11/9 - Testing, one mo' time!

Had good ole Don M. aboard again. After a re-schedule from last weekends wind fest, when he wanted to get his sister who was visiting out on the river. Today he brought Will with him, his girlfriends brother. Will was a an alternate victim....a genuine first timer.

Who probably said to himself, "self, this is like no fishing I've ever done before." I'm sure.

Nope, we ain't going to park it and just drop a bait over the side, that's for sure. Don, says bottom fishing is boring. He enjoys the challenge of float rig fishing, as I do I.

After today, I'm not sure if Will would agree.

So off me go at 7:30am.

I did my best to get on a spot where Will could learn what we were going to do. Lobbing the float along some structure, letting go, mending the line, reeling and lifting the rod when the float goes down......ya' know, all that stuff we learn over the course of the years. Now jammed into one hours time. Don was pacing the deck as I got Will started fishing.

We caught a few small trout. But in no way were we "burning down the house".

I kept hunting for the easiest place for Will to catch some fish. Because instead of light winds, we had some hard west winds that made for some challenging fishing. We worked area after area. And only had one decent Trout in the cooler, that Don caught.

I kept attempting to drop a line out myself. To possibly help with the number of fish in the cooler, but every time I did, some one needed help. From backlashes to tangled lines like I haven't seen in years, to sinkers stuck in the bottom. At one point, I just started cutting......

Spots that should have produced bites, weren't. And I was starting to get really anxious.

I worked different spots, instead of going to the same ole places. Maybe that was the problem.

But everyone else in Jacksonville was sitting on those same ole places. Some spots were a parking lot at a boat show.

We caught some trout, but they were all small. Will was starting to catch on, but needed maybe another month of fishing days to hone his "thumb".

So I just gave up. I went to one of those areas that I frequent all too much. And low and behold the "corks" were going down, finally. Rather steady. And it wasn't Trout. But huge Croakers.

15 inchers! Fourteen inch Croakers have been the large of the large for me lately, when I have got into them. But these mothers, were Brood Stock size fish.

But for some reason, we had some of the worse tangles I have encountered in years, all while these T-rex sized Croak's were chewing. Which meant we lost some time on them.

ACTION. It's all I wanted. And I wanted Will to get the hang of this, while catching fish.

We were in the think of these fish, and the large ones were taking float-rigged live shrimp way better than a dead shrimp on the bottom, because that's what I was fishing.
I only caught smaller Croak's.

It was small Redbass revenge at it's finest. That's what I call it when you're catching monster Croakers on a Float-rig.

They're just like small Reds, but you can't keep the smaller Reds, but you can fill the box full of Croak's. IE: Redbass Revenge!

Will even caught his fare share for a few moments. And then came a few more tangled lines, and like a light switch the current quit and so did the big Croaker bite.

Would I have rather had Reds or Trout, yes of course. But at this point in the day I was happy to get a box of these fish.

So we moved on after the current on this spot quit. And headed back east.

The sustained west wind had stirred up the incoming tide green water into a sandy colored soup on my next spot. The same spot that yesterday yielded some good Trout action.

I wasn't smiling, as I had yesterday as I dropped anchor here. But it was worth a try.

The wind was relentless. And so were the backlashes as it was necessary to lob over to the jetty rocks to get bit. But we caught a few Trout, and one Yellowmouth Trout. With Will catching the largest Trout of the day, a 19 incher.


Guess what rolled up right next to the boat while I was checking the anchor, and pitching a line out myself?

A baby TARPON! Yep, right along the jetty rocks.
65 degree water, must plan on being a resident of N.E. Florida.

But, this isn't the latest I have seen them out there. About 4 years ago, I had 2 guys on the boat and we were fishing along the Navy base. When I had to do a double-take.
I saw two small Tarpon dorsal fins, ya know the thread fin and tips of two tails come up, right down the side of the boat.......Monster Ladyfish, no way! It was January 19th!!!!!

Well, one of the guys had his float go down side ways...and he reeled and set the hook. Out of the water comes flying a 30" Tarpon. He freaked out. Yelling Dave I have one!!
But, ya gotta love those Mini's. That fish did about 3 or 4 back flip jumps in what seemed like 3 seconds. And his light Trout leader popped. But it certainly was one hell of a thrill.

So the next time you're at the jetties, and think that silver scaled flash in the water was just a lost Ladyfish in the winter. Think again!

I think we'd all be amazed right out of our boats, if we could vacate all the water in an instant from the Mayport Boat ramp to the end of the jetties for a weekend. And just walk around and see all we're missing, all the anchors, all the unknown structure, and all the fish, we never knew where there.

That's why I love the place..."now only if we could get rid of those Navy Sea-tractor Tug boats!!"

11/ 8 - Patience testing day.

Saturday started off with Katrina and Damon, that had fished with me before.

But the story really started back on Thursday. When I was out just doing some R&D and the river was mobbed with people. Then, I heard Friday was another mob scene.

And three's a crowd for me, so I wanted nothing to do with the wakes, and "un"peacefulness. So I had a plan to go to Nassau Sound for Whiting. With dreams of big silver Bull Beach Whiting in the cooler by days end.

So in the cold, Katrina, Damon and I made the 18 mile run from the boat ramp up the ICW all the way to the sound. (the ocean is 1/2 the distance, but I had no idea what the conditions would be)

We get 3/4's the way up the ICW and out of the sunny blue skies we go into a dark overcast skies with wind. I go out to some pretty standard areas all the way out the sound to start.

We catch a few 8" anorexic Whiting, one 15 incher, and hook up on something that about spooled Damon. In which I had to pull anchor, and give chase. To only have my small Whiting hook pull after a 10 minute battle.

We hop from spot to spot. Between the sand bars, outside, inside, and then I just plain gave up by 10am. So we stopped by the bridge and float-fished the pilings for a few minutes, without loosing a shrimp.

NASSAU SOUND BITES ME IN THE ASS......ONE MORE TIME!!

I can't begin to tell you how many times this has happened. So much that a friend Capt Randall and I have sort of a saying about it. (And it's not worth repeating)

There was 3 of us up there. And I talked to one fella, he too had a few "micro" Whiting.

So, I make the 18 mile journey all the way back to the St. Johns River, and try and salvage what now has been at least a 1/2 day of ZERO. I only went there, because Saturday's in the "HUB" of the St. Johns is getting to be almost ridicules, and I wanted to try something different.

But nope......ZING, just gallons lost in fuel and hours lost in time.

We get back to the river, and we went from no one around, to boats everywhere. I try a small hidey-hole, and never loose a live shrimp. So eastward we head.

Katrina and Damon are new to the float-rig. Our last trip we bottom fished. So there's a big learning curve. And I have to shorten it as fast as I can. Because we don't have a lot of time.

First decent spot, good current, some decent bites....a few missed fish and lost fish.

Maybe because Katrina had to use the Ladies Room? So we moved on and stop by the boat ramp.

Okay.....I have to do something and fast. So I take them to a spot where they're going to dive head first into the "art" of the float-rig. From a 0 to a 10 in difficulty, this spot is a 9.80!!!!

But in the past has yielded Trout to 9 pounds, and numerous 6's.

On her first drift, Katrina nails a
real nice fish!!

Okay, Targeted Species now in the box!

They catch several small 14-3/4 inch Trout
just the opposite of what I've caught here.

But they have gills, scales and spots. So I'm happy! Then, another keeper. And the current we had just died. And so did all the bites.


Since we were back in blue skies and light winds, and at about our 6 hour mark. I had another plan. Do Not Give Up, especially after the beating I took today in the fuel tank. I will not be beat!

So we went to one more spot. The perfection couldn't have been any better. "Ahhhhh, incoming tide with nice green water." I was so happy to see "clean green water" it was plastering a smile on my face. And here is where we "sort of" made up for the whole day.

Catching some keeper trout, along with border-line keepers, I released. But we had Action!

And as you can see, the water was dead calm too. The wind was light, and the art of float-rig fishing was being learned by all.

A 6 hr. charter turned into a 8-1/2 hour charter, but that didn't matter one bit. And I doubt you'll ever see my boat at Nassau Sound again, unless it's for summer (80 degree water) Tarpon.














We headed in since Damon had a long drive back towards the Tampa area. I cleaned enough fish to fill up a gallon bag full of prime Speck fillets, with one big Whiting.

I want to thank Katrina & Damon, for having patience. My intentions were good, to start off with. And yes, sometimes a day can be like this.


Like sands through the hour glass, these are the days of my life....just not all the time.

11/6 - Can we get back to fishin now?

Can't believe some of the bad attitudes I'm running into after Tuesday's out come....
I say, "get over it". The people have spoken.

But, since November's been suffering a slow down mostly because of winds. My question is; "can we just get back to fishing now?"

So I took advantage of the PERFECT weather on Thursday. And unfortunately in this town it also means, so did everyone else. Unemployment must be high, cause no one was at work.

Which brings me to an observation.

$4.00 a gallon fuel, economic crisis, jobless-ness, business' closing. All this happening in what seems to be a vary short time frame. And absolutely no apparent slow down when it comes to fishing except for Charter Fishing. The ramps packed every weekend. And a Thursday, was a zoo on the river around the "hub".

Four places I went, there was a boat either there already. Or someone just left.
So, if you're a regular "joe" and have a job. I really don't see any so called, slow down.

Jacksonville's breaking ground all over with one strip center and 20 acre shopping centers on every corner. This is one thing, along with car dealers lining the streets, that I was hopeful to see the end of.

Myself, I'd just like to get back to fishing. But again, no one has inquired about the Veterans day 2 passenger trip discount I'm offering...so that must be a "here's yer sign", sign.

The weather could have not been any more perfect on Thursday. The tide's weren't all that great for me, although the falling tide sure did pour for a long time. Low tide Mayport was at 7-7:30am. And at 10am I was still fishing "falling water".

Really wanted to target some big Trout. Target fish was a 5 pound Trout. So I tried a bunch of different places. Which need some further investigation, and did have potential. But the largest of the day was this "almost" 20 incher.

This fish was about 5 inches short of the one I was looking for. And 6 inches longer than most of the trout I caught! Loads of "dinks".

14 inch trout, there was no lack of. And I couldn't find or get into any rally of decent sized fish.
IE: 16 to 20" Trout.

I'm about as sick of hearing;
"So ya getting into the Flounder?" as "are ya getting into the Sheepshead" when January comes.

I don't fish the fads...I stick to what I do, and aim to do it very, very, well. I did hook a flattie that smoked me into a pile of rocks and broke me off. It was probably one of the most classic Flounder bites on a float-rig I've had in a long while. I knew the minute that the Flounder ate my shrimp that I was in trouble. It was big and really strong. And when it took off after I tightened the line, I saw my fate before it happened. The fish went straight for the rock pile.

I did catch my one keeper Redbass on my second drift of my float of the morning. A 24 incher that'll go straight to momma. She likes large baking sized fillets.

But my thought always is;
"what fillets are larger.....?
a 24 inch Red, or a 24" Trout?"
Answer: Always a Trout!

Pinfish are still a problem on the shallow shell bars. If it isn't a Mangrove Snapper, don't worry the Pinfish will take over.

I kept only three Trout that were worthy.
Two Yellowmouth Trout, and caught a few "pup" Reds.

Not a ballistic day while hunting Mr. Gator. Especially having all those people every where. And while doing it on my R&D budget. Because I'm not your average Joe, with a job.




Veterans day discount: for 2 anglers only November 11th. Call or email me to inquire.
Veterans or non-veterans. Just making the offer...because it's a Holiday during the week, rather than a weekend. Weekday fishing, is at least 25% "less crowded" than a weekend.

11/4 - It's about to BLOW!!!!!!

Can't believe I offer a discounted Veterans day trip and no one even asks a question about it.
Guess the WORLD just plain stops when it's election time, huh?
I tell people election years SUCK, and they look at me like I'm nutz. Living in the 9-5 fog surely has some people not knowing what activities effect, small business.

But each year this happens around now to an extent. The fishing is thru the damn roof...and it's:
-either too cold
-too rainy
-too close to Christmas
-too close to Thanksgiving
- it's always too "something" in this town.....Oh remember, some of the best fishing the whole year is when it's really cold. Yeah really cold, and I'm wackin them while you're not.

I could easily deal completely without any of the "holiday season". It's over done, over commercialized, and like national elections just plain over in one day after a giant build up.
Orgasmic, huh?

Winn Dixie just took down the big time holiday of Halloween decor, and in the same day (I witnessed) are slamming us in the face with Christmas crap already!

Like 20 months of Presidential election lies, this is what I'm talking about. But somehow I make it through another year...

By Jan. 1st aren't ya just glad its all over? (we are truely a country of excess)

Oh well, it's been blowing small craft caution or advisories all weekend and week so far.

But there is a rainbow at the end of this weeks wind cycle:

THURSDAY NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

I'll be out with you or without you. And maybe even on Veterans day too.

Thanks for your support, see ya at the dock????? "they say it, why can't I?"

I voted a week ago, so in case it was nice today (which it isn't all that great) I could be ready to fish because I'm sure the river would be nearly ours....and extra vacant.

Oh, the anticipation is killing me...I can't wait to sit in front of the TV all night long, watching more talking heads, till morning. NOT!!!!!!!!

11/3 - VETERANS DAY SPECIAL

VETERANS DAY IS: November 11th (over a week away to plan)

BOOK NOW....ASAP via my web site, for November 11th. And even if you are not a veteran you will recieve a special discount.

Call to get discounted price. (904-642-9546 between 8am to 8pm)

(2- anglers only, 6 hr. day, Departing at 8-9am. Advance reservation)

10/31 - Full Blown Nor'easter & more

I pulled up at the bait shop walked in and stood at the counter and said....."I think I have all this figured out after 12 years." As if I had some kind of Revelation to share. They replied, "what do have ya figured out, Dave?"....."Being a fishing guide is no more than attempting to show people how to catch fish in high winds and bad conditions!!" Another Dave, a fellow fisherman was there too. And said, "ya got that right! Most of the time it's not the most optimal day, that people pick." I said, "yeah, and that's why they have me!"

So I bait the live well up, get my ice for the coolers, and head down the street to the boat ramp 40 minutes early, as usual. I drop the boat in the water and man...."this is really crap weather" I think to myself. Should I suit up in full winter attire or not? It's no less than 20 knots or more gusting, getting more overcast by the moment, and it's not gonna get any better. Definitely not t-shirt and flip-flop weather.

I sit in the boat passing the time till Don B. and his buddy Jeff arrive going over a game plan in my head. And watching the flag on the adjacent Pilot building flapping at full attention.

We were departing at a specific time, so to hit nothing but a good falling tide. But, the wind has the river water so pushed up inside that the tide isn't even close to low yet. Twenty fifth, chink in the plan....

We'll just have to tough this out. This trip is already a rescheduled trip from last month when the conditions were even worse.

Damn, I gotta figure out something...I kept thinking.

Don and Jeff show up and we take off up river.

Don's my kinda guy, a float-rigger from way back. And has fished with me at least twice before.

Soon as we were out and about I could tell, "this is gonna be a tougher day, than I thought."

We work one spot, and a few pinfish steal the baits, and Don catches a small Speck. But I can feel in my gut, that this is gonna be real wrong for a long time, till the tide falls at least half way or more....especially for us float-riggers.

We go up and down the ICW attempting to fish a few spots out of the wind. About every other spot, I keep checking the tide in the river for current by revisiting where I really want to fish. I had blinders on......we were going to fish a certain spot, no matter what!!

And it just wasn't right, yet. But on my last check of the day before almost running out of time, it was PERFECT. Time to rock & roll!

That wind held back the tide for hours. So while, in so many words....WE WAITED, the guys stayed with me though and didn't complain about not catching anything, as we tried for hours.

But that was going to end, RIGHT NOW!

So upon arriving on the tide I wanted, at the spot I wanted to fish. The worlds were aligned with Venus! Brown water, river water, moving fast, as the wind blew the boat forward on the anchor.

They tried the float-rigs and live shrimp, and I pitched out a "tight-lined" rig, 2 ounces barely on the bottom cross current bumping along. And I stroked 3 big fat Croakers, instantly.

I said to Don, "ya wanna try this?", he said, "I ain't that proud, sure!!" I knew the guys had to be chomping at the bit by now, after going hours without a fish.

It was one big hard hitting Croak after another. Then came some Yellowmouth Trout off the bottom. We were having a ball....but the day was getting late and fast. Jeff said, "heck I could do this all day long", as he set the hook on another fairy wand rod bender. I had both the guys tight-lining on the bottom by now, with the lightest rods I own. I refer to them as my "fairy wands".

Then I took another fairy wand rod and set out a big piece of cut Croaker on a small circle hook and set it on the other side of the boat. The Croak's would peck at it, but I told the guys "just don't worry about that rod till it doubles over. The best fisherman in the world is a circle hook and a rod holder."

And it wasn't but a few minutes till it did just what it was supposed to do....Bend over in the shape of a horse shoe!

And Jeff grabbed the rod. Yes, sir...this is your clock cleaning. Out with the dust bunnies. Jeff was in for a long fight on the light rod, light line, light hook and heavy current and gusting winds.

It took awhile, but Jeff landed a 10 pound, 31 incher.

Okay, back to the Croak's....

Next up was Don, and again it didn't take long and the chunk bait rod doubled over again.















Don's fish finally threw up a flag of surrender.

Thing were certainly looking a lot better than an hour ago when we were going from spot to spot looking for some kind of action. A box load of Trout and Croakers and two Reds in the first hour on this spot.....Now I called this ACTION!

But that's what a good ole N.E. Florida, Nor' easter can do to the St. Johns river. Your on Momma natures time. And without the proper tide, and current velocity you are not going to catch quality fish.

You have to be patient especially on days like this. As you can see in the photos, by now it was utterly gloomy as all hell looking out there.

Sticking to it, and never giving up also helps, while being rigidly flexible. One thing you can count on if your standing on the deck of my boat is that I DO NOT GIVE UP! My "stick to-it'ness", is about as hard as the bottom of my boat!

The yellowmouth trout and croak's kept coming over the side as I set out another big chunk of cut bait......and came a keeper at 27 inches.

Then, our last big Red on the fairy wands, especially if the guys wanted me to clean their fish for them.....it was nearing dark.

Whewww...another great end to a really tough day. But I have to really thank Don and Jeff for hanging with me and being patient. Not all is lost on a blowing cold day when the only sun we see is a coming from a bright blue hole in the clouds. Attitude, and having the right one will effect your fishing guide. I know it effects me when people get all anxious and want to just give up. (which is putting it nicely) Don't harrass your guide, or me. Because I know what I'm looking for and I know what I want. Hang on, cause if I find it. You'll catch!

I cleaned a whole bunch of big Croakers, yellowmouth Trout and one keeper 27" Redbass. Don and Jeff split the catch and had more than they'll eat at one sitting, for sure.


Now....I have a trip on Saturday Nov. 1st, too. If it's worse wind and raining too, it just maybe better to try another day.

10/29 - 3 hours of "fish get in the boat".

Had replaced the stern hydraulic steering cylinder...now in just two years, I have replaced my entire Teleflex steering system, via warranty. It's a really L-O-N-G story, so I'll skip the details.

But it has two more years, and if it even BURPS, I'm going to a true commercially built hydraulic steering system. (one that matches my boat in toughness)

So I asked my buddy"Rathkeltair" drummer, 'RKA-Nick', if he'd like to join me for a sea trial of the steering system prior to my Friday & Saturday charters.

And wouldn't ya know it, after buying 8 dozen live shrimp and 40 pounds of ice I get to the ramp back the boat down into the water and find out the system needed a bit more tweaking. So we pull out go home and tweak, then come back to the boat ramp.

It's good I live 5 minutes from the boat ramp, I can tell ya that!

I wanted to fish at low tide any how. So after some serious high speed tight turns and jumping from "chine to chine" at 35 MPH. The steering seemed okay.

So time to break out the float-rigs and bust some COLD weather T-routz!

I needed a R&D day, as I call them. After days/weeks of caring for customers. I just needed to do same Cappy Dave fishing, really bad! And that mean, no mistakes, no fussing around. Just plain ole kickin' some fish ass, and fast!

First spot, Nick gets a big fat Yellowmouth Trout, on his first drift of his float-rig. Then on my second drift I nail a 27 inch Redbass on my 9 foot whoopass (G. Loomis Pelagic rod) stick, and man it felt great to actual catch something. If this time of year I go 3 days without fishing myself....that's a long time.

All this tackle talk I've been doing had me longing to press this 3 ounce float-rig rod into action on a big fish. And I was glad to have some "I.G." - instantaneous gratification!

We sat on this spot and sorted the yellow
mouth Trout into the cooler with a quick 2 person limit, while tossing back the smaller ones that didn't measure up.

All I can say, is when I have my Grundens pull-over fisherman's fleece on, with a pair of shorts.

IT'S REALLY GO TIME!

I love this time of year!!

If I had my druthers. I'd be out'a here like greased lightning June 1st...And not be back in Jax till Oct 1st. I just need to figure out, how I can get to the Pacific Northwest, or Louisiana for those 4 months. Because this is "my" style of fishing. Semi-cool, transitional, no sweating my ass off, and catching "my" fish, as easy as chopping wood.

So, after boxing our limit Nick and I moved on to the next spot.

I picked the closest possible area that should be stacked up with SPECKS.

And it was. It was almost like a Miller Lite commercial. Remember the buzz line, "FISH GET IN THE BOAT"?

Of course, I'm a shutter-bug and had Nick as my Trout model, complete with his neck warmer.

Remember in the early 80's it was "leg warmers" for the girls, at arobics class.
Well.....Nick's starting a new look.



















We had a ball. double-heading these fish, drift after drift.

The tide had changed slowed and we were gonna do a real quick check for Redfish or Black Drum back on spot #1. With the last of our shrimp in the live well before Nick had to be at his gig, and I had dinner waiting for me. We didn't catch any Reds or Drum. So we split for the boat ramp. We fished from 1 to 4pm, that's all. And had our limits plus a nice Redbass for Momma.

Talk about a great day!

I hope this weekend is as nice.

10/28 - MY QUEST

A month or so ago, I discussed how I'm on a seemingly endless quest for the "perfect" N.E. Florida Float-rigging rod.


Attributes I'm looking for:

1. A parabolic bend....(definition: http://www.answers.com/topic/parabola)

2. Soft enough action that a 2 pound Trout is fun, as well as a 12 pound Redfish.

3. True fiberglass durability...many people are rough on my tackle. And F'glass is more durable than graphite. Although Graphite is lighter.

4. EVA grip & heavy duty trigger reel seat. Float fishing is a visual technique type fishing. Sensitivity isn't a quality needed as much as a bottom rod or jigging rod, with maybe cork grips.

5. 8 feet long...has to be. Long rods are easier to "lob" a float-rig, and easier to "mend" your line behind your float.

I have searched high and low and commercially the rod described above does not exists in this state/country. So, it has to be CUSTOM build only.

And while I'm searching, I end up having the people I believe, that can build these rods right under my nose.

Biscayne rods, in Hialeah, Florida. If you shark fished with me this summer behind the shrimp boats, or trolled big Drone spoons over the inshore reefs. You used Biscayne's K.C. Fiberglass rods, that I originally bought for bottom fishing big Reds. But really shined as a potential Tarpon/Shark rod. And shined they did!


LOOK AT THIS!

It's my Biscayne rod in action.

And yep, that was a monster 7-8' long 200 pound shark, that absolutely kicked Bruno Burnoski's butt!

And the shark won.

Here you can see a Fiberglass rod really shine, a K.C. "Biscayne" glass rod. Matched up to a
ACCURATE twin drag 870 reel, and 65# Berkley Big Game Braided line.

As I write this story, Eddie Carman owner of Biscayne rods (the 3rd generation) had called me after a email inquiry I sent him. Eddie called me!! That's right, he wanted to talk more about what I'm looking for, and remembered my name from my shark rod order a year ago. That's why Biscayne rods has been in business for 48 years. K.C. Fiberglass rods, were designed by Karl Carman, Eddies grand father. And Eddie's building "hopefully", the first of many perfect float-rigging rods.



I'll never forget what my buddy James, manager of B&M bait and tackle said when I showed him one of my 4 Biscayne shark rods. "White rods, man these are old fashioned looking...."

"Yes", I said. "before your time there was this tough kinda rod called fiberglass..."

The rods may look a bit "retro", but boy they are tough.

You maybe asking yourself, "Dave, why do you like the attributes of fiberglass, for float-rig fishing?"

Which is a really good question.

I have a thorn in my butt about using too stiff of a rod when float-rig fishing, because I like to use really small hooks. I do not want my customers to have the ability to "over-power" the size of the hook. Which means, pulled and bent hooks. I've read and heard about other guides/fisherman using what I'd refer to as a "gargantuan hook" pinned through a shrimps horn when float-rig fishing. How can a 2" live shrimp look and swim perfectly when it has to carry a large heavy hook? It can't!

Presentation, presentation, presentation!!!! Your hook has to be small, light and sharp. Big hooks tear a Trout's tender mouth, also. Simply put, I want my shrimp to swim as if it's barely carrying anything. I want my shrimp to swim to the surface, and dance across the surface if it wants too, when I'm fishing super shallow. And my shrimp do!

Like fly fishing, when it's all about making a fish bite that fuzzy feathered covered hook. In Float rig fishing, it's all about your shrimp fooling the biggest baddest trophy Speckled Trout, and that happens when the shrimp is un-encumbered to do whatever it wants. In turn looking as natural as possible.

End of story? Not yet.

Your hook matters, your floats action matters, and in turn when that Trout is on the hook the rod matters. At least it does to me. And if I'm your guide.....I MATTER!

Today there's no argument that there is less 10 pound Trout....or even less 5 pound Trout, than 30 years ago. So if you want more shots at them, you better have all your "shit in one sock."

I don't know how else to say it. Why use fluorocarbon leaders in clear water? Why use sensitive graphite rods? THE EDGE....get as much of it as you can.

So, Eddie Carman is working on a proto-type K.C. fiberglass float-rig rod for me. And like a kid in a candy store (walmart candy isle, these days) I'm excited!

I already ran through one rod company that I tried this idea out on. And it was a nightmare.

I'm very impressed with my 4 - Biscayne K.C. rods I use for Tarpon, Sharks, and big Reds. I hope I'm equally impressed with what he came up with as a fiberglass blank for my Float-rigging rods.

You can see my Biscayne's in use on my Video bar down the right side of this blog. The first fish I ever caught on one was a Black Drum followed up with a few 20 pound class Reds.

I'm all about G. Loomis, as you may know. But Loomis is a graphite company. And one of the best. I just keep "tweaking" as much as I can, out of my tackle. It's a sickness.

I'm just not happy going to Q-mart and buying a handful of Shakespeare F'ugly sticks, and matching pot metal reels and call myself a professional angler. That's never been my style.

Yes, I know that probably 98% of all the people who step on my boat, will never know the pain staking details I go into when selecting my tackle. But I do all this to make myself happy, as well as that 2% of fisherman that can see eye to eye with me and my philosophies in tackle selection.

Like I said, It's a disease. And you are the beneficiary.

Lucky you!

As of reels to be used on these rods? You've used them already. I'm using the Shimano 200-Citica DSV (deep spool, high line capaciity, high speed gearing).

Fast and with smooth drags, and light weight, and easy palming and casting and 12 pounds of drag capacity. I'm all about Low Profile reels, now. They WORK.

As I told a guy the other day, who used to be a float-rig Trout fisherman 25 years ago, when he asked if I used the 14" Balsa floats and 2oz. trout leads, as he used too. I told him, "NO, I don't."

And he gave me a funny look as if I didn't know what I was even talking about when it came to float-rig trout fishing....

I said, "I'm taking some of the traditional tackle, and mixing it with today's more high-tech tackle."

And then I told him...."I don't even use a balsa float." His eyes widened....Then I described the west coast style float that I'm using, which is definitely not your ole fashioned "Trout Cork". But rather a better reacting, higher floatation, more durable Float.

Give me a call. (904) 642-9546

And you can be one of the folks who I can show the fruits of my tackle quest too. And we'll go catch us some fish on tiny hooks, with long fiberglass rods, with high speed-high tech low pro reels, with high tech line, and high tech floats......

In the only all welded custom "Plate Alloy" 26' Center console charter boat in the whole area or even the whole state! A wonderful mix of old style, mixed with different materials and high tech style.


JETTY
T-REX
SIZED,
TROUTZ

10/25 & 26 - From A to Z.....

Had Bob H. and his son Peter and son-in-law Chuck, out for two days in a row. Original plan was for Friday and Saturday trips. But seeing that Friday was not much better than Thursday. The guys decided to extended their stay, and get in the second day on Sunday.

We had from A to Z go on, in two day along the banks of the St. Johns river in Mayport.

Day one Saturday the 25th was windy, overcast, and actually better than Sunday the 26th when it was cooler, and sunnier, with really nice weather overall. At least that was my take.

Less people were on the water naturally on Saturday. And on Sunday on two prime spots it was wake's galore from big Ghetto cruiser boats. And made things really tough on us / "me".

As I've described before. Take a good Trout spot, with good current, and calm water, one day. The fish will be chewin'. Then take another day on the same spot with good current, add in boat traffic galore, and wakes crashing the bank....the Trout will be gone, or just not bite. I believe, they're gone. This was Sunday.

But no matter the guys caught LOTS of fish.

Redfish, Black Drum, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Jacks, Mangrove Snapper, Yellowmouth Trout, Huge Croakers and Sheephead....I think that's all of them, that matter.

OH, and I even caught myself on Saturday. After a short exercise in crisis management. IE: a tangle from hell and back. I was cutting a new leader off the spool on my dash. In between I was netting a fish or two, and unhooking a fish or two. I had been holding a length of leader in my mouth. And went to pull the leader out of my mouth and put it on a rig. But forgot I tied a hook to the other end and when I pulled it out of my mouth, I hooked my own lip. And sunk the hook pretty far.....like beyond the barb!

Bob said, I looked bad. I said, I just needed a mirror to see it. So we went back to the boat ramp, I looked into my truck door mirror, yep it was in there all right.

I used a piece of mono, and put it around the hook, held the hook eye down, and gave a good YANK. And the hook came flying out. As usual, when using the ole fishing line pull method. This was the first time I caught myself in the lip. But not the first time I had to yank a hook out of myself, and it won't be the last.

Thank goodness the hook was a small one. I didn't mind. If I hook fish, I can take the same thing from time to time....heck it's only fair, right?

Afterwards we just went back out and fished some more. No biggy.

Here's some of the catches:

Saturday I made up a bag of fillets for the guys to take to Singleton's Seafood Shack, around the corner from the dock. From what it sounds like, the guys had a feast. Singleton's will always fry up your fish for you if you go in with a fresh bag of fillets, for a couple bucks a pound.

They drank beer, had oysters and their catch. A really good end to a good day of fishing, I always think. Eat your own fish, they were just swimming a few hours before.

Bob set up and entire "kit" of materials to preserve a Redfish for skin mounting by a award winning taxidermist in Pa. So here's the one that'll get it. Peter's exact 27" Redfish, caught on a flaot-rig. The proceedure included linen towels, borax powered soup, plastic bags, bubble wrap, detailed photos and B&M bait and tackle's walk-in freezer and a box to carry that fish on a plane. I can't wait to someday see a photo of that Redbass at least in a photo Bob will e-mail me.

Peter was the HOT rod, he also landed this super nice 8 pound Black Drum, 5 minutes before the Redbass, on the float-rig (which of course makes it extra special). Using a giant shrimp each time. I always tell my crew, save them big giant shrimp till we fish a spot where the current isn't all that strong. Big shrimp can't take retrieving them in heavy current. Use small shrimp then. So here we were, on a slow tide area. And Peter used the whopper shrimp and was heavily rewarded.

The guys caught enough fish for not only a fine fresh fish dinner at Singleton's Seafood in Mayport. But took home a cooler full of bagged up fish for later.

It was a wild two days, weather wise and fishing wise. I know I relished the cold air on Sunday morning. It reminds me that still to come are some of the best days of the entire year.

The water temps are between 71-75 degrees.

Man, has it dropped out of the 80's fast. I like that, though. My favorite time of the year is when all you need is a sweat shirt, but can still wear shorts and a t-shirt during the afternoon.

Thanks to Bob, Peter, and Chuck for the two days...

10/23 - And everyone wants my job?

Everyone wishes they were a fishing guide. Every Tom, Dick, Harry & Alice, thinks it's some kind of glorious adventure day in day out.

Well, if your a regular reader of these reports, commentary, editorials, you know by now.

IT'S NOT.

While you're at work, I've been up at 5am, to the bait shop by 5:30, to the boat ramp 6:45, met my customer 7:15, sat and looked at the weather and decided, "this ain't worth it" 7:30am.

It was cold, rainy, and yes.........WINDY!























I can usually deal with wind, but straight down the pike, from the EAST at 25 knots as the sun came up this morning, pushing the tide overly high. I said, forget this. While always striving for fishing excellence. If I can???

Here's the deal:

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...TODAY NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS WITH FREQUENT GUSTS TO GALE FORCE THIS AFTERNOON. SEAS 6 TO 8 FEET. INLAND WATERS CHOPPY. SHOWERS LIKELY.

Now....I have a Friday charter & Saturday charter with the same 3 guys.
We maybe better trying Saturday or Sunday.
Life is just one giant scheduling nightmare sometimes.

SATURDAY WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 5 FEET. INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. SATURDAY NIGHT NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT NORTHWEST WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

We'll see how it goes.

Thanks, Mother Nature...... Love ya'.

10/22 - 4 for Fish

Had Kathy H. and crew (4) on board today.....the morning was really nice, but as the afternoon picked up the wind got stronger. I'll be trying it again on Thursday, Friday, & Saturday.

So stay tuned.

I had a guy (Jason, I think) on board today that was a "Natural Talent" and obviously very smart. He reeled in fish perfectly, and get this....Cast a bait casting reel with 1 minutes worth of instruction, with out backlash.

Man, I see a lot of goofy stuff on my boat, but this shocked me. When he said he's fished a little in a lake back home. Natural Talent, I can spot it. And I like it.

We caught a nice keeper Redbass at 24" right off the bat (serious I.G.) along with some yellowmouth Trout.


And then we made a move to the BIG ROCKS out at the inlet.

The tide was moving good, and as soon as we came tight on the anchor I pitched out two cut pogies.

Instantaneous gratification again!!!!

John was on the rod, and the big Red handed him his butt. Unfortunately the fish dove to the back of the motor and before we could do anything, broke off on the prop or skeg of the lower unit.

Okay, no biggy. Keep on soakin'. Next up was our "hot shot" fisherman who didn't even know he was one. Jason handled the rod like a pro again! Tangling with his biggest fish, not an excitable kinda guy. He was, too calm. Big Red to the boat, 25 pounder.

Man the little Accurate twin drag B-197's sure are killer reels. They handle a fish like this and much larger like Butta'.
No pot metal reels here. Just the good stuff.

And only a few I ever get on the boat will ever know the difference. But always something to think about. I talk quality only....it's a disease.

Had a few more bites and lost baits after the big'un, then 2 stingers (Sting Rays) back to back, and I don't sting ray fish, so we picked up anchor and hauled butt while the tide was still falling.

TIME TO BUST OUT THE FLOAT-RIGS.

And the Trout were on fire. Scattered Specks on this spot, with some seriously motivated Yellowmouths in a real good size range. The wind was kickin' but it didn't matter.

We easily boxed about 10 or so released a bunch of smaller ones and headed back to clean the catch.

It was a good day. Always a bit tougher when I have 4 on board, but today these two guys here did all the fishing.




















I'll be out in what is supposed to be 20 knots east on Thursday with one regular customer.
The winds supposed to build to GALE FORCE.

OH, NO.....

10/18 - I'LL LET PHOTO'S SPEAK

PAUL M. WAS ON BOARD TODAY.

....IT WAS A BLAST!!!!!!!!

PAUL PULLED UP AT THE BOAT RAMP COMING STRAIGHT FROM THE AIRPORT.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A 4 PERSON 1/2 DAY LATE TRIP. THE OTHER 3 GUYS PUNKED OUT.....THEIR LOSS.

BY 3:10pm WE WERE INTO YELLOWMOUTH TROUT, AND BY 3:30 IT WAS 25-30" REDFISH GALORE!! AND THE WEATHER TURNED PERFECT, AS THE LATE DAY SUN SHINED AND THE AIR COOLED.

AND THE REDBASS CHEWED FAST AND FURIOUS, AND PAUL WAS FREAKIN OUT.

WE FISHED MAYBE 3-1/2 HOURS.

EACH PHOTO IS A REDBASS CAUGHT. AND PAUL EVEN LET ME CATCH A FEW.

(nice guy)

THANKS PAUL...LET'S DO IT AGAIN SOON.

(PHOTO'S SAY A THOUSAND WORDS)