10/30 - GALE FORCE GUSTS!!

I was up at 5am. I turned on the weather radio and the laptop to do a weather check......but did I really have too?  Not really. Being just a mile from the river and close to the open marsh land, I could hear the wind whistling through the trees, inside the house. And then I stepped outside......"holy moses, this is some BIG wind." 

The weather guessers got this right for sure. When giant oaks are blowing around, there is no doubt. This is a windy day.

I had Tom and his girlfriend booked for a week now. I told Tom who had ONE day to fish, "I have a feeling Sunday is gonna be bad." 

As I talked to him on the phone on Saturday afternoon, I said. "I have a plan for us. I've been holding on to a spot jus' for this kind of occasion....astronomically high tide with the New moon, and a gusting gale force N.E. wind. So pack your wind breakers, your gonna need it."

I pulled into the boat ramp at 8am, and right behind me was Tom and Sue........over a 1/2 hour early!!!  Now that's what I'm talkin' about. Ready to go, and dressed for success. The winds brought some cooler air along with it. And that's one thing I'll never complain about.

Tom's fished before, but Sue has never fished or even caught a fish. And what a day to be a "FIRST-TIMER".  We ran down river and like usual, I was putting all my marbles in one sack. This area I was heading too, had to work. We didn't have all that many alternatives. And it was mandatory, Sue had to have FUN, and catch her first fish.

Float-rigging live shrimp, over shallow shell bars, out of the major wind, as the tide rises. This was the plan.

And it worked!!

Tom caught the first Trout a 1/2 inch short of legal. But it was a start.

It wasn't like the action was "wackin & stackin" them, with Instantaneous Gratification. But soon after Sue caught her first ever fish, on her first ever fishing trip!

We worked two areas no deeper than 3 feet, with "pegged" Float-rigs. And started putting all legal Specks in the box, a throw back thin Flounder, and Sue even caught a decent Croaker on her float.

My crew was on a road-trip from S. Florida, heading back home to Nebraska. So the plan was to "fuel-up" on Fresh Fried Trout cooked up at Singletons Seafood Shack, before hitting the road again. And that boring ride west on I-10, with the next stop Tallahassee, then New Orleans, before heading Northward.

The fish box started piling up with Trout, from 15 to 17".  "Better than a sharp stick in the eye", I always say! I was just so glad to see a plan come together, especially in these conditions. We stayed out of the major wind, but still keeping the boat from pulling and dragging the anchor was a chore.

I could not believe we didn't catch the first Redbass! I didn't care if it would be just a 16" pupper. Just wanted Tom to see one at least. I've caught them before on lures in this exact spot. Bait was everywhere, glass minnows, small mullet, birds diving....but no Reds.

The fish went from biting pretty good to an all out shut down at the high point of the tide, with us still trying it wasn't like making a major move to another area made any sense. So we stayed at it for another hour, and then said, "Let's go, and clean up dinner." 

With two limits in the fish box, my crew had the making for a good fish fry at Singletons. The wind never really let off the whole day. And you wouldn't believe the number of boats that were out. I guess with it being a Sunday, the Monday to Friday work force just doesn't care. They're going anyhow.  Kind of like I have too.....but then again, NOT.

As I write this report, it's 7am on Monday morning and it's now raining pretty hard. Surprised I'm not booked with a crew that has just Monday as a day to fish, and I'm not heading out in it.

Guess, I'm catching a break?  hahahahahaha

(Have float-rigs, will travel. Now that I have a newer more powerful truck to pull my boat and not even feel it back behind me. I'll be heading north-ward to fish soon. R&D a completely different area, jus for fun. So stand by for pics and video.) 

What the heck....????

Can some one e-mail me if something is going on during SATURDAY Nov. 5th?

I have a morning charter, "kids trip".

So, I don't have any time availible till, at least 11-12am. I knew when I booked this two hr. charter that I'd get $500 days calling me. It's my luck, a-l-w-a-y-s.

I have had no less than (6) inquiries for THE 5TH of NOVEMBER.
It's like the only date the entire month, anyone wants to go fishing!

I have a feeling I'm lost, or not in touch with reality. Is there something I'm missing??

Right when you think you have the "general public" sort of figured out, you figure out that you really don't know anything.

SIX inquiries in 2 days for the same Saturday. Holy Crap.

____________________________

I'm booked for Sunday October 30th.

Here's the lovely forecast:

TONIGHT AND SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET.
INLAND WATERS CHOPPY.

Here's the lovely tide:

 6+ FEET at high tide at: 1:00 pm

Believe I'll try an old Fall Fishing Technique and see if it works.
Mill Cove:  rising tide, hiding out of the wind, clicker-corks and live shrimp, float-rigs and live shrimp.

Add 20 kt. NE wind on top of a 6+ foot tide, I'll be able to go about anywhere up in the cove, there will be so much water!!!!














Last time it was cool, windy and Oct. 30th I had Wayne Smith and family aboard my SeaChaser bay boat "the Hooligan" and we had 100 fish in 6 hrs. Trout, Sheepshead, Drum, Reds, and Flounder. Popping corks and 1/8th oz. jigs along shell bars.
That was back in 2004, though. And Wayne and family were recently back from Lafitte La. where they caught 700+ fish in two days. So they were HIGHLY SKILLED ANGLERS.

10/24 thru 10/27.....where to start?

On Monday the 24th, I had good customer Mike H. his Dad and his bother in-law, John.  It was a beautiful day. A real "bluebird". But with WIND.

I usually mix up some float-rig fishing and bottom bumping with Mike and crew. We started at some seriously good fall Trout spots that used to produce this time of year.

Well, spot #1 was a complete BOMB. Gary hooked a bluefish. But the tide would be high very shortly, so as they float-rigged the window was mighty short.

The next spot is an "ALL TIME FAVORITE", and is one of them spots that has produced really good Trout action for year......except for the last few. But since it's a high tide spot, I try it.

We caught some Trout, but the action wasn't to die for and neither wre the size of the trout. They were okay keepers, but I still had to measure them. Six were small 14 inchers and we left with two in the fish box.

Next spot......"oh how I've wacked and stacked big fat 20-25 inchers here".  But the tide just started to flow and the current wasn't really optimum. But we were here, and passing by, so why not try it.  The guys started working the spot. Mike's float goes down, he has a real rod throbber on and as he's bringing it in, it comes off the hook.

Always a tough break. Bait stealers rule this spot, unless the Trout are thick. And they were eating their fair share of baits. I gave it a try on Johns rod as he ate a sandwich and on my very first drift of the float I nailed a decent 17" Trout.

Three in the B-O-X.

Time to move on. I was talking up the monster Croakers in a certain spot. Telling Mike and crew about the fast action and addictive nature of the 12-16 inch Croak's I've been catching, last week. With Friday the 21st being the hottest day. Seeing that the first Croaker to come to the boat was a 16 INCHER, on the first cast!

Well, I guess I talked it up too much. Oh we caught plenty of Croak's on the spot. But they weren't all that large, and the action was 1/2 as slow. We kept the largest and as we left for the dock I was reminded that some day, some where, I'll fish some place where the fishing is consistant. I was reminded that every day is completely different. No matter how hard I try to make days the same.


Tuesday 10/25

4am on Tuesday the 25th, I was up after almost no sleep. I was up and ready for a long journey extra early so to pick up my dad at 5am and head to North Carolina.  To go get my "new to me" 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins turbo diesel Truck.

I had a 7 hr. ride in front of me, and a 7 hr. ride back. Dad was chief navigator with his GPS in his lap the whole ride.




And now, I can't even feel my boat behind my new truck. The power is out of this world. And we even got 20+ mpg on the way home, and I didn't do much under 85 mph all the way back south. Compared to my old 1995 Ford "gas" F-250 that may have gotten 10-12 mpg, on the highway.  (pulling nothin')





Thursday 10/27

I had Troy and little 4 year old Jake his son, out for one of my 2 hour "KIDS TRIPS" today. We departed at 9 and fished till 11am.
Little Jake caught Croakers, Bank bass, Seabass, and Pinners. And loved every minute of it!

His first Croaker was his very first saltwater fish. We kept a few fish for a fish sandwich that dad would make for him, so he could re-live his big morning out on the river.

My 2 hour kids trips are really popular. So popular, I have a whole family next week with two around 6 years old.
It's a short day for the young ones, to just get a taste of what we do out there. Kids, 4-8 I believe can't do or even if they can do a 6+ hour day, really shouldn't unless Dad is taking 100% care of them, aka: fishing for them.

It's all about attention span, tackle handling and if it's hard for adults to feel the bottom on a falling tide, no 4-9 year old is going to know when they hit the bottom either. Plus my tackle is usually messed up pretty bad, if they even try.

10/23 - For all you bambie hunters out there, hahahahaha

10/22 - Ding, Ding...drop'em!

Today was my last day of "party boating" it this week. Had a crew of four people, again. So I kept it simple. Had Phil P. his friend Rick, his son Ricky, daughter Katrina. Mostly all fresh water experienced.

First thing we headed for the jetties. I really would love to get on some Black Drum again. The tide wasn't right exactly yet. But I got them all going bottom fishing with shrimp. Of course, the fish caught were small Croakers.....they're everywhere!
So I tried fiddler crabs, and then cut Croakers trying to get anything but a Croaker. The wind wasn't nearly as light as I'd have liked it. We bobbed around and then finally the tide started to push. Not really the time of the tide, when I have caught Drum. But I continued trying.














The anchor broke free, so I took that as a "here's yer sign", and we headed up river to a spot where the reds were supossed to be thick. We were early on the tide of course, "everything happens on that last of the falling, huh?" But I tried it. The problem was there were 25 "LBA's" with rods lined up and chunking lead right at us. I did see a trout and a over sized Redbass caught from the bank right in from where I was anchored, I ended up moving out deeper. Along the channel edge. Oh.....LBA stands for Land Based Anglers. So we tried our luck as the tide screamed along. I had crew members sitting, and laying up on the bow, leaving just Phil and I in the stern watching the two lines I had out while the rods were in the rod holders.

Yep....one thing I have definitely learned this week with all my 4 passenger trips. "Baiting and Waiting" for big reds can be really boring for many. The baits just got nibbled by Croakers anyhow, so we picked up and headed to CROAKER CENTRAL, again.

For the 3rd time this week!

ACTION, ACTION,ACTION, is the name of the game when I have "non-die-hard-anglers" aboard. And even, sometimes with die-hards too. Just depends. We pulled up on the spot and of course being a Saturday it was covered up with other boats. Were they slammin the Big Croakers?  NOPE!  But we were going too!

And in a matter of minutes, I had all four crew members up and fishing like mad, setting the hooks on nice sized Croak's, just like yesterday. Of course, yesterday's crew were a bit more versed in fishing, but even so, today we still had some really nice fish.
Boxing about 25 of the largest, we headed back as the tide slowed. I had an hour of fish cleaning to do. And the crew was hungry for a fish fry or something...anything. They traveled light, just drinks. No food....Jus' Fishin'. Phil told me.

Turns out Phil thought we were out for only a 1/2 day, 4 hour charter. I don't know how all that came to be. I do 6 hrs. trips.  If ya want to only fish for four, it's your option.  Phil quickly opted for the 6 hrs. and said, "heck yeah, that's always better let's fish more".  

It was again a cool morning with a beautiful afternoon. There's NOTHING BETTER, than the fall months in N.E. Florida. Clear Blue Skies, and crisp.

And it looks like we're back to normal as I remember it. COOL & COMFORTABLE, by Halloween. Unlike the last couple Halloween's it was 90+ degrees. I hate that.  So it looks like we're back in the swing of things, the way we expect it.
Weather fact: Today in J-ville, we matched an all time low of 39 degrees. Matching a low of 39, back in 1976.

BRING A HOODED SWEATSHIRT. It's a normal fall in J-ville again. And I'm loving it. "No Mo' Sweatin'"

NEXT UP:

Monday and Thursday, pre-booked in advance.

10/21 - Catchin' Mania!

Had a 3 boat, three passengers per boat, wedding party today. I had the groom, the best man and another buddy. And we sure had
F-U-N !

The breeze was up still, this morning. I almost headed to the jetty rocks. But instead opted to hang in the river to see what the rest of the morning would bring. We started around the ICW/River intersection, trying two spots with out much action. So I headed to the Croaker hole. Yesterday, my four guys had so much fun pulling in two coolers full of nice Croaks. So I asked my crew were they into fast action and lots of fish.  The answer was a resounding.......YES!

We pulled up, I dropped the anchor. Told them where to pitch their "drop-shot" rigs and it was "IG" - Instantaneous Gratification.
Game on, the first Croak was a huge one. Right off the bat. From here on the guys were hooked.

They were out for a fun day of fishing. Keeping fish was not important. They had wedding stuff to do after the fishing trip. Unlike yesterday where my guys kept every Croak that hit the deck.

But, for "Good Luck", I dropped that fat Croaker in the fish box. Thinking, this was a fluke. We aren't gonna catch that many this size.

I WAS WRONG!

Every three Croakers, was a big fattie.  And those small dinky Croaks weren't even part of our catch today.

So as we kept slammin' the hook to the fast biting Croak's. The more Capt Dave tossed into the good ole fish box. I told them, "If ya'll don't want these fatties, I'll take 'em".

As we burned threw the first 2 pound tub of fresh dead shrimp, and a handfull of livies. We decided to go and try our hand at catchin' a big monster Redbass. I was really close to a decent spot. So we pulled up, re-rigged and I sent down two chunks of a fresh Mullet caught at the ramp this morning, pinned to 7/0 circle hooks.

The guys asked......."Is this it?" I asked, "what do ya mean?"  "Is this how you fish for big Reds?"  I said, "Yeah, it's bait-n-wait. When that rod doubles over the shape of a horse shoe, FISH-ON!"

The bait-n wait fishing lasted maybe 3o minutes, and they wanted to go back and catch more Croakers. I had a feeling they became addicted. It happens to everyone, even me.  The action can be so fast, and the BIG Croak's can be addictive. Just like big silver beach Whiting. One after another, is hard to beat.

Croakers, the inshore B-liner. That's what B-liners (Vermillion Snapper) offshore can be. They don't have to be huge fish, because the action get's everyone totally addicted. I remember back when I used to bottom fish (hook and line) commercially with a ole buddy of mine. Double heading B-liners was bettter than sex, back then. Especially when each b-liner was a $5.00 bill when sold to the fish house. But even without a bounty on them, they were still plain ole good fun.

That's what fattie Croakers are like in the river....."in my book."

We fished till the last minute. The other two boats were back and off loaded their crews, and we came strolling up to the dock and everyone was gone, already.

That's addiction. The groom had places to be and things to do, and didn't want to quit. Can a Croaker keep a man from getting married? Probably not. But they almost can. Especially the big ones on Light Tackle, bending rods, pulling a little drag.

It was a beautiful day, warmed up real nice, with the winds dieing completely out by 10am.

Have a large group event coming up?

Don't hestitate to have your group out for a day of fishing. I can accomadate 16 people and 3-4 boats, with at least 30-45 days lead time.

NEXT UP:

4 passengers tomarrow, then two or three Monday. Then Tuesday, off to N.C. to pick up my new Dodge 3/4 ton truck with the Cummins Turbo diesel engine. Looking forward to pulling the JETTYWOLF, with serious power ahead of it.  

10/20 - THE "BOX"

Had Milton A. and his 3 brothers today. Been trying to get them out since Tuesday. Coming all the way down from Ohio to just fish had me saying, "we're going on Thursday...it's the only day I have."

So this morning in the dark at the boat ramp at 7am, the wind was howling, and it was really cold. The cold which is VERY welcome by me, was the second day of the year so far that had me even saying...."Damn, that's some cold wind."

I didn't even put the boat in the water as I usually do. I waited for the guys to show first. They hemm & haww'd but when it came down to it, they said lets go fishing. That's why we're here.

The wind was kickin hard, but we were able to fish around various spots. But I had to find big time "ACTION" to satisfy these four guys. They weren't here for "sport fishing". They wanted fish IN THE BOX!

The third spot was the ticket. The Croakers were chewing like PIRANHA.  Big ones, small ones, medium ones. I ran around the boat, taking fish off hooks, asking "is this a keeper", and the answer was yes 99% of the time, and the fish went into the box.

THE REASON THERE'S NO PHOTOS WITH THIS REPORT. I was busy, busy, busy.

We finally went and made a move, attempting to get out of the wind and find other species. And what did we get into?

MORE CROAKERS!

This spot was thicker than the last. The fish box was almost full, with just chunks of block ice in it. The Croaks were obviously addictive. "Which they are..."

The guys caught well over 100. Probably 200, but then again probably over 200 of them, as I think about it.

The "BOX", was runeth over!

We couldn't fish some places because the wind was so bad. So when handed Lemons. Make Lemonade!

And we did. I had a blast with Milton and his 3 brothers, we did alot of laughing today. Which made the day enjoyable, even though the weather was'nt, all that funny.  I believe I have wind burn, not sun burn!

Next up:  Friday - wedding party 3 boats, 3 persons per boat.  Saturday-another 4 person river trip, Monday-probably 2 person river trip.

10/17 - DE-VOID, how??

Had Jerry C. aboard today........I got lucky twice in a week, with TWO solo anglers. I love it. It's a nice break from being a "river party boat".

First thing we did as the last of the falling tide fell. Made a b-line to the jetties, anchored up and looked for DRUM BITES.
There was NO wind, the sky was clear, and it was a beautiful morning.

All we could muster was Croaker bites. But at this exact tide is when we should be getting a few Drum.
So as the tide changed and with no bites other than Croaks, we went float-rig fishing. I had to teach Jerry about each endevour. From bottom fishing to float-rig fishing, to tackle handling. Which took time.

We float-rigged and float-rigged. Yes, I fished hard too... and to quote my own dad which he always says, "Dave if you're not catching, how am I supposed too?"

Dad is right. I have the know how, the experience etc. so if I'm fishing along with you and I don't get bit, there's a "here's yer sign" thang going on.

Well, that's what happened. All I caught was lil' crappy rock blennies!

Well, this was a genuine smack in the face. So with the rising tide still pushing. Jerry and I pulled away from the rocks a bit and got into some good current and we fished live finger mullet behind the boat along the rocks.

Usually a good position to be in, all we had was Bluefish eating our baits, and caught one. Then the rod closest to the rocks bent over......

Jerry reeled in a KEEPER REDBASS!!!!!!
That has to be the first keeper red I've had some one catch in what seems like months. At 26-1/2" it joined a dozen or so barely keeper Croakers that we tossed in the box.

Amazingly, the jetties were just dead. And getting not a single bite while float-rigging along the rocks was totally amazing.
Bazzaro world never seems to amaze me. 

We didn't wast time making long runs. We kept our baits in the water. Out of a 6 hr day, our baits were probably in the water 5-1/2 hrs!

THEN COMES THIS MORNING (Tuesday): 

I was supposed to be back to "party boating". Had 4 guys come down all the way from Ohio. at 6am it was raining hard. The forecast is bad with winds, and we were really supposed to fish Wednesday. But re-scheduled up to today.

Wedenesday's forecast is MALAVENT......gusts to gale force predicted.

Here's why:

See those two storms?
They're gonna "clash", and that's what's going to bring gale force winds on Wednesday.

And up to 20 kts today with on and off rains.

I have Thursday to maybe get these guys out from Ohio, still. Then booked and back to the river/jetties Friday, Saturday, Monday.

10/15 - No love for ""that"" current!

Had Beth V and her mom and boyfriend aboard today. After feeling the really stiff wind as we arrived at the jetties, I discarded all attempts to float-rig fish. And instead we anchored up and used the 10 dozen live shrimp I had brought for bottom bait.
They wanted "KEEPER FISH". Were not interested in any "sporty" stuff.

First problem, and continued the whole day was the current. Out the three of them, they couldn't hold bottom or feel much of a bite. Yes as the tide poured in between the jetty rocks, it was tough. The gusty due North winds I'm sure had alot to do with that.

So we kept bumping up the sinker weight till we were at 6 ounces....any more than that would then put us in the world of "ludicris" bottom fishing. That's so much what the St. Johns River is.  Sure glad I brought the heavier tackle!

After a few Whiting and Yellowmouth, I headed in the river and searched and searched for a place that would allow lighter weights, and just keeper fish opportunities. But the river was a zoo of boats, traffic and passing ships, in and around the Mayport hub.

I'd never see the water push so hard over what remains of the little Jetties. It looked like something from a real river out west, during flood conditions.

We ended up with just more Croakers all small, and I kept thinking about my ole saying...."North-Northeast winds 15+kts + incoming tide = Kiss 'O Death."  And damn if I wasn't right from the get go.

It wasn't anyones fault that my crew was struggling. These were tough conditions. And the number one thing for fresh water fishing people to learn and adpt to very very quickly is, feeling the bottom while fishing our extreme current.

 All we could do is wait it out.....But in the mean-time it meant Dave pulling a 55 pound anchor into the boat WAY too many times. Believe me, I'm feeling it right now.

We ended up back at the jetties and using only a 3 ounce weight all was perfection. The wind laid down, and all was good.
We should have been hammering the Black Drum, or at least getting bit more frequently (in between lots of croakers) but something was off. While only getting a few.

Next up:

Monday..."solo angler"

Then as the winds build,

Tuesday a 4pak.

Wednesday, here comes BIG WIND again.

Friday a wedding party, with 2- boat charter.

10/13 - GOTTA LOVE A 5 DAY NOR'EASTER!!!

Had me a "solo" angler today. Mike S. Over worked, and ready for some fishing action. I was really sceptical about what would happen, since it was days since I've been out because of the latest Nor'easter that passed with lots of rain, huge seas and 25kt winds.

But since we don't get any tropical storms, or even a brushing by hurricane anymore which are usually the "kick in the groin" that this area......I mean river, needs to rocket us into a different season. Sending the dreaded summer water temps, heat, and stagnentcy away while ushering in "genuine fall."

I'll even take another Nor'easter, just as back up if that what it takes to insure that summer is gone for good!

I had a buddy, who was out in the rain, wind and over cast on and off skies, last week just before the really bad winds came, and he had a banner day hiding out, in the shallow creeks. He said, "Dave, it was incredible. The fish were on the serious feed bag!"

So, today I was hoping for the same. But, in the big water of the river. Now that all was clear, with light winds, sunny skies, and flat calm waters.  This trip with Mike was scheduled, then re-scheduled, then re-scheduled again, and then today we finally made it.

Feeling like a "river fishing party boat" most of the time. Today, having just one passionate light tackle angler aboard had me really excited!!

It was the full moon, I'm usually suspect of the wacky tides that the moon produces. I wasn't worried, because I still have the NEW MOON tides at the end of this month to look forward too. THAT'S WHEN THE KILLER CURRENT COMES, VIA 6+++ FOOT TIDES! So, today will be nothing in comparison.

Mike was early. I like that. And I had a live-well filled with very sprightly shrimp. No chasing finger mullet, throwing the cast net, wasting any time....I'm over all that!  Armed with my "float-rig" rods, and a few light casting rods we headed out at first light.

First spot, the current was strong. But gave Mike a really good chance to get the "knack" of fishing the float-rigs for the first time. It's always easier to learn, when the currents moving  good versus hardly moving. We didn't get any bites at first. But as the tide slowed a bit, and I re-anchored on the spot, it was GO-TIME.  Quickly came 12 Speckled Trout up to 19". And in a short time, I was counting a limit of 10 in the fish box.

Of course, I related to Mike that if I was to only catch Speckled Trout on a float the rest of my fishing life, I'd die a happy fisherman...."which ain't gonna happen around here by any stretch of the imagination." I'll have to move to Louisiana to make that life-long dream come true. But as long as we're "Boxing" some fatties here, I'm happy!

Mike was happy too, as he was excited about all the "good fried fish dinners" he'll have.

After "boxing" our limits of Trout, we ran back to the boat ramp for a pit-stop then I looked for a spot to possibly catch a keeper Redbass on the float-rigs. By now the tide was  good and high, the current was slower. We didn't score.

So it was time to anchor up and bottom fish for some Reds or Drum, just as the current started on the bottom of the river. I pulled out the light bottom rods, rigged up with my newest bottom rig. Fresh water fisherman would call it a "drop-shot" rig. Originally, I used it for just Croakers and Drum on a few velcro like bottom in the river, where a hook can't touch the bottom or it gets snagged. But I have found that the rig works all over the place, because it gets your bait off the bottom.

We weren't fishing very long as the first push of ebbing tide started when Mike gets to feel a nice puller......

It's funny how Black Drum are. If you miss them initially, they'll come back! Mike had a rod tip pulled toward the water, actually missing the initial bite. And that happened a few times in the next few hours. And the "bite" returned moments later.













This happened several times. While loosing a few really big fish in the proccess. But it was okay because the fish box was looking pretty good already, with some beautiful Trout.
Gotta love that "tug 'o war" though. And it's always better on the lighter tackle.


















Ya can't catch'em all, that's for sure. Or what would make ya come back next time?? It's FISHIN', not always just catchin'. And as the tide got half way out, is when we started to experience the FULL MOON tide. The current went from manageable on the light rigs, to "where the heck is the bottom??"

Mike was tired after working some crazy shifts at work. So as the afternoon winds picked up we headed back to clean the catch.
Mike left out headed for a nap, with a big bag of fresh Trout and Black Drum fillets.

Thanks to that Nor'easter, which we so badly needed. I believe, we're definately now into the genuine "FALL" fishing season.
The surface water temp was 74 degrees on my machine.

Yes, we caught some Croakers, a few Seabass but while float-rig fishing for the Trout, recieved really not much harrassment from bait stealers. Which was a RELIEF!

I believe it's GO-TIME, folks. It's the JETTYWOLF's time of year. 

Have my trusty float-rigs....will travel!

10/10 - OCTOBER NOR'EASTER

That was a wonderfully B-O-R-I-N-G five days.....

If ya missed it, it's been blowing 25 knots and raining here in J-ville, since last week.

I'm certainly ready to get back at it.

The sun's back out, the wind's backed off, and the A/C is back on in the house.

So, that means we're back to normal around here.

October.....it's supposed to mean. GO-TIME!

LETS GO FISHIN'

10/4 - Where oh, where?

Well, the "guess my location" challenge from my last post wasn't all that hard to guess.......I suppose. The first two commentors and only commentors, got it right, with one a bit more detailed then the other.

To see, CLICK, here.  Go to bottom of report. Chris Coleman nailed it in detail. Tom (last name withheld) backed him up.

I may have to to try this again, and work on a harder "place to guess" via just a simple video shot.

Was out yesterday, with a great crew. Chad and his son Andrew from Illinois. Andrew, 17 was a fisherman. He picked up my Shimano Citica's and had no problem pitchin and flipping the "hard earned" finger Mullet, that took awhile to capture. His Dad and I also worked hard using the Mullet, around rock piles in search of a Flounder or Redbass.............WITHOUT a single bite on them. This is now two times in two weeks that I spent alot of time and effort getting a brimming livewell full of perfect sized Mullet and used them up and down the river, in search of a keeper sized or near keeper size Redbass, in hopes of stumbling into some Flounder. And came out the other side, extremely disappointed.

It's absolutely amazing, how three lines can bump perfect finger Mullet along edges and rocks and never get a single fish! While also fighting the tide/current, as an added bonus to the frustration.

At the bottom of the tide, I gave up. And went and fished fresh steaks of big Mullet on the bottom, with the heavy tackle and Andrew caught ONE of these:

A 25 pound, 39 spot Redbass. But still, back home he's caught larger Catfish! I  wanting him to catch a monster....a 45 pounder. Or at least a bunch of 20's!!!!!

But seeing we caught the fish just as the current slowed, and the N.E. breeze started swing the boat around. We'd have to try later. So I picked up and we hit a few more spots as the wind started to really kick. Back using the finger Mullet again.

Still, the Mullet brought NO bites at all.......I want us to C-A-T-C-H, so we gave up on the Mullet once again and busted out the dead shrimp and pulled into a bit deeper water, on a 6'drop, hard bottom, lime rock ledge, that was really close by. On my 12" Raymarine screen, it looks just like a ledge offshore. I re-anchored and we baited up with shrimp and it was an all out CROAKER-FEST.

Yep, once again. I had to resort to Croaks to break the spell of the St. Johns. Andrew started smiling again. Slam dunking one after another, as we boxed a dozen large enough to keep. I took a live mullet from the well again added a heavier lead, and chucked it out on a circle hook in the 45 feet of water, along the channel edge.

As our flooding current started to really move, it swung the boat off the Croaks so Chad and Andrew had to cast ahead of the boat to continue to hook'em. Nothing but Croaks, no yellowmouths, no Drum, nothing else.

And not a single taker in the deep water on the Mullet.  So I tried a tiny live Croaker on one rod and a Mullet steak on another, and was back up to 8 ounces to hold the bottom as the tide flooded in.

It began to get harder and harder to hit the bottom and catch the Croaks in front of the boat, so we sat waiting on another big Red to eat the circle hooked baits in the deep water........but we never had a bite!

So?

Where were all these big Spawning Redbass?

Is this another year where if ya get 5 in a day you're killing them?  I told the guys, I remember days years ago, when all ya needed was some Mullet, or Pogies, alive or cut to catch 20-40 on a tide.

The current was really flowing  being pushed along, as the 15kt. wind blew from the N.E. So we packed it in and headed for the dock.

(you guess why) I'm going back to Float-rig fishing from now on. It's getting into the season again anyhow. I'm tired of hunting finger Mullet, and tired of sitting in current that takes 8-10 ounces to hit the bottom. My patience as I get older is wearing thinner.
At least when we float-rig fish, people are constantly staying busy, working their float. And it will "GET-BIT".

After today, I guess you can say I was inspired by a phone call I got yesterday. From my winter fishing partner Doc Miller, who summer's in North Carolina. He called me to say he'll be late getting back to Jax this fall, because he had a hip replacement...... "Doc, does that mean you're getting old?"  And even though we did almost more Drum fishing than Trout fishing last year.  Doc Miller is a total Float Freak, like me. Looking forward to the bone chilling cold winter weekdays out with Doc. When no one is around, because it's supposedly...too cold, and to us, it's "jus right".

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

BTW, if ya have some kite boarding to do
this is a great rest of the week for it:

SMALL CRAFT EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO WINDS


REST OF TODAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5
FEET. INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.

TONIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET.
INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.  SHOWERS.

THURSDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET.
INLAND WATERS CHOPPY. SCATTERED SHOWERS.

THURSDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO
8 FEET. INLAND WATERS CHOPPY. SCATTERED SHOWERS.

FRIDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 9 FEET.
INLAND WATERS CHOPPY. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

FRIDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 9 FEET.
INLAND WATERS ROUGH. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

SATURDAY
EAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS TO
GALE FORCE. SEAS 7 TO 10 FEET. INLAND WATERS CHOPPY. SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

SATURDAY NIGHT
EAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS
TO GALE FORCE. SEAS 7 TO 10 FEET. INLAND WATERS CHOPPY. SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

SUNDAY
EAST WINDS 25 KNOTS WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS TO GALE
FORCE. SEAS 7 TO 10 FEET. INLAND WATERS ROUGH. SCATTERED SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS.


WOW

GUESS MY LOCATION...

GUESS MY LOCATION

Let's see how sharp ya'll are. I know alot of you that come here are local fisherman. And right after I hit record on my Kodak Playsport camera today, I came up with the idea that readers can "guess" where I'm at in this short video, I did today.



 just CLICK HERE and up comes just this page, alone. At the bottom of the report is where you can add comments. And where you can add your location guess.I'm looking for a precise locale. If I get one, I'm thinking a prize may also be in order. I just don't know what yet.

--------------------------------
Today, I just went out to enjoy the "COLD" air this morning. And let me tell ya...I was freezing as I rode the river as the sun peeked through at 7am.

But what a beautiful weekend! And another on Monday also.

Or as the National Weather Service says;
MONDAY...ANOTHER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DAY WITH SUNNY SKIES AND MAX TEMPS IN THE UPPER 70S TO NEAR 80 DEGREES. A FEW PUFFY FAIR WEATHER CUMULUS ALONG THE COAST IN THE AFTERNOON.

But, as of Wednesday...."here comes a BIG BLOW."


Took 2 pounds of dead shrimp and went and caught about 40 Croakers, keeping the best dozen. Which happened to be the largest. That's 24 fillets, for a starving fishing guide.

Yeah, I look like I've never missed a meal, I know. And why is that? Because I'm not picky.
I'll clean, fillet, and skin my 12" Croakers and have me a fish fry.

I love my fried fish sandwiches.

9/29 - Wow, did September go fast.

Cannot believe the months about over already........"which means I'm that much closer to NOVEMBER, my favorite month!"


Had some guys out today, for a half day trip. They called me at the last minute. I said, "okay, let's meet at the dock at 7am. The tide's gonna be super high,  6.7 feet, so we'll fish the rising tide in the morning." 

They said, "oh no, we can't go in the morning. Can we leave in the afternoon? And then, we're heading home Friday morning."

So looking at my tide book, I took a guess-tamite and said, "Okay, let's try 1:30 to 5:30pm" Knowing all the while that the tide was going to scream hard. But how hard?

Doing well, just bottom fishing for some big Reds on my last trip on Sunday. I figured we'd just do that. I get to the boat ramp at noon, and I get a call.....It's my guys and they're right behind me, and like myself an hour and a half EARLY! I was early, because I'm always that way.

So, this puts us leaving, and the tide is MEGA-HIGH, and slack as hell! As I passed over the Wonderwood Bridge near my house and looked down. The I.C.W. was flooded. There was water, where water hasn't been in a long time. Higher then what any storm has put the water at lately.

"Oh, this is gonna be a killer!"  I thought.

So, here we are out near the Little Jetties, after milling around for awhile. I anchor up. The falling tide starts pretty quickly here.

I pitch out two lines baited with cut Boston Mackerel. The only smelly bait I had. The bait stealers have a Hay-day on it, shaking the rod tips pulling on a free meal in the slack'ish current. How did I know it was gonna be this way?

One of the rods really shakes, and one of the guys reels in a 14 inch deep water, river Seabass!  That's a nice one, for in the river, for sure.

We sat through plenty of bait peckers, as the current started to flow. But I eventually made a move, to an inside bend in the river where we caught the big Reds on Sunday.

"Jus' before the tide became "LUDICRIS", this week."   

We sat and sat and sat, while I tried keeping 10 ounce bank sinkers on the bottom......Which wouldn't hold, in the current! Even on a inside bend in the river, while anchored up in just 26' of water!

Our half day was clicking away......No bites. The tide was way too strong.

Then came a Stingray. The same fella who caught the Seabass takes the rod. Heaving, hauling, breathing hard, sweating, he battles the alien hovercraft, as it rises 100 yards from the boat on the surface. My "little rods and reels, that can" which is what I call my 6' Ugly Stiks matched up with my mini-Accurate twin drag reels, are straining but still have some power left work the stinger to the boat. But the last 20 feet, I have to literally "hand-line", the garbage can lid to the boat.

We continue to sit in current that a small water skier could probably stand up in, behind my anchored boat!

Then, about 5:30pm, two ships pass right next to us....... the tide now lets 10 ounces stay on the bottom. And one of the rods doubles over.

FINALLY! 

John's turn. He's an experienced fisherman, and he picks up my short rod and works the fish to the boat. as the ships pass right behind us.

Compared to a 40 pound Stingray, the Redbass actually comes to the boat with relative ease. It's a pretty 26 pounder.  Wow, we finally got one. Only because the 10 ounce sinkers would finally rest on the bottom. Eight's would have rested on the bottom too, which is the "sign" that the tide was slowing. But I kept the 10's on, jus' in case.

The guys drank alot of beer while waiting. It was getting late. So they said let's pack it in and go eat. I felt the same way.

I had a feeling I'd have to fight the tide this week. And even today, fought with myself between just grabbing a bucket of dead shrimp and taking the guys Croaker fishing, versus trying to fish for the big Reds, in this excessive NEW MOON river current.

So, we took a shot at it. But, I know we could have went to shallower water, with lighter weights and lighter tackle and caught the hell out of Croakers, also.  But, I went for the BIG FISH, instead.

Which was a tough call for a four hour afternoon trip. But we did get one. So I guess it was a success. It's never good to beat yourself up second guessing, anyhow.

Now, as of Sunday October 2nd the tide will finally drop below 6 feet, with the rest of the first week of October going back to normal tide heigths.  Which is around 4 feet, between low and high tide.

I'll be out on October 4th, with one angler that day.

Let it be known; 
the 25th thru 30th of October will again be the same way as this week. And I'm sure that's when everyone will want to go. The tides will again be over 6 foot, from mid morning working it's way to the middle of the afternoon again, by the 29th of October.

BE, FORE-WARNED!

9/23-9/25 THREE DAYS:

After three days in a row, as the New Moon Tides build. That St. Johns River, never ceases to amaze me. Between the tidal current, the commercial traffic, and all the BS rules. There couldn't be anywhere in the state of Florida more challenging, then fishing here. At least that's my perspective after 28 years, of which half is, guiding.

Probably the most interesting, or frustrating thing depending on who you are is how hard it was to get a livewell full of small finger mullet for bait on Friday and Saturday. Wanting to have them, under the assumption that this is the best way to stay away from all the bait stealing little fish, and/ or hungry Croakers. It took hours to get enough finger mullet Friday and Saturday morning.

Had James C. out solo with me on Friday. Which out of the last three days, was the most normal tide wise. I guess the theme of the day could have been labeled........"Yes, practice makes perfect."  James had one heck of a day. And after a while of finding our Mojo, both he and I worked hard under dark skies, with bands of  black with water spout funnels poking toward the ground. Who knows what the barometer was reading, as the clouds threatened rain all day, but held out till I got home.

James had some big fish on. And James had some big fish come off.

To make a long story short........James had the largest Flounder hooked up, and on the surface from 32 feet of water, that has been hooked on my boat in the last ten years.

It was "CONSERVATIVELY" 8 pounds! If not more. Larger than my net, and as big around as my livewells in my boat. It was a true DOORMAT! And near the net three times, before it broke the line and took off back to the depths.  At least we got to see it. Or maybe it would have been better if neither of us got to see it.

A few big Reds handed James his butt, as we were into "double-headers", as the tide finally slacked off.

Here's what made it to the boat......all the Reds ate those live Mullet, and all were too big to keep.

James did get this nice Flounder, which yielded some nice fillets, along with some other fish.

The last time James fished, was almost 5 years ago.  On his first Capt Dave charter. Back when the Jettywolf was still "shiney". I hope James doesn't wait 5 more years. We had fun together, even though it was frustrating at times.

Then came Saturday........the most frustrating day I have had in a L-O-N-G time. I had Bill and his daughter Margaret on board. Again, we spent the morning hunting finger Mullet. Finally getting enough as the tide fell from various locales. I started south of the Dames Point on a small obscure rock pile. With plans of using just the small mullet, for Reds and Flounder fishing. No BS'in around with Croakers. Jus' dabbing around with the live mullet.........."How could ya go wrong, doing that?"

Well, it can go REALLY WRONG!

When, fishing the hard earned Mullet, produces NO BITES!

The first spot, Bill catches a small Gag Grouper on his mullet. Margaret sits bite-less. Bill get's a few more bites, but no connections with anything worth a damn. This spot, in the past has produced some nice trout for me. But today, I was thinking possible Flounder and Redbass. I give it all the time I can stand...and we move on. Three places later, we're still "dabbing" Mullet around structure, and no Reds, or Flounder.  

The last spot of the day. The same exact spot that we had double-headers of Redbass on yesterday, and lost a "door-mat" Flounder.  

Hardly a bite. But Bill does pull out two decent Flounder for dinner.

Frustated, but not totally surprised.......we pack it in and head back to the dock.

Sunday, I have a group of four aboard the Jettywolf.  Oh, that falling tide was a screamer!!!!!!  We didn't even depart till 9am. Because the last thing I wanted to do is head out with 4 guys and have to wait on falling tide for hours. After the water started to move, we tried along the river channel for the big Redbass in 40 something foot of water. In no time at all I was up to an 8 ounce sinker and it would barely hold bottom, with a small finger mullet as bait.

But of course we were instantly hooked up! Everyone was excited, BUT ME!  Hoping for a giant Redbass, but I knew it was a giant "polish Flounder". A alien hover-craft. A Steve Erwin, killer fish. A STINGRAY! 

THE RODS I BROUGHT WERE NOT MADE TO HANDLE ONE OF THESE!!!

More than once I thought the rod was going to explode in someones face. And there's only one thing I hate more than replacing a lost anchor........and that's replacing a broke rod!!

So, after everyone aboard taking my word for it, we finally got the Stingray to the boat and broke it off. Remember, 8 ounces of lead wouldn't stay on the bottom. And 8 ounces is my "give" point. I will not fish current any stronger......and yes, it was gonna get stronger even.

So I pulled anchor and we went and jus' plain fished. Tossing mullet out the back of the boat as everyone baited up with some shrimp and caught one Croaker after another. In a some what calmer current. The mullet got chomped by one Bluefish after another, and the guys caught Croakers that were so thick, that all ya practically had to do is drop your bait down hit the bottom and set the hook.

We had to do something......and let this screaming falling tide do it's thing and as the tide got lower, it would eventually slow down enough so we could fish for the big reds. Which is what the guys wanted to do.

I kept some Croakers, Yellowmouth Trout, and Whiting. I'LL EAT 'EM! I like small thin frying pan fillets.

The tide soon gave out on where we were, and so did the Croaker bites and 4 pounds of shrimp. So we headed back towards Mayport. Stopped on a spot, where NO one was anchored up.

Boats attract boats. It's a simple rule of river fishing. I'd just as soon fish far away from the crowds, and get on my own spot.

And that's just what we did.

The current allowed us to fish 8 ounces......it held. With big steaks of fresh cut Mullet on a 7/0 circle hook. The first bait out got hit in about 5 minutes!

UNDER-GUNNED, AGAIN!!!!!

The current, against a rookie fisherman, up against a giant fish. And a 7' Ugly Stik "catfish series" Medium heavy rod. HOLY CRAP. Will it all stay together????    

Chris works what we think is a good sized Brutus T. Redbass to the boat. His arms are wearing out, he's being coached by 3 guys and one 8 eight year old. It was mayhem!

NOTICE, the bow in the rod?  It got worse than that!!

46 POUNDS OF REDBASS.......ON LIGHT TACKLE, WITH 8 OUNCES OF LEAD SINKER!

Ties, Erica Jenning's 46 pounder back in June. Being the (2) largest Redbass of 2011.

(yes, weighed on a calibrated 100 pound scale)

Okay, they're here!

Next fish, a "teen-ager".......about 16 pounds, comes off at boatside.

(touched leader. So it was a caught fish, just not a photographed fish.....)

Next bite....

A 33 pounder.... 

Then, it was our Jr. Anglers turn. The tide is slowing finally, we catch another stingray, but it was a micro-version.

Then, another teen-ager. A Redbass in the teen weight size.

Dad's assisting...but the 40 pound mono leader pops at the knot!! So we don't get to see the fish.

(and you can bet I ain't using 40# mono any more.)

The tide falls off completely. We just fished the entire tide, today. So we headed back to the dock.

I bid the guys farewell and then I clean 10 Croakers a yellowmouth trout, and a Whiting. Feed my bird buddies, and head home totally wore out from these three days. With each day TOTALLY different from the next.

I only wish to someday fish an area where I can count on at least one day being similar to the day before.

The other flats boat:

Your sparkley gel-coated plastic flats boat can go how shallow?
hahahahahahaha.....this swamp thang go's shallow.
"I tink I saw a tree shaka', Choot'em Lizbeth!"


Damn, I'd love to run one of these thru Hannah Mills Creeks on a 1.5' negative low tide, and spray mud at the mosquito fleet of Carolina Skiff barges, back yonder.

9/19 - BIG RAIN...!!

Holy smokes was that some big rain on Friday night, or what?  I hope everyone in the J-ville area got it, because my area sure did. It was flooding around here, because the ground was so damn dry it took forever to soak in.

Now that's the kinda thing we need more often. HOURS OF RAIN!!!! 
Not only good for the ground, but also good for the river, too. The river that's more like a skinny saltwater bay, where I fish.

Either way, the rain ushered in the seasons 1st Nor-easter! Yep, cool N.E. air. Gotta love it. But the Nor-easter wasn't one that would be all that dang fishable, with the winds this past weekend pushing 25 KNOTS.

But I'm sure there was some crazy weekenders out there. I stayed around the house and did some work.

Which leads me to my next topic........
I inherited this. Anyone needing it?
I can even deliver, around the corner (for a fee) if ya have no truck.
It's all about "OBO"

This has absolutely nothing to do with fishing. But, I'm trying to get rid of this:
 http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/fuo/2606017920.html
If you're in the need....shoot me an email.

Still have (3) $20 each 6'6" Ugly Stik intra-coastal boat rods left, that have been for sale for months. If you're in need a of good Redbass bottom rod....CHEAP, these are exactly the ticket. Add a reel, and you're ready.


My next charter days are Tuesday, Friday, and then Sunday with four.

So stand by for reports.

9/14 - How hard should ya have to work?

Had a two guy charter today and Gene and Mike. Kinda last minute thing. But it easily worked out.

We left out at 7am, with a rising full moon tide......"Not really optimum." And Mother Nature, really let us know that, too.
We needed some live bait fish, and they be Finger Mullet. Because, shrimp wasn't going to cut it all day. There's still to many bait-stealers around. For hours, I tried to catch the right sized Mullet. Every where that I go and usually catch them was void of any thick enough to cast the net on. It was a major thorn in the butt. Because as time passed by, the tide was of course changing.

I finally caught some, most two large to use as a Trout or Redfish bait, but we could always cut them up for "cut-bait".

We tried fishing the deep water for big Reds, using cut Ladyfish, but the Croakers ate us out of house and home, while 8 OUNCES wouldn't hold our baits on the bottom, in the screaming incoming tide.

8 OUNCES!!!!!!!
That's where I leave well enough alone. More than that the current is just too strong.

So as the tide started to fall a few hours later we got into a nice Flounder on a Mullet, some bigger Croakers (12") and some Yellowmouth Trout.

The only speck we had was one 14 incher. And not a single Redbass all day. And I worked my butt off. Anchored all over, too. Ended up working the shipyard, and that's where we had the yellowmouth Trout.

Wheww.....what a day.

My guys left me all the fish, so I cleaned them up after they left. And one heck of a nice pile. No limit anymore on Yellowmouth Trout, and that's a good thing. 

9/13 - "SMOKEY"....again!

Wow, the smoke is bad again. The ole Okefenokee Swamp supposedly is on fire again. And when the west winds blow, here comes the smoke. It's so thick, I couldn't see over the Intra-coastal waterway.

"THE HONEY PRAIRIE WILDFIRE AND AN ADDITIONAL FIRE IN
BAKER COUNTY WERE VERY ACTIVE YESTERDAY...AND IT SHOWS. VISIBLE
IMAGERY AND METARS TELL THE STORY FOR TODAY WITH AREAS OF SMOKE
AFFECTING A GOOD PORTION OF THE FORECAST AREA. VISIBILITIES HAVE
BEEN DOWN TO ABOUT 1SM AT JAX SO FAR."

I was out yesterday, and talk about challenging. It was the "day" of the full moon, which for me is always challenging. The tide ripped hard and since I wasn't in the mood to do alot of anchoring. I just tied off to a few spots. And even finger mullet were hard to come by. But we (myself and a friend) finally got them along a grassy bank. And as the Mullet swam by.....guess who was trailing right behind them? A nice 25" Redbass up in 12" of water. I shoulld have thrown my cast-net over that Red, because we never even caught one all day long. But I was on more of a Trout hunt, so maybe that's why.

Another observation worth passing along was the shrimp and big ones I saw on the surface, flipping around. The first one we saw was at the boat ramp. Just swimming along on the surface without a care. Then later I saw some more. Is that a good thing, hell yes! Would a blast of "big" rain, help out even more, hell yes! (and for the fires too!)

Is our next best bet for big rain T.S. Maria??

Either way, the large easterly swells offshore is having alot of boaters out carrying surf boards rather than fishing rods.

Just the other day I saw 4 boats in the parking lot of the boat ramp, loading or unloading surf boards.

Got some new Ugly Stiks some "in-between'ers". Not too heavy, not too light. Which what I was lacking. I have my float-rigging Ugly's which are super failry wands, so hooks aren't pulled out Trout mouths and my utility bottom Ugly's with the best overall St. Johns River reels ever. The Shimano TRN-100G's, but I was missing some tackle for everyday in between fishing.

Jus' for FYI, here's a list of what I have found to work the absolute best for me over the years. Which can take the abuse of numerous hands on them, and what will hold up. But won't break the bank:

Shakespeare Ugly Stik "Catfish" rods. 7' and can fish easily one ounce to upwards of 6 ounces...but is stretching it.  All around great rod for bottom fishing, availible at Academy Sports. And cost a whopping $30!!!!!  These rods have caught redbass up to 46 pounds!!!!!

Shakespeare Ugly Stik "Striper" rods.  7'6" medium Lights for Float-rig Trout/Redbass fishing....again $30 availible at BassPro Shops.

Next, is my favorite of all. If you watch my video's you'll see me tangling with the largest of fish with it, and it's the "Striper rod", in Medium Light, but 7'.  AKA: The Fairy Wand. I absolutely love a rod that bends and bends on a big fish the entire length of the rod. NOT just the tip, which is what the world of high priced Graphite rod builders want you to believe is the better rod. When using small hooks, and braided line. A Fairy Wand rod like this takes up the surges, the pulls of a big fish. Wearing it out, against the bungy cord like rod action. Again, just $30 and availible at BPS. These are way to light for most charter customers, who are not used to the fishing around here.

Then, there's the "in-between'ers" The Ugly Stik "Striper" 7' Meduim Heavy's. The ones I just got. Matched up with some late model Shimano Citica low profile bait casting reels. These can fit right in the middle, so my customers can have a blast pole bending a big or small fish, but at the same time be doing it when not alot of weight to reach the bottom is needed. But has just enough "azz" to make up for the possible lack oflight tackle, angling prowness.

You maybe asking yourself, why do you like the "Striper" rods versus regular Ugly Stiks?  And the answer is; one piece rods the right action, and handle length.  If you open up a BPS catalog and actually study the rods and handle lengths, you see why. And for sure these rods jus' ain't for Stripers......they're just called that.

And remember, I BAITCAST!  I'm not a spinner reel guy. Although I do have some Ugly Stik inshore "lites" matched up with some spinner reels. But only use them for "popping cork" fishing the shallows, when with spinner style clients.