on the reef and big mangrove snapper can be targeted in the backcountry in the Gulf of Mexico.

During this time of year, bait can be hit or miss. At night we go out and get goggle eyes and shrimp and during the day we harvest pinfish out of our pinfish traps and cast net for pilchards. We also spend a lot of time catching mullet for tarpon and live ballyhoo and speedos inside the reef for the pelagic game fish. It’s also that time of year when kite fishing is very effective for sailfish. We can catch small bonita this time of year to bump troll for wahoo, too. Bonefish and permit are showing up around the Seven Mile Bridge and in the backcountry flats. We typically target them with live shrimp on a small jig.

on the shore in the Lower Keys. There have also been reports of many other species, from large fish down to small bait fish, acting weird and doing circles. Scientists from a number of local and national agencies are doing a lot of research and development on these reports. Although no one has yet identified an absolute cause, some are already pointing their finger at agriculture runoff from sugar cane through the Everglades, some are pointing their finger at the recent record-high heat waves affecting the reef, and some are saying there’s nothing to see here, it’s just Mother Nature doing her thing.

I’m sure we’ll find out more specifics as the scientists’ research continues. You may remember last year the big story in the news was that our satellites showed images of a big blob of weeds heading our way that was supposed to cover up the Keys, possibly for months. That report scared off a lot of tourists and left a lot of locals wondering how we were going to get our boats in and out of ports with all the weed cover.

Recently, there have been reports of a large number of sawfish washing up

While many media outlets painted a doom-and-gloom story, several scientists said it was too early to tell what the “blob’s” impact would be in the Keys. Sure enough, our situation last summer was nowhere near what initial stories suggested. Hopefully whatever is affecting these fish comes and goes like the green blob did. This is one of the best times of the year to catch good quality and quantity fish. It’s also a great time to target your trophy bucket list fish.

— For a charter with Captain Joel or Jojo Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company in Marathon Florida Keys call cell 813-267-4401 or office 305-395-4212 or visit www.marathonkeyfishingcharters.com or visit us in person at Ana Banana Marina located at 11699 Overseas Hwy Marathon Florida Keys. Look for the big yellow Ana Banana sign with antlers around it.

MARINE THEFT PREVENTION

• Install motion sensor lights. Make sure areas around the boat are well lighted.

• Install surveillance cameras and make sure they will capture the face of an intruder. Cameras are often installed too high and only capture the top of a suspects head or the brim of the hat he is wearing.

• Install a GPS tracking device on your boat and/or engines.

• Install a boat alarm. Alarms are very effective at preventing equipment and boat thefts.

• Disconnect the batteries to disable the trim / tilt function. Keep the engine down, touching the ground so the lower unit can’t be removed.

• If the boat is on a trailer, chain the rims together or boot one of the wheels to prevent the boat and trailer from being stolen.

• Keep a trailer hitch lock on at all times.

• Install bolt locks on the engine or put extra-long engine bolts on and bend the ends.

• Destroy the threads on one bolt so the nut can’t be removed.

• Keep valuable electronics in a secure location. It might be a hassle, but it will same you thousands of dollars in the long run.

• Take pictures and record serial numbers if available.

• Don’t leave fishing and diving equipment unattended outside. It only takes a thief a minute - literally - to take it.

• If you are gone for an extended period, call your local Sheriff’s Office substation. Our deputies will keep an eye on your property while you are away.

Crime Stoppers offers a reward for the arrest of anyone in a felony criminal case. If you see anything suspicious, call the Sheriff’s Office immediately! It is our job to check out suspicious activity. Your call may be the one that helps us catch the bad guys!

CALL 911 IF A CRIME IS TAKING PLACE

If you see something you think may be suspicious. Call CrimeStoppers with any crime tips: 1-866-471-8477 Submit tips online at www.floridakeyscrimestoppers.com

Florida Keys

Who’s

If you have a catch to brag about send your picture and caption to: flkeys@coastalanglermagazine.com

PASCO COUNTY GETS 40 DAYS FOR BAY SCALLOPS

Pasco County scallopers will get a 40-day season in 2024 afer the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a change to the management region during a February meeting. Te season for the Pasco County Zone will begin July 10 and run through Aug. 18, annually.

Tese long-term season dates were informed by the 2023 post-season monitoring results by FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute as well as input received from stakeholders at virtual public workshops, in-person meetings and public comments.

“Along with moving away from the Independence Day holiday, the longer season will increase both the public’s safety and access to one of our state’s most fun family resources,” said FWC Commissioner Preston Farrier. “ Tere will be many positive impacts for the local communities.”

Te Pasco Zone bay scallop region includes all state waters between the Hernando/Pasco county line and the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, and includes all waters of the Anclote River. For complete regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Scallops.

THE RETURN OF THE GOLIATH GROUPER

You’ll fnd some real giants lurking in Florida waters, ofen hanging out near wrecks, structures and mangrove roots. Te notorious Goliath grouper is a massive, territorial and iconic Florida fsh that has experienced a remarkable comeback in recent years, prompting the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to introduce a lottery system for limited harvest.

It’s been quite the journey for these giants of the sea. Back in the 1990s, they were critically endangered, and conservation eforts swung into action

to protect them. Trough the 2000s, Goliath grouper started reappearing in South Florida’s coastal waters in greater numbers. Some saw this as a positive thing, while others focused on the negative potential impact on the marine ecosystem.

With their enormous size, reaching lengths of over 8 feet and weighing up to 800 pounds, these beasts could easily throw of the delicate balance of fsh populations and reef habitats. Despite the initial concerns, strict conservation measures and protective regulations led to a remarkable population rebound. Tey once again rule as apex predators; some would even call them bullies!

We were lucky to receive one of the tags to harvest a Goliath this year. Tere were specifc protocols to follow. Te FWC divided it into Category I and Category II, restricting the fshing areas. Additionally, there was a stipulation to use non-ofset, non-stainless steel hooks to improve survival chances. Tere was also a research element involved. We were issued a kit for taking samples and instructions on where to drop of the carcass afer our fsh was cleaned.

Goliath grouper have big appetites, eating large quantities of food to sustain their massive size. Tese underwater monsters can consume up to 5 percent of their body weight in a single feeding, so an average adult weighing around 400 pounds might eat 20 pounds. Tat’s a hefy meal by any standard. Tey also eat pretty much anything that moves, and they love crustaceans, especially stone crabs.

With our tag, we managed to catch one that fell within the slot size of 24 to 36 inches set by the lottery. We gave it a try, and to our surprise, it tasted great, like a meatier version of traditional grouper: white, faky and juicy, probably due to their diet.

Goliaths are a lesson in how tricky the balance can be between preserving our marine life and using it responsibly. From nearly disappearing to bouncing back in a big way, these amazing creatures keep us hooked on their journey. Tey remind us how everything in the ocean is connected and how important balance is. Whether we’re rallying to protect them or frying them up for dinner, Goliath grouper are a signifcant part of what makes Florida’s marine ecosystem so unique.

To see the episode of our Goliath Grouper Catch & Cook, go to “Bean Sportfshing TV” on YouTube. For more information about FWC’s Goliath Grouper harvest program, visit: www.myfwc.com.

Jigging or Baiting for Big Amberjacks

Amberjacks are powerful fsh with a never-quit attitude that makes them prized among anglers who live for the battle. Tey are a widespread species, with a pretty much worldwide range and prefer depths from 60 to 250 feet. Typically, they live near reefs and shipwrecks in small schools. Tis is due to their diet being mostly smaller fsh, crustaceans and squid that live around these structures.

An amberjack might live its whole life around these structures and only move due to lack of prey or for spawning. Amberjacks broadcast spawn, but usually in smaller groups. A single female can produce anywhere between 20 and 50 million eggs. Afer spawning, these fsh participate in some sort of courting and will stay in pairs. Adults can weigh up to 200 pounds and grow to 6 feet in length with a lifespan of more than 15 years. Most angler encounters are with fsh up into the 40-pound range.

Ofshore and nearshore in appropriate depths, you’ll want to look for AJs around structure. Most depthfnders identify structure as dark red patches that jut up from the baseline of the ocean foor. Good structure will have plenty of life around it, which will be represented on the screen as yellow and green blotches of bait and baitfsh.

Once you fnd your spot, use a typical bottom rig with enough weight to keep your bait on bottom in the current. Both live and dead baits work. It’s a good idea to butterfy larger baits, which is cutting the spine and ribs out while leaving the head and skin-on flets intact. For live baits, fsh any baitfsh in the 3- to 5-inch range.

Jigging is another fun way to target these monsters. My friend Nick DeGannaro recently caught a giant AJ on a jig, and here are a few tips he provided.

“Dropping a slim-profled jigging spoon and ripping it back up towards the surface usually elicits the bite, which will stop all motion you had going as the rod doubles over and line starts disappearing of the spool,” he said. “It really is a thrilling fshery, but one you have to show up prepared for, as it will push your tackle to the limits.”

DeGannaro’s go-to outft for speed jigging is an 8000-sized reel flled with 30-lb. braid paired with an E-Fish-Ent Custom Rods Phantom Jigger 250. He fshes a 40- to 60-lb. fuorocarbon leader, depending on water clarity, and either a glow or shiny jig.

Amberjack regulations vary on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, so check the regs before you go. While some enjoy the buttery favor of amberjack, others are turned of by the tapeworms most AJs have in their meat. Whether you plan to keep one or not, these reef bullies sure are a lot of fun to do battle with.

Emily Rose Hanzlik has caught more than 60 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.

TIPS TRICKS SURF FISHING AND WADING

&

Surf casting is a great and inexpensive way to catch quality fsh. I’ve landed big tarpon and snook from the beach and small panfsh like whiting and croaker. You can catch dinner or experience the thrill of battling some the top sportfsh in the world.

GEAR: I carry two rods, one for big fsh and one for smaller fsh, so I’ll be prepared for whatever I encounter. My lighter set-up is an 8-foot mediumaction rod with a spinning reel flled with 10- to 20-lb. braid attached to 12 inches of clear 30-lb. fuorocarbon leader.

For tarpon, big snook, sharks and big jacks, you need 40- to 60-lb. braid (200-300 yards) with a 60- to 80-lb. clear fuorocarbon leader. For big fsh, you need a heavier rod and 6000-8000 reel with a bigger spool for more line.

LURES: Tie your lures to your leaders with a loop knot. My favorite lures include 4-inch DOA paddletail (pearl white or silver sparkle) rigged on a 3/8oz. chartreuse jig head; a 1- or 2-oz. spoon (silver Krocodile or gold Johnson); topwater plugs (Skitterwalk, Zara Spook, or various chug plugs); and shallow running crankbaits. If it’s windy or rough, you might need to fsh heavier jigs or spoons.

BEST TIMES TO FISH: First light and an hour before dark are the best times to fsh. Te best tides are early incoming and early outgoing. Avoid slack tides. I also use moon phases, which regulate the amount of rise and fall during each tide.

FIND THE FISH: Find the bait, and you’ll fnd the fsh. Bird activity is the most obvious sign of bait in an area. Tis could be pelicans, gulls or even small terns nipping at baitfsh. You also need to be able to spot baitfsh. Identifying the little splashes or dark mass of a school is critical.

I walk the beach looking for bait. When I see bait, I stop and fsh. Birds aren’t always there, and the bait just pops up for a few seconds and you need to be ready. Go to a beach access, get out of the car and scan for birds. If you don’t see any birds, it might be worth going to another beach access, but remember that fnding bait is sometimes just a matter of moving down the beach a hundred yards.

TECHNIQUE: Identify the feeders. Bluefsh, jacks, mackerel, ladyfsh, kingfsh and barracuda are all aggressive feeders that like fashy lures and fast retrieves. If you’re fshing for tarpon, a slow steady retrieve is better. Snook will hit a slow retrieve and can also be caught in shallower water by jigging of the bottom around the frst cut. Whiting, pompano and croakers are all easily caught twitching a lure of the bottom, but you must get it out to them.

Richard L. Matteson is a long-time contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine who reports for the Stuart Rod and Reel Club. Contact him at (336) 414-3440.

Out Here

The fight for an unforgettable catch begins here, where 100,000 square miles of deep blue waters play home to speedy blue marlin and wahoo, massive tuna and brawny mahi mahi. Deep sea fishing in The Out Islands is a battle of wits, a test of perseverance, and a chance to prove your angler’s instinct. See what could be waiting on the other side of your line.

Summer Fsing ALASKA’S

STANDS ALONE

is true for human visitors, too. Te summertime fshing in Alaska can be astoundingly good.

Imagine awe-inspiring natural landscapes cascading into a sea teeming with marine life. I’ve lived and fshed in Fiji, Te Bahamas, Hawaii and Florida. Tey are all spectacular, but there’s nothing like an Alaskan summer.

My own journey to Alaska began as a young man when I dreamed of one day fshing there. Like most young adults, I strived to get good grades and work jobs to pay bills and tuition. I took the mainstream approach of university studies. Shortly afer graduation, I obtained a position with a fnancial frm. I loved the work; I hated the monotony of a nine-to-fve work life. Afer a year and a half, I called it quits and fed to Alaska with no contacts or the faintest idea of what it would be like. It’s now been 12 years, and I still call Alaska home for the summer fshing season.

I operate Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters. My fshing partner, Jake Smith, and I consider ourselves lucky for the opportunity to provide topfight experiences for clients every day.

Te prime fshing season in Ketchikan is May through September, and we provide customized charters for any group, regardless of age or experience. You can expect to catch halibut, salmon, rockfsh, cod and even Dungeness crab. We ofer full-day and multi-day packages, with daily catches aggregating over hundreds of pounds. In addition, we ofer cruise ship charters for salmon and halibut to ft each visitor’s port times. With pick-up and drop-of from downtown ports, it’s the best way to fsh during an Alaskan cruise.

John Muir, the famous naturalist, wrote that you should never go to Alaska as a young man because you’ll never be satisfed with any other place as long as you live. From frst-hand experience, I believe this to be true.

Alaska still holds riches beyond one’s wildest dreams. Hundreds of millions of salmon food into their native streams and rivers to spawn each year. Giant barn-door halibut scour the deep seas. Humpback whales migrate thousands of miles to feast on Alaska’s annual summer bounty. Eagles, bears and other wildlife abound and celebrate summer, when it’s a feast for all. Tis

Imagine riding to the richest Alaskan fshing grounds with humpback whales breaching on the horizon. Eagles soar overhead and swoop to pluck salmon from the sea. Te fshing is insane, with massive halibut and lightsout salmon fshing. It’s sensory overload in a good way, and an experience that should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list.

If planning a fshing trip in Alaska seems daunting, know that modernday Alaska is accessible to all. Tere’s no need for foat planes or dog sleds. Ketchikan is a two-hour plain ride from Seattle in a commercial airliner that touches down in a modern airport. From there, everything is at your fngertips.

Check out Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters at ketchikanfshingtrips.com. Contact them (907) 617-4717 or e-mail ketchikanfshingtrips@gmail.com.

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CAST LURES IN A MITZI TOURNAMENT 17

TIPS FROM A PRO

OPTIMIZE YOUR USE OF FORWARD FACING SONAR

The year is 2024, and technology is getting better and better. Whether it be the retail tech business or the fshing industry, there are tools now available that a few years ago we would have never thought were even possible. One of those technologies is forward-facing sonar (FFS). Tere’s a lot of debate about FFS in the fshing these days, but there’s no denying it’s an amazing tool when used correctly.

I have been using this technology since its earliest stages, and catching fsh while looking at my screens has become one of my favorite ways to fsh. It is extremely cool to watch a fsh eat your lure in real time, and it can also teach you a tremendous amount about what is happening under the water. Not only do I use this tech to fnd and catch fsh, I use it to pinpoint bait and areas with life, fnd sweet spots and diferentiations in an area, and eliminate dead water much faster ever before.

Figuring out how to use this new technology can be a little frustrating at frst if you don’t quite understand what’s going on. Spending time on the water, doing as much research as possible or getting someone experienced to teach you are the best ways to get an upper

hand. Fishing lakes where catching fsh isn’t very hard in general helped

me tremendously with deciphering what I saw using FFS. Smallmouth fshing in the north country was a big helper, as these fsh are aggressive and you get many opportunities to present baits and dial in your skills.

Another thing that helps you understand the picture on your screen is objects that are visible above the water. Point your transducer at a bridge, dock, tree or grass, and picture in your head what should be under the water while also watching your screen. Tis will help beginners dial in settings and get a better understanding of what is displayed. It takes time, patience and dedication to learn, but don’t get frustrated and try to have fun with it.

Tere are varied opinions on forwardfacing sonar and its place in the fshing industry, but it isn’t going away, it will only get better! Some of the coolest things I’ve witnessed and some of my best fshing days were due to the electronics on my boat.

Spending the time to learn how to use FFS is well worth the efort. Te technology is dominating pretty much every tournament right now, and it absolutely revolutionized the way I break down a body of water.

Tere are many resources out there to help you in your learning process and people like me who are always willing to answer questions. Don’t be afraid to reach out, tight lines!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfshing.com.

HOOKED ON HARDWARE

It’s well known that some of the best kingfsh fshing starts with a livewell full of frisky baits. Unfortunately, catching them can eat up much of your fshing time. Afer that, it can be hours of bump trolling waiting for a fsh to hit. Fortunately, for those who just want to head out for a couple hours of fun and blistering runs, it can be accomplished with artifcials. Besides getting you straight to the fshing, you can cover a lot more ground by pulling hardware, and it is not nearly as tedious.

Like using live bait, wire leader is crucial. Kingfsh have razor sharp teeth that will go through even stout mono with little efort. I prefer single-strand wire and usually opt for at least #7 (80-lb.). Single strand tends to kink afer just one fsh, but that’s not always a problem when pulling big plugs, as they will pull the wire straight. Also, watch your split rings. Tey can weaken the loop where it attaches to the lure, so be sure to constantly inspect your connections. I like to cover many diferent depths in the water column when trolling. I

start with a shallow runner like the Nomad 190 AT that runs 3 to 5 feet deep, which I set way back. I also like the Nomad Madmacs that run just slightly deeper. I run it 30 to 50 feet in front of my shallow long-bait to facilitate turning. Ten I like to go deeper with a DTX Minnow 165. I run that close to the boat and right under the prop wash. Tis is hands down my most productive bait. I fnd speeds of 6 to 8 knots usually work well. Tis allows me to cover a lot of ground and is fast enough to elicit a strike. I ofen fnd any slower and the fsh don’t seem interested. Te other great thing about these lures is the hooks are very large, and they stick once they make contact.

When you’re trolling the deeper-diving DTX 165s, you will need a reel with some signifcant drag, as these big-lipped plugs take a lot to hold in place. Te Accurate BV600, with its dual drag system, is a great reel for the job. Te BV X76H matches perfectly with it and is a great multi-duty trolling rig that doubles as an awesome grouper rod. Even though you don’t need a super-light tip, like with live bait, a rod that gives is a plus with these sof-mouthed fsh.

As for spots, look for hard bottom that holds bait. Wrecks and reefs are great, too. It sometimes pays to make wider circles around these structures to get away from the barracudas.

With a few lures and some know-how, you can easily head out and catch some kings without dedicating an entire day to your eforts.

The Return of a

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament anglers who has been writing about fshing for more than three decades.

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