2/29 - A wonderful day to be aboard the JETTYWOLF!

The only thing I would have changed about today was to have a 4.5' tide, which in turn would mean more current, which in turn may have lead to more.....BITES.

Tony my guest for the day, a skilled angler worked hard for what he had, but at the same time made everything that much "sweeter", also.

HERE'S THE DAY:

FROM TONY........AFTERWARDS,

"Hi Capt Dave; What a great trip on Wednesday, I enjoyed every minute. The fishing was wonderful and I managed to catch my personal best Red fish, Black Drum and Sheepshead how great is that!!. I now have you on my list to call next time I get back to this area, and organize a trip.
All the best from that English guy in New York.
Tony

PS
The video was great"

2/27 - Lots a Soup, but not many fish and chips

Wheeeeeeeeeeew. I was out yesterday with Father and son Gary and Carl. And ya think Saturday during the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament was bad?  Well, you at least didn't get rained on, for 5 solid hours!

Let me interject some editorial commentary for a moment; WEAR CLOTHES, per the weather. Than, multiply that times at least two or three!!!  I'll leave it at that.

We didn't do much of anything. The wind whipped the rain fell and as we tried the jetties at first with no luck on Trout, Yellowmouths, Sheeps, or Reds. I knew all other areas were gonna be futile, if the jetties weren't going to produce. A "Major Front", shut everything down.

Looks to me like we're in a WEEKDAY PATTERN, folks. You know how the weather guessers on the TV local yokal news tell you about patterns? Well you're getting it here too.

Weekenders don't seem to be fairing all that well. This past weekend is a EXAMPLE. 

Remember all those reports I did, back in January when it was 70 degrees and sun shine, telling people to get outa the winter cabin and get to FLA. now!  Well, cabin fever finally struck and we're in that "transitional time of year" now, and here comes the WINDS & RAIN, with it all.

Take a gander at this up coming weekday, Mayport Marine Forecast:

TUESDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET.
INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. PATCHY DENSE FOG WITH VISIBILITY
1 NM OR LESS IN THE MORNING. Means not much win really.
WEDNESDAY
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND
WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. PATCHY FOG WITH VISIBILITY 1 NM OR LESS IN
THE MORNING. Same-Same. (solo charter day)
THURSDAY
SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS
2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

FRIDAY
SOUTH WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND WATERS A
LIGHT CHOP.

NOTICE, NO 20 KTS PLUS......YET????  WELL, THAT'S HOLDING OFF TILL SATURDAY!

What's the big deal??  I have a re-re-scheduled 4 person charter Saturday, I hope.

2/22 - Before this weekend:

HMMMMM ???


SMALL CRAFT EXERCISE CAUTION
COASTAL FORECAST:

FRIDAY SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INLAND WATERS CHOPPY. ISOLATED SHOWERS. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.

SATURDAY NORTH WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET. INLAND WATERS CHOPPY.

SUNDAY
EAST WINDS 15 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET. INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE MORNING...THEN SCATTERED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.

Even though Tuesday was the New Moon, and the tides sure were kinda crappy. On Wednesday, Nick W. and I hit the St Marys river south rocks. Yep, another road trip. 

YEP, I'll certainly be doing more and more trips to the north. Charters and all..."who wants to?"



Yep, not a super banner day. But okay given all the circumstances, aka: Tides, winds, approaching front??

We lost some monster drag burners. Pitched jigs and plastic, Jigs and Shrimp, Float-rigged, only thing we didn't do is bottom fish.

Well with an "iffy" weekend....I'll maybe see you at Gander Mountain (Duval rd.Town Center) at noon. I'll be doing a seminar, for all who want to listen and watch.


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

EVENING UPDATE on 2/24:

7:48 pm EST
0048 GMT 02/25/2012
Wind: WSW (250°), 21.0 kt
Gust: 27.0 ktAir Temp: 77.4 °F.....was like 80+ degrees this afternoon!!!!
Water Temp: 65.1 °F.....is it spring already???

2/18 - BBBBBBB.......BAD!!!!!!

NEWEST and baddest!

The ISE show is never usually a event to debut brand new reels but for many manufacturers it is a good checkpoint to see just where they are in terms of shipping the latest ICAST announced product for the upcoming season.

Shimano bucks the trend with a surprise introduction for heavy fresh and light-mid saltwater applications by showcasing prototypes of their upcoming TranX baitcaster.

All eyes at the show were on the new TranX, a heavy powered reel designed to take on everything from offshore species to the biggest baddest Muskie and Pike in freshwater. The reel boasts specs normally found in a traditional round reel but has a form factor of a large ergonomic baitcaster.

It is like a even bigger version of the Shimano 300 series reels. (I HAVE (4) 300's and they are superior!!!)

The reel boasts large line capacities (50lb/420yd. Power Pro) yet features a low profile design for easy and comfortable palming. When it comes to winding power the TranX is both smooth and efficient and comes in either High Gear (HG-6.6:1) or Power gear (PG-4.6:1) models.

(I jus' may have (4) Curado 300 DSV's FOR SALE COMING SOON!!!)

2/16 - R-E-D H-O-T WINTER, Jacksonville fishing

H-O-T WINTER, Jacksonville fishing

As of right now....Saturday Feb. 25th (the same day as the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament out of Mayport Boat ramp)
I'll be at the Gander Moutain Store, up off Duval Rd. at the Northside "Town Center" again, for their "SPRING FLING".


Festivities start at noon, so I guess I'll be doing a seminar then too.  Last year about a dozen or more local anglers attended the seminars held outside the store. I kinda do a impromptu talk on the subjects I love. I'll be discussing, "Jetty Jiggin", Float-rigging, and bottom fishing the granite rocks.  Each topic will NOT be excusive to the fishing of the jetties only. But can be used from Palatka to Brunswick.


So, come on by and get you some "freebies" and check out the sales, and say HI.



Wow, if you didn't already know this.
We're really not having much of a winter.

(Hell, I'm a AQUARIUS)

February is usually BONE CHILLIN' as my dad and I make the drive south for the big Miami International Boat show over Valentines day week. (we used to do that...for at least 10 years straight!)

TOOOO many years we left out of J-ville and it was 30 degrees or below at 5am.

And once there of course I did alot of talking to dealers and other fishing guides. Many of those "south Floridians" treated us from Jacksonville, like we are from N. Dakota or something. (or maybe I was jus' very sensitive)

BUT....

I even had a fishing guide from SW Florida who was showing off his weird 16' flats catamaran boat taken up with an over sized over the top tower. So over the top, there wasn't any room for clients! He said to me... "You can actually be a 12 month a year guide, UP THERE?"

I said to him, "Dude, it's only 5 hours or so North. It's not like it's Rhode Island!"

But, in his "Cosmopolitan bubble" Florida fishing revolved  around South Florida only.

Well, as far as PRESS coverage, yeah we maybe that red-headed step child to TV shows and fishing magazines. Because the fishin just isn't so easy round here!  It takes SKILL.

But we do and can fish 12 months a year!

And so far this winter season I've only re-scheduled ONE charter and that was back in October!

Long story short...

These are the types of winter's that dreams are made of.

Sweatshirts in the morning, T-shirts in the afternoon. And OH SO comfortable.

Not hot, not cold!

With all this has come early blooming trees, lots of pollen, and Black Drum migrating and Sheepshead spawning come kinda early???  Yes, I said EARLY!

Already I've talked to a local Drum fisherman who's boated many over 20 pounds and even a 40 and a 85 POUNDER!

The Sheepshead are going so NUTZ, that we had to move away from them, while hunting for BIG Trout at the St. Marys south Jetty.

Here's the video: http://youtu.be/SH2XJRjVDO0  (also available in post below this one)

When you're getting one after another on Live shrimp and float-rigs meant for Trout...

These fish are on the feed bag, and many are full of roe, and the spawn is probably ready to bust wide open. Or already has?

Sheepshead, throw caution to the current this time of year...Like a buck in rut!

READ, my reports and see the PROOF. 

I do mucho of "surfing" the web and let me tell ya. I don't see alot of "local" info out there. And if I do, it's reports from months ago, or even YEARS ago.

EDUCATION, INFORMATION, that's what I try to provide "prospective customers".  And believe it or not, even after telling them about checking my reports many people don't sign-up to read these reports. It takes 5 whole minutes or less, and if I was booking a special charter for myself and a friend or relative. I'd be all over these.

I follow about 3 guides and bait shops in Louisiana, because it's different and I want to learn. I view all their "YOUTUBE" videos and reports weekly. It's how I stay informed.  You too should stay informed...If you're already reserved for a day or planning to do so in the near future.

C'C'mon...aboard,  she''s one hell of a fishing machine!

2/14 - Birthday road trip

Headed NORTH this morning. Met up with Doc Miller at the bait shop. Got what we hoped to be 10 dozen live shrimp, and headed over the ferry at the St. Johns in Mayport.

As we were in no man's land on A1A north, had a heater hose problem. Steam off the big Dodge Cummins everywhere. But easily fixed. Just needed WATER!!!!! Well, just so happens we we made it to where Kayak Amelia is. I found a ole gallon jug along side the road, and filled it up several times from their hose.

Back on the road after an hour.

We get to the boat ramp in Fernandina. We back the boat in the water and I hit the key. The Honda turns over but doesn't fire! W.T.H!!!!!!!!

"Oh, no. Not another problem?"

Well, after another hour!!!!!!!!

It's figured out that all the bouncing on this road trip loosened the "engine cut off" switch lanyard. So the engine wouldn't start. Once it was back and properly afixed. VVRROOMM...The Honda started and we were finally off.

"Really, who would think that bouncing down the road would loosen the safety cut off? Not me. But it sure did. Road trip lesson learned."

NO ONE AROUND, GREAT BOAT RAMP, WONDER FACILITY, I'VE ALWAYS LOVED FERNANDINA!

We came to slaughter T-R-O-U-T. That was the plan.

Here's what actually took place.....on my birthday road trip, with my float-freak buddy Doc Miller.

2/11 - RED FACED FISHING....

Had regular Ed B. and his two sons and his two friends aboard today. YEAH, today!

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING...

SATURDAY
NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET.
INLAND WATERS CHOPPY.

 

I knew it was gonna be a real trial of patience, especially with five people aboard. We no sooner got to the jetties and started dropping to the bottom and 6 ounces wouldn't even hold the bottom..........UHG!!!!!!!!

 

The NW winds were whipping, so I went over to the other side of the inlet to get the wind and current at least going the same direction.

 

And no matter where I was the bottom fishing just wasn't going to happen. And as it turned out it was pretty darn cold out there as the "FRONT" pushed in. Ed's boys weren't even really fishing that much. I decided to just "bottom bump" because I figured it would be easier for everyone aboard, since I usually (especially when the winds honking) can't float-rig more than two lines out the stern.

 

But as it turned out...."we could have float-rigged!!"  It surely would have more exciting.

 

That's the thing about that kind of fishing. You'll always get some kind of action. Especially in the winter.

 

I saw some guys float-rigging and they were scoring some yellowmouths at least. While we only caught three small ones, a ton of the 6" Seabass, several clear nosed Rays, a Spiney Box fish, and one Whiting.

 

I must have pulled anchor 20 times and moved around, or picked up anchor as wthe wind snatched it free from the bottom.

Whewww...and my "H.D." anchor and chain weights in at 50+ pounds and still wouldn't hold us the wind was so fierce.

 

Red faced, cold and of course I was frustrated. We packed it in and headed through some big swells to get inside the inlet from the outside and ran back to the dock around 1pm.

 

There's NO WAY, that we could go all winter long without some kind of serious cold and wind. It was only a matter of time. Heck it's February!

 

Of course I was Pre-Booked for Sunday. And that's what the wind was blowing in on Saturday, ARTIC COLD!

Yep, 29-30 degrees at my house in the morning. And still alot of wind. So Sunday's  two passenger trip has been rescheduled till later in the month.

 

Which so far is my ONLY second reschedule of the winter season. Last one was back in October. Which goes to show ya, it's been a very nice winter, so far.

2/10 - Nicer day, with great catches!!

Had regular customer Dave C. and his buddy Eric on board. Last year, in December Dave landed a 45 pound Redfish on light tackle, while Eric slammed dunked Reds, Sheeps, and Black Drum into the boat.

So fishing with these two guys isn't a boring day. Plan was to float-rig fish the morning catch some yellowmouth trout, some Speckled trout, maybe a Redbass or two. Then maybe pitch some jigs, pick up a Sheepshead or two. Avoid as many Bluefish as possible and have a great day.

GUESS WHAT? THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID!!!
I just love it when a plan comes together.

Eric's second drift of his float-rig and he slam dunks what fought like a good sized Redbass. Running, burning drag, head shaking, the whole shootin' match.  I see it, and like a school girl yell "T-R-O-U-T AND IT'S A BIG ONE!"

But as I scoop it up in the net, it's a monster Yellowmouth trout, aka: Weakfish!!
Check this out.....

At 5-1/2 pounds and 24+ inches, this is a STUD "ole yeller" . 

As we fished, and fished, and fished some more the guys hung big Reds and more and more yellowmouths. Many of the Reds didn't make it to the boat, but the yellowmouths did. It was a clinic for awhile as the current ran.

But, not one single Speckled Trout. Hell, we had 'em yesterday?

We never left the area all day long. Catching more yellowmouths, three Sheepshead, and hooking up on even more way over-sized Redbass.  Even I had two big reds hooked up and both slipped off the hooks.

A bunch did make it to the net, and not one were a keeper....."all too BIG."

Dave was Mr. Redbass for sure today. We stayed put where we were, because I didn't feel it was our best interest to go up in the river and hunt Specks in that full moon falling tide.

And my game plan worked.  The guys caught alot of fish!

NOW.......Saturday's charter. Five People. I never ever take five aboard my boat. Because it's too many. But I have another good regular customer who's in Jax with his son's and friends.

And the problem is?

The FORECAST:

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING...

SATURDAY
NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET.
INLAND WATERS CHOPPY.

Hmmm......"we're gonna go,  and see what I can do a boat load in these conditions if the forecast is right." 

2/9 - Brrrr......the front followed me home!

We had some weather while I was over in Louisiana. BIG RAIN, we ain't seen rain like that around these parts since October. But they got it there. Then came the winds from the North, and COLD air.

Well I guess it followed me home, from vacation. Cause today while out with Brian W. from Kentucky it was chilly, and then windy, then a bit sunny and then chilly and windy again, as the N.E. wind blew.

It was GREAT doing a one person trip with a true bass fisherman. No worries. Brian could handle whatever we did.

From Float-rigging, to light jig casting. HE CAUGHT FISH!  And even outfished me. Which is a good thang.

The FULL MOON TIDES made the day a bit tough to work with, and so did the N.E. winds at the Jetties. But Brian flowed like water with everything I wanted to accomplish.

Only took a few pics, but you'll get the idea......

REALLY NICE SPECK & YELLERMOUTH TROUT!

We caught a whole bunch of yellers...boxing a dozen or so along with a few specks.
Then, went up in the river to hunt up Sheeps and Reds. Catching a few Sheeps.
And then the last fish of the entire day was an exact, I mean exact 27" Redbass.


WHOPPER.Light-tackle,River,Sheepshead.

Pinched tail, and exactly 27".Took all day to get Brian his
"R.B." On the float-rig.

The front definately came thru. The "wispy clouds" and cold air, was proof and had us wishing for more clothes!!
It my pleasure to have Brian aboard the JETTYWOLF. We had a great time. Brian took home a bunch of fish fillets for a Kentucky fish fry with his buddies back home.

Next up:

Friday (two fisherman)
Saturday ( Five fisherman!)

When it rains it pours, huh?

2/9 - LOUISIANA, is where I've been!

My dad took me for my birthday (and because he loves road trips) to Louisiana. The Speckled Sea Trout, holy land as far as this "trout freak" is concerned.

Stayed in East New Orleans at Pontchatrain Landing RV Park, right along "industrial canal" that lead to the place I've dreamed of........LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN!

My ""connection"" to fish the lake, never panned out. So I bank fished a bit. Catching Trout was almost too EZ!

Here's all the video's I took while there.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BLM26CC?feature=mhee - Number one through number four, are all new and of our trip.

The footage I took is self-explanatory, really.
#1 - Our trip to Venice, La. "the end of the world". Venice Marina, unlike anything in ALL of Florida!!!!!
#2 - Bourbon street, French Quarter....of course.
#3 - Bank fishing footage. Catching alot of TROUT!!!
#4 - Where we stayed, Lake Pontchartrain, and Mandeville (northside of Lake)

If you don't know. It is Sportsman Paradise, over there.
-No hard currents
-The perfect salinaty

New Orleans, still is "no prize" that's for sure. But many areas are back and strong. AND SOOO DIFFERENT THAN
J-VILLE, FLA.  Many folks don't care for it. But I thought it was HEAVEN.

Where we stayed was just around the corner from where this TV show was shot at........
NO WONDER I CAUGHT JUST TROUT.

CHECK IT OUT:  http://www.lasmag.com/media/details_flash_guide_feed.php?id=83&merchant=1483

2/2 - Short notice, and want to fish?

T-I-D-E-S, no they certainly don't have them in Kansas, Todo.

But we do in Saltwater. And out of the (3) bodies of Saltwater, the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Jacksonville to Amelia Island, Florida being on the Atlantic coast. Being the furthest North area on the east coast of Florida. We have tides.

THEY DO MATTER!


Any good fishing guide should know these tides inside and out and know them better than his own back yard.

BUT, you have no idea about the tides. You're from Kansas. You have ONE day, from 10am-2pm to get out and fish with your co-worker, while visiting J-ville to repair a Thingamajig, over at the Acme ABC plant.


It's your first time in sunny Florida. And you want anything from a Blue Marlin to a giant Snook, like you saw on ESPN outdoors TV.


You call, and I tell you "I inshore fish". You have no idea what that is!


I explain, that I fish the river and specialize at the inlet where the river goes into the Atlantic Ocean.


No long boat rides are guarenteed! And we'll be "light tackle fishing".....Again, you have no idea what that means.

I explain, "we'll be using tackle, just like a freshwater fisherman." Not big clumbsy reels and heavy rods."


And then you tell me you want to target Marlin and Snook.

And I'll explain, that we'll be targeting neither. And each one is totally different than the other, and Snook in N.E. Florida doesn't happen much, and Marlin are best suited for your next trip to Mexico.


You have 10am-2pm to actually fish.

The tides would be perfection for a 7am departure.


BUT, I'm a tide master. Although I'm not getting the perfect time of day. With my knowledge, the reason you're hiring me. I'll work with it.


Take the day at face value, the no long boat ride needed, and the fact that no matter what

....this will be all NEW to you!




Go experience, the experience of it all.

It's February. You're probably "NOT" doing much fishing in Feb. back in Kansas.


We'll be using the light tackle, so about every bite and fish will be F-U-N!






Reservations are super easy. You can do it all on your "smart phone" and then read directions to the dock where I'll meet you.

I'll provide you with everything "fishing".


And afterwards if you have time. You can even have a late lunch with your fishing partner, and "eat your catch of the day".


Care of a restaurant, within walking distance from the dock, where they'll fry-up your catch for you for cheap!

FUN-FUN-FUN, you'll have a great time!

Jacksonville Fishing Forecast 2/2012:

RIGHT NOW.....this is so UN-winter like Weather!

If you're COLD, and need a break. Why are you not visiting us?

You may need a sweatshirt or jacket in the morning. But by afternoon you'll be so glad to be out on the water.

It's been beautiful almost every day!!



2/1/2012 yesterday:

Speaking of TIDES.....was out with Doc Miller yesterday. The tides were "weak", real "weak" but that didn't stop us. It was FEB. 1st!  Day one of the (6) per person Speckled Trout limits, now inacted by the FWC.

We headed up river, and tried our hand at a couple "trouty" spots. But because of the weak currents we were run out by the small Bluefish that have invaded, as usual this time of year.

So we headed to the jetties.......THE BIG WATER!

We float-rigged around and found that the blues were still too much for our liking. I told Doc, "Ya know there's more than one way to skin a cat. Let's drop back to OLE SCHOOL.....

He brought alone a super "fairy wand" but super nice light spin out fit. A super small Shimano spinning reel matched up with a super sweet Shimano V-series rod. This rod and reel combo would be what a freshwater fisherman would use for casting tiny jigs to perch or something in a lake. Spooled with 10# mono.

Yep, and that's what we did. 1/4 & 3/8th's ounce "jig-n-shrimp" casted outside the jetty rocks, where the rocks met the sand is where we fished. Boats around us, and no one catching a thing.
Except for us!!!!!

We made wine outa sour grapes! Finding schools of Yellowmouth Trout (weakfish) and catching them or getting bit on every single cast. It was a "fishing clinic". Watch and learn how to be flexible, and ever-ready to catch fish no matter what the TIDE!

They were huge, most ranged from 12" to 15". And we were flipping them in the boat like a Miller Lite commercial.  "FISH, GET IN THE BOAT!"  Being that the new rules state that we can have 100 pounds of these fish per person at 12 inches.  We really didn't count them as we slung fish after fish over the rail.

(sorry, no photo's or video.....was too busy "catchin")

Not wanting to "burn-up" all our live shrimp, we switched to Saltwater Assassin, 'chicken on a chain' Sea Shad soft plastics, on the same light jig heads. A little slower bit, because the fish were wackin' at the twitching tails of the Sea Shad alot more. But saving the shrimp for later, when the tide turns and starts to "come in", could bring a whole new adventure.

We did catch some "specks".......but because of the way the tide was and where we were, most were either 12-14", kinda the same as the Yellowmouths. It was a "Birds of a feather, flock together", kind of deal.

Finally, the yellowmouth got wise to us leaning down thier school or the tide made them move.
So we also made an adjustment, after awhile.

Whewwwwwwww, that was FUN.  I love wackin and stackin. No matter what it is.  Hell, I've done the same thing on light float-rigs in Feb. for those Ringtailed Pogies that gather on the tips of the jetties.  Shooting fish in a barrel, is never NOT fun!

We adjusted with the tide, stayed deep and after awhile found the yellowmouth Trout again, along with a whole lot of same sized Specks.  I know I was getting a ton of Sheephead bites on my jig-n-shrimp combo. So I really started to do a "Vulcan Mind Meld" with my rod tip and I finally got one. A big 7 pounder, that put up a really nice fight on my light weight fairy wand bait caster.

Then, Doc hooked up something huge, (especially, on that rod and reel). We thought it was a big Sheeps too. But on his "trout stream" rod, it turned out to be a perfect 27" Redbass. And it kicked his BUTT!

LT, light tackle fishing at it's finest!

We basically burned up the rest of our live shrimp, and then took off back to the dock.

We double teamed the cleaning of all the fish, filleting (40) Yellowmouth and the Red and Sheepshead. By then we were both wore out!

It was a perfect example of "making a quick switch in tactics" and adjusting to the lack of tide today. Filling the box with fish, and both of us headed home each with a gallon sized bag full of "fish fry", fillets.

When fishing our crazy tidal waters, I live with a motto that was coined many moons ago by an associate. "You must remain ridgidly flexible at all times, when fishing these waters."

Again, it was a beautiful, warm, t-shirt, shorts, and sun tan lotion kinda day. IN FEB.!!!!!!!!!

-where were YOU?  

1/26 - "On One Outdoors".....great day!

Back on December 3rd, we did a show with the crew of  On One Outdoors. It was a breezy, cold Saturday. We wanted to get out to the big Jetties, but the wind was pretty stiff. With camera crew tagging along in a bass tracker aluminum boat, lots of footage was shot, as myself and friend Doc Miller plied the St. Johns, putting Trout and Redbass in the boat. Staying out of the wind, waiting on the tide to switch.......all the things we do on a daily basis as fisherman out there on the river.

Plus having a really good time, no matter WHAT!

We caught a box of fish to boot.  My friend Clay and his crew patiently worked around us, anchored up, tied off, and jumped back and forth on and off the Jettywolf to produce what I think was one heck of a nice episode for the on-line show website.

Now, that this one is done, we will be doing more! 

On One Outdoors, is all about hunting and fishing. Real enthusiasts having fun with friends and family in the great outdoors.

Here's the show we did, aptly called (click link).  "CAPT DAVE'S FLOAT-RIGS"  enjoy for a change, professionally done footage. Clay is alot better than I am, when it comes to filming, editing and getting that shot "of the float disappearing!"


http://vimeo.com/35613916

1/25 - starting Feb. 4th intinarary:

Heading to Louisiana on Feb. 4th.  It's about time I go do some looking around over there. Everyone else I know has either fished there or at least walked down famed Boubon street, at least once.

But in this business, it keeps you beat down just enough, where vacations or even a few days here and there going somewhere else is not something that I can practice. I believe it's just a Jacksonville thing....

So, with no boat in tow (that would cost too much) my Pops and I are heading there in his new SUV.  I should be towing my boat over there given the new 2500 Dodge Ram "tuned" turbo diesel is now pumping out 420 HP and 800 pounds of boat pulling and cruising torque. "Yeah I know... she doesn't look like it. But she's a sleeper!"  I would need  $800 worth of new tires, first. To even think of a trip like that.   "See what I mean..."

One of my first stops over there is right off I-10 at the Slidell exit. Do some looping around Eden Isles, a water front community filled with miles of canals right off of Lake Pontchartrain,and at the marina basin there's Dockside bait & tackle.

Already, this looks like PURE heaven to me:  http://www.docksidela.com/dockside/Services.html

Ya' mean no ships, no current, no Navy, and loads of dock space?  You gotta be kidding!!

I just have to see how the other half lives. So, yep I'll be dragging Pops to yet another (as he see's it) boring bait shop!

We've booked 3 night at what has to be the coolest place to stay, versus a fishing lodge with 10 rigged bay boats. And it's this place.

Pontchartrain Landing RV Park.

I believe we're going to be staying in one of their "tropical villa's".

Adjacent to New Orleans in the "Seabrook area",  which is a real hot spot certain times of the year for MEGA Speckled Trout fishing!


Of course, we'll have to do the 26 mile causeway, so to get the feel of how much water that it.

(Kinda like from Mayport to Orange Park on the St. Johns River, except 1000 times wider!) 

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway,  "the bridge is so long that the curvature of the Earth obscures the shore from sight!"

And loop back on the land bridge between the west side of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas, and see some "swampy'ness".

Other areas I'd like to just see is Venice, aka; "the end of the world", Hopedale/Shell beach, and of course Bourbon Street.

I'm sure I'll find more marinas, bait shops and boat ramps that'll have me screaming in jelousy.

Not 100% sure at the moment, but I've talked to the host of Louisiana Sportsman TV show, Sam B. and he said we'll get together and fish one day while I'm there and possibly even do  filming for an upcoming show!  Now that's a dream come true.

1/24 - The Two Drummers

Got a call from my buddy Nick yesterday and he and his friend Colin from Scotland. A fellow drummer in Scottish Band touring the U.S.  They were up in the river catching Yellowmouth's and a Speck here and there.

I hadn't been all weekend. Problems with my ankle so I was nursing it after a doctors visit on Sunday.

So I said, "Got me plenty of drugs now and the ankle is all better....let me take you and Colin to the jetties tomarrow."
Nick said, "That's great, I didn't want to go out there in my smallish boat, anyhow."

We met up at the bait shop and were at the boat ramp pulling away around 8:00am. The tide would be high at 9:30 so we'd be on time for that.  Colin needed to be yanked by a big Redbass. Ya just can't come here, all the way from Scotland, and fish and not be yanked by Brutus T. Redbass!!

So that was my goal. But when we arrived on location, there really wasn't any strong current. The rising tide was a 5 footer, so I expected a bit more than what we got.  Of course, there was fellow Blog readers out there trying their luck and of course thought that the big reds were gonna make their appearence just as they did in my Friday report.  But no one was catching any.....I know I wasn't!  And like my dad always says, "If Dave ain't catching them, how am I supposed to?"  Meaning, I've fished these spots a time or two, before.

So after just one Speck at 15" I put in the box, we made a move to reposition, then another reposition. And it was all too apparent those big "RB's" jus' weren't around.  So we moved on.

We made our way up into the river and caught lots of Bluefish, and small Trout, boxing one more keeper Trout. In between eating 3 tastey Publix Sub's and bags of potato chips, shooting the bull, tossing back a few more trout. Boxing one more keeper. We ended up on a "Hail Mary" spot.

By now Nick had 25 backlashes, 14 knots in his line, and was as heated as a Irishman can be, at his tackle. So he gave up. While Colin and I continued fishing.

(And my goodness the live shrimp today were OUTA THIS WORLD, perfection!)

My float goes down, I set the hook and it's a drag taker!  So I hand my rod to Colin, and he finally gets that Redbass I told him all about.  I let him reel it in against the now ebbing tide that was New Moon strength. And he does really good. The Red throws up the white flag, and into the net it goes!

It's a perfect keeper at 25 inches.  The weird thing was that this Redbass is now the second one caught on my boat in a year or so with what looked like a broken back. 

Take a close look just at the end of the dorsal fin, see how it just doesn't look streamlined?  The fish had some kind of injury in it's earlier life.  And on top of that looked to be blind in it's right eye!  Holy smokes......I told Colin, "even a half blind crippled Redfish can find an acorn every once in awhile.

We'd had enough so we headed back to the dock. And that was my day with two guys that make their living keeping the beat going, banging on the drums.  Which is alot different than the life I lead, for sure.

OH......and by the way.
IT HAD TO BE 80 DEGREES OUT THERE THIS AFTERNOON. IT WAS ACTUALLY HOT!

Ya' think the "snow birds" would be eating this up? Where are they?

I'll be heading to Sportsmans Paradise, LOUISIANA, Feb. 4th..."hope to get lost and have to send for my boat!"  

1/20 - SLOW BITE.......BIG BITE!

Had Paul and Jeff on board the Jettywolf, Friday.  They were from Pa. and in Jax working. I knew it was gonna be another GLORIOUS day. Light winds, flat calm water, and fish chewin'.

Paul had given me enough heads-up time, to come up with a plan....sometimes a luxury item these days.  So I looked hard at the tides and gave the guys a 9:30am departure time. No need to do a dark thirty super early departure. I was wanting to concentrate on the last of the falling tide.

Hit a few spots, bang some big fattie Trout then head to the jetties for the rising tide late in the aftternoon and maybe have the guys get "stroked" on some light tackle.

THAT WAS THE ULTIMATE PLAN.

Well, as we sat fishing the first spot, the only fish that was caught was a 17" Redbass. BUT.....we were actually early on this area, so I told the guys it's a great spot to really get acclimated with the whole "float-rig fishing" thang.  But when it reached 11am......then 11:30am and then 12:30am  and the tide was still moving too hard, and not a single Trout was caught. MY PATIENCE WAS WEARING THIN!!!!!!

Hell, I've had to sit and wait on those trout before. Been there done that!  But the problem I was having is that on Tuesday I came into the area with Nick and immediately banged 4 trout over 20 inches in a matter of an hour.  SO, what the hells going on today?  That was the million dollar question!

We packed it in after giving the area long enough. And as the tide started to really slow, I quickly hit another spot, on the way eastward to the jetties.  NOT a sniff........

Oh no, is bazzaro world Florida gonna do this to me all day?  As I talked to a few other people fishing, they too were struggling. And it was a mystery to them also.

Paul said long before he stepped into my boat, "Dave, I get seasick. And I get seasick really bad, so we need to fish calm waters."

I had that statement in my thoughts as I rounded the tip of the jetty. The weather man seemed kinda right....but kinda wrong for today's forecast.  Yeah, the wind was light maybe 5 knots of less in the river, but every bit of 10 knots or more at the jetties and in the wide ass open. The forecast was for a SW breeze. And it seemed to me there sure was allot of South and some East in it actually.

Outside the rocks it wasn't what I'd call rough, but rather just a "washing machine of irritation". I looked at Paul and said, "here's the deal......DO YOU WANT TO CATCH FISH? and maybe some big ones?"

So I anchored up, and that's where the irritation came in! The way we layed in the chop was not good. BUT, it's not like I haven't been in it before and caught great fish the whole time. We literally SLOPPED back and forth from the starboard side to the port side, with waves hitting the starboard side and splasing us about every 25th wave.

But, on Jeff's first drift of his float-rig he nailed a tiny litttle Bluefish. OH NO! Are we gonna be ate up with these little chompers the whole time??  NO, because the Trout started coming over the rails not long after. Not huge Trout, and even some questionable 15 inchers I released, and then some good sized Yellowmouths. The action was "just" steady enough to make it worth holding on with one hand and fishing with the other, in the confused sea conditions.

BUT THIS IS WHAT THE JETTYWOLF WAS B-U-I-L-T, FOR!

And Paul didn't once say, "I'm seasick." So we just kept at it. As the tide really started to rise, I had a good feeling some really big fish in the way of Redbass would show up.  And they did.

Paul hooked and lost two to the jetty rocks almost back to back. But that's when Jeff stepped up to the plate and stroked the first one.

Then after the first over legal keeper size Red was caught it was a "way-lay session" of fish hooked, and fish lost.

From 29" and 9 pounders up to fish weighing in at 16 pounds. On my light "float-rig" rods, this is a test in light tackle whoop ass!  Who's got Who??

Double-headers were coming almost back to back! I was laying one fish on the deck and scooping another out of the water!

"""""LOOK""""" at the stern rail behind them in this photo!  That's the angle of the boat, as it sloshed back and forth. But this is where the action was!

The shrimp were so dang small and weak that if you put two on a hook, the reds could maybe see them.

All in all, I'm not sure how many the guys hooked, caught and or lost during the waylay of Redbass. But as the boat swung the bite about fell off, a few Specks were caught and another Redbass or so. I was wore out, and I'm sure they were too.

It was WORLD CLASS winter jetty light tackle action. But ya had to be tough enough to actually do it. And Paul was never seasick once!

We used every shrimp that seemed to still have some life in it, and then I pulled anchor and headed back and cleaned our box of trout. I believe we kept around 8 or 10.

Again, I talked to several buddies back at the ramp and everyone was struggling in the river today, no matter if you were Sheepshead fishing or Trout fishing. I'm glad I gave up on the river and  had the capability to go where I did. Because we were ALL alone where we sat. Just being spied upon by not so capable boats on the slick inside of the jetty rocks.

BIG ALLOY.....does it again!