6/7 - Brutus T. kinda day!

Had Terry Mealer his son and his son in-law aboard the Jettywolf today. They were all visiting from Tennessee.

Catching pogies this morning was pretty easy, but there's always a hitch or a hiccup. Today, the pogies were enormous. Three times the size of the ones I had been catching. "Can there be a too big of a pogie?" Just depends on the size of your livewell, that's all.

I'm not gonna do my usual "FISHIN' STORIES" about today's charter. I'm gonna let the photos tell the story......

FIRST "REDBASS" AT THE JETTIES.

HEADED UP RIVER, THE JETTIES SEEMED D-E-A-D. POLE-BENDING THE OLE UGLY STIKS GOOD, AS THE TIDE FLOWED.

ALWAYS THE "KEY", NICE GOOD CURRENT.

NO SECRET LOCATION HERE....
JUS' GOOD WATER FLOW.

SO FAR THE REDS RANGE FROM 10#'s TO 12#'s.

EAGLE CLAW 7/0 CIRCLE HOOKS, AND A ROD HOLDER, MAKE GREAT HOOKSETS.
ALWAYS IN THE CORNER OF THE MOUTH.

NOT A SINGLE "KEEPER" FISH, BUT LOADS OF FUN. BUT A FEW "KEEPERS" WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE.

GETTING IN BETWEEN A DOUBLE-HEADER, OF "SLAM DUNK" PROPORTIONS!

SOMETHING THE JETTYWOLF DOES REAL WELL, HAS PLENTY OF DANCING ROOM, FOR MULTIPLE HOOK-UPS!

NO TRIP HAZZARDS, JUST A LARGE FLAT DECK. JUST TAKE YOUR SIDE, AND HOPE YOUR ARMS HOLD OUT.

THEY'RE PUSHING 14 AND UP POUNDS NOW!


HERE WE GO...THE MONEY SHOT!
14 & 15 POUNDS. BUT I'M STILL HOPING FOR LARGER, "BRUTUS T. REDBASS."

FOR YA'LL THAT DON'T KNOW THAT THE ST. JOHNS IS ALL ABOUT SHIPPING TRAFFIC....WELL, HERE IT IS! THIS PASSED LESS THAN A 100 YARDS OF US.

HERES "LARGER"...OVER 20 POUNDS AND SHOWED IT WAS AN ATHELETE! THIS REDBASS WAS LIKE HURCULES, AND KICKED BUTT ON LIGHT TACKLE.

LOOK AT THE NEXT REDBASS TYLER CAUGHT! IT WAS DE-FORMED. HAD SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT'S SPINE.
THE FISH FOUGHT FUNNY, AND THEN GAVE UP. I FELT SORRY FOR THIS GUY, BUT THEN AGAIN, THESE FISH ARE TOUGH, AND IT SWAM AWAY HEALTHY.

A SURVIVER, IT COULDN'T MOVE IT'S TAIL MUCH AT ALL.

SHORTER AND COMPACTED.....
STILL NOT A KEEPER. NOT LIKE I WOULD EVER KEEP FISH THIS TOUGH.

ONE MORE....AS THE TIDE SCREAMED AND IT BEGAN TO BE HARD TO KEEP 6 OUNCES. ON THE BOTTOM.

No keeper fish, but allot of fun memories and photos. Add in a few sore arms on the light tackle. We packed it in as the clouds darkened a bit and before the super sea breeze started blowing.

Perfection!  Get the right set of circumstances, and this is what June is all about.

6/5 - And there they go...

Remember me saying that this year must be the "year of the pogie"?

But as a Jacksonville Angler, I had the feeling that it wouldn't be a guarantee, that each day would be as easy as it has been, "turn the north jetty and throw the net". Because that's where they've been, and how easy it was to get my dozen and a half needed for each day. I guess the saying that sums it all up is, "this ain't my first rodeo."

Had Paul G. two teenagers, and his neighbor aboard today. We got started at the very last of the falling tide. Searched and searched the northside looking for my measily needed 18 pogies. There was none!

Went back dropped the 55 pounds of anchor and chain to the bottom on the inside of the jetties. There was barely any current, so we'd just bide our time and let the tide change, catching a few mini-Croakers, which I kept in the livewell. Some Whiting and of course, and for the closest to the rocks, little Seabass.

For the two young guys, this was their first time. First time out in Lake Atlantic, or close to it, on a boat.  Then, I pulled anchor and went and hunted again.......still no live baits for Redbass fishing. Back to the rocks again....same deal all over. This time we sat in a vortex of current going one way, then switching and going the other. All wrong. Time to get outa here!

This time, it was the search for Mullet. Another bait I haven't even pressed into service. Because I haven't had too. But they too, were damn near LONG GONE......

Not to change the story here, but to give relavence....Friday myself and friend went down river in search of Trout. I knew going in it would be a snipe hunt, because the word on the water hasn't been promising. So we began Trout fishing near the Dames Point area, worked our way on the rising tide to damn near Trout River. Hitting all the places, that I've always caught them. I had one trout hook-up and lost the fish behind the boat. Other than that, we never lost a bait. Never had even a bite. The water down that way is about as grimey as it can get.  B-U-T......the bait???????  It's everywhere!!!!!!! Mullet of every size. Pogies large and small. But then again. Not a Jack, a Ladyfish catch, not even a Pinfish!!!!

But boy there's allot of bait down that way!!!

We ended up leaving. That area of the river has nothing to offer me, other than knowing that's where all the bait is.
Back at the jetties we float-rigged up Two Flounder along the jetty rocks, then put away the not so trusty float-rigs and bottom fished for 20 Whiting and Two Sheepshead on live shrimp. So Friday, we saved the day but sure used some fuel.

So back to today...

We went to the southside of the south jetty. ONE school of Mullet came down the rocks as I pushed them into the jetty with the boat and pitched the net. Had about 10 Mullet, now.

An itch I have to scratch is the beach Kingfish.....someday I'll catch some. So we blew out to the S.E. Hole to pitch out a few Mullet and make a nice long drift. The water out there looks like Sailfish water. Dark blue and clear as a bell. Glass minnow schools everywhere. There was hardly a puff of wind, the water was slick glass calm, so making that long drift was out of the question. So I had to do the "bump in gear, bump outa gear" slow troll to keep those big Mullet from swimming circles around the boat.

Patience with my crew wasn't all that long, and after maybe an hour they were either laying on the deck, or bored. But this ""is"" slow bump and roll, live baiting.....(memo: I really want to scratch that itch STILL, guess I'll try another day.) So I ran all the way back to the jetties, up river and stopped at the little Jetties.

WE STILL HAD CURRENT. The tide was still rising and even though the weekender traffic was too thick for my liking, I anchored up perfectly where I needed to be.

I told the two boys, "THIS IS IT. TIDES DON'T GIVE US A SECOND CHANCE!" So out went a big mullet, and one of the mini-Croakers I'd saved. The current wasn't too bad, 5-6 oz leads held the baits good along the brake, I call "Cut-Off Ledge" behind where we were anchored.

The structure brings in the fish, and the structure can also be your enemy.

It didn't take long......

First rod doubles over and my twin drag Accurate reels were smokin'. 10 pounds of drag or more, and these Monster Redbass don't even slow down. They were big Reds, because the rod tips were bucking and thumping, and the fish would turn. Turn right into the structure down below and POP, goes the leader. Well...that was it.

Re-rigged, re-baited and not long after there goes another rod. Doubled over and bucking. Big Redbass #2, claims another victim. POP, goes the leader.

Re-rig, re-bait, and Pauls neighbor hooks up off the bow on a lighter rod. POP, victim #3 claims his "fish-gone" certificate.

Three in a row, three fish educating fisherman, in the ways of the river in the summer heat!  

The flooding tide quit. The boat swung, so we headed in.

All I can say is........what a day.

I hope to have an easier time catching free and live bait on my next trip, and next trip, and my next trip.

And next up for me is Tuesday.

The best & sharpest

SICK OF DULL FILLET KNIVES?

YEAH, SO WAS I. WET STONES, DRY STONES, MIRACLE SHARPENERS....I HAVE ALLOT MORE TO DO THEN SIT AND SHARPEN KNIFE BLADES AFTER A LONG CHARTER DAY.

PERSONALLY, I'LL LET THE SAME PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE SCALPELS FOR DOCTORS. SHARPEN MY FILLET BLADES.

HERE'S A WAY TO GET ONE WITH FREE SHIPPING TO YOUR DOOR.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-Havalon-Baracuta-Knife-Available.html?soid=1102445124774&aid=_pLmlxnuQVU

CONSIDER THIS, A HEADS UP FOR THE SERIOUS ANGLER/HUNTER. WHO TAKE PRIDE IN A "JOB WELL DONE", AT THE END OF THE DAY.

NEED MORE PROOF....CHECK THIS OUT

6/2 - Inshore Summer Dayz......

Well, we already hooked and lost the years first Tarpon.
It was a perfect "crowd pleaser" at under 40 inches. (Similar to this one)


Light Tackle Float-rig fishing, with live shrimp hooks allot of Tarpon, during the summer months.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the targeted fish. So the small wire hook, broke in half at the side of the boat.

We were actually fishing for "REDS". Reddrum, Redfish, Redbass, whatever ya call them. They are the summer targeted fish, along the Mayport Jetty rocks, of the St. Johns River inlet.

18 miles due west of down-town Jacksonville, Florida.

So far this year, it is the year of the POGIE! They are everywhere. Some years they are not. But it can be a curse too. SO MUCH FOOD FOR THE TAKING.

With not only Pogies, aka: Menhaden all over the inlet. There's plenty of small "rain minnows" aka: Glass Minnows, and schools of every size Mullet imaginable, along with Threadfin Herring, swimming around the giant granite boulders, that make up the Mayport Jetties.

But the standard exersize is head over to the "pods" of Pogies each morning, cast the net, and watch it swim away with 500 Pogies in it.

BTW, There should be Jacks around. But as of right now, we've caught TWO....where are they, is what I'm wondering? Fish this size, around structure, on light tackle can be pure adrenaline angling! I love'em this size, for their pure terror!


I dump out most of the Pogies netted, needing only two dozen maybe for a afternoon of fishing the tide, and sending down Pogies on the bottom along the edges of the massive granite jetty boulders.

Be it either "bottom bait" or used on a 3/8ths to 1/2 ounce leadheaded jig cast up into the rocks.

The larger live baits will get more attention then a live shrimp by the Redfish that patrol the hot spots along the rocks, on a ebb or rising tide. Shrimp invite the small "baitstealers" to bite. And the jetties has NO lack of them.

The fisheries people say we have no Seabass, but then again every rocks, ledge, anchor, dock, and piece of oyster clump, on the bottom probably has 20 juvenile Seabass on it. Up and down this stretch of the St. Johns river. And they are eating machines....some will eat a big Pogie, or Mullet. Because that's one fish with eyes bigger than it's stomach. Jus' like baby Grouper! No difference.

The Reds along the jetty rocks are pretty much all to big to keep. Most are in the 30 inch catagory, and larger. So if you want a keeper, KEEP CATCHING. It's a numbers game.

NOW...is the time to think 4th of July! Book all Holidays at least 30 days ahead of time. Don't be like the calls I had over Memorial day weekend at 8pm, wanting a trip at 7am the next day. First come, first reserved.

6/1 - Holiday weather, today.

The Marine NOAA forecast kept saying (Memorial Day) Monday NE 10-15 knots. Well, thank goodness that was wrong. But I believe with today's winds that it's finally here. Could barely "cut my dirt" in my backyard for all the dust flying around.

6/1 - NORTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING NORTHEAST 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING...THEN ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.

If these gust are just 15 knots, then I'd hate to see 20 knot gusts!

Okay, right N-O-W, is when folks ought to start thinking ahead to the 4th of July Holiday. And it's funny not a single person that's a "registered reports blog reader" responded to the June discount, either. It was in the last newsletter I sent, and only for those folks.

Still looking to leave those jetties behind, and head out to catch a King, Cobia, Cuda, or Blacktip. Pre-scheduled is June 7th with 3 guys and hope to do it then.

Remember: 30 days advcanced reservations for all major Hoildays and a week is good for all weekdays and weekends.







Here's a reminder of why I love fishing the jetties in the fall & winter more than any place else.
Guiding: Nick Watson from Jacksonville's own, Celtic Rock Band, "Rathkeltair" on November 14th 2009:

It's not against the law to reserve your dates now for around Thankgiving.

5/31 - Early morning GHOST town:

Wow, everyone must have "partied like it was 1999" on Sunday. Because the boat ramp was a Ghost town at 7am this morning.
I liked that! As I told my customer Ken W. "There were more people out here on Mother's Day!"

Having a vacant boat ramp and river doesn't bother me one bit. More room for me. I had two adults and two teenage boys today, as we headed out towards the jetties. AGAIN, thank goodness the marine forecast was wrong. Originally, I had my doubts. The N.E. winds 10-15 or better, wasn't part of the equation. Although there was plenty of close swell in the ocean. Being out there early had us NOT finding any Pogies for Redbass bait, at first. Low level sun, and some clouds had spotting the dark spots in the water mighty tough. So, instead of bouncing around I went and anchored up till the sun came up a little better. And gave us a chance to watch the Pelicans, to see if they could find them for us.

In the mean time, the guys caught a few Whiting and a true "scalloped" Hammerhead Shark. It was just a baby, 20" long. But still a cool catch.  It didn't take long, for the tide to start to ebb, and when it did I pulled anchor and headed over the jetty rocks and spotted several pods of Pogies. Made a few casts with the net and got the bait we needed, for our Redbass fishing.

The boat bounced around like it was in a washing machine......"and I guess it's still rough out there right now. Because as I write this report it's 7am on Tuesday and my phone is ringing with people bumped off, offshore charter trips already!"

I went on the inside of the rocks and tried to get this party started ASAP. I had rigged a few 3/8ths oz. jigheads. I pinned a Pogie on and made some casts up into the shallow rocks at the tip of the jetty. I had to cast, the boys couldn't pitch the light baits on a Shimano Citica baitcaster. And after a few survey pitches, I got bit. And handed it to one of the boys. PARTY STARTED!
It was a 27-1/2" (over sized) Redbass. But a good catch....with a litl' help for Cappy Dave.


I got Ken into the casting also, since he's a baitcasting Bass Fisherman. But we only had the one taker, as we power drifted the jetty.

We went an anchored up where I was yesterday. In hopes of the Whiting chewing like they did on Sunday.

So with two Pogies out the stern, and two rods out with the boys fishing with shrimp. We were ready for whatever.

Some decent sized Whiting were coming over the rails, when a Pogie rod doubled over.

And we had another "RB" hooked up.
I was down to "TWO" anglers, and had TWO on the bow seasick.

This next RB was larger......

It was 32" and a good catch for our teen-age angler.

Then, from out of now where, the boat swung and we weren't laying along the rocks any longer. "We were caught up in the vortex of hell....." 
I kept live baits on and out behind the boat, butthe further away from the rocks meant, alien hover-craft hook-ups. AKA: Stingrays!!
Ken, got slam dunked by one that had his way with him, the entire battle was under the boat and around the outboard. But as an experienced angler he held his own and eventually got the garbage can lid sized Stinger up to the boat. Then, another one. A massive one took our Jr. Anglers line and dumped the spool. No stopping this one, so I had to bust it off before I'd loose $50 worth of 30# Braided line!

Yep, ya gotta love summer time at the jetties! You can ALWAYS count on the Stingers to ruin allot of tackle. As the tide/current straighted out, we got back in line along the rocks finally. And boxed a few more Whiting, and hooked up another Pogie eating Redbass. That was a KEEPER at 26-1/2".

It wasn't long after, that Ken's son-in-law said, "Let's Go." He had a case of the hee-bee-gee-bee's, and was just down for the count. So we kinda made it an early day. And headed back to clean our catch.

They guys ended up with a dozen or so Whiting and one Redbass for frying pan. As we left the breeze seemed to start swinging around towards the NE a little bit. And if it did, I can bet today is again a washing machine out there.

It's summer. But it's summer in Jax. Which doesn't always mean slick calm waters, at the jetties or off the beach or offshore. So, always be prepared for the water to be moving, either up or down, or side ways. When we're out there. It's your responsibility to come prepared.

5/29 - Holiday's almost over...

I still after 15 years find it really incredible that people do not plan. Since Thursday, I recieved call after call for Sunday and Monday.
And yesterday was really the bomb......no less than 25 calls for either Sunday or Monday. Sometimes, twice by the same people!

Let me just say this, as I've said before.......30 days minimum for all Holidays please! Two weeks is what I like for any charter day. But the world has really changed. Back when I got started in this, Cell Phones weren't even all that popular. But of course I soon needed one, and my first was a present from my dad for my birthday. I used to book days from 3 to 6 months in advance at times. Now, I'm lucky if I get 6 days. It's a gimme-gimme, world now. And if I had 14 boats and 14 captains I could trust, I could possibly be driving a new Ford truck. But I don't. I'm one guy with 40 rods and reels, and only one boat!

Today, I had John K. his son John-John, and Kenny aboard. Great Guys!!! Fun to be with. We started the day as I usually do, scanning the water for the "FLIP & SPLAT" of a Pogie, outside the north rocks. We chansed them around a bit, right at the tip of the north. But the real schools were about a 1/4 mile over towards Ft. George Inlet. One toss of the net and it swam away.

Back to the rocks. Anchored up and it wasn't long before John was hooked up.

A pretty 32 incher in the net. One down, more to go? Not really.....John-john hooked into something absolutely monsterous. But it turned out to be a Dumpster lid sized StingRay that sucked itself to the bottom after John-john already broke a big sweat. I had to bust it off.
These guys are like me. The big reds are okay. But I like to E-A-T! and I love a fried fish sandwich. So we made a move. Not far at all, but it's where we stayed the entire rest of the day. WHY, once ya find fish, don't lkeave fish to find fish else where.

And we found them. THE NEST OF WHITING, willing and able to find their way into our fish box! And I ain't talking just small "dink" Whiting either. We had "bulls", the size of keeper Speckled Trout! Filling the box with close to 50, which equates into 100 fillets. Prime eating fillets, when tossed in Zaterains Country Fish fry mix and peanut oil.















COOLER FULL OF PRIME FRIED FISH SANDWICHES!

Using four, yes four pounds, of shrimp. They were chewing really good. As the guys waylayed the Whiting, I kept pitrching a Pogie out, and even though the rocks adjacent us didn't seem to be holding any Reds, I eventually hooked one and as it took line off the reel I handed it to John-john. It was a 26-1/2 inch keeper.

We never left this Whiting hot spot. Until the tide slowed and we started to swing on the anchor line.

It was a great day. I always like people who are like me. And I love a big fish-fry. And I love Whiting, too. So we fished the entire tide. So we packed it in and headed back to the dock.

Monday: 4 passengers, and then this Holiday is OVER.

Now, do ya think I can get people thinking ahead for around 4th of July?  I know of one group, the Tanner clan. Greg Tanner will book his day early. Because I've been taking him and his kids for years. He knows the deal....

Thanks John. It was a good time, today. Hope to see ya'll again.

5/27 - Back in the river...& a Reel review.

Had Chris W. and his wife Leila, for a day of river/inlet fishing. Departing at 7am we headed to the jetties. Yep, the swell was still lingering from yesterday's hard SE winds. Pogies? Couldn't get any easier. I find it so funny, because I can easily remember years when a livewell of Pogies for bait was a luxury. Because if you had the money and time to spend hours looking for them, you might of ended your search finally all the way past Ponte Vedre beach.

Now, all we have to do is turn the north jetty, and there they are. Oh, how each year is a spin of the "wheel of fortune".

We started anchored inside the north rocks as the swell picked us up and down. My usual one Black Drum per day spot, now that it's summer. But instead of using shrimp we dropped over live Pogies. The falling tide had just started pushing.

It was not super uncomfortable, I knew we wouldn't be here all that long. Eventually, the cloud of queasiness hung over Chris' head. So we picked up and headed down river toward the Little Jetties area.

The tide there was just starting, so we tried Pogies. But after I caught a yellowmouth Trout on a dead shrimp. We switched over to all Shrimp. Sitting along the channel edge, fish number one was the lowly Toadfish. Then came one Seabass after another. As I hoped for more Yellowmouths, maybe Croakers, or even a Drum.

Those rule making fisheries people who have closed Seabass in NE Florida should come with me. The St. Johns River is carpeted with juvenile Seabass, and during this time of year there's probably 1000 small Seabass for ever single jetty rock out at the inlet.
I find them a nuisance, many times.

We did catch a few Whiting. But that was it. Only a few. I wanted to NOT run around, I wanted to keep lines wet. So we stayed put. And it finally worked, with one of my standard river rods bowing over as it sat in the rod holder. Something sucked up a live Pogie, and was haulin' butt......ripping line off the spool!

It was a long hard battle in the strong current on the light tackle.

A multi-spotted monster was now in the boat!
Weighing in at 27 pounds!

We tried for another, and the the small fish stopped completely biting. And right as the current slowed my crew was ready to pack it in.
We "may" have had another chance at a monster Redbass, as the tide slacked. But, we ended on a high note. And I was finally home for dinner time, too. Later, the skies darkened, and the breeze picked up as I cleaned the boat up after the last two days. So it was a good thing to not linger to late today.

I'm keeping a close eye on the winds for Sunday & Monday. With a full boat each day.




REEL REVIEW:

Shimano TRN100G - I've had these reels since this past winter. I wanted to match up my Ugly Stik white catfish series rods with a really tough (hopefully) reel that I could use as a utility bottom fishing reel. I've had similar Shimano's before, such as the "charter specials" that are lever drag, levelwinds. But those were just a bit too involved for basic bottom fishing. I already have "twin drag ACCURATES" that are lever drag reels. And nothing made can compare to them. So, I got a 6 pack of the Shimano TRN 100G's for everyday use.

These reels come in two sizes. the 100's and 200's.
For my purposes, there's no need for a 200. They already hold so much 30# braided line it's ridicules.



Here's the stats:
Power Pro,  braided Line Capacity (# Test/Yards) 40/410,50/405,65/390.......and I'm using 30#

Max Drag is 14 pounds which has proved itself more than adequate.


The gear ratio is 4.3:1, which is slow. Especially when you're used too 6.2:1 Shimano Curado 300's.
But my customers need power, not speed.


 So now it's been almost 6 months, and these reels have been used and abused. And I can say, "THESE ARE SOME SERIOUS WORK HORSES." Kinda like a Abu Garcia 6500 Ambassador, which used to be the fishing reel equivalent of a Timex watch. The TRN100's are a tad larger. But when it comes to the DRAG, not many reels beat the Shimano's. And being a GRAPHITE reel, you don't get the corrosion problems you get with an Ambassador, either. (been there, done that, didn't get the T-shirt!!)

I actually chose these reels because they were graphite. Because of their daily use, the last thing I wanted was corrosion issues.


I can tell you that I'm still very happy with their performance. And if any of you really know me. I will buy, use and get rid of tackle in a heart beat, if it's not working out for me. I buy sometimes just to try it out. Some make the grade, most don't.

These reels have worked through all those winter Drum, and now monster Redbass. But at the same time, they are also my Kingfish, Cobia and small Shark reels this summer. I gave up a long time ago on having designated special Kingfish rods and reels, because Kings don't really put up all that much of a battle to start off with. Certainly, not compared to a really big Redbass on a falling tide in the river. BUT...you do want the smoothest drag you can get when it comes to small hooks and live bait, when King Mackerel fishing.

Yesterday's battle, against the 26 pound Redbass had me thinking about these reels as I cleaned them after the charter. I wiped them off with a damp towel, inspected them and said to myself. "These were a great investment, for my charters." They're not fancy, they're not super high speed, or Gold anodized aluminum. But I sure have got my money's worth out of them in the last 6 months. And without a hitch, either.  And to me, that makes the Shimano TRN100's a good durable reel, I'd recommend and buy again.

Best Prices, with FAST free shipping, and you can also earn REBATE POINTS, in case you're wondering:  http://www.edgeangling.com/Shimano-TR-TRN100G.html

I may even get a couple more, for a few more Ugly Stiks I have.


Tight Lines.

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......