Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132

“Most of my fishing is done in the Piscataqua River, which is one of the fastest navigable rivers in the world. With the ePDL+ I can fish in current I have never been able to with any other kayak. It’s a beast when chasing schools of breaking fish in heavy current or covering new water. This kayak is an excellent platform to stand and sight fish from. When striper fishing, I can use the motor to travel farther and faster than I normally would. Then, I lift the motor and push pole myself around as I fish. Lifting the drive for obstacles or shallow water is simple.” —Guide Tim Moore, Tim Moore Outdoors, New Hampshire

Native Watercraft TitanX Propel 12.5

“Several features of the TitanX make it optimal for backwater fishing: Propel Pedal Drive (instant, hands-free reverse for fighting fish), rock solid stability (easily stand up to sight fish), Springblade Rudder system (get in and out of cuts and currents in the marsh with responsive turning), and under-seat tackle drawer storage (super quick access to gear to change out baits). Plus, anglers can easily add dual Power-Pole Micro Anchors to the stern and a bow-mounted saltwater trolling motor. These additions are life savers when you want to hold position on windy days or in strong currents.” —Tyler Brown, Chief Operating Officer, BIG Adventures (parent company of Native Watercraft)

Read Next: Why I Love My Kayak

Hobie Mirage Lynx

“Many of today’s kayaks are rigged to the max with batteries, electronics, anchors and trolling motors, so it’s fair to ask what’s the difference between a loaded yak and a one-man skiff? Still, these rigs are wildly popular for a reason. On the opposite end, models are still available for that kayak angler minimalist. Hobie’s Mirage Lynx weighs just 47 pounds, but still uses a MirageDrive 180 with Kick-Up Fins. Almost like a paddleboard, there’s not much built-in storage with this yak, but plenty of ability to add-on accessories if that’s the direction you go. The Lynx’s flat-bottom design provides stability and maneuverability — imagine having to make a lengthy pedal to the fishing grounds, sometimes across extremely shallow bars that most yaks can’t dodge. There’s no better kayak to quickly unload and launch from the side of the road.” —Sam Hudson, Senior Editor, Salt Water Sportsman

The post Best Kayaks for the Marsh appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The concept is simple: locate objects underwater or in the dark by sending out a sound signal and listening for the echoed return. Bats, shrews and dolphins use it. Humans finally caught on about 100 years ago. From the first 2000-pound transducer to the latest forward-facing sonar, the evolution of the fish finder allows anglers a view of underwater fish and structure that would make a dolphin jealous.

45 Million Years Ago: Whales develop echolocation. By sending out clicks and receiving the echo through their jaw bone, animals can see in the dark, underwater and underground.

1490: Leonardo da Vinci invents active sonar by using a long underwater tube to listen for approaching ships.

1913: One month after the Titanic sinks, English meteorologist Lewis Fry Richardson, patents the first Sound Navigation and Ranging device. 

1959: Lowrance introduces the FISH-LO-K-TOR portable sonar, also known as the “Little Green Box.” Over the next 25 years, the analogue flasher sells more than 1 million units.

1971: Tom Mann modifies a do-it-yourself electronics kit to reduce interference and creates the first Humminbird depth sounder.

1984: The first fish finder with an LCD screen and integrated microprocessor replaces paper graphs.

1985: Scientists use a Lowrance’s X-16 paper graph to search for the Loch Ness monster. Operation Deepscan failed to produce any evidence of the monster.

2003: Humminbird’s SmartCast wireless fish finder provides bank anglers with a remote fish finder. Tie the transducer to the fishing line, cast it out and use a smartphone app to watch a live view of the fish and structure.

2009: DownScan sonar transmits multiple sonar signals to create a life-like image of fish and structure. The technology leads to 360 and forward-facing sonar.

2011: CHIRP sonar transmits a range of frequencies in one pulse to increase the power of the transducer signal and improve image detail.

2018: Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope provides live images of fish and structure in front of the boat. The technology wins Best of Show at ICAST. 

2019: Humminbird Introduced MEGA 360 Imaging followed in 2021 with MEGA Live Imaging, providing a live view of fish and structure in every direction. The technology quickly spreads through the industry providing anglers the most powerful tool to find fish.

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Recreational anglers started chasing bonefish on the Bahamas flats about 100 years ago. Once a novelty practiced by a handful of salty dogs, bonefishing has become accessible and popular, drawing tens of thousands of fishermen to the islands each year and pumping multiple millions of dollars into local economies. Here’s how it started—and how it’s going.

1950s: As sport fishermen started flocking to the Bahamas in the early to mid-20th century, the focus was on offshore species. On days when the weather kept offshore boats in port, those anglers weren’t content to simply wait out the weather. They wanted to fish. So, they hit inshore flats that teemed with bonefish. Back then, bones weren’t too tough to trick. Their blistering runs were epic, and catching them on light tackle was fun—so fun that soon bonefish were no longer a backup plan but a primary focus.

Late 1970s: During a late 1970s trip to the Bahamas, Californian Bob Nauheim added a set of bead chain eyes to the underside of a fly’s hook shank, which caused the hook point to ride up. The pattern worked so well that famous guide Charlie Smith dubbed it “nasty,” and eventually the name morphed into the Crazy Charlie.

Early 1940s: Early flats fly anglers used the tools of the time. That meant slow-action bamboo (and later fiberglass) rods, silk lines and gut leaders. Even in expert hands, the gear was less than ideal for taming strong, fast saltwater fish. The invention of smooth-casting, durable plastic fly lines and monofilament leaders and tippets in the early 1940s was a major upgrade.

1980s: In the early days, most visiting anglers reached the islands via boat. The advent of regular flights to the islands became far more cost-efficient compared to fueling up a boat for the crossing from Florida.

1990s: Once upon a time, researching Bahamas fishing meant digging through magazines and books, and making phone calls to fly shops and fishing-travel companies. Today, a huge and still growing amount of fishing information is just a few clicks away.

For do-it-yourselfers, the amount of intel out there borders on overwhelming, from message-board discussions to high-res satellite imagery. According to Tom Karrow, author of the forthcoming book Ghost Stories: A History of Flats Fishing in the Bahamas, “There are no more secrets.”

2015: As bonefishing’s popularity exploded, Bahamian officials came to realize that the resource needed more formal protection. That included banning the netting and selling of bonefish, once most prized not as a sport fish, but as bait when trolling offshore.

2016: The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust reports that about 59,000 of the 1,482,000 stopover visitors, or 4 percent, spent one or more days fishing for bonefish.

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The light-to-medium variety is ingrained in the pursuit shallow-water fish — perfect for casting a shrimp, a small crab, a pilchard, or a tiny jig. Great for battling bonefish, permit, redfish, snook, tarpon and plenty more. Here, as we see it, are major milestone developments over the past 50 years that we believe helped make spinning tackle today’s go-to gear for skinny water fishing.

Mid-1970s

The Daiwa Silver spinning reels integrated popular innovations like skirted spools that shed water and resisted corrosion, convertible handles to accommodate right-handers and southpaws, a nearly infallible bail-trip system, and higher retrieve speeds to working lures more quickly than ever. The light models such as the 1500 were an instant success.  

Late-1970s

Fenwick’s contribution come in the form of graphite spinning rods. Eagle and HMG rod lines brought the advantages of light weight, quick recoil and lots of power — attributes that made them ideal for casting and battling species like bonefish and redfish. The early versions were slightly prone to breakage, but a solid warranty meant replacements were easy to come by.

1980s

Fishing big baits in the surf or skinny water sometimes means letting the fish run a bit before coming tight. The innovative Shimano “bait running” feature enabled anglers to do just this without opening the bait. When you’re ready, turn the handle to engage the reel and go to work. The Shimano Baitrunner’s introduction spawned a host of me-too models from other major brands.

Early 1990s

Spinning reels had trouble matching the drag pressure of conventional reels needed for powerful species such as tarpon. Shimano’s Stella series changed that with its dual-drag system with washers supporting the spool from both top and bottom. Other innovations: a heat sink to reduce drag fade and strengthened spool support to reduce flex, plus deliver consistent drag pressure.   

1990s

SpiderWire’s introduction of thin-diameter braided line, quickly followed by other brands, proved a game changer for spinning reels, exponentially increasing line capacity for spinning reels, making it possible endure sustained runs by species such as cobia, sharks and tarpon.

Early-2000s

Slowly oscillating spinning reels mechanisms such as that on the Shimano Stella spooled line on more uniformly to prevent piling up line, reducing tangles and increasing casting distance. 

2000s

The subtle tap of bonefish inhaling shrimp or a sheepshead crushing a crab were enhanced with introduction of exposed black reel seats for light-tackle spinning rods such as Fuji.

Late-2000s

Braid line has a downside, especially with spinning gear. It sometimes results in wind knots that are nearly impossible to untangle. Fuji came to the rescue with its tangle-free guides to dramatically reduced wind knots when fishing braided line with spinning gear.

Read Next: The Best New Spinning Reels

Mid-2010s

Many associate IPX waterproofing with Shimano spinning reels, but Penn was the first to offer this in its Slammer and Torque models. The IPX6 rating they enjoy means they protect against a high-pressure water stream from any angle.   

Early 2020s

While major spinning reel brands have had power handles with large grips and longer handles for years, the early 2020s have seen company in the aftermarket offer these as retrofits. Power handles from companies such as Gomexus provide extra leverage for battling giant trevally, sharks, and tarpon that you might hook in shallow water.

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Mullet

King of the inshore baitfish, different mullet species are a favorite food for everything from striped bass to tarpon. Mullet connoisseurs prefer individuals that feed over sandy bottom for the finest bait. Apparently, they taste better to gamefish (and even anglers).

Mud Minnows (aka Mummichog)

The hardy little killifish is a great bait for flounder, redfish and speckled trout. Easy to catch in a small mesh trap, the minnows will stay alive for hours in the bottom of a cardboard box covered with a blanket of wet newspaper.

Herring

These come in different varieties. It could be threadfin herring in Florida. Or maybe it’s blueback herring or shad species farther north. No matter where you fish, herring are a likely baitfish worth using or imitating. Some herring species travel into fresh waters, making them great options for heavyweight catfishing too.

Atlantic Menhaden

They have been called the most important inshore fish as an essential part of the food chain and a powerful water filter. Menhaden start their life in the marsh where they feed the next generation of gamefish. Too small to use as live bait, the small, silver menhaden are imitated by dozens of twitch baits, soft plastics and swimming plugs.

Scaled Sardines (aka Pilchards or Greenbacks)

Sardines school up into living clouds of little fish providing a reliable source of food for all types of inshore gamefish. Whether used live, frozen or imitated with all sorts of lures, greenies are a best bet. Scaled sardines are known to spawn offshore and are especially popular on the Southwest coast of Florida.

The post Five Baitfish Species You’ll Find in the Marsh appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Some of the most productive areas you can fish appear as green blobs on coastal charts. While these areas are exposed to the atmosphere at low tide, they harbor plenty of fish when covered in water. Follow these tips to ensure you don’t damage the delicate marsh environment and end up on The Qualified Captain.

Learn the Waters

To effectively create a mental map of the marsh you intended to fish, you need to visit it at varying stages of the tide. I spend a fair amount of timed trudging through tidal mud at low tide looking for clams, so I know all of my local creeks intimately. If you don’t do this, I suggest at least anchoring the boat and walking the creek banks at dead low.

Proceed With Caution

Once you have a rough idea of where you can motor, do so at idle speed. You’ll want to probe likely areas for fish of course, but you’ll also want to poke around with an eye on the depth finder. Of course, a trolling motor excels here, so use it if you have it. If not, keep your motor tilted up a bit and look for a telltale plume of mud behind you.

Drop Some Breadcrumbs

Though these areas will show up as land on your plotter, you can still leave waypoints, or even better, a trail for you to follow. This will be your roadmap for future visits, but remember it is subject to change—a little bit of silt or an errant crab trap can ruin your day.

The post Tips for Boating in Shallow Water appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The offshore experts have engineered a line of center console hybrids designed to go anywhere and do everything. Regulator’s XO Series gives you easy access to lakes, bays and skinny waters, as well as the capability to head offshore when the time is right.

First let’s look at the fishing benefits. Optional Half Towers, Trolling Motors and excellent fishbox and livewell space deliver an ideal platform. Take a run at freshwater bass, work speckled trout and redfish off an eelgrass bed, drift for flounder, and jig an offshore wreck for stripers or black sea bass. Lockable racks hold fly rods and spinners, with ample tackle storage, rod holders and rocket launchers throughout the oversize cockpit and deck.

Ready to kick back? Mount the optional watersports tow bar, snap in the cushions, put the bow on the beach, and roll out the forward and rear sun shades. Generous seating areas, forward console coolers, full height head, and creature comforts galore mean you have every reason to fish and play all day.

Featured Models

The Regulator 30XO delivers every bit of inshore/offshore attitude you’ve come to expect from their series of hybrid center consoles, along with big boat features to meet your every need. Twin Yamaha F350s, optional Half Tower Station & more deliver the next big powerhouse crossover. 

The Regulator 26XO is a hybrid center console built for adventure. New optional half tower, single Yamaha 450, multiple casting platforms, built-in coolers, stand-up head compartment, forward sun shade option, and optional removable watersports tow bar allow you to fish and play all day.

The Regulator 24XO hybrid center console gives you easy access to lakes, bays, and skinny waters, along with the capability to head offshore when the time is right. Now equipped with a standard Yamaha F350, with optional hydraulic jackplate and trolling motor. 

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Blood, fish slime and baitfish scat clinging to your shirt. An aching back from standing on the bow of a skiff. The stew of sweat and sunblock from a baking sun. The heat draining your energy like a lithium battery. Wind, rain and cold can chase you back to the ramp. 

Feeling miserable on the water doesn’t make you want to stay on the water. Fortunately, Columbia PFG has solutions to the many elements anglers encounter. 

Sweaty Conditions

Columbia PFG long sleeves are built for prolonged activities in ultra-hot conditions. And the latest option is the PFG Uncharted Long Sleeve for men and women. Here’s the tech you need to know: Omni-Shade and Omni-Wick. Omni-Shade provides UPF 40 sun protection for your skin, while Omni-Wick pulls the sweat away from your arms for a refreshing feel. Stop slathering on the sunblock and trade it in for long sleeves to feel more comfortable. 

Blood Stains

You just gaffed an energetic king mackerel while fishing nearshore. Here comes the blood. Columbia PFG has tech to block it from staining your shorts. Omni-Shield Blood ’N Guts flat-out protects against liquid stains. The Men’s Blood ’N Guts Stretch Shorts make quick work of a messy situation. Use a washdown hose to wipe off the blood, then dry out quickly. No need to pull out the bleach when you get home. 

No Pockets

How is it possible some men’s and women’s fishing pants still don’t have pockets? The Columbia PFG Uncharted Pants have your ass covered. There’s hand pockets, plus a zippered back pocket, drop-in pocket and side-seam zippered phone pocket. Spread the wealth. All those pockets will get filled. And you can’t have stuff falling out of your pockets in the water while leadering or releasing a fish. There’s no faster way to anger a boater. Bonus points: These pants have elasticity. Don’t ask us how, but anglers start fat in the morning and slim down throughout the fishing day.

Sunburned Skin

Anglers should wear hooded shirts all year, even in the hottest summer months. Here’s why: to protect your skin! Dermatologists often remove basal cell carcinoma from the head, ears and neck. Those are the problem areas that need to be covered. The PFG Solar Stream Elite Hoodie incorporates Omni-Shade Broad Spectrum Air Flow UPF 50 sun protection into its fabric, plus has a crossover hood that even Floridians can wear with its breathability. Flip it on and off throughout the day. Other perks of the hoodie: a zippered security pocket and sunglasses cleaning patch.

Going Barefoot

Some anglers prefer sandals on the boat. They must have bulletproof feet. For the rest of us guys and gals, we need a boat shoe that absorbs the stress we experience on the water. We also need footwear that dries quickly, provides protection, and grips a wet boat deck. Columbia’s Castback TC PFG comes to the rescue with its Omni-Max Plus system. An engineered TECHLITE+ midsole cradles the heel for optimal balance, while grippy sipings on the rubber outsole hold tight to fiberglass. Taking your shoes on and off? A collapsible heel makes it easy.

A Better Fit

You’ve probably noticed more women fishing these days. Thankfully, ladies no longer need to struggle to find quality fishing clothes that fit. Columbia PFG is a leader when it comes to designing women’s apparel, and serious anglers such as Capt. Gabby Barnes, of Destin, Florida, noticed. The PFG Uncharted Shorts, with a 4-inch inseam, utilize Omni-Shade Broad Spectrum UPF 50 sun protection, plus Omni-Wick to lift moisture to the fabric’s surface away from skin. Functionality is still crucial, and they offer an elastic waistband, drop-in pocket and side zipper pocket.

The post Six Skinny Situations and How to Solve Them appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Are you an angler who craves the thrill of fishing in serene waters, undisturbed by noisy engines? Look no further! The ePropulsion electric outboard motor is your ticket to a tranquil and eco-friendly fishing experience. All ePropulsion electric outboard motors require minimal maintenance and are dependable, ensuring hassle-free operation during your fishing trips. No more fumbling with pull cords or dealing with messy fuel!

Weighing in at just 6.7 kg (14.7 lbs), the ePropulsion 500 W eLite Electric Outboard Motor (1.5 HP comparable) is designed to be the most compact and lightweight electric outboard in its class. The eLite is easy-to-use, offering one-click removal/installation and balances perfectly on its folded tiller. Setting up has never been this effortless. It also comes with a carrying bag for easy storage and transport.  

The ePropulsion 1 kW Spirit 1.0 Plus and Spirit 1.0 Evo Series Electric Outboard Motors (3 HP comparable) combine convenience, sustainability, and reliability. Its lightweight construction (only 44 lbs, including the battery) makes it easy to transport and deploy. Equipped with a 1276 Wh integrated lithium battery, the Spirit Motor provides ample power for extended fishing trips. With one charge, you can cover up to 22 miles at 4.5 mph or enjoy all-day fishing at trolling speed. The ePropulsion Navy Evo Series (3 kW / 6 kW, comparable to 6 HP / 9.9 HP), offers impressive range. For example, with the Navy 6.0 Evo, you can cover up to 45 miles at 5mph on a single charge, making it suitable for extended fishing trips. Whether you’re trolling or cruising, the Navy series ensures you stay on the water longer.

The post ePropulsion: Your Sustainable Power for Stealthy Fishing Adventures appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

New Siren Marine Connected Boat App

The new Connected Boat mobile app from Siren Marine (a division of Yamaha) delivers a host of resources at your fingertips, including integration with Yamaha outboards and control systems, real-time vessel security, multiple and flexible boat monitoring and tracking functions, and remote digital switching. 

The system also offers special sensors to monitor the security of rod lockers and hatches for protection of your stowed valuables.Through the mobile app, boaters have the ability to access to control all of these features from their smartphones or smartwatches.

“Through Siren Connected Boat, Yamaha and Siren offer never-before-seen innovation and benefits that allow boaters to ‘be’ on board their boat even when they can’t be in person,” says Andrew Cullen, director of connectivity for the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “The app gives you the ability to leverage Siren technology and all the benefits of remote connectivity, security and monitoring.”

The new app is free for basic service, but requires installation and activation of a Siren 3 Pro main device and cellular service. Hardware starts at $797 with cell plans as low as $18.75 per month. It operates over a global 4G/5G LTE cellular network with the option to add the SirenSat offshore antenna for coverage outside of cell range. Options for sensors include wired and wireless, as well as connection to the NMEA 2000 network. The Siren Connected Boat app is available on the App Store and Google Play Store. For more about the Siren Marine system, visit sirenmarine.com.

New Yamaha F350 4.3L V-6 

The new Yamaha F350 V-6 outboard boasts more displacement, longer stroke, and bigger intake and exhaust valves than the Yamaha F300. “The F350 is the perfect big power, lightweight option for a wide variety of saltwater fishing boats,” says Ben Speciale, president of the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. This 4.3-liter outboard uses the same diameter electronic throttle valve as the XTO 450. Combined with Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT), the intake manifolds offer 40 percent larger surge tanks than the F300, and the electronic throttle valve is 8 percent larger, enhancing smoother airflow and power delivery. The new fuel injection control mapping produces a longer injector duration for more power than that of the F300. 

The F350 is offered in 25- and 30-inch shaft lengths, and in 25-, 30- and 35-inch for late-stage customized (LSC) lower unit models. A new cowling incorporates a water-draining air duct and a new cowling exhaust port combined with a new stator fan to keep everything cool. The 25-inch-shaft version weighs 629 pounds; 642 pounds for the 30-inch; and 653 pounds for the 35-inch model.

New Cowl for the Inline V MAX SHO

Yamaha has modernized the look of the Inline V MAX SHO outboards, including the 90 through 175 hp models, emulating the popular styling of Yamaha’s 4.2L V MAX SHO outboard. These motors now sport a complete signature Shiny Black paint job, along with eye-catching raised graphics, paired with sleek striping and the iconic Yamaha “tuning fork” emblems. Yamaha’s Inline SHO outboards offer lightweight power and easy rigging, including simple adaptability to cable-driven foot throttles. Anglers who fish bays and flats aboard shallow-draft boats love the V MAX SHO motor’s powerful hole shot and stingy fuel economy. 

To learn more, visit yamahaoutboards.com.

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