5/26 - First real "Chum & Drift trip"

Yep, first genuine chum and drift trip, "it was so dang rough, it's about all we could do." So I'm glad I came prepared. Had regular clients Jeff and his dad Harry aboard. They've done just about everything with me, before. Trout fished, float-rigged the rocks, bottom fished the river. Light tackle fished the shallows. But because of the jetties being so slow the last few trips, I had to change gears.  Jeff and Harry were up to it.

Come to find out the seas would be 4 feet back to back, with small craft exersize caution. Well, my 26 foot craft just slow peddled around in it, as the spray from the wind drenched us at times as we moved from area to area.

POGIES? Good gawd, this is definately the year of the Pogie. We no sooner broke out the jetties and turned north and there was an 1/2 acre right on the north side of the jetties. One toss of my 8 foot bait buster net and it went swimming away, full. Some go into the livewell and some into my chum chopper.

But first, it was time to try a few shrimp boats. Two were out a ways....probably to stay away from all the Pogie schools. We dropped in behind the smaller boat and it didn't look good. The water was clear, there was a few Dolphins, and we saw no Blacktips. I looked at the man in the back of the shrimp boat as I cast a few lines baited with a bunch of dead Pogies over the nets and he just shrugged in return. When the sharks were thick as fleas, I've had who ever was standing at the back of the shrimp boat, usually point straight over the transom.

We tried a few more times. There was nothing on the shrimp boats. So we made our way back towards the Pogie pods. All I hear is "POGIE PODS...that's where the Cobia are!" Well, there was thousands of pods of bait everywhere ya looked. As the wind blew the water into white caps. Personally,  I've never seen a Cobia on a Pogie pod. Just Cuda's. I've seen Cuda's circling them as if to keep them in line, like Kindergarteners walking to the cafeteria for lunch.  We looked and saw so many Pogie Pods and saw not a single fish swimming around them, at least not on the surface.

My plans were to just drift with live ones out behind the boat and use the chum chopper to keep a slick out as we drifted. That's why I had my chopper built into my boat. No need for endless slow trolling, this summer.

We worked the chum hole area, making mile long drifts only to have a Pogie chomped by small Bluefish. Our slick never even drew a single shark, let alone a Cobia, a Spanish Mackerel, or a King Mackeral. As we were hoping.

We made a zip code change and ran south against the 4 foot folding seas, heading for the SE hole area. Again, the Pogie pods were everywhere. The seas had me stop short of the genuine depth of the SE Hole. We saw plenty of Turtles, and small Rays along the way.

Again, we started a drift and started a good slick behind the boat. Drifting straight back to the south Jetty. The seas really had us alone. We saw maybe 4 boats all day long, and not many out where we were.

Harry had a rod bow over and had a fish on. It jumped and I caught a glipse of it. It was long and silvery. He got a good run out of it, but it somehow broke the mono top shot I had tied between the braid and the wire kingfish rig. We drifted a bit more and then Jeff's rod bowed over and he was hooked up with something decent. As he reeled it in we could barely see it. It was shaped like a Cobia, with a wide tail. Then I saw it's head.....I yelled "It's a damn Bluefish!!" No one wanted to believe me. Or was I seeing things. No, maybe it's a small Cobia. But I didn't  see the Cobia's distinctive white line on it's side.

No, it is a Bluefish!!!


















HOLY SMOKES...this one is a "Oil Tanker".
It was huge. We're not used to seeing Nantucket sized Bluefish around here. Years and years ago, there would be monster blues show up at the end of the jetties. But that's been a thing of the past. My Mom on her Mother's Day Trip years ago caught a Nine pounder while trolling for Kingfish offshore. But this one was even larger.

We put it on the Boga-Grip scale and it was 12 pounds. I couldn't believe it was so skinny looking with all this bait out here. But then again, look at the recent bite on it's tail. Probably a Dolphin. Can't figure any fish out here would tangle with this dude, let alone be able to catch it.

It's head and jaws were huge.






















We continued our drift. And as we discussed Harry's hook-up, it too was obviously a monster Bluefish. It's not like we see Blues this large everyday. So while hoping for a Mackerel or a Cobia. To see a Bluefish crash the surface way behind the boat, then loose it. Has one pondering, "what was that?"

The next hook-up was a small Blacktip Shark. That ate Harry's Pogie. It was a stocky little dude around 10 pounds.

We came up on the south rip, and inside the dark water it was nastier as all hell. Didn't want to drift through that. So we picked up and headed back north again. We had a few small bluefish chomped baits. But it was very apparent, "It was not in the cards to chum up anything decent like a Cobia today, at least not with my Cobia luck. I usually do just that, "luck into them." Either while trolling for Kingfish, or as the last one I caught. Sitting frustrated eating crackers, drinking a bottle of water when two swim up to the side of the boat.

Back to the jetties we slowly go. The north side of the rocks were out of the wind. But there wasn't a stitch of current. I like me lots of current. Without it, I believe nothing bites. So after a short break anchored up in smooth water, it was time to go back and fish up inside the river.

Hell, I had to do something...I was scraping and scratching for anything! So, even though I wanted nothing to do with river or jetty fishing today. Here we are now, anchored up at the little jetties!!

I talked to a friend, that was anchored up and he said he'd had one break off and that was it. So we anchored away from him and dropped out two Pogies. Sliding on the anchor, between the wind and the haulin butt current of the rising tide. Harry hooked up!
And then it was gone. "Oh, that ledge down there, takes no prisoners!"  Yep, we slid back just far enough on the anchor, that we were no fishing "CUT-OFF LEDGE", at the Little Jetties. I've lost so many big  Reds to that ledge of lime rock down there, it's unbelievable.

Next, it was Jeff's turn. His rod thumped several times and now the fish is off and running.

















Between the current and wind blown water, the fish handed Jeff a silver platter, whoopin' on him really good.














After a lengthy battle he got the big Red to the boat on relative light tackle, in adverse conditions.

It was a nice 16 pound Redbass and had a hook and someone elses leader hanging out of it's mouth. Probably someone else, sitting on "cut off ledge".

We tried for another. But it was getting late, the wind was relentless and Harry and Jeff had their fill. Boy, it was an adventerous day. And the rest of the Holoiday weekend isn't going to be very windless, that's for sure.


 FRIDAY - SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

SATURDAY - SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING.

SUNDAY - EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.
NOT GOOD!

MONDAY - NORTHEAST WINDS 15 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET. INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.
NOT GOOD!

I'll be out with a full boat, and kids on Sunday and Monday......OMG!

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5/22 - Time to shift gears?

Had John K. and his buddy aboard to do for a jetty trip. It was a beautiful day, just like yesterday. Sun, slick seas, and light winds.
We departed 7am and headed straight to the rocks. Wanted to catch that extra 50 minutes of falling tide we got today. I had visions of more Drum in my head, since they seem to be there at least. All ya need is some dead shrimp.....good smell some current equals Mr. Black Drum.

And John caught a decent one.

But the ONE, is all that bit. Let's see, two hard earned falling tide Drum yesterday, and only one today? Hmmm...that's not cutting it.

But, the Whiting were chewin'. Not huge ones, but just enough to keep it interesting and keep some action going on as we hoped for another Drum. Boxing at least 20 real fast. They seem to be the only fish really chewin'. But as the tide slacked, so did the Whiting bites and we still only had one Drum in the fish box.  "Okay, time to make the donuts."  Head over to the massive pogie pods and get some live baits for Redbass and the rising tide.

Catching BAIT couldn't be any easier. Only wish catching fish for the box was as easy. We fished, fished, and fished, for a big Redbass. And don't think we feed a Pogie to anything other than a Seabass, with eyes bigger than it's stomach.

So as it grew hotter and hotter and the tide got high. We packed it in and headed to the dock. I cleaned up the Drum and all the Whiting which made for some good fish fry material.

Here's where I believe I need to start changing gears. It's a "here's yer sign" kinda thing.

I have to get out there on the rip-line on these falling tides.....Cobia and Kingfish, is what I'm thinking. The shrimp boats, I usually don't have to hit them till June, and June is right around the corner. Blacktip Sharks, Spinner Sharks - aka: "Brown Marlin", are what's in store if you are looking to  really break a sweat! Loading up on Pogies, and getting the chum chopper spewwing some fish attracting gew and oil, as we drift live baits out behind the boat in the S.E. Hole, and even the Redtops off Ponte Vedra beach. And as soon as I hear a good word, Tarpon chumming.....at my favorite place, Nassua Sound.

It's time of year again for hunting.....

We can still hit the river / jetties if that's the kind of close, no running trip you want to book. But, if you're wanting to get adventurous. What I'm talking about is my Tarpon/Shark trips on my rates page. Costs a bit more, but ya never know. It's that time of year to check out other opportunities.

Here's video of a Shark'n trip:



DO YOU NEED MORE INFO THAN THIS?
REALLY?
THAN GO "HERE"

5/21 - Loads of fishing....

Had Tim and his Dad Troy aboard today. Troy's a "pan-fisherman" from Georgia. So today's objective was for him to catch something bigger than a bluegill.

With the tide still ebbing this morning we shoved off early, at 7am. And headed directly to the jetties, so we could catch that last two hours of eastward moving tide. I didn't fuss with Pogies right off. Why waste valuable tide and time, with baits that only a Redbass is gonna eat. Tim has a huge family, he needs fish for the box! So we used dead shrimp on the bottom.

We had "I.G" - instantaneous gratification, not long after the anchor line came tight. And Tim set the hook on "targeted species" , a real nice Black Drum.














This is a great eater size, so into the box it went. With hopes for more, more and more!

But the next good bite was Troy's turn. He set the hook and reeled in a "pup" Drum. And he told me it was the largest fish he's ever caught.
Also a nice eater size, it hit the box with it's bigger brother.

I saw that the Redbass were chewin' a little bit on the other side of the jetty. But figured I'd hit them as the tide changed and started to flood. At least that's when I caught them a week ago. But who knows what they'll be doing on the rising tide. I'm almost tired of playing the guessing game. So we stuck it out, as the tide petered out and the boat swung close to the rocks. We should be able to hook another Black Drum. But as soon as the tide died, so did all the bites.

Time to "make the donuts", I mean, "get some Pogies". Which wasn't hard. As soon as I rounded the jetty, they were right in front of the boat. Two casts with the net, (I botched the first one with a tangled net) But the second throw had the net swimming away with mega amounts of the "lil' greasers". Into the pogie tank they went, and we drove 100 feet and anchored up along the rocks. All set for the rising tide, right? Sitting perfectly, on the spot that on the last day just like this...."we wore them out". Or more like, they wore out my clients!

We waited, waited, and waited.... Clean, green water, full of bait. Schools of mullet swam past the boat. Pogies just off the port side. Greenies jumping behind us, as the tide poured over the end of the jetties. And NO bites.

And my problem is "patience". I have none!  Especially, when I think the fish should be stacked up behind the boat, but are not, for a reason I just don't understand.

So after all that, we bagged it. And went and float-rigged another Redbass spot. Rising tide, green water......aah, it looked great! Even had a huge Manatee swim right by us. Tim and Troy took to the float-rig fishing with live shrimp easily. But only came back with shrimp chewed off, or bit in half.

Again, the direct opposite of what I'd expect.

So we bag the Float-rig fishing. Which pains me to say, is about as dead as it comes lately.  So Cappy Dave, has to think outa the box. It was a Saturday, so of course every where I'd want to anchor up and just bottom fish again, had a boat on it. So, it was time to go find "our own water".

And that's what we did. I made a bee-line for the JAM. The jam is where the beach and jetty meet. Or as damn close as we could get.

We tried the float-rigs and had a sweet drift down the rocks, and only bait stealers and a few Ladyfish jump-offs. I said to Tim, "I'll pitch out a Pogie, on the bottom as ya'll drift the floats." And on my second cast up to the rocks, as I was watching all the damn Cuda's swimming around, yeah CUDA'S! They were everywhere in 10 feet of water! So as I was watching the Cuda's the rod about got snatched outa my hand. And I yelled to Troy, "TAKE THIS!"

He gladly did, and had a good Redbass swim him around the boat. I believe, he was a bit taken by the strength of the fish. But kept his line tight and up popped a really nice "KEEPER" Red.

It was almost a double-header, as Tim bowed back on something that ate his live shrimp on the float-rig, but it ended up being a Ladyfish that did a double gainer back flip and came off the hook any way.

So, did I find the secret to success on this spot? I guess so. The float-rigs weren't catching any fish, that's for sure. So we all grabbed a bottom rigged rod and pitched Pogies up to the shallow rocks.

Barracuda's....they were up in the rocks, swimming in three's by the boat, single swimmers, they looked like logs. Not a one was under 10-15 pounds. I told Tim and Troy, that I don't know anyone who has ever targeted these cuda's at the jetties, but ME!
Years ago, I saw so many of them hanging tight to the rocks that I just had to spend the day trying to catch one. But the challenge was...."on a Top water Plug". I cast and cast all day, just to have jetty cuda's follow my lure half way to the boat and then  turn away.

So as the day wore on, I figured that no bait fish swims "AWAY" from the rocks, that's un-natural. Baitfish swim along the rocks, and that's what the cuda's expected. So I got up current of the pack and made casts over them. And popped a Storm Chug Bug down the rocks laterally. On my 10th cast, I had a serious follower. Then, it attacked. It was a great fight on really light tackle, and I even got a few jumps out of the cuda, also. It was a 15 pounder on my Boga-grip scale. I was alone, and didn't have a camera either. But I was doing Nextel direct connect back and forth with my buddy Pelican while he was at home. He did hear the drag Zing......as I held the button down on my Nextel direct connect phone, and screamed "I FINALLY GOT ONE!!!!"


Yes, if YOU can accurately cast and work a lure really good. THIS IS A JETTY SPORT...Inshore Cuda's on Top water lures!
Who's up for it?

Okay, back to today. We really needed at least one more fish. Because this is WAY too much fishing, and not enough catching, in my book. Then, Troy yelled FISH-ON, as he reeled in a 18-1/4" Redbass. Another one for the box!


It was getting really hot, so at 1:00 we started to pack it in and head back to the dock.

Yes, allot of fishing. For what we got. But each hook up yielded a fish for the box at least.

With all that bait at the jetties, fishing shouldn't dominate the day, catching should. So, you have to stay flexible as all hell and fish your own water, I guess.

5/17 - Tides & weather...."butt kickers"

Had a few trips lately that couldn't have been more challenging. I know after 15+ years as a full-time guide, nothing is really all that new. But, when it comes to trying to match a great day on the water, just two days ago. The "ole" saying is right when you think you know it all, is when Mother Nature let's you know you "don't"!

Had a real time of it on Saturday, with Keith and Ross trying to get on the bite of Redbass that """were""" chewin on the high water at the jetties. Unfortunately, the ones hooked, got off. And there was no room for a second chance.

The pre-full moon tide played with us like a cat and a mouse, in the river. The fish knew something was up! Because later in the day we got chased back to the dock by a wicked storm from the west, that came down river with a 20 degree air temp change, driving rain, and 50 mph winds.

Luckily, I had a spot......not out of the rain, but out of the river and winds. We took cover tied to a dock up in a creek with high banks, and lots of trees to get out of the wind.

It was the first storm for me in 2011. The first storm on the water, that caught up to us. We ended up catching some Whiting, and a yellowmouth, after loosing the few Red bites we had at the jetties. But the fish knew something was coming. And the lock-jaw was seriously apparent.

The storm did claim a few victims. A boat that was 14 miles offshore was taking on water and sinking. The skipper did everything right. Sending off his EPIRB signal and in a few hours the USCG was there to rescue. Don't know if the boat sunk or not.

Then, yesterday.......I had my regular customer Eric J. and her friend Lara from Bismark N. Dakota, it was the day before the full moon. Seriously strong tides, and add in 15 kt. plus sustained winds, from the west.

Oh, any due west or due east winds make life at the jetties a real trial of patience. Because on a west wind and a falling tide it's all pushing against the boat, when on anchor, the same direction. The boat whips from one side to the other, as the wind gusts.

But we tried those high tide Redbass, "again". And Laura had some kind of drag burner. But it got off. And that was Laura's chance at a big "RB" on a pogie.

BAIT.....it's everywhere. But where were the fish? One school after another of Pogies and Mullet passed right by the boat as were were anchored up in the morning. Bait swam under the boat, religiously minute after minute. So far,  this has been a great early summer for Pogies, and Mullet. I don't even see any fish busting the pods. A pogie can feel really secure at the jetties, because they seem to go completely unmolested.

The air temp at 0930 hrs yesterday morning was like a March morning. It was over-cast windy and kinda cold! The very "thin" Laura from Bismark, was cold for sure. She didn't come to FLORIDA to be cold. She said when she left Bismark that morning it was freezing. And now she needed a jacket and a hood in Jacksonville!

The reds bit at low tide rather than the high tide. But we couldn't get to them, due to other boats, and the extreme winds. We went into the Intra-coastal for a while and the water was chocolate brown. Some of the nastiest ICW water I've seen in a long while. And we only caught an eel and a toad.

We fished the day fishing "backwards". Yeah, that's what I call it when we're anchored but constantly slipping backwards with the tide and wind pushing on us. I about gave up......but then again, the Whiting were chewing. So we caught a mess of them, along with a small Flounder, from earlier

Thank goodness Erica is all about the "experience". But she knows I'm all about the fish! And I worked my butt-off. My "man-maker" anchor had me stiff and hurting by the time I got home and in my lazy-boy recliner, to re-coup from the days challenges.

Makes me want to go back to anchoring up in shallow water and flip a float-rig behind the boat......

5/15 - She's really sweet and she's ALUMINUM

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5/13 - Friday the 13th ain't so bad

Had Eric Rea, and his two buddies from Texas aboard today. In town to go to the T.P.C. Golf Tournament. So on Friday the 13th we headed out out. Spooky, cause I'm superstious. Especially when fishing.

So we head out the jetties and go look for some Pogies. I find them right away, get my net ready and make a great big circle cast right on top of them. And the hand-line comes flying off my hand. The net's sinking, the water's 30' deep and I have seconds to slam the boat in reverse grab a rod to dip the hand-line out of the water before the net takes it down.

Achieved!! Ut Oh....was that a Friday the 13th sign, already?? Nope, just stupid me, letting the hand-line come flying off my hand! That's all.

With Pogies easily on the next go'round, we head 100 yards over to the north jetty. I show the guys what we're gonna do. I bait up a nice lil' greaser, and pitch it out to the prescribed spot. Before I can hand someone the rod, a Redbass is on it and get's off. Second bait, same deal. And this time one of the guys grabs it, doesn't realize these ain't largemouth bass and gets his butt handed to him. The fish swims from out and away from the boat, to the boat! Run's under the boat is probably out the other side of the boat and POP....goes the line.

Yes, Eric's buddies are fresh water fisherman. And this is was new to them. So now, they know these fish mean business!!

And without going into massive detail, (because I'm hot, tired and hungy I'll keep it short.) The guys hooked over 10 Reds, lost some and got some. It was I.G. - instantaneous gratification, for the next few hours.

I took as many pics as I could, but it was mayhem! GOOD MAYHEM!

After all the Redbass action, we needed more Pogies. So I went and got some more. Then we drifted the Pogie pods, thinking "how the hell could there not be more Reds in all these pods. Well there was none. Then we anchored and let the pods of bait swim right under us. Still nothing!  So the tide was falling about this time, so I tried outside the north tip. No bites. So then, we went inside the north jetty. "There's got to be some big ones cruising on the inside right?"  No bites. So I said hell with the Pogies and we put on some dead shrimp.

And not long after, BAM. A rod bows over. And it's a sweet pup Black Drum. Hmm....."Targeted Species" in my book.

The southeast breeze started up and as the tide slowed, the boat started to swing with the wind. So I drug up the anchor and dropped us out in deep water.

A few Whiting later, we started to get at least some "take home" fish. Or rather for these guys, more seafood for dinner at Singletons. Boxing a good handful of Whiting, as the incoming tide starting. We were all hot, tired and Eric had a hankering for a cold beer. So we headed in so I could clean their catch.

It was a great day. NO LONG BOAT RIDES. We hung along the north rocks all day and had super action as long as the tide was high. And had to work and be patient on the falling tide.

No more Friday the 13th mishaps, either.

Thanks Fellas, it was GREAT!

Next up:
2 guys on Saturday.

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5/9 - Liking Monday's

Had Charlie W. and son in law George aboard the Jettywolf today. After this weekend, it sure was nice to be out on a Monday. Although any more, it really doesn't matter. The boat ramp was full, for even a Monday by days end. But no one was around earlier this morning, which was nice.

Tried to really schedule our trip per the tide. Wanted to fish the rising water, but have some wiggle room this morning to get plenty of bait. Those pogies can take minutes or hours, it seems. But lucky for us. Today, it was only minutes.

I'm really happy with my new livewells, especially the one I turned into a "pogie tank". It maybe only a 14 gallon Keepalive tank. But, it holds enough pogies for me. Today, they were much larger baits than I've had swimming in it, on past trips. And it still worked good. Besides utilizing the keepalive out-flow and in-flow fittings on the tank, I also have the pump that recirculates the water hooked up to a timer. On for one minute, and off for either 1, 3, 5, or 7 minutes. Saving on pump wear and tear, and battery power. After flushing the tank good with a steady flow, the pogies happily lived swimming around with the tank re-circulating water every 3 minutes, than as we used a few. I dropped it down to recirculating every five minutes. http://www.keepalive.net/ is where the really nice tanks, tanks with aerator-ventury pumps, and livewell fitting can be found.

We anchored up along the jetty and I pitched out the big pogies on a standard bottom rig. Wanting some good pushing incoming tide, the Reds would arrive as soon as the current started. Charlie was first-up.


"ALL" these Redbass will and were over-sized.

IT'S REDBASS SEASON! LARGE BRAWNY AND FULL OF FIGHT.

YOU WANT A NO LONG BOAT RIDE, ROD BENDING CHARTER?

THIS IS IT!

So, getting a keeper wasn't really in the game plan. Although it sure would have been nice. I didn't bother bring the float-rigs. Just because it's been so damn slow lately. I was hoping to keep action going today. Rather than working every crevise of the rocks with out many bites.

Charlie was on a roll.... the next Red was a locomotive! It ran so hard and fast I almost thought it might be a Stingray. The only difference is Stingers don't buck the rod tip. But wow this was one powerful fish. And Charlie being a very experienced angler handled the fish with no problem. Playing it out, till it came to the side of the boat and gave up completely.

At 22 pounds it was the "Brutus T. Redbass" that Charlie was looking for. George had a few swing and misses. But next it was his turn. And again it was a 30 plus incher. What most of these fish will always be.

You can see, it was a slick calm light breeze day with lots of sun. But was never scourching hot at all. We started to get short on Pogies, so we tried a few Pogie pieces, and they got ate by either Bluefish or StingRays. George had a stinger hand him his butt. And it wrapped in the anchor line, sat on the bottom and then it was all hands on deck as I pulled the anchor released the ray and unravelled it from the anchor line. NEVER a dull moment at the jetties. Somethings always gonna happen, and there's always some kind of sea monster that's gonna mess with ya.


Bowed over Ugly Stik's....I love it!
Another "over slot" sized Redbass. These fish had no problems eating the large Pogies.

I chucked out a Mullet head on the bottom and who else would come along...A Nurse shark of course. But no matter what, they will give you weak arms and a pain in the back because they may not run but they sure are strong! Charlie got his arms worked out on this one.

All our Pogies were gone. So I had a real easy plan. Drift down the south-side of the south jetty and cast net some of the Mullet that have been pouring down the rocks for a few weeks. Again, that didn't take long at all, either. Charlie and George were the spotters up on the bow, and as the boat slowly drifted just off the rocks. I stood ready to toss the net. In two throws I had more Mullet than we needed. So we then went and achored up on a spot that's always been a good "spring Redbass, with live bait spot, on the last of the rising tide."

Oh, but it was slow as all get-out. We had a few Mullet molested. But no takers. Yes, how things can change. Maybe it's because we're really not "in spring" any longer. Spring lasted about a week this year. With Tarpon rolling at the rocks, I believe we're in the summer season!

The tide started to slow. And that's when they should bite. And one did. And Charlie took care of that one.

It was about time to pack it in. We had a few more "sniffs" and as one bait was still out on the bottom as we were about to call it a day. The rod doubled over. Charlie fought it, and the fish got down around some structure and the leader popped!  That's structure fishing for ya. And we were fishing just off a deep wreck with plenty of that!

So we headed in, back to the dock.

I really enjoyed having Charlie and George aboard today. Two guys, that could fish and were out to enjoy themselves. It would have been nice to target some "keeper sized" fish. But at the same time, the action may not have been as good. It's going with the flow of the seasons. And since it's now 100% summer. And I can see how this summer is shaping up for my Trout fishing.....not very good. I'll stick to getting ACTION.

5/8 - Mother's Day

As usual, if the weather's good. I took my Mom fishing. Dad came along too, of course. I put in early and then they came down to the boat ramp around 9:00am. In the mean time I just looked around.

It was super nice, and I figured the river would be busy. But it wasn't. Mom only fishes a few hours. So with the rising tide I took her to a spot that's easy to floatrig fish at the jetties. We weren't tight on the anchor line but 5 minutes when she hooks up with a 27-1/4 inch Redbass.

Thrilled as all get-out, she fought this fish with all she had. I coached her, and helped of course. But she's caught Reds before. Her largest many moons ago being a deep water Bull Red, 30 pounds with 150 something spots on it. It's been awhile though. Not all Mother's Days are slick calm, cool, with a light westerly breeze.  But today was!

This spot just isn't what it has been in years past. I know, because it's my favorite spot. And I track it year to year. It's giving up just enough decent fish to keep it interesting. But putting on a "fishing clinic" here hasn't been it's forte, as it has in year past. So far this year.

I released the fish, and got her back going again. Then came her favorite. A Ladyfish. She likes them because they jump so much. She got this one to the boat and then it jumped off the hook. THIS WAS THE FIRST LADYFISH OF 2011 FOR ME. I think it's about a month late like everything else.

We spotted a big Tarpon roll behind us, as the mullet poured by the boat. Jacks and Ladies ought to be everywhere with all this bait around. And that's when she hooked only the second Jack of the year. And the first came but just 50 yards from where we were on April 15th. That's a hell off a spread of days between each catch. Which is really weird.

 
The Jack kicked her butt too. Showing it's ability to be a "yellow submarine" if it wants.
A few bites later and dad catching a handful of small bait stealers had the spot slow down to nothing as the tide got higher. Just the opposite of what I'm used to through out the past years.

But things change. Fishing is a cyclical thing. So after adjusting and moving a bit around the area with no more action. Mom was ready to head in.

I'm glad this year the weather was perfect. And glad to get her out there. Both Mom and Dad got a reminder of how much work it is justto  take 2 people fishing for a few hours.

I say "reminder" because sometimes people forget that this is a J-O-B. Not some thrill a minute, glamorous hobby made into a lavish life style. When my back is killing me from pulling on anchor lines for 3 days, and never sitting down for 10 hours except in my truck for the ride to and from the boat ramp. I'm glad they got to see what it's all about.

Next up:
2 guys on Monday morning. I like a Monday!

MONDAY- NORTHWEST WINDS 10 KNOTS. WINDS SHIFTING NORTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

5/7 - "FIRSTS"

Had Mathew H. his brother and dad aboard today. It was a really nice day, but it was "packed". I was told there was two tournaments going on, on top of it being a nice Saturday.  After some big winds and seas early this week.

We started on the last of the falling tide, float-rig fishing. Had to get the guys "in the know", for later when they'd have to know what they were doing. A few bites, but nothing serious. Then, we tried a spot during the slack tide, and bottom fished. I was hoping one of them would hit a Black Drum or Sheepshead, a few Sewabass later it was time to move on as the tide changed.

The went and looked to get "pogied up". Running North of the North Jetty to find some Pogies for Redbass. The Pogies were there, for sure. Deep, scattered and I caught 3. Time was of the essence, and this "snipe hunt" was taking too long. So with our 3 Pogies we stopped along the North Jetty and pitched them out. BLUEFISH! They chomped each Pogie in half. If the Blues were in there forget about getting a bait to the Reds. So we quickly shifted gears again.....

Back to the float-rigs. The tide wasn't exactly screaming, but we pushed the spot to work. Mathews rod went doubled, his reel was a buzzing. What ever just took his float down was a HOSS! He did great battling in on the light tackle. The fish came right by the boat and under water about 2 foot. I'm looking, ready with the net. Thinking this has to be a monster Redbass. When I see it and it's no Redbass. But rather a Tarpon!!  And right then the fish comes unbuttoned. Mathew looks at his hook and the point of the hook is missing, broke right off.

Hell, we're fishing for Reds, Trout, Sheepshead and use a small easily carried hooks for these small live shrimp. But the steel like jaws of the Tarpon broke the hook point clean off.

FIRST OF THE YEAR, NUMBER ONE.  First Tarpon hook up of 2011. And the Tarpon never jumped, either and thank goodness it didn't, or it would have been surely gone. It looked like a "crowd pleaser" , aka: a small 30-40 incher.

Then, a few Reds were caught. And can ya believe they were perfect keepers too at identical 26-1/2 inchers.
















Then, not long after Mathews brother hits a nice fish and can ya believe it's the years first Pompano on the float-rig!

FIRST, NUMBER TWO. A fine eating, delicacy, is what a Pompano is. I usually will have caught many pomps during April. But as usual, nothing is ever the same year to year around here. And the inconsistancies, I suppose make us better anglers. But are frustrations in my book.

Another Red comes to the boat, but it was a small one.

Then, Mathews dad catches a small Sheepshead and about then the tide completely slows to a crawl. The boat swings and right there may have been our window on this spot.

I look around, there's boats everywhere. So we might as well stay put.

The schools of Mullet were pouring by us, along with cow nosed rays. "Hell with Pogies, the Mullet are every where." But they are completely unmolested as usual. There's not even Jack Cravalles busting them. I'd think the Jacks would be here and we'd be catching them. But I've had one caught and that was back on the 15th of April.

Not much went on after the current slacked where we were. So we headed back to the dock.

Next up:
Taking my Mother out on Sunday, and then have 2 guys on Monday.

5/5 - BIG WIND, BIG SEAS

My UPS delivery man didn't know it was windy today. My mother did know it was windy today. But holy cow was the wind a serious problem. I read the marine forecast, and didn't think that when it read; NE WINDS 15 KNOTS that this meant sustained and unrelenting.

That's why it was so cool. We had that NY air blowing down here. Certainly didn't mind the air temp one bit. But 15 knot never ending wind wasn't what I thought we were getting into.

The inlet was a "soup sandwich....Pea soup, between white bread all the way."

Had Keith from Atlantic beach and Andrew from Indiana on board today. Both have been out on the Jettywolf before. But nothing like this.

We had no current today, no matter where we tried, no matter what I did. The rising tide was a real SOB. Starting at the jetties, no bites and whitewater. Add one ship after another, coming by.


Then, we looked for Pogies, I found them on the inside tip of the south. Right where it was rolling about 6 foot back to back.
No luck, gave up and headed up river.

Fished and fished and fished, with a few miniscule bites in deeper water with hard bottom. When the tide finally turned and started to drop we made a move to a spot where I've got plenty of over sized Redfish. The wind would not let me get where I wanted.


And we finally caught a Whiting! And it ate a half a dead Pogie I tried for bait.












Disgusted and wind burnt, we packed it in. While, today Momma Nature won. And at the same time reminded me why I call a rising tide and NE hard wind. The K.O.D. - "the kiss of death". Yeah, that's a bit over dramatic. But at least that's how I feel. It's so hard to win with that weather/tide combo.

Working on my teleflex hydaulic steering, once again Friday, so I can be ready for ??who knows what?? on Saturday.

Gawd I hope so:
SATURDAY - NORTH WINDS 10 KNOTS BECOMING EAST LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

5/4 - Vacation?

Had me a nice little vacation for a week.....nothing going on, except some really goofy calls.

"Hi, is this Capt Dave?" (I'm the only one ever answering my own cell phone.)
"yes"
"I wanna do a 1/2 day for 8 people tomarrow morning." 
(this is what I meant by, goofy.)

Kids haven't busted outa school yet, and if there is a vacation season this year at all, it hasn't started yet.

Took the time to get all new bait tanks. http://www.keepalive.net/ I like the fact that I can call Tom of Keepalive, get the best prices, and get the items shipped from Tampa to me thewnext day delivery.

My bait tanks were all messed up....aka: "Redneck Rigged"
Or at least one was, so I went ahead and just started new for the two I have carry on board.

One is always for live shrimp, and now the other is a Pogie Tank. Using all the right components from Keepalive. Thanks to Tom.

Pogies (Menhaden...."BUNKA" to the Northerners) are a real sissy bait. Needing lots of recirculating water, water flowing in a direction, and a good turn-over of water in the whole tank. To keep amonia, scales and slime, to a minimum.

(here's an example of a big $$ set up)
But any round tank can be converted.

I took a brand new Keepalive 14 gallon tank, added a directional flow fitting, and a large over-flow water discharge fitting. Yeah, a 14 gallon tank isn't going to hold allot of pogies, but it works for me.

I also have the pump that supplies this water (my washdown pump) on a timer. Once I get the water clear in the tank, the timer can be set to run for one minute, and be off 3, 5, or 7 minutes saving valuble pump wear and tear and battery power.

This tank will also be holding Threadfin Herring (know as greenies, locally) and Mullet, as the summer progress'.

KEEPING LIVE SHRIMP IS SO MUCH EASIER, AND BUYING THEM IS JUST AS EASY.

But, it's summer, now. 

Looking forward to a few "smoka's"

Busy, busy , busy, starting Thursday.

It's 100% Aluminum.....a down under boat.

(your latest edition of, "Yes it's all aluminum")

They've always got it, down under.
(fuels not cheap there)



I LOVE THAT STERN CUTTING/FILLET TABLE.
I'M GONNA HAVE ONE BUILT JUST LIKE THAT!

4/25 - From December

Had Christian L. and his step father aboard today. Christian recieved a Gift Certificate his co-workers got for him back in December.

Christian is a creek, lure only angler. So, this couldn't be more day and night, for him. I don't creek fish, and ""I"" throw a lure now and then, but not with customers.

Oh.... December 2010, the winter of the Black Drum at the jetties. If ya'll need a reminder, CLICK HERE!

Well, I wanted and liked the falling tide along the jetties. I wanted to exploit it to it's fullest. So upon arrival we had someone right where I wanted to anchor already. EARLY BIRDS, even on Monday's get first dibbs. But we got a late start, not exactly departing at 7am sharp. But it all worked out anyhow. Because of anchors slipping and the opportunity arose for me to slip right into where I wanted to be. 100% politely.

First fish. Black Drum and a nice one, too.

Super clean and good looking fish. A perfect eater size.

BTW....it was really "rolling" out there at the tip of the jetties. The river was dead flat, but not out there. The S.E. wind wasn't even that bad. So maybe the wind blew during the night making these swells come in from afar. That's why Christians step father is sitting down. "He couldn't even stand up." I told him "Sears sells Sea-legs." That's my standard joke.

Then, came a Whiting. Nice size on, and I only wish they'd come through carpeting the bottom. Cuz, they are sooo good to eat. I had fried Whiting smothered in some Zaterains country fish fry mix the other night and they were awesome. Between a Potato roll and a melted slice of cheeze and a dab of spicey mustard. MMM, good!

Christian was working his spinning rod. I had a few frozen Pogies from Friday, left over. Yeah, can ya believe a spinner rig on the Float-freaks boat?? The only other person who brings a spinner on my boat is DOA Rob. But as hard as he tried lobbing the weak pogies to the rocks, he still came up empty.

I was feeling like usual,  "we need more DRUM!", so I pitched out another dead shrimp and squid combo meal. And handed the rod over to Christains step dad (wish I could remember his name). He was a self proclaimed NON-fisherman. And there was a big "RB" on the other end of the line.  O.J.T. - on the job training. I taught him how to reel in a big fish, right then. And he did good, as we bobbed in the seas.

  
Not really wanting to fish. Christians step father wanted to be dropped off. It definately meant lost falling tide time. You're always on a tight schedule out there. So that's what he wanted so I drove back to the dock and back out to the rocks again. We went and looked quickly for some Pogie schools on the noth side, and then the southside. It was a SNIPE hunt. So we came back to the rocks and re-anchored.

Christian worked his spinning rod and a jig, and I float-rigged down the jetty. I got not a single taker, and he caught a Bluefish that ate the jig off his line. I left a bottom bait out and we picked up one more Whiting. And that was it. He had to head in and it wasn't like there was a huge bite going on anyhow. So we packed it in. Damn, this week along the rocks have been tough. My buddies even tell me Nassua Sound is about dead on Whiting, because the jacks, blues and ladyfish and even the bonnetheads have taken over.  But I did see a monster Pompano come from there today.

Anything like Cobia hunting is considered the same as a Tarpon/Shark trip "price wise". For all the fuel that can be consumed. Hell, Pogies can be a trek too, if they can't be found near the jetties.  

4/22 - as long as the tide ebbed....

Had "fishing crazed" Erica J. on board again, along with cousin Curtis, Erica's Daughter and Yvonne (forgot which relation she was) So it was the 3 gal's and Curtis and myself. We departed out of Sisters Creek. And made a b-line for the jetties.
Officially, low tide was at 0733 hrs. So we didn't have much time to catch the falling tide or what would be left of it upon our arrival.

I knew the last minutes of the falling tide would be "our best bet". As this isn't my first rodeo...and my third day in a row this week out there. The flood tide bottom fishing has been really tough.

I quickly got into position, and dropped anchor. I had a bucket of small fresh dead pogies from the day before. I pinned them on and cast out far behind the boat.


Instantly!!!! We had rod benders on and hooked up. But THREE in a row got off. Ya' gotta let these big fish bend that rod, and when they torque the rod over, that means they have the bait in their mouth. So a few simple mistakes later. And I said, "Just let the rod bow over...pick it up and keep the rod bent and the line tight." 

That's how Curtis boated the first one at nearly 33 inches.  His side of the boat was the hot side. And not long after as the tide really slowed, he boated our only Black Drum.

Usually, Erica and crew is looking for some "box" fish. Also know as "keepers", for a fish fry. But as the water warms and we get  closer and closer to deep summer. The harder it gets to catch allot of "box" fish along the jetties and river.

MOST Redfish are always too big to keep. (18-27" with tail pinched is a keeper.) And what it seems is most Reds out there are always 28-30 plus, plus inches.

We could have pursued more Reds. But I was working as hard as I could on getting them Black Drum and Whiting. As many as I could, for that fish fry. But, during a hard rising flood tide, it was very difficult.

We did box a handful of Whiting for the frying pan, and even kept a few decent sized Bluefish.

The last time Erica and Curtis went with me, we did okay on the pup Black Drum back when it was much cooler. And it was exactly the same deal, a tad of falling tide and the rest of the day a rising tide. But the difference now was, it's more like summer.

Boats were EVERYWHERE, being that so many people were off of work I guess.

The next trip with Erica and Curtis and whomever. Could be less on "box fish" and more on just big fish. Erica is a fishing gal 150%. So maybe, a bit of knock-down drag out sharkin' and chum fishing will be in order??? 

It's not like the jetties to let ya go home, with out a struggle. And as I went to depart the outside south of the south jetty my anchor was hung on a cable or something. So after some team work, all hands on deck and on the anchor line. I free'd what ever was hung on my anchor.  Can't loose the "man-maker", my 25lb. grapnel and 12 foot of chain. It's the only anchor I have that'll hold a full boat in a screaming falling tide with wind.

NEXT UP:  Monday with a creek fisherman, "gone jetty'fied" and a guest. I guess everyone will be back to work then? We'll have falling tide 95% of the day. I may or may not bring the float-rig rods. Targeting real light tackle B-I-G, Reds in the deep and "structurfied" jetties.

Thanks again, Erica.
It was a HOOT!

4/20 & 21 - Working the flood tides

Did some R&D on Wednesday the 20th and between Chris aka: "Shaggy", and I we boated 2 Trout to 18-12 inches and a pup Red on the float-rigs......NOT GOOD! The incoming tide has just shut down the float-rig fishing for some reason.

My gawd, isn't this April? We fished from the jetties to Ft. Caroline.

You certainly don't want me to show you photos of years past from exactly this time of year. Hell, it was April 28th 2008 when I caught my first 10 pound Trout, just inside the jetties. Along with a 3 and 5 pounder off one spot!! In three drifts of my float!!

Besides snagging 3 Manta Rays on the frist of the falling tide. We also managed one pup Drum and a Whiting before calling it quits.

Today, I had Mike M. aboard. We discussed our options and decided to go see if we could catch some Pogies, fill up the chum chopper and make some drifts out in the SE hole area. Well, there was no pogies around close. And when we finally did find some in 20' of water just north of the Jax Beach Pier, they were ultra small and really scattered. We saw some, but we didn't catch any!

So after wasting the morning we went back to the big rocks and bottom fished. Two pup Black Drum, lots of seabass and a few bluefish later, I look and the pogies are in balls on the north side of the north jetty swimming right past us. Pushed by the very strong flood tide.

We dropped everything. I had Mike run the boat with me on the bow and made a cast on to the big ball of bait. The net floated and started to swim away full of pogies. I made another cast and we had almost two 5 gallon buckets full.

One bucket went into my new chum chopper welded into the stern platform. We saw the pogies getting pushed from up along Ft. George beach toward the south. So we ran north and cut the motor and started the chum slick. I rigged Mike with a big Owner long shank hook on a piece of wire, and rigged on a Pogie. I came up with a quick dead bait single hook rig with a way to wire a Pogie on, while sitting in my tackle room last week. And it works great. I'm all about one big hook versus those small trebles any day for drift fishing. And I rigged up a jig and squid for myself on a casting outfit. ALL....just incase "Mr. Cob" does swim up to the boat.

The Pogie pods were full of big Cuda's circling them. If Cuda's were Cobia we would have been in like flynn. So I dumped 3/4 of a 5 gallon bucket into my new Aussie style "burley bucket" (that's what they call it down there in Australia). And made this short video.

Other than that, Mike was a bit queezy after getting a huge wiff of them Pogies. Too me, those Pogies smell like summer time.

Heat, Pogies, Sun burn, being completely covered in salt......yeah it's summer alright!

4/18 - ROD MAINTENANCE....."DIY"

I have "allot" of Ugly Stik "Striper rods". (see link on side bar to my Ugly Stik review) I absolutely love the parabolic action of a 7'6" Ugly Stik "Striper" for my float-rig fishing. You can't break one, and you don't pull the hook on a Trout with such a light parabolic action. But, we sure do catch big Reds with them right up against the big jetty rocks.

EXAMPLE:

The gas prices sure have slowed things down. So with that said, It was ROD maintenance day!
I un-rigged 12 rods, cleaned them till like new, and then re-rigged them up again. Which took hours. But it's worth it. I take pride in my tackle and like to see it last. The first Shakespeare Ugly Stik "Striper" rod I ever bought is back clean and looking like new again. And it's at least 4 years old.

That's what I love about those rods, also. NO FLUFF B.S. They just work.

Here's how I do it: