Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i Florida Sportsman

It’s pretty much always boat show season in Florida, but February takes it to another level. If you’re in the market, we’d like to think you’ll find your next chariot at our very own Florida Sportsman Expo in Fort Myers, Feb. 9-10. Or maybe the Miami International Boat Show Feb. 14-18. Or Bonita Springs Feb. 28-Mar. 3. Or any number of venues in between. First time shopping? You’ll no doubt get all kinds of advice. If you ask me, I’d start by pointing you to George LaBonte and Rick Ryals, hosts of our Best Boat TV and frequent contributors to this magazine. The captains share insights on all manner of boat topics, from design fundamentals to equipment and proper vessel handling. As for my own advice, I’ll offer two pieces:…

Much like the argument about which hulls raise the most fish, each lifelong fish-cleaner has an idea on just what knives are best for cleaning fish. I’ll narrow it down and suggest three basic blades—with a possible fourth. For starters, you’ll want a 7- or 8-inch all-around fillet knife. For big fish such as groupers and cobia, I prefer the stiffness and edge-holding quality of an 8-inch Dexter Russell or Forschner. A second, smaller blade—thin and flexible—is also valuable. A 4-incher, such as the classic Rapala Fish N Fillet with the wood handle, is my “go-to” knife for cutting the backbone out of a “cutback” mullet or trimming a bonito strip to swim perfectly. It’s also ideal for cutting the backside off a flounder—you want all that great meat you…

Spawning season offers some of the year’s best opportunities for the bass of a lifetime, but there are no guarantees. In fact, without a deep and diverse playbook, these wily, wary fish will leave you scratching your head. Avoid such frustration with these tactics: SWIM TEAM: A swimbait may not be your first thought for bed fishing, but it should be a regular element of your game for two reasons: First, trolling through likely spawning areas can often do more harm than good by spooking unseen fish. Staying off the area and fan casting a Gambler Big EZ, YUM Pulse or Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper will reveal the key spots when bed fish swirl at the passing annoyance. Moreover, targeting a visible fish with repetitive swimbait passes is a good…

The FWC is taking public comment on a variety of proposed hunting rule changes through its February meeting. If approved, the proposals would go into effect July 1, 2019. Among the proposals: annual deer bag limits (3 antlered deer, 2 antlerless); telephone and internet deer harvest reporting system; tagging of antlerless deer; and limiting the existing youth hunter DMU exemption to 1 per year (at least one antler of 5 inches). Spring turkey hunting hours on most WMAs may also be extended to sunset. Also a number of adjustments to seasons, access and other regulations for individual WMAs around the state. Find out more at www.myfwc.com/hunting.…

They will be flying over the water off Cape Canaveral this spring, those marine rockets. I’m not talking about one of Elon Musk’s newest creations, but a sea monster with a wingspan reaching 20 or 30 feet and a body weight up to 4,000 pounds. I’m talking about the pelagic manta ray. By far the largest of the ray and skate family, the manta, Mobula birostris, occupies a position of near-mythical status among Florida anglers in the know. Where other rays are noted, tolerated, often forgotten, it’s the manta that gets fishermen most excited, for the manta—like some kind of living, mobile reef—is frequently escorted by prized cobia. We’ll explore that unique relationship in a moment. First, however, let’s get some perspective on these big rays and their many relatives.…

Lake Okeechobee was in the news a lot during the past year. Arguably, most of the attention was related to problems created downstream by water released from the lake. Nutrient-rich water from the big lake can fuel algae blooms which wreak havoc downstream through the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers. And, when there is too much fresh water released too quickly, the salinity in the estuaries can be driven so unnaturally low that some plants and animals are unable to survive. But what about the lake itself? What’s going on with the fishing in the largest lake in Florida, a lake that has long been renowned for outdoor activities such as bass fishing, duck hunting, airboat riding and wildlife viewing? Judging by reports and my own personal observations, it’s better…

Bob Thomas was the resident turkey authority in the hunting camps of my youth. He sweet-talked in my dad’s first gobbler and was generally regarded as an expert who’d coax toms from hundreds of yards at will. This was wizardry then, before the turkey hunting sensation really developed, when folks hunted with pump-action 2 ¾-inch 12 or 20 gauges without specialized chokes or stocks. A few of the men tried the mouth calls for chuckles, but talking turkey generally meant striking a factory friction call once every 30 minutes and staying still as a stone. Turkey hunting has changed immensely, but Bob excelled in the Old Ways. Bob guided me on my first turkey hunt in 1993 on private land near Myakka City. My camo was borrowed and a size…

A short ways north of Palm Beach Inlet on Singer Island, between lines of high-rise condos, sits a 436-acre testament to South Florida’s biodiversity. Real estate magnate John D. MacArthur—upon recognizing the value of this remarkable parcel—donated the land to the state. In 1989, MacArthur Park—the only state park in Palm Beach County—came into being. Nowadays, not only beach-goers, but fishermen, kayakers, bicyclists, students, naturalists of every description—in fact, all manner of outdoor enthusiasts—are enjoying MacArthur’s legacy. THE MANGROVE OPTION Hoping to reach the beach? Follow the winding entrance road to one of two tree-shaded parking lots, then head south on foot to the wooden bridge. Here you can either hoof it or ride the tram over the one third mile-long structure that spans a salty lagoon that runs the…

WASHDOWN FOR THE TRUCK It’s inevitable: No matter how good you wipe down your feet, beat your shoes, or try to tip toe through the grime, you’re going to get sand in your vehicle after wading or walking down the beach. I realized I could avoid all of the above with a $5, one-gallon weed sprayer from Walmart. I fill it up at home and when I leave the truck, I put it in the bed. A quick spray off of my feet, boots and waders (if wearing any) and even my rod and reel, and I’m good as new! No batteries required, none of that, pump the handle a few times and you’re pressurized. For $5, even a once-a-year investment is cheaper than taking your vehicle to the car…

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved ¾ cup heavy whipping cream 2 tbsp. double strength tomato paste Small handful of basil leaves Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until soft, not browned. Add tomatoes and cook two minutes. Reduce heat to low then add cream and tomato paste. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chop basil and reserve as garnish.…

I’m not much of a gadget guy, which puts me in the minority among modern anglers. My lures and flies are my fish-finders. My pushpole, naked eyes and rodtips are my depthfinders. I am a dinosaur who relies on my memory and familiarity rather than a chartplotter. Side-scan sonar is hot now, and can show you every fish under a dock or under the mangroves, but I kinda like not knowing who’s home before I cast. Is it just me, or do you like that element of surprise, too? But I am intrigued by the evolution of navigation among Florida anglers who have long loved to find peace and solace, and honeyholes, off the beaten path. For a guide, look no further than the Florida Everglades and those who pioneered…

THERE HAS BEEN TONS of publicity focusing on bad water quality in Lake Okeechobee, but we also keep hearing great fishing reports. How do we know who to believe about what’s really going on in the lake? A discussion with Susan Gray, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) applied sciences bureau chief, Zach Welch, lead scientist for Lake Okeechobee, and Jason Schultz, SFWMD public information coordinator, shed some light on these seemingly conflicting observations. Nutrients in lake water isn’t in itself a bad thing, because nutrients are essentially fertilizers which create lush marshes and productive fisheries. But, too much of a good thing is not good. In particular, Lake Okeechobee water contains far too much phosphorous and the levels are not going down. Phosphorous levels bounce around a lot seasonally…

What is an Expo? The Florida Sportsman Expo is a multi-outdoor-sports weekend exposition featuring hands-on, how-to seminars; events for kids; unique retail opportunities; and chances to mix and mingle with fellow outdoorsfolks. Cost to get in is just $8 for adults; free for kids 12 and under with adult. Active military and first responders get 50 percent off. See the advertisement in this month’s issue for a $2 off coupon. Or, go to floridasportsman.com to print a $1 off coupon. The Expo coming to the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, second week of February, will offer 30 seminars per day on six different stages: Inshore, Offshore, Hunting, Fly Fishing, Kayak Fishing and Angler on Foot. Local guides and other experts will give inside tips—all with Q&A. Boat manufacturers,…

“That sailfish did insane jumps and dives for five minutes.” One day I was watching a fishing show with my mom and dad. In the show, a guy was fighting a sailfish. I said, out of the blue, “I want to catch a sailfish.” My dad was like, “What, when did this start?” It has been my dream ever since I was a little girl. My dad replied, “You are only 11,” but he decided it would be okay to try. We fished a lot together. He called Capt. Shannon out of Bud ‘N Mary’s Marina in Islamorada. So on my birthday, on Jan. 1, we went to Islamorada and of course it was cold and windy on the day we went out. For about an hour my mom and…

ALBEMARLE 27DC With over four decades as a builder of smooth-riding, deep-vee express fishing boats, Albemarle hasn’t lost sight of the fact that boating families have broad interests. Albemarle recently introduced the 27DC Dual Console model, featuring family-friendly amenities such as bow-to-stern seating, private electric head and freshwater shower, ample dry and insulated storage and a roomy shade top with enclosure. All punctuate the practical design of a dual console boat with a high-seas pedigree. National advertised pricing for this 27-footer is $212,719. See www.albemarleboats.com ROBALO R317 Robalo introduces its biggest model to date, the R317. Among other clever design features, the boat has three separate relaxation zones: loop-shaped forward seating; twin helm chairs and L-shaped settee under shade to port; and the industry leading convertible “Vista-View” electric lounge pad.…

They’re feeding on something; looks like your fly, but you’re not getting a sniff. Wrong size? Wrong color? Wrong sink rate? You might change flies, or you might change your fly. A bit of doctoring sometimes does the trick. SIZE DOWN In my experience, fussy fish that won’t eat a 3- or 4-inch Deceiver often go ballistic over a smaller offering. I keep a pair of fly-tying scissors in my fly box, for just that reason. A quick haircut has worked wonders for me while casting at big false albies. Same for hard-fished docklight snook. When the fish want smaller prey, I trim my fly down in length and girth to shrink the profile. Recently, I was frustrated by bluegills and big tilapia in my neighborhood pond. Just before sunset…

Here’s the perfect Valentine’s Day recipe—fish with an Italian-style Parmesan/panko crust, served with a pink tomato basil cream sauce. The recipe is simple and quick. And if you want to give it a “fish and grits” twist, buy a roll of polenta in the produce department of your local grocery, cut off a few rounds, sauté them along with the fish, and plate with your fish. Firm fleshed fish like sheepshead, tripletail and even lionfish are all excellent choices for this version of fried fish. This recipe serves 4.…

Some of the best conservation ideas are simple to execute, inexpensive to maintain and hiding in plain sight. What they require are the grounds to make them happen, literally and figuratively, and partners willing to share the work. Consider the amazing success of the unassuming Bee Gum Reserve habitat in Indian River County. Working in partnership, Indian River Land Trust, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and a team from Florida Institute of Technology, led by marine biology Prof. Jon Shenker, turned a pedestrian mosquito control impoundment on the North Indian River Lagoon back into a productive nursery for snook and tarpon. By so doing, they provided a model for the rest of the state to follow to improve gamefish habitat in similar terrain. This tract of land had in fact been…

GPS CHARTPLOTTERS have become a must-have for inshore anglers, and software chips are fast evolving. According to Charlie Johnson, of the Maverick Boat Group, 95 percent of the company’s customers either opt for the factory-installed Garmin machines they offer, or ship their favorite brands for installation on new skiffs and bay boats. “Flats and backcountry anglers aren’t so much concerned about depth, but they sure care about navigating,” said Johnson. “Even veteran backcountry anglers who have vast knowledge of their favorite water body want the latest software chips available. The hottest thing is the ‘preferred route overlays’ such as that offered by Florida Marine Tracks. It’s like Google Earth on steroids!” Only Simrad, Lowrance and B&G plotters can utilize Florida Marine Tracks at present, and loading the routes into a…

“FISH HAUNT EDGES,” said Capt. Skye Stanley of Blue Heaven , as we talked in the Florida Keys on a windburned Monday afternoon. You hear stuff like this from veteran offshore anglers all around Florida. Depending on whom you’re speaking with, where and what time of year, “edge” can mean a lot of things. A low ridge or reef, occurring right before a dropoff, is one kind of edge. The Atlantic continental shelf break, just 1.25 miles from shore along much of Southeast Florida, is here and there wrinkled with edges of this type. Baitfishes hide just underneath the ledge seeking refuge from fish on the hunt. The edge of a weedline offshore or inshore can hold baitfish, too, drawing in apex hunters. Captain Mike Calabrese, Sailsmen team member and…

The final weekend of February, the 23rd and 24th, sees the opening of a youth turkey hunt for southern Florida, south of State Road 70. Only youth 15 years old and younger may harvest turkey during this period, but youth must be supervised by an adult, 18 years or older. However, adult supervisors with a hunting license and turkey permit may “call in” the turkey and otherwise participate in the hunt, but they cannot harvest turkey. General spring turkey season for the region south of SR 70 runs March 2-April 7. For the remainder of Florida, all areas north of State Road 70, the youth turkey hunt weekend takes place March 9-10, and regular season runs March 16-April 21. These dates apply to private lands. On Florida’s publicly accessible Wildlife…