8/6 - Tarpon try....

Had a great group of folks aboard. The Springer Family.
They've been coming down to J-ville beach for years and have chum fished many times before.
And were recommended to me by a family member that I have spoken to a few times, over the years.

It was a very late notice, call with not a lot of heads-up, but I made some arrangements to get some chum from a shrimper. So we could target some Tarpon & Sharks, inshore. And they were up for it.

Let me set the scene......

We've been experiencing 74 degree ocean temps, with a afternoon high of maybe 76-77. Rather than the primo, 83 degrees. Tarpon water? Not hardly! But, I've caught them inshore alson when the water temp was the same. It's just not this year that this is happening, it's almost every summer it seems.

Per my report from 8/5, I tried with the Rudy crew, the day before. But had higher hopes because everything was arranged before hand for more chum. And I was going to try a differrent area.

So we left out at 7am. Chum pick-up was at 9am. And we found plenty of shrimpers working the chum-hole. We did some run & gun behind them first off, and caught two Blacknoses, right off the bat. (smaller, but very speedy sharks) Just as a warmer-upper. John (son) and Hayden, (daughter) caught these two.



We met up with a shrimper working the beach, very close-in. And he really set us up. My chum bag was so heavy I could barely get it up on just my swim platform on the transom of the boat. It was just the ticket for all day assault on the warmer inshore waters.

But the tale of the tape....or more like the chum bag was, not a single POGIE. And my chum came from the beach. Which really hammers home what a no bait summer this has really been, so far. Personally, I believe that having schools of POGIES are an integral part of the overall status of our inshore (coastal) fishery. Yeah, yeah....they maybe in the canals, Mill Cove, or 25 miles up river. But, that doesn't mean crap for the coastal areas. Where Sharks, Tarpon, big Jacks, Cobia, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, usually roam.

Remember fish are "COLD BLOODED CREATURES" . And they go where the food is.

So with the Springer family, and a 100 pounds of fresh chum I took off for a long ride to the only place I've ever caught Tarpon during the summer when the water temp is cold. It's a long ride from in front of the old Sea Turtle Inn, where my chum came from.

Yesterday, 8/5's report. Gave me hope, to at least stretch a string. But there was a big difference. We at least had "some" action.

First spot. Nothing but a monster Stingray and a small Blacktip shark.

Second spot. Nothing but a few skates, and a small Blacktip shark.

As far as a weather difference. We had a good breeze from the North West, today. Versus yesterday's slick calm, no wind, and absolutely intense heat.

We fished in water as warm as 84 degrees! Never even saw a Tarpon roll.....if there was any Tarpon in the area, our chum would have had them running to us, that's for sure!

This is about the end of my knowledge, of where they could be. And 95% of most local Tarpon guides wouldn't even think of this area, let alone know that they are many times here. Although we never had a hook-up. They do roam these waters very frequently.

We went through at least 50 pounds of perfect chum. And caught what we did on the dead Cuttlefish that were in my chum bag. There really wasn't any FISH eaters, any where around.

But the Springer family were really some great sports. And knew I was trying as hard as I could for them. Heck, we ended up about almost 20 miles from where we got our chum earlier this morning. So it wasn't like I was holding back on the throttle.

I was very impressed by these folks good nature, and sportsmanship. They're very welcome on my boat anytime.

Yep, those day dreams of a chilly December morning along the jetty rocks, in some fog. Casting for Reds, Drum, Trout, and Sheepshead....are becoming more frequent as this summer continues.

We need a storm again, like Bertha to go by here and suck all the water out this place!




-----------
REAL or HOAX? Make up your own mind. (high speed connection is best)

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v8059374D7bemsRg

8/5 - Extreme times, call for extreme measures?

Had the Rudy crew aboard today. The last time they were out with me it was mid-March. My notations of that day in my log book included the words, HEINOUS-SUPER WIND-DUE EAST. Even though it's a favorite time of year for me. It can be very windy.

So Joe called and I had today open. And this time, I'm dealing with the cold water deal in the Ocean. Hmm...Luck of the draw, I guess.

But then again, that's why I fish all day long in the 95 degree sun, then come home and do these reports. They are for you, not me. I know what's going on, you can bet on that. You wouldn't believe how much work goes into doing these. This "Google blog" publishing stuff, isn't always a piece of cake.

We departed at 0700 hrs, the summer usual. Headed straight to the chum hole. And had our pick of a whole bunch of shrimp boats to shark fish behind. I did the run and gun behind the first one and had a good hook-up for Joe and he had a taste of the power, and then the shark got off the hook. We did more running and gunning, and it just wasn't working. So we just drifted and set out a few baits when we had a taker. But it was a smaller shark. Fast, a quick turner. A buddy calls them Blacknoses.

But what we're always looking for as you may know is a 100 plus pound Blacktip Shark. Or any other "brand" in the 200+ pound mark, would be great.

Yesterday a friend caught a huge Cuda behind a shrimp boat, but not many Sharks. So yes, things are a bit messed up. The only clue is the 74 to 76 degree water temp.

I was really frustrated. So after gathering my thoughts I went to a shrimp boat and asked for a favor......some CHUM. The man, James said he didn't really have much fish chum. (another reason for the lack of sharks) But he gathered up about a 5 gallon buck for me in my chum bag. And we took off for a different area. And area where the water's warm at least. And maybe we could find a Tarpon. Even though my crew hadn't a clue what a Tarpon even was. I do, and they'd want want. I know. So I went where I've caught Tarpon before. It was a long boat ride. But I made great time, getting there.

There was ZERO wind after I anchored up, and man was it steamy hot. And the water was 80-81 degrees. I started chumming.

You have to get the sharks going before you usually catch a Tarpon. And it worked. Joe caught a Bonnethead Shark on a fairy wand rod, broke another off, we had a small Blacktip, a super strong Nurse shark. Well over 100 pounds, may have been 200 pounds!! Then another Blacktip shark. But never saw a Tarpon. But we at least had some action. Of course, I had no plans of making such a long run to where we caught these. "But sometimes ya just gotta do, what you gotta do."

There's that ole saying...."extreme times call for extreme measures." And this summer has been no exception.

This Nurse shark about completely whooped Don!!

They're like monster cat fish. They're slow and don't run all that fast. They're strong as all hell, and they know it. I failed to get a better photo, because I sort had my hands full after the shark eventually made it to boat side. I tell people, "This is the biggest Kitty Cat you'll ever catch." I was surprised to get a Nurse where we were fishing, that's for sure. You usually catch them around jetties, and reefs where there's lots of nook and crannies. But it came straight to our chum.

As soon as the tide got high. All of our bites stopped abruptly. I was about out of chum anyhow. So we packed it in for the long ride back to the dock. Which we needed, for a cool down period.

BRING: Hats, sunglasses, and plenty of beverages when the heat is really on like today. And I'm not talking alcoholic beverages either. That's the last thing you or I need.


Heading out tomarrow with four passengers, that I'll have to do the same thing with. It's tough going right now. And we so badly need a hurricane in the Atlantic to pass by, just like BERTHA did. Which changed the water temps for awhile, or a Tropical storm, depression or something. Just to suck all this water out of here, again. So we can fish the rest of this summer like normal.

The weather man on channel 4 TV is talking about the ocean water temp, right now! It's in the 70's from Anastasia Island, St. Johns County to just north of Fernandina Beach. Below it's warmer and above us it's warmer. Welcome to Bazzaro world, Jacksonville, Florida!



Here's my crew...sun burnt, hot and tired. Needing a cold beer and some A/C!

8/4 - Tarpon #1 of 2008

Well....since I had just a blast on Saturday's (8/2) charter, so much that I never even did a report about it. I did the opposite, today with Marty & Ken. The river water's even cool, and the ocean water is even cooler.

To quote Jerry Sienfeld, "This isn't good for anybody."

This thermocline thang isn't doing us any favors, that's for sure.

So we went hunting 80+ degree water today. And went to an area I don't fish much at all, because I don't have too. The ICW. (Intra-Coastal waterway)

I do have a few spots where I've caught some Trout, Drum, and Reds. But they certainly weren't there today. Because on two of them we never even lost a live shrimp or a mud minnow!

So we just kept working south.

In a nut shell the fella's caught a few Mangrove snappers, a lil puppy Black Drum, and a mini Tarpon.

These lil' dudes were all over one spot. Just swimming around, totally ignoring or savory live shrimp.

They'd roll, they wake wakes, they spook and shoot across the surface of the water. But never leave the comfort of one particular area.

Damn, I love N.E. Florida Tarpon!! (sarcasm)

And that was about it. Just one, made the mistake of gobbling a sprightly "local" shrimp under a cork.

Oh the water was warm, alright, 81 degrees. And Ken and Marty were looking as if they were about to fall out from the blistering afternoon heat. Accompanied by the lack of any breeze, down yonder. I fare very well in hot weather and I have to admit, it was stifling.

So with all that excitement. We came back to Mayport (Ahhh...I'm home!) And I saw a shrimp boat coming in the river, so we went out in Lake Atlantic where the air was cool, and the ocean water temp was a steamy 74-76 degrees and chased a few shrimp boats we found dragging out there.

One hook up on a smoker shark. Only to have it come off the circle hook. I kept trying and trying, to get another. Running and gunning up to the boats, but we never had another big bite. So we headed in, after one long hot summer day.

(right about now, I'm starting to have day dreams of chilly December mornings along the jetty rocks.)

Here's another pic of Poon #1, and may be the only one in '08?? It was a cute lil' bugger.

8/3 - GREEN from Envy.

The water's off Long Island NY, are warmer than it is here!!

And here's a Big Black Sea Bass taken from there, enough to make any N.E. Florida bottom bumper "green-headed" with envy. (We call 'em green heads when they get that big)

Caught on a fellow aluminumalloyboats.com members boat, from up yonder. After they caught his 1st Marlin, on his Birthday!! (I see big ole Sea-Biscuit's and I get excited!)

Wow. I'll take my allowable "10" of these...on a butterfly jig, and call it a day, thank you!



















Here's another topic to make you, I mean me.... "Green with Envy" .

I'd put my money if I had any, on this boat. 34' of solid 1/4" Aluminum Alloy Plate!! A Yellowfin and Contender eating machine.

"The RockSalt 34"
No playing bumper boats at the Kingfish tournament
weigh-in's with this bad boy.

Unless ya' wanna get hurt. (http://www.rocksaltboats.com/)

8/3 - The Graph

It's always, for some reason or another the

middle of the wonderful curve in the state where

J-ville sits. Like a Poltergeist, that cold water lays up in here, like a ghostly mass.

It's warm water to the south, and warm to the north!

And people wish they had my job?

Here's all ya need to know about the Thermocline:

http://cdip.ucsd.edu/?nav=recent&sub=observed&units=english&tz=UTC&stn=132&stream=p1&xitem=dtemp

THIS ISN'T GOOD.

I'm not even going to discuss yesterday's charter.

8/1- Tale of the table....Ocean temps!!!!!

My endless "HOT" button issue in the summer, is....

water temps!

Want to see the "Ocean water temp" story, really easy?

Just go here: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/marine.shtml

OR

CLICK ON: St Marys (buoy) because it's close to the beach. and the St Augustine (C-MAN), because it's close to the beach.

Way offshore is where it's still warm.

Damn, what's wrong with this area and these summer time water temps?

What I'd like to see is a table made of years, summer months, and temps. So I can see how many times this happens and how frequently. Because it seems like almost every year during the summer. And a year without, is distinctly different fishing.

The Mayport weather station at the Bar Pilots Assoc. dock is unavailible, because the docks not there anymore...they're rebuilding it. I hope it's done before winter time.

It's my "go-to" Boat Ramp weather, link.