3/14 - Matthew the BIG fish Birthday boy!

WOW! What a difference a day can make. A complete 180 from yesterday's weather, huh?
Left out this morning at 7:30am with Rick and Matthew Sawyer, it was Matt's Birthday fishing trip.

So when ya have the last of the falling tide in the morning, the Sheepshead spawn going on, a live well full of river crickets (shrimp), a light wind SW wind, and over cast skies. I decided to bottom fish. Because it sure worked on Wednesday when I had Don Zagorski on board. "If it ain't broke don't fix it", RIGHT?

Well, as we sat there anchored up in the river waiting for the bite, the wind would pick up, the skies would darken, and the air temp would grow cooler. Here comes a FRONT. I could just tell, this isn't like Wednesday, and it surely isn't Thursdays weather. So we sat patiently and waited.

Remember the only reason I'll "bait-n-wait" fish, is because it's been very worth it. And now I'm second guessing myself.....rule #1, go with the gut feeling, and never second guess the gut.

I knew something had to happen, and as I was checking one of the baits I felt a tug, and handed Matt the rod. SHEEPSHEAD, and it was a big momma!

RIVER MULES!
(up to 9.5 pounds)


But the bites were far and few between, and the between were small whiting.

So we just stayed with the plan and kept waiting, changing out baits, paying attention to the current, talked on the phone, and watched Matt fight a queasy stomach. And like a real Trooper, he hung in there.

We then went and did some Float-rig fishing as the tide started to flood on the surface.

The water was choppy with the SW wind which is usually a good thing. And Rick hung the first nice Speck, but it came off at boat side.

And the little bitty Bluefish were everywhere, also know as the scourge of spring time. And were eating all the shrimp. But Rick ended up nailing a nice keeper Speckled Trout.

We kept at it, but the blues were incessant. And I went a pulled my anchor and bent the hell out of it, rendering it pretty useless. We looked around
in the river, and there was no current, and now
was high tide. So we headed in to clean fish.


This time of year, even on a kinda crappy weather day, there's still some whopper fish to be had.
And that's why I love the transitional times, Thanksgiving in the fall and Easter in the spring.
Those two holidays....(opps, can't forget good ole St. Patricks Day!) are my favorites.

Least favorite: July 4th, too hot, too many people around.

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

BTW....just what I thought. I'm checking my "poll" that I'm running on the top of the side bar, and can clearly see not many people use this BLOG report to choose their fishing charter. I cannot believe I have to "guide" people here on the phone, AFTER they've already visited my web site. Reports should be no less than the 3rd thing looked for on a charter service web site, in my opinion.

Here's the first thing I look at when I go to a charter service web site:

1. the boat I'll be on. Size, roomyness, fishability in all weather.
2. are all the photos of the guide himself, catching fish?. Are they him, in tournament photos? If so, I'm gone.
3. Reports, and how recent?

March 6th video of Black Drum in River

Nick, a fishing buddy took this footage (and found the net for me) on March 6th while out trying out Biscayne 8' bottom fishing rods. As you recall from the report we also caught some whopper spring time Redbass. H-a-r-d = F-I-S-H, we were fishing some seriously hard shell bottom. And when the tide got right, it was all ya wanted....except we wanted less big Reds and more Drum for the fish box.

Nick had the camera running...long before he got into position. We'll have to work on that next time. I tried editing it out but couldn't get the edited version to load up here on Blogger.

Either way, we tried. I don't see video's on any other local charter sites.



This could be, YOU !

3/12 - fishing with the Don....

Ya know, back many many years ago when I got fired from my dead end J-O-B (because I fished too much and was never there) and slid right into the charter fishing business, and doubled my income and happiness. I thought most charters I'd have for inshore fishing would be a "one on one" guided fishing trip with someone who was all about catching fish, learning, and seeing our waters and it's inhabitants. Ya' know, just like you see on TV?

Of course, I couldn't have been any more WRONG. Most charters are not one person trips, and can be up to 4 passengers only because I limit them to 4 people. But then there's the rare days, when I have just one person on board. And if that person is a fisherman. It's magic!

And one of those days was today, with Don Zagorski.














We started out by catching the absolute last of the falling tide. But I told Don, as soon as the current subsides, it's gonna be game on. So we pitched out live shrimp on some bottom rigs, using my new Biscayne 8 foot rods. And about 40 minutes later the tide slowed and the first Redbass was causing Don to grunt and groan. Heck it was only a 10 pounder pulling from 50 feet below.

Then, came a 6.5 pound Sheepshead.....Don's dinner fish. Then, not long after came a 12 pounder. Right as the incoming tides current started to flow on the very bottom.

As the bottom current started to push harder and harder, I said to Don, "let's go float-rig fishing."

So we picked-up from our deep water fishing and went to a Trout spot. By now the tide was running really hard, and the North West wind was not helping us out. Remember, I was just out on Monday with Nick Watson, and we were knee deep in Trout and Reds at the same locale. So when it's wrong, it's all wrong. And I could tell.

The small Bluefish were also a nuisance, so after trying so hard to get it right, mother nature won. And we'll have to try this again later.

So I motored about 100 yards away out into the deep water again, Don and I pitched out the big bottom rods and live shrimp to the bottom and Don scored this 22 pound Redfish, within minutes. He thought the other Reds pulled!! This fish was twice them. We kept trying for more, but for some reason, that was it. So I made a move, as it was now High Tide. And all we had was
bait stealers.














So, we went back for a look to see if it was worth Float-rig fishing again. The NW wind backed way off, and the water was clean and clear. First cast, Speck! And the yellowmouth Trout were also present and biting. But, the little Bluefish were not gone. And with just enough live shrimp left, Don and I worked over the spot, and caught (1) limit of Specks and (2) limits of Yellowmouth Trout, and tossed back many small ones.

We fished about every single useable shrimp in the well. And teased a brazen Pelican. Then headed back to the dock to clean the catch, or as I call it; "Time to make the donuts."

From here on out, I have Friday, Saturday, then all of next week prebooked.

I'm interested in seeing actually how many days I'll either get off, or if I get to do all of these days, how many will be fish'able.

When I get a huge rush of people who want to go because it's a holiday, inevitably momma nature sometimes doesn't care about my financial welfare.

3/10 - R&D, before big week

Monday mornings....ahhh the serenity! It's about the only day of the week where I can go anywhere, and do anything and not be waked, anchored next too, or bothered. Because any more, the weekend seem to start on Wednesday's these days.

So Nick and I went out for some "Research and Development". As I like to refer to as "by the numbers" we left out at a perfect time, hit one spot, and began the assault on fishdom. I believe I had Trout #1 on cast #1....and when it was Redbass time, I had #1 Redbass on #1 cast! I was HOT!

That 40 MPH wind on Saturday, matched up to the new moon low tide, did me such a favor. On the falling tide, with a west gale wind behind it, flushed the river like an ole Ferguson toilet. So given the first opportunity to get out there, I was more than ready to take a big bite out of my favorite place....ya know, it's a Jettywolf thang.

I'll pretty much let the photos say a thousand words...














Nick and I wore out the Speckled Trout & Yellowmouth Trout. And had a whole bunch of small 14-1/2" Specks, while I was just waiting on that 7 or 8 pounder. But I never found any "Gators", just Specks to 19 inches. But, 2 weeks ago there wasn't any Specks around out here. So I was glad to get'em any size for the fish box. And the fat bellied Yellowmouth were ferocious!















Compared to our last trip to the jetties, today was very workable. The winds were light, and I had no plans of bottom fishing until low tide. And it was so nice only dropping anchor maybe 2-3 times. Once for all the trout, and the second for numerous Reds from 27" to 33". I said to Nick, "what will it take for me to put you on a Redfish , today?" , because I was ripping them and we were fishing in the exact same spot. And we figured it was the same reason that on our last trip he caught the big Reds, and I didn't!

















I really wanted Nick to get a big Red, so I kept saying "I'll back off", so I'd pitch to a different area, but managed to keep on catching them! Like I said, I was hot, for some reason. But then again, I was feeling a little "wolfie".

The water temp was between 62 and 63 degrees, and I was hoping to see it warmer. But things are really starting to heat-up, anyhow. We saw small Sharks give the boat a swim by. And of course there's plenty of those Cow nosed Rays swimming the clean water.

Like many days I experience after a big weather event, if ya just let it settle you can bet the next clear day they'll be on the feed bag, big time.

After our tide was over and the bluefish took over we purposely caught some Blues for cut bait and ran up river and tried bottom fishing for a really Big Redbass, but ran out of time.

So we actually fished a normal day. Rather than our usual marathon. Which was good, Nick was feeling tired and I had things to take care of back at the Ranchero Delux. So we hit the dock and I cleaned all the fish....we had limits of Yellowmouths and Specks, one Sheepshead and one 27" Red. And we both went home with giant bags of fresh fillets.

It was one sweet day!

I'm jam-up from here on out till the 21st of the month. So lots of reports coming. I may combine days, if I'm whooped at 8:00pm. So multiple days maybe in one post. Either way, STAY TUNED!

3/6 - The hunt in the deep...

Supposedly, today was the last day of the so called "good weather" for the next few days. But, in my mind today wasn't all that damn good. The forecast was for Northwest winds 10 knots.

Which was total BS. It was NE at 10-15. Especially at the jetties! Being it's just the beginning of March, I guess I could deal with it. But I'm really over N.E. winds.

At the jetties it was just plain aggravating. Since Nick Watson and I were out hunting the deep water for BIG fish. So we didn't break out a single Float-rigged rod at any time. But I threatened too...I can't believe I went a whole day with out working my float-rig.

Hours and hours went by without a single big fish bite on this new moon, tidal day. We just left way too early. And shouldn't have even bothered going till it was nearer to the low water.

With the jetties being just one aggravation after another; I.E. - Smoking current, wakes from tugs, and stiff NE wind. I decided it was just plain time to leave and go somewhere workable.

Because nothing was going our way out there.

So I ran down river to an old spot. But when we got there, we essentially missed the falling tide current. But, bumped into a fella who stopped us and told me he just found and read this blog, and my web site. Needing some help, since he's a Gulf Coast fisherman really. Yep, it's like night and day I'm sure. Between here and there. But on days like today, even the big St. Johns can be a real pain in the ass, even when you know it.

We tried the spot anyhow, and was into the yellowmouth Trout bites fast and furious. I knew they were there, but I had also caught Drum, Sheepshead and Reds here. But not today. So we moved on.

Next spot, about a 1/2 mile away. Serious H-A-R-D = F-I-S-H area. Hard bottom, lots of shell, ledges and rock. But we sat there for what seemed like over an hour before getting a real bite.

I had the idea of bottom fishing in the deep water, because I wanted to use my new 8' Biscayne rods, that I had built just for bottom fishing big fish, heavy current, with heavy lead.

And man, this 32" Redbass felt good on them.

Just what I was looking for, "Control in the trenches" with plain ole E-Glass type action and durability. These rigs are not replacing my Loomis backbounce rods matched with my Accurate twin drags, they're just different for a change.

Well, Nick and I had big plans for Black Drum, and Sheepshead in the deep, swift water. For the freezer. But for a sea trial with the rods, the big Red worked.

At least we didn't have anyone near us, bothering us, had good current, and could just sit and be happy, waiting for the next bite. Which didn't take very long.

Nick was up next. The 8 foot rod doubled over into a horseshoe shape, as the drag pulled hard.

I could tell Nick was a bit shocked, usually creek fish don't pull like this. And Nick spends most of his time in his own boat in smaller water. That's what is so much fun about dropping into the deep water out in the river.

The fish are bigger!

I almost had to remind myself that yes it's that time of year again, when the big Reds roam the channel edges. Because I catch myself many times still being stuck in the wintry January, February mode.

Like the top right hand corner on the home page of my web site states; "Florida's largest Trophy Size Redfish, April 1st- November 30th".

But yeah, those dates are not etched in stone, either!

Nick's Redfish was way bigger than mine....pushing 37 inches. He said, "Dave, I believe that's the biggest Redfish or Fish, I've ever caught!" That's good, I can add Nick to the long, long list of others who have told me the same thing.....

Next it was my turn. So Nick grabbed the camera and was gonna do some video of it.

I could tell it was a good fish, but not like the one Nick just caught. Then it popped up to the surface......"AH HAH!!!!! A Redfishes Ugly Cousin", a nice Black Drum was at boat side.

Now, things were starting to be worth the too early departure, the jetty conditions, and the second guessing.

"we need about 4 or 5 of these", I said to Nick.

At least that was my intentions when I got up this morning, and called him. Actually, that's not true. It was the intention I had yesterday when I emailed him and said, "Lets go fishing Thursday!"

Bait was nothing exotic. Just live shrimp.

And we were starting to run out of the big ones, that I like to use for bottom bait.

We did have to sit through some river traffic. They may get close, but at least this kind of river traffic doesn't come over and anchor on top of you, or drive by staring at you. Although intimidating, I'll take this kind of river traffic over what I sat in last weekend!

I waited, then waited some more, to get this photo. These two ships were passing.....

Even though it may look as if they are about to collide. Which actually counter balanced the surge from their displacement that we encountered earlier, from a single passing ship.

The St. Johns River. Never a dull moment.

There's always someone, or something to watch, be disturbed by, or amazed by.

We had an Osprey obviously watching us.

Because when I un-hooked a small Yellowmouth Trout and tossed it over the side, it floated for a minute in the current. And that was a minute too long. It was immediately scooped up off the surface by the watching bird from over head. As if it was just waiting for me to toss it over board.

I was waiting for the bite to drop off any minute, because the current was now 'coming in' on the bottom of the river, but still flowing east on the surface. Which most of the time means, "game over, time to move." But Nick got another shot, when his rod doubled over again in the rod holder.

Another Big Red! And this time I videoed Nick.

But come to find out, I hit the wrong button on his camera and it never took.....Oh Well!

It really wasn't the operator, but rather the instructor......lol!

Looks like Saturday's charter will have to be a re-scheduled trip. The forecast is for west winds 20-25 knots!!

So I guess today was the last good day for a couple days. Glad I got in my fishing fix.

We had such a slow start this morning, it had me wondering were we ever gonna fish fish big enough to pull hard against my new rods.

I'm glad we did. And so was Nick.

3/5 - RATHKELTAIR LIVE

I had the rare opportunity of seeing my favorite band last night...In which fishing buddy, Nick Watson is the drummer. Because they played at
7 Bridges restaurant & brewery at 7:00pm rather than starting at 10:00pm when they're at Lynches Irish Pub in Jax beach. 10pm, is kinda late for me.

Yeah, I'm not a late night kinda guy. By 10pm, I'm usually falling asleep in my Lazyboy recliner.

Believe it or not, my mother and I went. We had a good dinner and a few beers, and then sat and listened to a few sets of Celtic rock sounds that has made Nick, Trevor, and Neil -"the Antipypr" famous. Mom loved it! I wish I brought my camera. so I could have taken a few pics.

You've never heard a Highland Bagpipe, till you listen to Neil Anderson!

I hope that more restaurants will hear about last nights show, and the band gets to perform at more places like the 7-Bridges.

Their web site: http://www.rathkeltair.com/ - "Winner of 2006 Celtic Music Awards."


And if you love this kind of sound, you can get to hear much more at the 2nd annual Jax Irish Music fest, at the Jax Fair grounds on April 26th.

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Heard something else yesterday......My neighbor told me he took someone fishing on his companies boat. And this person said that they read a Reports BLOG everyday. He said, "WHO"? This person replied, Capt Dave's. My neighbor said, "hmmm...what's his last name?"
And this person replied, "don't know, be he has a big metal boat!"
He responded..."That's my neighbor, Dave!"

The moral of this story is, that ole subject that is dear to me. "The Power of Observation!"
I talk about it all the time. Being aware of your surroundings, especially as a fisherman.
What I found very funny, is that across the entire top of this BLOG is the "title"... CAPT. DAVE SIPLER'S SPORT FISHING BLOG.

It's okay though. I once had a call from a guy looking for a charter/guide. And happened upon this blog. Called me and everything. And had NO idea that I was in the charter business. And just thought that I was a "weekend enthusiast" that wrote alot, for my health. The funny thing about this story is, "what do people actually see and read?" I know Google has studied what and how people see when they read a search page. Talk about an interesting article. Google's got it going on!

I find myself practicing, memorization of small details, and the truly obscure. Because in my world. I find it helps me. But I'm sure even my attentiveness is very selective.

C'C'mon....what are ya waiting for. Let's go fishing! We waited all of February to get to this point.
It's starting to really get HOT!


Next day up to bat for me is Saturday, with the Donelenko's.

Sheeps in da deeps....March & April to do list.

DO NOT LET ANYONE KID YOU!
You don't have to hug a rock this time of year to catch plenty of Sheepshead. See that boat dwarfed by the ship passing under the Dames Point Bridge?
He was absolutely killing the Sheepshead, (toss in a few Drum) out there damn near in the channel.
Don't ask me how I know that.

In my opinion, the jetties get pummeled very hard. And like a reef offshore are only going to hold so many fish at a given time. Sure fish are constantly on the move, but if you could have seen the south tip of the jetty rocks on Saturday afternoon, and then again on Sunday afternoon, like I did you would have seen the same boats anchored there for the entire falling tide both days.

Do not think for a minute that this doesn't hurt the population there. And how about the constant traffic over head. I know for a fact I have had my Speckled Trout catches diminish rapidly between a Thursday and a Saturday. Do solely to incessant boat traffic, especially in the shallower areas.

Just like an offshore fisherman, the key is; "H-A-R-D = F-I-S-H". I've never heard of someone blasting offshore to spend $200 in fuel, $100 in bait, just to fish out in the middle of the desert over soft sand. Reefs, can be wrecks, ledges, concrete piles, barges, all with hardness that attracts organisms, soft corals, barnacles, and provides places for small little "food" critters a place to live.
Same goes for the river. About the only thing that "progress" has accomplished with all the river dredging, is that it has exposed the natural lime rock "hard bottom" areas. Especially on the edges of the channel. Along with the river's current, many of these places are no different than the jetty rocks when it comes to a big fat Sheepshead.

Then there's places that have hard shell bottom. Where are these places? Many of them are just historically good fishing spots, such as under the Dames Point Bridge. A really good sounder/bottom finder will point those areas out to you when you go over them. My machine is a 12" RayMarine color LCD. When I pass over a hard bottom area the bottom indicated in bright red will be very thick. And when I see a green fuzz just off the bottom I refer to that as just
"bio-mass". Be it shrimp, plankton, whatever...when I see that green fuzz, in conjunction with a deep red bottom, I'm looking at usually a good hard bottom spot.

That contains LIFE. Which in turn means food, which means FISH. And possibly Sheepshead!
I got to thinking yesterday that I NEVER fish vertically for Sheepshead up and down on the jetty rocks. I float-rig them, and I jig them. But I never sit and dab them. Maybe because I find it boring, I don't know. But I never do what I see hundreds doing.


But I do prefer to fish in good current, with several rods in the pole holders. Usually with just live shrimp. Getting the right size bank sinker to hold bottom, and utilize a sinker slider, and a short leader with either a small circle hook or something like a wide bend Eagle Claw 1/0. Now I find this enjoyable sometimes. You may have read that I don't like "bait-n- wait" fishing. But if there's something to actually catch, as in this time of year. I enjoy just kick'n back and watching a rod tip for a bounce.

There's no mangrove snappers yet, the pinfish have backed off a bit, there's no lil' croakers to eat everything in sight, and the Sheepshead and Drum are on the move.

The point is that you don't have to be in that crowd of bumper boats at the end of the rocks to catch some quality Sheepshead. Being that I fish the jetties alot, I could be at the bait shop and people ask me, "been catchin' the sheepshead out there huh?" And I usually respond, "No not really....."

You would be so surprised that there's an entire world of Sheepshead just along some hard bottom areas in the river. And no one fishes those areas. I have tried and still cannot hit all of them. Just as there's alot of Sheepshead up in the flooded grass at the excessive high tides.

Here's a spawning brood stock size 11 pounder that wasn't caught along the jetties but rather in the river, from deep water.

I use shrimp as bait, but do a few things to hopefully make my presentation a whole lot better. I take a big live shrimp. I cut off the tail fins. Clipping them off, not tearing them off.

I then thread my hook through the shrimp from the open tail end, like a rubber worm. Then half way through the shrimps body, I pull the hooks bend out, turn the hook and stick it in the walking legs of the shrimp.

This keeps the shrimp from spinning in the current. I've never seen a shrimp act like a Roland Martin as only seen on TV Helicopter lure! Shrimp lay on the bottom, they don't spin in the current. I think this matters, and never do it any other way.

Hooking the shrimp in this fashion makes the Sheepshead or any fish go through the hook to get the shrimp. And doubles the hook area to keep the shrimp from spinning. On my last charter with the Kossak family, I did this and each and every Sheepshead was hooked in the throat. Because it ate it's way up the shrimp and into the hook. Meaning a sure hook-up, for a guaranteed catch from the deep water.

Here's another definite
"spawning" size and colored Sheeps
that I caught no where near the jetty
rocks, but rather on some hard bottom
in the river. At 10 pounds in swift current,
in water from 35-50 feet, you can bet this
fish pulled!

7-Striped Jetty Snappers, aren't necessarily caught this time of year just at the jetties or off piling. Hard bottom areas that may take just a little more time to find and fish, can be just as productive. And just think, if these areas aren't beat to death, can ya imagine the size of the "River mule" you could catch??

3/3 - Power of Observation....things that make ya go Hmmmm.

Just remembered.

I was sitting along the jetties yesterday catching me some yellermouth Trout, and having my hook crushed by Sheepshead bites, after my morning charter with the Kossak Family, when I looked over and saw something that was interesting.

Being a serious G. Loomis guy.....a Pro-staff member for many, many years now. (BTW, ya can't go wrong with a Loomis rod)

And one who is always looking for an edge in my float-rig fishing. Being a long-time user of Premier plastic inc. "Salmon Stalker" EVA floats.

I see a boat pull up along the jetties, just one guy and a kid. First, I notice that there's a rod rigged up with a Salmon Stalker float! Only a few that I know of use these....they are not something the average joe uses. Unless they've seen mine or maybe even been with me on a trip.

Then the guy starts casting his float out. And I see he is using what looks like a G. Loomis "Greenwater" long rod, maybe a 8'2 incher????
Hmmmmm......that interesting. That's the rod I use. It's a $250 rod. And one fine float-rigging rod too.

I strained my eyes looking to see if he had a Shimano Curado 300DSV on the rod, but could not tell......because if so. That's what I use!!!!

So, what's the deal?

This isn't like you can go to Wally's World and buy a long Loomis "greenwater" rod and a pack of Salmon Stalker 1 oz. EVA floats. I told Sam the fishing dept. manager at Gander Mountain about them, but doubt they'll carry them either.

It's takes a bit of...in my case "tweeking", or in his case OBSERVING??? (maybe we've talked??)

But, just by seeing what he was using I can tell this fella has fine taste. Not that any ole rod and reel can't catch a Trout, Sheepshead, or a Redfish. But there's those of us who enjoy some of the finer things in life. I don't do fine dining, vacations to Maui, or live in an exclusive area. It's all about nice tackle, boats, and having fun fishing to me.

Either way, I was the observer. And can't say I recognized the fella, or the boat.

Maybe he's a blog reader?

Here's links to what I'm talking about. If anyone is "EVER" interested in any tackle that I discuss, please contact me first. I have ideas on where to find it the cheapest, if that interests you.

• http://products.gloomis.com/gl/products/alltackle/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441760233&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032515&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181201&bmUID=1204561995065
• http://www.premierplasticsinc.com/bobbers/stalkers/salmon.asp
• http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302036641&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181270&bmUID=1204562079400

It's just stuff that works for me, and that I like.

Here's a "must read" if your into the Shimano Curado's, as I am:

• http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocurado300dhsv.html - notice they are using a butter fly jigging rod. Yep, that's next up for me. Light duty butterfly jigging offshore for Kings, Seabass, Snapper...and whatever else this summer.

3/1 & 3/2

3/1 - well it was 80 degrees again, and like an blooming' idiot I went out on a Saturday. "Holy Walmart parking lot", Batman. There was just way too many people out on the water for me.

Is it that I am an anti-socialist, I guess so. I really like people, hell I'm in the people business! But what's that ole saying one is fine two is okay, and three's a crowd....Now try that with waking boats and people who just don't care about you, times 1000!!!

But, it's a tradition. I have to go fishing on the first day of Trout opening. Most of the time I know what to expect. I've stood in the wind and rain, been freezing, and due to Small Craft Advisories never made March 1st's opening day. But this was one for the records books, being it fell on a Saturday. And was damn near if not 80 degree's on land....a tad cooler on the water. And if they owned a boat, they (Jacksonville) was out fishing.

I gave the opening day a half heart try. I asked a few friends and couldn't even get anyone to go with me. I went to basically one spot where I thought maybe I'd hit a few Specks. But only caught Bluefish. Watched the lure tossers working the same area and they came up empty too. The tide really sucked. Water movement in the river was really slow on the falling tide with only 2.9 feet of water movement, and the incoming tide was a whopping 2.3 feet. Not what I'd consider being an Epic Trout tide, for what I do and where I fish.

So I went to the jetties and found I couldn't get near any of my spots there. So I just pulled out my big deck chair, dropped over the 1/2 cider block anchor chucked out a piece of cut bluefish, and drifted off the beach all the out to the green buoy on the south jetty catching whiting.
Then, finally saw and opening and went for it!

I pulled in dropped anchor an in 5 casts of the float-rig had 5 Yellowmouth Trout, and lost a Sheepshead behind the boat. Packed it up and went to the boat ramp.

That was my whole Saturday.

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

3/2 - Had Dave Kossak and family out for a morning half day trip. With his 11 yr. old son, and 7 year old daughter and wife. I saw some good things as I explored around on Saturday afternoon waiting my turn to get a anchoring permit to fish my spot. So I had a good game plan for the kids. BOTTOM FISH!

Real easy, but where to do it was the best decision. We left out about 7:30am on another CRAZY DAY, just like Saturday. We went to one spot, anchored up, and was incessantly waked, but the fish were there. And it was I.G. - (instaneous gratification)

I no sooner pitched out a 6oz. bank sinker with a short leadered hook and an impaled live shrimp and we were onto the first Sheepshead. She worked hard on this fish in 50 feet of water (with help from her dad of course) and here hair kept getting caught in the reel as she turned the reel handle.

I never seen that happen before....but she never gave up, and caught the largest Sheepshead at 6.5 pounds. They caught more Sheepshead and even a Black Drum, and a few healthy deep water Seabass that would have been legal a year ago. Mmmm, even 11-1/2" Seabass have some nice white fillets.

It was tough staying anchored as the inconsiderate's run down the side of my boat and between us and the jetties. But the kids had a ball I think. And that's all that mattered to me.

Dave said when we got back and as I cleaned their fish. He'll have to do this again, as an "adult trip". He caught a nice Black Drum. And would have liked a Big ole Redbass. So I guess there has to be a next time for that. Good thing we caught some "deep water fish". Because I was using my new Biscayne Rods I just had built, by Eddie Carman and crew. And since I never really used them on Saturday for their intended purpose. It was a good trial for them. They worked out splendidly. Now, I these rods need a 20 pound Redbass or a 60 pound Drum!

2/28 - Like Christmas Eve!

ONE MORE DAY, till the month of February is over! It's like Christmas eve for me. I despise February, Election years, politicians, Government intrusion, TV commercials, and 6" bait stealers.

But February takes the cake. Because my beloved Speckled Sea Trout are closed for harvest in the my part of Florida. And my freezer doesn't have any of them in it. I finished the last of my stock pile about 8 days ago.

Just like this old picture, the cattle man and the Sheep herder are talking, and wishing for some Trout, which is depicted up in the clouds! (or that's at least how I see the picture)



You'd think I'd just love February
being a "Valentine baby"
and a Aquarius and all.
So what has that all done for me, lately?

I'm more into a stringer full of Specks. Hitting the dock at the end of the day, getting out the fillet table, passing the knives over the stone, and getting busy with some fish cleaning.

Mind you, I don't mean hackin', carving, hack-sawing, which is readily done when Sheepshead and even Redfish are in the cooler. I'm talking easy filleting, deboning and skinning which takes maybe 2-3 minutes per fish? To produce a skin-less, bone-less, perfect back strap of meat. That fits perfectly in my big well seasoned cast iron skillet. Fried or even blackened... I love me some T-routz.

Here's a few pics of some memorable days in the past, and they won't be the last!

What a difference a day can make.....

2/24 - Had Kevin M. visiting from New Jersey, and two friends Paul Sr. & Paul Jr. aboard. Wanted to spend the day, just hanging around the jetties. At least that was what my plan of attack. Couldn't even get into the bait shops parking lot. A1A north was solid boats at 0700 hrs. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" Finally, got some shrimp and ice. Got to the boat ramp, and it was if it was the morning of the Greater Jax Kingfish Tournament.

I really thought that something was going on that I didn't hear about. I can't imagine what kind of zoo it must have been on Saturday's Sheepshead tournament. But it was just the fact that the weather was nice. If this is any indication of what's to come, I'm going to make some serious adjustments this summer.

We headed to the jetties for some Float-rig fishing. Then we did some Ring-tailed Porgy fishing, targeting the toughest lil fish there is to catch. Tried to catch a big Red, but ended up with Flounder instead. And the majority of what the guys caught were small Yellowmouth Trout, while drifting the rocks. Enough for a good fish fry. Caught only one Speck while in the yellowmouths. No Sheepshead or Reds! The jetties were very busy with boats all over the place.

Very, very challenging is what working the float for the Ringtail Porgies. They scored on 3 or 4 with one being a big fat whopper. I usually catch a Sheepshead when doing the Ringtail Porgy thing. That's what I was hoping for. We even experimented with some free samples of a new artificial strip bait called "Slurp" that I got at Gander Mountain, and pieces of Berkley "Gulp". Personally, I think that crap is just a giant hook in the lip to catch Fisherman. And our test confirmed my opinions. Shrimp would get instant bites from Ringtails, while the artificial stuff would never get touched.

End of experiment!! If it cannot catch a Ringtail at the end of the jetties, imparting no action of any kind, and shrimp can. How do they claim on the package that it "out fishes live bait"?????

That's all B.S.

2/25 - Oh.....Monday's! Usually a wonderful time to be out fishing, right?

Then how come between the north and south jetty at 1pm I counted over 40 boats?? Either way, earlier in the morning, we had the whole place to ourselves. Which at least made me feel better. I had Robert & Ray on board. It was a better day than Sunday, I could just feel it.

Originally, I was supposed to have Robert and Ray back on the 13th of Feb. But we decided since the weather was iffy, we'd reschedule. And as I pulled up to the jetties, I was glad we did. It was perfect!

I first had the guys jigging the rocks a bit, since we had a nice slow incoming tide. The green ocean water just looked so tantalizing. But they never scored a Redfish while jigging, which was my intent.

So we moved off to go do some float rigging the rocks. The wind was a light N.W. and the incoming tide made for some tough positioning of the boat. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to getting anchored up just right. Because too many times, if I'm off just a bit people new to float-rigging have a hard time getting the bait where I want. A friend and I were talking about it the other day....for some people Float fishing is the "hardest easiest" fishing they'll ever do, is what he said. And he's right. It's so easy. But so hard for some. So I work very hard to have everything as perfect as I can.

But Robert and Ray did great! (once I got the anchor positioning good) while working with the breeze and current.

As I was re-positioning the boat, Ray hit pay dirt!

a beautiful 13 pound Redfish. It kicked some serious butt. Thank goodness I had them on the heavier float-rig rods.

Then Robert hooked up. His Red went way up into the rocks, then shot out to deep water, and right next to the boat his line broke! Probably got nicked by the rocks....but a great battle anyhow.

I know they out there....my "February Trout".

The Yellowmouths, because we caught them on Sunday. But usually this time of year they are so much larger than they have been. Then, Ray hooked up a few really fat Yellowmouths to add to the fish box. FINALLY, so big ones! The tide was perfect. We were in a good position. And soon the current slowed on us.

But since the action was all right here, we stuck with it and this is when the guys really shined.

They would cast to the spot, and work their float.

Just as I would. I told them earlier that you have to actively fish...just not go through the motions.

And they did and were rewarded!

Ray was the HOT ROD, and next got one that was left behind from all the tournament sheep herders on Saturday. A Jumbo Sheepshead! Looked larger than it's 7 pound stature.
I was so glad by now I brought the G. Loomis "Bucara" rods with the two oz. Float rig set up on it. Because it's just that little bit of insurance that

nice to have when catching fish this size against the jetty rocks.

Oh...I almost forgot. The bluefish are out at the jetties with a vengeance. Is this a sign that it'll be a early spring? I'm not sure.

But in later years it was. First it's the little Blues, then comes the little Jacks, then the Ladyfish, then the Spanish Mackerel, the Pompano, and then it's SUMMER! So the blues maybe a messenger.

The guys caught plenty of Blues but then it was Roberts turn and he laid the wood to a 9 pound Redbass. I think the reason Ray was getting all the bites was because Roberts hat was scaring all the fish away.

The action was good on this particular spot, but still no keeper Redbass. All were over 30 inches.

By now we were all turned around in the breeze, so I re-positioned again and Ray caught another Red...this time too small.

In between it was constant action with the bluefish. And I didn't really mind. Because I can remember not all that long ago I'd come out here to this same area and catch zero! The jetty water temp was around 64-65 degrees. And we just need it to creep and hold around 68 and all hell should break loose.

Less people, boat traffic, a windless day...we had a nice soft breeze that's all. Till the afternoon then the S.E. Sea breeze started just like in the summer. But all in all. Just a two angler charter, made for a great day. Where we could mess around and try different things. And headed back to the boat ramp with zero shrimp left in the live well.

And since it was a re-scheduled trip, and the rest of this week is supposed to get windy, wet and then cold again, then warm again. It sure felt good.

Really looking forward to March 1st....even though usually during the closed Speck season of February. I catch plenty of them along the jetties. But this year I haven't, for some reason they just are not out there like they have been during other February's. I can remember one year when and ole buddy of mine and myself went to the jetties and wore out the big Specks and Yellowmouth on DOA shrimp and MirrOlure's. Just for the fun of it! This year the Speck bite seemed to end the last week of January....right after Kirk M. and I were out there catching 6 and 7 pounders.

Each year is different. And if you do not keep up with it practically on a daily basis. You can easily get lost, real fast. But then again....how many people fishing the jetties are targeting Specks? NOT MANY!

Thank gawd for that....but then again. In 10 years will there still be any Sheepshead??

2/22 - Just waiting it out

I haven't done a big time report in awhile, nothing all that ground breaking to report, that's why.

Couldn't believe no one responded to my revolutionary jetty jigging rig. It would surely work great for the El Cheapo Sheepshead tournament on Saturday 2/23.

"I like them on the float, best" Like this 10 pounder I caught while on the Taylor charter back in November.

I have been fishing lately. And just the other day, on the day of the full moon......that was also a Lunar Eclipse. Oh, the tide was hell'ish that day. As myself and 3 last minute callers attempted to fish around the jetties. We literally couldn't give away a live shrimp, on the float-rig or while bottom fishing. Water temps in the area were 60-62 degrees. And as I moved around searching and searching, we never actually saw anyone else with a fish hooked up.

I hope the JOSFC's Sheepshead tournament goes well for them on Saturday. I'm a sponsor, and do what I can. But CHOOSE not to fish it. I'm not into the crowd fishing thing.

My instincts are telling me, after studying past years that the jetties area isn't gonna pick up till we reach that 65-68 degree water temp mark again. Which with the track we're on right now, should be the end of March. By the last week in March of 2007, the jetties were on fire.

And I made plenty of notations in my planner book, that FINALLY, the fish were biting good enough that every body caught them. The Specks were back, the Yellowmouth Trout were consistent, and the Reds were showing up when they're supposed too, again.

While pitching out a float to do a "survey" drift on the Cox charter, on March 23rd, I caught the first Jack Crevalle of the year, a five pounder! Usually, the first Jacks of the year are those pesky 10 inchers. And by the end of March, right on schedule came the Pompano.

I used to say;

"Spring has sprung"

when the first signs of Spanish Mackerel hit the inlet. But since they aren't nearly as fun to catch as Pompano. I believe spring has sprung when we start catching the first Pompano, these days.

It's easy for anyone to see what was going on last year, just as I did.....you can look on the side bar of this blog and click on last March. And review the posts. That's why they are there. I do it all the time.

I have a few days coming up, with a few groups on these last days of a memorable February.

You'll probably begin to see an attitude change as March progresses. Because I hate February in J-ville. And just the word M-A-R-C-H, is a lot easier to contemplate.

2/16 - Better but not great, it's still Feb.

Had Don B. with his Brother-in-law Buddy, and his son Dan aboard. It was one beautiful day, and Jacksonville knew it. The boat ramp was packed in the morning. Lot's of people heading offshore.

I told the three well versed fisherman, I wanted to try a bit of "slower" fishing today. Something different. So we bottom fished the ICW for some Sheepshead, on a spot where I've caught as many as 5 just messing around. But Dan caught the only one, and Bud picked up a Yellowmouth Trout, that also frequent the spot. "They're down there somewhere...", I told the guys. But of course in the hauling butt current it was tough fishing on just the right spot.

We then went south and studied the shore. It was real low tide. All the creek mouths were empty, so the Redfish should be just off the banks. And as we approached a very likely spot, there they were up on a flat spot that dropped off to an 18' hole right up tight to the bank. What a perfect spot to anchor up and fish the deep, along the bank.

As I idled up, the Reds were waking huge V's in the water as they came off the flat and dropped into the deep hole. I slipped the anchor over the side, grabbed three bottom rigged rods and pitched into the deep. If any more come down the bank, they'll have to swim through this hole to continue down the bank. We never caught a Red! We sat there staring at the shallows waiting for more to come. But they never did. But the boats came....waked us, and it felt like trying to catch a Red off the end of the boat ramp this morning. Because of the traffic.

By then the tide was ultra-low, and there was no more current pushing. So we either just had to wait or run back towards the river to get some kind of water movement. Then the phone rang....it was a friend, out fishing with his brother, son and friend. "Dave, we've been at the jetties all morning and caught one Sheepshead and one small Trout, where are you?"
I said...."I'm south on the ICW and we've caught the exact same thing!"

So we worked our way back to the river, pulled out the float-rigs caught some Pinfish and a nice Speck that got off in hardly any current, while I contemplated the jetties myself. We end up passing my buddy, as he went into the ICW, and we headed toward the big rocks.
Remember; "IF EVERY INSTINCT YOU HAVE IS WRONG....THAN THE OPPOSITE MUST BE RIGHT."

Every year, when the Specks are closed for harvest, and the February fish bite is damn near dead, friends and I used to say; "Well, there's always the yellowmouth Trout at the jetties....A winter time Day Saver!"

But lately, they have even been hard to come by. But today seemed to be too warm and sunny for them not to be there. So we headed towards that particular rock, where I find them.

But of course, there was boats everywhere, as I pulled up and dropped my 1/2 block economy jetty anchor over the side. One boat was pitching jigs and shrimp and caught a few.

So...they're here! But are they as I like them? Like a pack of hungry Wolves?

I use my scope a lot this time of year, when looking for the tightly packed schools of yellermouths. And as we sat, I marked them in 14' under the boat. But as we pitched float's up close to the rocks, and out off the rocks. They were hard to find. Then I caught one, and found where they were.

We all caught some, not all that big, but they were FISH! And since we were fishing, it was just what I was looking for! I of course caught the largest one, and we had a throw back or two, a few get off the hook under the boat, but action insued. And as we fished, these damn Yellermouths couldn't be any harder to catch. Because we needed to re-anchor to get on them better. But couldn't because of all the boats around. Unlike some people, I attempted to give some relative space to others, not park on top of them.

We had 6 in the box now, and the Sheepshead from earlier. And were wittling down the live shrimp in the well. But Dan wasn't looking all too good. He said, "Hmmm...I'm not feeling all that great", as he took off the piles of clothes he had on, now in the heat of the bright sun. He looked sea-sick, and then hung over the side to relieve himself of that nagging feeling.

Come to find out, the warmth of all the clothes, and his car-sick abilities, the small swell at the jetties as the tide changed, sent him into a sea-sickness state. Ut-Oh.

So we packed it in and headed to the boat ramp to clean our fish.

Those yellowmouth were sort of day savers really, and I was relieved to go to the jetties. Back where the JettyWolf boat belongs and feels at home. But they were way to hard to catch for some reason. They were only on a small spot, we had to cast to get our float's drifting over that exact spot. Par for the course though. The largest one caught was 18 inches and pulled like (2)-15" Specks tied together. That's what I like about them.

Lesson learned, I should have went and just done what I usually do, instead of expierementing around in the ICW. We probably would have caught the same "one" sheepshead at the jetties, too.

Didn't take any photo's, although I should have. I'm gonna buy one of these though, before spring. I'm gonna have it attached to my windshield, so I can just snap group photo's, and even get in a photo once in awhile.

I'll be able to suck that mount onto about anywhere on my boat, leave it and just use my camera's timer or video capabilities and not have to hold it. Or sit the camera on a flat spot, as I usually do.

2/14 - Jetty Revolution!

I thought hard and long about if I even wanted to pass-on my new Jetty fishing idea. Because this is revolutionary, I think. Just remember, you heard it first here. Don't try to pass it off to someone as if you came up with this idea, because I will find out!

No one is probably less of a "crowd follower" than I am. C'mon....I had a MayCraft boat, no one else in the whole area had such a brand. I fish Accurate twin-drag reels from California. None the less for charter fishing! I do not guide out of a flat bottom $10,000.00 Carolina Skiff....that right there, can make you different around here! And ya'll know, I went Plate Alloy with my new boat, because I wanted a life time boat.

I made my own "Capt. Dave's Approved Jetty jigs", banana head shaped, to snag less in the rocks than a round headed jig. But over the years I have found jigs can even be a pain in the butt.

My light tackle jetty jigging has slowed down over the years. I anchor up, take my time, let my customers pitch and work an area, then maybe move around. I like it that way, no hurry.

No cast here get a bite, and then the boats somewhere else 2 seconds later, because the wind's blowing and the trolling motor is at warp speed trying to hold us on the spot. I did the trolling motor bay boat gig for many years.

Plus, pitching up to the rocks isn't my only fishing method. I like to mix it up with other kinds of fishing, these days. You know...Float-rigging! Ahhhh, I love it.

So I searched high and low for something that just doesn't get stuck in the jetty rocks, like a jig does. Because c'mon, "if you are not snagging the rocks you just aren't fishing jigs correctly, right?"

Yeah, that's what I used to think.

Remember, I'm in the business of taking people fishing who probably do not know how to fish like you and I. Everyone assumes, that taking the general public fishing is like taking their buddies fishing. Who you cares if they caught any fish, as long as you do. Well, it's totally different for me. I want my folks to catch fish, learn, have fun, and enjoy the day.

So taking into account the fact that jigs are always getting snagged in the rocks, because most people I take never pitched a jig up to a 60' pile of underwater boulders before. Snags every two seconds with some folks can mean a lot of re-rigging, and a lot of lost jigs.

I remember my ole Bay Boat/trolling motor days, with spinners, 12# mono and jigs. Taking three people usually meant 30 jigs a day or more!

So I came up with what seems to be an alternative:

(please excuse the fuzzy photos, my water proof dive camera doesn't do all that good close up)

First, I found these small 3/8ths ounce weights called Mojo sinkers. An "inline" thin shaped weight

that some bass fisherman came up with for ahead of a rubber worm..."carolina rigged".

But they are really expensive, $4.00 for 10? And what if you want a 3/8th's one spot, and a 1/2 oz. on another? Then ya have to buy more of them. But I tried them, anyhow. I slid it up on my super braid line, and then just tied on a hook. Just as some people find that "pointed worm weights", again from the bass fishing world, work good too. But the larger they get, the wider they get also. Cheaper than a jig still, but "stream lined" and versatile they are not.

I made a "knocker-rig" of sorts with the Mojo weights, and it does the exact same thing as a jig. It worked okay, and the snags were less than with a jig. I had a thin profile, but that was about all.

I wasn't satisfied. So I scanned the world wide web and studied various rigs that are used by Salmon fisherman in swift rivers. They all talked about a "slinky weight". Hmm, that was interesting. A piece of parachute cord with small lead shot inside it, and then the ends melted together, to form smooth stretchy sleeve. Then, poke a hole thru the end and attach to your line. A no foul sinker for bumping down rocky streams. My mind was really working then......but a "slinky weight" still looked like a big fat snagging sinker. So I scrapped that idea.

So, I pressed on....And low and behold it came to me.

I remember seeing this lead called Hollow-core a long time ago. A roll of super soft lead, that had a small diameter, and a small hole that ran thru it, hence the "hollow-core" name. But where can I find some. So I kept searching, then found the manufacture, and then found who sold it. I quickly ordered 2 rolls at 9 feet a piece. 3/16th's inch in diameter.

Now, instead of just a 3/8th's oz. Mojo sinker, I can cut this to certain lengths and have 3/8's or a 1/2 or 1 oz. depending on how long it is. And rig it like a knocker rig, (like a egg sinker) above a swivel and a short leader.

Wella, I had stream-lined, economical, and versatile all in one.

Next was the experimentation stage....

So one day, Ernie a customer of mine and myself went to the jetties, to do some "jigging" or is it called "hollow coring" now??

Ernie fished a length of the hollow core that weighed in at 3/8th's oz. above a short leader and a 1/0 Eagle Claw wide bend hook with a shrimp on it. And I fished a piece of hollow core like a knocker rig, with it sitting on top of the same wide bend hook.

We pitched the rigs up into the North Jetty, and worked it just like a jig-n-shrimp. And it worked, for me! No snags. But Ernie kept getting the hook on his leader hung in the growth on the rocks, and would have to break his mono leader. Which meant re-tying hooks and leaders.

I'd call myself a master "jetty-jigger", because I've been doing it a very long time. But with a regular lead head jig, I still loose a few during the day. But this time, if I got hung up at all, just a quick snap of the rod tip freed my rig. It was a Joy!

Since I use 50 pound super braid line, I doubled it, then added a length the hollow core, and then tie on the hook. The system worked great. The hollow core bends easily, doesn't wear the doubled braid, and the doubled Braid is so strong that if the hook gets really stuck, I can straighten out the hook, bend it all back, pin on a new live shrimp, a be back in the action right away.

Our water is so dark, and jetty fishing has never been a stealthy type of fishing. What's the big difference between a jig and a length of hollow core?

Other than, jigs are expensive, bulky, and snag easily. Hollow core is cheap, versatile, and rigging time isn't that much more.

A jig-head never stopped a Redfish, Black Drum, or a Sheepshead from eating a shrimp, and I seriously doubt the hollow core will either.

And can ya just imagine the usefulness of this for vertical Sheepshead fishing with a fiddler crab, on a short leader? What a nice slim profile. No more getting that fat egg sinker stuck between the jetty rocks. Personally, I like the knocker way of rigging. Since I rarely do any "dabbing" the rocks with fiddlers....too boring! I gotta be doing something. I have to actively working a bait. Not just hanging it over the side of the boat. Although, it is a successful and traditional way of Sheep herding.

The other day when I was out at the jetties with Jason M.

He used the hollow core on a short leader, and I used a Mojo weight at first. Jason caught Sharks and Seabass (it's all that would bite at high tide) casting up into the rocks with his leader and hollow core rig, and I did loose a Mojo weight rigged knocker rig style. So I went to the hollow core rigged knocker style, and never lost another rig while we were there, and neither did Jason.

The hollow core is so flexible, and soft that getting it stuck isn't a concern, the hook is your only concern.

So....do I have something here? I think I do.

I don't have any trips till Saturday, and figured the Blog needed something.....since no one's interested in making a bid on the rods I have for sale. BTW...they are some kick-butt rods, those Okuma's.

So, I could have and probably should have kept this exciting new rig up under my hat. But since I told my neighbor. I figured I'd tell you all.

Not everything is free!!

I think I'll let you all find the hollow core yourself, if you're interested in giving this non-snagging rig a try at the jetty rocks.

Remember, your hook can still get caught, but it's hard to catch a fish without a hook. So, my next step is to use a smaller hook instead of a 1/0 wide bend. To lessen the entire profile of the rig.

If you are successful, send me a photo of your catch. (please size photos first to an email-able size, 400 x 400 is a decent size.) I may use it here, in a blog report, ya never know.

This is what I do during the deep winter, I contemplate things. Always looking to make my charter trips better. I'm a "tinkerer". Always wanting an edge so I can take someone fishing, no matter what the skill level, with the least amount of headaches.

I continually upgrade my tackle, looking for the best rods and reels to do specific jobs, for my clients. And at the same time YOU as a Blog reader hopefully can also benefit, either in learning a new trick, or by getting a great deal.......on maybe some Okuma rods?????

I change rods and reels like tournament Kingfisherman change boats. I buy stuff just to try it out, like the Mojo sinkers and Okuma rods....It doesn't mean they didn't work. But many times a week later, I may have found something I like better.

It's my J-O-B, to play and experiment.

Someone has to do it!