April

March2009
2010
Panhandle/Gulf
Palm Beach County
Coast It’s Fre
e

19
11 Statewide Editions Florida’s Largest Outdoor Publication
The
Keys Keys
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Publisher • Rodney Smith Website Design • Karl Lawrence
Rodney Smith
Editor in Chief • Ben Martin Online Coordinator • Natalie Lopez Publisher, Coastal Angler Magazine
Executive Editor • Karen I. Smith Director of Finance • Diane Howard
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Look for Coastal Angler Magazine wherever anglers and boaters go. Distribution
sites include tackle shops, marinas, boat dealerships, sporting goods outlets, hotels,
resorts, restaurants and attractions. Published 12 times annually.
Primal
FloRida A round our home, the circle of bricks
encompassing our backyard fire ring is a
peaceful place where we go to unwind and reflect.
economical headlines, there is other disturbing
news affecting families, nation-wide. For too long,
kids have been spending less and less time outdoors,
BiG BeNd NaPleS/maRco/eVeRGladeS
Adam Jacoby • (229) 413-2653 Brant Keller • (239) 287-1981 It’s especially helpful to go there after a difficult day, and spending more of their leisure time indoors on
adam@coastalanglermagazine.com brant@coastalanglermagazine.com a place where we find our loved ones sitting at the computers, cell phones and watching television.
edge of a heaping fire, starring into its mesmerizing This contributes to a nature-deficit disorder and
BReVaRd oRlaNdo and soothing flames at family gatherings. These to some of the most disturbing childhood trends,
Damon & Carrie Pullias • (321) 289-0902 Tom Van Horn • (407) 366-8085
damon@coastalanglermagazine.com mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com times of reflection are an important part of our which includes the rises in obesity, attention
family’s composition, and are priceless. We love disorders and depression. This is a problem in
BRoWaRd Palm Beach couNtY sharing these primal experiences with friends. which we all have an influence and the power to
Robert Mondo • (772) 324-8256 Robert Mondo • (772) 324-8256 Everyone is subject to the calming effect of the fire’s change.
bob@coastalanglermagazine.com bob@coastalanglermagazine.com
embers. The fire is free. The fire consumes all. We After educating thousands of parents and
citRuS/heRNaNdo/PaSco PaNhaNdle toss our troubles into its flames, and in some cases, kids on the fundamentals of fishing over the past
Scott & Michelle Mathis • (772)321-0850 Kevin Ogle • (850) 586-3474 the fire relieves personal pain, loss and suffering. decade, it has become increasingly evident to me
scott@coastalanglermagazine.com kevin@coastalanglermagazine.com Fire heals! that more often than not, today’s average parents
FloRida KeYS SaRaSota/BRadeNtoN On that note, brilliant rays of hope you overwhelmingly understand one thing about
Aaron & Tracy Patterson • (305) 849-1353 John Radkins • (941)223-5354 probably haven’t heard about on the evening news fishing, which is, if their children learn to fish
floridakeys@coastalanglermagazine.com john@coastalanglermagazine.com or read about in your daily papers, are out there they will experience a higher quality of life and
these days! According to a report recently released appreciation for the outdoors. It has also become
FoRt mYeRS St. auGuStiNe by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation
Paul Caruso • (239) 980-7738 Ken Yarbrough • (904)461-6773 clearer to me that as more people realize teaching
paul@coastalanglermagazine.com ken@coastalanglermagazine.com (RBFF) and the American Sportfishing Association kids to fish is not only a gateway to the outdoors, it
(ASA), more people are going fishing. The report’s also lends to a healthier and more conservationally-
JacKSoNVille tamPa BaY data, taken from those states that participate in the minded society, a society less prone to waste the
Ken Yarbrough • (904)461-6773 Bill Carter • (813) 777-3351 fishing license sales index, shows that there was a increasingly precious, limited resources we face
ken@coastalanglermagazine.com tampabay@coastalanglermagazine.com
4.7 percent increase in 2009 fishing license sales. today.
laKelaNd tReaSuRe coaSt “Although the RBFF/ASA Fishing License Sales Ultimately, anglers, and other outdoor
Patrick & Kerrie Powers • (863) 232-9142 Robert Mondo • (772) 324-8256 Index is a strong indicator of fishing license sales, enthusiasts, are the single most significant funding
patrick@coastalanglermagazine.com bob@coastalanglermagazine.com it isn’t an exact measure of all fishing license sales source for conservation in our nation. Each year,
miami VoluSia nationally. However, should the 4.7 percent rise through the purchase of fishing licenses and special
Cliff & Janet Kunde • (305) 607-8055 Brian Clancy • (386) 566-6303 hold true nationwide, it would represent one of the excise taxes on gear and motorboat fuel, hundreds of
cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com bclancy1@cfl.rr.com largest percentage increases in fishing license sales millions of anglers’ dollars are collected or funneled
in over 30 years,” said ASA President and CEO to states for conservation and recreation. In 2008,
Mike Nussman. $720 million of these excise taxes were distributed
ALABAMA • BAHAMAS • CALIFORNIA “The typical angler spends $176 a year on for fisheries management and recreational boating
just fishing tackle alone and contributes over $40 enhancement. In addition, fishing license sales
alaBama BahamaS annually to conservation, via license dollars and generated $600 million in revenue for state fish and
Damon Pullias • (321) 289-0902 Jon Wood excise taxes. When the license sales index moves by wildlife agencies.
Kevin Ogle • (850) 586-3474 (242)577-0720 • Bahamas
damon@coastalanglermagazine.com (786) 566-099 • States just a tenth of a point, 40,000 anglers have entered In my opinion, the significant increase in 2009
kevin@coastalanglermagazine.com bahamas@coastalanglermagazine.com or quit sportfishing. Even a small uptick in the fishing licenses sales is a true indictor people are
index represents big changes in recreational fishing returning to nature and the great outdoors. Mother
caliFoRNia participation,” said Nussman. Nature is a very positive step for all of us. Perhaps
Tracy Patterson • (305) 849-1226
tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com Not only is this good economical news that one day in the near future you’ll find yourself
America’s 60 million anglers, generate over $45 huddled around a fire, day-dreaming about your
billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on next fishing trip. Try it. I believe you’ll find it
FRaNchiSe iNquiRieS the nation’s economy and creates employment for positive, rewarding and – primal.
Toll Free: (888) 800-9794 over one million people, but it’s also good news for
camads@coastalanglermagazine.com families and children all over our country. While
many focus on the glaring negative political and
Coastal Angler Magazine Online • www.CoastalAnglerMagazine.com

MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 2

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 40th Bassmaster Classic
By Ben Bloodworth
A s the 40th Bassmaster Classic, produced by ESPN,
approached, I waited with anxious anticipation for an
experience that I could only speculate on, one in which soon
turned to marvel.
On Thursday night, as I listened to Hank Parker recount
historic tales of Bassmaster lore, I realized that I was among
something truly great. At that moment, I felt about as foreign
to the world of bass fishing as one could feel. It didn’t take
long for that feeling to pass and the welcoming arms of a
truly amazing sport to invite this angler of salt water birth,
into the cool and fresh embrace of the bass fishing world.
Mr. Parker gave broad strokes and spoke about the extensive
lineage which is unsurpassed in the world of sport fishing,
and I immediately felt as welcomed as the senior writers that
were in attendance.
When I made my rounds through the Bassmaster Classic
Outdoors Expo, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods, I had
unfettered access to legends like Hank Parker, BASS founder,
Ray Scott, and Bassmaster Magazine’s, James Hall. As I sat
with these incredible bricklayers of this wonderful world of
bass fishing, a familiar message radiated from them all; this
sport was made possible by honest people, great anglers and
the best fans that any sport could want.
“The 40th Bassmaster Classic “, James Hall stated, “is so
appropriate because it is a return to the roots of a sport born
here in Alabama. It’s the birthplace of bass fishing and the
sport has come full circle.”
MARCH 2010
Sitting with Ray Scott was equally rewarding, as he
enlightened me on how and why he founded the world’s
largest sportfishing organization - the Bass Angler’s
Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). “This whole thing started in
the late sixty’s in an automobile ride traveling to Georgia, on
the way to an outdoor show. I wanted to show the world what
an exciting sport bass fishing could be.” Ray’s love for people
The weekend culminated in a bass-crazed crowd at
and aiding those people in their education of the outdoors
the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex Arena.
is evident in how he relates to those he meets. I posed the
ESPN cultivated an electric atmosphere, and the crowd
question to Ray of a claim that I had heard; the claim that
loved the weigh-in event. As the finalists were announced
Birmingham is the “Bass Capital of the World”. In typical
and suspense built, it was obvious that the finalists were
fashion, he launched directly into a geological explanation
crowd favorites. The crowd cheered wildly for each angler
of why this claim might have some validity. He gave me a
as their fish were carefully transported from the live wells
quick lesson on how the headwaters flowed from the Coosa
to the scales. Shortly after the winner was announced, staff
River and how the unique God-blessed lake systems creates
received communications from Tom Ricks V.P. and General
the Black Belt; an area of dirt prehistoric in composition
Manager of B.A.S.S. Tom, congratulated the winner of the
and a major reason for the vast nutrients that are distributed
40th Bassmaster Classic, Kevin Van Dam. Kevin took home
throughout Alabama’s southern lakes.
the First Place prize of $500,000. Kevin’s winnings for the
These are the kind of people that make up the world of
Bassmaster Tournament Series totals $4.1 million.
bass fishing. It is no more evident than the fans that attended
Coastal Angler Magazine would like to express a special
the expo. “The fans of bass fishing are quality people,” says
thanks to BASS and ESPN for the gracious hosting and
James Hall. “I’ve met a couple from Pennsylvania and a
the flawless planning of this historic event. The sentiment
traveler from South Africa. They are all here for one reason,
is mutually shared by myself and is responsible for the
they love this sport.” James added that concerns over the
expectancy of more great bass tournaments.
economy were motivation by the organizers to make this a
free event.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 4
 hooking history
By CAM Staff

F ish hooks have been used for

thousands of years by anglers to
catch fish worldwide. Recently, the
fish hook was chosen by Forbes as
one of the top tools in the history of
man. Hooks are normally attached to
some form of device, which connects
the fish to the angler. Fish hooks are
manufactured for a range of purposes
from general fishing to extremely
limited and specialized applications.
They’re designed to hold various
types of artificial, processed, dead or
live baits to catch targeted and non-
targeted species; or to be attached to
or integrated into other devices that
represent fish prey.
Hooks vary in shapes, sizes and
names as much as the fish themselves.
There are bait hooks, fly hooks and
lure hooks. Certain hooks like wide
gap hooks, circle hooks, and Lazer
hooks earn their names for the way
they look or work. A few hooks like the
Kahle, Kirby, Aberdeen, Limerick or
O’Shaughnessy earned their inventor’s
names, while other hooks like the
flounder, pompano and Mustad’s old
Pacific Bass hooks took on names more
connected to the fish they catch.
Fish hooks or similar devices have
been around man for thousands of
years. Examples of some of the earliest
recorded hooks were from Palestine,
7000 years before Christ asked his
followers to stop fishing for fish and
start fishing for the hearts of men. Fish
hooks have been crafted from all sorts
of materials that include wood, animal
and human bone, horn, shells, stone,
bronze, iron, and today’s materials. In
many cases, hooks were created from
multiple materials to leverage the
strength and positive characteristics
of each material. As late as the 1950s,
Norwegians still used juniper wood
to craft turbot hooks. High-quality,
stainless steel hooks were made in
Europe in the 1600s, when hook
making became a professional task.
Sizes, designs, shapes and materials
are all variable depending on the
intended purpose of the fish hook.
Somewhere along the line, hooks were
developed with barbs. Even though the
majority of anglers tend to think barbs
are used to keep fish on the line, the
barb’s original purpose was to keep bait
on the hook.
Hook points are commonly referred
to by names such as Lazer Sharp, needle
point, rolled-in, hollow, spear, beak,
mini-barb, semi-dropped and knife
edge. While other names are used for
branding by their manufacturers.
Hooks are usually designed as
either single hooks, single eye, shank
and point; double hooks are a single eye
merged with two shanks and points;
or treble, a single eye, merged with
three shanks and three evenly spaced
points. Double hooks are formed
from a single piece of wire and may
or may not have their shanks brazed
together for strength. Treble hooks
are formed by adding a single eyeless
hook to a double hook and brazing all
three shanks together. These hooks are
usually used on all kinds of artificial
lures, as well as for a wide variety of
bait applications.

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NATIONAL 7 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010
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Seeing is Believing
By Capt. Tony Bozello
A s a full time backcountry and shallow
water guide, sunglasses are one of the
most important tools of the trade. Lets face
it, you can have the best of everything in
the fishing world including the finest tackle,
however, if you can’t see what you are casting
to - well, you get the picture!
There is no doubt that quality sunglasses
improve your fishing. Years ago, before I
became a professional angler, I believed
sunglasses were all basically the same. Wow,
was I mistaken! I bought what I thought were
good glasses at the time, but after little use,
the lenses started to show some wear, such as
the polarization started to separate and very
tiny micro scratches developed from wiping
off the salt spray. Even though I could see
well, after several hours eye fatigue would set
in and really start to wear me out, resulting in
my not fishing as hard.
After only a couple months, I felt I was
due for a new pair of sunglasses. I shopped
around and a friend told me about Guideline.
Well, I have never had another pair since! For
only a few dollars more than bargain brands,
I get extremely rugged eyewear that stands
up to the harsh environment of the saltwater
world, while maintaining a cool-looking and
Protect your
most valuable
asset on the
water...
Your vision.
functional style. I still can’t believe how well
the lenses of the Guideline sunglasses hold
up, and yes, I’ve used my t-shirt to clean
them many times.
I remember a recent day with a new client.
Unfamiliar with his angling abilities, we poled
an area for redfish. He told me he just could
not see the fish. After a few unsuccessful
quality shots at the fish, I became concerned.
The man was younger than me, and he stood
on the bow - closer to the target than me, yet
he could not see the redfish. I always carry
an extra pair of sunglasses and I asked him
to wear the ones I offered him- Guideline's
Kingfisher, just for a try. The very next fish he
was able to see plain as day and the trip was
on! Later, we talked about the situation and
he told me that the purchase of his glasses
were a good deal. I’m not sure if that was
such a good deal, because in 2009 my clients
caught 649 redfish and 1157 trout, with many
other species mixed in. Now that sounds like
a good deal! Seeing is believing.
www.tonybozzella.com
www.tbsjigs.com
(904) 651 0182
Guideline’s NEW Elite Glass Series are designed for superior, polarized fish-spotting
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NATIONAL 9 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

cat Wave
ching e en
the Gr
ten tips to Slow Global Warming
By John Kumiski
T he debate continues as to whether or
not, human activities have caused global
warming. We live on a dynamic planet and
perhaps Earth would have warmed up even
if we weren't here. It's happened many times
before, long before humans arrived on the
planet.
For the sake of this discussion, let's
assume that greenhouse gasses are one
of the main culprits contributing to this
problem. Burning any kind of fuel, releases
these gasses. Whether directly or indirectly,
if you burn less fuel, you’ll produce fewer
gasses and also save money.
Recently, I saw one website that advised
me to buy a more fuel-efficient car. Great
advice, if I had an extra 20 or 30 thousand
dollars lying around. My tips are simpler,
less expensive, more direct and accomplish
the same goals. Try them.
1) Use cold water to do your laundry.
Most homes use electricity to heat water.
Converting coal to electricity and using
that electricity to heat water is appallingly
inefficient.
2) String up a clothesline and use it to dry
your clothes. The sun is up there every
day, blazing away - for free. This is going
solar in its simplest form. Older readers
will remember when every dwelling had a
clothesline.
3) Buy locally-grown food. Why bring
it from other states or countries? Many
communities have farmer's markets, where
locally-grown food is readily available.
4) Consider growing some of your own
food. Use some of that lawn space to plant
a few tomato plants, or if you don’t have a
lawn, grow your tomatoes in containers.
Once you have some success with that,
expand your repertoire to include beans,
peppers, broccoli, herbs and other easy to
grow vegetables.
MARCH 2010
Our Green Products
5) Whenever practical, walk or ride a bicycle
Really Work!
to work or to do errands. It takes fewer
resources to produce and run a 25-pound
bicycle, than a 3000-pound vehicle. Most of
us could use the exercise, too.
6) Turn off appliances and electronics
when not in use. If you look at your array
of electronics in the dark, you'll see a large
number of LEDs blinking at you. All those
devices are still using power. Plug them into
a power strip, and turn the strip off when the
devices won't be used. The energy savings
are significant.
7) Prepare meals at home with basic
ingredients, rather than eating prepared
foods. Prepared foods, especially frozen
foods, use tremendous amounts of energy.
Creating a Sustainable
Frozen foods must be kept frozen. I wonder
what a supermarket's monthly power bill is.
Foods made with fresh ingredients are more
nutritious and taste better, too. Environment... one boat at a time.
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8) Eat less meat. It takes about 20 pounds of
grain to produce one pound of beef, a very
inefficient use of resources. Additionally,
cattle flatulence is adding a lot of methane (a DAYTONA SURPLUS MARINE SUPPLY
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9) Turn off the television and read a book.
An energy-efficient light bulb uses way
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It’s great exercise, and you'll catch just as
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We could go on, but you should be getting
the idea. Lots of small actions add up to big
results. You'll be glad you started a simpler
lifestyle when gasoline hits $10 a gallon! www.TritonMarineProductsStore.com
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 10
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lifts is they don’t block the view. Traditional pole lifts There is a solar panel on the top of the control box that keeps the
need to raise the boat above the highest tide. Drive-on battery charged. Even with the loss of power, these lifts still operate.
lifts actually sit on the surface of the water and vary Also, drive-on lifts can attach to existing docks and don’t require
height according to the tides. Not only does this additional pilings for installation.
allow for a better view of the surrounding area, it Technology, reliability and ease of use are reasons a drive-on lift
also allows for quicker access to the water. While may be for you.
pole lifts may take 7-10 minutes to lower a boat,

NATIONAL 11 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

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MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 14

 NASCAR and bass fishing compete on different surfaces,
but Daytona International Speedway’s Lake Lloyd has united them
Drivers, fans, celebs fish for a good cause
By: Jordan Kahn, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

W hen the gasoline thunder of NASCAR

engines and the din of 100,000 fans
are shaking the Daytona International
Speedway so loud you can hear it on the
moon, it’s strange to think that in the center
of all of that, largemouth bass are lurking just
beneath the surface of the infield lake.
And for one rainy morning Friday, Lake
Lloyd wasn’t just a waterfront for the most
coveted RV parking in the world. Thanks to
those fish, it was the hottest fishing venue in
bassin’.
The 29-acre lake played host to the fourth
annual Hot Rods & Reels fishing tournament,
a special mixer of race fans, drivers and bass
celebrities.
On hand to fish was Bass Pro Shops
founder and CEO, Johnny Morris, who
became a fishing legend for building a
billion-dollar sporting-goods empire from a
lure stand he started in his dad’s liquor store
decades ago.
The Outdoors Channel was there with
‘‘Fish’’ Fishburn, the Stuart Scott of televised
fishing.
And drivers Bobby and Donnie Allison,
Jamie McMurray, David Ragan, Ryan
Newman, Brian Vickers, Regan Smith, Ken
Schrader, Boris Said and Austin Dillon all
grabbed a reel.
Race fans and
businessmen paid to
fish with these drivers,
raising $100,000
for the Halifax
Medical
Center’s Speediatrics Unit pediatrics program
and the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, which
funds medical research
for spinal cord injuries. And on Friday
on the dock at Lake Lloyd, Darrell Gwynn
presented a $16,000 motorized
wheelchair to Miami-Dade College
student Carl Stanley, 24, who has cerebral
palsy.
‘‘This is a big deal for him,’’ said Quinn
Spencer, Stanley’s brother. ‘‘It’ll make life a
little bit easier.’’
As for how those bass feel when the
Daytona 500 is stampeding around Lake
Lloyd, one driver in particular has a special
reason to keep bass in mind.
Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 1
Chevrolet, has a big bass painted on his hood.
His car is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops.
‘‘I wonder what they feel when the cars
are going around the track?’’ McMurray
said. ‘‘There’s got to be some harmonics and
vibrations going through the ground.’’
iN hiS Blood
McMurray grew up fishing
lakes on his father’s land in
Kansas. He said they had a 10-
foot long aluminum Jon boat that
leaked so bad they had to
bale it out with a powerful connection (because of) how many
bucket every
30 minutes.
Then he moved to Charlotte and realized
how good he’d had it.
‘‘I was spoiled growing up fishing,’’
McMurray said. ‘‘We’d go over there and catch
30 or 40 bass every time we went fishing.’’
Not so much in Charlotte. But it was in
his blood by then.
‘‘Racing, fishing and hunting; growing up
that’s what they did,’’ he said of his father’s
side of the family.
At the Hot Rods & Reels tourney,
legendary NASCAR driver Bobby Allison
was the Lake Lloyd veteran of the bunch.
‘‘I’ve won the tournament three times
here,’’ he said.
Other drivers at the Hot Rods & Reels
tournament were there simply to support the
charities benefiting from the event.
‘‘I’m not a fisherman by no means,’’
Schrader said. ‘‘I fish once or twice a year and
that’s whenever Mr. Gwynn calls because
it’s such a good cause. That’s the only time I
fish.’’
But there is a strong history at the
speedway between racing and fishing.
Informal driver tournaments have been held
on Lake Lloyd since the track’s birth. Tiny
Lund, Glenn ‘‘Fireball’’ Roberts and Ralph
Moody fished there.
Morris said racing and fishing share ‘‘a
people who enjoy the outdoors are also race
fans.’’
But that’s not what first
drew his attention to the
sport. That would be Dale
Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Childress.
Morris said he thinks it was about 12
years ago when he was introduced to them
by a common friend.
‘‘Shortly after that, Dale and Richard
came to see us, and I think they just wanted
to get their fishing gear wholesale and their
hunting gear. They said, ‘Johnny you need to
get hooked up with us.’ ’’
Morris said the two NASCAR legends
made him, ‘‘what they said was a good deal’’
and put a six-inch diameter sticker on Dale’s
car.
‘‘They said if you do this we’re going to
put Bass Pro Shops on the hood of the car for
the All-Star Race,’’ Morris said.
Morris, Childress and Earnhardt Sr.
donated all their profits from that all-star
race to conservation and the rest is history.
Morris said Friday was the first time he
has got to fish with McMurray.
‘‘There’s no way to get to know anybody
any better than to spend some time in a boat
with them,’’ Morris said.
And McMurray is loving his connection
with bass fishing.
‘‘I got to go Monday and fish with Roland
Martin,’’ one of the all-time great Bassmaster
pros, he said.
‘‘I can’t wait to see what else they let me go
do,’’ he said. ‘‘I keep trying to put the bait out
there. I’m like,
‘What’s the best place to go catch a big
bass?’ ’’
Jordan Kahn can be reached by
e-mailing: jordan.kahn@news-jrnl.com

A Closer Look
• Lake Lloyd was named after Sax Lloyd, who gave Bill
France his first job when he moved -to Daytona Beach,
Florida as a brakes specialists.
• Darrell Gwynn, one of the Top 50 National Hot Rod
Association drivers of all time, raced from 1980 until
1990, when he was paralyzed in a wreck.
• The Lake Lloyd record bass is an 8.33-pounder caught
by Darrell Waltrip on Feb. 16, 2007.
• Jamie McMurray’s largest bass ever is a 10-pounder
caught in Kansas.
• NASCAR fans are 1 1⁄2 times more likely than other
Americans to own a fishing rod, according to NASCAR
Simmons data.
• David Ragan’s team won the Hot Rods & Reels tourney
on Friday with 2- and 7-pound bass.
ABOVE: Mike Dunham, left, who works at Bass Pro Shops in Orlando, and Johnny Morris, right, of Bass
Pro Shops fish with Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet, winner of the 2010 Daytona 500 Photo by Action Sports Photography/Stephen Arce

NATIONAL 15 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

 escape from Reality with the
Vacation of a lifetime
Testimonial by Paul Caruso
Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine-Ft. Myers Edition
L ife can be full of challenges and sometimes, just downright
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In the past, this type of experience was only available
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In November, I took my wife to Key West and stayed with
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Zane Grey BELOW: Grey traveled and used his
adventures as the basis for writing.

By Michelle Mathis

M ention the name Zane Grey and most people think of

books written about the wild west, its people and America’s
beautiful scenery, but Grey’s first love was the outdoors and more
specifically, fishing.
He was born Pearl Zane Gray in Zanesville, Ohio, January 31,
1872. As a young man, Gray became skilled at baseball, and won
a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania where his playing
won fame for the school and himself. After graduating college, he
went on to open a dental practice in New York, but after being
encouraged by an editor to write a fishing story which appeared in
Recreation Magazine, May 1902, he decided to become a writer.
Grey’s fame allowed him to engage in his greatest passions, and
when he was not writing, he was fishing and hunting, but mostly
fishing. From 1918 until1932, he was a regular contributor to
Outdoor Life Magazine and was one of their first celebrity writers.
As Grey traveled the world for relaxation and deep-sea fishing, Grey
began to popularize big-game fishing. As the original president of
the Long Key Fishing Club, it was here that Grey first recognized
the importance of good sportsmanship and fisheries conservation.
This was reflected in the Club’s rules which encouraged anglers to
practice good sportsmanship, conservation and even at that time,
catch and release.
Grey traveled and used his adventures as the basis for writing.
The books and articles written on these expeditions launched
offshore activity worldwide, as he brought to life the challenge of
offshore game fishing.
Grey had built a getaway home in Catalina
Island, California, which now serves as the
Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel. Avid fisherman as
he was, he also served as president of the
Catalina's exclusive fishing club, the Tuna
Club.
With his own home overlooking
the bay, Zane fished from charter boats
and then from his own 53-foot boat,
Gladiator, named after the world's
number one game fish, the swordfish. His
ZG pennant was subsequently flown on
his own vessel, as well as charter boats
around the world's blue water, during
his quest for big fish. With his 190-
foot schooner "The Fisherman", Grey
was among the first to explore sport
fishing in Mexico, Central and South
America, New Zealand, Australia and
the South Pacific. In 1952, Ed Zern wrote of Grey, "No other
man … has devoted so much of his fortune, or so large a share of
his time and energy, to the catching of fish for the sport of it."
Today, the Tuna Club of Avalon is still one of
the world's sportfishing leaders.

Time to change line for fishing season…

Re-Spool at These Local Tackle Dealers:

Mosquito Creek Outdoors- Apopka
Betts Fishing Center, Largo
Sunshine Ace Hardware
(all SW locations)
Tampa Fishing Outfitters- Tampa
Fishin Frank’s Bait and Tackle,
Port Charlotte
Blue Water Outriggers- Port Saint Joe
Discount Tackle- Bradenton
Half Hitch- Panama City
Strike Zone, Jacksonville
Strike Zone II Melbourne
Bitters Bait and Tackle, Longwood
Harry Goodes Outdoor Shop, Melbourne
New Smyrna Beach Outfitters,
New Smyrna Beach
Capt Harry’s, Miami
El Capt, Miami
Crook n Crook, Miami
Cudjoe Sales, Cudjoe Key

www.Sufix.com
NATIONAL 17 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010
 exploring custom Rod Building
Using modern technology and a skilled craftsman
to build the “stick” of your dreams
A s a full-time fishing guide and avid
angler, I’ve come to appreciate the
level of craftsmanship and quality of
of Tonkin bamboo, Calcutta reed, or ash
wood, which is a far cry from today’s
construction techniques utilizing high-tech
unique project, consider custom decals,
special thread colors and designs along with
the highest-quality components. Remember,
in the process, from design to component
selection.” When delivery day finally arrived,
I was beside myself when I first put my hands
materials required to build a quality fishing synthetic materials such as fiberglass or all of this is installed meticulously by hand, on his work of art. The rod was delivered as
rod. Recently, I took on the challenge of graphite composites. and there is a lengthy multi-layer epoxy promised and is now the workhorse of my
commissioning a master rod builder that Today’s designs and utilization of drying time, which compiles the majority of big fish equipment.
could build the perfect big game rod that materials, such as graphite and boron the shop time and labor costs. Capt. Jim Adam can be contacted at
would be capable of handling tackle-busting composites, allow rod manufacturers to tailor After a lengthy search for a world-class (941) 484-2555 or visit his website www.
fish in the 500 to 1000-pound class, that both the shape and action of fishing rods
I regularly target on my charters. Before for greater casting distance, accuracy and
my search, I decided to research modern fish-fighting capability. Fishing rods are
components, history of the craft and design identified by their weight (described as
techniques to enhance my knowledge of the weight of line or lure required
what it takes to build such a rugged weapon to flex a fully-loaded rod)
in my arsenal of tackle. and action (describing the
History tells us that early stone location of the maximum
inscriptions date rod building as far back flex along the length of the
as ancient Egypt, China and rod). Cork has remained
Medieval England. In a common
their origin, rods were material throughout
referred to as “ang les”, the ages for constructing
t r a n s l at i n g into the grips. Cork is light, durable and
m o d e r n term of transmits the smallest signal
“a n g l i n g” today. of a strike much better than
Those early rods were synthetic materials. Old
commonly fashioned wire loop guides
constructed have been replaced with
stainless steel or titanium and
outfitted with metal alloy inserts,
replacing the classic agate inserts of
earlier rod makers.
With technology comes cost.
Constructing a quality fishing
stick with the best components
and rod builder is not cheap, but
is worth the investment. Design big game rod builder, I discovered Capt. jjfishrods.com. Do the research and find the
options are limitless with a myriad Jim Adam (J & J Fishing Rods) of Nokomis, right custom rod builder for you. I know I
of unique components available Florida. Captain Jim has over 40 years of did.
to meet your specifications. Costs angling experience and has been building
of labor and construction materials vary, custom rods for over 30 years. According Captain Chris O’Neill
depending on locality and your rod builder’s to Captain Jim, “You should look for a rod Senior Guide and Outdoor Writer
experience. In my case (which was not the builder with experience in building rods Sarasota/Bradenton Edition
average project), the rod construction took of the class you need, and an attitude of chris@tailchasercharters.com
well over four days to complete. the customer always get what they want.”
When deciding on a budget for your He says, “The angler should be involved

Manufacturers or companies interested in submitting your product for editorial, please contact
chris@coastalanglermagazine.com for consideration or review.

MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 18

 Miami Florida Boat Show Hybrid
By: Terry Pryor
T his year the Florida's Miami Boat Show
was a massive display of innovation and
technology that continues to attract interest
and enthusiasm, from a vast array of established
participants, as well as an impressive array of
new entries. Efficiency and value were common
themes among the over 1,000 exhibitors.
The Florida's Miami Boat Show , like so many
other long-standing industry conventions, is a
place where all sides of the marine equation
meet face-to-face for initial introductions or to
renew relationships within an industry that is
exceptionally personal.
We were pleased to learn about Mercury
Hybrid Concept Vessel at this year’s show. Going
beyond propulsion, this easy-to-use concept
vessel combines diesel-electric hybrid drives
with renewable solar energy and a high-capacity
battery, resulting in a clean, quiet, safe and
more enjoyable boating experience. This vessel
reduces the consumption of energy by using
solar power to recharge the lithium ion battery
and advanced automatic control strategies for
optimal efficiency. It provides cleaner air and
water where people swim, entertain and sleep,
and it helps reduce greenhouse gasses through
better fuel efficiency and access to renewable
energy.
Their system is termed automatic electric
power and is ready when you are. Just unplug
from the shore power and play. Large-screen
displays keep you informed of the system’s
status. With this hybrid system, you’ll be able to
NATIONAL 19
enjoy peaceful sleep without noise or vibration
from a generator. Imagine enjoying relaxing
rides on this easy-to-operate sport yacht with
silent electric power. Holding a position for
hours without exhaust fumes, noise or even an
anchor is an exceptional benefit of this hybrid
system. The hybrid propulsion combines
reliable diesel engines and electrical systems,
so they can operate together or independently,
providing built-in backups so that you will
never be stranded again. Viewing the attributes
of this Hybrid Concept Vessel leads us to
believe that Mercury, once again, has its eye on
the prize.
After a very active and productive 2010
Florida's Fort Lauderdale, Boat Show, industry
experts looked toward the Miami Show for a
benchmark of where the industry stands for the
coming year. Our observations lead us to believe
that the industry has endured the difficulties
associated with the downturn in the economy
and that it seems poised for a rebound. Both
shows produced an active audience and proved
that where value and improved products came
together, the consumer was ready to reward the
seller. Initial reports suggest that over 100,00
people attended this year's Miami Boat Show.
Overall, it appears that 2010 holds
opportunity for the companies who have
responded to the needs of the consumer. We
haven’t stopped fishing, and we’re not likely
to stop boating. We’re just trying to be a little
smarter about how we do both.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010
 $65 $85 $65 $45

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MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 20

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MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE STATEWIDE 2

 FLORIDA
Fly Fishing News

Fly Fishing for Tailing Reds

Sponsored by Mosquito Creek Outdoors
By Captain Chris Myers, Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters

M arch is an excellent month for

targeting tailing redfish. As redfish
dig their heads into the grass or mud in
search of a crab or shrimp, their tail will
often break the surface in shallow water.
Not only does this give anglers an excellent
target, it lets them know that the fish are
definitely eating. Tailing reds are perfect
for fly anglers because the fish are searching
for small crabs and shrimp. These fish
are almost always willing to eat a well-
placed fly. The most challenging issues are
presenting the fly without spooking the fish
and getting the fish to see your fly.
If you are seeing redfish tails, then you
are in shallow water. The fish are searching
for food but are always on high alert for
danger. On windless days, just the sound
of the fly line landing on the water can
be enough to spook them. In general, the
calmer the water, the longer the leader you
will need. Start with at least nine feet and
work up from there.
A second factor that needs to be
considered is the angle of the sun. The
shadow from a fly line or the fly itself can
blow up an entire school of redfish. Always
try to anticipate where the shadow will be
and adjust your position accordingly. The
sound of the fly landing can also be an
important factor. While weighted flies will
do the best job of getting down to the bottom
in front of tailing fish, the weight may often
need to be adjusted if the surface is very
calm and the fish are extremely spooky. In
some situations, it may be necessary to go
with no weight at all.
If you are fishing on grass flats, and you
can see the tail of the fish, their head is
surrounded by grass. While this can have
the advantage of allowing you to get closer
and take multiple shots, the fish’s vision is
limited, and getting them to see your fly can
be difficult. Cast so that the fly lands only
a few feet away from the fish, and quickly
strip it to within a foot of your target. At
this point, a slow retrieve through the grass
will usually get the best result. If you have
difficulty getting the fly within inches of the
fish, try using a rattle type fly to help get
their attention.

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STATEWIDE 3 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

Pioneer of Talk Radio
Capt. Mel Berman Dies
By Rodney Smith
F rom now on, Capt. Mel Berman,
a sport fishing ambassador, will be
broadcasting his radio show from our
memories. After complications from
heart surgery, Capt. Mel passed away at
the age of 81, in early February.
Born in Philadelphia, Capt. Mel
began his broadcasting career in 1952
at a New York top-40 station, WMCA,
and managed WJAS radio in Pittsburgh.
Finding his passion, he stayed true to
radio, moving to Tampa, Florida in 1970.
Like so many of us, Capt. Mel had a
second passion, fishing. He became an
expert angler and a successful charter
captain. In 1980, he received a Coast
Guard six pack license and started
running offshore fishing charters.
In 1984, with the help from people
like longtime 970 WFLA host, Tedd
Webb, Capt. Mel developed his WFLA
fishing show, originally called Tampa Bay
Outdoors, and Mel hosted the show for
more than a quarter-century. This was
the Bay area's first successful marriage of
fishing information and the call-in talk
radio format.
Mel prided himself on attracting an
audience beyond those folks only interested
in which fish were biting where. Capt. Mel
referred to his show as a Town Meeting
of Fishing, always placing environmental
issues in the foreground. Mel stood
strong in support of conservation when
Florida's debate between commercial
and recreational fisherman heated over
the pending Constitutional Net Ban
Amendment. I recall Mel sharing this story
with me, "I remember coming back from
one fishing trip and halfway home, the axle
on my trailer collapsed. Somebody had
sawed through it with hacksaw." Mel knew
it was obviously someone that didn't agree
with his position to support the Net Ban.
Sitting in as a guest on his show several
times, allowed me to personally see Mel
in action. "By the look in his eyes, it was
easy to see that his passion was interacting
with his audience. Mel loved it when the
telephone lines were lit up; he was always
in command, engaging with each caller and
appreciating the value of their call, and was
quick to take the next caller. He could feel
his listeners and knew what they wanted to
hear."
Even though fishing was at the center
of his show, it wasn't all about fishing. If
a topic was worthwhile, Capt. Mel would
MARCH 2010
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ABOVE: Capt.Mel had a big heart
for fishing and his radio audience!
talk about it, and he never shied away. "One
of my first assignments was to cover the
United Nations," he told the St. Petersburg
Times in an interview last year. "It was just
an amazing time. There’s a lot happening
on the world stage."
As a much younger broadcaster, Mel
interviewed John F. Kennedy; Adlai
Stevenson, former ambassador to the
United Nations; Jawaharlal Nehru, the
longest serving prime minister of India;
and Eleanor Roosevelt.
"He was a man who told it like it was,"
said Dave Zalewski, a charter boat captain
who fished with Berman for nearly 30
years. "He had the utmost respect for the
environment, and to him, it was just about
being on the water. It didn't matter if he
caught anything."
I can't recall ever spending time with
Capt. Mel when he didn't mention his
family. He always wanted to know how my
family was doing, so he could tell me how
proud he was of his. He also loved his wife,
Ginny Berman, very much.
Capt. Mel stayed active until the end.
Ginny Berman, said he recently had
successful heart valve replacement surgery,
however he had to go back in the hospital
for a second operation and did not survive.
"He loved to fish, he loved to write, he loved
to do his radio show," Mrs. Berman said.
Capt. Mel is survived by his son, Ron,
48, and daughter, Debbie, 51. Mrs. Berman
said there are no immediate plans for a
memorial service. Capt. Mel's ashes, will
be scattered at sea. "We think that will be
appropriate," said Ginny.
Capt. Mel's golden voice will be missed
for a long time.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE STATEWIDE 4
 Celebrating 45 years of
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Join In The Fun!
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with Conchy Joe’s
 
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March 13th - 14th

Win $5,000.00 in cash prizes for:
• Heaviest in 15 different species
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(305) 295-6601
   

STATEWIDE 5 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

Red Snapper Management
By CAM Staff
R ecently the National Marine Fisheries Service has taken
a serious PR hit over the pending rules concerning
the south Atlantic's red snapper fishery. While the South
Atlantic National Marine Fisheries Council (SAMFC) says
the red snapper stock is experiencing over fishing and is
overfished, overwhelmingly, recreational anglers fishing
these waters believe the SAMFC's science data is flawed.
Here's a little inside scoop on how the system works:
Often referred to simply as the Magnuson-Stevens
Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act, first enacted in 1976 and amended
in 1996, is the primary law governing marine fisheries
management in United States federal waters.
Most notably, the Magnuson-Stevens Act aided in the
development of the domestic fishing industry by phasing
out foreign fishing. To manage the fisheries and promote
conservation, the Act created eight regional fishery
management councils. The 1996 amendments focused on
rebuilding overfished fisheries, protecting essential fish
habitat and reducing bycatch.
President George W. Bush, through his Ocean Action
Plan, made reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act a
top priority. The President called for a hard deadline to
improve and update the data and science by January 2009,
end overfishing by January 2010, increased use of market-
based management tools, creation of a national saltwater
angler registry, and an emphasis on ecosystem approaches
to management. NMFS/SAFMC failed to meet the 2009
date to repair and update the science, but has moved
forward on the 2010 date to end overfishing. This has
lead to the SAFMC implementing management actions,
without repairing the science as mandated by the intent
and letter of the MSRA-2007. This is basis for a lawsuit
and disagreement between recreational anglers and the
SAFMC.
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is the
federal agency, a division of the Department of Commerce,
responsible for the stewardship of the nation's living marine
resources and their habitat. NOAA's National Marine
MARCH 2010
Fisheries Service is responsible for the management,
conservation and protection of living marine resources
within the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone (water
three to 200 miles offshore). Using the tools provided by
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NOAA's National Marine
Fisheries Service assesses and predicts the status of fish
stocks, ensures compliance with fisheries regulations
and works to reduce wasteful fishing practices. Under
the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered
Species Act, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service
recovers protected marine species (i.e., whales, turtles)
without unnecessarily impeding economic and recreational
opportunities. With the help of the six regional offices and
eight councils, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service
is able to work with communities on fishery management
issues. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service works to
promote sustainable fisheries and to prevent lost economic
potential associated with overfishing, declining species
and degraded habitats. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries
Service strives to balance competing public needs.
On paper this sounds good, but pending closure of the
South Atlantic's red snapper fishery by the SAMFC has met
strong opposition from thousands of recreational anglers
and groups representing them. Terry Winn, president of
the Central Florida Offshore Anglers, says, "The SAMFC
needs to stop what they're doing and go back to read the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. They should look at the science
and the economical effects before they made their next
move. Over the years we have gone from being able to
keep 10 red snapper 12 inches long, to only 2 red snapper
20 inches long. This change in regulation has gone a long
ways to help the red snapper fishery."
Dave Werner, member of the Florida Sport Fishing
Association www.fsfaclub.org, has put together a
Presentation/Position Paper on this subject, "Our Club
is the only source of credible, consistent catch data that
covers all of the last 42 years of fishing for the Ponce to
Sebastian Atlantic coast area. Over 15,200 database entries
are available for this 1968-2009 period."
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
The presentation necessarily spends some effort up
front to explain the FSFA, the kind of data that is collected
and how. Then it mathematically summarizes that data
into graphs with discussion following each graph as to
what is shown and even a bit of why.
Finally, conclusions are made. It is readily apparent that
the red snapper fishery off our area was strong in late 1960s
and early 1970s, fell-off drastically for the balance of the
70s, 80s and 90s and recovered starting in early 2000s, now
to a level exceeding the late 60s and early 70s. The FWCC's
actions about 8 years ago to reduce the red snapper bag
limit to 2, and increase the minimum length to 20 inches,
have worked very well.
“It is simply one more source, albeit very data driven,
that supports the area fishermen's contention that the
fishery is healthy, growing and that 2009 was the best red
snapper year in memory. Neither myself or the FSFA is
looking for anything more than a bit of source recognition
and another channel to get the story out to the people."
The presentation can be viewed at www.fsfaclub.org
A coalition of fishing clubs and organizations have
teamed up together to fight current and potential
fishery closures dictated by the South Atlantic Fisheries
Management Council, as well as demand the science used
to enact those closures, be examined and fixed by forming
a petition.
The petition calls for Congress to pass legislation to
restrict the Commerce Department from enacting any
further closures in the South Atlantic Region and rescind
the current interim closure of red snapper until fisheries
managers improve the MRFSS system (data collection)
and it passes a peer review.
To view the petition, visit their web site.
The flyer is also downloadable at
http://www.deep-blue-sea.org/images/flyer.pdf.
To receive printed copies or posters for display,
please contact WinnTerry@msn.com and
arrangements will be made to deliver them.
STATEWIDE 6
Cold Is No Reason To Miss Out
By Robin “FishyGirl” Folsom
O kay, the other day on the news, I heard
that there was snow on the ground in
every state but Hawaii – are you kidding
me? I know it is cold all over, but if you
plan properly, you don’t have to be left out
in the cold, when it comes to that fishing
trip. Personally, I can’t stand the cold, but
it won’t stop me from getting tight lines.
Over the years, I have found ways to keep
my tootsies warm on these blistering cold
days on the water.
First things first: buy a good all-weath-
er jacket with a hood. I say all-weather be-
cause as nice and comfortable as a fleece
hoodie can be, it won’t keep you dry, and
at times that's imperative. Getting your
clothes wet on a cold day is akin to stand-
ing in a freezer. Boat spray may not seem
like much, but it can ruin a trip quickly.
The hood is nice when the boat is under-
way. It keeps your ears from becoming
pop-sickles.
A new trend we are seeing that can be
helpful is a buff. Buffs became popular
thanks to the hit TV show Survivor, but
have been around forever and are great in
STATEWIDE 7
many situations. Lots of folks wear them
for the sun protection, and that extra layer
on your face can go a long way when it
comes to cold. If the buff is too thin for
your liking, try a face mask made from
fleece.
I hate the thought of giving up my flip-
flops on the boat, but don’t dare wear them
in these winter months. Foot protection is
another area you need to pay close atten-
tion too. A good pair of boots is a must
when venturing out this time of year. Re-
member, however, if you are going out
on a boat, find boots that don’t have the
dark rubber sole that may scuff your boat’s
flooring.
Gloves are another item that people
don’t think much about when planning a
fishing trip. How the heck are you sup-
pose to fish wearing gloves? Well, many
outdoor clothing manufactures have tak-
en a cue from hunters and are now mak-
ing fishing gloves that have half fingers on
them. If you are lucky, find a pair that is
also waterproof, so you can release that
fish without freezing your fingers off.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
If gloves and boots don’t keep those
fingers and toes warm, you can purchase
warmers. Some hand and foot warmers
tout 140 degree temperatures and are ac-
tivated when the package is opened and
hit by the air. These warmers are about the
best thing since sliced bread on a blustery
day. Keep a set in your pocket or tackle box
until you need them; most only take 10 to
20 minutes to get to full temperature, with
as much as 10 hours of warming time.
As I stated above, staying dry
needs be your number one priority.
Full dry suits may be a pain to get
in and out of in case Mother Na-
ture calls, but they really are your
best bet. I know it's March but this
year, the cold just doesn’t seem to
be letting up. Don’t let the weather
spoil your next day of fishing.
ABOVE: Patrice McCabe of
Addictive Fishing is staying
warm and catching a
memory of a lifetime!
MARCH 2010
 FWCC Updates
Critical Habitat
L ate in 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
announced that critical habitat designation for the
Florida manatee, may warrant revision, following an initial
review of a petition seeking a revision to the 1976 critical
habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA).
The Service is initiating a review of the current critical
habitat designation for the subspecies to determine how it
intends to proceed with the requested revision.
Critical habitat was originally designated for the Florida
manatee in 1976. That listing was one of the first ESA
critical habitat designations for an endangered species and
the first for an endangered marine mammal.
The decision, commonly known as a 90-day finding,
is based on scientific information about the species. The
petition received from the Wildlife Advocacy Project, Save
the Manatee Club, Center for Biological Diversity, and
Defenders of Wildlife, requested the revision to the Florida
manatee’s critical habitat designation under the ESA. This
finding is the first step in a process that triggers a more
thorough review of all the biological information available
to determine if revision is warranted, and if so, how best to
MARCH 2010
proceed with a revision of the designation.
Critical habitat is a term defined in the ESA. It
identifies geographic areas containing features essential
to the conservation of a threatened or endangered species
that may require special management considerations or
protection. The designation of critical habitat does not
affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness,
reserve, preserve, or other conservation area. It does not
allow government or public access to private lands.
Boating in Florida
A recently released report commissioned by the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC),
titled “Florida Boating Access Facilities Inventory and
Economic Study,” revealed the importance of boating to
Florida’s economy. The report indicated there is a need to
address critical boating infrastructure now, to continue to
adequately accommodate boating activities in the future.
The report showed that spending related to recreational
boating trips, supports 97,000 jobs in Florida, with
recreational boater expenditures totaling $8.5 billion. This
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
represents about 50 percent of the total jobs and spending
associated with Florida’s diverse marine industry.
The 572-page report includes an inventory and
assessment of recreational boating-access facilities and
documents its economic significance. It will be used for
public and private planning and decision-making in
determining where boat ramps, marinas, boat storage and
other boating infrastructure should be located. The project
also will result in a database that contains records for more
than 3,100 boat ramps throughout the state, of which 51
percent are open to the public. The FWC will develop an
interactive web site that will allow boaters, public officials
and researchers to get current regional information on
boating access from real-time resources.
By identifying these demands now, the FWC can help
ensure Florida meets the boating demand of the future. The
FWC provides grants to local governments for boat ramps
and other boat-access infrastructure. The agency’s goal is
to encourage, promote and support projects that provide
safe, high-quality and environmentally sound public
recreational boat access to Florida waterways.
STATEWIDE 8
 Harbor Docks
Harbor Docks

2010 Cobia World Championships Overall World Champion (Largest Fish)

2010 Captain's
CobiaMeeting:
TournamentWorld March 19, 6:00pm at Harbor Docks
Championships
begins: March 20 Overall World ChampionOpen to all anglers
(Largest Fish)
1st place - $2,500 2nd $1,000 3rd place - $500

D I V I S I O N S
Captain'sAwards
Meeting: MarchMay
ceremony: 19, 9,
6:00pm
6:00pmat
atHarbor Docks
Harbor Docks Open to all anglers
Tournament begins:
Weigh-in March
everyday 20
at Harbor Docks 4:00 - 8:00 Daily
1st place Largest
- $2,500 Fish Awards
2nd $1,000 3rd place - $500

D I V I S I O N S
Awards ceremony: May
Weigh-in ends 9, 6:00pm
at 6:00pm at Harbor
Sunday, May 9 Docks $100 Gift Certificate
V E N T S

Weigh-in2010
everyday
Crabat Harbor
CruncherDocks 4:00 - 8:00
Classic Daily
Most Fish 50Largest FishOver
Pounds and Awards
Weigh-inCaptain's
ends atMeeting:
6:00pmApril
Sunday, May 9at Harbor Docks $100 Gift$500
Certificate
V E N T S

8, 6:00pm
2010 Tournament
Awards
dates: April 9,10 & 11
Crabceremony:
Cruncher April 11,Classic
6:00pm at Harbor Docks Most
Cash Fish 50 Division
Awards Pounds(Fat
and Over
Four)
Captain's Meeting: April
Weigh-in Friday 8, Saturday
and 6:00pm 4:00
at Harbor Docks
- 8:00pm $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, Divisions 70-30% $500
Tournament dates: April 9,10 & 11
Weigh-in ends at 6:00pm Sunday, April 11
Cash Awards Division
Awards ceremony: April 11, 6:00pm at Harbor Docks Cash Awards Division
(Largest Fish)
(Fat Four)
$25,
$25,$50,
$50,$100, $250,
$100, $500,
$250, Divisions
$500, 70-30%
Divisions 70-30%
Weigh-in Friday and Saturday 4:00 - 8:00pm
Weigh-in ends at 6:00pm Sunday, April 11
Cash Awards Division (Largest Fish)
Entry Fees $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, Divisions 70-30%
Cobia World Championships Crab Cruncher Classic
$500 $500
Entry Fees
E

ForWorld
Cobia more Championships
information call Jackie or Eddie at Harbor
Crab Docks
Cruncher 837-2506
Classic
$500 $500
E

For more information call Jackie or Eddie at Harbor Docks 837-2506

Pensacola, FL
March of the Mullet A s the holidays begin to wind down and the
water becomes less fishy, I tend to switch
gears and focus on filling the freezer with some
of the more warm-blooded species of meat that
By: Lee Osborne roam this great earth. In late December of 2009,
4:30 came early. It was 42 degrees outside, partly
Coastal Angler Magazine - Gulfcoast Production Manager cloudy and light winds made for a great day of
hunting. Pork was the intended goal for the
hunt, but what we found was something I had
never seen before. Two miles as the crow flies
from the nearest bay was a warm spring where
thousands upon thousands of mullet were
stacked up, resting, as far as the eye could see.
I can’t take all of the credit for this discovery
because my dad actually found them.
This particular hunt started off as many do,
beautiful sunrise, wood ducks on the wing,
followed by distant shots from other hunters.
After a few hours and no luck finding the piney
rooters where they were last year, we ate a quick
field lunch and headed off to a spot where we
had found some fresh signs a few weeks before.
Fresh signs were still evident, so we all separated
a few hundred yards apart, occasionally seeing
a bit of each other’s orange vest, locating and
alerting each other with a series of different
whistle tones that we had developed over the
years. We used a whistle with a one-second
or so duration as a locator. That whistle was
followed by a higher pitched whistle, which was
used to get each other’s attention. The attention
whistle blown twice means, “come here,” and
blown three times means, “come fast.” Over the
years, it seemed to work really well for us and
our close hunting friends.
Within a mile or so of the slow stalk, we
found ourselves at this rather large spring.
About fifty yards downstream where the
creek was about ten yards wide, we found the
fish. The size of the fish ranged from finger
mullet to about 1-½ pounds. It was a truly
incredible sight to see. The very cold weather
we had this winter, the same cold weather that
froze or put many fish into a self-preservation
vegetative state down near Cedar Key, Florida,
and other areas, is probably the reason for the
sheer numbers of fish that made the upstream
migration, sacrificing food for warmth.
I truly enjoy every moment we spend in the
outdoors together, even if it means waiting an
extra hour in anticipation of the trip, while he
gears up. He has and continues to be the mentor
of my 25 plus years of outdoor experiences. I
still have vivid memories, when I was around
five years old, being hoisted up into a climbing
stand with a strap around my waist. On another
occasion, I collected ten cents for every dove I
retrieved for the guys on a September hunt. I
spend as much time as I am able to, with him.
One day, hopefully, the role will be reversed
and I will be instilling the same life-long bond
with the outdoors, in my own children, as he
did with us.
This is just one more experience that reminds
me to make a note of the dates and locations in
my outdoor journal, and always keep my eyes
open for the unexpected - regardless of where
I am. You can bet I will be back at that spring,
armed with a cast net and a cooler this year, to
see if they make the same migration.
 Fight for your right to fish. Join
CCA and other organizations that
represent the recreational angler.

www.ccaflorida.org
*Restrictions Apply **Fees Apply

PANHANDLE 3 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE March 2010

 Watson Bayou Marina is a
protected marina in Watson
Bayou, adjacent to the
Intercoastal Waterway, and
less than four miles from the
Panama City pass and the Gulf
of Mexico, we have 98 slips,
o those are covered slips.
22 of
Watson Bayou has been called
a great "hurricane hole"
because of its location which
provides protection in a storm.

4 0 7 M A P L E AV E N U E
PA N A M A C I T Y, F L 3 2 4 0 1
(850) 215-7684 PHONE
( 8 5 0 ) 2 1 5 - 7 6 9 5 FA X

W W W. W AT S O N B AY O U M A R I N A . C O M

March 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE 4 PANHANDLE

 ME  OF TH
HO E

Homeport to the Gulf’s most elite group of anglers...

ORANGE BEACH MARINA

Strategically and conveniently located to the Gulf Coast’s finest fishing grounds, Orange Beach Marina offers first class amenities. The Marina
houses a 60’ wide beam travel lift, high-rise works building, mechanical, paint, fiberglass, and carpentry departments are also on-site. Factory authorized
service is available for Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, Cummins, Onan and Northern Lights. Saunders Yachtworks has facilities on-site.
There are two award winning, atmosphere loaded dock-side restaurants: Palms Bar & Grille, a casual fine dining facility overlooking the docks
offering fresh gulf specialties and cuisine, and Calypso Joe’s Caribbean Grille, a casual dock-side restaurant offering the taste and feel of the islands –
both restaurants recommended by Southern Living magazine.
Orange Beach Marina is a subsidiary of Bluewater Yacht Sales, which has facilities on-site above the dock store. Also on the premises
is the Marine Group and Mobile Big Game Fishing Club with it’s five big game fishing tournaments based out of the Marina. Ad-
ditionally, the Orange Beach Billfish Classic, and the Gulf Coast Outboard Classic are hosted from the marina. Whether you are at
the restaurants, the dockside bar, the service repair and outfitting yard, charter boat dock, boat sales or brokerage outlets, the 5-bay
fuel dock, or the upscale dock store, you will quickly know why...
The sun never sets at Orange Beach Marina

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PANHANDLE 5 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE March 2010
NEW ORANGE-wi-fi_7x10.indd 1 6/12/09 8:24 AM
 Kayaking on the ‘Forgotten Coast’
– An Eco Tourist Destination
S treams, creeks, lakes, rivers, bays, bayous and
the Gulf of Mexico are all settings for the nature
enthusiast. Those looking for a scenic view and a slice
of Old Florida, why not take up kayaking. This outdoor
adventure is truly eco-friendly and leaves little or no
footprint on the habitat or environment, preserving
our natural resources for future generations to come.
Whether a novice or an experienced kayaker, you can
find more places to paddle than there are days in a year,
here on the forgotten coast of Florida.
What’s not to enjoy when you kayak, Florida style?
There are so many spots to put in. Whether you journey
down a dark tannin-colored river or a crystal clear fresh
water spring, no two trips will be the same. With a gentle
sweep of the paddle, you’ll be gliding along, sharing the
waterway with nature’s resident population. Take in
the sights, possibly passing an alligator or two basking
in the sun on the river banks; cooter turtles stacked up
on fallen timber; manatee poking their snouts out of
the water to take that breath of fresh air. Above, one
can see bald eagles, golden eagles, osprey and hawks
soaring in the sky overhead, and numerous egrets and
herons fishing stealthily on the shores. Below, one can
see the fish: mullet, bass, gar, sheepshead…When the
Florida sun heats up the day, take time to cool off under
the canopy of the forests.
PANHANDLE 7 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
Florida’s back yard offers miles upon miles of
paddling pleasure with places to camp and explore
within the Apalachicola National and Tate’s Hell State
Forest. Each offers a variety of recreation activities for
the outdoor enthusiast.
Florida’s front yard consists of bays, grassy bayous
and Gulf of Mexico, where kayak fishermen hook a
bounty of trout, redfish, tarpon, just to name a few. Be
sure to visit Expeditions in Hell, a kayaking outfitter,
located in the heart of Carrabelle. They offered the
first kayak fishing tournament in Franklin County, in
December of 2008, and will be hosting one each year.
All nature lovers are welcome. Birders, fishermen,
botanists, photographers and animal enthusiasts will
experience this prized destination. So, plan your
wildlife adventure today.
Contact Expeditions in Tate’s Hell, Carrabelle,
Florida.
(866) 797-2434 or (850) 697-2434.
Visit www.expeditionsinhell.com, t
he outfitter for eco tours
on the Forgotten Coast.
March 2010

THE FORGOTTEN COAST
PORT ST JOE, APALACHICOLA, ST GEORGE
IS., EASTPOINT, CARRABELLE, LANARK
The spring conditions are always looked upon by many
anglers as the best time of the year to fish, beware the "Ides of
March", and for good reason. Offshore fishing is anything but
predictable this month. Weather is a variable to contend with
on any offshore trip, but March is a tricky month to predict.
The action starts to heat up when the water temp reaches the
magic 65-68 degrees. Mahi-Mahi is one of the first fish to
show up in the spring. As long as the grass bed form offshore,
the fish will remain in our waters until late fall. A live shrimp
or minnow tossed at the edge of the grass beds will certainly
prove fatal for one or more of these beautiful fish. Sight fishing
for mahi-mahi is a good alternative to trolling, however many
more larger fish are caught in a trolling spread. Closer to land,
Cobia will be on every anglers mind this month, and maybe
on the menu as well. Stout spinning gear with heavy braided
line able to cast long distances will be a must for fighting these
brutes. Cobia are very curious and sometimes swim right up
to the boat. Pilings, bridges, channel markers, and sunken
wrecks will hold cobia well into summer. Live hard tails or
hand sized pin fish are good baits, but live eels are irresistible
to these guys. A flat line or floater rig is a great way to present
live bait and keep it in the strike zone. Many cobia are caught
in the surf cruising the sand bars and are mistaken for sharks
with their dark long bodies. Spanish mackerel will soon return
to the forgotten coast and patrol our waters in vast schools,
and the king mackerel will soon follow. Slow trolling spoons or
mackerel tree rigs around the channel buoys and over shallow
in shore wrecks will keep you in the action. With still uncertain
regulations for red snapper, grouper, and amber jack, bottom
fishing will not get started until late spring or early summer.
Check local and federal regulations before you venture out on
the high seas for new size and catch limits.
Brent Romiti
Sporting Goods Manager of Bluewater Outriggers
121 Highway 98
Port St. Joe, FL 32456
(877) 216-9600
www.bluewateroutriggers.com
FISHING REPORTS
PENSACOLA
March in northwest florida is a transition
month, a time when winter species are still
migrating out and summer species are
beginning to migrate in, a great time to
have an opportunity at many of the fish the
northern Gulf of Mexico is known for. In
addition to our dominant early spring fishing
for sheepsheads on rock piles and redfish on
grassflats, the surf fishing will get steadily better throughout the
month. Pompano, whiting (gulf kingfish), redfish, catfish and
sting rays all go crazy over sand fleas and/or fresh shrimp fished
on a 15# flurocarbon two hook dropper rig with a #2-1/0 circle
hook and a 3-4oz. pyramid sinker, especially in the early morning
hours. Deploy 3-6 of these set ups on 8' or longer surf rods in pvc
stake holders spread 30-50' apart and vary the distance of your
baits off the beach until you find the zone the fish are using that
particular morning. Set out your spread, relax in your folding
chair or take position on your trusty 5-gallon bucket, pour a cup
of coffee and enjoy the sunrise, but don't avert your eyes from
your rod tips for very long. Missing the tell tale tap,tap,tap of
the rod could spell disaster to your cooler. The circle hooks will
usually find purchase on their own, when the bite comes the best
thing to do is run to your rod and wind fast until you come tight.
While passing the time between pompano, pick up a smaller 10#
combo and cast spoons, got-chas, or brightly colored jigs into the
surf for bluefish and early season spanish mackerel. With a little
patience, perserverance and a few adjustments, finding enough
pompano for dinner should prove to be a worthwhile venture.
Forecast by Capt Josh Rozier of
White Knuckle Charters.
Reach him at (850) 206-9062;
www.whiteknucklecharters.com;
or email captjoshrozier@yahoo.com.
FORT WALTON BEACH • DESTIN
I don’t know if its because everyone is
really ready this time of the year for winter to
be over and spring to arrive, or if its because
cobia fishing is a lot like hunting except for
the music and the company, but the cobia
migration may be the most anticipated
fishing season in our area. Kind of like the
ground hog and his shadow, when we see
the familiar green hull of the Full Pull cruising the bars we know
the cobias will be showing up soon. They consistently catch the
first fish of the season sometime this month and when the first
one is caught, as far as anglers are concerned, spring time will
officially be here. Forecasts of southeast winds and sunshine
will result in a spike in sick days at local offices and schools as
anglers just can’t stand to not be on the water when conditions
are just right.
Along with cobias, spanish mackerels are another welcome
spring arrival. Anglers in Destin and to the west monitor reports
in Panama City and Port St Joe. Spanish come from the east
and migrate towards the west, cruising the beaches and filling
up the bays one by one. Shortly after spanish mackerels start
flipping in St. Andrews pass we can count on them off our
beaches and in Destin East Pass. Trolling spoons, dusters and
straw rigs in the pass, especially on an incoming tide, or down
the bar keeps anglers busy winding in tasty mackerels. Many
offshore enthusiasts take advantage of the abundance during the
spring mackerel run to stock up on marlin baits for later in the
summer.
Warming air and water temperatures will usher a variety
of species into our waters. Jack crevalle, cobia, pompano, king
mackerel, Spanish mackerel, tarpon and a long list of other
species are all waiting for the water to warm up and the days to
get a bit longer. After this cold wet winter, spring weather and
warm sunshine can’t get here soon enough. .
Forecast by Capt. Pat Dineen of
Flyliner Charters, Inc. Reach him
at www.flyliner.com; flyliner@cox.net;
or (850) 376-0400.
 John Lee Nissan Fishing Reports
Dealership (Toll-free): 866-325-4070
120 E 23rd St Panama City, FL 32405
www.JohnLeeNissan.com
NAVARRE
It’s time to knock the dust off your surf
casting rods and begin your quest in search
for Pompano. This is the time of year when
they begin to form large schools in and
around the shorelines of Navarre beach. This
fish happens to be one of my most favorite
fish to catch and eat. They tend to provide
the angler with numerous long runs and an
exceptional fight.
The best places to look for these fish are in the shallow
water flats or off the edge of sandbars in three to five feet of water.
Pompano also seem to prefer moving tides along channel edges.
Typically the last two hours of a rising or falling tide is when the
fish are most active in feeding.
Pompano fish have excellent eye sight and a very
keen sense of smell. For the most part, Pompano are crustacean
eaters. The best bait to use is sand fleas and live or dead shrimp.
The sand fleas are quite easy to come by. This time of year you
can usually go to your local Bait and Tackle shop to pick some
up, or you can dig them up yourself with a sand flea rake or bait
net. When catching these fleas make sure you sift through the
sand at the tide line about 2-3 inches down into the water. When
hooking the sand flea you want to place the hook toward its head
and go through the shell so he stays alive. Try keeping the hook
just barely through the flea. This will reduce the hook getting
caught up in seaweed or debris. For Beach fishing bury a PVC
pipe about four feet in length into the sand. This will make for a
great rod holder. I like to use a surf-casting rod with a 10-20lb.
line and pompano rig. I use two circle hooks size #1 a foot apart
from each other and a 2oz. triangle sinker. Then you’ll want to
cast out as far as you can into the surf. For the best chance of
catching, it is wise to place several poles out at the same time
in 40ft spacing. Then all ya’ have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Another great way target these Pompano is to just walk the
beach covering lots of ground. Cast out using a light rod rigged
with a 20lb. braid, 3ft 20lb. fluorocarbon leader tied line to line
using a uni-knot, and a pompano jig. Yellow, whites, and pink
jigs are great colors to use. My favorite lure is the D.O.A. plastic
clear shrimp with silver flakes. They tear these things up!
Last but not least I have to mention…Cobia are on their way.
Towards the end of the month you’ll want to always keep your
eyes open for dark shadows floating across the sandbars heading
west. It might be wise to bring a Cobia rod just in case. So stop
wishin’ and go fishin’!
This report is provided by
Capt. Chuck Kemper
Lucky Chucky Charters
850-368-4565
www.luckychuckycharters.com
PANAMA CITY
Spring is just around the corner and it’s
time to knock the dust off of that fishing
tackle and gear up for those spring time
fishing trips. Reline those reels, change out
those rusted hooks, pick up the latest and
greatest gear from your favorite outdoors
store, tune up that boat motor and get out
on the water! Hi, I’m Captain Daniel Snapp
Owner / Operator of Grassy Flats Charters and I guide in the
beautiful Panama City Florida area of the Panhandle and I am
excited to be bringing you the Fishing Forecast each month for
Coastal Angler Magazine.
Hopefully March’s weather will be a bit better than February’s
and we can say goodbye to the crazy weather patterns and get
down to some serious fishing! March begins to heat up with
Reds and Sheepshead in the pass and sometime before the end
of the month Cobia and Spanish Mackerel should arrive.
To catch the Reds and Sheepshead in the pass, live shrimp
will be hard to beat. Fish them on the bottom along the edge of
the rocks until you find the fish and hold on. Where you find one
species you’ll normally find the other and it’s not uncommon to
easily catch your limit.
Cobia Season! Yes, it’s that time of year again. The most
exciting method to catch a Cobia is by sight fishing. Cobia can
be spotted cruising just below the surface of the water making
them an easy target when the water is clear. Boat’s of all sizes
can be seen cruising off the beaches with anglers elevated in
towers of large yachts to local boys cruising around with “A”
frame ladders tied down to the bow of their boats. Both methods
can be successful and a whole lot of fun! Cobia are caught on
jigs, live pinfish, crabs and eels. Remember to use caution if you
boat a Cobia that’s not worn out, they can cause quite a bit of
commotion on the deck of a boat!
Spanish Mackerel should provide none stop action to anglers
by the end of the month. Spanish can be caught by trolling small
spoons, casting bubble rigs or Gotcha lures on light tackle set ups
or be caught on the fly. Either technique makes for an exciting
day out on the water.
Moving back into the bays and up on the flats look for Reds
to start breaking up out of their winter schools and speckled
trout to start moving out of the creek mouths as the water begins
to warm. Get yourself a DOA popping cork and ¼” Shrimp, this
rig works well on both species. Don’t forget the hot water canal
in Warren Bayou. It should continue to hold fish throughout the
month and can be very productive.
Until next month, get out on the water and have some fun!
This report is provided by Captain Daniel Snapp of
Grassy Flats Charters , (850) 832-4952
www.Grassyflatscharters.com or follow on Facebook
and YouTube at “Grassy Flats Charters”
APPLACHICOLA • ALLIGATOR POINT
• ST. GEORGE’S SOUND
After what seems like a very long
winter, spring is finally trying to take hold.
Pollen is everywhere and temperatures are
warming up every day. This annual event
is the beginning of some of the best fishing
our area has to offer. Water temperature
will begin an upward spiral. As soon as it
gets to around 68 degrees fish will begin
to show up in the near coastal waters. Pompano are usually
some the first to make an appearance. This particular fish is
my personal favorite. A beautiful specimen and wonderful
tablefare, the Florida Pompano can be elusive. The last several
years have been disappointing to most Pompano fishermen.
Cold fronts have disrupted the annual migration through or
area. The fish showed up according to schedule and were
around for a couple of days, then cold weather set in and
dropped the water temperature 10 degrees in two nights and
the fish were gone. By the time weather stabilized, the fish had
pushed through the area on their westward path. Hopefully,
this year will be better.
I have always had best results fishing for Pompano
along the beaches of Dog Island and St. George. Hot spots
are the east end of Dog Island at the State Park and Bob Sikes
Cut. Pompano can be caught by wade fishing or from a boat.
Best baits are Sand Fleas and live shrimp. A variety of jigs
are also very popular. Barry Walker’s “Nylure” is probably the
best known Pompano jig in our area. When fishing bait, you
should be using a bottom rig. I use a slip sinker above a swivel
and a 12” to 20” mono leader of 20 to 30 lb. test. Hooks should
be on the small side (no. 2 to 2/0) because of the Pompano’s
small mouth. When fishing from a boat, I will fish one or
two bottom rigs in a rod holder and cast jigs, covering all the
bottom around the boat. Jigs can and should be tipped with
something to give it some smell. I use fresh shrimp but a sand
flea is the best. Pompano can be found mostly around points
and cuts along the beach. Anything that creates a tide rip in
shallow water is also good. Pompano will jump or “skip” when
approached by a speeding boat. If you have Pompano skipping
in your wake, stop and put the anchor out and start fishing.
The window for Pompano is very short. Although
some fish will remain all summer, the bulk of the action will
happen in April. Limits are still generous with a bag limit of
6 fish per person. Fish have to be 11” to the fork in the tail
and you may have only one over 20”. Please read and obey all
fishing regulations. This will ensure good angling for future
generations.
This report is provided by
Capt. Gene Strickland
850-528-4992
waterhawk1@aol.com
 Marquardt's Marina Serving the Boating Community Since 1977
Spring Open House Sat. April 10th. Special Yamaha Promotions. Seminars - Reel Spooling - Fun for the whole family!

850.648.8900
Two Stroke Blowout! Marina Store
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• 50 HP TLR • 115 HP TLR marina grounds.
• 70 HP TLR • 150 HP TXR
*Plus special Yamaha Promotion through 3.31.2010

3904 Hwy. 98 • Mexico Beach, FL 32410 • www.marquardtsmarina.com

March 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE 10 PANHANDLE

Panhandle Tide Charts
TIDES
Tide t
ThetoPanhandle-East
Charts brought you by these businesses
MARCH 2010
JANUARY 2010 APALACHICOLA
APALACHICOLA
Time
Time Height
Height Time
Time Height
Height Time
Time Height
Height Time
Time Height
Height
1F1M 3:51AM
2:15 AM 1.6 1.5 2:12PM
10Su 7:13 AM - 0.4 1.1 19Tu 12:03 4:47PMAM 0.4 1.4 10:24PM
28Th 12:11 AM 1.5 1.4
10:42AM
10:54 AM - 0.90 5:05PM
10:30 PM 1.3
1 11:40PM 0.1 25TH 9:14
7:37AM -0.1
AM - 0.8
5:22 AM 1
4:31PM
6:27 PM 1.2 1.2 9:46PM 1.3 17W 6:02AM 1.2 3:03PM
4:57 PM 1.1 1.2
11M 8:08 AM - 0.5 11:57 AM - 0.1
10:41PM
10:04 PM
0.1
1
10W 7:11AM -0.1 11:27AM 0.6 7:17PM
8:20 PM 11
2TU 4:51AM 1.4 11:27
2:27PMPM 1.31.1 6:34
5:03PMPM 1.2 1.4 26F 1:22
12:09AM 1.4
2Sa 3:15 AM 1.6 12Tu 8:55 AM - 0.6 29F AM 1.5
11:09AM 0.3 6:36PM 0.9 20W 18TH 12:46
12:09AMAM 0.30 8:32AM
9:58 -0.1
AM - 0.8
11:36 AM - 0.8 4:54 PM 1.1 6:17 AM 0.9
4:46PM 1.3 11:23PM 1.2 6:53AM 1.2 3:19PM
5:14 PM 1.1 1.2
6:48 PM 1.1
11:29PM 0 11TH 7:53
7:58AM PM -0.1 1 12:17
11:46AMPM 0.10.7 8:22PM
9:12 PM 0.8 0.8
10:57 PM 0.8 13W 12:28
2:45PMAM 1.31.1 5:23PM 1.5
3W 5:53AM 1.3 6:53 PM 1.2 27SA 2:29
30Sa 1:44AMAM 1.5 1.4
3Su 4:15 AM
11:32AM 1.5
0.5 9:37
7:35PMAM - 0.60.8 21Th 19F 1:36
12:42AM -0.1 9:19AMAM - 0.70
AM 0.2 10:37
Visit Destin’s
12:14 PM - 0.6
5:04PM 1.4 12F 5:11 PM
12:46AM 1.1
1.2 7:49AM 1.2 3:34PM 1.2
7:22 AM 0.8 5:29 PM 1.1
4TH 7:07 PM -0.1
12:19AM 1.1 8:36AM
8:45 PM 0.90 12:08PM 0.8 9:14PMPM 0.6 0.5
11:54 PM 0.6 12:38 PM 0.2 10:01
6:58AM 1.1 3:02PM
14Th 1:25 AM 1.3 1.2 5:48PM
7:16 PM 1.3 1.6 28SU 3:31
31Su 3:04AMAM 1.5 1.5
4M 5:17 AM
11:52 AM 1.3 0.7 8:22PM
10:12 0.6 22F
AM - 0.6 20SA 2:35
1:22AM -0.1 9:59AM 0.2
History and
12:50 PM - 0.3 AM 0.1 11:13 AM - 0.5
5:27PM 1.5 13SA 5:27
1:49AM PM 1.1 1.3 8:57AM
8:48 AM 0.71.1 3:48PM
5:43 PM 1.1 1.3
5F 7:26 PM -0.2
1:14AM 1.1 9:08AM 0.1 12:33PM 1 10:02PM 0.3
9:28 PM 0.8 1:00 PM 0.4 10:51 PM 0.4
5Tu 12:59 AM 0.4 1
8:12AM 3:15PM 1.2 6:20PM 1.6 29M 4:13AM 1.5
15F 2:16 AM 1.3
6:25 AM 1.1 0.5 21SU 7:43 PM 1.3

Fishing Museum
12:10PM 0.8 9:02PMAM - 0.5
10:42 2:14AM -0.2 10:34AM 0.4
1:22 PM - 0.1
5:56PM 1.5 14SU 5:41
3:42AMPM 1.1 1.3 23Sa 3:49 AM - 0.11.1
10:25AM 4:02PM 1.3
6SA 7:45
2:20AM PM 1.1
-0.1 10:33AM 0.2 10:57
12:55PMAM 0.7 1 10:47PM 0
6W 2:12 AM 0.3 10:06 PM 0.7 1:11 PM 0.6
9:48AM 1 4:26PM
16Sa 3:03 AM 1.3 1.2 6:58PM 1.6 30TU 5:16AM 1.5
7:45 AM 0.9
12:23PM 0.9 10:37PM 0.3 22M 8:15 3:28AMPM 1.4-0.1 11:04AM 0.6
1:50 PM 0.2 11:06 AM - 0.4
6:32PM 1.5 15M 4:30AM 1.3 24Su 5:12 7:46PM
AM - 0.21.6 4:18PM 1.4
7SU 8:07 PM 1.2
3:39AM -0.1 5:53
10:53AM
10:44
PM 1.1
PM
0.3 23TU 8:56
0.6
5:03AMPM 1.4-0.1 11:31PM -0.1 x 4,000 sq.ft. of exhibits
7Th 3:33
7:17PMAM 0.1
1.4 4:35PM 1.3 25M 6:28 8:53PM 1.5
AM - 0.4 31W 6:16AM 1.4
8M 9:29 AM 0.7
5:02AM -0.1 17Su 3:48
11:10PMAM 1.2 0.2 24W 9:49 6:29AMPM 1.4-0.1 11:30AM 0.8 featuring early Destin settlers
2:11
8:20PMPM 0.5
1.3 11:25
16TU 5:16AM AM - 0.31.3 26Tu 7:31 2:49PM 1.2 4:38PM 1.5
9TU 8:32 PM 1.3
6:13AM -0.1 6:05
11:10AMPM 1.1 0.5 10:57
AM - 0.6
5:35PMPM 1.41.1 and fishing industry.
8F 4:55 AM - 0.1 11:22 PM 0.5
9:03 PM 1.3 18 M 3:34 AM 1.1 27W 8:25 AM - 0.7
9Sa Dog
6:09Island,
AM -west
0.3 end 11:41Cat
AMPoint,
- 0.2Apalachicola BayPM 1.1
4:40 Lower Anchorage x Over 60 mounts of locally
High Tide -1hr; 53min High Tide - 40min 7:18 PM 1 High Tide -17min
9:42 PM 1.3 6:19 PM 1.1
Low Tide -2hrs; 38min Low Tide -1hr; 17min Low Tide -35min caught fish on the famous
Dog Island (W) Apalachicola West Pass
Fish Wall including IGFA
TIDES t
The Panhandle-West
St. George
Low
Island,
High Tide
HighTide
East End
-1hr; 53min
Tide -2hrs;
-2hrs; 38min
2min
Low Tide -2hrs; 48min

MARCH 2010
Apalachicola
Daily Predictions
Daily Predictions

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
West Pass
High Tide -27min
High
Low Tide-27min
Tide -27min
Low Tide -27min

x
world record snapper.
Scavenger hunts for learners
Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height
JANUARY 2010 PENSACOLA of “all ages”.
1M 12:05AM
Time 0.8
Height 4:59PMHeight
Time 1.2 16TU Time
1:48AMHeight 0.5 6:40PM
Time Height1.5
7:38AM 0.2 9TU 4:58AM –0.4 5:38AM 0.4 25TH 5:51AM –0.4
12:12PM 0.3 6:12PM 1.2 12:17PM 0.8 7:59PM 1.3
x 100s of photos and artifacts
1F 9:35 AM -1 9Sa 4:40 AM - 0.6 18 M 9:16 AM - 0.3 27W 6:55 AM -1
6:25PM
11:11 PM
0.1
1.6
10W 5:35AM –0.4
6:02 PM 1.2
8:24PM
11:56 PM 0.6
0.1 26F 6:25AM –0.3
8:30 PM 1.5
of Destin “back in the day”
2TU
2Sa 2:04AM 0.5
10:15 AM - 0.9 7:15PM
10Su 5:37 1.1
AM - 0.7 17W 12:22PM
19Tu 9:01 AM - 0.2 0.9 9:25PM
28Th 7:43 AM 1.2
-1
3Su 6:14AM
12:00 AM 1.30.4 11TH 6:55
6:00AMPM –0.3
1.2 9:22PM
20W 12:24 AM 0.40 27SA 9:28
6:47AM
PM 1.5 0 x Seine net boat the “Primrose”
11:51AM 0.7
10:44 AM - 0.6 11M 8:09PM
6:33 AM - 0.7 1 18TH 8:29
12:42PM
AM 1.1
0 29F 8:26 AM
11:03PM
10:23 PM
-1
0.9
1.4
built in 1925
4M 8:20PM
12:49 AM –0.1 1 12F 7:50
6:12AMPM –0.2
1.2 10:28PM
4:08 –0.1
PM 0.4 28SU 6:45AM 0.3
10:55 AM - 0.3 30Sa 9:02 AM - 0.8
3W 12:10PM 0.9 12Tu 7:24
9:01PMAM - 0.7
0.9 21Th
19F 7:17 AM
1:16PM 0
1.2 11:49AM 0.5
5Tu 1:40 AM –0.3
0.7
11:20 PM 1.2 Located at:
9:59PM 13SA 8:42
6:13AMPM 1.30 3:49 PM 0.6
11:52PM –0.2 5:44PM 0.3
10:30 AM 0 13W 8:07 AM - 0.7 22F
31Su 9:27 AM - 0.5 108 Stahlman Ave.
4TH 12:47PM 1.1 9:59PM 0.8 20SA 2:13 AM - 0.1
2:04PM 1.3 29M 1:12AM 0.7
5:55 PM 0.3 9:27 PM 1.2 4:00 PM 0.7 (behind WhatABurger)
11:38PM –0.3 14SU 7:00AM 0.2 21SU 1:34AM –0.3 5:47AM 0.6
11:23 PM 0.2 14Th 8:40 AM - 0.7 23Sa 3:00 AM - 0.3
5F 1:36PM 1.2 1:25PM 0.5 3:03PM 1.4 11:07AM 0.8
6W 2:56 AM 0.3 10:04 PM 1.2 4:34 PM 0.9 Open: Tues.—Sat. 10am
6SA 1:21AM
8:51 AM –0.4 5:48PM 0.4 22M 3:06AM –0.4 7:22PM 0
0.1 15F 9:02 AM - 0.7 24Su 3:59 AM - 0.5 to 4 pm
2:35PM
4:45 PM 0.6 1.2 15M 10:35
12:10AM 0.6
PM 1.1 4:11PM
5:25 PM 1.4
1.1 30TU 11:11AM 1.1
Admission: $5 adults
7SU
7Th 2:53AM
2:40 AM -–0.4
0.1 6:32AM
16Sa 9:15 0.3
AM - 0.6 23TU 5:01
25M 4:14AM
AM -–0.5
0.7 8:38PM –0.2
$4 seniors (age 55) and
3:44PM
4:48 PM 0.8 1.2 12:33PM
11:03 PM 0.6
1 5:24PM
6:26 PM 1.2 1.5 31W 11:38PM 1.3
8F 3:43 AM -–0.4
0.4 17Su 9:20 AM - 0.5
military
8M 4:05AM 7:20PM 0.2 26Tu
24W 6:00
5:08AMAM - –0.5
0.8 9:49PM –0.3
5:18 PM 1 11:29 PM 0.8 7:29 PM 1.4
$3 students, 5yr and
Panama City East Pass (Destin) Shalimar under free
Panama
High City
Tide -57min EastHigh
PassTide(Destin)
-33min HighShalimar
Tide +3hrs; 33min
High Tide -57min High
LowTide
Tide-33min
Low Tide -1hrs; 11min
Low Tide -1hr; 11min
-34min
Low Tide -34min
High Tide
Low Tide+3hrs; 33min
+3hrs;
Low Tide +3hrs; 3min
3min Phone: 850-837-6611
Navarre
Navarre Beach
Beach Pensacola
Pensacola Baypoint
Baypoint destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org
High
High Tide
Tide -2hrs;
-2hrs; 7min
7min Daily
Daily Predictions
Predictions High Tide 1hr; 23min
High Tide +1hr; 23min
Low Tide
Low Tide -2hrs;
-2hrs;26min
26min Low Tide 1hr; 27minw
Low Tide +1hr; 27min
March 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE 12 PANHANDLE
 Recent Catches
with Captain
Daniel Snapp of
Grassyflatscharters.com
(850) 832-4952

ABOVE: This red was caught

sneaking across the sand in some
stained colored water.

ABOVE: One of several little reds

making for a fun day on the water!

ABOVE: Shane took advantage of a ABOVE: Eric boats a nice red on his
beautiful day and put this fine red first trip with Captain Daniel.
in the boat.

ABOVE: Jim from Minnesota lands more red fish on his second trip with
Grassy Flats Charters!

PANHANDLE 13 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE March 2010

 Panh andle Brag Bo ard
if you have a catch to brag about, please
send your information and a picture to
carrie@CoastalAnglerMagazine.com

t.
Angler Jerry Campbell and Cap
Pat Dineen with a nice cob ia.

Spanish M
ackerel cau
beautiful ght in the
waters of
Destin.

Capt. Daniel Sn
app and Ray Web
b
42lb. Cobia with 2 nice Co
d John Kemper, bia.
Capt. Chuck an

March 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE 14 PANHANDLE

PANHANDLE 15 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE March 2010
 Conservation Alert
T he Bahamas provide the outdoor
enthusiast with unique world-
class opportunities to experience fish-
ing and diving in an Island paradise.
This is only one reason why there is
a growing concern among anglers who
fear that large-scale tuna fishing, by a
Freeport-based boat, will commence
in the near future. They say the Baha-
mian-registered boat, estimated to be
more than 100 feet long, is rigged with
a mile-long, 900 foot deep net, has a
Mediterranean crew trained in large-
scale fishing and intends to sell the
catch outside the Bahamas.
An Abaco lobster and sport fisher-
man, who did not want to be named,
said that ministry officials told him
that the net fishing of tuna, which has
never been practiced in the country,
is an experiment. But he is concerned
that it will greatly deplete local tuna
stocks and harm the multi-million
dollar sportfishing industry, as well as
harm protected species such as dol-
phins, billfish and juvenile fish.
The netting of tuna is known to
threaten dolphins and porpoises trav-
elling with the schools of fish, and
conservationists are keen to protect
declining populations in Abaco and
the Tongue of the Ocean.
More on this topic in the next is-
sue.

Very
interesting!

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Bayside Yacht Sales & Brokerage • Legacy Harbour Marina • 2030 West First St ., Suite D • Fort Myers, FL

STATEWIDE 9 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

 Capture the Moment
By Kevin Fenn

O n Saturday, February 20th, East

Cape Canoes and Skiffs, along
with New Smyrna Outfitters, teamed
up with a leading lure manufacturer,
Fish Bites, to host the first ever
weigh-in photo contest. A total of 45
contestants signed up to be creative
and Capture the Moment of what
fishing means to them, using the Fish
Bites products. The competition was
great, and the food and raffle prizes Please be on the look out
were a huge hit! Winners were awarded for another FREE Capture
gifts such as a $500 gift certificate and the Moment photo contest
a fully-stocked tackle bag, complete from East Cape Canoes & Skiffs
with all the newest and latest lures. in the near future.
Visit their websites for
We would like to thank our more information:
sponsors who supported a FREE, low
impact, different type of approach, to a www.eastcapecanoes.com
fishing contest. For more information www.newsmyrnaoutfitters.com
please visit; www.fishbites.com

www.crowderrods.com
Fish, Play and Stay www.boldwater.com
in Pompano Beach www.carbonmarine.com
www.wanganchor.com
South Floridaʼs Salt Water Fishing Capital
WINNERS
1st Place: Bobby Brannan
45 Annual Fishing Rodeo
th
2nd Place: Richard Traugott
May 12-15, 2010 3rd Place: Tom Royal

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MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE STATEWIDE 10

Fish and Corals Take a Cold Bath
T he recent cold weather has landed a heavy handed one-
two punch on much of Florida’s fishing grounds. The
water temperatures across the state, even in the typically
tropical Florida Keys, dipped well below 50 degrees in many
inshore areas, killing many marine species, including fish, and
damaging some of the coral reefs that provide fish habitat.
Just a few miles from Key West, while walking on the beach
three days after the coldest weather had set in, I saw thousands
of reef fish, game fish and crabs lying motionless at the waters
edge. It appears that few species were left unscathed as there
were large bonefish and snook, hogfish, yellowtail snapper,
triggerfish, brightly colored tangs, parrotfish, large grouper,
moray eels, stonecrab, juvenile sharks and just about every
bait fish species I’ve ever seen piled up in the shallows. We’ve
had some surprising cold weather events in years past but the
duration of this event left many fish unable to survive what
will likely be the coldest Florida water temperatures we’ve
seen in nearly 32 years.
As an angler, I really was shocked to see so many dead
fish; it seemed to me a solemn reminder of how the fragile
ecosystems that provide so many of us with economic stability,
sustenance, and recreation can be affected so dramatically in
just a few short days. But as someone who works with scientists
at a research organization, I know from my conversations that
it will take resource managers some time to truly assess the
impact of this cold weather event on fish species.
Just seeing dead fish isn’t a scientific assessment of how
those deaths will affect the overall health of a species but
anecdotally, it is a basis for concern. It will be important for
Good things come to those who bait.
Every day, anglers play an important
part in the preserving our oceans.
Many game fish in Florida depend on
coral reefs, and healthy reefs equal
healthy fisheries - that’s a winning
catch for all of us.
Help ensure the future of Florida’s
fishing grounds by purchasing a
Protect Our Reefs license plate.
For more information visit www.mote.org/4reef
STATEWIDE 11
managers to try to uncover things like the year classes of the
fish that died and the percentage of the overall population of
individual species that were affected.
One of the things I’ve learned from talking to the experts
is that Florida’s marine ecosystem has been through this kind
of weather event before and that it’s always recovered. The
difference now? There are more people, more people fishing
and less habitat for the fish. These increased pressures could
affect how well the fish recover but I’m hopeful and encouraged
that scientific research can help with this recovery.
Habitat is a critical aspect of any fishery, and that’s especially
true in the Keys where so many fish depend on coral reefs for
at least a portion of their life cycle.
Unfortunately, reefs were also affected by this cold
weather, with hard corals bleaching and even dying outright
during the cold front. While the offshore reefs seemed to have
fared OK — water currents kept temperatures higher there
— the inshore and mid-channel reefs in the lower Keys were
certainly affected by the cold.
What can you do to help?
After reading dozens of articles and reports on this cold
weather marine event, I really wanted to spread the word on
how people could help.
One way is to support Mote Marine Laboratory, a nonprofit
marine research organization, that has responded to the cold
weather by assessing coral reef impact through the Marine
Ecosystem Event Response and Assessment (MEERA)
program. Mote scientists in MEERA have joined with a larger
consortium led by The Nature Conservancy working in the
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
By Jason Wolf
Mote Marine Laboratory
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to assess damage
caused by the cold.
Another way to support coral reef habitat for the fish
species you love to catch is to purchase a “Protect Our Reefs”
license plate. Funds from the plate go to Mote and supports
programs like MEERA. License plate funds also provide
grants to Florida organizations that are working to rebuild,
restore and regrow Florida’s native coral reef habitat.
As an angler myself, I urge all of you to donate a few dollars
to Mote, become a Mote member or buy a Protect Our Reefs
license plate the next time you register your vehicle or boat
trailer. Such donations are 100% tax deductible.
For more information on how to donate and details on
the great programs that your donations support, please go
to www.4reef.org. Don’t forget: donations you provide to
Mote directly support our efforts to enhance and ensure the
future of Florida’s treasured fishing grounds. Our fish and
corals will rebound and with your support, we can do even
more to help that happen. Jason Wolf is the Development
Officer and Protect Our Reefs Program Manager at Mote
Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Founded in 1955, Mote
is an independent nonprofit marine research organization
based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern
Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys.
Showcasing this research is Mote Aquarium, open from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.
MARCH 2010
The IGFA Conservation Award goes to: Hell’s Bay Boatworks
By CAM Staff
H ell's Bay Boatworks was initially formed with one
goal in mind - to build the finest fishing boats ever
conceived. Merely improving conventional designs
was not good enough. They wanted to make sweeping
changes in design and construction that would revo-
lutionize the shallow water fishing industry, and they
accomplished this.
Today Hell’s Bay Boatworks is alive and well, and
still guided by dedication. Through these hard times,
Capt. Chris and his wife, Wendi Peterson, have main-
tained an active involvement in helping others, which,
in turn, has helped them through this recession.
Rob Kramer, President of the International Game
Fish Association summed it up last month, at the IGFA
Auction and Banquet at Palm Beach, when he present-
ed Hell’s Bay with the IGFA Conservation Award for
Industry Partners. “Today, Hell’s Bay Boatworks is led
by a team of dedicated fisherman, outdoorsmen and
adventurers. Hell’s Bay is passionate about giving back
to the sport of fishing by supporting non-profit organi-
zations that value the longevity of the sport.”
The IGFA’s Conservation Director, Jason Schratwi-
eser, added, “Besides making what are arguably the
finest shallow water skiffs in the world, Hell’s Bay also
Chico Fernandez
renowned fly fisherman, author
and world record holder.
He chooses Hell’s Bay Boatworks.
HellsBayBoatworks.com I 321.383.8223 I 1520 Chaffee Dr. Titusville, FL 32780
MARCH 2010
does its part for conservation. In addition to donating
to the IGFA, Hell’s Bay also supports the Bonefish and
Tarpon Trust and Coastal Conservation Association.
It’s really great to see a company that’s clearly a leader in
the skiff building business, also give back to help ensure
the future of our fisheries.”
After the severe downturn hit the marine commu-
nity nearly four years ago, the Peterson’s became even
more proactive with their work on numerous statewide
preservation projects in the marine community, as well
as charitable and non-profit groups. Among the long
list of events are, retrieving abandoned ghost crab traps
from inshore waters; tagging and releasing bonefish
and tarpon for science; building a huge aerated tank
vital to the support of the Fish Stock weekend in New
Smyrna Beach, and supporting numerous tournaments
for cystic fibrosis research.
Be sure to visit Hell’s Bay Boatworks the weekend of
March 13th and 14th. for a two-day fly fishing clinic in
Titusville, Florida.
Chico Fernandez, noted author of “Fly Fishing for
Bonefish” and Flip Pallot, another legendary fly fisher-
man and long-time host and producer of the Walker’s
Cay Chronicles on ESPN, will be present, offering a
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
wide range of instruction on casting, knots, rigging and
much more. For information and reservations to this
extraordinary fly fishing event, contact Capt. John Tarr
at the Fly Fisherman Shop at (386) 566-9727.
Hell’s Bay Boatworks is located at 1520 Chaffee
Drive in Titusville and you can visit them on the web at
www.hellsbayboatworks.com for a look at all ten 2010
models. The skiff builders at Hell’s Bay only build to
order and put their efforts into quality construction,
the finest materials, cutting edge design and personal
customer service. Hell’s Bay’s boats will allow anglers to
do things they have never been able to do in other flats
boats. Imagine never again feeling the frustration of
grounding out while trying to reach a tailing bonefish
or redfish. Imagine being able to easily fish thousands
of miles of water filled with fish that no other boats can
reach!
Join the adventurous lifestyle of the Hell’s Bay Fra-
ternity and begin a lifetime of enjoyment in a Hell’s Bay
Boatworks skiff.
Contact Capt. Chris Peterson at
chris@hellsbayboatworks.com or
(321) 383-8233.
STATEWIDE 12
 Artist Spotlight
On the Cover - Tom Busby
When we kicked off our Coastal Angler
Art Cover Contest, we never imagined we'd
received hundreds of worthy entrees. While
we were pleased with the strong response,
it did make picking a winner a much more
difficult task than we had expected. But,
after serious consideration,
Florida artist, Tom Busby’s Tuna on
Red was chosen the winner!
Tom isn't your typical wildlife/
outdoor artist. We seriously doubt
you'll find his artwork on the back of a
fishing T-shirt. But for several reasons, Tom's Red Tuna
na on Red spoke to us. First, it stood out from many of the other
Cover : Tu art pieces entered in this stiff competition. Secondly, it
was extremely original. Plus, its size, color and format
struck a pose on our cover.
Tom works primarily in acrylics utilizing a variety
Tom Busby of techniques which reveals years of training. German
www.studio-629.com born, Tom Busby, studied under several renowned
321-768-0447 artists in Stuttgart and Frankfurt Germany, as well
tmb58@hotmail.com as the United States. His work has been exhibited in
Wood Sclupture - Chad Turner
Chad Turner is an award-winning fish carver and native
Floridian. He creates realistic wood and urethane fish carvings
for the discriminating wildlife art collector and anglers who
want an accurate representation of their trophy.
Chad Turner
www.fishcarvingarts.com
chad@fishcarvingarts.com
407.451.9673
STATEWIDE 13 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
several prestigious shows, including the Brevard Art
Museum’s “Hammered” and “Take Out” shows. The
2009 Beaux Arts Festival featured his work on the cover
of their festival program.
“Correct”, says Tom, "I’m not your typical wildlife/
outdoor artist. My painting style normally tends to go
towards the abstract or contemporary. Most subjects
are things that come to my mind, instead of from life
or pictures.”
“I did, however, paint a few pieces with sand cranes
and of the old Canaveral shore, with the cabbage
palms. I ended up painting these for a friend of mine
who always brings me a bit of tuna or mahi when he
comes in from fishing.”
“After painting this piece, I ended up liking the
form and the colors of the fish, and produced a series
of them. I was happy because my friend thought I had
captured them pretty well."
Being an artist at times parallels being an angler. At
times it's a chore full of hope, faith and passion; you
start out with nothing, hope for something and accept
what you get in the end.
Metal Sclupture - Scott Howell/Gram Stuart
Scott Howell and Gram Stuart are metal craftsman. They specializes in custom
metal structures. Scott says,“I always liked creating, building and being in nature. I
have always had an artistic eye and talent for creating, so the combination of my day
job and my love for the sea, gave me the inspiration to this piece. The sculpture is the
first completed in the series and it’s about 6 foot in length. Each piece is individually
cut, shaped and then welded independently. Gram says, "I have known Scott for
several years and we had worked together on many work- related projects, so when
this sculpting idea came up it seemed like a good venture. I have always worked on
a wide range of custom order projects from art, construction, cars, motorcycles and
now sea life.”
Scott Howell
941.447.8618
Graham Stuart
941. 232-2133
MARCH 2010
 positioning the boat. Cobia like to come to alone, surface noise usually helps to attract

Sight Fishing for Cobia

the surface to sun. Unlike snook and trout,
cobia seem to thrive in the warmth of the
sunshine. It is not unusual to run across
a pair of cobia swimming together on the
By Merry Beth Ryan surface, verses a school of cobia. At times,
cobia can make the angler look foolish, as
they frolic along side the boat, taunting the
anglers on board. The challenge of catching
a cobia is what keeps cobia mania alive.
Many times, anglers believe they are
casting to a brown shark when they first
encounter a cobia. As cobia are cruising
through the water, they appear to be a shark
at first glance. Like the shark, cobia are not
a bashful fish. When cobia are traveling
them, verses scaring them away. If the cobia
are traveling with sting rays or manatees,
it is important not to scare away those
giants. Cobia can be tricky, to the point of
frustration and very temperamental about
taking a bait.
Whenever the opportunity to sight fish
for cobia presents itself, don’t pass it up.
The memories will last a lifetime. It sure is
the best way to get up close and personal
with the fish. Sight fishing is a challenge, to
say the least, but heck, they call it fishing
and not catching for a reason.
Good luck and make it a point to get out
there and catch cobia fever, on the flats!

You choose! Fish Shallow Water or Inlet and Beaches!

Mosquito Lagoon Ponce Inlet Charters

Mosquito Lagoon Sightfishing Ponce Inlet/Nearshore Tarpon
Redfish/Seatrout/Lt.tackle or Fly Redfish/Snook/Shark/Kings
Stealthy 18’ Hells Bay Waterman Comfortable 20’ Pathfinder
Ca pt. Brian Clancy • 386.566.6303
w w w. m o s q u i t o l a g o o n f i s h c a m p . c o m
All major credit car ds accepted
ABOVE: Cobia have the same characteristics that pit bulls have; they are just as
All major credit cards excepted!
tenacious; once they are hooked, the fight is on as Albert Buchman experiences

S
with this cobia prize
ight fishing cobia on the flats can be
one of the most exciting fish to stalk.
Seeing these chocolate thunders, in less
than four feet of water, is enough to turn
any angler’s adrenalin level into overdrive.
Cobia hunters are as passionate about their
sport as die-hard snook hunters. Chasing
cobia in near-shore waters, with spinning
gear in hand and eyes scanning the water’s
surface for that next fish, is sure to keep the
angler’s attention. These big-shouldered
bruisers are second only to the tarpon, in
the hearts of many anglers. Once hooked
up, cobia are a very hard fighting fish. They
pull as powerfully, if not more, than any
fish out there.
Sight fishing has to be a team effort in
order to be successful at it. Calm smooth
water is the best condition for spotting fish,
while sight casting. Most often, anglers will
position themselves on the bow of the boat,
while combing the water for the slightest
surface activity, alerting them to their
target. Cobia can be very finicky eaters, so
it’s best to carry a variety of both live bait, as
well as artificials when setting out in search
of these brown beauties. Live eels seem to
be the desired bait of choice. Other live
baits include mullet, pinfish and crabs.
Cobia often swim in schools, just as
mahi and tarpon do. If you hook a smaller
Deep Sea Fishing
fish on your line, keep it in the water and
the larger fish will stay with it. Remember
to use larger baits when going after the
larger fish. Polarized sunglasses are a must
Docked at Sailing
when sight casting to fish, as it is imperative
Capt. Daily
to be able to see where to cast. Hirams in 8:00am-
Cobia have the same characteristics that Sebastian 5:00om
pit bulls have; they are just as tenacious;
once they are hooked, the fight is on. Cobia Fish with
Cost $120.00
run tandem with sting rays, as well as 6 people
Per Person
maximum
manatees. They’ve found that staying close
to the gentle giants provides a great moving Live Bait,
Individuals Rod, Reel
shelter, as well as an easy way to scarf up Welcome and Tackle
tidbits of food, such as shrimp and crabs, included
that are fanned off the bottom. Spotting
rays and manatees in the shallow waters is
a step in the right direction, when seeking Specializing in Fishing for Snapper
cobia on the flats. Look very closely down • Grouper • Cobia • Kingfish • Dolphin
• Amberjacks • Sailfish • Sharks
into the water, because at times, the cobia
• and more!
will stay near the sting rays and manatees,
making them nearly impossible to spot. Reservations Suggested
When approaching a ray, the main
goal is to get within casting range without U.S.C.G 100 Ton Masters License
spooking them. Sudden throttle changes Capt. Bill Stewart
will scurry the fish and rays to the bottom,
in a hurry. Use an easy touch of the throttle 772-388-2950
or simply use a trolling motor when www.roguewavefishing.com
River Charters Now Available!

MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE STATEWIDE 14

Why Do I Need a Chart?
By Paul Caruso
I n the event you have a G.P.S., compass or
fancy chartplotter, I encourage you not to
go out on the water until you bring onboard
a chart of your local waters. Charts offer you
the ability to look at the big picture and plan
your day, from start to finish. Whether you
are tournament fishing or just going for a day
cruise, planning and preparation make the
difference between having a successful day or
not.
The other day I got caught on the outside of
Captiva Island in my 18-foot flats boat when a
nasty storm rolled in fast. I pulled out my 25E
large print chart from Waterproof Charts and
was able to find the closest place to find shelter
from the weather. The fact that my chart was
waterproof and had large enough print for me
to read in rough weather, saved my day.
So what do you look for when buying a
local chart for your boat? I had the pleasure
of speaking with Rob Cuddihy of Waterproof
Chart Company, to find out the answers.
Having a chart with accurate information is
STATEWIDE 15
very important. These charts are used by the
Navy and Coast Guard for navigation. For
25 years, Waterproof Charts have made the
highest quality charts for all your needs. All
of their charts are printed on a tear-resistant
synthetic paper, and are printed on both sides
to save space and can be folded to 7 inches
by 14 inches, to fit in your tackle box. These
charts are designed for both the inshore
and offshore fisherman in mind. These great
charts have plotted GPS positions for fishing
and diving local reefs, note species of fish
in any given area, indicate locations of boat
ramps, submerged rocks and pilings.
When it comes time to purchase
your favorite fisherman a gift, perhaps a
waterproof chart for the boat or framed on
the wall, will make his day
Learn more about Waterproof Charts
at 888.423.9026 or
www.waterproofcharts.com
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010
Historic Freeze Could Have a Silver Lining
By Rusty Chinnis

H opefully, the historic cold weather that has decimat-

ed fish stocks state-wide is behind us for this year. It’s
only the end of February, but already we’ve experienced
the most devastating cold wave in more than a century.
The record-breaking temperatures caused massive fish
kills as far away as Flamingo and Islamorada. Chief among
the victims are snook, tarpon, bonefish and jack crevalle.
But species including catfish, grouper, snapper and even
mullet perished in large numbers. It seems the worst dam-
age occurred along the lower west coast of Florida, in the
Everglades, near Flamingo. While it may seem counter-
intuitive that snook that far south would fare worse than
in our area, our fish fared reasonably well, because they
were acclimated to the colder temperatures in the winter
months. The fringes of Tampa Bay have long been associ-
ated with the northern range of snook. According to an-
ecdotal evidence, a decade or longer warming trend has
extended their range as far North as South Carolina. By
any measure, the loss of valuable recreation species has
been historic, as reports of the true extent are yet to be
recorded and may never be known.
According to Rick Robert, Executive Director of the
Snook Foundation, scientists conducting a fish count in
the Peace River found only four live snook in a day of
sampling. According to Roberts, the potential benefit to
this historic kill may lie in the opportunity to make an-
glers and the public aware of the need to protect the habi-
tat required to help stressed species recover. “The statistics
are sobering. Since the last great freeze in the early forties,
Florida has lost close to 50 percent of the habitat that sup-
ported fish populations. In the 30 years, I’ve been living
in central Florida and the focus of fisheries management
has revolved around protecting species from over-fishing.
That strategy, while admittedly necessary, seems unlikely
to protect the resource in the future. Texas is a case in
point. After more than a decade of releasing hatchery
raised redfish into their bays and estuaries, studies indi-
cate that fewer than 3 percent survived to maturity.” Rob-
ert’s point seems well taken; “Unless the Sleeping Giant
that is the recreational fishing community acts to demand
protection for shrinking habitat in Florida, they can ex-
pect to experience a significant drop in the fishery.”
Once again, we only have to scratch the surface to see
the devastating potential of habitat loss. In Florida alone,
over 280 species of fish share the available habitat with
manatees, crustaceans and a plethora of shore birds and
other creatures.
To get an idea of the importance the state gives to
fisheries and habitat, consider the fact that agriculture,
which creates fewer jobs and revenue for the state than
our coastal fisheries resource, receives significant subsi-
dies from the government.
“Most of the crops that were lost in the freeze have
already been replanted,” says Roberts. “Fisheries, on the
other hand, continue to lose ground even in the face of
the sobering statistics evidenced by red tides and killer
freezes.”
Now is the time for organizations like The Snook
Foundation, Sarasota Bay Watch, the Coastal Conserva-
tion Association and other stakeholders to ban together
to reverse the alarming trend of habitat loss.
According to Roberts, “The Snook Foundation, with
the help of respected scientists including Dr. Aaron Ad-
ams, plans to form the “Angler’s Action Plan,” an initiative
aimed at supplying lawmakers and decision makers the
empirical evidence they need to make enlightened deci-
sions."
With the help of divergent organizations and individu-
als that depend on healthy fisheries resources, it will be
possible for politicians and policy makers to get the mes-
sage that they will be held responsible by their constitu-
ents for decisions that impact critical habitat. This must be
a bottom up approach initiated by individuals that enjoy
and make their living from Florida’s estuaries.
For more information
contact Rick Roberts
at the Snook Foundation,
rick@snookfoundation.org.
Rusty ChinnisOutdoor-travel.comf

Dockside Inn & Resort

1160 Seaway Drive
South Hutchinson Island
Florida 34949

Dockside Inn’s Mother’s Day

ra
Come join us foing,
weekend of fish
fun & food
Fishing Tournament
Inshore Tournament Offshore Tournament Dock Fishing Tournament
Saturday, May 8th Saturday, May 8th for the Kids
$100 entry fee per boat $150.00 entry fee per boat $10.00 entry fee
6:00am until 2:00pm 6:30am until 4:00pm
9:00am until 12:00pm
Trout, Redfish, Snapper, Dolphin, Kingfish,
Sheepshead & Tripletail and Wahoo All species accepted.
Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place
100% Cash Payout 100% Cash Payout
Call 1-800-286-1745
and make your reservations
(*Cash payout contingent on amount of entries) (*Cash payout contingent on amount of entries)
for a fun-filled family weekend.
Entry fee includes a $12.00 Gift Card Entry fee includes a $12.00 Gift Card *You must be a registered guest at the
for On the Edge Bar and Grill for On the Edge Bar and Grill Dockside Inn to enter.

MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE STATEWIDE 16

The Comradarie And
Community Of Kayak
Fishing Tournaments
W ith the cold weather we’ve been having its
hard to imagine that in about a month’s
time, our waters will begin teaming again with
redfish, trout and flounder. If you know where
to look, there’s no need to wait – but honestly,
March, April and May are my favorite times of
the year to hit the flats. And, I’m not alone.
March kicks off a series of fantastic, grassroots
kayak fishing tournaments that attract
hundreds of seasoned and novice anglers alike.
As our sport grows, you’ll inevitably find those
who want to compete for prizes and trophies,
and don’t forget bragging rights. However,
it’s about more than that – camaraderie and
community.
Two of the most popular tournaments in
our area are the Forgotten Coast Kayak Fishing
Classic and the Jacksonville Kayak Fishing
Classic. Both will draw hundreds of kayak
anglers to our waters, with the Jacksonville
Classic being one of the largest kayak fishing
tournaments in the country. If you haven’t had
the chance to enjoy the camaraderie and the
spectacle of a fleet of kayaks hitting the water
in the pre-dawn light, you don’t know what
MARCH 2010
you’re missing.
So what are these tournaments all about?
Different things for different people. Kayak
anglers are truly a unique breed. We see
ourselves as conservationists and community
minded. Jeff Suber, the founder of the Forgotten
Coast Kayak Fishing Classic, says it best “the
most successful kayak fishing tournaments
are established at the grassroots and benefit
local charities”. In fact, the Forgotten Coast
tournament is expected to bring in over $5,000
for the Wakulla Count Senior Services Center.
All prizes, food and giveaways are donated by
outfitters, fishing equipment companies and
local businesses and your registration fee goes
directly to the charity.
The camaraderie you experience at these
tournaments is like nothing else. Kayak
anglers, although somewhat evasive about their
secret fishing spots, are always willing to help
a budding paddler. You’ll find folks talking
about the best way to rig an anchor trolley and
others who preach about the benefits of a pedal
drive kayak versus a kayak you paddle.
If you haven’t participated in one of these
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
tournaments, here’s some insight into what you
should expect.
What you’ll need to get started: Once you
register for the tournament, you’ll have to get a
lay of the land. If you are new to the region, its
best to troll the forums to get an idea of what’s
biting and where (although don’t forget about
the “evasive” comment above). The forum for
the Forgotten Coast region can be found at
www.fcka.net and the Jax forum can be found
at www.jaxkayakfishing.com. Otherwise,
if you’re a local, plan on “pre-fishing” a lot.
Sounds important, but it’s really just another
way to justify getting out on the water!
Attend the Captain’s meeting: The
Captain’s meeting is held the evening before
the tournament. They typically include
food, beer, the telling of tall tails and a lot of
good information about the tournament.
Each participant will get a bag of giveaways,
and will be instructed on the rules of the
tournament. This will include boundaries for
the tournament, species targeted, acceptable
start times (typically at safe light) and how
to document your catch. Kayak fishing
By Liam Callaghan
Liam and Jason Callaghan
on the tournament trail
tournaments are primarily catch and release.
You’ll be provided a tournament approved
measuring stick and will be expected to have
a camera to record your catch. This is not as
easy as it sounds – there are many a story about
the 32” Red that wriggled off of the measuring
stick before the picture was snapped. You
may want to practice this while you are “pre-
fishing” to get the hang of it if you’ve not done
it before.
Hit the water: Think strategy – typically,
kayak fishing tournaments target three
species, redfish, trout and flounder. Prizes
are given for the longest of each species and
a grand prize is given for the combined length
of the three longest fish of each of the three
species – known as the slam. If you are aiming
for the slam, you’ll have to decide where to go
to up your chances of encountering all three.
The range allowed in these tournaments can
encompass 20 to 50 miles of coastline, so your
choices will be many. And you shouldn’t have
to worry about a crowd as hundreds of paddlers
converge on the coast.
After you’ve caught your fill and recorded
your catches, it’s time for the weigh-in. Keep
in mind the travel time needed to get back to
the weigh-in location by the required time –
nothing worse that rolling in 15 minutes late
with a whopper recorded on the old Olympus!
Photo’s are shown to the tournament judges
and the catches are tallied.
Winners are crowned and others get to
enjoy a day well spent with the added bonus
of knowing they have contributed to a good
cause. All of the tournaments I’ve been in have
been fun and well worth the entry fee.
Looking forward to seeing you out at the
next event!
Liam Callaghan is a member
of Team Wilderness Way and the
Hobie Kayak Fishing Team
2 Big Bend
 PanacEa
I've got 3 words for you...Rockbass, Rock-
bass and giant Rockbass!!
Holy cow, these fish are in full spawn and
hungry. If you don't mind fighting the WIND
and 4 - 6 footers on occasion this is the fish
you need to catch! These little rascals will hit
anything you drop to the bottom; however,
cut mullet is the bait of choice for me. I like
it for several reasons; I can cut it into larger
pieces so the bigger fish will eat 1st, it's an oily
fish and it tends to stay on the hook a little
better that say lys or Spanish sardine chunks.
The males will have an n engorged "knot"
or hump on their head that is a bright blue or
even a violet color which helps them attract
a female. They are a gorgeous fish to catch.
After the spawn they lose the hump.
If you really want to have some fun, grab
your light tackle trout rods, tie on a 1 0r 2
ounce jig head with a pearl grub or a yellow
or white buck tail jig and do a little vertical
jigging - the big boys will clobber it!
Location is key, out of Panacea, any struc-
ture you've got in at least 32 foot of water will
do. They tend to overrun most of my near
shore grouper holes in February through
March. Then as the water warms, back to the
deeper water they go.
I don't do this often, but I'm going to climb
up on my soapbox for a minute...People are
always complaining about the commercial
fisherman and I'm pretty sure, no I am abso-
lutely sure that none of the complainers have
ever tried to make a living on a commercial
boat before! Hook and line grouper fishing is
hard work and if the cost of fuel, the wind or
the government trying to run you out of busi-
ness wasn't bad enough to deal with try the
money you won't make by selling your catch
to the fish market.
People don't realize it or they just don't
have a clue - the fisherman may only get $3
or $4 a pound for his grouper with gags being
on the high side and reds on the lower. Try-
ing to compete with cheap imported seafood
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850-879-0216
Big Bend 3
Tommy Young and his daughter Ashton
enjoyed a day on the water with Cap'n
Vic Davis of Barefoot Charters in Pana-
cea, FL while they were here from Texas
visiting family for the holidays
is impossible. Not one of my friends that still
commercial grouper fish (the few that are left)
have a new truck, boat or a whole lot of mon-
ey in their pockets; most of us work 2 jobs.
Now that the government has come up
with a better idea with the TAC program (to-
tal allowable catch) it is even worse for the
commercial man. My friend Capt. Bo was
only allotted 1000 pounds for the entire year
and Capt. Denny was allotted 4000 pounds
for the year. When you do the match you
will see that you can't survive on that little
amount. All we want to do is fish for a liv-
ing. Fishing is a way of life! Unfortunately it's
slowly coming to a close - I expect within the
next several years that Florida will be a catch
and release state only.
It's a shame, really!!!!
.
FORECAST BY: Cap’n Vic Davis
Barefoot Charters
www.barefootcharters.org
850-879-0216
pattyyoung68@yahoo.com
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
st. MaRks
We made it. March is here. Spring fishing
is back. I am not saying the cold weather is
gone, or the fronts have stopped, but after
two months of “trying” to catch fish, I have
one thing to say. “Let the catching begin!”
No more catatonic trout or reds so far up
the creeks that only airboats can reach. No
more barren flats, bait fish will return this
month, and they will bring followers, hungry
followers. Pompano, Spanish, and do I dare
say an early Cobia run. On top of trout, reds
and flounder all mixing in to make a day of
“we killed them”, or “we felt so bad we took
a break and went for lunch”. Those are the
days.
So if you have not, it is time, take the boat
to the shop, you are already behind. New line
on the rods, or check your braid, if it’s a little
worn respool it backwards on to another reel.
Rods in good shape, if not two new ones will
make you feel better, and always buy in two’s.
Hooks, sharp hooks catch fish, throw away
rusty, and replace old hooks on lures. Lures
last a long time, rematch hook size and replace
rusty. Also replace those nasty looking plastic
containers in your fishing bag, nasty fishing
bag “classic”, nasty containers will hurt your
confidence. Alright, we respooled our braid
backwards, we replaced our hooks on our
lures, and only replaced our containers, and
we did use the Plano anti-rust kind, keeping
our “classic” tackle bag. All in the name of
saving a few dollars. Now, in good conscience,
go find two good quality rods, I use Shimano
Clarius, and Terramar, these rods have been
cost effective, tough and reliable.
When everything is in order, its time to
find fish, look at your notes from last season.
They are the imaginary guy, on your shoulder,
ABOVE: Clayton age 8, with another upper St Marks River redfish, caught on white
gulp shrimp and !/4 jig head
telling you where and when to go. If you don’t
listen to this “guy”, then assume this is a recon
trip, and getting skunked is a possibility. If
you have no notes, than your every trip from
this point forward is a recon trip. But all that
preseason preparation will hopefully keep the
“skunk” out of your boat.
Last but not least, where will I fish this
March? Well, I will start east towards Econfina
and Aucilla, trying to locate a few schools of
reds. These reds will hold for several days in
the same areas, trying to warm in the sun.
The bars in front of the lighthouse will have
to be checked, as a few monster trout have
been caught there in spring. The flats in
front of Piney Island will warm fast and can
hold a bunch of reds. If all else fails, I will
be found in Ochlocknee Bay, the bay comes
alive in March, just what week is the question.
Look out for bait schools passing through this
month, always give them a shot.
PS. I feel truly blessed every day I am on
the water, and every fish I catch and release,
which is most. But I have to make a point to
all folks reading this forecast, the fish closures
in our state are out of control. At no time in
history have we had more fish closures than
we did last month. They are taking away our
rights to fish. Mental note to anglers, please
make it a point of conversation this year, it is
an election year, talk about it.
Stay Safe, Stay Dry, Catch Fish
FORECAST BY:
Captain Mike McNamara
St Marks Outfitters
850.510.7919
redfish@stmarksoutfitters.com
MARCH 2010
 Fishing at Econfina & Aucilla Rivers
Well, as everyone in the Big Bend area
knows, the fishing is off quite a bit. Sure
there are a few Redfish biting occasionally
but with the cold, cold weather and the rains
lately, there is just not a lot of action around.
But HOLD ON! March is here and with it
returns the joy of fishing for TROUT! Yes
the warmer days are lurking just around the
corner. The trout are deep but as the warm
weather returns and the water temperature
begins to rise, they will come in closer to
shore. Shrimp and soft jigs should entice
them to the hook. Until that time, fish the
deeper holes in the creeks and rivers for reds.
There are some nice ones still out there. Look
for fishing places in 10 or more feet of water
and you will be surprised at how many fish
you will find huddled together.
Offshore fishing is really good even if
grouper are still closed but the word is that
amberjack has re-opened , and farther north
towards St. George’s you can find triggerfish,
white snapper and beeliners really good this
time of year. Around Keaton, flounder and
sheepshead have been caught but not in great
Cold weather fishing on the flats! better times are coming!
MARCH 2010
numbers. We are still awaiting word on grou-
per and scamp allocations but we do know
that red grouper, gag grouper, red snapper
and scamp have all been individually allocat-
ed to the commercial fishermen. This means
they can fish for these fish anytime of the year
except during February and March. I don’t
know if we will get any relief from these “regu-
lations” but I have hope that we will get better
allowances at some point in time- hopefully
soon! Sometimes it seems as though we have
too many regulations that are made by those
with no common sense! At least we can still
keep FIVE trout -for now! Get those hooks,
lines, rods and reels ready!
MARCH IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!
LET’S GO FISHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FORECAST BY: Captain Forrest
Econfina River/Aucilla River Charter
Captain's Association
Possum Island Charters, LLC
frm1@fairpoint.net
850-584-3237
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
keaton beach
FINALLY! March is here and trout and
reds will be pleasing folks all along the Taylor
County coast!
Keaton Beach is the place to be, with quick
easy access to great fishing on the flats, as well
as offshore fishing at it's finest!
Trout will be attacking fluke baits like
Assassin's five inch Shad Assassins, in various
colors, fished un-weighted rigged weedless on
an Owner 5/0 hook. Look for larger trout to
hang in the rocky areas adjacent to creeks in
1 - 3 feet of water. Remember to change bait
colors often, 'til you hit that special color. TIP:
Last year, in March, Assassin's Chandeleur
Isle pattern was HOT!!!
Live shrimp, soft plastics and Berkley Gulp
rigged under a Cajun Thunder float will also
take their share of trout from deeper water.
My favorite early season rig is an Assassin
4" Electric Chicken Sea Shad on a 1/8 oz.
chartreuse spring-lock jighead tied on a 38" -
41" leader under an oval Cajun Thunder. TIP:
I recommend pausing 12-15 seconds between
"pops" of the Cajun.
Pluggers will have to slow down in cold
March shallow water and throw slow-sinking
suspending baits like MirrOlure's MirrOdines
and MirrOdine "XL"s. In deeper water, I like
to fish MirrOlure's 51 MR and 52M in order
to get down to cold fish just off the bottom.
BNSCH, 51, CH, CH11, and 750 patterns in
the 51MR and 52M work well in water 4 - 7
feet deep. Drag them just fast enough to tick
the top of the grass. TIP: Remove the center
RIGHT: Curtis Jackson of
Valdosta,Ga. with a nice trout
taken on a live pinfish under
a Cajun Thunder.
(middle) hook on these three treble-hook
baits to insure better hook-ups and double
your landed fish vs. strike ratio!
Redfish may be harder to pattern, this year,
as record rainfall should have reds scattered
off the hill. Expect reds to seek out the outer
bars and rock piles to flee the fresh water. Use
Precision Tackle's Thunder-Spin spinnerbaits
in Space Guppy, Goldfish, Orange/Gold
Shiner, or Limetreuse patterns to help you
cover more water when searching for reds
in stained or muddy water in March. The
vibration of the spinnerbait will draw strikes
when simply bouncing or pulling your plastic
through the water doesn't produce. TIP: I like
to spray Bang, Saltwater Shrimp flavor, on my
spinnerbait's plastic this time of year.
Offshore? Well Black Sea Bass are all they
will let us keep now, so make the best of it
and rig two hooks up on each line. This saves
time and doubles your production of keepers
as often the first fish to hit is a smaller female
and the larger males follow your hooked-up
fish. With a tandem rig you catch more of
the larger fish on each drop. TIP: Use two
larger, lead-head jigs to beat the "circle hook"
rule and also you can release smaller fish
unharmed much quicker and easier!
FORECAST BY: Pat McGriff
One More Cast guide service
(850) 584-9145 cell (850) 838-7541
onemorecast@gtcom.net
www.onemorecast.net
LEFT:
Terry Haney
of Valdosta,
Ga. with a nice
red taken on a
MirrOdine XL
4 Big Bend
 stEinhatchEE
I think I have had about enough of the
wind , rain and extremely cold weather.
There has been very little opportunity to go
offshore with all the nasty weather later. The
good news though is warmer weather should
be coming soon and with March comes the
reopening of Trout season. Sheepshead will
be on the Steinhatchee reef and near shore
fishing is good again. The favorite bait seems
to be a live shrimp about 2 1/2 to 3 feet
under a popping cork for trout and for the
Sheepshead shrimp or fiddler crabs is the best
choice there. use a small weight and hook so
you can feel the bite.
Offshore your kinda limited with Grouper
and Snapper season closed and most of the
local pelagics moved to the warmer waters.
You can still though catch yourself a nice
mess of Pinks and Blacks AKA as Pink Mouth
Big Bend 5
Grunt and Black Sea Bass. You don't have to
go offshore very far to find some good bottom
that will hold some of these fish. To me these
are some of the best table fare. A little more
work cleaning them all but well worth it in
the end. The sad part is that this month is
probably some of the best Grouper fishing
but with the season closed all we can do is
wait until next month. The picture below is of
me, my son my daughter and family about 3
year ago in March before the Grouper closure.
I guess you see my point.
FORECAST BY: This report provided by
"Steinhatchee Fishing Adventures" USCG
Licensed Master Captain Mike Grothe
(352) 356-7009
email: mikegrothe@bellsouth.net
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
cEDaR kEY
Let’s call this month’s report/outlook the
good, bad and the ugly. It’s mid February
and our winter is still holding on. Speckled
trout is closed until March 1, grouper season
doesn’t open until April. I’ve lost count of the
low pressure systems moving from the west
into the eastern gulf responsible for day after
day of small craft warnings and advisories.
We’ve even had a few gale warnings. Since
our grouper closure which started February 1
we’ve only had 1 day of decent sea conditions.
In reality Mother Nature can be just as
powerful as our National Marine Fisheries
Service. The very few folks that have ventured
out this month have not faired well, only a
handful of redfish catches way up the creeks,
nothing happening at our big Cedar key
fishing pier. If someone has done any sport
with the sheepshead they’ve kept it a secret,
which is highly unlikely. I visit our city marina
everyday on my bike rides and it’s still pretty
much a ghost town, just a few working clam,
crab and oysterman boats. As you can see the
bad is pretty dadgum bad. Now the ugly, our
current sea surface temperature is 52 degrees:
it did manage to rebound to 59 degrees a few
days ago but another freeze last night sent it
back to the low 50’s. Until it rebounds to the
mid 60’s we don’t have much of a chance of
doing any serious inshore fishing.
Now on to the good, speckled trout
season opens March 1. Hopefully in early
March we will get help from Mother Nature.
It may not be an early spring but any relief
will be beneficial in cranking up and getting
things moving. March’s inshore potential
target species include of course speckled
and silver trout, whiting, redfish, spanish
mackerel, sheepshead and flounder. Sorry
no cobia, tarpon or shark until probably
N AT I V E S ON
CHARTERS
Offshore &
Inshore Charters
Phil Muldrow, Captain
(352) 543-9930
May. The key to our inshore success is the all
important water temperature. Normal water
temperatures allow baitfish schools to return
and gamefish to follow. It’s kinda like the CIA
tracking terrorist activity, they always follow
the money. In March; follow the bait and
enjoy.
Now moving briefly to our offshore March
outlook, grouper should be stacked up on
your favorite rock piles and reefs. Offshore
water temperatures are still OK and should
be steadily rebounding in March. They didn’t
drop as severely as our near shore areas. Just
what depth will be the best when the season
opens April 1 will be controlled by water
temperature and our spring run of sardines
and herring. The sporty king mackerel will
also be following the bait and might show up
in our area by late March.
So there you go; “the good, the bad and
the ugly” for sure. Just like the Clint Eastwood
movie it’s always fun to watch the reruns. I
have a good customer who claims to have
watched it over 30 times and says each time
he picks up on tidbits of new entertaining
stuff. So let’s get the boat and gear ready and
watch this year’s spring rerun and get out and
get on the water. Good luck and good fishing
and catching in March.
See you next month “if nothin’ don’t
happen”!
FORECAST BY: Captain Phil Muldrow
Native Son Charters, Inc.
Full time guide - Inshore and Offshore
Charters out of Cedar Key
Cedar Key, Florida
352-543-9930
Specializing in
Bottom Fishing
for Grouper
out of Cedar Key
MARCH 2010
 hoRsEshoE bEach
With February behind us, so is the closed
season on speckled trout. This month as the
water heats up, look for the fishing to heat up
also. Trout will become active and move onto
the flats in search of food. It only takes a few
warn days and nights to warm the water con-
siderably. On warm days I would look for fish
to be on the shallow grass flats or over sandy
bottom warming in the sunshine. Early in the
year, floating grass is generally not an issue
and waters are clear making conditions great
for fishing. It's a good time of year to break out
your top water or suspending jerk baits. An-
other option this month will be sheepshead
fishing. Most agree that the time around the
full moon is Marsh is the best time to target
sheepshead. The near shore reefs and main
channel markers are the best place to look for
these fish. The most common baits are live
and frozen shrimp or fiddler crabs. Sheep-
shead are bottom dwellers so fish your baits
near the bottom. The art of catching sheep-
MARCH 2010
4th Annual
shead is somewhat of a guessing game. These
fish chew or crunch their bait instead of strik-
ing it. You sometimes have to anticipate the Steinhatchee, FL
bite. If you feel the line begin to tighten, begin
to reel up and if you feel weight, set the hook. Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sheepshead will give you a good fight and are
fun to catch especially on light tackle. Off- Safelight to 4 p.m.
shore, the grouper closure remains in effect
through March 31st. If you're not a winter
fisherman then it's time to get excited about Entry Fee: $95/person
spring fishing here in Horseshoe Beach. The
next few months will provide some great op-
portunities for great fishing both inshore and OVER 30 WAYS TO WIN!
offshore. Be safe and have a good month on
the water. INSHORE: Trout, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel
OFFSHORE: Grouper, Amberjack, Kingfish
FORECAST BY: Capt. Gary Patterson
Horseshoe Beach Guide Service
JUNIOR & LADY ANGLER CATEGORIES
Inshore - Offshore Charters
352 498-2017
Cell 352 210-2399
Win a 2010 Tidewater
1784 CC Skiff w/50hp Mercury
4-Stroke & Road King Trailer
RETAIL VALUE
$18,782 TO BENEFIT
Raffle Tickets $10.00/Each
For info call: Tournament Director, Gary Michell, 352-362-6691
Download application form @ www.FishingWithMel.com
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE 6 Big Bend
POSSUM ISLAND CHARTERS, LLC
SALTWATER FISHING AT IT’S FINEST
<B7JI<?I>?D=šH;:<?I>šJHEKJšI97BBEF?D=šH?L;HJH?FI
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NO SALTWATER LICENSE REQUIRED MARCH 2010 ST. MARK'S RIVER ENTRANCE
Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height
97FJ7?D8KJ9>š97FJ7?D<EHH;IJ 1M 2:14AM 3.7 11:55AM 2.1 17W 3:50AM 3.2 9:16PM 2.9
š97FJ7?DJ;PP 8:31AM –0.4 2:43PM 2 9:35AM 0.3 25TH 5:20AM –0.2
2:39PM 3.5 9:49PM 2.4 3:35PM 3.6 12:15PM 2.8
(DBA: LADYBUG CHARTERS) 8:51PM –0.5 10W 5:20AM 0.1 10:10PM –0.3 5:22PM 1.5
2TU 3:01AM 3.5 12:08PM 2.3 18TH 4:26AM 3.2 11:12PM 3
850.584.3237 9:00AM 0 5:11PM 1.7 10:01AM 0.5 26F 6:20AM –0.3
POSSUMISLAND@FAIRPOINT.NET 3:05PM 3.6 11:12PM 2.6 3:57PM 3.7 12:56PM 3.1
9:34PM –0.7 11TH 6:02AM 0 10:43PM –0.4 6:31PM 1
3W 3:47AM 3.2 12:29PM 2.6 19F 5:05AM 3.1 27SA 12:30AM 3.3
9:26AM 0.5 6:00PM 1.3 10:29AM 0.7 7:08AM –0.2
3:29PM 3.6 12F 12:01AM 2.9 4:22PM 3.7 1:30PM 3.4

One More Cast

10:18PM –0.7 6:35AM –0.1 11:20PM –0.4 7:24PM 0.4
4TH 4:33AM 2.8 12:51PM 2.8 20SA 5:50AM 2.8 28SU 1:30AM 3.5
Keaton Beach 9:49AM
3:52PM
0.8
3.5 13SA
6:37PM
12:39AM
0.9
3
11:01AM
4:51PM
1
3.7
7:50AM
2:02PM
–0.1
3.6
11:06PM –0.5 7:02AM –0.1 21SU 12:05AM –0.4 8:11PM –0.2

Guide Service 5F 5:22AM

10:09AM
4:15PM
2.4
1.2
3.4 14SU
1:14PM
7:10PM
1:13AM
3.1
0.5
3.1
6:47AM
11:38AM
5:26PM
2.6
1.3
3.6
29M 2:23AM
8:26AM
2:32PM
3.6
0.2
3.7
6SA 12:01AM –0.2 8:27AM 0 22 M 1:05AM –0.2 8:55PM –0.6
Operating from Keaton Beach 6:13AM 2 2:35PM 3.2 8:06AM 2.4 30TU 3:11AM 3.6
10:27AM 1.4 8:41PM 0.3 12:27PM 1.6 8:59AM 0.5
Marina. In business for 19 yrs. 4:40PM 3.2 15M 2:45AM 3.2 6:12PM 3.4 3:00PM 3.8
7SU 1:13AM 0.1 8:49AM 0.1 23TU 2:27AM –0.1 9:37PM –0.8
USCG licensed 8:02AM 1.7 2:56PM 3.4 9:51AM 2.3 31W 3:56AM 3.5
10:40AM 1.6 9:11PM 0 1:45PM 1.9 9:28AM 0.8
5:11PM 2.9 16TU 3:17AM 3.2 7:21PM 3.1 3:26PM 3.9
Cell 850.838.7541 8M 2:49AM 0.3 9:12AM 0.2 24W 4:01AM –0.1 10:19PM –0.9
6:06PM 2.6 3:16PM 3.5 11:20AM 2.6
www.onemorecast.net 9TU 4:19AM 0.2 9:40PM –0.2 3:40PM 1.9
Grass flats fishing at it's Finest onemorecast@gtcom.net" Fisherman's Rest Spring Warrior Creek Rock Islands
High Tide -14min High Tide -9min High Tide -3min
Low Tide -2min Low Tide +3min Low Tide +4min

St. Marks River Entrance Shell Point, Walker Creek Bald Point, Ochlockonee Bay

Perimeter Fence & Deck

High Tide +25min High Tide -3min High Tide +33min
Low Tide +57min Low Tide -3min Low Tide +19min

MARCH ‘10 CEDAR KEY

Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height

FREE Walk Gate ! Call us now! 1M 1:54AM

8:23AM
4
- 0.4 9TU
7:03PM
3:36AM
3.1
0.3
3:01PM
9:30PM
3.6
–0.2
10:56AM
3:21PM
2.4
1.8
ase
w/Qualifying Purc
h
8 5 0 .5 5 6 .1 1 7 1
2:22PM 3.6 10:56PM 2.1 17W 3:32AM 3.3 9:13PM 3.3
8:37PM - 0.3 2:33PM 1.8 9:30AM 0.4 25TH 5:02AM –0.1
2TU 2:42AM 3.8 8:37PM 3 3:22PM 3.7 11:56AM 2.6
8:57AM - 0.1 10W 4:52AM 0.2 10:03PM –0.3 4:59PM 1.5
2:50PM 3.7 11:41AM 2.4 18TH 4:09AM 3.2 10:48PM 3.4
9:21PM - 0.5 4:14PM 1.6 9:57AM 0.6 26F 6:05AM –0.2
3W 3:29AM 3.5 10:04PM 3 3:46PM 3.8 12:36AM 2.9
9:29AM 0.3 11TH 5:40AM 0.1 10:37PM –0.4 6:09PM 1
3:19PM 3.8 12:10PM 2.6 19F 4:47AM 3 27SA 12:04AM 3.6
10:04PM - 0.5 5:21PM 1.3 10:26AM 0.8 6:55AM –0.3
View our gallery at www.perimeterfenceanddeck.net 4TH 4:15AM 3.1 11:09PM 3.2 4:13PM 3.8 1:09PM 3.2
9:59AM 0.6 12F 6:16AM 0 11:15PM –0.4 7:05PM 0.4
3:50PM 3.8 12:34PM 2.8 20SA 5:31AM 2.8 28SU 1:06AM 3.7
10:49PM - 0.4 6:08PM 0.9 10:56AM 1 7:37AM –0.2
5F 5:04AM 2.7 13SA 12:00AM 3.3 4:45PM 3.9 1:39PM 3.5
10:29AM 1 6:46AM 0 21SU 12:01AM –0.3 7:53PM –0.1
4:23PM 3.8 12:57PM 3.1 6:25AM 2.5 29M 1:59AM 3.8
11:38PM - 0.2 6:48PM 0.5 11:31AM 1.3 8:16AM 0
6SA 6:01AM 2.3 14SU 12:42AM 3.4 5:24PM 3.8 2:09PM 3.7
11:00AM 1.3 8:13AM 0 22 M 12:58AM –0.2 8:37PM –0.5
5:02PM 3.6 2:19PM 3.3 7:38AM 2.3 30TU 2:48AM 3.7
7SU 12:38AM 0.1 8:24PM 0.2 12:16PM 1.5 8:51AM 0.3
7:16AM 2 15M 2:21AM 3.4 6:15PM 3.6 2:38PM 3.9
11:38AM 1.5 8:39AM 0.1 23TU 2:12AM 0 9:19PM –0.7
5:51PM 3.3 2:40PM 3.4 9:18AM 2.2 31W 3:35AM 3.6
8M 1:57AM 0.3 8:57PM 0 1:30PM 1.8 9:24AM 0.6
9:10AM 1.9 16TU 2:57AM 3.4 7:30PM 3.4 3:08PM 4
12:43PM 1.7 9:04AM 0.3 24W 3:41AM 0 10:01PM –0.8

Withlacoochee River Cedar Key Suwannee River

High Tide +7min Daily Predictions High Tide +6min
Low Tide +55min Low Tide +18min

Salt Creek Pepperfish Keys Steinhatchee River

High Tide -7min High Tide +12min High Tide +2min
Low Tide +24min Low Tide +24min Low Tide +0min
North Florida Gulf Fishing Club
M r. Fred Jones of Parkway Marine
came and conducted a question and
answer session at the feb. NFGFC meeting.
Topics ranged from preparing your trailer
and servicing your motor for the upcoming
tournament season. He also discussed the
advantages and importance of using fuel
stabilizers and water separators in today’s
boats.
Raffle items provided by Mirrolure, DOA
Lures, Falcon Rods, Aqua Dream Living and
many others were handed out to a packed
house of 75-80 people.
Our next meeting is March 4, 2010 at Beef
O'Brady's on Thomasville Road in Tallahassee,
Fl at 7:00 pm. Our speaker will be Capt. Dave
Lear, speaking n behalf of DOA Lures. The
NFGFC March tournament presented by
Kevin's Guns and Sporting Goods will be
March 6th out of Jerry's Bait and Tackle in
Crawfordville, Fl. Anglers must register at
h7EWORKHARDTOMAINTAINTHEPRIVLEDGE
OFSERVINGOURCOMMUNITYFORGENERATIONSv
4HE"ARNARDS
#APITAL#IRCLE.%4ALLAHASSEE
.ORTH-ONROE3T4ALLAHASSEE
%*ACKSON3T4HOMASVILLE
MARCH 2010
Jerry's, but can launch at any ramp of their
choosing.
Registration will be from 5:30 a.m. – 6:00
a.m. Anglers can register after 6 a.m. at the
Jerry's cash register. Boats can leave the dock
at safe light - 6:27 a.m.
Tournament entry fee is $20 per boat
for club members or $25 per boat if a non-
member is on the boat. You must have one
NFGFC member in good standing (up to date
on dues) on the boat to be eligible to fish the
tournament. Entry forms will be passed out at
the meeting and are available online at: www.
nfgfc.org/docs/entryform.pdf
Teams must be checked in by 3:30 p.m. The
weigh-in will begin at 3:45 p.m. and teams will
weigh their fish in the order of entry.
Tournaments rules can be found here:
www.nfgfc.org/docs/tournamentrules.htm
Tournament Format: Weigh your best one
person limit of trout (1 over 20”, 4 between



COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
15” – 20”).
Side Pots: There will also be a big trout side
pot - $5 per person, everyone on the boat has
to participate to win. Heaviest trout takes it.
The second largest trout of the tournament
will win $25 courtesy of Custom Detailing
and Tom Wheeler. The largest trout weighed
in club tournaments throughout the year will
win a Matthew’s Fishin’ Styx rod courtesy of
Matthew and Christy Jacobs.
There will also be a redfish side pot of
$10 per person; everyone on the boat must
enter. The heaviest legal redfish wins the pot. President ............................ Steve Stinson
The heaviest redfish on the year will win a Vice President ................ Matthew Jacobs
Matthew’s Fishin’ Styx rod as well. Secretary ....................... Katie Showman
The Badcock and More Mystery Fish Treasurer ...............................Larry Cobb
species will be POMPANO. The heaviest legal Tournament Director .......... Casey Cook
POMPANO will win $200 courtesy of Jay Technical Director ..................Tom Keels
Evans!!!
The heaviest flounder will win $50 courtesy flounder caught for the year, that person will
of Kevin's Sporting Goods. If it is the heaviest win a really nice Shimano rod /reel combo.
WWW"ARNARDS&LOORING!MERICACOM
8 Big Bend
 Tow Safe
By Peter McAlister

S pring is quickly approaching and along

.ATIVE7ATERCRAFT%NDORSED&ISHING'UIDEs)NTROTO+AYAKING)NSHORE
&ISHINGs!LLGEARPROVIDEDORBRINGYOUROWNs'REEN'UIDE#ERTIFIED
"YFLATSSKIFFORFULLYRIGGEDKAYAK
with that comes fishing, and a lot of it.
The older a trailer gets and the more miles
like your trailers going 90 and those of you
that have ever blown a tire know it can ruin
a perfect day of fishing so it is important to
put on can make your trailer unsafe. It is check them for excessive wear and dry rot
very important to check your hubs, a bad and always have a spare. Lights are a must,
hub or bearing can get you to the ramp but my personal favorite are the waterproof
when you back down and hear that water LED’s before led lights came out I would re-
sizzle you can expect a couple of hours work- place tail lights at least once a year but since
ing on your trailer at the ramp, I know this I installed the led lights and side markers its
first hand. Bearing buddies are your best been two and a half years and they still work
friend when it comes time to grease the bear- great, and the one thing people forget so
ings they make what could be a very messy often is the tools you need to change a tire.
and frustrating task quick clean and simple. Not all lug nuts are the same size so keep a
Trailer tires spin at a much higher RPM than wrench that fits the lugs on your trailer. Its
your vehicles, they are smaller in diameter so time to get every thing tuned up and ready to
when you are running 65-70 on the road its go, Stay Safe Tow Safe.

!#!#ERTIFIED)NSTRUCTOR!VAILABLE

Your One Stop Shop For All Your Towing Needs

PROFESSIONAL
INSTALLATION
We have a Complete
Parts and Service Dept.
to Service & Maintain
Your Boat, Camper,
Horse or Utility Trailer
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7596 West Tennessee Street Local: 850-575-8628

Tallahassee, FL 32304 Toll-Free: 800-634-4824
WWW.CAPITALHITCH.COM
Big Bend 9 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010
 9th Annual Steinhatchee Community Steinhatchee Community
Fishing Tournament Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by the Steinhatchee Community
Projects Board &The Taylor Tourism Council
T he Steinhatchee Community Projects
Board is hosting there 9th annual fishing
tournament on April 10th. All of the proceeds
Keaton Beach. If you choose to fish Keaton
then you can weigh-in at Keaton Beach Ma-
rina but return to Community Center for the

April 10, 2010

from this tournament will go to help the com- award ceremony.
munity with updating its parks and to finish The Community Center will also be host-
the construction of a new fishing pier and ing a tournament just for the ladies on June

7:00 am - 4:30pm
playground also to enhance the buildings and
grounds of the park. This tournament is for a
Weigh-in at the Steinhatchee community Center good cause, it will help keep the places we love
to fish clean and safe for all of us.
& Keaton Beach Marine There is a $3250.00 total purse and a num-
Entry Fee - $30.00 Per person on Boat ber of items for raffle. The purse is divided
between different categories with 1st place
19th. The ladies tournament entry will be
thirty dollars and the weigh in at the Com-
munity Center.
For tickets and any information contact
Casey’s Cove Convenience Store, Gulf Stream
Marina, River Haven Marina, Sea Hag Ma-
rina, Tackle Outlet in Jena, and Keaton Beach

$3,250 in Prizes
being $650 in grouper, trout, and redfish and Marina. Come out and enjoy a fun and family
$350 for 2nd. Entry to the tournament is $30 friendly tournament to help support our local
per person and you can fish Steinhatchee or community's.

Grouper
$650 - 1st Place
$350 - 2nd Place
Redfish
$650 - 1st Place
$350 - 2nd Place
$350 - Redfish with most spots Tired of reaching for a fishing
Trout net only to find it entangled
$650 - 1st Place in hooks, lures and line?
$350 - 2nd Place

L a s s o Net on!
The ree s o l u t i
tangle-f Tangle-Fr
ee
is your The Lasso
Net Is The
N e t That Retr
acts
La n d in g
t Of Its
In And Ou
dle! $ 64.95
Own Han

For more information contact any of these stores:

Casey’s Cove Convenience store 325-498-1061, For a Limited Time Receive $5.00 OFF The Regular Price!
Gulfstream Marina & Motel 352-498-8088, Keaton Beach Marina ORDER YOURS TODAY
8850-578-2897, River Haven Marina and Hotel 352-498-0709,
Sea Hag Marina, 352-498-3008, Tackle Outlet 352-498-5424. www.thelassonet.com
MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE 10 Big Bend

FLORIDA’S BIG BEND
PADDLESPORT OUTFITTER
Kayak Sales & Rentals
Guided and Private Tours
Kayak Fishing Gear
Professional Certified Instruction
Birthday Parties
Kids Summer Kayak Camp
Oh, Sorry! We Didn’t
Look Over There
By: A Very Concerned Fisherman
I wonder if that’s the excuse used by the
NOAA Fisheries Service. Some how the
when fishermen follow management regula-
tions they help in rebuilding the stocks, well

i !
federal fisheries management have found my personal belief is that in two years there is
Paddlesport Accessories

 D j
some four million additional pounds of Gulf no scientific way to explain four million ad-

< Z i
Red Snapper that seem to have appeared out ditional pounds of red snapper that fall into
of the deep. As anyone that ventures offshore the slot limit. Unfortunately this news comes

Y
<dL^a
in the gulf knows red snapper are every where,
there have been multiple reports of
catching these tasty critters while
after many people have lost jobs and boats due
to the constrictive limits on these apparently
abundant fish, but we are still waiting to hear

    l^i]
trolling for grouper and several in if our limits will increase or the season extend-
water less than thirty feet. The ed hopefully both
fish are there and have always will come about
been there, I believe that with this new
the new assessment is allotment.
from the countless let-
ters and petitions that have been

I]ZL ^aYZgc ZhhLVn

3152 Shadeville Road | Wakulla Station/Crawfordville, FL


d

XXXUIFXJMEFSOFTTXBZOFU
Tuesday to Saturday: 9am - 6pm / Sunday: 10am - 5pm / Closed on Monday
sent in and making sure that your voice
has been heard and thanks to U.S. Senator
Richard Shelby and all of you that
have expressed your concerns. Its
only been two years since the recreational
season was cut to four months and this year
if things don’t change we will have a 65 day
season. NOAA is stating that science based
management has helped end overfishing and

Big Bend 11 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

 Fly Fishing 101
Matthews Catch and Please Release
By Capt. Rick Le Files

Fishin Styx R ecord breaking cold weather

continues to make headlines
in Florida and much of the
nation. It has also dropped the
water temperature below the
level that many species of marine
life are able to withstand. The

CUSTOM RODS
For more information on the creation of your
own custom fishing rod please contact us at:
Florida Wildlife Commission
recently reported that over 200
manatee deaths have occurred
so far this year due to the cold
temperature.
Several large fish kills have
also been reported. Especially
affected were some sub-tropical
species that until recent history
were not thought to exist along
the central Florida coast, but
due to several years of warm
weather, we have been enjoying
a very nice snook fishery the
past few years.
Many anglers may think that
it will take several years for them
to rebound from the record cold
that effected so many this winter,
but I am happy to report on
February 7th, Linda James from
Hudson, WI, boated a beautiful ABOVE: Linda James from Hudson, WI, with an
twenty-one pounder on a half
awesome 21-pound snook.
day outing with her husband,
booked thru Osprey Guide
Service and Capt. Rick. The trip was a couple of weeks after our coldest weather this year.
The fish had an area of missing scales on both sides that appeared to be from a predator attack
that it had managed to escape. It put up a great battle, finally being netted, just as it frayed the
twenty pound bite leader in two.
After a few pictures, the fish was released unharmed. Being such a nice spawning size
indicates to me that the future snook population may rebound fairly quickly, with some help
on the conservation front.
Like the manatee that migrate to the warmth of the fresh water springs and warm water
outlets, so do many of the fish species, ensuring an on going existence in the area, even during
the coldest of times. The cold will soon give way to warmer weather, allowing many of us to
get back on the water. If you are lucky enough to catch a large spawning-sized fish of a species
that may have been depleted this winter, please allow it to go back, so that we may all may have
as much fun as Linda did, while catching her beautiful fish. It was truly a memory of a lifetime
for her and all aboard.

Capt. Rick Le Files

Osprey Guide Service
Orvis Endorsed Guide
229.891.1774 or matthewsfishinstyx@gmail.com Cell: (352) 400-0133

www.matthewsfishinstyx.com Email: captain@ospreyguides.com

www.ospreyguides.com

MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE 12 Big Bend

 TALKIN' TOURISM
L i v e from Bimini Bay Resort & Marina
I n January, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast, the
official radio program of FLAHAMA, produced by Harbor-
age Yacht Club and Marina, crossed the Stream and explored
the beautiful islands of South and North Bimini. Bimini Bay
Resort and Marina, the show’s sponsor of this remote broad-
cast, and the property's sales manager Danielle Dunfee and
events coordinator Anva Roberts, rolled out the red carpet for
show hosts Gary Guertin, Robin Hicks-Connors and FLA-
HAMA co-ambassador, Misti Guertin. To hear the show and
view photos from the trip, visit Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s
Treasure Coast’s blog at http://talkintourism.blogspot.com
BIMINI HIGHLIGHTS
The FLAHAMA banner flew proudly at several Bimini loca-
tions during our stay. Talkin' Tourism thanks Bill and Nowdla
Keefe of Bimini Undersea for the dive trip to Bimini Roads;
historian/artist/poet Ashley Saunders for the tour of The Dol-
phin House and other historic island locations; Matthew Stu-
art of Stuart’s Conch Stand for outstanding conch salad and
cold Kaliks, and Antoinette Rolle for her hospitality while vis-
iting her new gift shop.
As first time visitors to Bimini, several facets captured our
attention, which might be of interest to fellow Flahamians.
• Strong Hemingway sportfishing flavor and one-of-a-kind
photos of the legend sprinkled throughout North Bimini.
• The Dolphin House, which is a two-story home housing a
museum, artist quarters, and gift shop, where the interior and
DOLPHIN HOUSE
exterior are embellished and fortified with shells, bottles, col-
orful ceramic tiles, coins and anything Ashley Saunders finds
that isn't solidly set in the ground.
• In addition to great fishing, diving and snorkeling, eco-en-
thusiasts will find this an ultimate playground. Great kayak-
ing and deserted pine and mangrove-lined beaches beg for
discovery.
• Rumors of a sale and revival of the Bimini Big Game Club
are still alive.
• An unparalleled shopping experience at Fisherman's Village,
Bimini Bay Resort, where world-renowned designer products
such as Rolex, Chanel, Cartier, Gucci, Escada and more line
the shelves of boutiques, such as John Bull.
• Wild dolphin experience with Bill & Nowdla Keefe's Bimini
Undersea. Bill and Nowdla offer single-day and week-long ex-
cursions that get visitors up close and personal with a pod of
beautiful wild Atlantic Spotted Dolphins who seem to actually
seek out human interaction.
Summer Boating Fling Schedule is Now available:
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has posted the 2010 Sum-
mer Boating Fling Schedule! This long-standing program is
a great opportunity for veterans and novice mariners alike to
cross the Gulf Stream “flotilla style” and enjoy the camaraderie
of fellow FLAHAMIANS. Harborage Yacht Club and Marina
in Stuart is a second departure point for several Flings. For
more information check out www.bahamas.com.
crossroads dredging underway: The Crossroads area
of the Okeechobee Waterway near the St. Lucie inlet in Stu-
art, Florida has been problematic for some time for vessels
with more than a 6 foot draft. This has discouraged larger
vessels from using the Okeechobee Waterway on their way to
the Bahamas from the west coast of Florida. FLAHAMA is
pleased to report dredging is finally underway and expected
to be completed by mid-March. Special thanks to F.I.N.D and
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for assistance in getting the
project approved and underway.
Bahamas celebration to Set Sail from the Port of
Palm Beach: Passage to the Bahamas is getting easier for
Treasure Coast residents. The 500-berth cruise ship Baha-
mas Celebration has passed maneuverability tests at the Port
ANTOINETTE'S GIFT SHOP
STUART’S CONCH STAND
KEEFE'S BIMINI UNDERSEA
ABOVE: The Flahama banner flies on North Bimini
under the Bill & Nowdla Keefe's Bimini Undersea
shop sign. Flanking the signs are (l-to-r) Shannon
Keefe, Nowdla Keefe, Bill Keefe, Kiala Keefe,
and a Keefe family friend.
of Palm Beach and is scheduled to start service on March 15
to Grand Bahama. This is the first vacation cruise to service
the Port of Palm Beach since 1996. The ship will offer two,
four and six-day cruises. Congratulations to the Bahamian
Government and the Cruise line for reaching this agreement.
Treasure Coast residents are thrilled.
Spring and Summer cruising time Just around the
corner: As we put the winter months behind and look
forward to spring’s arrival on March 20, boaters are setting
their sights on the Islands of the Bahamas for fun and adven-
ture. Over the next several months, the FLAHAMA Ministry
of Marinas and Accommodations will be developing specific
FLAHAMA Special Discounts and Added Values, with our
Strategic Partners in the Islands and Florida for cruising Fla-
hamians. For the latest details and offers, stay tuned to Talkin'
Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast, which broadcasts live on
WPSL 1590 AM and is streamed on the Internet at www.wpsl.
com every Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., or check out
the Talkin' Tourism blog: http://talkintourism.blogspot.com.
MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 22
 o
30 %
n
Ab As
ou k
to

of
a ur
ll
V
il
la
s
f

Dockage Special
$500.00 per month for boats under 50 ft
$700 per month for boats 50ft and over
with two month minimum, paid in advance. NO REFUNDS.
Offer good September 1, 2009 thru February 28th, 2010

60 Slip Marina

Villas range from 1 bedroom/ 1 bath to 3 bedroom/ 2 bath,

Pete’s Pub & Art Gallery with island style furnishings, full kitchen, central air-conditioned
bedrooms, daily maid service and surrounding patio decks.

An Abaco Tradition Just twenty minutes by water taxi from Marsh Harbour, Sea Spray
Resort & Marina on Elbow Cay situates at the southernmost tip
for Over 30 years! Pete’s of White Sound Harbour.
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Art Gallery
Solar Power
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Jewelry
Sea Spray Resort & Marina is comprised of six acres of well-kept
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Phone (242) 366-0065
Little Harbour, Abaco Bonefishing Packages Available Email: info@seasprayresort.com
954-353-2465 • www.PetesPub.com www.seasprayresort.com

NATIONAL 23 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

 Hosted by
Captain Sig Hansen
of the F/V Northwestern
Star of ‘The Deadliest Catch
Catch’

NASSAU, BAHAMAS
,000
$250
CASH
U R S E!
MAY 11TH-16TH 2010
P The first ever high stakes Poker AND Fishing Tournament
170 Players battling it out on the water AND on the tables
• Packages available with boats fully chartered and
equipped starting at $2,150 or bring your own boat

• Limited Seats Available Now!

For Complete Schedule of Events & To Register, Visit:

www.thefishandchips.com
Fish & chips Showdown
By Elvin Brenner
T
his May, Nassau, Bahamas will be the
venue for the, inaugural Fish & Chips
Showdown. Produced by TVI Events, this
showdown will be held on May 11 through
the 16th, 2010. TVI is very excited to
announce that Captain Sig Hansen of the F/V
Northwestern and television star of Deadliest
Catch will be hosting the 2010 Event. Captain
Sig will be joined by his brother, Edgar
Hansen, Deck Boss of the F/V Northwestern.
The girls of PlayerXT will be on hand, co-
hosting the event and competing in the
Bullz-Eye.com Bikini Model Search Finals.
We invite you to join Captain Sig at the Tables
and on the Water, at the Worlds’ First Hybrid,
High Stakes Fishing & Poker Tournament.
This one-of-a-kind event will be based out
of the stunning, four-star Sheraton Nassau
Beach Resort. The poker tournament will be
held at the adjoining, Crystal Palace Casino,
with the final table at the world-famous
Nygård Cay Resort. The fishing tournament
will launch from the nearby Paradise Island
Marina. Competitors will battle it out on the
tables and on the water for $250,000. Purses
include $170,000 for the poker tournament,
$70,000 for the fishing tournament and an
additional $10,000 to the overall Fish &
Chips Champion. Additionally, the winner
of the fishing tournament will qualify for
the 2010 IGFA Offshore Fishing World
NATIONAL 25
through acne and PAL football. At age 22,
Sig began relieving captains on the fishing
vessel, the Northwestern, and other boats in
the fleet. By age 24, Hansen began running
the Northwestern. According to Captain Sig
Hansen, the fact that there have not been any
major accidents onboard the Northwestern is
by far his greatest accomplishment.
While the Bahamas offer all the
conveniences and comforts of home, it is an
international destination, home to world-class
resorts, five-star cuisine, year-round duty-
free shopping, Las Vegas-like casinos and
much more - all struck with a colonial flavor
and charm. The Bahamas has something
for everyone who is searching for a tropical
paradise getaway.
Championships.
If you're looking for secluded emerald-
PlayerXT will be staging the Bullz-Eye.
white sand beaches, the Bahamas is a place
com Bikini Model Search, as co-hosts of The
for you. Or maybe you seek the pleasures
Fish & Chips Showdown. The Bikini Model
of exceptional fishing, surfing, snorkeling or
Search begins with an on-line interactive
skin diving. If so, you've pick just the right
selection of the top models at Bullz-Eye.
spot. Daily flights leave Florida's mainland
com, allowing visitors and fans to vote for
for Nassau's Lynden Pinding International
their favorites. The top 24 models will then
Airport for the forty-minute trip. Hop
be flown to Nassau, Bahamas to participate in
on a plane from New York after breakfast
events throughout the week and to compete
and you're wading in the surrounding,
in the Bullz-Eye.com Bikini Model Search
shimmering, aqua-blue waters, slipping Pina
Finals.
Coladas, before lunch.
Today Sig Hansen has earned international
Looking back to the early 1970s, my
fame as the Seattle-based Captain of the
first recollection of the Bahamas must have
fishing vessel, Northwestern. Capt. Sig has
come from reading Ernest Hemingway's
been prominently featured in all seasons of
posthumous and masterpiece novel, Islands
the ever-popular documentary television
in the Stream. In the Bahamas, the novel's
series, Deadliest Catch, where he also
main character, the stoic and renowned artist,
serves as Technical Advisor for the show’s
Thomas Hudson, captures both peace and
production. Over the years, the Northwestern
adventure, a strange but likely combination
has repeatedly been a top producer, under
still available today in the Bahamas.
Sig’s guidance.
While the peacefulness and excitement of
It’s not surprising that the Bahamas’
the Bahamas is a powerful allure, its closeness
“Island Magic” has attracted the likes of a
to the States is an added attraction I guess
lifetime waterman, Sig Hansen. Sig’s career
what I'm trying to say is Captain Sig is a
began as a deck hand on his father's boat,
safe bet! In fact, Sig is heading to Nassau to
before his teenage years, where he worked
do just that, play poker. Sig and his brother,
his way up the ranks. At an early age, Sig
Edgar Hansen, who is also the Deck Boss
proved himself as a capable deck hand and
of the Northwestern, along with the girls of
maintained a steady presence at sea, when
PlayerXT, will be co-hosting the Inaugural
most young men are making their way
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
Fish & Chips Showdown in Nassau, Bahamas,
May 11th-16th, 2010.
Why Play Poker, Sig? No one can
argue the fact that fisherman are gamblers,
especially those plighting the waters of the
Pacific northwest. They take big risks, for
even bigger stakes.
It’s fairly easy to witness the increasing
popularity of poker; and so it would seem
that Captain Sig is just following the catch.
But the truth is people play poker not only
because it is fun, but for the intellectual test
and challenges it presents. Poker is a game
of mental stimulation and skills, where there
is no ceiling of achievement, with no-limit
games, and numerous competitions, where
poker players may earn millions of dollars.
Above all, it's entertainment and a way to
make money.
As stated earlier, poker is not a gambling
game, though an element of chance is present.
It is more of an intellectual challenge where
one must put forth his full mental capabilities,
in order to win.
The intellectual challenge in poker varies
from player to player. For some, bluffing is
the hard core of the game, the real challenge,
while for others, the intellectual challenge lays
in reading an opponent’s hand. Successful
poker players are experiencing their joy from
learning how a system works – and breaking
it.
Perhaps more importantly, poker is a
social game. Players can sit around a card
table, playing and talking for hours, which
strengthens their friendships. Poker offers you
a chance to meet new people and make friends,
while playing your favorite game. There are
few better places to forge new relationships,
than in the breath-taking Bahamas.
Buy yourself a seat aboard the Inaugural
Fish & Chips Showdown in Nassau and
give yourself a chance to win a $250,000
jackpot - and spend six days in the Bahamas,
alongside Sig and Edgar. Interested? Packages
start at $2,150. And if you’re a potential
angler without a boat, you can join in on the
chartered, catch-and-release format fishing
tournament. See you in the Bahamas.
MARCH 2010
 cast off for the World’s Best Fishing at abaco Beach Resort
N amed one of the top 5 fishing spots in the world by
Marlin Magazine, the Abacos is a dream location for top
anglers to experience. And when it comes to where to stay,
the Abaco Beach Resort is the ideal spot. With such close
proximity to the bite, the largest marina in the Out Islands
with 192 slips, and outstanding amenities, the Resort attracts
the best boaters, game fisherman and yachtsman from around
the world.
As the 2010 fishing season casts off, few other places will
offer such an exhilarating and varied tournament roster, as the
Abacos. Hundreds of anglers, their boats and their families
will gather from all over the globe to enjoy some of the world’s
top-ranked waters. This season will be unbeatable as Abaco
Beach Resort serves as the perfect backdrop for tournament
fishing and introduces some new highlights that will reel you
in.
The season kicks off April 14-17, with the launch of the
inaugural All-Release Boat Harbour Billfish Challenge. One
of the only all-release tournaments in the Bahamas, the
Challenge is dedicated to billfish conservation, and will raise
money for the Marsh Harbour Fire Department. For anglers
of all levels, the tournament is sure to attract top-notch
competition. With a schedule that is packed full of events, this
Challenge aims to get back to basics, through traditional and
keen cash competition. Anticipate a focus on the Bahamian
traditions that the Abaco Beach Resort is famous for; this
kick-off tournament is sure to make a big splash this season.
Check out AbacoBeachResort.com for all the details.
At the Bertram-Hatteras Shoot Out this April 27-May
1, tradition is king! The rivalry between the two legendary
sport-fish manufacturers is celebrating its 30th anniversary
this year. In what has long been considered a first-class event,
attendees expect a big party, but even bigger competition.
Honored boat owners, captains and anglers will be coming
from all over to experience non-stop fishing action and high-
class living.
The Shoot Out is rooted in long-standing traditions,
and this year will be no different, as Hatteras yachts are pitted
against Bertram yachts. Individual prizes will be presented,
MARCH 2010
along with an overall team championship between Bertram
and Hatteras. An opening night reception, a lay day to enjoy
the resort, and nightly entertainment and parties will surely
make this Shoot Out a spectacular event. It’s time to honor
the good ol’ days. Visit FishTheShootOut.com for more
information.
Come Memorial Day Weekend, fireworks will launch the
Abaco Beach Resort & HMY Billfish Blast, May 31-June 4, a top-
ranked tournament of camaraderie and competition. HMY
Yacht Sales works in cooperation with Abaco Beach Resort
to put together this exceptional tournament. Celebrating its
11th season, the Billfish Blast continues to grow every year.
This year, even larger crowds are expected, so sign up soon, as
participation is limited, to ensure first-class treatment for all
parties involved.
This tournament is sure to entertain with its unforgettable
dinner banquets and themed evenings. From the kick-off
dinner, to the presentation of the Perpetual Trophy to the
champion, teams can look forward to true entertainment
and first-rate fishing. A tournament to brag about, this
competition is a guaranteed Blast. Visit BillfishBlast.com for
more information.
Next up, it’s the Abaco Beach Resort leg of the Bahamas
Billfish Championship (BBC). The internationally renowned
BBC is the oldest billfish tournament series in the world. No
question, the five-tournament series based in the Out Islands
is sure to hold some steep competition. Join the Abaco Beach
Resort’s leg from June 9-12, to experience one truly-unique
tournament. Participants can accumulate points for sailfish,
spearfish, white marlin and blue marlin, which in turn
determines the overall BBC Champion for the year.
And finally, a tournament that holds fond memories for
many and was a pioneering event for over 15 years; we are
pleased to announce the return of the Penny Turtle Invitational
June 15-19. In honor of Penny Turtle, a woman who has run
Abaco Beach Resort’s tournaments for so many years, this
team-oriented, angling competition will be a fun time for all
involved. And why wouldn’t it be – the tournament’s host is a
living legend and the feature attraction. It’s no surprise that
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
Southern Boating has named her “Queen of the Caribbean.”
After all she has done for Bahamas fishing, this tournament
is a fitting show of appreciation for her outstanding efforts
and many accomplishments. This unique invitational for
her friends and loved ones will include numerous events,
all with a truly lavish and vibrant flavor. While there, you
can’t miss Penny, just look for the big smile and her donning
of unique turtle jewelry. More information is available at
AbacoBeachResort.com.
And talk about a tropical retreat, with all these tournaments
set in the authentic, memorable Abaco Beach Resort at Boat
Harbour. Located on 52 beautifully-landscaped acres, the
Resort is home to secluded, pink-sand beaches, miles of
sheltered waterways, and transparent blue waters, barely 20
feet deep. Abaco may be known for many things, but the true
fishermen will flock this year to experience the world-class
sport fishing for which the island is famous.
In addition, new family activities at Abaco Beach Resort at
Boat Harbour include the unique Bahama Buddies program
where local children teach visiting children the art of fishing
and fish cleaning, conch crackin’ and Island arts and crafts.
The Resort’s new family entertainment programs and special
events, delight Resort guests, visitors to the Island and locals
alike. In true traditional Bahamian fashion, the Abaco Beach
Resort at Boat Harbour proudly offers an array of exciting
events and uplifting Island entertainment.
Getting there will certainly be a breeze. Serviced by major
and regional air carriers out of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West
Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Stuart,
Abaco is a comfortable and enjoyable flight away. Abaco’s
Marsh Harbour Airport is only a short 10 minutes from our
Abaco Island Resort. Coming by boat or private plane is just
as easy and also just as common.
One trip to the Abacos, and you’ll be hooked. Grab your
fishing gear and visit www.AbacoBeachResort.com
or call 1-800-468-4799.
NATIONAL 26
 EXCITING 2010 FISHING TOURNAMENTS
Known as the premier fishing tournament resort,The Abaco Beach Resort carries on the tradition by hosting some of the most
renowned world-class fishing tournaments in the Bahamas. The fishing is fierce and the competition even more intense!
Tournaments range from hardcore challenges to family fun events and elite “invitationals,” making the Abaco Beach Resort’s
exciting tournaments second to none!
WE WELCOME YOU TO BE PART OF ALL OF OUR EXTRAORDINARY TOURNAMENT EVENTS & FESTIVITIES

April All Release Boat Harbour Billfish Challenge

April 14 - 17, 2010
Bertram Hatteras Shoot Out
April 27 - May 1, 2010
May Abaco Beach Resort / HMY Billfish Blast
May 31 - June 4, 2010

June Abaco Beach Resort leg of the BBC

June 9 - 12, 2010
Penny Turtle Invitational
June 15 - 19, 2010

For more information visit www.AbacoBeachResort.com or call 800-468-4799.

 Ladies
Landings
Calling All Companies
The Ladies Need More!
By Tracy Patterson

I
ROBY’S FINE ART AND PRINTS
The Pastel Art of
headed to a boat show last month, armed Roberta “ROBY”
with the Coastal Angler Magazine and a booth map in Baer, PSA
hand, unsure of what to expect this year. I felt positive
though, because the exhibitor’s list indicated hundreds WWW.ROBYS.COM
of businesses would be attending from thousands
of miles away. After I circled the convention center (530) 223-1231
(again and again and again), looking for a parking
spot, I then inched my way to our booth. It was time
to make my rounds. I was pleased to see all of the
usual suspects; the movers and shakers were all there,
and from what I witnessed, many were writing deals.
That, coupled with the crowded aisles from foot traffic,
indicated a positive upswing from what I’ve witnessed
at other boat shows in previous months.
It has become clear to me that the businesses that
continue to produce and promote new and innovative
products, will emerge as the dominant player, when
the economy improves. Conversely, I had to laugh
because I spoke to a business owner at the show, and I
suggested that he consider adding more selection to his
female apparel line. I also suggested that he consider
designing a rod for the female angler. He replied, “You
know there’s no market for that.” I thought, “Hello?
Florida Keys Boat Rentals
We would buy more of your products if you had a
selection!” Has he been living under a rock? I guess he NEWEST, LARGEST AND WELL
missed the staggering statistics touting lady anglers as
one of the highest growth areas in the industry. MAINTAINED FLEET IN THE KEYS!
The leaders are cashing in on this niche market. We

Brand New
are spenders, but we are choosy. I can’t tell you how
many times I have left big box stores empty handed
and disappointed with the selection. We need more
companies to produce more products for us, without
sacrificing quality. 2010 Boats Have Arrived
Thankfully, there are a few companies out there Mention this ad when making your reservation
working toward this goal. Coastal Angler Magazine
has introduced some of these new products in recent
months. Many of these products are produced by
young companies owned or operated by the female Key Colony Beach near Marathon, FL
angler. Every month, it’s our mission to find those
products and bring them to you in Ladies Landings. If
you know of, or have a product designed with the lady
1-866-420-1515
in mind, let me know. Our team will be happy to test
it, and tell the world about it. www.VacationBoatRentals.com
MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 28
 Jose Wejebe, host of eSPN2's
Spanish Fly, endorses the
take me Fishing campaign
BY CAM Staff

T he Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) will kick-off its family-friendly
Spring Take Me Fishing campaign, to get the next generation of anglers out on the water.
This year, RBFF is building youth enthusiasm for the sport by partnering with Jose Wejebe,
host of Spanish Fly, Vida del Mar and Saltwater Sundays on ESPN2.
Known for his creative cinematography, fine-tuned editing and progressive style of
fishing, Jose travels around the world, bringing home what he learns and sharing it through
compelling film, lectures and seminars.
"I've come aboard with the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and the Take Me
Fishing, TakeMeFishing.org, effort because I believe in their mission statement. Getting kids
outdoors is important. Fishing is a gateway sport to kids and families," says Jose.
“The core mission of RBFF is simple, to encourage participation in boating and fishing,”
said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We believe that engaging parents and getting
kids interested in the sport are some of the best ways we can fulfill that mission.”
His television show, Spanish Fly, captures audiences with breathtaking underwater
footage, spectacular cinematography, complimentary editing and Jose's signature, on-screen
style. Jose is best known for his unique interactive style of fishing. He uses techniques that he
learned throughout his travels and continues to do so today. In the present day, Jose enjoys
his new passion of flying private aircraft. He also continues to explore uncharted fishing ABOVE: Jose Wejebe
travels around the wo
it through compellin rld
grounds and expand his knowledge for local fishing techniques. g film, lectures and sem , bringing home what he learns and sha
"It took my dad taking me fishing only one time to plant the seed. From that point on, it even more importantl inars. His new focus ring
y –outdoors. "Fishing is getting kids fishing
Jose, host of Spanish is a gateway sport to , but
was the guys like Lefty Kreh, Stu Apte, Jerry McKinnis and Flip Pallot that help nurture the Fly, Vida del Mar an kids and families," say
with a sailfish caugh d Sa s
seed and mentor me. Being an outdoor mentor for today's kids is important to me." t while fishing with go ltwater Sundays on ESPN2. A brief mome
od friend Roberto in nt
Jose explains, "I started my television work on Flip Pallot's TV show, Walker's Cay Isla Mujeres.
Chronicles. I was fortunate. We did many shows." A few years later, Jerry McKinnis, one
of ESPN's top producers, introduced Jose to the concept of the new, upcoming network of
ESPN2. Jerry, who had previously filmed several tournaments with Jose in the Keys, felt he
would be a perfect host for the new network. Jerry’s intuition was that with Jose’s interactive While sitting down and talking with Jose, it was obvious he has a great passion for the
style of fishing and his colorful personality, would be the perfect match for television. Excited protection of the outdoors. We discussed the evolution of an angler; how our compassion for
with the ultimate opportunity, in 1995, the first Spanish Fly episode was aired. Jose's new the outdoors grows in each of us; how we, as recreational anglers, need to police ourselves,
show and the network's popularity exploded. fish responsibility and conserve our resources. We agreed there is a changing of the guard,
"We try to take the show from a Watch Jose fish show, to a viewer, go out and do this from the old way of thinking of let's fill the cooler, to let's protect the future of fishing.
yourself show. While each year the show changes, some things haven't changed. I still shoot
all the underwater film, and we never use a stuntman." Visit TakeMeFishing.org today to play Catch A Boat, http://www.takemefishing.
"The way we educate anglers today, will make a difference for the future of conservation. org/community/catch-a-boat, The Ultimate Online Fishing Tournament. Visit www.
People using the outdoors will rally to protect it. This is only one of the reasons I'm spanishflytv.com for more information on Jose's shows.
supporting the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation's, Take Me Fishing program. I
suggest readers go to their web site to learn more."

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NATIONAL 29 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010
 Diablos Rojos
By CAM Staff
Fast Facts About the Humbolt Squid
Their coloring and aggressive reputation has earned
the Humbolt squid the nickname diablos rojos (red dev-
ils) from fishermen off the coast of Mexico, as they flash
red and white when struggling with the fishermen. The
Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), also known as Jum-
bo Squid, Jumbo Flying Squid, or Diablo Rojo are large,
predatory squid found in the waters of the Humboldt
Current in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. These carnivorous
marine invertebrates move in schools of up to 1200 indi-
viduals, swim at speeds of up to 24 kilometers per hour
(15 mph/13 km) and their tentacles bear suckers lined
with sharp teeth, with which they grasp prey and drag it
towards a baseball-sized, sharp beak.
Humbolt squid can rapidly change their skin color
from deep purplish red to white using chromatophores
(specialized skin cells) in what some researchers believe
MARCH 2010
C aptain Dustin Devo paced the dock on
the afternoon of Thursday, January 28.
The charter fleets around Newport Beach,
California hadn’t gone fishing in weeks. There
weren’t any fish to catch, and everybody knew
it. This time of the year was always slow. Year
after year, the end of January and the first
few weeks of February is the time when the
charter boats would get repairs done and take
care of other loose ends, in preparation for
the return of good fishing, by mid-February
or March. This is the simple rhythm of the
local fishing industry.
But on this day in late January, Captain
Devo had a nagging feeling that something
was going on, and he knew it. The warm water
currents from the recent storms had shifted
things. The distant Sea Of Cortez somehow
felt closer now and he had seen telltale signs
for days. Earlier in the week, he thought he
had seen a dolphin with what looked like a
giant squid in its mouth, but he couldn’t say
for sure, and everybody knows the Humboldt
squid don’t frequent the Southern California
waters that often. They’re more common
in the Mexican waters, but something was
going on, and he knew it. As a professional
boat captain, his instincts had proven more
reliable on many occasions, than his depth
finders and radar, when the fish had seemed
impossible to find.
Captain Devo called his boss, Chris, and
said, “I want to take the boat out tonight,
something’s going on, I just know it.” Chris
knew there weren’t any paying customers for
a trip, and with the cost of fuel these days,
he knew what Captain Devo was asking for
was a stake on a gamble. He also knew that
his captains weren’t ordinary boat captains,
they were elite, and had consistently placed
Davey’s Locker customers on fish, year-after-
year, season-after-season, in spite of the
odds. He had learned to trust and rely on
their fishing instincts.
Once Captain Devo got the go-ahead
from Chris, he began calling around to get
is a complex communication system. The squid hunt for
their prey of small fish and krill near the surface at night,
in a cooperative fashion, which would be the first obser-
vation of such behavior in invertebrates. Recent research
suggests that the squid are only aggressive while feeding,
and at other times, they are quite passive. Their behav-
ior while feeding often extends to cannibalism. There
are numerous accounts of the squid attacking fishermen
and divers in the Sea of Cortez, sometimes trying to drag
them deep into the water.
The squid are fished at night. Since the 1990s, the
most important areas for landings of Humboldt squid
are northern Peru and Mexico. Recent years have shown
an increase in northern migration due to warming wa-
ters during El Niño events. But other factors such as a
decrease in upper tropic level predators, could be im-
pacting the migration shift as well.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
a crew of anglers willing to give it a try on
an against all odds night trip. In spite of
the odds, within a couple of hours, he had
rounded up 17 anglers willing to throw in for
any kind of chance to catch something. This
particular winter had been exceptionally slow
and nobody had caught anything in weeks.
Nothing. About 4 miles out of the Newport
Harbor, Captain Devo saw what he had been
looking for - massive schools of Humboldt
squid.
At first drop, it was instant bedlam. Huge
squid after huge squid, most in the 40 to
60-pound range came aboard as the mate
raced up and down the sides of the Western
Pride to the constant shouts of “Color!”, the
angler’s call for a gaff. Gaff after gaff, huge
squid landed on the deck inking everything
in sight, then into the burlap sacks for the
arduous cleaning and filleting task that lay
ahead. In less than 2-½ hours, 17 die-hard
anglers had caught over 400 huge Humboldt
squid and the catch was on! News of the
catch spread through the fishing community
like wildfire. People started showing up from
all over the world. When Coastal Angler
Magazine caught up with the fleet of Captain
Davey’s on Monday, it was pandemonium
on the docks, and there was a line of excited
anglers stretching all the way to the street,
anxious to get on board one of the vessels set
for their night trip.
Every charter vessel in the community
was booked to capacity, and as we cleared the
inlet, we could see the bright night lights of
vessels everywhere. The scene was the same
on every boat. Drop after drop was producing
the same large Humboldts that Captain Devo
and the Western Pride had discovered earlier
in the week, and according to the anglers we
spoke with, some of the best fishing of the
year. As one angler put it, “The squid were so
thick you could almost walk from one boat
to the next.”
For more information on Davey’s Locker
Sportfishing visit www.daveyslocker.com
or call 949.673.1434
NATIONAL 30
 © 2010 Pure Fishing, Inc.

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Tent Sales & Charity Events
By Ben Bloodworth
W ith spring comes the pleasant weather,
awesome fishing and annual events.
No better time to come learn from the
experts and visit the upcoming tent sale
at the Bluewater Outriggers parking lot in
Port St. Joe, Florida. The tent sale opens
on Friday, March 26 and continues until
Saturday, March 27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This year’s event is over the top with great
buys on closeout items, special event for kids
and fun for the whole family. In addition,
Bluewater Outriggers has really pulled out all
the stops with hosting major manufacturers
like Penn, Shimano and Bomber Baits. These
Pro-Staffers will conduct seminars and
explain new techniques on offshore trolling
and jigging; bottom fishing; inshore fishing
for redfish, trout and flounder; fly tying and
fly casting demonstrations. To assist in these
seminars, Bluewater Outriggers has the Penn
Truck and Trailer Tour returning. One of the
very popular attractions on the Tour is the
pneumatic knot tester machine. Anglers
can tie their favorite knot and determine the
breaking point in pounds.
Other attractions include a cast net
competition; who can throw the biggest
net the farthest? Prizes will be laid out on a
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Tell your Tale....
with your Fish Tales Log Book
grid and casters can throw over them to win
the prizes! There will be grab bags that will
include an assortment of fishing products, as
Track & record your catch history
well as up to 1000 items of general closeout
tackle. Closeout items will also include 2008
and 2009 electronics, apparel and assorted
hunting items.
In typical Bluewater Outriggers fashion,
fundraising for charity will be included. MAPS
Relay for Life will be selling hamburgers and CHARTS
hotdogs to benefit its Cancer Fund. As far TIDES
as general goodwill, Bluewater Outriggers GEAR
will also bring back “The Wheel of Fortune”. DEPTH
For every $100 spent at the tent sale market, BAIT
shoppers will get one spin of the wheel & MORE
to win prizes such as $50 gift certificates,
merchandise and more.
For further information and schedules Keep a detailed record
visit www.bwofish.com and click on
the “Tournaments” link. Schedules for of when, where, and how fish are biting.
seminars and events will be posted the Observe patterns in a particular target species.
Monday
before the sale at www.bwofish.com.
Predict when and where fish will be biting.
Don’t miss a great event! Identify successful fishing methods.
See ya there! Bluewater Outriggers
(877) 216-9600
Get Yours at www.FishTalesLog.com
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COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 32
Bio Baits make Scents
By Captain Tom Van Horn
S oft plastic lures found their origin into the fishing industry in the early 1960s, and
their success in catching fish over the years makes it difficult to fathom the wide
array of shapes, colors and scents available on the market today. This evolution has
made selecting the appropriate bait a difficult task, even for veteran anglers with years
of experience.
For over two decades, scent technology has existed in Berkley’s Spirit Lake, Iowa
testing labs. Long known as a company steeped in technology and product innovation,
Berkley fish biologists and chemists pioneered bio-friendly soft plastics testing, until their
baits performed up to rigorous standards. During a recent interview, John Prochnow,
Berkley’s Director of Product Innovation stated, “All baits are tested in the lab and in the
field with catch-rate data being reviewed before they are released,”
Generally, two types of soft plastics exist today: standard soft plastics baits made
of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and biodegradable or bio-baits made from water-based
resins. To make soft plastic baits out of PVC, the material must be heated and combined
with an oil-based resin. The more oil-based resin added to the PVC, the softer the bait.
When scent is added to bait created from PVC and an oil-based resin, the oil traps the
scent inside the bait. Although some of the scent escapes when the bait is submerged in
water, the oil actually functions as a barrier. By biting the bait, the fish releases the scent
making them think it is actually food, resulting in a more positive hook-up.
NATIONAL 33 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
Berkley’s first bio-bait revolutionized the soft plastic market with the development
and introduction of PowerBait. PowerBait products contain scents and flavors
encouraging fish to hold on longer, and the more they chew on the bait, the
more scent is released.
Gulp baits contain a similar attractant to the Power Bait formula, but the
difference is Gulp is made using water-based resins. “Gulp also contains
additional attractant compounds that are more water soluble,” explained
John. This allows for greater scent distribution than with oil-based
resins. Dispersing scent as soon as it hits the water, Gulp allows the
bait to diffuse scent almost like a blood trail, expanding the strike zone
by attracting fish without actually seeing the bait. When fishing with
Gulp, it’s important to fish the bait slowly, allowing the bait to do what
it does best, disperse scent. Unlike soft-plastic PowerBait, Gulp consists
of 100 percent biodegradable, water-soluble material, so the scent can
be recharged by placing the bait back into the liquid in the bottom of the
package or pail.
Green tip of the day: Most of the larger soft plastic baits contain by
volume, the same amount of plastic as your standard 16-ounce water bottle.
Most anglers would not dispose of their empty bottle into the water, so why
discard old soft plastic or water-based baits back into the water? Millions
of soft baits are purchased each year, and discarding them into the water is
damaging to the fishery and the environment. Instead, make it a practice
to place discarded soft baits into an empty water bottle and at the end of
your trip, place the used baits and the water bottle into a recycle bin.
MARCH 2010
offshore lure of the month
"Deep Drop - Sword/ Tuna Rig"
W e really like this deep drop rig from
Ballyhood. It works great on pelagics
like swords, tuna and equally as well when
bottom fishing for grouper. The lights
attract bait fish, which in turn, attract the
predators. Drop them down deep enough
and you can use them day or night.
The Sword Glow rig is designed to be
drift fished at a depth of 100 feet, or slow-
trolled at a depth of 35 feet. At a weight of
MARCH 2010
16-ounces and 10-inches long, its weighted
‘diver’ head and ‘head’ wings drive these
rigs down to where the swords are.
With great lifelike, squid-style skirts,
this deep drop lure comes in 7 colors and is
pre-rigged with a 280-pound fluorocarbon
leader. And if that’s not enough, the glow-
sticks are included.
For more information contact
Sales@ballyhood.com.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 34
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NATIONAL 35 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010

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MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 36

 The avalon tuna club
By Stan Manley
F ounded in 1898, the Avalon Tuna Club
at Catalina Island, California, represents
not only the birthplace of sport fishing, but
the beginning of an organized effort toward
marine conservation. The values and ethics
of sportsmanship and conservation were
developed over one hundred years ago, by
the original group of sportsman anglers who
sought to preserve the local fisheries for their
new found sport.
When Dr. Charles Frederick Holder,
an accomplished author, sportsman and
naturalist first visited Catalina Island in the
1880s, the nearly virgin waters surrounding
the Island were teaming with a variety of
marine species. Dr. Holder wrote that it
was common to see massive schools of bait
frantically attempting to escape even larger
schools of yellowtail and white sea bass,
which had forced them into the shallows.
Black sea bass, albacore, barracuda and
great schools of bluefin tuna were in such
abundance that when they were feeding, their
action would virtually churn up acres of white
water in the surrounding estuaries.
What Dr. Holder also witnessed was
man’s unbridled slaughter of these fisheries,
not for food or sustenance, but for “sport”. It
was considered great entertainment to throw
baited hand lines into the throngs of schooling
fish in order to hook one of the predators
for an exhilarating tug of war. According
to Dr. Holder, this “entertainment”, with its
inequitable mismatch, resembled more of a
slaughter than a sport. Horrified at the sight
of men pulling yellowtail 25 to 35 pounds on
to the beach as fast as they could cast, only
to discard them on the beach or feed them to
the sea lions and sharks, Holder knew that a
change of consciousness would be necessary
to preserve the fisheries for the future.
Dr. Holder recognized the sport fishing
potential the Catalina Island fish represented
and immediately sent for his eastern
tackle. Although landing these monsters
on eastern light tackle trout gear proved to
be an exasperating challenge, Dr. Holder
eventually began landing the local species
and is credited with being “the first to bend
in these quiet bays.” Colonel C.P. Morehouse
NATIONAL 37
had the first documented large tuna catch on
these primitive hickory and bamboo rods,
dragless-reels using linen fishing line, and in
the wink of an eye, sport fishing was born.
On June 1, 1898, the Associated Press
telegraphed news around the world that
none other than Charles Frederick Holder
had successfully landed a 183-pound tuna off
Catalina Island, eclipsing all previously held
angling milestones. Holder, who was then
editor of the Los Angeles Tribune, set out to
establish the Avalon Tuna Club. With the help
of his enthusiastic fishing companions Fitch
Dewey, Dr. H.K. Macomber, Clifford Scudder,
Edward L. Doram, and W.J. Landers, the
Avalon Tuna Club was born. The following
year, Colonel Morehouse broke Dr. Holder’s
record with a 251-pound tuna.
The Tuna Club’s goals were to elevate
the sport to its highest possible standard.
Strict rules were established to give the
fish a “fighting chance” using a maximum
not larger then 24-thread line and other
requirements for rod and reel with the
Club’s motto becoming “fair play for game
fishes.” These sportsmanship rules placed a
high requirement on the skills of the angler.
The underlying thought was to protect the
fisheries for future enjoyment. According
to Tom Raftican, of The Sportfishing
Conservancy, “Today, as in Dr. Holder’s day,
recreational anglers need to lead by example
– it’s not enough to just preach conservation,
we as a community must demonstrate our
commitment by our actions.”
Mr. Raftican reminds us that California has
consistently been at the forefront of marine
conservation issues and that for our sport to
prosper, the recreational fishing community
needs to carry the flag and lead the charge for
robust fisheries and a healthy ocean.
For More information on the Avalon
Tuna Club visit www.tunaclub.com.
To discover how you can become
involved with the Sportfishing Conservancy
visit www.sportcon.org.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE MARCH 2010
 COASTAL ANGLER
Jon Wood, born and raised in Michigan,
is excited to be a part of Coastal Angler
Magazine as the new franchise owner of the
Bahamas and North Miami area, called the
Flahama™.
While living in many different areas in the
states and working in corrugated packaging,
insurance, and construction equipment, Jon
always dreamed of getting to Florida. One of
Jon’s favorite memories as a kid is fishing Lake
Erie on the weekends with his father for perch
and walleye. Always happiest when near and
on the water, Jon is now getting his chance to
promote conservation in fishing and boating.

We welcome Jon Wood aboard Coastal Angler Magazine’s team with the
Bahama edition.

Welcome & Congratulations!

MARCH 2010 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE NATIONAL 38

 OUTDOOR ALMANAC
Fishing tips
Best days to fish in March 1-2, 6-7, 13-17, 20-21, and 24-28
Best days to stay home in March 3-5, 8-12, 18-19, 22-23
Best days to fish in April 1-3, 6-13, 20-21, 24-31
Best days to stay home in April 4-5, 14-19, 22-23
Inshore
Common, yet exotic, snubbed, yet revered, the common carp is truly an oxymoron.
They are native to other countries and were stocked here by people. Many anglers disdain
them, but they also have some dedicated aficionados.
Carp evolved in the Caspian Sea and expanded their range naturally to the Black and
Aral seas and west to the Danube River in Germany. That all sounds pretty exotic and
not at all common.
As one of the earliest fish to be cultured, carp were a major staple in Eurasian diets and
among the most genetically-modified fish species ever. Monks selectively bred variants
called mirror carp or the nearly-scaleless leather carp that were easier to prepare for
the table. In the 1820s, the Japanese began breeding beautifully colorful koi, with fancy
flowing fins and other genetically-selected features, which sold for thousands of dollars a
piece. One famous scarlet koi lived for 226 years from 1751 to 1977.
Although stories vary, it seems most credible that five common carp from Germany
were imported into the United States in 1872 for commercial purposes. In 1877, the
U.S. Fish Commission imported additional carp from Germany, and for 20 years or so,
stocked the species as a harvestable food fish, throughout most of the United States. More
recently, introductions of common carp resulted from use of juvenile carp as bait fish.
In the United States today, the common carp is often regarded as a pest fish, because
of its tendency to destroy vegetation and increase water turbidity. Adults feed by sucking
up bottom silt and selectively removing insect larvae, crustaceans, snails and other small
food items. The organic debris (muck) itself may be an important component of the
diet.
In Europe, they are eagerly sought by anglers, because they are difficult to hook, and
put up a tough fight. According to some accounts, the only European sport fish that
are more popular are Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. In the United States, groups
such as the Carp Anglers Group and American Carp Society, have sprung up to promote
sportfishing for common carp.
Offshore
Over the past ten years the Dolphinfish Research Program has been studying the
movements of dolphin, also known as dorado or mahi mahi. The main goal of the research
program main is for tagged fish to be recaptured and reported. In 2009 the program had
its second highest number of tagged fish reported in a single year. Program director and
marine fisheries biologist, Don Hammond, reports the recovery rate is virtually double
that for previous years. "I believe this increase in the recovery rate is due to an increase in
angler awareness to the importance of reporting the capture of tagged dolphin and their
desire to help the research program. This goes hand-in-hand with the growing popularity
of the program among U.S. offshore anglers, as more fishermen signup to tag for the
study. This year has also seen a growing interest in Puerto Rico and the establishment of
the program in Spain," says Don.
The national and international interest in this research effort by fishery researchers, as
well as by anglers, indicates the importance placed on the species throughout the Central
North Atlantic. We can only hope that this will lead to increased scientific studies needed
on dolphinfish.
Two sponsors of particular importance in motivating anglers to tag fish are Shimano
Tackle through the Don Coffee Company, and Star Rods through the Sea Striker Fishing
Tackle Company. Each year these companies generously donate the standup trolling rods
and TLD 50 reels that are given to the year’s top taggers. Don asks readers to please let
these companies know that you appreciate their support of this important program.
To learn more go to dolphintagging.com
NATIONAL 39 COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE
Freshwater
According to the International Angler, the International Game Fish Association's
bimonthly newsletter freshwater records have been rockin' & rolling. Well, actually a few
of the long-standing and recognizable IGFA world records have been falling. First, after
77 years, Japan’s Manabu Kurita matches Georgia’s George Perry's infamous 22-pound,
4-ounce largemouth bass record. Within a couple of months, Michigan's Tom Healy
toppled the all-tackle world record brown trout catching a 41-pound, 7-ounce monster
he caught on Michigan's Manistee river with guide Tim Roller.
Healy, a retired construction manager from Rockford Michigan, and an avid angler
who often travels to the Manistee River to fish for steelhead and chinook salmon, was
fishing with his friend, Bob Woodhouse of Grand Rapids, Michigan when he hooked
what they thought was their third salmon of the morning. After an estimated fifteen-
minute battle, the fish was bought to the side of Tim's boat where they learned it was
not only much bigger than they had thought, but also realized it was a brown trout, not
a chinook (king salmon). They weighed the fish on an unofficial scale, before calling
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources. After two DNR fish biologists confirmed
the species, weight, length and girth, they determined the fish's age to be six years. To add
to the excitement, a local Manistee TV station recorded the weighing of this historical
brown trout.
The fish replaces Rip Collins’ all-tackle world record of a 40-pound, 4-ounce brown
trout he caught fishing with 4-pound test, in 1992 on Arkansas' Little Red River, Heber
Springs.
Boating
Since 1991, BoatU.S. started compiling a list of the most-requested boat names
each year, giving birth to the official BoatU.S., Top Ten Most Popular Boat Names list.
According to BoatU.S., the name people choose for their boats often reveals considerable
insight into the personality of its owner, and it can also be a sign of present times, as
indicated in this year's newcomer, Bail Out . Of the Top Ten most popular names, Bail
Out was the number five pick, which “clearly speaks volumes about what's on boaters'
minds," said BoatU.S. President, Nancy Michelman. "With today's economic uncertainty,
naming a boat Bail Out could indicate that boating is a survival mechanism for the family
that will keep them afloat," she added.
Assembled each year, the BoatU.S. Boat Graphics service offers a free library of over
8,500 boat names and also allows boaters to easily select, custom design and preview boat
names online - without having to pay up front.
Visit the online service at www.BoatUS.com/boatgraphics. A list with the annual top
ten boat names, starting from 1991, can also be found on their website. Here is this year's
top ten list of most Popular Boat Names
1. Second Wind
2. Seas the Day
3. Lazy Daze
4. Jolly Roger
5. Bail Out
6. On the Rocks
7. Pegasus
8. Serenity Now
9. Namaste
10. Comfortably Numb
EARTH TIP: Take a kid or adult who has never been fishing out for the
first time. Fishing is a gateway sport to a lifetime of appreciation for the outdoors.
MARCH 2010
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