3/19 - SO MUCH TO CATCH.....

Are you thinking about fishin'? Wishin about fishin?

Well, let me tell ya there's so much fishing to do here in Mayport, Florida right now, it's sick!

-T-rex sized Trout
-Redbass......it's a given
-Sheepshead
-YellowmouthTrout
-Black Drum
-Sight cast "Tripletail"
-Coolers full of Whiting.....some Pompano.
-Take the little kids to catch all those Bluefish

If you're bored, it's because YOU don't have a day booked aboard the Jettywolf.

Had Dave Z. aboard today as a "solo'ist", and had yours truely as his personal angling/baitcasting coach. Yeah, I love it when I have one person. It's all about truely guiding versus people management.

We weren't on the "spot" 10 minutes as the sun peeked over the horizon and Dave was already hooked up!

He pitched his float out it drifted and "bobbed", I saw him get sand-bagged a bit and I said "reel, ya got one!" And it was a nice eating size 5 pound Black Drum. Then, on his second drift he gets bit again....and it's a BIG RED BASS!

It was magical.......two pitches behind the boat and two great fish! Then, more Redbass!

It was a great morning. And being "On-Time" and departing early really paid off.  DON'T be late for getting on your boat. I can't believe how many people show up late all the time. We're on Mother Natures time clock, if you want to actually catch fish?

The action was great on the last of the rising tide. And now were were into Trout and yellowmouths.....

None were big, but almost all were 15-17 inches, so they went where?  "INTO THE B-O-X!"

After getting a good many Trout, we tried a little drifting the outside of the beach in 30' of water with shrimp tipped jigs on my deepwater spinner-livebait-combo, I make. And we also ran the rip line seeing if there were any Tripletails out there to sight cast too. No action there, so we came back to the Jetties and the tide was pretty low and the Bluefish were chewin. So we left out and saw a "just caught Black Drum", floating off behind the boat that caught it. I went over and picked up the Drum, "vented it", so it could swim back down and let it go. It was around 60-70 pounds!  Not my kinda fish. But a good catch.

Then it was on to float-rig fishing spot #2.....and the Trout turned into T-REX sized Trout and we finished up our 2 person limit of 12 keepers right there. And a Sheepshead.

The tide was perfection, and this was real genuine float-rigging I told Dave. As we picked off some beautiful Trout up to 5 pounds.

What a great day, and what a great way to end our perfect day! With none other than some GATOR T-Rex Trout.

Then, on the way in I got a call and it was for a 4 person trip tomarrow. Well, if they want fish like these, they all have to just take turns. Two lines out on float-rigs only. It's all about quality fishing not "quantity fishing" in my book. We may toss in some bottom fishing, ya never know. But if you know me, these Trout and Redbass on LIGHT TACKLE is hard to beat.

CALL NOW for F-I-S-H! 

   
 

3/16 - PERFECT WEATHER....again #?

Well, today it was perfection weather again.

I suppose everyone is either waiting for the new moons tides (ludicris tides) or it to blow 20-25 kts. Because when either of the two are happening. That's when I'm busiest.

I get tired of running into people I know at the grocery store or at the gas station and they say, "Why aren't ya fishin'??"

As in because it's perfect weather, that means I should be out there with customers.......??????

SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS.
SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND WATERS MOSTLY SMOOTH.

SUNDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND
WATERS MOSTLY SMOOTH.

I have to tell them in the shortest breath I can, that I'm not in charge of people's schedules. I don't get to pick the day.

That's what seperates the mens from the boys, or pro's from the non-pro's. I get handed a day, not a day I'd pick, but any day on the calender. Not the tide I'd pick either, by the way. I get various skill sets. Sometimes fisherman, sometimes not.

And I have to produce to the best of the day's abilities, and bring out people's best fishing abilities. And no matter what  have my crew feel as if they are getting way more than they thought they'd get.

Remember, that's why we as fishing guides make the big bucks....LOL.

Not because we have $65K boats, and another $20K in fishing tackle, and a healthy means to get it all to the water.

It's the ole saying, "getting paid for what ya know, not neccessarily for what ya do."
The big difference is it's BOTH!  Plus much more.

I can't speak for anyone else. But at least that's how I think about it.

Sure wish I was out on days like today, though....

3/15 - PERFECT WEATHER...again!

Where were YOU?  You're missing out on some great days.

I'm learning "NOT" to pay much attention to the marine forecast, that's for sure. As I passed over the bridge heading to the bait shop the fog was thick. "YA CAN'T HAVE WIND AND FOG, TOGETHER....THEY DON'T MIX."

But, the ever changing Marine Forecast said 10-15 kts out of the N.E.  So one expects to arrive river side and feel the wind, right?

By the time I got to the boat ramp the fog was burning off, and still no wind. "JUS ANOTHER WONDERFUL DAY!"

TIDES FOR TODAY WERE:
LOW: 9:30am Mayport time
HIGH: 3:40pm Mayport time

So we started at 9am. I didn't want to deal with too much of the falling tide. And for good reason, "it hasn't been all that good to me." And it was evident. As I had Matt & Chris on the spinner rods, and we three worked jigs and shrimp along some spots that shpuld have produced the first slam dunk Redbass of the day.

There was a learning curve, for my guys today. They haven't done much of this style fishing. As in monster "structure".
So we moved around working the jigs, only picking up some tiny Yellowmouth Trout and a Bluefish or two.

As soon as the rising tide just started to "show". And I mean barely......we ditched the jigs and picked up the float-rigs and began casting the floats.  "PUSHING IT", means you're really early on the tide. But we "pushed" it anyhow.
I don't like casting long distance with the float rigs, because unless you're really into fish, it beats the shrimp up, we get tangled rigs and not enough "show time" along the jetty rocks.

But, it was good for Matt, as he wanted to learn all that could be learned out there today. And he recieved a boat full of info.

As usual, there was fish caught and fish lost. "It all comes with the first time doing this."
Not all fish hooked up, will make it to the net. ( I call it the stuff that makes people come back to do it all again.)

Over sized Reds were hooked up, burned off line, wallowed on the surface and pulled the hooks.

Chris was the first to get a perfect Brutus T. Redbass to the net. (keeper!)

A few spots along the rocks produced, and some areas just didn't. And as I told the guys, "I'm a spot fisherman." I work an area during a certain part of the tide and let it show me what it has, and as the tide moves and it doesn't produce that's when I make a move.  But I don't run-&-gun. I'll make a move 50 feet or 50 yards and work it all over again. And certainly not camp out, waiting and hoping for bites, as I see alot of boats doing.  A move 50 yards sometimes can make all the difference at the big jetties! 

As the tide rose, the action really kicked into gear. I made a move to a spot that I call the "May spot", because in the month of May one time we caught Redbass one after another and I hooked up to something so big that it dumped all the line off my reel..."some 200 yards of line!"  Obviously a GIANT Jack Cravalle. Against the rocks, is what that was. But talk about a shock!

The May spot produced Reds and allot of Trout. No big whopper Trout today. But enough that at the end of the day we had 16 keepers in the fish box. Only releasing 2-3 small 14 inchers. We had a few yellowmouth, and one larger one in the group.

Two Sheepshead were also caught on the float-rigs. But, we had a butt-load of fish. So Matt made the right decision to release them. Because they're worth more swimming then the little sliver of fillet that come off them. The sheeps were 3-4 pounders.

I'd say that by days end, the nreeze was from the N.E. as predicted, and maybe 10 knots. And as you can see it was a beautiful day at the jetties.

Boats were everywhere! Way too many for my liking. That's why I LOVE those nasty cold winter days on the JETTYWOLF, along the rocks. Because all the fair weather fisherman are no where to be found. And we can sit anywhere we want and have the inlet pretty much to ourselves. She's built for the "slop", and has no problems fishing it, when the going gets tough.

The largest Red was caught by Chris at 30 inches. And was the kicker fish, right before we were out of bait. Ten dozen frisky river crickets, were used and as we pulled up on the spot, I said, "Work this area here....there's a BIG Red in there..."  And I was right, because it wasn't 5 minutes later, Chris was hooked up and battling the largest one of the day!

Here's our box, and it was full of prime eatin'......

Here's how to make the decision to book your trip, and get the low down...904-642-9546, JUST CALL!



3/14 - Crazy "left" Coast Fish?

Doesn't this look jus' like a monster sized Yellowmouth Trout (weakfish)???























It's a 82 pound, what they call "WHITE SEABASS" over on the left coast.

Can ya just imagine hookin' one of these while float-rig fishing the Mayport Jetties??

Talk about confusing the "often confused FWC" when it comes to anything but a Speckled Trout.

---------------------------------------------
BTW, the words "LIGHT & VARIABLE, don't enter a spring time marine forecast very often. BOOK YOUR DAY NOW!

Tides are good. Friday is open

3/13 - So, what did you do today?

Here's what I did.... ""Limits"" of Redbass and Speckled Trout!

Ya know, we're in a weekday pattern and as soon as a weekend comes, it'll blow 20 knots.

TODAY WAS GLORIOUS!

It's been awhile since the forecast said "LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS".

Here I am, doing my duties and telling you exactly when to call me and book your day.

 

NWS Forecast

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA/SOUTHEAST GEORGIA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1000 AM EDT TUE MAR 13 2012

---

TODAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND
WATERS MOSTLY SMOOTH. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE
AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 KNOTS UNTIL EARLY MORNING BECOMING
LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND WATERS MOSTLY
SMOOTH.

WEDNESDAY
LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS BECOMING EAST 10 KNOTS
IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND WATERS SMOOTH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS UNTIL EARLY
MORNING BECOMING LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET.
INLAND WATERS SMOOTH.

THURSDAY
LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS BECOMING EAST 10 KNOTS.
SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND WATERS MOSTLY SMOOTH.

THURSDAY NIGHT
SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO
3 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

3/11 - Wow, dat's big!

I get asked all the time, especially this time of year "WHAT IS THE STATE RECORD WEAKFISH?" And believe it or not, I didn't know.

While all this time, the records for the state and world are right in the back of my fishing bible. The Florida Sportsman Tide Planner Book. The book I take everywhere and refer to as many as 10 times a day!!

So, what is the state record "Yellowmouth Trout", "Weakfish", "Speckled Trout's ugly cousin", or "Tide Runner" ???
No matter what ya call them we catch plenty of them around here in N.E. Florida.  Jus' not record size.

[Weakfish on left, Speckled Trout on right]

They all seem to come from water's a bit more south.

Florida record - 10 pounds (Port Canaveral 1987)
World record - 19 pounds, 12 ounces.

Hmmmm, the Speckled trout state record came from Ft Pierce, Florida. Not to far away from Port Canaveral. At a whopping 17 pounds 7 pounces back in 1995.

[HERE'S A NICE EXAMPLE CAUGHT BY DON M. These photos of Weakfish are not new...they came from the photo album slide show on the right side bar of this page]

My largest Weakfish was 7 -1/2 pounds taken at the jetties in the spring on a MirrOlure 52MR/ Florescent orange head, gold/yellow body. SIMAILAR TO THIS LURE:

SO, IT'S TIME TO GET THE WORK AND CATCHA REALLY BIG ONE.
LARGEST SO FAR THIS YEAR WAS TAKEN BY ERIC, ON FEB 10TH AT 5-1/2 POUNDS.

3/9 - before the Saturday gale, One fine day on Friday!!

Jason "Moose" Cunningham brought and his friend Bobby to experience the thrill of Light Tackle Inshore/Jetty fishing. For the first time. And yep, Bobby did real good. It started out as a slop choppy morning, and by 12:45pm the action was so fast that we burned rigjht through 10 Dozen live shrimp.

 The video shows what we did and how we did it.

"it's Jettywolf LIVE time....more fishing charter action footage."
(may contain very excited anglers, a few cuss words, lost fish, caught fish, fish blood, and one bad ass fishing machine)


More Pixs...

3/8 - What's the wind report...."got me?"

Had Marty L. and his two sons aboard, today. New to the area, they had fishin' on their minds. So, with forecasts that no one can actually figure out. We headed straight to the jetties. I told them, "see how far we're going out here, all this is just to take a look."  The deal was all this just to take a look meant heading over MOUTAINS of water, and as my crew looked "wide eyed" and wondering why this wacko Captain is taking them through seas like this, "just to look!!!"

I have to go look to see if it's fishable. And if it is. You maybe really happy I did what I did. And Marty and sons, were really glad we wet and "looked". Because it was a Slam fest, and I.G. (instantaeous gratification) session.

These guys like 90 % of all my customers have never float-rig fished, and let alone fished in current along ten ton granite boulders. So, a decent amount of time is needed to do as much explaination as I can. But nothing makes up for "just doing".
None of the guys ever worked a bait casting reel, like 90% of my customers, so the first bait out I made the cast to make sure all was working. And I handed the rod off.

Instantly the float went down...........REEEEEEEL, is probably what I yelled! And all I know after that was we were hooked up on a big Junk Yard Dawg called an over sized Redbass.  I'd call that serious I.G.!

Round and round the boat it went and finally it went into the net.

Oh, the hook-ups continued! And a good few were lost at boat side. But rods were bending constantly. All on what I considered to be the "wrong" tide for the spot. But because of the full moon, nothing was gonna be perfect. As we sloshed back and forth in the seas.

These photos do not even come close to being a depiction of the action we had.

All Redbass were over sized but one little 18 incher. That's the jetties for ya...28", 29" everyone except one!



Sheepshead to 7 pounds that ran down the rocks like Redbass on a mission.

I don't really think any of my crew today had any idea what they were getting into.

Here' the only Redbass small enough to keep.

The spaces in the fish box were filled with a few Speckled trout and yellowmouth trout of course. Just enough for a good fish fry.

It was a great day and as the current quit completely so did the bites, so we went hunting up in the river and only found a few bluefish in the screaming full moon falling tide. So as the wind started to blow, we headed back to the dock.

BTW....we were the only ones out where we fished and had the whole place to ourselves. I like to think it has to do with the Jettywolf not minding the drive out into the nasty. Just to take a look.

3/7 - weather guessing??

Good gawd, I can't keep up with all this....

the weather guessers have me steppin and fetchin.

Last night they made it sound as if Mother Nature was out to kick some asses and take some names with the Marine Forecast.

But here it is right now:

MAYPORT: (at Pilot boat dock)
 10:48 am EST
1548 GMT 03/07/2012
Wind: ESE (110°), 9.9 kt
Gust: 15.0 ktAir Temp: 69.4 °F
Water Temp: 62.6 °F

Really not that bad except for wind direction especially at the jetties.

I didn't have this hard a time decipering their forecast all winter long!

I re-scheduled today till Saturday because last night Saturday was gonna be fine.

Now look at it!!!!!!!!!!!

NOAA Marine Forecast:
SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET. INLAND
WATERS CHOPPY. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.

My crystal ball is going hay-wire!

3/3 - TRIED HARD...(and next week)

Had one of my favorite Lady Anglers aboard today...Erica.  And her family to include a "two newbies" , her Nephew and Dad. (with the goal to get her dad out on the water more often!)

This trip has been "re-re-shcheduled". One day it was jus' plain nasty, another was 40 mph winds. So as I watched the forecast
this whole week. It didn't look good. Then, they changed the forecast. Then they changed it again.


Which brings me to a theory I have come up with......

"we're gonna pay dearly for not having a winter. All those absoultely beautiful days I was out fishing in December and January, in a T-shirt and shorts, begging people to take advantage of this kind of weather. Because for years we haven't had it this good in a long time. Well, folks. It's payment time. IT'S ALREADY SPRING!!! And with this years transition, will be many a windy day. And if you've noticed, it's been WET, alot also."  

With that said, my records show I'm busier when it's 30 degrees and bone chilling in Jax, in the winter months. WHY?
Because if it's cold here, can ya just iimagine how heinous it is in the north??  That's why I'm busier.  So YES, I'll take a really cold bone chiller Jax winter over what we had this year, any day!

EXAMPLE:  (look at how we're dressed, because it was like 25 degrees!!!  January 28th 2011.)
http://youtu.be/Xoa49igyWFs

So, back to fishing with Erica.....

The forecast ended up being not so good when on the water. The winds howled. And I wanted to try "float-rig" fishing for a change. But there wasn't many areas we could even try because of the conditions. We also bottom fished a bit, too. Only got small yellowmouths, seabass and a whiting

Having to work the tide, we stayed put on one spot for a long long time. I wanted TROUT and big ones. But seeing a FRONT was passing, they are always the first fish species to get LOCK JAW!

So, as the floats passed under a dock, Erica caught a small 16" Redbass. Then later, yanked a 25" Redbass from under this dock.

Then, her dad hooked up, and got broke off. Then Erica hooked another Redbass that screamed drag, and we all saw the fish bust the surface on the "FAR-SIDE" of the dock. Whoa, only a miracle would get that fish to swim through the piling without breaking off. Erica had her second big red coming, but it eventually popped the 20 lb. leader.

The weather where we sat was okay, but outside the spot it was 20 kts and yanking the boat on anchor all over the spot as we tried bottom fishing one more time, as the tide changed.

The gusts got really bad, with large dark clouds off in the distance, so I sided on being cautious. So we headed in.  And I was glad I did. By the time I got home, the big oaks on my street were really bending over. I was glad to be backed into the boat port, by then.

My personal goal was to teach Erica, how to float-rig fish. She now has it down pat, and a nice light tackle fish to her credit on a really tough day.

Mission successful!!





FLOAT-RIG FISHING EXPLAINED:  "it's what I love to do, and customers love it too!"

Click here to watch "how's and why's" of being a float-freak!





WEATHER UPDATE:

STRONG HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD NORTH OF THE REGION MONDAY...THEN OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. A LONG FETCH OF MODERATE EASTERLY FLOW WILL DEVELOP OVER THE AREA WITH AN INCREASE IN WINDS AND SEAS.

BOOKED ON THESE DAYS:

WEDNESDAY
EAST WINDS 20 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 8 FEET. INLAND
WATERS CHOPPY. ISOLATED SHOWERS.

THURSDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET.
INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.

FRIDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET.

INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

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