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The Traveling Angler

The best of the Traveling Angler from the January issue of Sport Fishing

January 18, 2014
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Triggers on steroids on Sudan’s “Nubian Flats”

Big, aggressive yellow-margin triggerfish were just one of the many targets that Rob Scott and a group of fly-rodders encountered during an exploratory trip to an area of the Red Sea along the Sudan that Scott’s calling the “Nubian flats.” They discovered a great variety of endless flats and shallow reefs that had never seen a sport fisherman, reports Scott, with Africa’s Tourette Fishing. The group also caught encountered amazing numbers of bonefish, bluefin and giant trevally, coral trout bohar snapper (red bass) and permit. “After six days exploring this diverse area, we realized we were just scratching the surface of an amazing fishery,” says Scott.Several expeditions are scheduled for April, May and June. Rob Scott
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Unlikely Spot for a Fishing Paradise.

One of the lucky anglers on Tourette Fishing’s exploratory trip to Sudan’s “Nubian Sea” tries to hang on to whatever nailed his fly. Rob Scott
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Catch It in the Cuda Bowl!

If you think a bonefish is quick, watch a fired-up barracuda charge a lure or fly on the flats. Again this January, dozens of anglers will be working the Lower Keys flats to do just that. The occasion: the annual Key West Cuda Bowl Tournament, this year set for Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. Last year, in an event that drew 23 boats, Lance Gleason of Missoula, Montana, released 15 barracuda measuring a total of 246.5 inches to win the spin division; he was also scored the most releases. The biggest cuda measured 46½ inches. Check out this video of a big barracuda leaping right into an open boat. Jason Arnold (jasonarnoldphoto.com)
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Sailfish on Fire for Guatemala Anglers

Guatemala sailfishing is often on fire in the winter. Some numbers from Pacific Fins Resort during the very end of December 2012 tell that story. For example, a father-and-son team fishing three days on Gypsy raised 136 sails, 118 of which bit. Their release total was 94 sails. A light-tackle enthusiast fishing solo nearly the same three days released 70 sails from 111 raised. Pacific Fins has its own marina with its fleet docked right in front of the lodge, so anglers spend no time getting underway each morning See these 10 great photos of jumping billfish off Guatemala. Adrian Gray
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Try Nicaragua for Big, “Dumb” Tarpon

Tons of uneducated tarpon in the 200-pound class have kept Dave Vedder, a fishing writer from Woodinville, Washington, returning regularly to Karawalla, Nicaragua, at a lodge called the Rumble in the Jungle. Vedder cites the appeal of fishing among Moskito Indians in the unspoiled waters where there are dozens of rivers and lagoons but no other lodges in this region of northeastern Nicaragua. The lodge, he says, will arrange anglers’ overnight hotel in Managua and then the in-country flight from Managua. He suggests visiting during the dry season of January through June, and taking some lighter gear for the snook that run 10 to 15 pounds — but can be much heavier. Deep-diving plugs and swimbaits produce well. What species beat out the tarpon as the world’s top game fish? Find out here! Mark Hatter
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Big, Dumb Snook, Too?

Contributor Dave Vedder took this shot of a snook that grabbed a lure he was trolling for tarpon in northeastern Nicaragua. Dave Vedder
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Schooling Reds in the Clear Winter Waters of Charleston

Crowds are down, water is at its clearest, and there’s no better time to target the big schools of redfish that take up residence on shallow flats in the winter near Charleston, according to Capt. J.R. Waits, who operates out of Isle of Palms Marina. January and February are prime time, when the water’s cool and clear for sight-casting with flies or light conventional gear (much of the year, warmer waters require live bait for assured success). On a good day, an angler can cast to schools of 100 or more reds. Look for most of the fish to weigh in the 5- to 15-pound range. Dress warmly, Waits advises, and don’t forget your polarized shades. Take advantage of cheaper off-season rates too. Here‘s a more complete recounting of what it’s like to fish reds in the winter, with photos. Capt. J.R. Waits
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The Skipper with a Typical Charleston Winter Redfish

Capt. J.R. Waits nails one on fly. “If we have a couple of nights close to freezing,” Waits says__, “redfish can group together into mega-schools of 500!” Check out this video of schooling monster bull reds off the Outer Banks! Capt. J.R. Waits
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Initiate an Instant Release Mount from Anywhere

Talk about having your cake and releasing it too — wherever you’re fishing, if you have cell service, now you can bring that trophy fish boatside, take a quick length measurement, and fire up your I Got One On mobile app to get an immediate quote for a release mount shipped to your home from King Sailfish Mounts. Or you can choose “order now,” and as you go back to fishing, work will begin on your trophy mount. King Sailfish Mounts
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