6/16 thru 6/18 - Inccesant EAST winds...

Started out the Father's Day weekend on Saturday, with "Moose & Litl' Moose" (actually Jason & son Mathew) it was Mathews 9th Birthday. Was supposed to be two dads and two sons. But regular customer Jason's buddy ended not coming with his son. Kinda a good thing as it would have been so tough on me in the conditions with two kids and two dads.

The forecast was for 25 knot winds, and it was!!!  The morning worked out fine, and the sun finally started to shine  as we float-rig fished for Trout. But by the afternoon. It was HEINOUS. Thank goodness for hiding spots. I went to a nice hidey hole and we had fun catching another Trout, some school sized Croakers and some whopper Croakers. And a few small pup Black Drum. It was FUN.  When I can find B-I-G Croakers. I'm all about them. Because too many times, the action you can get from them is addictive.

While float-rigging, we caught the first Mangrove Snapper I've seen since the winter of 2011, when water temps dropped so low, and either sent them packing, or killed them all. Used to be they were a nuisence. Now they're kinda gone...just like the Jack Crevalle's (??)

Then, on Sunday I had 4 guys.....no kids. The winds were less. But by afternoon, not that much less. Tried and tried to get on a big bite of something! Or anything to keep 4 rods bending. Whoa it was tough! No matter where I went and what I did, the tide, wouldn't move much. We had a less than 4 foot tide to start off with and then the winds were holding the water up in the river. The guys caught some Croakers, and misc. species. But it was even tougher than the day before, especially trying to keep four rods, bent.

EAST winds, are not good for us around here. By the end of the day, we hooked a big Redbass that got off the hook, after eating a mullet. Then, finally we hooked a decent Trout on another mullet, along a rock pile. The big Croakers from the day before were not on the same spot. I did so much running from spot to spot, it was ridicules. But I worked as hard as I could. Bad conditions, made for a really tough day.

 By Monday, the winds laid down, FINALLY. And it was really nice. I had Terry H. and his two sons 8 & 10 years old. Zachary, and Gregory. The plan was just to keep the kids busy. But still, the "angler" in me wanted to target certain species. Keep lines in the water as much as possible. But I still couldn't find any larger Croakers again. And wasn't going to run 10-12 miles down river! So we fished from the White shell area to the big jetties. Again, the very weak tides were a problem. No current was the morning problem. But by the end of the day, the current was 6 ounces and wouldn't hold the bottom. Which was too much weight for the small kids.

But, they had a B-I-G day! Catching Ladyfish, Seabass, Whiting, Pigfish, & Croakers. But again, couldn't get into a "wack'em and stack'em" situation, anywhere. So I just succeeded that the tides were gonna beat me, again!!

At the jetties as the tide finally started to fall....
"here comes the wrath of day after day of H-A-R-D East winds." 
Giant mats of sargasm weed. Pouring out the jetties. The kids were all about looking at it and picking the small crabs out of it that rode in all the way from the distant offshore Gulf Stream.

6/14 - More kids....

Did another 2 hour "Kids Trip", with Fen Tan and Family, visiting from outside Atlanta. (sorry didn't take any pics)
We needed to start early, so we departed at 8am. The fishing started off slow as the tide was so high, as the Nor'easter started to blow. As predicted for the morning.

The kids were GREAT. One litl' girl was so intent on catching a fish she stood with her hands on the rod as it sat in the rod holder while staring at the rod tip.

They caught Croakers, Yellowmouth Trout, Spots, and Seabass. Then, we took a ride to the jetties, so they could see inlet and the big jetties......."and the rough sea conditions outside the rocks." 

The kids had a blast, and so did Fen and her cousin.

My "Two Hour Kids Trips" are perfect for the little ones who certainly can't last out there all day long. But, I remember taking a 5 year old out with three adults more than once in years past on a all day'er. Which was a bit tedious for the child, and the Captain. I will admit.

Any time we have small kids aboard, they need so much attention. That the charter really needs to be all about them. Not the adults. But some parents and grandparents, would probably disagree with me. Because I hear all the time that, "My litl' Jimmy is such the fisherman in the pond at grandpa's house. He can fish all day long over there....."

Yep, that's all well & good. Because I thought I was Bill Dance and Roland Martin all wrapped into one, when I was 7 years old too!!!

The difference is, this isn't a pond. This is on a boat. And there's no "Spongebob Rod & Reel", and the tackle belongs to me.

So, let's make it for the kids. Do one of my 2 hr. Kids Trips. And you can help me out, turning these kids on to fishing versus video games!

SMILES......
No matter what, that's the goal.

GARAGE SALE:

Slimming down, once again!  Here's a list of things for sale, cheap. Kinda like a Garage sale, which I will also be having.
But thought I'd cast this out to you also.

GARAGE SALE: Saturday June 23rd 8am
13111 Premium rd. Jax
off north end of Girvin rd.

But here's a quick list:

-2005 HONDA 225 outboard motor, 30" shaft, right hand rotation...CLEAN!! $6800 OBO

ALL READY TO MOVE...

-Mechanic's parts cleaner tub, has motor to recirculate degreaser. On legs, clean ready to be used

-Small band saw, table top unit.


-BULK, make offer, tackle


-Small micro-saw, precision cutting, table top unit

-1/2" Drill motor, and circular saw

- Sand blaster bottle for abrasive, and sand blasting cabinet

- 4 Shakespeare ugly stik customs rods. Tarpon/Shark/Grouper rods

- Vehicle ramps


-Motorcycle helmet

-One 2-piece spinning rod Fin-Nor

-One rod and reel combo, push-button Abu Garcia, Abu Matic, perfect for Jr. Angler

-Various tackle bags, and soft plastic lures, offshore trolling spoons, etc.

-Box of various salmon stalker floats for float-rig fishing, and rattling floats.

- Various size trailer (reciever) hitches and balls.

- Two Tow rope, straps

- GIANT brand, adult 5 speed cruiser bike cross country type with rack and bags.

- Coleman Green cooler 120 qt. and smaller 12 pak cooler

-Table top belt sander

- 19# "BOX" anchor, for pontoon or flats boat.

-Various hand and shark/tarpon gaffs

-Auto feed MIG welder

-Fiberglass dock box.  Fill it with goodies.

-Hole saws

-Two bench grinders, one with stand

-Fishing hooks in BULK, circle hooks

-Rod holders, one perfect Kayak rod holder

-Two surfing "aprons" walk the beach with your tackle

AND MUCH MORE......coming!

If you're interested in coming by  for 5 minutes, and looking at the tools and tackle
just email me: charter@captdaves.com or call 904-642-9546 for direction.

5 minutes from Mayport, off Girvin Rd.






-

FLASH BACK!! FLASH BACK!!

GAWD I SURE DO LOVE WINTER.

THE BIGGEST MIS-CONCEPTION IS THAT THERE'S NO FISHING TO BE DONE IN THE MOST WINTERY MONTHS IN FLORIDA.

WELL, THIS ISN'T WISCONSIN. IT'S FLORIDA!

SINCE JUNE 1ST I'VE TALKED TO AT LEAST 4 PEOPLE WHO WERE UNDER THAT MIS-CONCEPTION.

I CALL IT; NO SWEATING FISH CATCHING!

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE FLASH BACK.

THERE'S MORE TOO:

MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL, CLICK HERE!  ANYTIME YA SEE ME IN A SWEATSHIRT, OR A GRUNDENS FISHING JACKET, OR IN THESE BLACK FOUL WEATHER PANTS.

I'M SUPER HAPPY!

6/11 - "was busy"....

This started off as being a banner week (end). Originally, I had Friday thru Monday reserved. Which was great. But when it's all said and done. The only people I actually got out were "REGULAR CUSTOMERS". That's why my regular's get the best treatment I can provide.

Last post was about fishing in the rain on Saturday. Then, my Sunday charter cancelled, which shouldn't have because it was a beautiful day. Not all people understand Florida weather, patterns...."that's why you are hiring ME!".

Then, I had long time customer Dave C. along with his wife (her first time out) and the two grandkids. It was a super nice morning. Calm, sunny and the kids had a ball, because there's tons of small fish out there willing to bite.
Perfect for the little kids. (under 10-12 years old)

Because of all the rain and storms, we now have the perfect KID situation. Usually, as in past years it's hot, no wind, and not all that great of fishing for small kids who have a small patience level.

But, my last two trips have been for the kids, and it proved to be pretty dang good (comparitively speaking).

Today, the kids made it or would have made it longer than Dave and his wife! They never once complained and were a joy to have aboard and we fished almost a complete day. From up in the river and finished at the jetties/inlet.

Catching Whiting, Pup Drum, Croakers, Yellowmouth Trout, and several more species. Just bottom fishing. And  as their fishing coach. I can see the kids shine! And quickly get better and better as the day went on.

Well, I start next weekend with another REGULAR customer and his buddy, with their two kids too. It's that time of year folks!

If you have real little ones. I can also do a 2 hour "kids trip". But other than that, the day is at the regular price. But small children "ride for free". So there is a bit of a discount for a 6 hr day if "One" child is aboard.

Here's some happy kids (5 & 9) who caught fish after fish:

   

6/9 - Our best shot.

Back when there was no rains, the sun was shining, and the wind wasn't blowing in May. No one wanted to go fishing.

Today, I headed out with regular customer Jason and his 9 year old son Preston. My whole plan with Preston is to keep him catching, aka: "Busy".  If the chance for some big fish fishing shows up Jason is all aboat it.

I live five minutes from the dock, but am always the first one there of the regular weekend charter fleet. It's dark, when I pull into the bait shop and get some supplies. Then head to the boat ramp..........WHY?  Why do I do that?  I guess, I think just incase something goes wrong I can give my customers a heads-up, before they get all the way to the dock. Being early and ever ready is in my DNA.

But usually, I sit there, and sit there. Today, on the last of the falling tide the boat sat slamming into the dock as a SWELL pushed all the way in the inlet and up the river, as the tide fell against the 15 kt. ESE winds. (remind self, put buoy back in boat to use as a bumper!!)

Ya know, the CITY was going to give us more docks at the Mayport Boat ramp. Teeing off the ends of the docks already there. Last year they even drilled down to see what the bottom composition was before they were to pound down pilings.
But that's where it ended. Who? Besides myself  (and Lt. Mike a buddy in the Sherriffs Dept. who asked me last week about it) would pay a small annual fee for the boat ramp to be much better?  IE: cleaner, better docks, fish cleaning dock, running water, better lighting.

Yeah, it looked like rain. But not a drop fell as I waited for Jason and litl' Preston to arrive at 0730 hrs.

Here's the footage at the ramp at 7am:

IF I have kids aboard, it's usually all about them. So we fished shrimp and Preston caught everything from Croakers to Whiting, small Jacks, Ladyfish, SeaBass, & Yellowmouth Trout. When we left the dock, the "jetties" were certainly not in my sights. But then again, I went "WEST", tossed the anchor and here it came.

We sat in a Epic down pour!  Yeah, me in new leather shoes that "may be" dry by July. And as the day went on, it was on and off rain all day.

I commend Jason & Preston as they both made the best of it. It was either today, or Tuesday. So that's like saying, "6 of one a half dozen of the other."  Because the forecast looks no different!!

My Sunday charter cancelled. As I sit here at 7am with no rain or even a breeze at my house. And of course I have two more kids on Monday's charter. Paying the bills sure is tough this summer, so far!!!

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UPDATE SUNDAY AT NOON:

 The sun just came out...what is that? Not used to such bright light.

We really should have been out there TRACKIN' T-REX TROUTZ.

I only had one person, and since Beryl have not tracked trout outa Mayport, yet!!

By the way, no one books any charters outside 2 weeks time. As per my policies:
That means any cancellations looses deposits, if not re-scheduled.

so...book outside 14 days!

6/7 - Mystical Morning....

Well, I had plans to go do a little fishing this morning, before the burial at sea I was doing for some folks at 9am.
So I get to the boat ramp and talk to my customer......

(Yeah, I do all kinds of other boat for hire services. From Burials at sea to taking construction companies out to inspect bridges, surveyors, land buyers, you name it. The Jettywolf can usually do it.)

I tell him, "It looks like it's about to rain any minute." As he said, "well, we'll probably be early ,instead of 9am." So I figured I best not go toss a bait. But as soon as the boat floated off the trailer he came some serious rain. So I sat and waited. Rain jacket on, shoes soaking wet, I sat under the benches with the roofs next to the dumpster and watched the ever dilegent Seagulls pick and eat the Maggots that were crawling out of a drain hole at the bottom of the dumpster. Real boat ramp entertainment, huh??

Then, my folks arrived. We eventually took off towards the jetties to head out offshore a bit. But as we went, the sky opened and the blue shined through. And as I broke the jetties the sun shined and it got warm. My crew did what they had to do. A double burial at Sea. And let go some flowers also. And right then, two Dolphins came up.  And headed straight for my boat. It was kind of amazing! The sun, and then the Dolphins, and we watched as they swam right up under my drifting boat.

Hmmmmm...a somber day. But it made me think, this was something more than just good timing.
There was a complete circle around the inlet of clouds and rain.

With a hole of blue and that was right above us.

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

On another note and as my continuing devotion to Alloy Education on this blog. I present to you the METAL SHARK 40 FEARLESS! 

Yeah, "IT'S ALLOY", aluminum for you layman. And of all places.......Florida Sportsman!

Yellowfin's maybe all over the TV and all over the magazines. But I have the guts to say, they're just another "Florida Bitch Magnet boat".

I stood in AWE, when I saw this boat in Venice La. last Feb. TUFF hardly discribes this boat. The "double consoles" is what kicked me into if I had the casholla, I'd have one in my stable for sure!

Check it out here

 

6/6 - everyone is the same? Usually.

No charters lately. Because every one wants the exact same dates......and that was Friday thru Monday.
So reports are coming. Crossed fingers for good weather and a bite?

Thought I'd toss this out there. A gimmick? You be the judge. Personally, I like Floundering with a float-rig, or a carolina rig. Egg sinker and very short leader.

Check this out:

FLOUNDER JIG

RIGGING

6/3 - South, still s-l-o-w

Spent all day between the Buchman Bridge and the Fuller Warren Bridge on Sunday and it was really slow all morning.
Then I lucked into a nice 21" Trout on a Mullet chunk. Prior to that it wasn't till 8:30am before I caught even a Yellowmouth Trout. Otr a bite!

Had some Whiting and more yellowmouth, small ones after the tide turned during the late afternoon. But basically, it's not worth fishing down there, still

IT WAS!  Till tropical Storm Beryl blew through. And really ruined it.

So, maybe later in the fall it'll be worth fishing. Or if the Tarpon show up down there thick.

No lack of Mullet down there. Saw no one shrimping.  NO JACK CREVALLES, but of course I caught 3 Bluefish!

Here's a few pics:

 

5/31 & 6/1 - Where's the ___? Fill in the blank

Had a great, and I mean great crew on Thursday. Brad R. his dad from Chicago and Brad's 9 year old son Logan.
Yeah, it was day two after the storm. I had planned to fish from now on, down river out of Goodby's Creek. But after spending a 1/2 day down that way and couldn't even give away a live shrimp. I had to call Brad and tell him, forget about that!

So we departed out of Mayport. And ran to where I've always caught trout, especially after a major storm. About 10 miles south of Mayport. But as we fished down that way it was very evident, that there was NO difference between down river at the Buchman bridge, or south of the Dames Point in Arlington!  Zero action.

My crew were fishing newbies, although Stan, from Chicago Bass fished back home. Add difficult conditions and this style of fishing being your first time........well, there's always a learning curve. So we went to Float-rig fishing and were on a decent trout spot.  Stan hooks up  BIG TIME, and I see a "swoosh" in the water. I'm thinking  the storm had 40 pound Redfish cruising this bank????  No, that was dream land. Instead Stan was hooked up on a Manatee!!  They sure can swim fast when they want too. And it took off with several of it's buddies.  If we were somewhere else, in another land, it would have been that "kicker fish of the day" and actually been a BIG fish, rather than a 1200 pound mammal!!

Then, later I was casting for Logan and he hooked up on a really nice fish. But it got off the hook. Then we tried several other places, had a run in with some asswipe in a Ranger bass boat who believed the river belonged to him, (and pay back do come) and then I was seriously fed up and ran all the way back to the north jetty. That was a total waste. All that running and fuel.

Fishing shrimp on the bottom keeping it as simple as it gets, just to prove to myself that the storm really had the waters all messed up. We had a Croaker or two. Which weren't at the rocks before the storm. Had  a Croaker eaten by a shark.
Then had a 27" Redbass, caught by Brad. And then Stan had a good hook-up and had a shark eat his fish below the boat.

Logan holding the Redbass.

Brad and Logan and the Redbass

Brad, Stan and Logan and the Redbass





















Friday June 1st:

Had a one man solo trip. And with what I know now. It was stay at the jetties and hunt for action. Turned out that Stanley C. had some time on his hands before heading home to Texas.

So we made a b-line straight to the jetties. No need to go up river and chase, WHAT?

The morning got cloudy fast, then cloudy and windy. But we stuck to it. I wanted some live mullet, because the day before they were everywhere. Other boats milled around looking for bait, I gave it maybe 15 minutes and said forget it lets anchor up. I brought the heavy duty tackle. And of course while just bottom fishing with shrimp, we had fish bit in half.

So after being able to catch no live baits, we fished for baits. Catching a Croaker and 4 Whiting. Then, we used these for cut bait. Catching several nurse sharks, and having many a fish hooked up on 200# mono leaders and 16/0 circle hooks and they still broke us off like we were fishing bluegill tackle. Every time, the 65# braid was broke.

Then later we finally hooked up a really big fish? (sharks are sharks, they aren't fish!)
Stan had the shark spooling him and never stopping. I pushed the drag lever on my Accurate twin drag reel up to about 30 pounds of drag pressure and it just kept going. Stan thumbed the spool and the line parted.

The wind and waves were pretty sporty as we tried to stay anchored, which was a chore. But that was really it at the jetties. It was a really nastified day out there. Compared to 24 hrs earlier.

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

REAL WORLD:
The Buoys that sit at the ends of the south Jetty and north Jetty are not there any more. They were picked up and moved by Beryl.

The red north can is over where the south green can usually is, and the south green can is off to the south west in the sand.

That's how strong T.S. Beryl was at the end of the Mayport Jetties. No surprise there's no fish around. The sharks are fierce and it'll be awhile before the trout can be found again, I guess. EVERY single storm is different. I remember storms where it pushed all the fish to the inlets. I remember storms that had the Trout chewing like no tomarrow in the river.

If life on the St. Johns ain't tough enough already. Now I have to deal with this. My life isn't the same as the every other Saturday fisherman. I depend on that river and it gives up nothing easy especially this time of year.

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

Right after "Tropical Storm Beryl" : (finished this day at Hooters!)

5/30 - Trackin' ??

Tried down river today. Left out of Goodby's Creek, headed straight for the Buchman bridge. Had one shrimp stolen on a float-rig. Nothing else. Ran to the Fuller Warren bridge. Tried just bottom fishing live shrimp in a deep run, next to a shallow bar. Nothing.....

B-U-T, there's a ton of Pogies!

Right when you feel that ya have to make a move. Here came Beryl! Then, changed it all over again.
This time of year is really squirrely in that river, storm or no storms.

Back to Mayport on Thursday.

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

Has anyone caught ""larger"" Jacks?  Cause I sure haven't in about 2-3 years, now. They've just disappeared!
They used to be the "ass-kicker" fish during the summer time. I liked that. I have so many pics with happy customers holding Jacks that kicked their butts.

When they get big, they are a fish to be mighty proud of. Pound for Pound, a Redfish can't even compare. S. Florida has the Glory Species...PERMIT. And Jacksonville, ""Georgia."  Florida by zip code only.  when it comes to the word fishing. So where's the Jacks? G-O-N-E??  Another one bites the dust?

As I say, it is what it is.

"I" certainly can't change it. But, don't think I fell off the Georgia Peach Truck last night. I remember all. And have the reports and photos to prove it.

Here's a BLAST FROM THE PAST:

My good customer Don hiking over the side of the boat a fat Spring Jack along the Mayport Navy Base!
Now, that same area is closed to all U.S. Citizens. Because this really isn't "your" river.

A Jetty  summer "double-header". Keeper Redbass and a released Jack, which definately fought harder and longer.

Hmmm......Jack, I miss you.



5/28 - It's all aluminum

You should see what it looks like under the deck. Built to the hilt!



5/27 - BERYL.....wow!

Direct hit!


TROPICAL STORM BERYL

Lots of debris clean-up coming!

Not a hurricane, just a strong tropical storm......Up to 80 MPH gusts.

HMMMM?

TIME TO DEPART FROM THE SOUTH???? (Duval county that is...)

I hope we get the rain from the so called, "SUBTROPICAL STORM BERYL". As written in a past post (CLICK TO VIEW) We always need rain, and if you're a fisherman. Yeah, it's a good thing, as I discribed in that post link.

As of now, I'll be departing from a different location for "ALL" inshore/river fishing trips. ????
Trying really hard to figure this out, even after 30 years.

INSHORE WATERS-RIVER FISHING:  The Duval County “southern reaches” of the St. Johns River is where the shrimp are. And lots of other bait, too.  Hunting Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, Croaker, Yellowmouth and many others in that area is different than in and around Mayport, which is best during the fall, winter and spring. Because the saltwater content of the river is much less. And that’s why the inshore species migrate there this time of year.  The river's B-I-G down there. But affords us an exciting and challenging day of sport fishing.

Fishing:  Docks, Points, channel edges, and the Buchman bridge (over 3 miles long) will be where we head.

I’ll be departing for these trips from:  Goodby's Creek   Area of Town: Southside Goodbys Creek Boat Ramp is located on the south side of   Goodbys Lake and San Jose Boulevard. Ramp amenities include picnic tables and rest rooms. The ramp, which serves the busy Baymeadows area, has three lanes and is ADA accessible. And is adjacent to, HOOTERS! The address for the boat ramp/park is: 9020 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville,   FL 32257  Everything is LIGHT TACKLE fishing.

Kids on Summer Vacation?

WANT TO DO SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT, THAN SITTING BY THE POOL AT THE HOTEL OR ON THE CROWDED BEACH EVERY DAY?

Summer time vacation, Kids out of school?

During the summer one of my most popular trips is the "two hour kids trip".
Yes, a two hr. charter aboard a fishing boat, just for the youngsters.

Up to 4 persons, at least one adult of course. And for the kids under 10 years old. Who wouldn't other wise do a long 6-8 hr fishing day.

Go fishing, in the Ocean/River. Take a short ride to see a working shrimp boat in action. Watch the Dolphins behind the shrimper. SHARKS, too! The little ones really enjoy, the personal attention, the boat ride. While Mom and dad have fun too. Bring the camera!

Drop a line, everyone gets to catch. And just long enough for the little ones, but not too long. This kids trip charter is really popular during the summer vacation time.

Just $200.00 and the kids have a blast. Each additional hr. add $50.00. If you'd like more time. (which happens alot) On a deep, stable, and extremely safe and child friendly boat.

Visit: http://www.captdaves.com -
"Capt Dave's Sport Fishing charters"
out of Mayport in Jacksonville Florida. "At the beach."

Also availible: 1-4 passenger complete fishing charter days, light tackle Inshore/Near-coastal light tackle fishing.
Your full-time guide since 1996

5/21 - Continued.....REEL REVIEW:

Prior, Reel review on Shimano Curado 300 EJ  & TranX 500HG post link

LETS GO FISHING......so I can do reports instead!
8am-8pm call to reserve

5/21 - NO EFFECTS HERE!!!!!!!!!

Tropical storm ALBERTO.
No effects here in Jacksonville, Florida!!  Just some wind, that's all.

Book your charter now for the Holiday weekend.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tropical Storm Alberto hovered off the South Carolina and Georgia coasts on Sunday, canceling tourist cruises, producing showers along the coast and serving as a reminder that the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner.

The first storm of the season that officially begins June 1 was not expected to approach landfall on the Carolinas' coast, but it had prompted a tropical storm watch and forecasters warned that it could produce high winds, heavy surf, rip currents and scattered rain across the region.

"It's making the closest approach to the coastline now, so the impacts shouldn't be much different than what we are already seeing," said Jonathan Lamb, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, S.C.
At 5 p.m. Eastern, the National Hurricane Center said Alberto was about 130 miles (210 km) south of Charleston. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph).

It's currently moving southwest at 6 mph (10 kph), but forecasters expect it to turn northeast sometime Monday.
A tropical storm watch that was in effect for the South Carolina coast from the Savannah River to the South Santee River was dropped Sunday afternoon without tropical storm conditions reaching the coast.

A few rain bands from Alberto reached Hilton Head Island and moved south to near Jacksonville, Fla., on Sunday but they moved through in less than an hour. Winds weren't expected to reach higher than 30 mph at the beaches, Lamb said. From Charleston to the north, even less of an impact was expected.

The hurricane center said the storm was expected to slow down through Sunday, then begin turning northeast and heading farther out to sea sometime Monday.

5/20 - The loss of our own.....

If you hunt & fish. You've watched Swamp people. Admit it!
Well, there's bad news: Mitchel Guist Dies

And if you ever wished to have the life of a TV fisherman before, jet setting around fishing the best tackle, the best places, and being admired by all, you've probably watched "The Spanish Fly", with Jose Wejebe on ESPN Outdoors.

It maybe old news, but Jose died in a plane crash, in his "home made" plane a few weeks ago.

Personally, I always wished to have access to ever single product Shimano made, for free. Like Jose. The girls wer flocked around him at the last Miami Boat show I was attending. And my dad said he saw him talking to a "Kennedy" later on that same day. He was Miami's "Fishing" native son.

RECENT OFFERS, to blog readers:
http://archive.aweber.com/captdaves




Most recent:

Save money FISHING JACKSONVILLE!  May 14, 2012: Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing Jacksonville-Amelia Island, Fl Light tackle River, Inlet, and Coastal charters. Here's a coupon to use with this offer! Reserve a (2) person light tackle fishing charter between now and 6/14 /2012 to use till Father's Day (6/17). And receive 10% off the daily charter rate. When reserved with a $100 deposit, with cash balance. "Rates page" Does not include kids trips or River cruises. Expires 6/17/2012 This is for YOU, because you're signed up for Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing reports.  Click for "Coupon Code" for use when reserving.

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REEL REVIEWS...

Shimano's NEW TranX Reel, the ultimate "low profile" casting reel. It's been all the buzz, in the world of reels.

And, Shimano's largest, and fastest CURADO. The 300EJ
Here it is next to the larger TranX.

LOW PROFILE BAIT CASTING REELS:


For a long time, we as anglers have had many choices when it comes to what reel to buy. But since I'm a saltwater fishing guide, who specializes in "light tackle" inshore fishing in Jacksonville, Florida. I'm going to talk about saltwater, and review the newest and a few of the older Shimano brand bait casting reels.

Years ago, my arsenal included pretty much all Abu Garcia ambassador reels. Round Bait Casting reels. The Abu Garcia's have been around forever, and I always refered to them as the "Timex" of casting reels. The round design stems all the way back from the first casting reels. It was proven, it worked, and really no one gave the reels design, a second thought.

Then, came the Japanese manufactures. And I believe, because of the growing popularity of bass fishing in Japan. They found a more comfortable design. When all you do is stand and cast lures all day long. The emphasis then, and now, is lighter, stronger, and more comfortable.

I'm not a bass fisherman. But a good 3/4's of what comes into the tournament bass fishing industry, can equally relate to saltwater world as well. Especially when you're talking coastal, inshore fishing for species like Redfish, Speckled Sea Trout, Flounder, and so on.

Texas anglers who wade fish the shallow bays were the first ones to really seem to gravitate towards the lighter, more comfortable casting, of the low profile bait casting reels. Some of the first ones were the Shimano Bantams, and Lews Speed Spool.

If you hold your hand out, pointing your thumb out straight. That curve between you index finger and your thumb is where a low profile bait casting reel fits. Yeah it sounds stupid, but being that the reel is "tear-drop" shaped, has a lower profile, isn't round, is what makes it fit in your hand nicely and more comfortably.

A low pro reel also sits low on the reel seat of your casting rod. Todays reels feature a gear case that is "under slung" and has always reminded me of the way a Corvette sits over the four wheels. When you're in the Corvettte. Your lowest half is actually lower than the middle of the tires and wheels. That's what I mean by the reels gear case being "under slung". They accomplish this by bring the gears along side the reel seat of the fishing rod.

Today, companies like Shimano are at their top of the game. With low pro bait casting reels like the Chronarch, and the Curado models. These reels are easy "cross-overs". They can kick fish butt in freshwater, and as equally well in saltwater. They come at a premium price though, with a larger model that holds 200 yards of line or more being in the $150-$250 range.

One thing that an old Abu Garcia did, was make you as a bait casting reel angler, have an educated thumb. Knowing how much pressure to produce on a cast to not backlash the reel or as some people call it, "birds nest" the spool.  I call it a "professional over run".  The only way to adjust an old Abu Garcia Ambassador was to add tension to the spool, via the cast control knob, located on the handle side of the reel, on most Ambassadors.

Today, there is magnetic controls and even a magnetic control is sort of "out dated" in my opinion. The force of the magnetic field when the magnets get closer or further away from the spool is what helps control the inertia of the spool spinning, on a cast to help slow the spool.

Reels such as a Shimano Curado uses a weight system, and the cast control knob on their Curado reels, along with the rest in their low pro inventory. And the ingenoius way to open the non-handle side of the reel to adjust the weight control system is probably if not the best, of all low profile reels out there. Flip open a small handle, turn the cam, and the non-handle side, side plate opens. It stays attached so you don't drop it over board also. Move a few weights up and down on the patented sytem, and you're done.

Reels such as the Curados are made from better materials than the cheaper reels just like it. Featuring aluminum frames rather than graphite, which keeps flex down , when hooked up to somebody large and mean. That's why these can cross over to the saltwater world so easily.

A low profile reel from Shimano, such as the Chronarch or Curado models are easy to keep clean. The low profile design lends it self to less places for salt and grime to hide, in my opinion. Nothing more than a damp towel at the end of the day is all that's needed, besides regular maintenance intervals.

Bearing systems on these reels are have very tight tolerances, which make for a tight feel at the handle. And in today's reels, the gear ratio of handle turn to spool turns (retrieving) can be as much as 7:1. That's fast! But can lack power.

Drag systems on the Shimano reels are about as good as it gets. Shimano has long been known for silky smooth drags when you have a big fish pulling on light line. Back in the day, the "jerk, jerk" of the drag when a big fish decided to take off to the next county was something we just all put up with. Not anymore.

Pretty much all good bait casters have decent drags. I'm very partial to Shimano's though. They stay smooth after years and years of my customers using and abusing my reels.

The absolute kicker to the whole story about Shimano reels is that they saw that "we" all love low profile bait casting reels in the saltwater. And pretty much made the Curado 300DSV for that purpose. I have several. They were larger and powerful reels that have easily caught fish Redfish over 40 pounds, and can catch much larger. Such as Tarpon, and Sharks.

Here's Video Proof:  http://youtu.be/LRRknq8uXsM

Well folks, they were satisfied with just that. The Shimano 300DSV evolved. And along came a color change from silver to green (the retro Curado color of years ago) and now the slightly more compact, and lighter 300EJ came out. This reel is super bad! Meaning fantastic! And it comes with a big power handle.

But again, Shimano doesn't sit and wait for other's to out do them. And introduced this year, the Shimano TranX. Built as the largest, most capable low profile reel in the world. The Shimano TranX is a low pro bait casting reel for the true ocean angler. But the Musky guys have gone bonkers over them too.

A low profile frame and exterior, built around the proven Talica lever drag trolling reel gears, drag and handle. The Tranx sports huge amounts of line capacity (270 of 65# braided line, and 400 yards of 50# braided line) I actually squeezed an even 300 yards of 65# braid on my new TranX reel.

The gear ratio of the HG model is fast, at 6.6:1. The reels handle is massive, the drag adjustment is super fine, and of course it has a monster drag capacity of approx. 25 pounds of pressure. With a full spool of line, the high speed retrieve model, equates to a massive 43 inches of line retrieve with the turn of the handle, ONCE.

Working Shimano lures like the Waxwing system is what the reel was designed for. But let me tell ya, this reel is low, sleek and so powerful it makes a coastal angler like myself want to go out and pick a fight with the baddest Tarpon, King Mackerel, Barracuda, or Shark I can find.

(Golden Dorado on a Shimano TranX, these fish will
test any gear. These are a bucket list fish of mine)




Unlike a trolling reel, this reel is for casting, and it does it so well you'll have to get very familiar with the cast control system and move those weights around. So not to birds nest the spool. But then again, the angler buying a Shimano TranX is not your average guy standing on a bridge chunking a dead shrimp out. This is a professional or enthusiast grade reel, for sure.

Just like the Shimano Curado EJ, these are serious fishing tools. And the cost right now for a TranX reel is $500 everywhere! There is no discounts on Ebay. There is no closeouts.

But there was "waiting lists".



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