Coastal Angler Magazine | May 2024 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Edition

CARNAGE. FOR THE BATTLE THAT IS FOUGHT WITHOUT MERCY.

The new Carnage ™ III series rods are constructed from carbon or an e-glass and carbon blend, for an extremely powerful rod that leaves fsh begging. Yet it’s light enough to keep a fisherman going until the battle is won. Spec’d with high-end components like Fuji ® K-Guides, Sea-Guide ® and Fuji ® reel seats, plus a mix of hypalon/rubber shrink tube handles, the new Carnage III rod promises to be as ruthless as the name implies. PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN ™ .

the importance of boat insurance

Do you love boating? Then you know how fun and relaxing it can be on the open water. But you also know that things can go wrong sometimes, like storms, accidents, theft, or injuries. That’s why boat insurance is so important. Here are some reasons why.

• Boat insurance can help you pay for damage to your boat, or to other boats or docks, up to specifed limits.

• If you borrowed money to buy your boat, your lender may require insurance. And if you want to explore different places, some marinas or waterways may ask you to show proof of insurance.

• Boat insurance can also come in handy if you need an on-water tow, jump start, or fuel delivery with optional Sign & Glide® coverage. And if your boat sinks, boat insurance can pay for the cost of removing it from the water (if removal is legally required).

Get boat insurance from Progressive and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it.

Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes

Go to progressive.com to learn more.

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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 temperatures are heating up here along the Gulf Coast and the fishing sure is showing it. This month we are going to discuss three keys to landing more fish this summer!

TIMING IS EVERYTHING!

I cannot stress the importance enough with being in the right place at the right time! Summertime feeding windows are short and if you miss them, you will be in for a tough day. There will be four primary feeding windows; sunrise, sunset and the beginning of the outgoing and incoming tides. Your sunrise and sunset feeding windows will be the best lasting between 30 minutes to an hour and your tide swing windows will be shorter lasting around 15 minutes or so.

Location, Location, Location!

Picking the right locations for summertime fishing is gold and I’m about to drop some NUGGETS! When the water temperatures creep up mid to high 80s fish, tend to keep their traveling distances significantly lower, therefore they will not venture far from cooler water to find food. There are two areas I focus on when searching for summertime fish. The first is shallow flats in close proximity to deep ledges. I have caught more trout over 5 pounds following this pattern than I can remember! The second spot I focus on are docks near shallow water flats. These docks provide good shade and

cover; fish will feed close to these docks then retreat back in the shadows for cooler water and cover.

SIZE DEFINITELY MATTERS!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s true, SIZE MATTERS and you’re in luck! For summertime fish, smaller is better! When our water temperatures creep up in the high 80s, fish begin to lose their big appetite. To put it into perspective, if you have been outside in the sun all day would you prefer a heavy meal or something a little more on the lighter side? You would probably opt for something a little lighter. These fish are not much different, big bait forces a fishes metabolism to work harder to break it down which causes them to be even more uncomfortable with the already warm water temperatures. The best approach is a finesse presentation such as a HK Custom Tackle Fluke or a 3.5” paddle tail worked slowly on a 1/8oz jig head.

I hope you all find these tips helpful. You can always visit our Youtube channel “Southern Salt Kayak Fishing” where there are over 100 videos that go in depth on everything inshore fishing! You can also subscribe to our Patreon Channel “Southern Salt Kayak Fishing” on Patreon.com. This is a site where we do complete breakdowns on google earth to show you the latest fishing trends around the Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast.

SOUTHERN SALT

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, WHERE WE HAVE SEVERAL VIDEOS GOING IN DEPTH ABOUT THESE RIGS AND SETUPS

Food by: Burger Box Food Truck

FAITH FAMILY FREEDOM

DDuring this time of year, bass fishing can be excellent all across the country, but here in the deep south, it can also be quite frustrating. Most largemouth bass have already finished spawning, but there are still some late spawners out there. At this point in the late spring, the fish are in a transitional stage where they are neither spawning nor in the postspawn phase. They are also not yet stacked up in their summer locations. This period is often referred to as the pre-post-spawn. Here are some tips to help you succeed during this time of year.

uring this time of year, bass fishing can be excellent all across the country, but here in the deep south, it can also be quite frustrating. Most largemouth bass have already finished spawning, but there are still some late spawners out there. At this point in the late spring, the fish are in a transitional stage where they are neither spawning nor in the postspawn phase. They are also not yet stacked up in their summer locations. This period is often referred to as the pre-post-spawn. Here are some tips to help you succeed during this time of year.

One crucial factor in catching fish right now is to have a good quality pair of polarized sunglasses. You may not always be looking for bass to cast to, but it is essential to be able to see certain things under the water to know where to cast. Many fish will be located in areas where the bottom is not visible. When you see light areas meeting dark areas, those dark spots often make the fish feel secure and hidden. This is the time when it is acceptable to cast directly onto those dark spots to surprise the fish and trigger a reaction bite.

One crucial factor in catching fish right now is to have a good quality pair of polarized sunglasses. You may not always be looking for bass to cast to, but it is essential to be able to see certain things under the water to know where to cast. Many fish will be located in areas where the bottom is not visible. When you see light areas meeting dark areas, those dark spots often make the fish feel secure and hidden. This is the time when it is acceptable to cast directly onto those dark spots to surprise the fish and trigger a reaction bite.

Another important tip is to consider baitfish. Bass during this time of year are feeding heavily on small bluegill and baitfish. Lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, and flukes are excellent options that can catch a lot of bass during this period. Baitfish typically move from the shallows to deeper water to school, and bass follow this movement. Find the bait, and you will find the bass.

Another important tip is to consider baitfish. Bass during this time of year are feeding heavily on small bluegill and baitfish. Lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, and flukes are excellent options that can catch a lot of bass during this period. Baitfish typically move from the shallows to deeper water to school, and bass follow this movement. Find the bait, and you will find the bass.

Water temperature is also crucial. As the temperature rises throughout the day, look for shady areas under overhanging bushes, docks, and shady banks. Bass are cold-blooded and adjust their activity levels as the temperature fluctuates. Early mornings can be a great time to catch a big bass that may be feeding in the cooler morning waters. Bluegill are often sluggish during this time of day and are a preferred meal for bass.

Remember these tips when fishing in May, and you are likely to have a lot of success. Use good polarized glasses to spot color changes on the bottom, locate baitfish, and use lures that mimic them. Pay attention to water temperatures as well. And always remember, you can’t catch them if you’re not out there, so

Mississippi Kitchen Delights

offs from the snapper’s sharp teeth.

Lemon Caper Snapper

To catch red snapper in the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts, here are some specific tips: Timing and Season: Red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico is highly regulated and typically occurs during specific seasons. Stay updated on the current season dates and any restrictions set by both the state and federal regulations.

Locate Fishing Spots: Red snapper tend to congregate around natural or artificial reefs, wrecks, and other structures. Obtain fishing charts or maps that mark known fishing spots, or consider hiring a local guide like Captain James McCanless of Aquiline Custom Charters  who knows the area so very well.

Equipment and Tackle: Use medium-heavy to heavy spinning or baitcasting rods and reels that can handle the strength of red snapper. Spool your reel with a strong braided or monofilament line with a test strength of 30-50 pounds. Use a strong leader, such as fluorocarbon, to prevent break-

Bait Selection: Red snapper are voracious predators and can be enticed by a variety of baits. Use live or dead bait like squid, shrimp, cigar minnows, or small baitfish such as pinfish, pogies, or croakers. Some anglers have success with artificial baits like jigs or soft plastic lures that mimic baitfish.

Fishing Techniques: Consider using a knocker rig or a Carolina rig to present your bait effectively. These rigs allow your bait to drift naturally and reach the desired depth. You can also try vertical jigging or slow trolling techniques to entice the snapper. Experiment with different retrieval speeds and depths until you find what works best.

Patience and Persistence: Red snapper fishing can sometimes require patience, as they may not always be feeding actively. Stay alert for any signs of bites, including rod tip movement, line tension, or changes in weight. If you’re not getting bites in one location, be prepared to move around and try different spots until you find the fish.

Follow Regulations: Ensure you are aware of the current regulations for red snapper fishing, including size limits and bag limits. Stay informed about any changes in the rules and adhere to them to protect the fishery and ensure its sustainability.

Remember to always prioritize safety on the water, wear appropriate safety gear, and be aware of weather conditions. Fishing with an experienced local angler or charter boat can provide valuable guidance and increase your chances of success. Enjoy your red snapper fishing adventure on the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts!

Lemon caper sauce is a perfect way to dress up your summer snapper catch. The bright, acidic sauce compliments sweet, flaky snapper beautifully. You can serve this with any pasta or vegetables you have on hand. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

1 16oz Snapper filet, 1/2 inch thick

McCormick Garlic, Onion, Black Pepper, and Sea Salt all purpose

Jar of capers

1 stick unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

2 tsp zest from your juiced lemons

2 lemons, halved for charring on the Blackstone Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

HERE IS WHAT YOU DO:

Season your Snapper filet with kosher salt and a generous coating of the McCormick seasoning.

Place filet on Blackstone or skillet heated to medium-high heat. Cook for 3-4 mins per side, until internal temperature registers 145 degrees.

During the last minute of cooking, place lemons halved side down and cook til charred.

Place fish and lemons on serving platter, tent with foil to keep fish warm while preparing sauce.

Melt butter in small skillet over low heat

Whisk lemon juice and half the jar of capers into melted butter. Whisk well to emulsify sauce properly.

Add zest and garlic to emulsified sauce and continue cooking and whisking for 30-45 seconds.

Add chopped parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper, remove from heat.

Pour sauce, except 2-4 tablespoons, over fish

*We put the reserved sauce back over low heat and used it to coat cellentani as a side dish.

Serve fish with any pasta or polenta you have in your pantry alongside summer veg from the Blackstone or skillet.

The old saying, “The best lessons in life are learned the hard way” holds very true in the fishing and boating world. After a couple of decades in the charter fishing game, I have learned many lessons the hard way. Some of these lessons were learned by my mistakes, and some were learned by my fellow guides mistakes. You spend enough time out there, you were gonna Learn some tough lessons. This is the busiest time of year on the water, and I wanted to maybe save a few of y’all some heartache and headache. If this article helps, just one person, it was worth it. Here are some tidbits of information that I cannot confirm or deny were lessons learned the hard way.

Fuel and Water

You can never have enough on the boat. When you run out of either, you are in big trouble. Always bring more than you think you will need.

Weather

Look at as many wind and weather sites as you can. Don’t take any chances, especially on a long run.

Tool, Tackle and Toys

If a certain tool, piece of tackle, or toy makes your life easier, and you use it often, buy one or two extra. Heck, buy four extra. Examples would be: adjustable wrenches, popping corks, vice grips, catfish flippers, pliers, bait nets, line cutters, sunglasses.

Bait

If you are fishing with Live Bait, I strongly recommend putting a bubbling system into your life well. If you’re Livewell craps out while you’re running, you probably won’t realize it, until you stop and all of your bait is belly up. Most days, especially in cool weather, just a good bubbler will keep your bait alive all day long. Having extra bait pumps can also save the day.

BUGS

Some people say, the state bird of Mississippi is the mosquito. I think this is funny, especially when everyone knows it’s the horsefly… If you have never experienced a ravenous cloud of gnats, mosquitoes, or horseflies, it is one of the most miserable experiences you can encounter fishing. Bringing plenty of bug spray, light, long layers, even a buff, or a mask can and will save the day.

Toilet paper

I do not think this needs a detailed explanation.

Drain plugs

Obviously always check that It’s in before launching your boat. Bring several extras. Keep them in the boat, and keep some in your vehicle. They only cost a few dollars, but could save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. I always have extras, and usually give a few out every year at the boat launch, to folks who have lost or missed placed theirs.

Float Plan

Always tell someone the area you are heading, and a general time of

when you plan to return. It is a big gulf out there, and if you are in trouble and need help minimizing, the search area can often be the difference between life and death. Checking in throughout the day if possible, and definitely when you get back to land is a good habit to get into as well.

when you plan to return. It is a big gulf out there, and if you are in trouble an need help minimizing, the search area can often be the difference betwe life and death. Checking in throughout the day if possible, and definitel when you get back to land is a good habit to get into as well.

when you plan to return. It is a big gulf out there, and if you are in trouble an need help minimizing, the search area can often be the difference betwe life and death. Checking in throughout the day if possible, and definitel when you get back to land is a good habit to get into as well.

Licenses, permits and information.

Licenses, permits and information.

Licenses, permits and information.

Keep all important documents in a good dry container. Another good thing to do is scan or photograph all the important paperwork and keep it in a separate folder on your phone, in case you lose any of your documentation.

Keep all important documents in a good dry container. Another goo thing to do is scan or photograph all the important paperwork and keep i a separate folder on your phone, in case you lose any of your documentatio

Keep all important documents in a good dry container. Another goo thing to do is scan or photograph all the important paperwork and keep i a separate folder on your phone, in case you lose any of your documentatio

Remotes

Remotes

Remotes

Many boats have remote controls for trolling motors, and or spike anchors. Always take your remotes off of your neck or belt hook before getting into your towing vehicle. A seatbelt pressed against your chest, pushing remote buttons, can be a catastrophic disaster, deploying these devices going down the highway. Wearing them on your belt, and sitting on them, can potentially have the same possibility of disaster.

Many boats have remote controls for trolling motors, and or spik anchors. Always take your remotes off of your neck or belt hook befor getting into your towing vehicle. A seatbelt pressed against your ches pushing remote buttons, can be a catastrophic disaster, deploying thes devices going down the highway. Wearing them on your belt, and sitting o them, can potentially have the same possibility of disaster.

Many boats have remote controls for trolling motors, and or spik anchors. Always take your remotes off of your neck or belt hook befor getting into your towing vehicle. A seatbelt pressed against your ches pushing remote buttons, can be a catastrophic disaster, deploying thes devices going down the highway. Wearing them on your belt, and sitting o them, can potentially have the same possibility of disaster.

Lights Off

Lights Off

Lights Off

Most of us launch our boats in the wee hours of the morning, when it’s still dark. Most boat launches have multiple ramps, for numerous boats to launch at the same time. When you back your boat into the water, please remember to turn off your lights. The glare from the headlights makes it impossible for the person launching next to see where they are going. Leaving your headlights on, especially your brights, usually makes you an enemy before your day even begins.

Most of us launch our boats in the wee hours of the morning, when it still dark. Most boat launches have multiple ramps, for numerous boats t launch at the same time. When you back your boat into the water, pleas remember to turn off your lights. The glare from the headlights mak impossible for the person launching next to see where they are goin Leaving your headlights on, especially your brights, usually makes you a enemy before your day even begins.

Most of us launch our boats in the wee hours of the morning, when it still dark. Most boat launches have multiple ramps, for numerous boats t launch at the same time. When you back your boat into the water, pleas remember to turn off your lights. The glare from the headlights mak impossible for the person launching next to see where they are goin Leaving your headlights on, especially your brights, usually makes you a enemy before your day even begins.

Jump Start

Jump Start

Jump Start

Yes, a set of long jumper cables Kept in a dry container is a fantastic thing to have on every boat. However, a lithium jump box is much smaller and Fully charged can turn over the biggest of engines. Turn it on, clip it to the battery and turn the key.  These powerful little boxes are worth every penny. It’s also much easier to use or share in choppy seas if you are helping someone else.

Yes, a set of long jumper cables Kept in a dry container is a fantast thing to have on every boat. However, a lithium jump box is much smal and Fully charged can turn over the biggest of engines. Turn it on, clip it t the battery and turn the key. These powerful little boxes are worth ever penny. It’s also much easier to use or share in choppy seas if you are helpin someone else.

Yes, a set of long jumper cables Kept in a dry container is a fantast thing to have on every boat. However, a lithium jump box is much smal and Fully charged can turn over the biggest of engines. Turn it on, clip it t the battery and turn the key. These powerful little boxes are worth ever penny. It’s also much easier to use or share in choppy seas if you are helpin someone else.

Phones

Phones

Phones

Definitely always bring your cell phone, and keep it fully charged. Bringing an external battery that’s also fully charged is a wonderful idea. Also, just assume you are being filmed or photographed wherever you go and whatever you do. If it doesn’t need to be seen or heard on social media, don’t do it. Chances are, sooner or later someone will put it up online For the whole world to see.

Definitely always bring your cell phone, and keep it fully charge Bringing an external battery that’s also fully charged is a wonderful idea. Also, just assume you are being filmed or photographed wherever yo go and whatever you do. If it doesn’t need to be seen or heard on soci media, don’t do it. Chances are, sooner or later someone will put it up onlin For the whole world to see.

Definitely always bring your cell phone, and keep it fully charge Bringing an external battery that’s also fully charged is a wonderful idea. Also, just assume you are being filmed or photographed wherever yo go and whatever you do. If it doesn’t need to be seen or heard on soci media, don’t do it. Chances are, sooner or later someone will put it up onlin For the whole world to see.

Stuff happens, and we are all going to make mistakes. Learn from them and try to not make the same mistake twice. Help others out when you can. Have fun and be safe.

Stuff happens, and we ar all going to make mistak Learn from them and try t not make the same mistak twice. Help others out wh you can. Have fun and be saf

Stuff happens, and we ar all going to make mistak Learn from them and try t not make the same mistak twice. Help others out wh you can. Have fun and be saf

congregate over the oyster beds in 4-6 feet of water. It’s usually feast or famine, so keep moving till you find the schools. Live Bait works well, but a simple Boat Monkey popping cork with 2 feet of leader and a good soft plastic shrimp imitation does wonders.

The redfishing gets awesome as the slot reds start pushing deeper into the canals and ponds. The sight fishing really starts getting good near Halloween. On the windy days with high murky water dead shrimp against the bank is all you need.

It looks like we may have a pretty good flounder run this fall as well. And they will start moving once the cooler temperatures arrive. We usually focus on shorelines that are near drains. A good falling tide is probably my favorite. Bouncing tight lined soft plastics maybe with a tip of cut bait or shrimp if the catfish aren’t too bad.

This a month you need to enjoy when you can. The weather is typically pleasant and the fishing should be fantastic!!!

As always, have fun and be safe.

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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Anglers

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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