Friday, September 6, 2013

9/6 - Really B-I-G?

I'm booked Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Thursday, so far.

And not all that sure what my crew will consist of, right now.

But, I'm just putting this out there. 

With a falling tide mid morning this week. I was thinking, who wants to target REALLY big Shark with me.

As in "Hundreds" of pounds. I have a hunch. We'll be fishing Tarpon country at the same time. And maybe and possibly some Whiting and other fish,  for the fish box while we wait on the big one.

-Lemons
















-Bulls















There's even been some talk about a large Tiger lurking around Jax Beach Pier (?)  So ya never know.

We won't be using sissy ass Pogy's for bait. I can tell ya that.

No long rough boat rides. I'm talking "near-shore/inshore" fishing.

Hey, just when you think you're not up to it or you're not mean enough....."I'm being kind"

READ THIS:  """""CLICK HERE"""""""


What a great story!  Notice the major typos, though??  "pin reels, with big cylinders". 
I think the author (NICHOLAS FOURIEZOS) meant "Penn Reels, with large spools!"

It's an adventure.
Not a "grocery shopping trip".
All Sharks caught will be released. That's why we still fish, while the BIG baits soak.
Ya may hook a Tarpon.

I'm going "solo" and will have to make a video of myself. If no one wants to go for the GUSTO.
Yeah, you'll get your own VIDEO proof, no matter what. Care of my 4 cameras, editing, and posting to my Youtube channel



www.captdaves.com- your Jax full-time fishing guide since 1996.

Here's a "blast from the past" This little lady, Nanette S. screamed bloody murder when she hooked this Spinner that weighed in at 120 pounds. After doing a few 10 pound Jack Crevalles, with her friend Donna, aboard my old boat the FOR REELIN II. And it was her Birthday also!

















There's Tarpon all around those jetty rocks too!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

9/3 - Big Game + Light Tackle = FUN!

Had Grady from N.C. aboard on Tuesday. After all the Holiday and weekend boaters, had us all alone and having a ball, running & gunning behind the Shrimp boats for instant action.

As it turns out, this is the closest and best BIG TUG action happening, right now. It's all about FUN and getting some serious pullers hooked up.

From Blacktips to Spinner Sharks that put on one hell of a show. All with no long boat ride!
Which I love. Because I like getting into "I.G." - instantaneous gratification no matter if it's a Trout on a top water plug (lure) or slinging big baits behind the Shrimp boats.

We also tried drifting Pogies that we caught on the beach in 12' of water, in the SouthEast Hole area in 55' of water. One on a down-rigger, and one flat lined. Looking for a big Bonita, or King Mackerel. But the only bite we had was a small Blacktip shark on the surface Pogy. I was very surprised, because we had a perfect, silent drift going with the decent SW breeze, pushing the boat bow first and stern to the wind. (the Jettywolf drifts so nicely)

So, with nothing going on in the S.E. Hole, we ran back to the North Jetty and pitched live Pogies up to the end of the rocks. On a 3/8th's ounce jig we had a giant Spinner Shark hooked up on the little jig hook and it lasted 3 jump and spins before snapping the 40 pound mono shock leader I was using on the spinning tackle.

Then we had a decent Jack eat a Pogy and give Grady a nice boat side tug. Then, we ended the day and slowly peddled our way back to the dock as the afternoon heat poured on.

Lots of good, funny, and exciting stuff happened on today's trip with Grady. Way too many things to list.

But, I can tell you. NEVER IS ANY DAY THE SAME OUT THERE.

That's what makes it fun and exciting in my book. And I can't say that I have ever taken anyone out Shrimp boat runnin' & gunnin' that didn't have a good time.

All the Sharks we hooked today were released, to fight again. Sometimes I can get the 14/0 circle hooks out, and sometimes I can't. But I am prepared with all the tools, if so. I have two ARC dehookers. One 6' pole version and a 24" version. I prefer to release all of these Sharks for another day. And I prefer (if I can) to humanly de-hook them.

Come join me aboard the Jettywolf, visit: www.captdaves.com

I do all I can to not be a boat ride. But rather be fishing as fast as possible!


Monday, September 2, 2013

9/2 - from 1st to last cast......HOLD-ON!!

Had Bill and his son Luke aboard the Jettywolf today. My yesterday charter cancelled on me. Which has me now going with a Holiday week, 1/2 up front NON-returnable deposit. Because, ya just can't do business this way in this town, where you live from Holiday to Holiday.

So today we headed out as the sun came up and "Yes", there were shrimp boats right outside the inlet.

1st cast of a float, attached to a 200# mono leader "crimped" then to a "crimped" on 14/0 circle hook.
I cast it behind the shrimp boat over the nets, right where the Flippers are piled up, and it was.....
GAME ON.

I couldn't believe it. The float went down instantly. Then the shark came right at us. It was a monster Spinner shark. It went air born two maybe three times corkscrewing 5 feet out of the water! Right behind the boat, then again, and then the next time I thought it was coming in the bpoat as it corkscrewed right behind my boats swim platform! All three of us couldn't do a thing. And we all thought it was coming in the boat. I had my hand on the throttle, but I was stunned, along with my crew.

Then it spun one more time and busted the leader clean.

THIS WAS ALL WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MINUTES OF US FISHING!

We had more instantaneous hook ups. Drag smokers, and one caught us up in the shrimp net. Then, another young Luke fought for over 30 minutes and then I took over. And it tried to whoop even me.

It was the largest Blacktip of the whole summer. 6-7' long and when I tried to use the dehooker pole and release it it just ate through the 200 pound mono leader and took off.





















The action was unbelievable and non stop.




















The action and size of these Blacktips was so good we went back to the jetties and sat for a little while before heading in. My crew was done.

Get to do it all over again on Tuesday. When ya'll are back at work finally. With just one guy.
The river was a zoo. And on the way back to the ramp only two idiots tried to run us over.

If they only realized they will get the "shit end of that stick" when they hit 1/4" alloy plate against fiberglass.....I know. Because I've seen it.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Finally...last day of August

Trout friends, at least Big Gators vanished. At least where I can go to find them. No "topwater" bites at all. Maybe a few swipe and misses from some small fish. But as usual here in Bazzarro world. I didn't get any hook ups on my new all black and chartreuse tail Kick-A-Mullet, and neither did Todd. And new resident to J-ville from the mid west. He said, "it's better than shoveling snow!" 

So after a "sun-up" cast fest on several spots. It was a HERE'S YER SIGN that the Trout vacated the area.

And since Todd's never seen the inlet. I ran all the way back from where we went to go somewhere to hook the brother up! The action at the N. Jetty seemed stereo-typical of what it's like in the summer out there. (can't wait till WINTER!!!!!!)

Caught only a few fish to use as baits, set the out for the "man in the brown suit" and had no heavy Sharkin' tackle with me. This was a complete after-thought!

Fishing Jacksonville, you have to remain Rigidly Flexible. Especially this time of year...