6/20 - MORE GIANT BULL REDFISH

Had "whoop'em Ashley" and her Dad aboard the Jettywolf for a BIG morning in the river.
Departed at 7am, shot the bull a bit, headed to the spot, and had REDBASS #1 on by 8:15am

Cut Mullet for bait - NO stingrays - Just F-U-N!

Caught eight fast, only missed a few bites. Smallest Bull Redfish (I call'em Redbass)
I believe was 28 pounds. Largest; around 40-45 POUNDS!

"MULTIPLE DOUBLE-HEADERS"

Okay, how about less talk and MORE PROOF?

6/17 - Weekday Slammin' for two!

Well, there's nothing like a weekday (even in the summer). Hit it early with the Shelton's.

1st off...."Runnin' & Gunnin'" behind the shrimp boats for some FAST action on Blacktips & Spinner Sharks.

Started out with the "L.T." - light tackle. But here' the deal. Okuma is Crap! At least the Strike Zone sidewalk sale rods I bought for $15 each are. Number two snapped in half!  Thank goodness I had the "HD"- solid glass rods and 9/0 Daiwa's on board too. Finished off several 75-100 lb. Blacktip Sharks
with those rods and reels.

GO solid glass or Ugly Stik or just don't go. That's what it'll be for me from now on.

OKUMA CONVECTOR "CRAP" #2 that Broke in same spot....Into garbage!


Time for Inlet action. Lost a big Redbass and even had a Nurse Shark from 50' below.

SUPER FUN DAY

6/15- Holiday weekend.......

Yet another Holiday weekend. Father's Day. And two shrimp boats to be had all day long.
And neither produced much action at all.
Maybe it's the full moon?

But weekends usually means, not that many Shrimpers working. So when we had almost zero action behind them. We went and got Pogies and chummed our own waters. Out at 60' deep in the SE Hole area. And still ZERO!

All the while, the reports of Kingfisherman trolling are hooking up big Bulls and Tiger sharks well offshore. In which I can go if:

-It's not rough, so as my crew isn't sea sick
-If I get my usual rate...discounting and running 50 miles round trip doesn't cut it.

But I'd L-O-V-E to get two "ANGLERS" who have the patience and fortitude to do a BIG...really BIG-time Shark chumming trip offshore, someday. Just like I'd love to hook-up on a 500 pounder!!!!!

So, with the whole shark chumming and run & gun behind the two shrimpers NOT panning out today.
Justin and I ended up at the jetties on the rising tide for "I.G"-instantaneous gratification, Redbass action.

A ACTUAL KEEPER SIZE RED!!!

Had a few of these hooked up and lost....in the larger 30" class. And a few Seabass with one 13 incher that went on ice and a Whiting. Then, the tide turned and we sat thru the stingray tide, AKA: Falling Tide. I saved and dispatched the Stinger for Tuesday Shark bait. That I'll need.
Love free bait and Sharks hate stingers. So I hope they like "fillet of Stinger" on Tuesday when I'm back at it again.  Gotta love a weekday!

6/12-6/13 - From wind & seas to BIG battles:

Thursday, 6/12 - I had three super nice folks aboard from Texas. We ran out to the shrimp boats first off. The wind was 15 kts at least out of the west. The seas weren't all that bad at first.

I tried something different...."trolling behind the shrimpers."  I used large spoons and BIG TACKLE just incase.

Whoa, did we have a lot of hits. With limited hook-ups. But we did have a hook-up that was damn near INCREDIBLE!

The spoon got slammed and the Daiwa 900H - 9/0's drag smoked off with at least 20 lbs. of drag pressure and it just kept going and going. The "whatever" stayed on for a few moments as my Angler picked up the rod and just held on!

Then, the rod's bend went slack. Whatever that was got off.  After reeling 300 yards of 60# Mono back on the spool, we found the spoon and the H.D. rigging along with it perfectly intact.

Whatever that fish was sure was a MONSTER. 

Come to find out, I believe because of the choppy seas, and very over-cast conditions. The large and very heavy spoons were getting hit and short striked most likely from Giant Jack Crevalles (???)
Because the next day while my crew battled heavy weight Blacktip sharks. We had a huge Jack lurk around the boat.

Either way, one of my crew was seasick. So we headed back in. She couldn't snap out of the sea sickness. So I took the other two crew members left up into the river, looking for big Redbass.
All we got before the HUGE WALL OF RAIN, ran us back to the ramp was a Stingray and a small Shark. So soaked to the bone, we called it a day. 

------------------------------------------------------

Friday 6/13, day of the FULL Moon!
Did ya get that?

FRIDAY THE 13TH.......w/ a FULL MOON?????

Had Jim and his son Joe and his daughter Jackie. Great Crew!!!!!!!
Totally into it.  

First off, because of the L-o-n-g morning incoming tide. We started out in the river looking for Big Reds, only to have Joe on a 20+lb. Stingray for a long time. Then, Jackie got the only Redbass.
A pretty 31 incher. Then the current died off...

So we headed to the "outside" into the Atlantic and chased a few Shrimp boats looking for some ARM strain.

Well, Joe was 1st up and boy did the boy get some arm strain!!!!!!!!!

I've decided to use the super Heavy Duty rods and reels. 7' solid glass rod, with the 9/0 Daiwa with serious CRANKIN' power!

Add the lap belt gimble and even the back harness. REASON: Most people need it. They're not used to the PULL they'll get. And all the larger tackle and harness' help them get a real chance, without being so drained.

Learning myself. That BIG PULLERS, are many times, a bit much for folks with anything "lighter".

Here's what I took, of the brave anglers HOOKED UP, while strapped in!!!!!

EVERYONE HAD A TURN ON A BLACKTIP.


DO YOU HAVE THE "SALT" TO TRY????

6/10 - FRENZY FISHING, aboard Jacksonville's Jettywolf

6/9 - Blacktips to Bull Reds, it's Summer Jacksonville Fishing

WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM since 1996

6/5,6,7 - From 5 year olds to 100 pounders!

I go from not doing a single "2 hour kids trip" for months on end, too more of them then regular adult fishing trips!!!

Do 5 and 6 year olds even go to school??

I figured it's because they are finally out of school??

Well, I did one with off for the summer school teachers from Louisiana.
and their 5 year old little girl on Thursday.

Then, today a 4 person Sharkin trip, with some young guys, off school. We had about 6-7 Sharks total, and half of them 100 pounder type Blacktip Sharks while running the shrimp boats. The fight on the big Blacktips commonly goes on for 30+ minutes many times. So, at that point, it's not a numbers game.

Yesterday, there was at least 10 Shrimp boats out past the jetties. Today.......TWO!

So our options were not numerous.

Didn't get any video or photos since I was pretty damn busy with the four guys. But they sure got a education, about a lot of things, "Fishing".

Tomorrow:   6/7 - early morning "2 hr Kids trip" with 2 dads and two kids.

Finally saw some Pogies today at 1:00pm all the way past the Jax beach pier. That would have been a long ride just to get bait. Made some drifts through them without any hook-ups. But it was already afternoon, and that's usually the slow down part of the day anyhow.

 

6/4 - NEW 'ZUKI 250

It was a 3 week plus process. And I lost well over $3,000.00 in the mean-time. Before, during and over the Memorial Day Holiday. But I'm back in the water.

FOR THE 1st TIME IN THREE WEEKS.

With a new motor!

With Mom.

First "Splash"

Ready to break-in.


LETS GO FISHIN'.

Up Coming PRE-Bookings: 6/5, 6/6, 6/10, 6/17, 6/21, 6/29, 6/31

6/3 - FUN without a boat????

5/31 - GET READY....to eat your Wheaties!

As soon as that 2014, Suzuki 250 Outboard is bolted to my transom.......
GET READY!!!!!

5/30 - A Heads-Up...

As I always say. I have no idea who reads this blog. I have no idea if what I do here even matters.
I do know that 95.0% of everyone I take for the "first time" has never even clicked on the words, FISHING REPORTS.

Which is part of the reason, I maybe a bit cynical. But I keep plugging along.
Personally, I would never ever in a life time not look into reports, video's, photo's, and read comments, if I was going on a hard earned charter day with family or friends. But maybe that just me.

On May 15th, I checked the dip stick on my Honda 225 Outboard to find saltwater in the crankcase of oil mixed into a frothy milk like Goo.

It's now, May 30th and I lost literally THOUSANDS of dollars of income. (where income is already tight) over the Memorial day week, and future charters the weeks after. (IE: right now)

I live from what seems Holiday to Holiday. Because that seems to be the times when people want to go fishing with the masses of other folks just like them.

It's been weeks of unemployment and I have never not been out of the water this long,all the while returning deposits. And searching for a solution. Then, searching a bit more, and then a bit more for some kind of way to get back on the water, FAST!

The long story short is, you may have saw the video of a Honda motor I'm parting out below this blog post. And that's not even the motor with the water in the oil!

I now have 2 DEAD Honda outboards in my garage. Parting one out, and may try and fix the other this winter, and sell it. Both have a problem, but the one that gets water in the oil runs great...until the oil gets too watery.

So, next week the Jettywolf will be getting a NEW Suzuki 250 hp outboard on the stern. Spending even more money, now.

Please don't beat me up too bad about my rates. I'm very much thinking about getting rid of the "Name your own rate", for Monday - Thursdays. Because I can't go backwards, I have to go forward, instead. 

I'm sure I have a whole bunch more gray hairs now than I did two weeks ago. Mentally, it's been a very tough ride. Motors never ever have problems in the middle of February!!!!!

I'm posting here what is on my home page under my fishing forecast. Because this is what I'll be doing as soon as I get back on the water.

It's the Summer Season!  This is not January or even November. It's HOT outside and things change if you want real ACTION.

Summer forecast:
* "RUN & GUN" FISHING BEHIND THE SHRIMP BOATS FOR 

FAST -ACTION ON BLACKTIP, SPINNER, AND OTHER SHARK SPECIES.

 * FISHING THE CLOSE REEFS, WITH LIVE BAIT.  BONITA, KINGFISH, SPANISH MACKEREL, BARRACUDA.

 * OVER-SIZED "BULL REDFISH" AT THE INLET’S JETTY ROCKS

* FOR THE SPORTSMAN/ANGLERS, CHUM FISHING FOR "BIG SHARKS", WITHIN SIGHT OF THE BEACH. HAMMERHEADS, BULLS, LEMONS, ETC.  NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!

 * NO LONG BOAT RIDES! AND THAT'S GUARANTEED.

5/29 - HONDA 225 PART-OUT for sale:

CHARTER@CAPTDAVES.COM
ON EBAY:  """LINK"""

Non Wicked Tuna french men......

Doing it the most manly way possible!!!!!!!

No "wicked tuna" battle style fishing here.

GAWD I love it. And am so jealous.

5/26 - Please do not disturb the R-O-C-K-S

There's that ole saying when out at the Mayport Jetties, (aka: St. Johns River Inlet).
It's kinda like when you visit Jellystone Park, you'll see signs everywhere that states.
"PLEASE DON'T FEED THE BEARS!"

Well, around here. I think we need a sign saying......

"PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB THE JETTY ROCKS" 

I captured this as I was attempting to see if I fixed my ailing Honda.
N-O-T!!!!!!!!

5/19 - GOPRO JAWS FLEX CLAMP, versatility!

ONE MORE......."TIP"
I like making stuff myself.

5/17 - I told Nick it was a ........

My first ever large Hammerhead (in which I pursued for over a week, and if you scroll down you can WATCH the whole days Video) was exactly what I told Nick (1st mate) it was when it got close enough for a good look.

There's the Great Hammerheads - straight across front of "hammer"
Then there's the Smooth Hammerheads - Smooth spot across the "hammer"
And then the Scalloped Hammerheads - As it says, "Scalloped shape" across the "hammer"

Mine was a "Scalloped Hammerhead" if we're looking to get down to the brass tacks.

HERE's THE MAN, Capt Mark explaining:

5/17 - FOLLOW-UP: DAIWA SALTIST LW20H-C

I'm a Daiwa guy now. Sort of been dabbling in the Daiwa's 1st starting with this reel, two of them.
And then going with 4- (older model) Sealine 900H 9/0's and 2- (older model) Sealine 400H 4/0 conventional reels for my sharkin tackle.

But this is not about the Sharkin tackle. It's about Following up on a video I did a while back. Sort of comparing my "WORK HORSES" the Shimano TR-100G's to the Daiwa Saltist 20HC reels.

Here's the follow-up after many months of use.

OH YEAH....I'm a Daiwa man now too!
-Price
-Construction
-Fits my fishing

The perfect bottom fishing, plug casting, Inshore/offshore, Trolling,  "step-up" reel from my "work horse" Shimano TR-100G's

Here's the differences:

5/14 - "Very Close Action, as in 100 pounder club"

Fellow ALUMINUMALLOYBOATS.COM member and aluminum boat builder Bob P. of Sound Marine in NY, comes by to visit with Capt Dave (ME). Bob was in Florida. So we meet at the boat ramp in the afternoon and I take him and put him on some super fast action.

Then, we go to Singleton's Seafood Shack for lunch by boat, and end the day doing some video for other forum while chowing down on some Shrimp and Oyster Po'boys.

But there is a tragic end. My Honda 225 outboard shits the bed!!!
(details in video)

5/13 - EPIC DAY, start to finish. HAMMERHEAD!!!!

AFTER AT LEAST TWO WEEKS OF HUNTING. HERE ONE COMES.....AND THE JETTYWOLF GET'S UM!

WHAT A EPIC DAY OF SPRING TIME FISHING.

5/12- VISIT JAX....fishing blog in the making.

http://www.visitjacksonville.com/

5/11 - did you take your momma fishing?

I take my Momma fishing every Mother's day, if I'm not taking someone else...
We had a overcast morning, and decent seas.
Then afterwards, we pulled up to Singletons Seafood Shack and had cold beverages and Oyster Po'boys.

Good fun!

5/10 - NICK WATSON'S "OILY FILMS"

5/10 - HOLIDAYS!!!!!!

Don't wait to book your Memorial holiday fishing adventure. It's not a good idea to wait till the last minute, because then you'll be left standing on the bank.

I tell everyone ALL HOLIDAYS WEEKS, should be reserved 30 days ahead of time.

A few dates are still open. And the fishing is heating up.

Check my REPORTS page, to get informed. It's all there, from photos to video's, weather, and links.

NO OTHER CHARTER GUIDE, in this whole area provides YOU with as much info as I do. To make a decision, of who you'd rather fish with.

NO ONE!

5/7 - Offshore "try"....using Bloodstream Chum (?)

Think, next time I'll try "Chunkin"......as in doing the pogies in the chum-chopper deal. Was really hoping that using the Aqua-Nutrition Bloodstream chum mixture would having me fishing rather than running around hunting bait to use as chum/chunkin'.

But something has to give. This is my 4th or 5th try in the last 7-10 days. With one BIG hook-up, and then this (Video).

It took 5 hrs. for the so-called "Bloodstream Chum" to draw-in anyone!  Supposedly, it makes a slick up to 7 MILES??????  Then, obviously there wasn't a single Shark within 7 miles for 5 solid hours!!!

And Nick & I were only 7.93 miles off the Jetties.

MAY, this should be balls to the wall when it comes BIG SHARKIN'. (300-600 pounds is what I'm rigged up for)

I want to be........TOWED.