5/21 - Finally, a damn near perfect day!!!!!

FINALLY, a windless day. Or at least damn near windless, where we were. This morning the river was S-L-I-C-K. I felt as if I was on another planet. I keep super records. My logs are as complete as this blog page. And the last day I experienced like this one fish and weather wise was WAY back on April 4th.

Since then I have fought the weather every single day I've been on the river or at the jetties.

I picked up Jerry & Nino Trotti at the Sisters Creek boat ramp at 7am, and when we arrived on the first spot it was pure heaven. Not a soul around, no wind and the Trout were chewin'.

Nino and Jerry caught Trout after Trout. And I caught a pup Black Drum. And of course amongst all their fish they did have some of the summer scourges. Blues and Ladyfish.

I'm sure these guys had a ball. Nino caught the WHOPPER. A 5+ pounder, while we fished for Flounder, on the incoming tide. They didn't get any Flounder though. But with a big fattie like that ripped from the back-side of a piling and busting the surface. They didn't have to catch a Flounder!

I said to Nino, "man ya better buy a lottery ticket tonight, because you're lucky". The fish smacked the hell out of his live shrimp as his "float-rig" slid through some dock pilings and around the back side. It was an epic battle, as the fish really smoked him and he had to give it all he had to get the fish into clear water.

The Trout are chewin pretty good. But it can always be a lot better also. If we just had about 10 inches of rain at one time, the salinity would go down and the Specks would really go nuts. I'd almost suffer through a flood of some kind to actually bring the fishing to where I wish it was.

The river is still just an extension of the Ocean. The salinity level was better today. But still high.

Go here to see the rest of the pics, and to see the fish they we kept today:

http://www.captdaves.com/Catch5.htm

and some of the other charters I've had lately in May.

May 20 - And the "FLOW" continues......

My God!

I suppose the river will continue to salt up.

The "direct" opposite of what it should be this time of year.......the WIND, I mean.

Here's the "EAST", for this week.

_______________

TODAY EAST WINDS 10 KNOTS.

TONIGHT SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 KNOTS.

MONDAY EAST WINDS 10 KNOTS.

MONDAY NIGHT EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS.

TUESDAY EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS.

TUESDAY NIGHT EAST WINDS 15 KNOTS.
WEDNESDAY EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS.
THURSDAY NIGHT EAST WINDS 15 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 8 FEET.

_____________________

Shouldn't it be WEST.... or SOUTH???????

I'm really beginning to hate that word.

5/19 I'm 'KING" of the short notices....but it sure worked out!

While I was out yesterday fishing by myself....."getting a little Float Freak on" when I got a call from Sean R. (or is it...Shaun R. on the right end in pic.) never found out.
And he had a late notice trip, and needed to take guest's from his company from Thailand, fishing.

So being open on Saturday, because most sane people would think the winds blowing too hard...(I'm one of them.) I said, "sure I can take ya'll, but the winds gonna be HONKIN'."

So we met at 8am at the boat ramp and headed again as far away as I can from Mayport.

Right to where I fished yesterday. We pulled up and there was another boat there. And they didn't seem to be catching anything, either. And right off the bat..."I.G." - Instantaneous Gratification! A nice fat Trout.

The wind was HEINOUS!!!!!!

Just as I thought it would be. 25 knots from again the ENE.......I wish my dream would come true. (see yesterdays report for explanation).
Of course I can't have 4 people all float-rigging at one time. But for first timers they all did really good. Drifting back to many oyster covered pilings where the specks love to hang out.
They all picked up the drifting of a float really fast and Sean was the super hero. Hooking his first trout within seconds of passing a piling.

They caught 7 real nice fat Trout some Ladyfish & Blues, with a few hours of sitting in the nasty wind.

One spot is all we had to go to. It was great. We did basically a half day, when there's no way in my mind that we'd do as good as we did on just one spot, and in a matter of just 2+ hours of fishing there. The ride too and from was long and windy. But ya have to go where the Trout are, if ya wanna catch any.

Not one single throw back on this spot. I didn't even have to measure them. Largest was 20 inches. Sean's guests had a ball. And everyone was pleased with the I.G. they had.

Man, sometimes ya just either get lucky, or just make good choices. I don't know what today was. But either way, I have done my homework. And that's the factor that really helps the most. Float-rigging "catches fish", and these folks have never ever fished a float rig before. And they were SOLD.

Thanks Sean. I'm glad it all worked out......next time give me 2 days heads up. And we may really kill'em. Wind or not.

Here's their recent catch page pics: http://www.captdaves.com/Catch3.htm

5/18 - Late day trip for the "Jet Set"

Had Dave S. on board today, only after I hit the water at 8am by myself. I went up in a creek hardly no one ever goes in anymore (GOOD!) The tide was flooding big time with the 25 knot ENE winds pushing the water. It's a creek area I grew up on. First fishing it in my ole 14' Aluma-Craft with my dad, and then later in my 17' Carolina Skiff, ands 22' Bay Boats. I may not be able to get up in this creek at low tide with my killer 26' boat with an 18 degree deadrise. But I certainly can on a flooding tide. And did with ease. Damn, what a great boat!

My very 1st drift of my float I had a beautiful 20 inch Speck (see photo). And before the incoming tide quit, I had 5 more, a small Flounder and a Bluefish. Not Bad I thought.

Then, I had to pick up Dave S. at noon......so I thought. But this JET SET Dentist from New England called and said, "My plane is running late. I'll call ya when I get to Jax. (coming from NY) and I'll hop a taxi and come straight to the boat ramp."

Unfortunately for me that meant waiting a while. So I went back to the boat ramp. Tied off in the almost Gale Force wind conditions, popped open my big comfy deck chair, and took a nap!When you have the room for big comfy fold out deck chairs. They come in very handy for occasions like this.

(have I mentioned how much room I have in my BlackLab Marine boat lately?)

At 2:30pm Dave's Taxi pulls up and we take off for some late day fishing. THIS GUY WANTED TO FISH AND BAD! I head as far as I can from the Mayport area. The wind is kickin' like no tomorrow. This wind is really getting old, by the way.

And we had a good time. Dave catches a nice Trout on the first "fish-able" spot in the first few minutes. Which was a good thing. Proves that even in a "gale", I know what I'm doing.

So we end up with probably 10 Trout to 19 inches, 2 Black Drum, and too prove my point about salinity in the St. Johns River...Dave then catches a small POMPANO!

This Pompano came from so far down river, that we can almost see the Jacksonville sky-line!

This easterly over 20 knot daily wind, and lack of rain has made the St. Johns River nothing but an extension of the Atlantic Ocean. It's NOT a river....at least not where I fish. The wind did finally die around 7:00 pm as we headed in to clean fish, and meet Dave's son for a pick-up.

It was on very L-O-N-G day, since I went out by myself at 8am and was up at 6am. Didn't plan on it being that long. I finally ate my first morsel of food all day at 10:00 pm. I was starving! Then I hit the sack.

And believe it or not I had a dream that I fished all summer and there was not one puff of wind.

Yeah.......you can certainly tell that was a DREAM!

5/16 - work hard, do a good job, suceed.

Had Don B. on board today with his folks. I've taken them fishing for several years. And believe it or not this was the first time we "Float-rigged". I look forward to having them aboard because they are nice people and fun to take fishing.

So this was all new to them. But after a day with Dave...they received "religion"...Float-rigging religion, that is.

I had them fishing level 10 spots! Ya' know I rate all my spots from 0-10 in difficulty level for the newbie. I can take some non-newbies there and I can still mess them up. Because some of my favorite spots are tighter than a gnats ass. Tight-Close quarters-and structure filled. Yeah, that's where the challenge comes in. GET ON IT! (that means REEEEEEEEEL) cause ya need to get that fish out'a there, yesterday. Before it breaks you off on oyster encrusted concrete pilings.

The reason the title of this report is; "work hard, do a good job, and succeed" is because that's what I kept hearing in the back of my mind, as if I had my dad standing behind me all day punishing me with his antedotes of my youth.

Because, if ya wanna talk about a challenging day of fishing? I can tell ya about it, even though it was a really nice day (finally). The salinity in that river if ya still wanna call it that.....(I don't) is super saline compared to what we really need to truly succeed on a daily basis.

I don't care if Redbass or Trout are your quarry.

That "so called" river that runs through this town is more like an long skinny extension of the Atlantic Ocean. All the way too down town at a minimum. I'd love to do a trip way south, like below the Buchman Bridge and see if "MY" fish are all the way down there, now. After numerous days of gale force ENE winds, pushing the water, along with ZERO rain fall to make a difference.

We had a really good time today at least.

3 & 4 pound Trout....some smaller ones, some throw-back shorts, Jacks, Ladyfish, & Bluefish.

A few Trout lost, and a few slam dunkers that caught us off guard. If anything Don and his Mom & Dad got a real education. That......

Work hard, do a good job, and succeed.

Means you'll catch some good fish during these drought conditions.

5/15 - "SCA" - Today & my Plate Alloy Boat.

Had Don B. and his parents scheduled for today. But man was it windy.

The NWS called for Small Craft Advisory. And they were right, but I don't think it ever blew as hard as it was supposed too.

But I'm glad we re-grouped this morning and decided to venture out on Wednesday instead. Because the forecast is getting better all the time!

For once in my life, can ya believe that??

__________________________________________
I had my dad and mom out the other day (report is down page). Mom knows zero about boats. But dad was with me when I ordered mine from Jay at Black Lab Marine, up in Maine. July of last year. He's a motor cycle head, and I'm a fish head. But at least he "gets it".

"Getting it", is part of why people buy Plate Alloy boats. And for Dad "Getting it", is why people like him ride BMW - GS Adventure models.


Finally we have common ground!

Just as a boat owner goes through many a boat till one finds a boat that really fits their needs for life. He's done the same thing with motorcycles. First it was a Kawasaki, then on too numerous Harley's, then on too many BMW's, and then now he found his niche. The German UNI-MOG, or here in the US it would be the original Military HUMMER, of Motorcycles. Go anywhere, street or off road. A Serious traveling bike, that can take the abuse.

And for me, it's my Plate Alloy Boat. I say Plate Alloy, because it's really not your average aluminum boat. At Blacklab Marine, they don't refer to the boats as aluminum. Because everyone thinks "Jon-Boat", rather than lets say....the St. Johns River Bar Pilot Boats! Which are built out of the same material. And they certainly are not your average "Aluminum Boat".

When I had dad on the boat on Sunday, I must have said, "Isn't this boat great?" about 10 times. Because I'm just so happy with it. And he doesn't fish with me all that much anymore.

(he's too busy riding that "UNI-MOG" motorcycle all over the country)

That's my dad in the photo....he just did an IRON BUTT ride from Jacksonville to Key West in less than 24 hours. The goal is 1000 miles in less than 24 hrs, actually. There he is standing at the monument in Key West which is the southern most part of the USA. He did it....1000 miles in less than 24 hrs! Next week, he heads to Alaska's Prudoe Bay. The northern most part of the USA.

CRAZY HUH?

The attributes of this hull are clear. If you're not trying to impress your neighbors with sleek "cad-cam" hull designs and the color of the drapes in your cabin. Because if you're worried about all that then a boat like this isn't for you.

It's taken me all these years to realize how much I loved my ole 14' 1971 Aluma-Craft. I beat it, banged it, beached it, and drove on top of oyster beds with it. And that's why I loved that ole boat. And back then is when they made them TUFF. I look at an Aluma-Craft now, and can't believe how cheaply made they are. With thin, low grade "aluminum".

My BLM is Marine Grade Alloy and without going into all the jargon, it's 1/4 inch think one piece plate on the bottom. The sides & floor are 3/16" and the transom is 1/2".

I run into tug boat wakes and don't hear any "creeking", and the simplicity and functionality is unbelievable. I know people talk about me as they see it at the boat ramp.

-I bet it's hot in that boat.......not really.

-I bet that boats noisy.......No, it's completely foam filled.

-I 'm sure that boat costs a fortune....go price any decent fiberglass boat. They cost the same.

-Who buys a Stainless steel boat?........ It's not stainless you dummy!

So far I've heard all the wacko comments, been chased down, had my time wasted by US Navy retiree's who are obvious metal boat experts in their own minds...and it doesn't change a damn thing.

Plate Alloy is a superior boat building material. Period. I have zero wasted space. And the 2-1/2" scuppers drain water off the deck (when I use my wash down pump) so fast it's a beautiful thing.

Remember the photo of Tiger Woods' big monster yacht I had in a post a few days ago?

I'd bet that yacht is Plate Alloy! But you can't tell.

My plate alloy boat floats differently than a fiberglass boat. It's not tippy, or stern heavy. I used to think my ole 23' MayCraft was a stable boat. Until I rode in a BLM boat. Here's just an example of the difference:

My 26 footer is capable of carrying twin 300 four-strokes (for commercial purposes), but I have a single 225 Honda.

Over-all weight capacity is 4600 POUNDS! Have 4600 lbs in most fiberglass 26 footers and your about to sink!

Even the best, go fast, $100,000.00 boats will take water all over the engine(s) while backing down or by big following waves. I have not seen a drop of water go over my Honda yet. And I back into huge rollers while holding someone in position while they cast a jig at the jetties. And manuverability in reverse is something that made me say S-O-L-D, while on a seatrail in a 23 footer with 5 people in it.

I have this LINK on my NEWS PAGE.....but I will bet no one ever looks at my NEWS PAGE, so here ya go, this is a "real good read".

http://www.aluminum.org/content/navigationmenu/the_industry/-sheet,_plate/aluminum_boats/aluminumboats.doc

If you want to read the facts by people who know them. The facts I know is that no matter what this business throws at me, I'm absolutely the happiest boat owner I know of. And couldn't ask for anything better.

Except, now I want a customized 19 footer with tiller steering, as a back country creek & shallows boat for me to go play in. I want a fleet of these boats! Just wish we had enough people to take in this town.

5/13 - Mothers Day 2007 and past momma days...revised.

It's really funny, most years (and this isn't one of them) I don't take my own Mother fishing on real Mothers day because I am usually taking someone else's Mom fishing.

(this report was revised for massive typos. I couldn't see! I just got back from the eye doctor this morning and had some eye problems. Now I can see better, so I fixed this report....go figure. Someday I'll afford Lasik surgery?)

I did have the entire Friday, Saturday, Sunday reserved....2-boats on Friday, and 3 boats each on Saturday and Sunday with corporate trips in for the TPC, but they cancelled the whole thing on us. So I lost about $1,400.00 just this weekend alone!

The weather was iffy.... we were supposed to get a bunch of rain. Maybe someone did................NOT in Mayport! But it sure was cloudy and the chance of some rain looked really good.

But it never happened.

So we went to breakfast in the morning, did a little creek fishing in the late morning.

Mistakenly, went to the jetties first. Catching 12"-15" Bluefish and Jacks......which Mom did'nt mind, but I did. So we left for happier hunting grounds.

*** Last Year I was so busy in May, I had to take Mom later in the month, and her & Dad caught 18 Flounder, a Redfish, Mangrove Snappers, and a Trout in 4 hours. (2006 - lots of Flounder! photo)

***I remember, when I took mom out two years ago to the jetties in 2005 on Mothers day and she had a ball catching a LOT, not only just bluefish. But Flounder, Reds, Trout, Yellowmouths, & Sheepshead & small Pompano!!!! (2005 - Mom & Dad - Red & Flounder etc. photo)

***I also remember a Mothers Day when we went out and drifted thru the Pogie Pods and caught MONSTER Redfish. The one in the photo had 150+ spots! (2002 - Big Reds in the Pogies around Mothers day, just off in the chum-hole. Mom with the spotty one in photo)

Pogie Pod Reds??? In May. Man that would be nice to see again.

We don't go every single year. But I know for a fact May is usually a landmark kind of Month. Things are are pretty damn exciting.

I know last weeks weather, in my mind just set us (me) back to April again! Stirring things up, messing up the salinity level in the river, and who knows what else, so far. But give it some time it'll all spring right back. I know I'll be tracking those Trout and hard!

***This year (Today) mom caught a bunch of small Trout & Reds in a creek, after being run out of the jetties, by Blues. (2007 - Mom holding Trout..and dad's CaptDaves.com - SIZE DOES MATTER, t- shirt as the "other fish" in the photo. Hahahahah..... I have to laugh or I'd cry.)

Wasn't sure if we were gonna get pumbled by big rains or not, the sky looked like we were. So I stayed close to the dock. Could have ran way up river and did some size-able Trout fishing. But of course Mom wanted to do just a brief day. She wasn't up to doing a full blown attack on the fish populations, because as she put it, "there's no sun out".

Mother's day. A landmark day during the year to me. Because, I always try to take Mom out for a nice day. But 90% of the time. I miss "actual" Mothers day. Because, I'm usually busy with customers.

Where is everyone??

Now as I revise this report, I have a charter with good customers on Tuesday.....the report is as follows:

"Small Craft Advisory in effect till Tuesday Night"

"NE winds 15-20 knots"

I still have the entire week of the Memorial Holiday, wide open!

My e-mail: charters@captdaves.com

5/11 - AFTER THE BIG BLOW

WHY THE HELL AM I OUT HERE TODAY BY MYSELF?

Because I get calls, for you guessed it......for Wednesday, and then Thursday....and last but not least, Friday. TODAY!!!!

I'll refer to today as the "Officially the First Day after the big Blow". But not everyone gets it. It's HOWLING upwards on the coast a gale or better. A Gale; is defined as 32 knots or more. And people in the area actually think we can fish in that?? But when the wind drops, as in today. They never call, then. Only on hainous days.

I know we have had damn near the worst weather anyone can think of in the last 2 months. And believe me, no one feels it more than a fishing guide. I cannot remember such a windy/gale filled April & May, than this year.

So, I went to do some after storm R&D.

I've done a lot of that lately. Every time it's gale force plus winds, I go the exact day it calms enough to "actually fish".

And when I tell ya', I had a tough time catching fish. Believe me, I know EXACTLY what I'm doing. I would bet, you'd have a real hard time.

(remember....I don't sit on a trolling motor and fish all day during YOUR charter, like many fishing guides. So when I hook'em up, I can hand them off to you. And pretend you're having a great day catching them yourself.)

When you fish with me, unless we're on a single passenger trip. I do not have time to fish. I'm busy helping YOU.

So, my day started after waiting and waiting, then waiting some more for live shrimp to appear at the bait shop. Yes, shrimp do not grow on tree's.

I think I left the ramp around 11am. And I headed straight up river.

But first, I took a pic of Tiger Woods' yacht "PRIVACY", sitting at Mayport Marine. Quite convenient, travel in your "ship" to and from Golf championships.

Can ya imagine being that young and that wealthy.

I had plans of fishing dead low at several spots. But we never really had a good low tide, anywhere. That pic of the Flounder is from under the Mathews Bridge!! I fished momentarily a Flounder spot there, where I've caught them before. But they were bigger before.

Previous to that Flounder, I fished 3 spots. And only caught Lady Fish and Jacks. I worked in the 15-20 knot gusting winds from the ENE some seriously great Trout areas at low tide till I worked my way to the Mathews Bridge. To check the Salinity Levels!

THE MONSTER OF ALL FLIP FLOPS: Last Thursday south of the Dames Point Bridge area, salinity level in river 22 Part Per Thousand. NOW? Let's just say, with a stiff breeze holding all the water up in the river for the last 4 days at least, now all the way to my measuring point, the salinity level today was 35-36 PPT.

I could just look at the water and tell it's not right, as it was last Thursday. The color, and the other dead give away was the salt covering the boat & engine. I want no salt or much less salt water.....I'd love a 10 parts per thousand. That's serious Trout water!

But I caught some fish.

I boxed 3 Trout to 4 pounds, (threw back one 14-1/2 incher), and the "chipper" Flounder, and one big Spanish Mackerel. Plus hads 6 ladyfish and 4 Jacks.

On one spot, where I caught the 4 pounder. On my first drift of my float, I GOT MY ASS HANDED TO ME! It's a dock, and man do these fish wait till you're floats up between two pilings, and then they hit and hit hard. But that's not all...I received 2 more "ass handings" before I left the spot. Man, it was exciting. Pitch back to the dock, drift in beween two wood pilings and next to a concrete one and BAM! Float goes down and I set the hook, I got it....and then against the drag pulling the fish ducks for cover around that nasty wood piling. I LOVE IT! Maybe big Trout, maybe a Red. I caught not a single Jack or Ladyfish at this spot and can't remember the last time I did. But have only caught and lost Reds and Trout here.

It's fun, getting slam dunked. If you think Trout do not PULL hard, then you've never hooked a really, really big one.

We really need less wind and less wind with EAST in it's name. ALL was right on track. And then came this storm Andre (?) and now everything is totally FLIP-FLOPPED. I know for a fact, I'm back-stepping. I was right where I wanted to be. Now all has changed........

AGAIN!

Man, I love float-rigging a live shrimp through dock pilings. Backing up and anchoring next to massive structure, right where you know they are. It's truly NE Florida's version of addictive fishing for me.

I hope mother nature will cut me a break and let me get back to taking people to do some really good Trout fishing, again.

Memorial Holiday is wide open. The tides are good that whole week. Call now to reserve your day, because.........

Not another single fishing guide in this whole area gives you this kind of info as you get here, to make the right choice in a charter.

I want educated anglers aboard.

5/9 - ONE SORRY WEEK (revised 3 times)

"It's been 5 days since I drifted a float behind the boat, and I'm going BONKERS!"

No, that is not an ad for Arlington Bait & Tackle, although it would make a good one. Huh? They are some really nice folks over there. It's a pic of me drifting my float down the rocks, catchin' fishez on a calm day in MAY!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like Thursday is my day:

THURSDAY SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS BECOMING EAST IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.

But this was also issued:
National Hurricane Center – 11:00 am – Tropical Storm Watch has been issued along the Southeast Coast from Altamaha Sound, GA to Flagler Beach, FL. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within the next 36 hours.
The center of Subtropical Storm Andrea is about 150 miles northeast of Daytona Beach, FL Andrea is moving generally toward the west at 3MPH. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 MPH. with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecasted during the next 24 hours.

So, I'll bring a rain Jacket. BIG DEAL. If there's no wind I just have to go find those Speckley Troutz again, since I haven't been since last Thursday.

FORGET ALL THAT....UPDATE.....UPDATE....

THERE'S NO WAY. AT THIS TIME THURSDAY 9AM THE WINDS GUSTING OVER 25 KNOTS.

LOOKS LIKE ITS NOT WORTH GOING TILL THE WEEKEND, IF AT ALL.

THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED WEATHER FOR US FISHERMAN IN MAY...WOW THIS REALLY SUCKS BAD.

AND AS A CHARTER FISHERMAN I'M REALLY ON THE LOOSING END OF THIS STORM! THERE'S NO MAKING THIS UP.

I HOPE SOMEBODY ACTUALLY BOOKS A MEMORIAL HOLIDAY TRIP OR TWO.....SO FAR THE CALENDAR IS A BLANK.

It's TPC time...They moved it from March, and the weather still sucks! Welcome to NE FLORIDA! WELCOME GOLF FANS! WHY DON'T WE GET FISHING FANS? Golf & Fishing are about the same deal....both of us who play the "game" hate high winds! And being EATEN by the native wildlife.

I did have a call from a past customer last night here for the TPC, I guess. And he wanted to rush out there today (Wednesday) which is very "iffy". Especially if he wants to catch anything, decent. The wind is still way up. But will call back later for a "MAYBE" Friday trip. YOU ALWAYS NEED TO PLAN. SHRIMP DON"T GROW ON TREE'S FOLKS!!! Bad weatgher for us can also be bad weather for the live bait shrimpers.

I actually witnessed boats COMING & GOING, from the Mayport Boat Ramp during the height of these Gale Force Wind attacks, the last few days.

-Who are these people??

-Are they the same ones that keep Sea-Tow in business?

-I think, so.

-1-800-ask Dave......I watch the local weather, feel it and predict it better, I think.

5/5-6 Un-timely Tides

Man, I love my boat. (just had to throw this in) because I received this pic in an e-mail from one of our group charter participants from last month.

Alright, it's May. The weather is so far so good. The Trout are chewin' in the river, the Cobia have showed up. Pogies have been spotted behind the surf. The Greenies (aka: Threadfin Herring) are readily available at the jetties. Sharks are on the beach, and I'm sure there's some Redbass on the bait pods for a change of pace. And the Jacks are getting larger. And at the same time FUEL is getting outrageous again. Because It's SUMMER. Which is a great excuse.

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

I want a few of those GIANT 6" Shrimp (pictured above) that B&M bait and tackle had back in March and April. I wanna catch a Cobia on a live shrimp on a Float-rig.....sounds funny huh? That's what people think when ya tell them about Jetty Tarpon on a Float rig too. But that easily happens. IF, you're on the ball like me to be fishing with a Tarpon capable hook, rod and reel when they are around.

* G. Loomis - 9' Pelagic series, 15-30# fast/medium heavy rod

* Shimano Tekota 500 levelwind w/ 350 yards of Power Pro

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

Nothing going on this weekend with me.

As with most events in this town, I guess I'll get some late notice callers from when the TPC starts. It's this town, I always say. It's not like we're a real tourist destination by any means. Maybe some day...maybe.

I did do some boat maintenance, and made some "summer-time" modifications, in case I have to put some bigger baits in the live wells. And took the small cast net out of the boat and put in the bigger Pogie net.

Tides this week: are slow and there's not a low-tide that's good and fish-able, during normal human fishing hours, till later in the week. But I'll probably go Monday or Tuesday anyhow.

5/3 - One fine day!

Had Dave C.

aboard today.

And we didn't

leave till noon.

Because when all else fails, FISH THE FALLING TIDE!

That's why. And Dave being an angler himself at home, up north he knew that too.

I had plans to T-rout fish. And go find those Whoppers, I've been getting into last Saturday and Monday. Dave as a "knowing" individual, comes alone and also books his trips well in advance. So I had him on my mind Monday, as I slayed some dragons in the big St. Johns, all by myself.

About the photo's... I cannot risk doing shots of where I was. And Dave isn't into picture taking....and I was glad to get this one shot of our "end of day" fish.

First spot.....wow what a story here. We barely had current. It was the last minutes of the incoming tide. We were talking about how hard it could be pulling a good fish from under a dock and around some pilings, that we were Float Rigging. Dave says, in so many words. This could get exciting if you were to get your ass handed to ya. I responded, that I have never gotten ripped so bad here, that I didn't get the Trout from the dock pilings.

And 2 seconds after I said that........

My float drifts by one piling and then in between two others. MY FLOAT VANISHES.....I SET THE HOOK.....MY 8 FOOT LOOMIS GREENWATER ROD BOWS HARD, THE DRAG PULLS....AND THE MONSTER TROUT RIPS AROUND A PILING........SPLASHES ON SRFACE BEHIND THE PILING........THE FISH PULLS, I FEEL THE LINE SHREDDING ......I CAN'T DO ANYTHING.......AND POP GOES MY 50# BERKELY SUPER BRAID LINE!!!!!!

Hmmm, what was I just saying?????

Then Dave sets the hook, and from between the pilings pulls out the first trout of the day, and decent 17 incher. Mine was big, so now I'm really excited. But we pull anchor and go get my expensive float, and come back. And we get a few more trout.

If they are chewin here, with hardly any current left. That means we are in for "one fine day!"

Because when you're into them with almost no current, you've found the right water to be in this time of year. (that's a Pearl of information, right there)

We only fished 3 spots, but all 3 are in the right area. (and there's a possibility I could find even better areas of the river right now)

Dave is a BLOG reader. He read about my R&D expoits, lately. And he wanted to find some big Trout. So I concentrated my efforts in the area where I've been getting them at different stages of the falling tide.

Early on, we had some 3 pounders, & 2 pounders. But were not keeping other than the first 2 or 3 (because they are good luck fish), any Trout less than 18+ inches. And wanted at least our 2- over 20 inches. My theory is; "A Trout in the hand, is better than 2 still in the water."

So if Dave caught an absolute monster, he'd let me take a photo of him and we'd release it.

But...and there's always one but, isn't there. We didn't get into the 5 plus pounders. Just 4 pounders. The spot where I caught the 5-5 pounders in a row the other day ( and released) was now reading higher salinity levels. It was the full moon, and the tide that may have been a tad higher, and drove saltier water up into the spot. Just a theory besides, them just not visiting it today(?)

But either way, it was a great day. Dave also caught a nice pup Black Drum, I caught a Spanish Mack, he also had some Jacks, Ladies, and small Blues as the tide really went low.

We easily had our 10 keeper Trout and even threw back a lot of fish. Could have had more limits of Trout if we stayed on a particular spot, but we went looking to get the Gators. And I was glad we did, but only came up with 4 pounders.

The wind became a factor as it always does during the middle of the day with the south-east sea breeze, blowing hard and coming straight down the river into our faces as the tide ebbed. But we worked through it as I did on Monday, too.

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

I can't speak for Dave, but i know he had a lot of fun. But as far as I'm concerned. This is some of the finest inshore fishing. A Weekday, solo passenger, just two guys out working a specific area, leaning the techniques, enjoying the river, no long boat rides, no constant snags on the bottom, watching A LOT of the float disappearing under water with all good quality Specks on the hook.

If this really gets ya going, and becomes addictive. YOU'RE A FLOAT FREAK, 100%. If not. That's okay too. But for me, I'd rather be a Master of one, than a jack of all trades, master of NONE. My goal is to do what I love to do, very well. And share what I love to do with others.

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

IT'S MAY!

Today's Mayport archive photo - Barge full of JETTY ROCKS, and how they got them out there. (photo was marked: Barge with jetty fill)

It's May...now lets see if it'll be truely like May. Although the winds with EAST in the discription was very apparent, again
today.

Did my Group Charter with some Insurance Brokerage guys today...about the same Group as last year, I think. 10 people, 4 boats...and of course I was one of the boats with 3 guys rather than 2.

Take Note: High Tide at Jetties 9am, that was right when we departed, of course.

And when am I catching the GATORS (Trout) all on the low, of course.

Always take a low tide over a high tide. That's my theory.

So we all basically started at the Jetties. The go-to area to always catch something.

My guys caught, Ladyfish, Jacks- small and mediums about 5 pounds. Blues, and hooked two Manta Rays that were swimming down the rocks. Plus two Spiney
Puffers, one 14" Trout.

Some of the other boats had a Flounder, some Reds to 34" a few Trout. They were about the only few Game fish caught. Everyone caught Ladies and Jacks.
We all had a good time, and I always appreciate taking this Group every year.

TIDES...It's all about those, TIDES. If ya' wanna really fish for game fish species.

Yesterday, when I was catching those big beautiful Trout the salinity was a 22 parts per thousand, on a scale of 0-40 parts per thousand. The jetties are about a 36PPT.
So 22PPT is pretty low considering NO RAIN, and no real flow to the St. Johns River.

If I had my druthers here's what I'd do the rest of the summer.
*have unlimited fuel at my disposal at a good price......."That will not happen".
*fish only the river south, and keep up with the salinity day by day.
*stay away from the inlet because it's a magnet for many non-game fish species.
*when I'm down river and start catching Ladyfish, Jacks, or Blues...go further south!
*and fish on a perpetual falling tide, only! Yeah, like that will ever happen.

Today's Ramblings:
I go through this every single spring time, and that's wondering why when a friend of mine comes back from Venice LA. from fishing with his Guide brother-in-law, and after hearing all those Redfish & Trout stories he tells me,why is the fishing there so great? There's a scientific approach to why...and I wanna know it.

I think besides the endless marsh and waters, lack of people/pressure on the fish. It has to do with the Mississippi River! It flows fresh water ALL THE TIME. We have a river right here. But it does not flow, and flow endless Fresh water all the time 365 days a year.

This may sound obvious, but it's not. Especially, in the spring and summer when spawning and estuarine species (
Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Drum, Sheepshead etc.) want to find and live in "brackish water". Because it has a lot to do with their spawning cycle. Just as it does for our river shrimp.

So think about it....When we have Hurricanes/Tropical storms to the south, all the rain water goes where? Into the river. And the fishing is off the chart when it reaches us in J-ville.
We must have rain, hurricanes and tropical storms.
In Venice LA. they have that flow all the time. So when the fish want it, it's there. Which also possibly makes for very successful spawns, which in turn means more fish year after year.

Here's actually a quote from a fishing guides web site over there about the salinity & spawning:
"There is little doubt that Venice is an amazing fishery. In spring vast numbers of speckled trout are on the move to the south in search of saltier waters to spawn. April and May are two of the best months to catch the big sows ."
So it sounds as if the "opposite is happening there...they move closer to the Gulf to get the right salinity??" Because they are in brackish. Just the opposite here in our river.
Kinda the same deal of when the damn flows-over down in Guana River State Park...the fish stuck in the lake side (the sweet water side) rush to the salty water coming in over the damn from the ICW side.

On another note; for one second think of all the pollution that went into that river after hurricanes Katrina and Rita!
I had a native New Orleans man on my boat today. He lived through Katrina. So we talked about it naturally. He said, "I do not know where all that 'garbage' went in the river, out to the Gulf of Mexico I guess", he stated. And I was thinking, "how about all those TOXINS, SEWAGE, & CHEMICALS that went into the river and out into the marshlands and passes, Gulf??" And the fishing again is through the roof over there. Because of the constant flow of fresh water from the Mississippi River?? I guess the word "flush", means more than a good poker hand.

We have a river in name, maybe. Not necessarily in theory. The Timicuan Indians called it, "THE RIVER OF LAKES", because back then the river had a mean depth of 9 feet, the inlet was a giant sand bar, and the Timicuan's knew that the river had no real flow, so they aptly named it for what they thought it was more like. And according to anthropologists, they were dead on. A theory is that thousands of years ago, the river was a chain of lakes/wetlands. And through erosion, forces of the tide, and Ocean height, the banks broke through and connected to form kind of what we see today.

Basically, some rain would be nice.

That's the thought of the day. So I'll just live with knowing Venice, LA. is over there. And I'm over here. And I'm happy as long as I get my fill of big fat Trout, one way or another.
I just have to stop talking to that friend of mine after he goes there. Because now he's telling me he also saw a fellow BlackLab Marine Plate Alloy 26' owner over there, too. (Ya' know Louisiana is a big Aluminum boat state) and says to me every time I see him, "Dave, ya know how great of a boat that would be for fishing the passes and rigs over there?" I usually say...."No, I don't because I've never been there, but you need to invite me!!"

Rule O' Thumb: BOOK YOUR CHARTERS "TO FISH", VIA MY TIDE RECOMMENDATIONS....

4/30 - GATOR HUNTIN'

DID YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU CLICK ON THE PHOTOS, THEY WILL OPEN IN A LARGER SIZE?
I DIDN'T TILL ACCIDENTALLY, RIGHT CLICKED ON ONE A WEEK AGO.

As you can see....I started out "counting" them, holding my fingers up. But that didn't work. Actually I got the first three fish on my first three drifts of my Float-rig.

I had 2 - 19" to 20" Trout in the box, then the third fish was a 5 pounder. Then I caught a Spanish Mackerel and a Ladyfish, and then in the next hour and a half I had 5 more, 5 pounder G-A-T-O-R-S!

The wind (sea-breeze to be very technical) started honkin' so bad I could almost not fish anymore, but I waited it out. And the wind would subside a little and I'd catch another one. So, what's a TROUT FREAK gonna do? Keep at it, of course. I actually needed not 5 pounders, but rather smaller fish for the box.

So after 8 mega-nice Trout I started pitching a jig-n-shrimp. Hooked up two super sweet sized Flounder, and both got off at the side of the boat. So I went to a curly tailed plastic on the jig real fast and pitched along side the boat right where i lost one of the Flounder and hooked it up again....."Ahh, you bastard are gonna meet Mr. Trout, in the fish box", I thought. But damned if that one didn't get off too! Dammit! I know why, because all the flounder I hooked wewre in NO CURRENT, and they just snapped at it, and didn't engulf the bait. I heavy current it would be a different story.

Earlier in the day, as I waited for the tide to drop. I found a new spot. Boulders all over the bottom from 10-18 feet, dropping off to deep water. Another possible Trout hang-out. So as i looked around I pitched a Jig-n-curly-tail, I hooked up a Flattie immediately. So as I reeled it to the boat, I looked up and saw two Sheepshead tailing, around a rock in a foot or so of water...Cool...but it wasn't meant to be because when I looked down again at my Flounder. It also got off the hook.

I just wasn't my day to catch 4 nice Flounder, I guess. But that's okay. I know where the Trout are.

A Trout Tracker, that's what ya have to be. These are all big fat "roe" Trout too. It's spawning time. And if all goes well and I actually get someone who picks a day for a charter when the tides right, they may get the chance to catch fish like these pictures. But, the likely-hood is slim to none..."and slim left town".

People from other parts just do not get it. Thats why they hire me I thought. I had three calls today. And 3 yesterday. Everyone wants the best day, but do not get that it's all about the tide. I just do my best with the day they give me. If they want a GREAT DAY........PLAN instead of just showing up hilly-nilly. I have a phone, a blog, e-mail, a web site with alot of info, that many do not even want to look at and read. I hand out pearls full of info, and just do the best I can, with the cards I'm dealt.

So that's why I go and mess'em up all by myself. Because I can.

Last day of April 2007

MAYPORT: Latitude 30.393N. Longitude -81.43W)

Today's Archived Photo: EARLY REDBASS PRO TOUR MEMBERS! Year: 1900 (WHEN SIZE COUNTED)

FORECAST:

TODAY
SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHEAST 10 TO
15 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS. INLAND WATERS A
LIGHT CHOP.

TONIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND
WATERS SMOOTH.

TUESDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

TUESDAY NIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INLAND WATERS MOSTLY SMOOTH.

WEDNESDAY
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS.
INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS.
INLAND WATERS MOSTLY SMOOTH.

I THINK I'LL GO FISH THAT LOW TIDE AGAIN, TODAY...AND SEE IF I CAN FEED A LIVE RIVER CRICKET TO THOSE BEAUTIFUL TROUT, I FOUND IN THE RIVER. VIA MY GO-TO RIG. DAMN, FLOAT RIGGIN' FOR TROUT IS FUN. IT'S ALL IN THE TECHNIQUE.

4/28 - Saturday, Float Freakin'? And it felt so good.

#1- too all the people who called me about a Saturday charter and "tire kicked" their way right out of a trip or "cheaped" themselves out of a fishing day.....This is what YOU missed!

#2 - If I could find these fish, on a Saturday that was like a "conehead-a-rama" on the river. God help them on a weekday!

Went out to fish by myself on the low tide (the only tide worth fishing anymore) and had 10-Speckled Trout from 18-24 inches. My 5 Trout limit with the one over 20 inches that was a 23 incher, then released 5 more ranging from 19-24 inches. And one baby Gag Grouper, all on one spot, a very good spot. NO PINFISH, NO LADYFISH, NO JACKS, NO BLUES.....NO JUNKFISH AT ALL.

This was ONLY a falling tide fishery, we have around here I guess. With zero rain, time of year, these fish want LOWER salinity. And that doesn't mean an incoming salty tide!

Man, what a great 4 hours!

Although some seriously handicapped weekenders thought by getting closer to me meant that they too could catch QUALITY Trout like this with tourist-rigs and stink-bait, they were sadly mistaken. But they got to watch.

Filleted de-boned and skinned my 5 Trout filled a Gallon Bag. Momma's gonna like these.

This is what makes being a FLOAT FREAK, worth it!

coming up this week:

Another Group-multiboat, half day.....and Dave C. (a regular) from Maryland.

4/26 - The man has good balance!

Now this is one thing I do not get very often on my boat....a fella who can cast a Bait Casting reel, and into the wind too!

Whit Sherrill, my Solo angler I had today could do that and more. This soon to be "ex" USAF Officer, (GO AIRFORCE...it was my choice of armed services also) was a good fish catcher, and he and I, had a ball.

He was right on time at the dock this morning, not coming from very far....he was staying at the Mayport Navy Base vacationing with his wife and baby boy.

His first fish of the morning was a big nasty Jack, that snatched his float and gave this N. Carolina "sweet water-ish" fisherman's rod a serious jerkin'. We weren't fishing 5 minutes and he hooked the Jack. Then came some Trout, then a Sheepshead.

Then we ran down river and found the wind too strong, on one spot and the current too strong on another. So back to the Big Rocks (jetties) we went. Caught some Yellowmouth Trout, a few more small Jacks, then a Ladyfish or two, and a nice light tackle battle with a good size Shark too.

The south Jetty was a mess on the outside. THE SOUTH WIND I WAS LOOKING FOR WAS ACTUALLY S.E. AT 20 KTS. NOT THE KINDA SOUTH I WANTED, LATER IN THE DAY!

The South Jetty was Sandy-silty water, nasty and very choppy, and NO BIG DEAL to fish in my battle wagon. I swear to you, you can not imagine how superior this big & brawny Plate Alloy boat of mine handles the nastiest of conditions. Believe me, I'll never go back to Fiberglass. And will never have too. It's my life time boat!

The fishing wasn't full of action. So we moved, and put up the float rig (DON'T TELL ANYONE) And pitched jigs while power drifting the jetty tip. More like power Backing. Because the 15-20 knot SE winds were pushing us into the rocks, so I had to stay in reverse the whole time we sort of drifted. (AND NOT A DROP OF WATER CAME IN THE BOAT) As the 4 footers crashed on the transom, as I backed away from the jetty. (the boats design is super dry and stable)

Whit played tug of war with a 28" deep water Redbass, and another big Jack. I even made a few casts and pulled as hard as I could on a Red, just for the fun of it and the fish straighted my jig hook.

By looking at the photo's, I think you could tell Whit had a good time and he also had some fillets for a nice family dinner, also.

Thanks Whit.

Here's today's "Recent Catch" page photo's: http://www.captdaves.com/Catch4.htm

4/25 - Late 1/2 day with FMA group charter

Did a group charter today that I reserved, and had Capt's Mike & Bryan help me out. Twelve folks total on three boats starting at 1:00 pm till 5:00 pm.

Note the tides today:

LOW@ 10:34

HIGH@ 4:51

Not the greatest time to do a fishing trip. But what the heck, we were all just out there to have a good time. I knew it going into it, that it wasn't gonna be a rip roaring situation.

Everyone split up at the dock and got into the boats. I tried my best to get all the gal's on my boat. But ended up getting only Chris. The only gal who came dressed for the occasion.

She had her pink hat on with "Spinner-Blades" attached to it, and her pink accented, fly fishing vest with lots of faux "Flies" on the front, and embroidered butterflies on the back!

I don't know what else to say other than this was a real HOOT!

I can just imagine what Tred Barta would have done if he saw her walking down the dock, with all that Pink. (If you don't know who Tred Barta, is then Google him, if you do then you'll understand...I like and at the same time, dislike Tred, but he is still my kinda guy.)

One boat started off the day with a big Nurse Shark, then we had a double header of a small sand shark about 3 feet, and a Polish Flounder...aka: "Stingray". Then, I heard about small trout, ladyfish and Blues Mike had on up in a creek. But we hung near the jetties using live and cut Greenies I caught before the trip. That proved to not be doing much on the crappy tide so we Float fished and caught one potato chip size Flounder. Then Bryan had a bunch of eel's the size of your arm up by the coastie station.

Ya' know I guess he knows where the real "undesirables" live, now. And couldn't have guessed where to find giant eels if you asked him before today. Now that's FUNNY!

That's why tides are so important, overall.

The wind was of course blowing good and hard as we started the trip today, par for the course.

But, everyone seemed to really enjoy being there, no matter what they caught, or did not catch.

Here's the link to the "recent catch page" photo's of their day:

http://www.captdaves.com/Catch6.htm

Tomorrow: I have one guy....and I have lots of live shrimp. And I hope to burn as many as we can. I really hope to find some decent Trout.

The Greenies, (Threadfin Herring) are out there at the jetties and have been for a while now. But now thick enough to catch, at least.

The Spanish Macks are getting larger. Saw some really nice ones a friend trolled up this morning.

The Reds were thick on the inside of the North jetty tip...if you're a trolling motor & jig tosser or just power drift.

LadyFish have invaded the Jetties. Bryan had a morning trip and had plenty of them today.

4/23 - Only on a falling tide?????

Thank goodness for a few hours of falling tide!

Had Dave Campbell and Mike and Austin out again. Dave and Mike have been with me several times before, but this was Austin's first dip into the saltwater fishery, since he's from IOWA??

Where's dat? I've heard of it before, though. Prior we always bottom fished so this was their first time doing the float-rig fishing.

Wow, was the rollers high this morning heading out to the tip of the jetties. Rollers, is all I can think of calling them, because we rolled up them and over them as we headed out to where I was putting all my nuts in one sack. Yes, I had no where else I could think of going that would produce some good bites on the last few hours of falling tide. Everywhere else has been so damn dead. Or just so damned hard to fish in the winds, day after day.

I was a tad pissed off that I had to go thru such nastiness just to get to where I wanted to fish in the first place, I'll admit that. And it was showing.

Can I please get a single day that life is easy.....or just easier?? I guess not.

The last dead calm day I had was back on April 4th with Jake and Jeff, and we fished the beach that day.......literally the beach behind the surf (if there was one) and left them biting

Alright, we made it to the spot, and I anchored up and it all felt WRONG! The boat lay, the way the floats went.......EVERYTHING!

So after a few minutes I re-grouped and made a slight adjustment. And we were on them.

Trout, and some Jacks, and one big Ladyfish. The fishing was consistent for a few hours and like a light switch all of a sudden went completely dead!

I again made some adjustments for the guys on their tackle...and that's when we had back to back Sheepshead, 5 & 6 pounds. I don't mind two of them, maybe even 3 of them. But I'm not like some of these Sheepherders. I certainly don't want to have to clean a whole bunch of them.

Then, as the tide completely died we ran up into a creek and had some more blues, a Ladyfish and some small Trout to finish up 10 dozen live shrimp.

By noon the wind was again howling inshore from the east...You'd think I was used to it by now, but I'm not and it made precision anchoring a problem.

Next up:

Wednesday's afternoon Group Charter with 3 boats (on an incoming tide) & Thursday's "solo" angler and me. Which is always a fun day, where I can throw in something different.

Where's that south wind?

Here's the rest of today's pics on my Catch Page 7 - http://www.captdaves.com/Catch7.htm