Ice Fishng Marie Verroneau Val Tesch Stephanie Tuck Terminator Outdoors Amanda and Emily Gale Kayak Fishing Bri Andrassy Skye Burkhardt Pam Wirth Fishing Reports Griffin Deans , Patrick Price Rick Southerland and Danny Allen
On the Cover: Lou Sivley editor at FFM
Florida Fishermen Magazine Holiday Issue
Happy Holidays
In This Issue
Lou Sivley 3 Kayaks 13 Ice Fishing 28 Fishing Reports 59
Meet Our Editor - Lou Sivley
Normally Lou asks the questions and does these features, but I wanted to be the one to introduce you to Lindsay "Lou" and her awesome family, including her husband, Capt. Dave, from "What's Kraken? Keys Fishing Adventures" and their two great children. I had the opportunity to spend some time with them this last summer and you cannot find a nicer and more welcoming family: we fished , we ate , we drank, we laughed, and we had an amazing time with them . The magazine would never be the same without Lou and her input and writing abilities . I am happy to be the one to introduce those who do not know her to the AMAZING Lou SivleY!
Lou Sivley Florida Fishermen Magazine
FFM: When did you start writing and how did that happen? LOU: Writing has always been my way to connect, internalize, and express myself to the world. I have been writing poetry and short stories ever since I was a kid, and as an adult I have used my skills as an author to bring awareness to important issues in our world and to advocate for myself and others. I relish the opportunity to exercise my writing skills as an editor for the “Florida Fishermen Magazine,” and I also enjoy creating and writing stories for my children.
FFM : I know you did a blog from when you and David traveled around the country. What were the highlights of that? LOU: My husband, Capt. Dave, and I had the unique opportunity to travel the country by van for a year when our oldest son, Lake, was three. And, I’m not talking about a mini-van; we were the proud owners of a Sportsmobile E350, (affectionately named “The Kraken”) that was capable of exploring the diverse terrain that shapes our land. We ventured through twenty-one different states and conquered nineteen National Parks creating priceless memories along the way. My husband is an avid angler, so every day was a new adventure of setting up camp, fly fishing the rivers, and hiking our way through countless forests and parks.
I documented our entire voyage on a blog entitled, “What’s Kraken?” It started as a way to connect with our family back home, and eventually transformed into the remarkable story of our incredible escapade. I printed the blog as a hardcover book, and it quickly became one of our most prized possessions.
We cherish every moment of our voyage: from the red rock in Utah to the snowcapped mountains in New Mexico to the coast of Washington to the desserts of California. It was a sad day when we bid farewell to “The Kraken,” but the lessons we learned throughout our journey continue to have positive ripples on our everyday lives.
FFM: How long have you been fishing. what brought you to the Florida Keys LOU: My love for the water started early. Growing up in the Hill Country of Texas, we were always on the lake either wake boarding or fishing. My grandparents taught me how to fish when I was young, but my passion sparked once I met my husband and he took me deep sea fishing for the first time.
As cliché as it sounds, after catching my first Mahi I was “hooked.” Post van life, we decided to settle in the Florida Keys so that we could spend our days doing what we love and follow our dreams of owning our own charter business. After living in Tavernier for a few years, we decided to plant our roots in beautiful Sugarloaf Key where we currently reside with our two boys, one dog, four chickens, and one chameleon.
Later, while attending college at the University of Texas in Austin, I studied behavioral therapy for individuals with exceptional needs. When I moved to Tavernier, I worked as a paddleboard instructor for “Paddle the Florida Keys.” It was here that I had the incredible opportunity to coach paddle boarding for the Special Olympics, so paddleboarding will always hold a special place in my heart. However, there is also something very special about immersing yourself under the sea and landing that fish after an epic battle, so it’s hard to choose a favorite!
FFM : I know that you're involved in almost every water sport there is paddle boarding, scuba diving, fishing what's your favorite thing to do out on the water LOU: I was three years old when my parents immersed me into the exhilarating world of water sports by teaching me how to wake board. The confidence I gained from learning how to carve through water at such a young age paved the way for all of the other adventures to follow.
FFM: What is your bucket list fish? LOU: I have been very fortunate to have crossed most of my dream saltwater fish off my bucket list. Some of my favorite catches include my first sailfish and my personal best Mahi (32 lbs.) Capt. Dave promises to take me to Costa Rica one day so I can catch my first marlin, and I would be thrilled to spear a wahoo. As for freshwater, my goal is to improve my fly fishing skills, and I would love to one day catch a salmon on the fly.
FFM: Tell us about your family Charter Business how it got started, what you offer, etc. LOU: The ocean provides the world with many sources of entertainment, wonder, and nutrients. Its beauty is reflected in its palette, its allure is anchored in its mystery, and its nourishment is cultivated by its inhabitants. My husband and I wanted to share our passion for the ocean by creating our own charter business. We are the proud owners and operators of “What’s Kraken? Keys Fishing Adventures” and we offer custom fishing, diving, and cruising adventures* that are tailored to our clients’ ideal aquatic experiences. Keep an eye out for our family on the ocean and be sure to give us a “wave” if you are ever in the Lower Keys.
What's Kraken? Keys Fishing Adventures 7005 Shrimp Road Slip A4 Key West, FL 33040 305) 310-4206
info@whatskraken.net http://www.whatskraken.net instagram: @whats.kraken FB: What's Kraken? Keys Fishing Adventures
Meet Our Editor - Lou Sivley What's Kraken? Keys Fishing Adventures
Proud Sponsor of Florida Fishermen Magazine Link to Website www.winsurance.net ww
Insuring you , your home and all of your toys All of Florida 772-692-9311
Your Home
Boats , RV's ATV's Trucks and Cars
website
Kayak Fishing
Choosing a Fishing Kayak By: Pam Wirth Kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing watersports in Florida. Kayakers can be found landing fish in the smallest creeks and ponds to bays and even the ocean. The opportunity for adventure can be limitless and so it seems the variety of kayaks on the market. So how do you find that one kayak that is perfect for you? One of the best ways to start your hunt is to determine which features of the kayak are important to you. For example, if you like to pull off the side of the road and hit local ponds for bass, your priority may be a very light kayak such as Native Watercraft’s Ultimate LT. Hunting for Kings, Tuna and Sails? The Native’s Slayer ProPel with a peddle drive system could be the ticket. Let’s look at some determining factors and options to consider. They are: Use, Price, Stability, Features, Propulsion, Seat, Storage and Rigging and Weight. Use: Except for Price, this is one of the most important determining factors in your selection. If you are only going to fish once a month or for short derations, you may not need all the features a tournament angler, who spends hours in that seat would need. Be realistic on how often you fish and in what type of water. A kayak suited for a small pond may not due well in the ocean. Price: Kayaks can range in price from a couple of hundred dollars to well over $3,000. This will vary due to size, features and brands. Determine your budget and then rank the features as “must have” “would like to have” and “Can do Without”. This will help narrow the field.
Choosing a Fishing Kayak- Pam Wirth Stability: Are you athletic, with great balance or the kind of person who doesn’t like the boat to rock? Do you like to stand while fishing, are there boat in the area throwing wake, or will you encounter chop and waves? If so, the stability of the kayak could be an important feature. Some of the wider vessels seem to be more stable. Great examples of these are Native’s Titan and Hobie’s Pro Angler 14. Get in a couple of different brands and styles. Find your comfort zone. Features: What comes with your kayak? You can choose from just a hull and paddles to a fully rigged yak with a peddle drive, Miragedrive or even a trolling motor! Lets look at a few of the most important features to anglers: Propulsion: We just touched on this item. This is a personal preference. I paddled my first kayak for years before getting a peddle system. Paddling will be the most economical way to go. Peddle systems are great for covering distance and fishing “hands free”. Some also give you the ability to back up. Trolling motors have recently come into market and some Brands are designing styles to easily accommodate a motor. A Trolling motor will add to the weight and purchase price. Seat: Sit in or on the hull, small seat in the hull, raised seat, raised seat with lumbar support, swivel seats and arm rests…there are options for everyone. Hours of fishing in an uncomfortable seat can make or break a day on the water. I want to be above the water for visibility, a dry seat, and lumbar support. The Native Slayer ProPel 13 is my fishing partner.
Choosing a Fishing Kayak- Pam Wirth Storage and Rigging Options: How much gear are you going to bring with you? If just one rod and a small tackle box, just about any kayak will due. For those who like to carry more gear, multiple rods, a fish bag and a Go Pro, look for a kayak that has a track system. There are a number of Rod, paddle, and drink holders as well as camera mounts which quickly fit into a track system. RAILBLAZA and Yak-Gear have some wonderful options and accessories to customize your kayak. A track system will allow you to add, change or move accessories without drilling holes into the hull. Weight: Kayaks can range in weight from about 40 pounds to Hobie’s PA 14, which weighs in, fully rigged, at 144 pounds. Think of your life style, how are you transporting your kayak from home to the launch. Will you trailer it, throw it in the back of a pick-up, or even on top of your vehicle? Pushing 144 pounds onto a car roof rack may be a bit too much. A trailer is going to add to your overall budget. Rank all the options in their order of importance to you. Determine your budget and select the top 3 kayaks that come closest to meeting your needs. Sit in each and if possible, test ride each on the water before your purchase. Determining your needs and doing a little research before your purchase can make your time fishing more enjoyable. See you on the water, Tight lines!
Kayaks Offshore Bri Andrassy
How I got started offshore kayak fishing: I was getting scuba certified and overheard a guy in our group mention that the tuna were coming in offshore. At that point I did not have much offshore experience being that I primarily fished inshore off of the paddle board. I inquired further about his fishing methods and he said that he could catch them from a kayak. Mind blown, I said no way! He then proceeded to tell me about people catching sailfish and pelagics as he showed me pictures from previous trips.
click for video
I had to try it when he offered to show me the ropes I was all in. Jon Cunningham has been a great fishing partner and friend that has opened my eyes to a whole new world of fishing. I have learned a ton over this past year and I have made the greatest memories getting pulled around by some beasts out there. I absolutely love offshore kayak fishing. I spend my days looking at the forecast for the next 10 to see if it’s possible to get offshore. I plan to participate in upcoming yak fishing tournaments and spend everyday I can out there catching and learning more about this style of fishing. I have yet to catch a sail, fingers crossed for this weekend because that is my bucket lister.
Set up: If it is a short evening offshore trip, trolling and vertical jigging methods are used. You pedal out to the desired depth (which is dependent upon the fish you are targeting) and hopefully you hook up before you come back in. A longer morning trip, trolling live bait such as goggle eyes and vertical jigging is ideal. Kayak: Hobie outback Offshore gear: 160g jigs King fish rigs: 30- 40lbs braid 40lbs fluoro ,5-6k spinning reel or conventional, St croix mojo jigging rod, Gaff, Fish bag, Depth finder Life jacket, VHF Radio, Depth finder ,
Link to video
Finding the Right Kayak Skye Burkhardt
Finding the right kayak for yourself and your fishing needs can be a little tough! There are so many questions to ask, sit-on top or sit-inside kayak? What brand? And what kayak is suitable for your weight. My answer is, do as much research as possible before you make a purchase. Watch YouTube videos and get insight of other anglers. I personally prefer a sit-on top kayak, allows me to sit higher and see more. Makes it much quicker to maneuver and stand up easier when in between sight-fishing and paddling to a new spot. If you are paddling longer distance you want to go with a longer more narrow kayak that will track faster in the water and across large bodies of water. I have a Pelican Catch120nxt, a few inches shy of 12ft. Has amazing tracking, light weight and has a wide deck. Giving me the space I need to stand, move around and sight cast.
As I understand most think they want to blend in with nature and go with the earth tones such a greens and camoflauge. The fish don’t care what color your kayak is and cant see it. I find that brighter yaks are best. Allowing boaters and other kayakers to see you from a distance, typically having them keep away from you, not blowing up your fishing spot and well the brighter colors make for better looking fish photo!
Accessories Time to deck out your kayak! You want to be sure to have all the proper accessories, ones beneficial to your kayak fishing needs. Basics being an anchor, tether, rod holders, a storage system for your tackle and tools. I find that using a small cooler rather than a bait bucket, because of the insulation it will keep your bait alive longer. Especially while out in Florida’s hot summer temperatures. To help save time while I am switching lures I use a quarter piece of a pool noodle and hook my lures, so I don’t hook myself or have to go in and out of my tackle bag, especially when the fish are blowing up!
While fishing the skinny water and chasing Reds a push pole can be your best accessory, helping you push through skinny water and keeping you stealthy. A paddle holder comes in handy as you can use it not only to hold your paddle but also to pair with your push pole to anchor up, for those anglers who like to wade out in the water. And of course the most used accessory your paddle. You want to be sure to have the proper shaft length for the width and length of your kayak.
More Tips: *Check your local fishing reports.Understanding what’s biting, where and why is not only an integral part of developing your skills as a fisherman but also the environmentally responsible thing to do. *Be aware of the weather. Check the weather reports before you go to be able to spot fast-forming systems. *Be aware of other vessels. Be realistic in your estimate on how long it will take you to cross large waterways before you begin .
Safety Gear Safety is the most important item on your pack list as it’s going to be what saves your life in the event of an emergency. A personal flotation device (PFD) is essential. Remember to pack other items, you should take include a whistle, flares, gloves, a headlamp, first aid kit, paddle leash, fishing rod leash and an emergency kayak repair kit. *Skin protection Skin protection will keep you comfortable on your trip and healthy long-term. Pack bug spray, waterproof sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses. * Keep Hydrated Food and water are not only necessary for survival. To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water the day before your trip. Pack water-rich foods like fruit and lean proteins to snack on while fishing.
*Anchor An anchor is often an overlooked piece of gear on many first-time kayak fishermen’s pack list.Another option is a stake-out pole i use Yak Gear Floating Yak Stick! which is a sturdy pole designed to be stuck in the mud, they ideal for flats fishing * Camera and mount The best way to document your kayak fishing adventures is with a camera on a mount. GoPro offers 4K capture, voice control, a 2-inch touch display and video stabilization in a waterproof and virtually indestructible build.
*Learn sightcasting and standing in your yak Sight fishing is the act of looking into the water to find fish first with your eyes. Polarized glasses are a must-have since they cut the glare from the water and allow you to see through as far as water visibility. *Efficient lure changing Efficient lure changing could mean the difference between catching a fish and not. Many times, you will eye a group of schooling or feeding fish only to lose them. Practice changing lures quickly before your trip. *Kayak Cart A kayak cart allows you to support one end of a kayak on a lightweight, padded frame and terrain wheels while you guide the rig via the handle on the other end of the cart.
Ice Fishing
Passion pêche au féminin avec Marie Véronneau
A Big Thank You to Marie for helping us out. We reached out to our friends in the North and had a great response. Marie is featured in an article you will find here. Just click on any of those page to go to the original. We all have a lot to learn about this aspect of our sport and Marie provided some great information . ,
link to video
Hi, There is some picture of ice fishing on Outaouais River Québec. My name is Marie Véronneau. You can follow me on Facebook at passion pêche au féminin and on Instagram to. Thank you! Marie Verroneau Fish on! 🎣🐟❄️💙
Ice Fishing is just one aspect of fishng that Marie enjoys , you can follow her on Instagram and FaceBook for more of her adventures . Marie is from Quebec, Canada and is an inspiration to those who love this sport Happy to have you wih us Flfishmag.com
Marie Verroneau , Quebec , Canada
The next three pages are a reprint from another magazine about Marie.
Marie started fishing just over a year ago but her passion and enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. She fishes year round for Trout, Walleyes, Salmon and Bass , We have a new Northern Friend in the family
Passion pêche au féminin avec Marie Véronneau Reprint from previous article , click page for original article and magazine
Hello my name is Val Tesch. I am from Minnesota and absolutely love to be in the outdoors, however ice fishing holds a special place in my heart.
Val Tesch - Team Tesch Outdoors
Ice fishing is one thing that my whole family enjoys. Introducing my eight year old daughter into the sport that she now loves as much as I do is very rewarding. I also enjoy sharing my love of Ice fishing with many other women who like to get out and get on the ice and fish as much as I do. I am currently an active member of Women Anglers of Minnesota (WAM) it’s through organizations like this I have met so many other amazing female anglers who have the same passion for the sport. One of my main goals that I have for myself is to encourage other women and kids out on the ice to try the sport of ice fishing. Once you try it you will likely be hooked especially if you hook into a walleye.
I am a multi species angler, but walleyes are by far my favorite fish to fish for through the ice. They are very challenging fish to target since they roam so many vast areas of the lakes I fish. Whether you are chasing shallow water walleyes up on a rock flat, to locating roaming mid lake deep basins I love the challenge the offer. You just never really know what caliber of a fish you are going to pull through the ice. My home body of water is Mille Lacs lake which not only offers amazing ice fishing, but also a great lake in the summer. Mille Lacs lake is Minnesota's second largest lake spanning a massive 132,000 surface acres which is roughly about 200 square miles. Trying to find a walleye in an eight inch hole is definitely a challenge that I live for.
One of my favorite ways to target big walleyes is jigging. When I am jigging, I usually start off with a buckshot tipped with a minnow head. On days when it’s cloudy or overcast I like to focus in on shallow water areas. On days that are sunny the focus will often shift to deeper water areas or breaks from the top of a mud flat. To locate these areas I use a hand held GPS with a lake-master chip.
. Once I find a spot that looks good I will drill a series of holes I start on the top of a flat and drill a hole every ten feet until I get off the flat into deeper water. Once I have all my holes drilled I will try to locate fish using my Marcum LX-7 fish finder. There is no better feeling than dropping your jig down and watching a big red mark appear and hit your jig. Then its game on and let the fight begin. If I fish a hole for ten minutes with no action I will move on to the next hole and start the process again.
During the early ice season, which usually lasts a couple of weeks I walk out to the areas I am going to fish. Once we have six to eight inches of ice I will use a four wheeler and pull portable fish house to fish out of. By the end of December we typically have sixteen inches of ice or more and That is when you will start to see the lakes start to look like little communities on the ice. We will start driving out on the lake and pulling wheel and skid houses out. No worries though they have plowed roads that are smoother then most roads in Minnesota. These ice fishing shacks have all the commodities of home but in a smaller package. These houses can have everything from bathrooms to kitchens and running water and everything you need to be able to stay on the ice for weeks at a time. You can play cards and watch movies just like fishing out of your living room while sitting in your comfy chair.
VThere are really so many things that I love about ice fishing. From the excitement of not knowing what you’re going to catch to seeing a monster walleye being pulled through a eight inch hole to the calming effect a perfectly silent lake has. There are just too many things to list as you’ll discover when you experience it for yourself. Anyone that is thinking about giving ice fishing a try I would highly recommend it! Mille Lacs lake has a ton to offer from giant walleyes to trophy small mouth bass and monster muskies the lake has it all including places to stay and places to fish.
Pro-Staff at Ultimate Outdoors Pro Staffer at Rogue River Tackle. Pro-Staff at Catch Clothing Co. Co-owner at Team Tesch Outdoors
Crazy Ice Fishing Video
Stephanie Tuck, Chesley, Ontario, Canada. The Lakes are not ready for ice fishing up in my area, therefore, river fishing it has been. I have not had the opportunity to get out as much lately, as I would like too. The River has been good for catching fish. There were days that we needed to be patience. We released the ones that were caught, back into the water. We needed to switched up with lures and spawn and casted to the shallow water and to some deep spots to try to find them. When one was hooked, you wanted to be sure not to let the fish get away. You wanted to reel like crazy to get them to shore. Sometimes, one has to remember to bow down to the fish, if needed to reel him in. A few weeks ago, we woke up real early in the morning to try and catch some whitefish. The drive is about an hour away. These fish are so light to the touch that I missed some opportunities. I thought to myself, I will be ready for the next one, but then “fish on”, dang!, I missed again. Although, I did not catch one, I enjoyed the knowledge that I learned, to try again another day. The fish appear to come around that area for abit in mid November, so you want to have your “game on” because they will not be around for long.
Stephanie waiting for the Ice
We left that area and moved on to another location, where the bows were on. I caught 3 in a row and what a rush. Good size ones that day. It was exciting and you wanted to be in control of the fish, as they can take off and sneak under a log to get you snagged or break your line. It is the beauty of the nature on these snowy days, while enjoying the peacefulness and tranquility. Fishing is at its finest and with your partner and enjoying your time together. It is the excitement when one of us hooks a fish. I also enjoy watching the fish being released into the water as they swim off. I have until the end of December for a few of our great spots to catch fish and then we need to move further down the river.
It is almost the end of December and the anticipation of waiting for the Lakes to freeze to get out ice fishing. I also have met a few couples who also enjoy ice fishing and we have begun mapping out new areas to scout for the fish. It should not be much longer now. Hopefully in a few weeks as the gear is already and by the door for my partner and I to go.
Terminator Outdoors Sarah Marie
Hey everyone. My name is Sarah, I run the various media platforms for Terminator Outdoors. I’ve been ice fishing for several years now. Its fun, and some of my best fishing experiences happened while ice fishing. Follow safety, find where to fish, and with the right set ups you can enjoy ice fishing as well. Safety The number 1 thing I want you to remember before venturing onto the ice is SAFETY! When fishing always think safety. Ice conditions change hour to hour, day to day, and week to week. Being mindful of this will help keep you safe. Ice often has thin spots and some of the most dangerous ice, is the ice that has currents running under it. It is difficult to get back on to the ice once you have plunged through, and current adds the additional risk of getting swept under the ice. So, in addition to being ever mindful of ice conditions where we are fishing, what other things can you watch for? Some lakes have fishing clubs that maintain and mark safe travel roads across the lakes. Look for places that others are fishing and have safely traveled. When venturing away from these areas, check ice thickness with a long ice chisel or check the thickness with an auger and measuring device every 15-30 yards to avoid thin spots. Also watching for changing ice color may give you clues to different ice thicknesses. If you see the ice shelving up, stay away from it, and DO NOT try driving your vehicle over it. It is recommended that you wait until the ice is at least 4 to 6 inches thick before walking on it, 8-10 inches thick before driving a snowmobile or ATV on it, and at least 12-15 inches thick for a car or small truck to be driven on it.
Where to fish Before going out on the ice I decide what species to fish for. My top two favorite species are northern pike and trout. Many states have lake finding websites that contain all the information you need to know about the lake, such as where vegetation may be found, steep drop offs, contour maps, roads the lake is located off of along with boat launches, beaches, or any public access points, and most importantly, what fish species it may contain. I find the lake maps that show fish stocking and collection surveys, along with contour maps, very helpful. I like to print them off and take them along with me. An app called Navionics is loaded on my phone as well and is a huge help when I am trying to drill holes over different depths and structures. Navionics has mobile contour maps. Also shows where some boat launches may be located, and it may have some vegetation labeled on the map. Some hot spots of the lake may have been shared by other fisherman on the app as well. If you’re lucky, someone may have shared their hotspots to the lake you want to fish. When arriving at the lake a quick check at the local bait and tackle shop can often help with good information on ice conditions, where to fish, and what lures and baits are hot. Being ever mindful of ice safety, once I arrive at the lake, I look for safe areas that have the fish attracting structure I am seeking. I look for structure including rocks, vegetation, drop offs, or fallen trees. I generally start in 6-20 feet of water. Although groups of people can signal where active fish are, sometimes finding these structures away from the crowds is just the ticket.
Setup After finding the spot you want to fish, with the depth and structure you’ve been hoping to find, it is time to drill some holes through the ice, and find some fish either with Tip ups, tip downs, or jigging with ice jigging rods. Using Tip ups is the easiest way to locate predator fish such as walleye or northern. If you are fishing for northern, we like to keep the bait and lines more suspended off the bottom, it really depends on the depth you are fishing. For example, if you are in 6 feet of water, I would put it 2 or 3 feet off the bottom. I have caught many 30+ inch northern in 6 feet of water, so don’t be afraid to try a setup in a depth as shallow as 6 feet. If you are in 15 feet of water, I would try for 3-6 feet off the bottom, or maybe even a little higher. Walleye or trout may also be found suspended, but typically they are feeding really close to the bottom. Normally when I set a tip up for walleye or lake trout, I would set it 1-2 feet of the bottom. Using the right bait is a big factor as well. If I am targeting just northern pike, I like to use large golden shiners, and large sucker minnows. If I am targeting walleye, I use small to medium golden shiners. For panfish we like to use wax worms, small plastic baits with scent on them, or small fathead or crappie minnows on ultra-light or light jigging rods. It is very possible to catch a large trout, northern pike, or walleye on the bait we use for panfish. I have done it before but try your best to match the right size bait for the size of the fish you are targeting, if you are unsure, many bait shops are very helpful by labeling their baits according to what they’re best suited for.
Gear Different species often dictate what kind of gear and tackle you will want to use. For larger fish with heavier weight or sharper teeth, you would want to go with higher pound test line. Consider steel leaders to prevent bite offs as necessary with certain species of fish such as northern pike. On the flip side, using a line that is too heavy will often reduce the amount of strike triggering action when you are targeting smaller fish species. I try to match the line weight and lure size to the species I am targeting. When I am fishing for larger fish such as northern pike and walleye, I use a medium action ice rod with 6-8 pound test line. Ice rods are much shorter than traditional fishing rods and allow you to sit close to the fishing holes for better control. When I fish for panfish I get out my ultralight to light action jigging rods. There is a print just above the handle for information to the rods action, size, length, and recommended test line for the rod. Not all rods carry this information above the handle but most of them do. Tip ups are a fishing device that can be set up to hold your bait at a certain depth and can help spread baits over an area. Tip ups signal that a fish has taken a bait by tripping a flag that can be seen from a distance. All my tip ups have thin 20-30 pound braided tip up line. The braided tip line is really flexible yet strong, and because it is so thin, I can put a great length of line on each tip up. Than at the end of each of these lines I put a snap swivel, preferably rated the same weight as the braided line and is small and hardly noticeable so I can attach and un attach my leaders with ease.
. I sometimes use various leaders such as steel leaders for northern or something long and clear for walleye and trout. The length of leaders can vary from 6 inches to several feet in length. We try to use 15-17 pound monofilament, in about 2-3 feet in length for pike, walleye, and trout, but if the pike start chewing through the monofilament, it may be time to consider a steel leader for the pike. As for walleye and trout, we want to stick with the clear monofilament because of visibility. If the tip up is set just for walleye and trout you can use 8-10 pound test, but the 15-17 pound test works just as well. On the plus side if you stick with the 15-17 pound test and an unexpected northern pike bites on to your walleye or trout set up, it will be less likely to snap the line. The sizes of hooks vary from species to species too. For walleye and pike, the hook sizes we use are between 10-4 and when we target trout we use hook sizes between 10 and 8. I put size 10 and 8 treble hooks on most of my leaders with a couple small to medium sized split shots. I find that the sizes 10 and 8 treble hooks are not only a great fit for the average walleyes and pike that we catch, but they hide in the bait very well too. For panfish we typically use panfish jigs with hook sizes no smaller than size 12. Any smaller and they tend to swallow more of those jigs. Ice fishing can be a fun and wonderful experience. Jordan and I with Terminator Outdoors very much recommend you giving it a try if you ever get the chance. Just keep in mind safety and these simple setups, and you could have a safe and enjoyable experience too.
Just Hanging around with Bri Andrassy, but If you want your pictures featured here, send them to pages@Flfishmag.com with the subject: "Readers."
Taylor
Readers Features
The Gale Force Twins - December
Emily and Amanda Gale Late Fall early Winter some of the canals of Big Pine Key are covered with a thick blanket of sea grass. The sun was rising, Amanda and I were on our way out to fish the Gulf and were taking it slow through our neighborhood canals. It’s a short but pretty ride. Nurse sharks, barracuda, horseshoe crab, parrot fish, snapper and bait fish make these waters a home. Occasionally you'll see the federally protected Key deer swimming across the waterway towards small mangrove filled islands. The winter also brings the manatees our way.
We were almost almost out of our canal when we looked down and saw a large school of mangrove snapper. "Wow, we have to come back to catch these fish,” we both said simultaneously! But you can’t just anchor a boat in the middle of the canal and we had plans to fish the Gulf that day. On the ride out, we start thinking of a plan to come back the next day when we remember we have a tandem fishing kayak in storage.
It’s been some time since we pulled the kayak out, probably before Hurricane Irma, but we figured this was a perfect opportunity. Although our kayak is equipped to hold fishing gear, we’ve only used it for sight-seeing around Big Pine. After loading the kayak, we put it in the water and started paddling out. We decided to take the scenic route to our fishing spot. It wasn’t as easy as we had thought. We quickly found ourselves stuck in very thick sea grass and nowhere to go. It took synchronized teamwork but we finally landed at our destination and found the snapper in the same spot they were the day before! Click here to watch the video below to see just how hard it was to reach this school of snapper
Follow our friends Captains Amanda and Emily Gale
Click here to follow
Amber
Send pictures for Readers Features to Pages@Flfishmag.com
Tawny
From all of us at Flfishmag.com
Merry Fishmas
Video Link
Kayak Adventures By: Steve Cockerill I started fishing when I was roughly 4 maybe 5 years old. Once I caught my first brim about the size of my head, I was hooked! Ohio river cat fishing and bass fishing had all my spare time as a teen. Then I got the opportunity to finally move to Florida and a new chapter of my fishing experience began! I met a man people called Jerky Dave through my uncle Buck shortly after moving here. He began to show me how to find mullet/bait and throw a cast net. Once I got all the secrets down I set out to fight my first saltwater fish on rod and reel! My first true Florida fish was a 24” gag grouper caught at Clearwater pass.
Kayak Adventures - Steve Cockerill After countless trips to my favorite beach or wade spot(s) I realized I need a way to get further out and actually find the fish and not just get lucky... So I bought a canoe, 15’ fiberglass and two seats! What could possibly go wrong right? First time launching the new to me canoe I paddled from Dunedin causeway to the spoil islands just north. Everything was smooth, I reach the first islands oyster bar and just as I do I hear a motor from behind the island.. Not even 10 seconds later some nut flys by full throttle and literally flips me and my canoe with all my gear inside! Fast forward 7 years I finally got myself an awesome kayak, a 10’ pelican cheap yet effective. This thing is nice, it moves fast and with ease, drafts crazy shallow and is surprisingly super stable! Add a few rod holders, an anchor and a paddle leash along with some #KINGKRACKEN stickers and we are in business.
Christy
Tim
Taylor G
The Lighthouse series by Venny Melton Lighthouse Walton, Santa Cruz, California, USA
In 1998, the Santa Cruz community, under the leadership of Bill Simpkins and Jim Thoits, proposed replacing the unsightly harbor light with a lighthouse of classic design, adding a little more character to a community renowned for its characters. Fundraising efforts began in earnest, and with the contributions of many people, including a major donation from Charles Walton of Los Gatos, enough money was raised to begin construction of the new lighthouse in 2001. On June 9, 2002, the new harbor lighthouse was dedicated, and the signal, a green light flashing every four seconds at a focal plane of thirty-six feet, was activated. It is named the Walton Lighthouse, in honor of Mr. Charles Walton’s late brother, Derek, who served in the merchant marines and was lost at sea during World War II. the lighthouse originally had a red band day mark. In March 2003, the day mark was changed to a green band, after boaters protested that a green beacon should not have a red day mark.
The LighthoThe Lighthouse series by Venny Melliv Venny Meltonuse series by Venny Melton
Located at the northern end of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz Harbor is a haven for fishing craft and vessels. A harbor light, located at the west jetty, has marked its entrance for forty years. The original light was a box light structure which served from 1964 – 1996. It was replaced by a cylinder nicknamed “the water heater” which was used from 1996 – 1999. From 1999 until May 2002, a simple pipe structure held the light which marked the way into the harbor.
Fishing Reports
Fishing report Inshore- Weather this week was crazy, but we did get some reprieve from the chaos here early in the work week. During that brief weather window we did see lots of the whiting and silver trout landed from the jetties and beaches around the area. Plus, the sheepshead bite has been good, not crazy yet but definitely heating up. Also, a few local young anglers have been around catching redfish on pinfish free lined around the docks. Plus, they did see a huge black drum get landed from the beach behind Hubbard’s marina. There’s plentiful lady fish around right now too, chasing the large areas of white bait and other bait fish moving through the pass. The snook have been a little absent as of late, but that’s due to the water temps getting so low those snook go up into the super back bay waters and even the bayous where the mud flats and shallow waters allow better sun penetration and warmer water temps. Then venture back into deeper waters during the night to try and regulate their body temps. Big target for shore based anglers over the coming months should be the whiting, silver trout and sheepshead with the occasional black drum for excitement.
Want to watch Capt Dylan Hubbard’s Daily video reports? Check out the Hubbard’s Marina YouTube channel and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! - Hubbard's Marina daily fishing & boating report
Near shore- Gags and hogs are the big story near shore with some large mangrove snapper and a few lanes mixed in. Even our 5 hour half day has been catching gag grouper this past week, but mainly due to having to fish deeper and further than normal due to turbulent conditions stirring up the water and making the close to shore waters very muddy and fishing slow. Once we get past these stirred up waters that is when we see the fishing action pick up and the bite improve. This past week we were fishing between 15-17 miles from Johns Pass on our half days but seeing 1-3 keeper gags, nearly half dozen hogs and then plenty of the grey snapper, porgies and seabass. However, the bite was a little slow Monday to start but then picked up towards the end of the trip. Tuesday the bite started slow but picked up faster. Wednesday the bite was good throughout the day. This perfectly illustrates the fact that the near shore fishing is highly affected by water temps, water clarity, and the barometer. As we got further from the nasty conditions last weekend and as the water warmed the bite picked up more and more. Behind these fronts you have to wait awhile for the water to clear up and warm up before you can expect great near shore fishing, but once they do finally pick up the fishing is HOT. Due to this, we have added in a SPECIAL 10 hour all day trip for December 24th which should be great weather and hot fishing behind this strong front coming through Friday the water should warm up a bit by they and the water will be calm and the winds laid down, so make sure to book now (727)393-1947 or book online - https://hubbardsmarina.com/fishing-trip-reservations/
Offshore – The fishing offshore this week when we could finally make it offshore has been CRAZY Monday and Tuesday was some of the best fishing on the Flying HUB 2 long range 12 hour extreme trips we have seen thus far. Monday limited out on gags for the boat in less than 3 hours and Tuesday they limited out in just over 3 hours! Wednesday was supposed to be great weather again but the forecast seriously screwed us and the weather went bad much earlier than forecasted so the fishing was great to start Wednesday but once the weather went bad it was like someone flicked the light switch off and the bite went off. However, we are expecting this light switch to be kicked back on hopefully Sunday offshore behind this big front. It takes longer for the near shore areas to recover from the poor weather however.
Venny Melton
Link to video Report
3585 SE St. Lucie Blvd Stuart, Florida Call (772) 405-0091 pat@daymakerfishing.com http://www.stuartflfishingcharters.com/
Captain Patrivk Price Daymaker Charters Link to Fishing Report
Link to Video Fishing Report
409 1st St Cedar Key, Florida 32625 (352) 215-3686 cedarkeyoutfitters.com
Get On The Water! Here in the Florida Keys there is year round fishing, and we have the charter to fit your needs! Choose a half, three quarter, or full day of fishing fun aboard our 28ft. Whitewater Catching Machine! Call for pricing! 305-815-2383 Licensed and Insured!
Link to Video
Against The Grain Charters
Tortuga Custom Rods
Call 863 440 4285 http://Tortugacustomrods.com Florida Fishermen Magazine Friends and Family
Ahhh December.... Bring on the cold fronts. Florida didn’t fail to deliver!!! 70 one week, then 40’s and 50’s the next. Frontal changes will drastically change the bite on the water. So my first stop in December was to fish a tournament on Lake Harris!!! Lake Harris is an amazing lake filled with giant largemouths.
Rick Southerland freshwater editor at Florida Fishermen Magazine
We launched out of Venetian Gardens, and I went straight for Johnson’s Point. With a cold front that morning and light rain, I was targeting a combination of grass and hydrilla. Johnson’s point was loaded with hydrilla. About third or fourth cast with a top water popper and BOOM!!! Fish On!!! Within the first hour we had a fish in the live well. It wasn’t very big, but was I on to something??? Apparently not because not another bite. I threw everything!!! The wind had picked-up, so we went to the notorious 9th street canal. Many tournaments have been won out of 9th street. As we arrived, the rain picked-up. We were getting short strikes, but no real takers, so we concentrated on the mouth of the canal and finally....another little bass decided to grab my Spro Rattling Chug Bug. With only two hours left in the tournament and with the rain really coming down, we changed locations to a little shallower canal. Fishing the smaller more shallow canal I noticed a little patch of grass move. Oh it had to be a largemouth. I casted my popper just past the grass patch and popped it slowly. All of a sudden my popper was gone!!! It was just sucked under the water. I set the hook, but it felt small. That is, until it got to the boat!! The beauty of a fish took off under the boat. Being careful not to cut my braid on the bottom of the boat, I managed to work the magnificent fish to the top of the water where my co-Angler netted him. A beautiful 5 1/2 lb largemouth!!! With only three fish to weigh in, we still managed a top ten finish because of that amazing Catch. So when these cold fronts hit, and you can’t find the schools of baitfish, try shallow. When you’re in the shallows, pay attention to surface activity or movement of grass!!!
Southerland Outdoors
We decided to try our luck again on Lake Harris the following weekend. With another cold front moving in and rain almost every day, The fog coming off the water in the morning was breathtaking. I started out the day trying to find shad. Without any luck, I decided to try around docks and outside edges of the grass. The first thing I threw was a Top Water Popper. With no luck, I tried a jerk bait. Still nothing. Was it my location? Did the cold front drive them deeper? I launched out of Hickory Point on Lake Harris, so maybe it was the area that I was fishing. Persistence is key when you’re fishing though. If you are fishing an area without any luck, so can do two things....you can either change locations or try to figure out what the fish are doing and how deep. I decided to try to figure them out. Without any luck in 8-10 ft of water on the edge of the grass, I decided to try shallow. Real shallow. I trolled through the grass and fished between the bank and the Kissimmee grass in less than 3ft!!!! Second cast and Bam!!!! Fish On Not a giant, but a nice little largemouth no less. Excited that I might be on to something, I tossed the popper back out in the shallow water, and SPLASH!!!! Another largemouth!!! I found my pattern without finding the shad. So if you’re unable to find the schooling shad, go shallow!!! The rain and cold fronts have pushed them up close!!! Get out in the Outdoors...Southerland Outdoors!!!
Kavon
Cherlyn
June
David
Alysha
Deidra
Richard
Against The Grain Charters Captain Charlie Rogers, We're really excited to team up with Modern Spartan Systems. They make great products that are environmentally friendly and easy to use. Most importantly.... they work! Cleaning your reels, maintenance on your outboard motor, or cleaning your favorite firearm after hunting season....they have you covered. Modern Spartan Systems even have additives for your car or pickup truck . Check them out at http://modernspartansystems.com/ #modernspartansystems #captcharlie Florida Fishermen Magazine
Thank You for a great 2018
Catch U Later
