4/24 - CHALLENGE in the W-I-N-D

Tuesday:  "supposedly" 10-15 knot winds from the N.W. REALLY?  WHERE WAS THAT? A Wally-World parking lot in Gainesvillle? More like 15-25 knot gusts.

And it was unseasonally cold. So cold that at the boat ramp I donned not only a sweatshirt, but put my rain jacket on over it.

As usual, the weather report really didn't seem to match the actual "on the water conditions", today. But, being an adventurer, I figured we'd go see what was up.

Had Bob and Ralph aboard the JETTYWOLF, and they didn't have time to re-schedule. Our trip was already re-scheduled from Monday till Tuesday.

Monday was really BAD. With definite GUSTS to 30 MPH.  So, really....."how bad could Tuesday be?"

Leaving the dock was so bad, running down the river wasn't so bad. But at the first anchor-up, the wind showed it's ugly head!

My regular anchor didn't hold and two minutes into our fishing day, the anchor tripped and we went sailing down the bank backwards.

As the comedian Bill Engval would say......."HERE'S YER SIGN!" 

I ran back up, re-anchored way far away from the actual spot, got the anchor into some harder bottom and deployed mass amounts of scope, and we held. Bob flipped his float-rig behind the boat and on his first drift landed a box'able Yellowmouth Trout!  Wow, that already superseded my initial expectations!

-JUST AN FYI:  ANY WIND 15KTS OR BETTER BE IT DUE EAST OR DUE WEST LIKE TODAY, BLOWS "STRAIGHT DOWN THE PIKE" IN THE RIVER. BECAUSE MOST OF THE RIVER I FISH IS GOING FROM WEST TO EAST / EAST TO WEST.

Through the day Bob and Ralph remained un-daunted. These guys were "anglers".

I forgot my whole boat pak, which included my tide book and camera. So I didn't get to take any photos.

We and myself included lost several decent to large Trout. It seemed that they just slipped off the hook after several reel turns. And these fish would have enhanced the fish box very well. Because many of the "specks" were small. We had one small Flounder, along with Trout, some mini-Jacks and a few Ladyfish.

But those larger Trout were the ones we really wanted. In all, there was about 10-12 Trout caught, but only 4-5 good keepers laned on ice. Which is about 10 more than I thought we might have caught, as conditions were very challenging.

I tossed a big 6" Rapala (subsurface) X-Rap Subwalker all day. And didn't have a single "swipe" at it. But from the looks of it "walkin' the dawg"  just under the surface. This will be a B-I-G Trout lure, when the conditions are right.

The combination of my Shimano 300EG Curado, and a 7'6" Okuma Guide Select "swim-bait" rod, really casts these large heavy lures a country mile, even in the wind.


Bob and Ralph departed with a decent bag o' fillets at the end of the day. And I really enjoyed these guys. They are my kind of fisherman. Die-Hards, it seemed to me. Hope they can be aboard the JETTYWOLF again someday when the conditions are better. Because they may really clean-up!

As for the rest of the week..........

The winds aren't gonna subside any time soon as per the National Weather Service reports. Any wind 15 knots, has me mighty leery.  So, Wednesday's charter with two local guys has been postponed till possibly Friday or Monday.

I'm taking my Truck to get a front end alignment, instead of fishing. Because I just bought new tires last week and wanna keep them that way!

4/23 WIND IS HOWLING!!!!!!!

So when the wind is a howling I go "surfin the world wide web".

Finally!!!
"spinning reels are weak and in my opinion, and really suck!"

Conventional reels are just that, CONVENTIONAL, and stronger in the long run.

With a levelwind and a lever drag?  Holy sheat!

So check this out......Mix the two together and what do ya get? 

A Japanese Mutant Reel.

In use......Jiggin'. (actually, hooked up to a monster)

Reel by Jig Master, Japan

(hey at least this gets ya out of your bubble, for a second huh? Welcome to Cappy Dave's World.)

4/22 - Newest addition to Trackin' arsenal

...why cast a lure, for small fish? ( I have a 7" 4 oz. subsurface Dahlberg Wide-glide from River2Sea) So yeah this ones large, but not really big.

Newest "large lure" for my Trout Trackin' adventures.

When it comes to "Lures & Trout". It's okay with me, not to get bit, as long as when the bite comes, it's from a big fish.

Caught a Trout on my 5" 2 oz. Dahlberg Wide-glide the other day and it was the largest Trout of the day at 21".

4/20 - Back to business....Troutz Trackinz

Had Jimmy S. and his two sons out today. Departed early and headed.......WEST.

OH, THE BAIT!  It's everywhere. Mullet and Pogies abound. (but as usual, the perfect mullet isn't always easy to catch)
More on that later.

First thing was to FLOAT-RIG FISH, primarily. No B.S.'n around. Because float-rigs catch fish. Period.
So on spot one two nice fatties were banged, I had one suck-up my Larry Dahlberg River2Sea "wide glide", and a keeper Redbass made it's way to the fish box.

B-U-T, there should have been even more, in my book. But as the tide rose it was great to not have a single Ladyfish or Bluefish. The reason for the long morning run.

DOUBLE HEADER....Float-rig against the "wide glide".

We hopped from spot to spot. Lots of boats on the spots. But we picked a nice Trout here and there. Caught our fair share of Ladyfish, too.

Then, I ran over to my "mullet hole". Yes, mullet are everywhere. But I have a spot in shallow water I can just drift around and toss the net at them as they swim around the boat.

We got a livewell full of perfect baits, and I then went and anchored on the same "hump" that a few weeks ago Traveller Bob and I sat on and had 40 lb Redbass.
Only difference it was still rising tide current. And we caught the BIG RB's on the first of the falling tide. But what the heck, the guys were easy. We gave it a shot and only had a "dumpster lid" aka: StringRay hook up. We gave it awhile, but "bait-n and wait-n" can sure be BOOOOOOring when your not catching. So we picked up and moved on.

I tried a few old Float-rigging spots. But was unsure if we were on the exact tide or not. So we kept "poking" around. Picking a few here and there.

THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINTER AND NOW.....POKING AND PICKIN'. VERSUS HEADING TO THE JETTIES AND STAYING THERE ALL DAY WACKIN' & STACKIN THE FISH BOX.

It was a really nice calm day. And afforded us lots of poking around. On the last spot right away the guys caught a few more trout, and I tried it out on the float-rig and caught two shorties. They caught the keepers.

THE MASKED ANGLER......."is that Jimmy, or the illusive Trout bandito?"

NEXT UP: Monday and Tuesday. Th winds Monday are supposed to be 15-20 knots. And if need be, I can move Tueday till later in the week. But the winds are supposed to be UP all week long. We ain't all clear just yet. Seems like we get a week of winds and then it lays down for a long while, and then another week of winds, again. We'll see what pans out.

UPDATE:
Just moved Mondays trip to Tuesday and Tuesday to Wednesday.
Because of HIGH winds.







Thanks Jimmy, had a really fun day with you and the sons.

4/16-17-18

Super busy this week with a whole set of various challenges. From "where did the trout go" too, 4 person trips that I should have in hind sight did nothing but put the float-rig rods on the boat and left those bottom rods at home.


A few highlights, thought. Left out with 4 guys and bottom fished. Started way down river. Kept them pretty busy with just Whiting and yellowmouths. But all were smaller fish. Finished the day along White Shell rocks, and Dave (an EZ name to remember) was pitching a jig and shrimp on a light spinner to the rocks and he hooked up a good sized Tripletail. Probably around 5-6 pounds if not more.


But, it jumped and he lost it. The hook flew right out of it's mouth. Besides that the river is slap full of "junkers". We ended up catching a bunch of small Jacks and ladyfish. After cleaning the Martin Groups fish they went on over to Singletons Seafood and had a fish fry late lunch. Which is always a nice way to end a big day on the water.


Then the next day I had a solo'ist. Adam was visiting all the way down in St. Augustine and came up to see "ME". Great guy and we had alot of fun and stayed at the jetties all day long.


First spot, first drift of his float-rig........Float Gone!

From that point on, on that spot it was solid Ladyfish!! I thought we'd be in the "meat". WHY, because I remember and have th photographic PROOF, that there was a time when April was a seriously HOT month for monster Yellowmouths and Specks exactly where we were fishing. BUT not any more. The water's too warm and the junkers are extreme.

So I made a move. I told Adam well get a Redbass here. And he did, a 20" red.

Not exactly what I was looking for but it will do. As the tide was now falling and all wrong for the spot.

We moved and I caught Mullet and we fed the perfect sized ones to Bluefish after Bluefish over at the north jetty.

Then came back to the south and threw jigs and shrimp and left out a few mullet on the bottom.

We of course wanted a BIG Redbass, but that's alot to ask right now as it seems. So Adam got hooked up on a Monster Ray that ate our Mullet, as usual.....

It finally broke off after Adam tested my brand new Okuma Trio-55 spinning reels on the "NON-stoppable" Hover vacuum cleaner.

As we continued to jig the mullet rod went off again with the years 1st Blacktip Shark, as we hooked baby Bonnetheads on our jigs.

This one "a-l-m-o-s-t" acted like a big Red. But of course wasn't. The jetties are alive with "stuff". We saw turtles everywhere, bait everywhere, a baby Cobia swimming across the surface. But over-sized Redbass were obviously absent.

So we headed in.

The next day was my 4 person per 4 boats charter. I believe this day was a game changer for me permanantly!

NO MORE will I be bottom fishing on the channel edges for monster Redbass.  WHY YOU ASK. Cuz, I'm sick of that current, in that river. We caught ZERO Big Redbass. I couldn't keep a 8 ounce lead on the bottom fishing cut Mullet. And even when we fished just some shrimp on the bottom in 40 feet of water the guys couldn't feel the sinker hit the bottom either.

And I obviously TRIED way too hard. I was out at 9am hunting bait........Mullet, Pogies, didn't care what.  The Pogies were all over off the north jetty in the chum hole. It was sloppy, whitecapping out there, and I couldn't run the boat and toss the net at the same time in the sloppy seas.

The charter wasn't till 1pm!!!!!!!! So I went and wasted alot of time and fuel doing nothing to benefit me or my guys.

Turned out I was so disgusted at the Bluefish out at the inlet, I wasn't about to go out there again. But 2 out of the 3 other boats caught pogies because the seas flattened out, and they caught Reds!  I feed cut mullet to nothing but Bluefish all day long anyhow.

I should have just brought my float-rigs, saved gas, time and alot of frustration. So, I won't be bottom fishing unless it's winter, or way down river in shallow water away from all Bluefish from now on. Four passenger trips or not. You'll just have to take turns. Because 4 floats out behind the boat is too much. And two persons trips are always better. I have two sides of the boat.

So, as you can see I'm a bit pissed and frustrated.

So on Friday I have 3 person, then here comes the WIND this weekend till at least Monday.  Then on Monday and Tuesday I have 2 persons on each trip........."we'll be float-rig fishing, or pitching Poppin corks" away from Bluefish the N.E. Florida scourage fish.     

4/15 - There they go......

I'm doing my best to track the Trout. Basically a guessing game. My fishing buddy Doc Miller has the right idea, head to his other home come April 15th, up in the mountains of N.C. this time of year. Because as a "die hard" Trout man, they just get so hard to stay ahead of come Summer.

I've been fishing lately as far away as I can from the inlet. Because lately it's been pretty good action where I've been. But today was really tough. Yeah we caught Trout, but had to weed through all the undesirables too.
-Jacks
-Ladyfish
-Pinfish
Hell, at least I'm not giving every live shrimp to a Bluefish. Like I was just a few weeks ago along the jetties. Yes, the Bluefish can, have and always will "run me outa town". Just the same way you won't catch a Trout in the middle of a bluefish bite!

Had Dave W. aboard today all the way from Hollywood, California. We did it all.....and some more. The wind was a huge problem when looking to catch some mullet for Redbass bait. Never could get any.

And at high tide the popping corks and live shrimp never found anything but a Flounder and a few ladies. So when all else fails I went to the float-rig and we finally found some trout.

 

Good size ones too. Even had a 23 incher with not the first "speck" on it. Totally, "speckless" was this Speckled Sea Trout.

One Flounder, we didn't bother to keep and a handful of small Sand Trout and 10 Specks. And my goodness did we work for them.

It's time to fish with mullet. Now only if I could catch me some!

I got Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday to try.

4/13 - Windy...."Kids trip"

Whewwwwwww.......was it blowing like hell out there today. Headed out early to R&D some of the lures I mentioned in yesterday's post.

Found that the "Jig Wobbler" has real quality problems. Caught two Ladyfish on it, but before it was even bit, the paint was wearing off, and by days end, or I should say, "by the time I gave up because of the wind." The lure had lost an eye, and 3/4's of the paint job. AND THAT WAS JUST FROM CASTING AND RETIEVING!!

So of course, without saying the fine folks at www.jigwobbler.com have been notified.

Here's a review link of some of the lures I discussed earlier.

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

Had my two hour KIDS TRIP, with two dads and two 5 year olds today, from 4pm-6pm. The 20 knot EAST winds put KYBOSH on anything like trolling the jetties for Spanish and Blues. So I tried it in the river. The tide and wind pushed me so fast a Bluefish would have to turn into a Wahoo to chase down the spoons I had out behind the boat.

So I went to a "tie-off" spot. So I didn't have to anchor up, and flipped out dead shrimp on the bottom for the kids. First fish was a Black Drum at 5 pounds.

Then, after a few good bites missed. A few ladyfish jumps, the boys reeled in a Small Jack and a Seabass. As the boat whipped back and forth in the wind.

The Drum was undressed and ended up in the fryer over at Singletons Seafood Shack, by 6:30pm.





NEXT UP:

Sunday: one person crew
Monday: 4 person crew
Tuesday: one person crew
Weds: 4 person crew
Friday: 3 person crew

4/12 - Battle of the BIG BAITS.

Alrighty then....it's getting into that season that has me as a "Angler myself" liking to experiement. And experiment with BIG BAITS for BIG FISH.

Yes, I get asked all the time from customers "Hey Dave, do you ever go fishing yourself......?" Guessing they are thinking on the mind set that, Auto Mechanics always seem to drive beat-up junky smoking cars. And Roofers have leaks in the ceiling of their houses.

My answer is YES. I tell folks, "I was a absolute die hard angler long before I went into the charter biz. And yes, I wish I could fish alone more."

With that said, the only difference between my customers and myself is; I don't have to go out and catch fish or get a bite consistently to be happy. As an "Angler", I like to do a certain style of fishing, on a certain tide, a certain day, with a certain bait, during a certain season. With certain tackle, for a certain species.  That "certainly" is spacific isn't it?

I go through phases, alot of them.

My new deal is checking out all the newest big fish lure. Baits for either monster Trout, Redbass, or even Cobia, Tarpon and King Mackerel.

You may have read lately on other posts, I'm facinated with Larry Dahlbergs WideGlide 200 Sub–Surface bait. At 5 ounces, and 8 inches this ain't for casting with your fairy wand. Larry developed this bait in his basement and now is availible from River2Sea. A serious Mullet imitator! The bait hangs just under the water, and when you snap the rod tip it glides several feet from side to side and shakes a bit at the pause.

This is a BIG FISH bait. But in my mind, it's no different than a 5 pound Trout I caught once along the bulkhead of the new port just past the Dames Point, that not only ate a live shrimp on a float-rig. But also had a 12" mullet in it's mouth. Tail sticking out the Trouts mouth, while the mullets body was wedged in it's throat. AND IT STILL WENT FOR A 2" LIVE SHRIMP!

I want my WideGlide to be that Mullet!

SALTWATER USE VIDEO LINK




The other lures for inshore/offshore/off beach casting is the Shimano Waxwing. Unlike the WideGlide, that has to be worked with the rod tip, Shimano has come up with a "do nothing" bait targeted towards the offshore fisherman. The Waxwing comes in all kinds of sizes, so to "match the hatch" to bait sizes offshore. But all you need to do is make a long cast, let it hit the water and reel. By design it swims and swims eratically back and forth in long sweeping angles, then "kicks" and shoots off quickly. Like a "fleeing" bait fish.

But of course Shimano also has the complete Waxwing system, (it's a Japanese thing I'm guessing) because they continually do it. New rods, reels and gear to go with the Waxwing fishing.

Those wings are the secret formula, besides it weighing a certain amount. The lure has kingfish written all over it to me, when cast near a school of baitfish like cigar minnows or herring on the surface near a wreck or ledge offshore.

Lots and lots of Cuda's too, when in N.E. Florida waters!

When it's hot as all hell, the inshore fishing is like fishing in a steam bath. I'm going to reefs like JW, MR, NM, PG, PM, and my all time favorite RL, and will be doing some casting into those bait schools!

(BTW, ALL OF THESE BIG BAITS WILL BE CAST INTO AND AROUND THESE BAIT SCHOOLS, JUST NOT THE WAXWING)

Next up is one I'm sure you haven't seen yet or even heard of. It's hard (ish) to find and is so different it could only come from Europe. The JIG WOBBLER.

Straight from Finland, where large Pike rule the waters, along with jumbo Salmon types. The Jig Wobbler is so cool I had to try it.

The lure has a heavy head, with that heavy wire to keep "bite-off's" from toothy critters at bay, then jointed to a heavy plastic body with rattles and a diving lip.  Check out this swimming action!


Out of all three lure I've shown you. If you're looking for a one-bait-catches-all option, the Jigwobbler is very worthy of consideration.

So stay tuned, this is what I do on my days off (especially when I have plenty of trout in the fridge)


--------


I hope to do some "CHUM" fishing reef trips this summer. Get 30 pounds of Pogies, throw a few in the livewell, head offshore to place like I mentioned above. Anchor up or even drift if there's some wind. Get the "chum chopper" going.....





















IN ACTION "TRIAL" WHEN NEW:

Then, wait to see who shows up! Have rods rigged and ready to either drift out a lively Pogie, Cigar Minnow etc. Or Cast with spin tackle to a sighted fish. Sounds F-U-N to me. And who knows what will show up. All the while I'll also have my NEW LURES ready.

Book your "DEEP" summer trips NOW!

904-642-9546
8am-8pm

4/11 - After Tax day.

Well, it seems all is kinda quiet......Till April 15th! (TAX DAY, which falls on a weekend)

15th - one person trip
16th - 4 person trip
17th - one person trip
18th - 4 person trip, plus another 3 boats with 4 people each. A Company group.

But for now on the 12th, I go in for a new O2 sensor and a complete ECU (electronic control unit) change out on the ole Honda 225 outboard. "UNDER WARRENTY" , thankgoodness!

I can understand the O2 sensor. I've been replacing them since I had a HPDI 200 Yamaha, years ago. Why they fail? Honda claims water "mist" can get on it and give a false reading. What do they actually do, ya got me! But every outboard I've had with fuel injection seems to have one. Your vehicles have them.

But since mine has been acting up a little. I believe my fuel mileage has not been as good as it was a year ago.
Although I'm up to something like 1600 plus hours now, on the Honda. I hope that this gives me back the super mileage again that the Honda's are famous for.

Then, Friday late afternoon I do a 2 hour "KIDS" trip with two dads and a few litl' fisherman. We'll hopefully be heading to the jetties and do some fishing on the troll. For Spanish Macs and the Blues.

Had some great fun with a group of Cub Scouts the last time I had kids out this time of year, trolling for the Bluuuuuues.

4/8 - Easter....."calm"

Had John K. and his son John Jr. aboard the Jettywolf for Saturday. Well, those winds came in late Friday as forecasted, and stayed with us through Saturday. So we decided to go on Sunday instead. Which was WAY, better!!

No wind, cool, and not that many people around. I liked that.

Only problem, the FULL MOON. Or at least that was the only difference between my last trip to the same area where it was absolute mayhem on Trout & Reds, last Tuesday.

We started early. And when I got to where I wanted to fish, we were "early". The tide was'nt right yet. I wanted higher water.

Eventually, we got some current and started catching some fish. John Jr. was first. Using spinning rods and reels and casting popping corks and live shrimp. He found a Flounder along the grass edge.

The first spot we tried was the same spot that earlier back on Tuesday (3-4 days before the full moon and 3-4 days after is the ole general rule, when the big bite comes) we had Red limits and Trout limits all on one spot. But today, this morning it was just dead. So when we left, and moved to another bank. But, I still had plans to go hit it again, later.
The spot is just too good, not to have some quality fish on it.

But spot two, was giving up some decent fish. The Redbass were small ones. But we had current, structure and lots of bait in the area. A few more Trout came too. My goodness is the bait everywhere.....it's almost as if there's too much bait around. And when you think about it, our lone live shrimp is like a potato chip amongst a pile of French fries and Hamburgers! So, you have to stay on top of your game. Keep PRESENTATION, and YOUR CASTS, perfect and accurate.  

We headed back to "spot one" where I initially started and was going to move till we hit caught three Trout! I believed the spot would give-up some nice ones. Turned out John and John Jr. weren't getting bit at all. So I had to fine-tune their approach. NO, POPPING THE CORKS! 

It's easy to over due  popping these "clicking corks". Making too much noise, and moving the shrimp too much. As soon as they just casted out, and let the corks drift, and the live shrimp swam really naturally, BAM.....the 3-Trout. Just what I wanted off this spot, went from the net to the fish box!

Every Trout today was gorgeous. 18-21 inchers. Not a single short. Not a single Bluefish. Not a single Ladyfish, Not a single Pinfish bite. That's the idea when fishing a high tide. Keep the bait over the structure, shallow and no where near the bottom. Make precise casts, and quality drifts of the cork.

But still, because of that giant moon it was a challenge and every quality Trout had to be worked for.

The river traffic is at a minimum, the air was cool in the morning. It was other-wise a really gorgeous day.

Later on we tried bottom fishing at the start of the falling tide, and gave it a shot looking for those 40 pound Redbass. for John Jr. But didn't loose a single Mullet to a big Red.  So being that the Mrs. was waiting on the crew, we headed back to Mayport. And that's where we ran into the afternoon forecasted N.E. 10 knots plus of wind.

I'm really enjoying fishing further up river. Getting away from the "hub" around Mayport. And it's such a joy not feeding all our shrimp to Bluefish teeth. Only down-side is the longer ride, there and back.
 

4/7 - P-L-A-N ??

Well, as usual it's a HOLIDAY weekend and I get all kinds of last minute calls......

I already had a "past" customer scheduled for Saturday. Usually "past" customers have been briefed before. So they're in the know. And get the primo days first.

BUT, of course none of these callers had a clue about the weather report for Saturday.

Here's the conditions right now approx. 8am 4/7: 
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY!
(18 knots gusting to 21 knots in Mayport)
GOTTA LOVE THE COOL NORTH AIR, THOUGH!

THIS IS LOCATED ALONG THE "RIGHT SIDE BAR" OF THIS BLOG. IT'S THE WEATHER CONDITIONS RIGHT AT THE PILOT DOCK NEXT TO THE BOAT RAMP IN MAYPORT.

We rescheduled from Saturday, because of the winds, and will be hitting it Sunday instead.
2- persons, light tackle sport fishing! MY BEST TRIP!
Gonna go "poppin corkin'" again, and hope to load up on Trout.......again!!

SUNDAY'S FORECAST:

SUNDAY
NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHEAST 10 KNOTS
LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT
CHOP.

BIG, BIG, FISH BAIT....... How to fish his WideGlide

Larry is the "MAN", he made this lure in his basement. And Now River2Sea has brought it to us.

Best so far for me is having a "tailing Redbass" come chase this and try to eat it, with it's "underslung" mouth.

But stand by. Cuz, this baby looks soooo awesome it's nutz.
(as you can see here)

4/5- Weather on it's way........

My buddy who is the owner and admin of Aluminumalloyboats.com website lives up in North Texas. He called me yesterday and said that tornados that picked up semi trucks and tossed them hundreds of yards passed just 30 miles from his front door.  And that it was actually "COOL" there. I told him, "I'm sitting in my truck and sweating here right now."

So with that said...

We've had it WAY too good lately. Have you been outside in this beautiful weather? If not. You need to call me!
Over this "spring break" I've had great days and really crappy ones.  I remember years ago the spring due east winds drove me way down river so I could hide from it.

Now, the ravenous Bluefish have drove me as far from the inlet I can get in a 6 hour day. As per my report from Monday, we couldn't even fish, they were so bad. Eating every bait we dropped down!!  Gawd how I hate a Bluefish........!

So here's what's in store according to the NWS-Marine forecast:

FRIDAY
NORTH WINDS 20 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET BUILDING
TO 3 TO 5 FEET IN THE AFTERNOON. INLAND WATERS CHOPPY. SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING...THEN ISOLATED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.

FRIDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET.
INLAND WATERS ROUGH. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
IN THE EVENING.

SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET.
INLAND WATERS CHOPPY.

SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET. INLAND
WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

-If you want to know exactly what the weather, water temp, and wind speed and direction is right next to the boat ramp, look along the right side bar of this BLOG and you'll see the Mayport Weather Station's  info.

OF COURSE, I'M BOOKED ON SATURDAY. THANK GOODNESS IT'S JUST A FATHER AND SON SERIOUS ANGLING TEAM, I'VE HAD ABOARD THE JETTYWOLF BEFORE.

4/3 - A PERFECT DAY...with the Traveller.

What a day!

This is what happens when I get to do a "one on one" genuine guided Charter. Plus, Bob is a 100% angler.

-Perfect weather
-Perfect tide
-Not one Bluefish
-Just one Ladyfish, all day.
-Got as far away from the inlet as possible.
-A weekday!

Started the day off fishing a rock pile covered in Trout, using "poppin corks" and live shrimp. The first cast was a Trout, and the the last cast of the day was also a Trout. Total was nearly 20, easily getting a 2 man limit of 12 up to 20 inches.
Plus a 2 man limit of Redbass from 18 to 24".

Basically had a "full box" by 9am. So we hit one more spot and caught a Trout and Ladyfish. Made a move and before anchoring procured a livewell full of medium mullet around 6-7". Pulled out to a Redbass area and pitched them out on light casting outfits. The current was not moving yet, so we had a few snacks and drinks and when the tide turned, it was "balls to the wall" BIG BULL REDBASS action.

Lost the first two, but then started putting them in the boat. Each and everyone pulled the 30# Boga-grip scale past the 30 pounds that it weighs. My estimation, at least 40 plus pounds about each one. Super Fun on light tackle and live mullet.

This is the way to do a "spring break" weekday!  With just Bob, I was able to get really flexible. And Bob being an avid angler himself, always makes it easier.

Bob won the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament "aggregate division" last year in his 18' Boston Whaler with the help of his regular tournament partner. And he also places in many local kingfish tournaments, usually being the smallest boat. He says, his secret is "going back to the basics of Kingfishing...."

Our last charter was back in November of 2010. Bob knows when to come and get in on the "best" bites. Our last trip was a big Red and Black Drum waylay!  Here's the report from then, from my "archives" listing along the right side bar of this blog:  http://www.blockurl99.blogspot.com/2010/11/1125-turkey-dayfree-for-all.html 

YOU HAVE TO FISH, WHEN THE FISH ARE CHEWIN'.  Bob keeps up with my daily reports, and knows when to call me.

FISH BOX AT 9:00am.......filling fast!

WHEN QUALITY COUNTS!

CAUTION:
VIDEO MAY CONTAIN OVERLY EXCITED CAPTAIN, CUSS WORDS, GIGGLING,
TROPHY FISH, THE AGONY OF DEFEAT, THE THRILL OF VICTORY, AND SLICK CALM WATER!



Received this nice note from Bob, when he got home......

"Hi Dave

What a day! I learned a lot, and had an absolutely amazing time.

I had never used popping corks and live shrimp before. After a day with you, I feel like I could use the technique on my own boat and catch quality fish.

I had learned how to use the float rig when I went on another charter with you. When conditions changed, the old float rig helped to fill our limits with trout.

I don't know what to say about the over-sized reds! Sometime about the 3rd fish I realized that I have to get back in the gym if I am going to take on fish like that on a regular basis.

Thank you for a great day on the water. If anybody reads this and is trying to decide on who to charter in NE Florida - call Captain Dave!!

Bob "Traveller"

4/1 & 4/2 - Got the Blues......

Man am I upset. I had Greg H. and his two sons aboard on Sunday and had some sweet pics of his son's Trout catches and while trying to delete old pics off my camera I deleted all of them!!!

Sunday, what can I say. Weekends really start suckin this time of year. The amount of boats and people running up and down the river is just insane!!

If you want, I can and will fish Fernandina. Alot less people up there. Jacksonville is just TOO big with too many people on a weekend.

We attempted to Drum fish up river. And out of 10 boats one boat caught a Black Drum! It was terrible. We caught tiny Croakers and yellowmouth Trout, that was it while, Bottom fishing. So we switched over to the float-rigs, and finally caught some Trout. But the wakes and ghetto cruisers going up and down the river was insane.  So we ended up at the jetties and didn't pick up any Trout there.

Then, on 4/2 - Monday I had 4 people, 3 teen-agers and a dad. I wanted originally to go float-rigging, because we always catch fish that way. But, I got the sense that something else was wanted. I wanted to stay away from the jetties. The Bluefish are so terrible out there.

But we went east and bottom fished shrimp along the jetties........Never lost a bait!  So I went and ran the beach and caught a well full of Pogies. And we went back to the rocks and had Bluefish eat every bait, except for a summer special...The Stingray.

We moved from the tips of the jetties to the little jetties and everywhere inbetween. And every single Pogie was bit in half from Bluefish! We couldn't even fish. They're everywhere.

So it was a total bust. 

If you want anything like a quality day....do a trip with three persons or less. Four is for sitting and waiting on a bite when trolling offshore. NOT inshore sportfishing. It's just too many bodies.  I'm thinking of doing a max of 3, soon.

Think Quality!

Now tomarrow I have Bob the "Traveller". And that's it. One Guy.

Bob's an Angler. He WON last years Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. So we're heading up river, to get away from the Bluefish and concentrate on Trout and Reds.

Hopefully, pics to follow.

3/31 - March is going...going.....GONE.

Right when you may think Fishing Charters are expensive. The price of fuel is too much. A gallon on Milk is crazy. And the cost of sending you kids to school is too much to bare.

There's always something and some new way, to pry open your wallet and get some money out of you.  And this has to take the  "proverbial cake".

But there is some folks out there that are completely unaffected by what us "common folk" find expensive and outrageous.

Check this out.........(and in the land of so many laws it's rediculas, not even an inspiring "wacko entrepreneur" can get off free and easy from the tax man!)

Matt Pruitt and the group he works for, the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, have a unique business plan.

• Step one: Sell spots on “big foot hunts” for $300 to $500 dollars a spot.
• Step two: Find around thirty people who think this is somehow a good way to spend their money.
• Step three: Hunt along Arkansas’ Buffalo National River. (FYI: Bigfoot is generally reputed to live in the Pacific Northwest)
• Step four: Get fined $525 for “engaging in a business without a permit or written agreement.”

Maybe Pruitt didn’t exactly plan step four. If you believe that a man who leads Bigfoot hunts could possibly be lacking a keen legal mind.

But if you’re doing the math that means the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization makes as much $14,475 for taking people to hunt something that doesn’t exist in a place where they shouldn’t be.

Chief Ranger Karen Bradford of the National Park Service (NPS), one of the NPS rangers who fined Pruitt during one of his expeditions around Arkansas’ Steel Creek campground, explained her concerns, but stopped short of confirming the existence of Bigfoot. “We are in this to protect our resources,” she said to The Republic, “If he’s got people running around in the park, who knows what they’re doing looking for this elusive creature.”

Pruitt, despite the setback, would not have his unflappable dedication to finding Bigfoot questioned. “There were certainly things that happened that convinced me that there are Sasquatches in the Buffalo River area,” said Pruitt. “We definitely heard sounds that were indicative of Sasquatch. Characteristic vocalizations. Very compelling observations.”

According to reports, Pruitt was using a thermal imaging device during the hunt and claimed that with its aid he saw what may or may not have been a Sasquatch.

Pruitt paid the fine on Friday and now, it seems, the Bigfoot searches will be back in full swing. Pruitt claims to have already led Bigfoot expeditions in 18 states and has 24 more searches planned for the rest of the year throughout the United States and Canada.


 

3/30 - "P-FISH" excitement!

Had Ed Smith and his wife Patty aboard the JETTYWOLF today. Real nice folks, visiting from Ohio. Going in, I knew the tide was going to be a weak one with a plus .09 on the low tide, and a 4.4 at high tide that was at 2:13 am. So with the falling tide we fished the inside of the rocks and was looking for the same big Trout we had a few days ago.

Only caught one decent Trout, while working through all the Bluefish, and picked up a Sheepshead. But the real puller was the big Pompano that Ed hooked into.

Patty hooked a Spanish Mackerel also, but it ate through her 20# leader at boat side. Boy, you can surely tell the seasons are changing now. Because Ed caught a few small Jack Crevalles also. It's Summer folks. Time for lots of sun screen, lots of ice and drinks, and multitudes of species we haven't seen since last October!

Did get a few Sheepshead as the tide slowed. And picked up a few more Specks and decent yellowmouth Trout.

This is the time of year that is the reverse of the winter months when it comes to tide strength. Now, we'll look to fish those Full Moons and New Moon tides, versus in the fall and deep winter when those tides mean "ludicrous" current. All late next week starting on the 4th of April, we'll get those negative low tides and strong water movement.

And it'll soon be time to put up the float-rigs and hit the bottom with Pogies and Mullet. But at the same time, I've had banner days catching upwards of 33 Reds at the jetties on Float-rigs in the month of May. It depends on the year. But I think this summer is gonna be a "STEAMER". And I'm not looking forward to the heat.

We moved around caught some more Specks and yellowmouth Trout and picked up a second Sheepshead for the box. Fished until high tide working for another Pompano or a Red. But no dice. So we packed it in and went to clean up the fish.  

3/26 - One for the Ladies....and her name was Pam!

Had Sheldon and Pam aboard the Jettywolf today. It was a GLORIOUS DAY! Absolutely beautiful. With a light N.W. breeze blowing we actually had to wear light jackets. I said to Sheldon and Pam, "Did ya'll bring this coolness with ya?" as they were from Macklin, Saskatchewan! From the "great white north", coming down to visit Sheldon's brother.

But these folks weren't rookie travelers, either. Come to find out this couple are well seasoned travelers, having visited Austrailia, Korea, and other places I would never have thought people would venture too. I was a bit blown away!  Because, for me heading to New Orleans back in February for 3 days, was like a major feat and a undertaking in exploration.

Pam was quite the angler......we started out wackin the small Yellowmouth Trout right away. Dropping a bunch into the fish box. But I could see a change was needed. So being a "spot" fisherman. I don't make radical moves. Just made a re-position and that's all it took.

Pam slams a GATOR!



Oh, what a beautiful fish! I had to do two photos!

The slight move I made put us right on the "specks", and we started filling the box with them. When Pam, hooks another big Trout!  I was "giddy" as a 16 year old school girl. THIS, is what I hoped for.

Like right out of a magazine! Pam is no fishing "newbie", this gal knows what she's doing and can do it well!

We fish and fish and finally we squeeze all the tide we can out the spot. And as I pull away looking at my scopes screen I see a pile of fish. So we drop anchor outside the jetties to see what they were. Pitching 3/8ths oz. Jigs and shrimp, we find they're just small Yellowmouth trout in a school. BUT.....of course Pam hooks up on a "buckin" fish that pulls drag, but gets off. Hmmmm....don't know aht that was but it was significantly larger.

The pogies and Threadfin Herring are out there now. Maybe that's why we weren't getting any Redbass bites.

The BIG switch is taking place! It's time to get some live Pogies for the BIG Reds. I didn't have my cast net on the boat yet, but I can tell ya........"It's on the boat right now!"  So I'm ready. Yes, it's about summer time, already.

We make a move and set up on a area and work jigs and shrimp. The dang Bluefish were eating us outa house and home. But Pam hooks up........and gets a Sheepshead on her Jig and shrimp.

This gal knows what she's doing!

Again.....a 2nd look.

Because of the Bluefish, I make another move. Still trying to get Sheldon bit by a big Red on a jig and shrimp. So they jig as I set out a few bottom baits. And after a little over-kill by the FWC, and then narrowly escaping some USCG harrassment, because we were the closest fruit dangling on the tree, anchored where we were. We're finally LEFT ALONE, to fish. And Sheldon reels up another nice Sheepshead from the deep.

We headed back to the dock so I could clean fish, and I had alot to clean! The couple took away two giant bags of fillets, prime eating, fry'able de-boned, skinned, fillets. After a great day. It was picture perfect out there on the water, with a slight cool breeze and so much fun to be with two angling diehards. Pam, really knew her stuff. And as usual, the gals have a way of wooing big fish to thier hooks.

Pam's  two big Trout made me so proud. They were "sweetheart" fish, for sure!

Your day "can" vary.....My best trip is two anglers. Today, we were highly flexible and could easily move from one direction to another.  Today's fishing was high interactive.

Thanks Sheldon and Pam, it was my pleasure to have you aboard the Jettywolf today.

3/25 - HUH?? Facebook??

Jacksonville's Best Inshore Fishing  (link to my Facebook page)

Why do I have this page.......I'm certainly not 16 years old. Does anyone even know I have this page. I get these Facebook people calling me asking me if I want to "advertise" on Facebook.

I tell them,"are you kidding?"  I tell them, "I have a page, don't care too much about it at all....and that I believe I'm wasting my time anyhow." It's not like I'm a rock band.

I see down the side I have 45 friend's, and ONE I found on Facebook, because they send ya too all that high school stuff where you can see if you know anyone from H.S. that's on this thing.

And yes, I found a lovely gal now some 31 years later that was tormented by me and my buddies in H.S. And She was very nice.

No customers flock here (to my facebook page) or ask me "are you on facebook?" Because they usually are well to do, older adults that could care less about Facebook, like me I guess? Although I'm not all that well to do. But older, I guess so.

I don't tell them to "search for me on Facebook" and win a free cup of Starbucks coffee or anything, or a free pack of rubber worms.

Really, is this a waste of time or what?

Someone please tell me something.....Hahahahaha

I do that twitter bullshit too. I send out on twitter these fishing reports.

Have loads of followers and "do I get business from these people in BFE?"

Nope.

But I get a new follower every day or sometimes 5 a day? What, are these people doing they can't read every B.S.'n thing everyone "tweets".

Wow, just had a new follower while I writing this......"WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?"

3/24 - Before the rain.....

Had "two Don's" aboard today......Did a late morning start, and finished perfectly just before the rain came. Actually, I put the boat on the trailer after cleaning fish, headed out the boat ramp parking lot, got down the road a piece and "here it came!!!"

Buckets, of big rain. Always what we need around here. With the windshield wipers on hyper-magnun speed I could barely see infront of the truck as I crossed the big Wonderwood bridge.

Although we had to depart "way" later than I normally would. The action was fierce. First 5 fish were.....one 14-3/4 inch speck we tossed, and then four Pompano from 14-20".  "I'll say it again.....good gawd how I love TRANSITIONAL times of year!!!" (The 1st is Thankgiving, and 2nd is around Easter)

So what are ya waiting on? Let's go, during this great period of the year. Soon it'll be so hot, this action won't be here.

Departing at 10:30am and all the shrimp were gone and fish were caught by 1:30pm!  One area, NO long boat rides. All fishin'.

After the first flurry of action, the tide went slack, then the wind blew a little out the SW, then the tide started to move again. The two Don's saw how every time their floats moved and covered water, that's when the fish bit.

The guys caught about a dozen more Speckled Trout all keepers up to a genuine GATOR!

The Yellowmouth they caught were good ones up to a few pounds, and I even whacked me a few on a 3/8ths ounce jighead and a brown Matrix shad plastic.

Which brings me to a point. "ya know if you're just looking for fun, the backsides of each jetty produces plenty of fish such as fiesty Yellowmouths and Specks, on nothing but soft plastics....toss in a Redbass here and there also."

I never NOT jig a shad tail when I'm out there. Saves on bait, alot of bait sometimes.  But ya never see anyone ever doing it. Lures, may not keep the "green scourge fish" aka: Bluefish, from biting. But any cheap plastic will work to find schools of fish along the jetty rocks.

No Redbass today, but it was okay. The action was sort of steady, as the tide came and went alot. But like I said, today's short trip ended early as shrimp were all gone. And our timing couldn't have been any better.

Fish cleaning......my buddy the White Egret always shows up for a hand feeding. It's a relationship we've had for a long time. I gave it the name, "Pencil Neck". This bird is way more polite than the Pelican dock buzzards, that's why it gets the special treatment.

Don't think of your "fishing trip" as if you're gonna sit on a boat all day just wetting a line. BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT.
Think of it as a full blow adventure, seeing things, doing things, and learning things. Possibly, a whole new experience!

3/22 - Happens to me too...WIND

Difference is. "I jus go home, and call it a day." 


the start of a cinematic journey of one man's quest to catch some fish on his new "Dahlberg Wideglide by River2Sea". But the inlet was nasty, and the river was heinously windy. And wasn't really into wasting $90 worth of fuel (only 20+ gallons) at these prices, today. So the journey ended, and the quest abruptly ended. To continue another day....


Testing:  River2Sea "Dahlberg Wideglide" - http://www.river2seausa.com/t/wideglide.html