Saturday, May 26, 2012

TIME TO DEPART FROM THE SOUTH???? (Duval county that is...)

I hope we get the rain from the so called, "SUBTROPICAL STORM BERYL". As written in a past post (CLICK TO VIEW) We always need rain, and if you're a fisherman. Yeah, it's a good thing, as I discribed in that post link.

As of now, I'll be departing from a different location for "ALL" inshore/river fishing trips. ????
Trying really hard to figure this out, even after 30 years.

INSHORE WATERS-RIVER FISHING:  The Duval County “southern reaches” of the St. Johns River is where the shrimp are. And lots of other bait, too.  Hunting Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, Croaker, Yellowmouth and many others in that area is different than in and around Mayport, which is best during the fall, winter and spring. Because the saltwater content of the river is much less. And that’s why the inshore species migrate there this time of year.  The river's B-I-G down there. But affords us an exciting and challenging day of sport fishing.


Fishing:  Docks, Points, channel edges, and the Buchman bridge (over 3 miles long) will be where we head.




I’ll be departing for these trips from:  Goodby's Creek  














Area of Town: Southside
Goodbys Creek Boat Ramp is located on the south side of  
Goodbys Lake and San Jose Boulevard.
Ramp amenities include picnic tables and rest rooms.
The ramp, which serves the busy Baymeadows area,
has three lanes and is ADA accessible.
And is adjacent to, HOOTERS!

The address for the boat ramp/park is:
9020 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville,   FL 32257 















Everything is LIGHT TACKLE fishing.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Kids on Summer Vacation?

WANT TO DO SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT, THAN SITTING BY THE POOL AT THE HOTEL OR ON THE CROWDED BEACH EVERY DAY?

Summer time vacation, Kids out of school?

During the summer one of my most popular trips is the "two hour kids trip".
Yes, a two hr. charter aboard a fishing boat, just for the youngsters.

















Up to 4 persons, at least one adult of course. And for the kids under 10 years old. Who wouldn't other wise do a long 6-8 hr fishing day.

Go fishing, in the Ocean/River. Take a short ride to see a working shrimp boat in action. Watch the Dolphins behind the shrimper. SHARKS, too! The little ones really enjoy, the personal attention, the boat ride. While Mom and dad have fun too. Bring the camera!


















Drop a line, everyone gets to catch. And just long enough for the little ones, but not too long. This kids trip charter is really popular during the summer vacation time.

Just $200.00 and the kids have a blast. Each additional hr. add $50.00. If you'd like more time. (which happens alot) On a deep, stable, and extremely safe and child friendly boat.
















Visit: http://www.captdaves.com -
"Capt Dave's Sport Fishing charters"
out of Mayport in Jacksonville Florida. "At the beach."





















Also availible: 1-4 passenger complete fishing charter days, light tackle Inshore/Near-coastal light tackle fishing.
Your full-time guide since 1996

Monday, May 21, 2012

5/21 - Continued.....REEL REVIEW:

Prior, Reel review on Shimano Curado 300 EJ  & TranX 500HG post link









LETS GO FISHING......so I can do reports instead!
8am-8pm call to reserve

5/21 - NO EFFECTS HERE!!!!!!!!!












Tropical storm ALBERTO.
No effects here in Jacksonville, Florida!!  Just some wind, that's all.

Book your charter now for the Holiday weekend.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tropical Storm Alberto hovered off the South Carolina and Georgia coasts on Sunday, canceling tourist cruises, producing showers along the coast and serving as a reminder that the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner.

The first storm of the season that officially begins June 1 was not expected to approach landfall on the Carolinas' coast, but it had prompted a tropical storm watch and forecasters warned that it could produce high winds, heavy surf, rip currents and scattered rain across the region.

"It's making the closest approach to the coastline now, so the impacts shouldn't be much different than what we are already seeing," said Jonathan Lamb, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, S.C.
At 5 p.m. Eastern, the National Hurricane Center said Alberto was about 130 miles (210 km) south of Charleston. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph).

It's currently moving southwest at 6 mph (10 kph), but forecasters expect it to turn northeast sometime Monday.
A tropical storm watch that was in effect for the South Carolina coast from the Savannah River to the South Santee River was dropped Sunday afternoon without tropical storm conditions reaching the coast.

A few rain bands from Alberto reached Hilton Head Island and moved south to near Jacksonville, Fla., on Sunday but they moved through in less than an hour. Winds weren't expected to reach higher than 30 mph at the beaches, Lamb said. From Charleston to the north, even less of an impact was expected.

The hurricane center said the storm was expected to slow down through Sunday, then begin turning northeast and heading farther out to sea sometime Monday.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

5/20 - The loss of our own.....

If you hunt & fish. You've watched Swamp people. Admit it!
Well, there's bad news: Mitchel Guist Dies













And if you ever wished to have the life of a TV fisherman before, jet setting around fishing the best tackle, the best places, and being admired by all, you've probably watched "The Spanish Fly", with Jose Wejebe on ESPN Outdoors.
It maybe old news, but Jose died in a plane crash, in his "home made" plane a few weeks ago.

Personally, I always wished to have access to ever single product Shimano made, for free. Like Jose. The girls wer flocked around him at the last Miami Boat show I was attending. And my dad said he saw him talking to a "Kennedy" later on that same day. He was Miami's "Fishing" native son.
RECENT OFFERS, to blog readers:
http://archive.aweber.com/captdaves




Most recent:

Save money FISHING JACKSONVILLE!  May 14, 2012: Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing Jacksonville-Amelia Island, Fl Light tackle River, Inlet, and Coastal charters. Here's a coupon to use with this offer! Reserve a (2) person light tackle fishing charter between now and 6/14 /2012 to use till Father's Day (6/17). And receive 10% off the daily charter rate. When reserved with a $100 deposit, with cash balance. "Rates page" Does not include kids trips or River cruises. Expires 6/17/2012 This is for YOU, because you're signed up for Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing reports.  Click for "Coupon Code" for use when reserving.






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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

REEL REVIEWS...

Shimano's NEW TranX Reel, the ultimate "low profile" casting reel. It's been all the buzz, in the world of reels.
















And, Shimano's largest, and fastest CURADO. The 300EJ
Here it is next to the larger TranX.


















LOW PROFILE BAIT CASTING REELS:


For a long time, we as anglers have had many choices when it comes to what reel to buy. But since I'm a saltwater fishing guide, who specializes in "light tackle" inshore fishing in Jacksonville, Florida. I'm going to talk about saltwater, and review the newest and a few of the older Shimano brand bait casting reels.

Years ago, my arsenal included pretty much all Abu Garcia ambassador reels. Round Bait Casting reels. The Abu Garcia's have been around forever, and I always refered to them as the "Timex" of casting reels. The round design stems all the way back from the first casting reels. It was proven, it worked, and really no one gave the reels design, a second thought.

Then, came the Japanese manufactures. And I believe, because of the growing popularity of bass fishing in Japan. They found a more comfortable design. When all you do is stand and cast lures all day long. The emphasis then, and now, is lighter, stronger, and more comfortable.

I'm not a bass fisherman. But a good 3/4's of what comes into the tournament bass fishing industry, can equally relate to saltwater world as well. Especially when you're talking coastal, inshore fishing for species like Redfish, Speckled Sea Trout, Flounder, and so on.

Texas anglers who wade fish the shallow bays were the first ones to really seem to gravitate towards the lighter, more comfortable casting, of the low profile bait casting reels. Some of the first ones were the Shimano Bantams, and Lews Speed Spool.
If you hold your hand out, pointing your thumb out straight. That curve between you index finger and your thumb is where a low profile bait casting reel fits. Yeah it sounds stupid, but being that the reel is "tear-drop" shaped, has a lower profile, isn't round, is what makes it fit in your hand nicely and more comfortably.

A low pro reel also sits low on the reel seat of your casting rod. Todays reels feature a gear case that is "under slung" and has always reminded me of the way a Corvette sits over the four wheels. When you're in the Corvettte. Your lowest half is actually lower than the middle of the tires and wheels. That's what I mean by the reels gear case being "under slung". They accomplish this by bring the gears along side the reel seat of the fishing rod.

Today, companies like Shimano are at their top of the game. With low pro bait casting reels like the Chronarch, and the Curado models. These reels are easy "cross-overs". They can kick fish butt in freshwater, and as equally well in saltwater. They come at a premium price though, with a larger model that holds 200 yards of line or more being in the $150-$250 range.

One thing that an old Abu Garcia did, was make you as a bait casting reel angler, have an educated thumb. Knowing how much pressure to produce on a cast to not backlash the reel or as some people call it, "birds nest" the spool.  I call it a "professional over run".  The only way to adjust an old Abu Garcia Ambassador was to add tension to the spool, via the cast control knob, located on the handle side of the reel, on most Ambassadors.

Today, there is magnetic controls and even a magnetic control is sort of "out dated" in my opinion. The force of the magnetic field when the magnets get closer or further away from the spool is what helps control the inertia of the spool spinning, on a cast to help slow the spool.

Reels such as a Shimano Curado uses a weight system, and the cast control knob on their Curado reels, along with the rest in their low pro inventory. And the ingenoius way to open the non-handle side of the reel to adjust the weight control system is probably if not the best, of all low profile reels out there. Flip open a small handle, turn the cam, and the non-handle side, side plate opens. It stays attached so you don't drop it over board also. Move a few weights up and down on the patented sytem, and you're done.














Reels such as the Curados are made from better materials than the cheaper reels just like it. Featuring aluminum frames rather than graphite, which keeps flex down , when hooked up to somebody large and mean. That's why these can cross over to the saltwater world so easily.

A low profile reel from Shimano, such as the Chronarch or Curado models are easy to keep clean. The low profile design lends it self to less places for salt and grime to hide, in my opinion. Nothing more than a damp towel at the end of the day is all that's needed, besides regular maintenance intervals.

Bearing systems on these reels are have very tight tolerances, which make for a tight feel at the handle. And in today's reels, the gear ratio of handle turn to spool turns (retrieving) can be as much as 7:1. That's fast! But can lack power.

Drag systems on the Shimano reels are about as good as it gets. Shimano has long been known for silky smooth drags when you have a big fish pulling on light line. Back in the day, the "jerk, jerk" of the drag when a big fish decided to take off to the next county was something we just all put up with. Not anymore.

Pretty much all good bait casters have decent drags. I'm very partial to Shimano's though. They stay smooth after years and years of my customers using and abusing my reels.

The absolute kicker to the whole story about Shimano reels is that they saw that "we" all love low profile bait casting reels in the saltwater. And pretty much made the Curado 300DSV for that purpose. I have several. They were larger and powerful reels that have easily caught fish Redfish over 40 pounds, and can catch much larger. Such as Tarpon, and Sharks.

Here's Video Proof:  http://youtu.be/LRRknq8uXsM

Well folks, they were satisfied with just that. The Shimano 300DSV evolved. And along came a color change from silver to green (the retro Curado color of years ago) and now the slightly more compact, and lighter 300EJ came out. This reel is super bad! Meaning fantastic! And it comes with a big power handle.

But again, Shimano doesn't sit and wait for other's to out do them. And introduced this year, the Shimano TranX. Built as the largest, most capable low profile reel in the world. The Shimano TranX is a low pro bait casting reel for the true ocean angler. But the Musky guys have gone bonkers over them too.

A low profile frame and exterior, built around the proven Talica lever drag trolling reel gears, drag and handle. The Tranx sports huge amounts of line capacity (270 of 65# braided line, and 400 yards of 50# braided line) I actually squeezed an even 300 yards of 65# braid on my new TranX reel.

The gear ratio of the HG model is fast, at 6.6:1. The reels handle is massive, the drag adjustment is super fine, and of course it has a monster drag capacity of approx. 25 pounds of pressure. With a full spool of line, the high speed retrieve model, equates to a massive 43 inches of line retrieve with the turn of the handle, ONCE.

Working Shimano lures like the Waxwing system is what the reel was designed for. But let me tell ya, this reel is low, sleek and so powerful it makes a coastal angler like myself want to go out and pick a fight with the baddest Tarpon, King Mackerel, Barracuda, or Shark I can find.




(Golden Dorado on a Shimano TranX, these fish will
test any gear. These are a bucket list fish of mine)




Unlike a trolling reel, this reel is for casting, and it does it so well you'll have to get very familiar with the cast control system and move those weights around. So not to birds nest the spool. But then again, the angler buying a Shimano TranX is not your average guy standing on a bridge chunking a dead shrimp out. This is a professional or enthusiast grade reel, for sure.

Just like the Shimano Curado EJ, these are serious fishing tools. And the cost right now for a TranX reel is $500 everywhere! There is no discounts on Ebay. There is no closeouts.

But there was "waiting lists".



www.captdaves.com











-DID YOU NOTICE, THE BLOG HAS A NEW LOOK???

-YOU CAN ALSO COMMENT EASIER ON A POST

-YOU CAN ALSO ADD "YOUR THOUGHTS"...(SEE BELOW EACH POST)




5/15 - Yesterdays rain

As a river Angler and Trout Tracker, this time of year I have a motto; "Wetter is always Better."
Yesterday's rain totals measured three inches in some places of Duval County. And that's a good thing.

Rain fall stats on 5/14/2012

We just need that type of rain to continue, as far as I'm concerned. Years ago, when we had early summer or late spring heavy rains and even major storms. The trout fishing was through the roof, along with all "inshore fishing". But when I went out with a buddy or even as a solo'ist. It was all about hunting down big GATORS, and I ain't talkin' ones with bumpy skin.

And as you can see, ZERO has changed.

Bare with me as I reminice a moment, and show you some pics and tell you the story behind them.

All these BIG Trout were caught around the same time frame, in the spring. It was a really wet time.



































Yeah, you may have seen these photos before in my "slide show". And there's a reason for that!
This pic on "yesteryear 2006" was on one spot, never moved and anchored ONCE!!!!!!
OPPS...now how did this fine Anglerette, get in my photo album??





















What rolls around in my head this time of year is a very seemingly wet spring, and April 30th, 2008

I ran to a spot, made 5 drifts of my float-rig, caught 5-Speckled Trout from 21-25 inches, turned around and headed home.  And all I could keep was one of these Trout, and it was the first one I caught, because I had no idea the fish would be coming that fast and that size ......WHY YOU ASK, COULD YOU JUST KEEP, ONLY ONE?
















Because, Trout are 15-20", with one over 20" allowed in the bag of then five fish. Great laws we have huh? I hitch up the boat, buy shrimp and ice, make a long run, hit the tide perfectly, catch 5 big Trout in five drifts of my float-rig, and all I get out of it is ONE TROUT. It forces you to fish for small fish. The perfect tide was when I was there. I don't want to fish for smaller fish.

I'm a starving fishing guide. I believe we ought to be exempt from limits like that, if fishing alone, and holding a vessel fishing license, to prove we do charters. I EAT FISH. I FISH, TO EAT FISH!

Hate'em or love'em, just like Ted Nugent.....he shoots it all, and his family eats it. Nothing is wasted! Same here.

Well there ya have it.

So don't complain after washing the Truck if it rains 15 minutes later. Because, as you can see from ALL these spring time, and early summer photos. A "wet" year is a good year.

Then, you have the flip side.....

I'll act like 60 Minutes, or even FRONTLINE on PBS. I'll give you the other side of the story that I have to hear from people who DON'T fish for big Trout.

"...if it rains too much and too early in the summer season, the shrimp could get flushed out the river. Ya don't want big storms. Not if ya want a good shrimping season down river.....bla,bla,bla."

Make up your own mind, this summer.
Rain and lots of it, or dry with forest fires. And the whole state, a cloud of smoke?

Alot of it is about the salinaty in the river this time of year.
Less saltwater is better, from my findings.

With alot of saltwater intrusion in the St. Johns, especially during the spawning Trout periods.
More fresh water (rains and storms) seems to bottleneck the Trout closer to where I can get at them.

And that's what matters to me.

IF you are thinking about any day, near any Hoiday coming up, be it Memorial day or Father's day in June. Right Now, you should already be booked. I sent out a savings coupon to all signed up blog readers. Who's going to actually use it?

Monday, May 14, 2012

5/13 -Mother's Day Fishing Trip

Only if the weather is good, do I take my Mom out on Mother's Day. Yeah, she goes once a year. But not every year.

We've had great days, and not so great days. She's caught 35 pound Redbass, and she's caught a box full of Flounder, and one year it was just a bunch of Ladyfish. That still think are her favorites. Last year, the jetties were nice and calm and she caught one 5 pound Jack Cravelle, a Ladyfish, and a 27" Redbass. And she was done and ready for lunch, after that.

This year, it was over-cast and windy. I knew that going in. But I didn't say much about the weather because I just wanted to get her out there. Dad comes along too....."he's camera man."

Yesterday, I made sure she'd want to be on the boat for awhile. So I went and had two  Publix sub's made and had plenty of refreshments in the cooler.

I went out earlier, and fished for about an hour or so before picking her and dad up at the boat ramp. I wanted to try a project I have been working on. Using essentially a large 9" rubber worm as a over-sized "jerk bait". The difference though is in how it's rigged, and it has a flapping tail.

So I went right across from the boat ramp, because I couldn't go far. And started tossing this 9" bait along the bank and some submerged rock. The wind was a problem, coming from the east. But I did do just what I wanted. Which was to catch the attention of something with this lure.
















It WORKED perfectly as I felt a thump, thump, and then a hang...I pulled back and right away I could tell this wasn't a Trout or Redfish. And then netted this nice 4 pound Flounder. I took this picture, so you could see the "jerk-bait", against the fish.

Then, Mom calls and they are at the dock. So I went over and picked them up. Showed Mom what I had caught and she wanted to "show it off" for me.























We then headed as far away as we could from the E.S.E. winds, because "it was gonna get worse, no doubt as the day went on".

So we went for a decent ride down river. It was the last few hours of the falling tide. Spot #1 should have produced some nice trout, but it didn't, just a small 13 incher. Spot #2 which back when we had rains, storms, tropical depressions produced the most 5  pound Trout I've ever caught......"but we couldn't loose a shrimp, this morning". 

Yes, it's almost a good thing. Mom and Dad got to see what I have to go through to get quality bites this time of year, and how the "winds of change", can screw everything up!

By spot #3, the wind was honking pretty damn good. We fished a shallow rock pile. Letting the float-rig be carried along with the tide and passing the rocks. That's when Mom's float started going down......but it was hard to keep the slack in the line from making a big belly, so when you get bit, ya better reel like crazy to tighten up!

After a few adjustments and bait stealers, Mom finally started getting bit by quality Trout.





































It was quite weird, not a single Ladyfish..."mom's favorite" at any spot we tried. Yeah, they aren't "box-fish", but at the same time, if you're catching Ladies, you're at least in "trout water".






































The wind started to howl....gusting 20 kts at least. The boat would whip one way, while the current was going the opposite. Which was mighty frustrating, as we knew the Trout were back there behind the boat.






































I attempted to try two more spots. But it was just getting a bit fultile at this point. So we headed back and I cleaned up the fish, fed my bird buddies, and was home by 1pm.

I'm glad we went no matter what the forecast was. So Mom could see that it's not always easy out there on the water. And by the time the tide had turned in Mayport, I'm sure glad we didn't attempt going to the inlet. The wind against the tide just in the river was making it pretty nasty.

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

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT A CHARTER AROUND MEMORIAL DAY. RIGHT NOW IS THE TIME TO CALL AND RESERVE. DO NOT WAIT TILL THE LAST SECOND.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

5/7 & 5/8 - Trout'n in the river.

Boy, the last two days have been fantastic. #1 because it's a MONDAY & TUESDAY!  #2 because no one is around, perfect weather, and #3 great crew(s) each day.

Yep, it's that time of year again. Start very early, fish hard as you can. Finish up around 12noon - 1pm. Because the sun's high and the heat is starting....And better yet. Fish on the start of the week, rather than weekends if you can.

Had Cory N. and his girlfriend and dad on Monday. Fantastic people, so fun to be with. And interesting folks too. Cory and his girlfriend work at the Jax Zoo. They work with Elephants and big Cats. Wow, now that's like doing charter fishing for a living. I bet  no day is ever exactly the same. Cory's dad was in town, and it was a good idea to do a adventure on the river.
I decided that with rising full moon tides. I'd play it safe and do what I do best. So we went float-rig fishing. No matter your skill in fishing. Everyone can catch, and have a good time. Float-rigging..."with my help & coaching" is an equal opportunity fishing system here in N.E. Florida.

















Primarily, it targets Trout, "Speckled Sea Trout".

They caught a box full. Had a few small ones, a youngster Flounder and Sheepshead, a few Ladyfish and Jacks too.
The action was steady, and everyone was really enjoying the day. Positive people, with great attitudes. Look forward to having them aboard the JETTYWOLF again, some day.



























5/8 - With Bruce and Sue

I had Bruce aboard the JETTYWOLF once before. During a full moon, wicked tidal day in October. His company was entertaining some other guys and four of them and I hit the river. And the big St. Johns was really showing it's ugly head that day. The CURRENT was ludicris!!!!!  I couldn't even hardly anchor up.

So, Bruce had booked today many many weeks ago. And what is this week?  The week of the full moon. BUT, there's a HUGE difference between now and and October. Tide's aren't as strong this time of year. So...Bruce and his wife Sue were all safe, with this date.

Same deal. I planned on showing Bruce and Sue the best way to get bit. So we went float-rig fishing for some fine Speckled Trout.  Now, Sue told me when Bruce went to visit the latrine at the boat ramp before we took off. That she wasn't all super thrilled with fishing. But, she goes anyhow. She's afraid of Alligators. And doesn't touch fish!

I told her she'd be just fine. And that many times the gals outfish the men. She said, "I'm familar with that."

Our first spot as like yesterday was a decent clip from the boat ramp. But, we had the absolute last trickle of falling tide upon arriving. I showed both of them what to do and how the "float-rig" works.

They fished and fished. Okay, this prime spot is a D-U-D. Which is hard to believe, because it's a top spot. And we just had a 5 pounder last week come from here. Oh well...I got plenty of spots!

Literally, just across the river is a spot that has been very good to me if we catch the tide just right. I anchored up and on the first drift of a float, can't remember if it was Bruce of Sue. But a big fattie Trout was easily landed. Then, another, and another. The bite was on! But the tide was slowing fast. Oh, how we needed to get on them and hard.

Not needing to not waste any time I took two fast pictures of the first few and got back to it.



















As the tide slowed so did the bites. But Sue was now on her game like no tomarrow. She was "pitchin & flippin" like Bill Dance or Roland Martin. Seemingly, doing all she could to catch more or get bit more than Bruce...!

AND SHE DID!

I decided to stay in this area and beat it up as hard as we could. So I spun the boat around and even tied off to a piling close by to hold our position.

And Sue caught a few more Trout even. Yes, she now has more than Bruce.

We went and hot a few more places as the tide flooded, but for some reason we got a few bites but couldn't get back on the Trout again.

I went to nothing but usually productive areas, and even a spot we caught fish yesterday.

That's when Sue sitting up on the bow says..."I see lightning bolts!"

The boat was facing stern west in the rising tide. Bruce and I looked and saw nothing but puffy clouds to the west. Come to find out, Sue was looking EAST!

Yep, there was huge coal black clouds to the S.E. So I picked up and headed back towards the boat ramp. We still had some fishing time left, but as we got closer and closer, so did the weather. Sue was fine not continuing to fish in the rain, lightning or winds associated with the "summer squal".  I could just tell from her demeaner.

So we called it a day. I cleaned a box of fish and bid yet another great crew farewell till next time. Bruce I knew was a great guy to fish with, but now I know that Sue has a streak of competive fishing in her, and that was fine by me!  She did great.

The clouds were coming and black with rain. the timing couldn't have been more perfect, because as I put the boat on the trailer it started to rain. And as I drove home, I got a "Free" boat wash-off.

Two weekday trips, that were really fun!

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IF YOU ARE EVEN CONSIDERING ANY KIND OF CHARTER TRIP IN OR AROUND MEMORIAL DAY WEEK. YOU SHOULD BE CALLING AND RESERVING  THAT TRIP WITH A DEPOSIT, RIGHT NOW!

charter pricing subject to change in and around major holidays
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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Boat ramp follies

US...


Other places in the world......"crowds???"

Jacks, lost? But not forgotten

Lately, I've been reminiscing. Because of all the bait we have in the river and outside the jetties.
I've be looking in my photo albums and seeing a change. The photos that caught my attention right away were of memorable light tackle catches of Jack Cravelle's, by customers in the spring time.
















-Serious light-tackle catch along heavy structure.

And it got me thinking. Especially after the last few Jetty trips. Where Pogies are the bait of choice. Because they're so numerous.














-Your average Jetty Jack

It seems like years ago, you could always count on catching a handful of decent sized Jacks by simply pitching live pogies up to the jetty rocks.

And sometimes you didn't even have to do that. Drifting along the rocks with some heavy Gator spoons, just cast to the pockets along the rocks, let the spoon sink a second and burn it back to the boat. You'd catch either a Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, or Jack Crevalle. The Jacks were always the favorites, though. 

Those tight schools of Pogies out there would have marauding packs of big Jacks streaking through them. These fish would be big. I'd go from Pogie pod to Pogie pod, looking for the Jacks, and rip a large top water through the bait. The hook ups were intense, the boating of these Jacks were an angling challenge. Jack Crevalle in the 20-30 pound range, were not uncommon.

While float-rig fishing in April and May, back when we all could fish along the Navy base. The last of the falling tide, a float-rig with a live shrimp would mean hook-ups on Jacks from a few pounds to 10 pounds. And when they'd ball up the bait fish on the point of the carrier basin, my favorite thing to do was to rip a plug through them and have an instant hook-up, minutes from leaving the dock. 

One day, along the Navy Base rocks I was hand feeding the Jacks. I had a bucket of real small dead pogies. And as they came down the bank in a pack. I threw out a handful of the dead baits. And before you knew it. I had the school along side the boat and I was dropping the small dead pogies off the side of the boat feeding individual Jacks that would swirl the surface.

My customers loved hooking up on big Jacks, especially way down the river. They'd be drifting their float-rig behind the boat thinking "Trout". When they'd hook up a large Jack that had me pulling the anchor and following it.

One especially memorable day was when I had three Australian crew members off a yacht that was being worked on at Atlantic Marine. We went float-rig fishing and caught Speckled Trout and Black Drum. Then, as the yacht's Captain used the last of the shrimp in the baitwell, he hooked a giant river Jack. I ended up pulling the anchor and giving chase as he yelled, "It's spooling me, Mate!!".  He caught the fish and it was 20 pounds. Afterwards, he said, "now that's like fishing at home in Australia!"

As of right now, we've only caught a few tiny Jacks. And this time last year, was about the same. Sure, many of my favorite places are off limits. Because fishing there means we're a threat to National Security. So far, I've failed to see any of the big Jacks that make memories, like years ago.

I'll keep looking.  Jack, old friend. You're not forgotten.

5/5 - Weekends.....

Wow, you could have sworn that the Mayport Boat ramp was the headquarters for a giant tournament this morning. It was so busy, it was rediculas. And again, as I headed home. There was trucks and trailers parked almost to Safe Harbor Seafood, and even on the side streets.

In all my years, I have never seen vehicles parked that far down the road. I guess you could park that far away and then call who ever's in the boat, and they could come pick you up a mile away at the docks at Sea Harbor Seafood??

Had Dallas and his mom and dad, and his 9 year old son. Original plans were to go offshore, get away from the crowds after getting some pogies and then a basket full of pogies as chum. But the best plans in the world don't always match up to Mother Natures plans.

The Pogies were everywhere. And very difficult to catch. BTW, did anyone else pay attention and see the SIZE of that moon around 5:30 this morning? It was low and the size of NY city!  All I could think about was the tide. When the tide turns and heads out those jetties, Oh it's gonna be a screamer.

I really wanted 50 pounds of pogies. We looked and looked, and finally I got about 10 monsters. They were way too big. But, time was a wasting....I wanted not only some live, but a basket for chumming too.

So we headed over to the Jetties and anchored up. I pinned on the monster Pogies on a 1/2 oz. jig-head and had my crew cast them out and let the pogie swim and drift around the jetty rocks. Where I really wanted to be, had WAY too much current.

They could cast the big pogies on my new heavier spinning rods I git for the purpose. But barely. I thought "spinner's" were America's reel?  I know I don't need one or even like them. And after awhile I had to give a few casting tips, before one went into the drink at 4 days old.

We finally got on top of the rocks where I wanted to sit in the first place, and Pop's had someone on running up current with his pogie. Then he got stuck in the rocks. One thing about taking a jig and tossing it around "OUR" structure. I can guarantee, 99.99% of America has never done anything like this before. So getting hung up was the routine. But it's also where the Redbass are.

But, I was thinking, used to be....this is all you had to do to get your butt handed to you by big Jacks! They are gone, but not forgotten. Yes, over the last few years, we've lost our big Summer Jack Crevalle's. Years ago in April and May. We've caught and or lost big Jacks from the beach, jetties, all the way to the mouth of Trout River.
 









-average Jetty Jack

I have the photo proof of catching 5 pounders along the Navy base on Float-rigs in May. Casting nothing but Gator Spoons along the rocks as we drifted out the jetties. Casting live pogies and having a ball catching them from 5-10 pounds off the north rocks. Wonder what happened?
Each year, I've said to myself "it's just a bit early for them." Till, July arrives and I see a few. But still, nothing like years ago. Usually, by Mother's day. They're just about everywhere and of all sizes.

Back to today. My crew finally pulled a 26" Redbass out of the rocks with a 11" Pogie. Just like last week. The difference from last Saturday was we had numerous bites. From what I gathered is Dallas' Dad was the only one who got bit, twice. Eater size too. Which like last week, seems uncommon. But a good thing.
















The current was playing hell with us atop the south jetty. Spinning the boat in circles. So I dislodged my anchor and we headed back to the pogie pods, in search of shallower bait.

Easy, finally. I pulled up and made a few throws and put some monster Pogies in the baitwell and filled a fish basket with small ones. There was zero wind, and I need some to make a drift. So I ran out till I hit some breeze on the water's surface about 2 miles out.

I took two big pogies, put them on a balloon rig and sent them out about 6' deep. Filled the "chum chopper", and started one hell of a slick behind the boat. We had enough breeze to have us drifting right along as if we were slow trolling. Yep, the way I rigged the big Pogies on the balloons, is nothing more than having a boat in a slow troll with down-riggers.  Except way stealthier, and the baits are right in the chum slick!  An awesome concept, that has yet to POP! And I mean POP, with a Kingfish, Cuda, or Cobia on the line. Granted, it catches sharks.

BUT WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A SINGLE SHARK IN THE SLICK! Which to me is a Bill Engval..."here's yer sign!" That something was majorly awry.

Drifting at least a mile or more, seeing people driving around looking for Cobia, and slow trolling pogies in and around the bait schools. You'd think we could have gotten a Shark for a our Jr. Angler aboard, at least.

So, we headed back to the rocks pitched out cut pogies on jig heads laid them on the bottom looking for a small shark for the boy. And had nothing bbut tiiny fish eat the pogies.

After that we headed in. Wow, what a day!

Next up:

Monday:  East 10-15 kts. and I'm heading back down river because of it. Float-rig fishing and maybe some live mullet fishing.
Tuesday: Same thing.....south 5-10 kts.

Friday, May 4, 2012

5/3 - Early try at Reef Chum fishing......

Solo, of course. But had to try. Got the "chum-chopper" so went and used it. After loading up on lil' stinkers. 1st spot 5 miles out of the jetties. 2nd spot, almost 5 more miles. It was rough as a dang C-O-B! Not for the faint of "stomach". Pogies Galore, small ones. Not much happening at either spot. Came in towards the beach 40' of water, while on the cell-phone, what do I see swim right behind me? At least a 50 pound Cobia. I fed it a few dead pogies to keep it near me, then tossed it my 8-1/2" Dalhberg 'Wide-Glide'. I came over thinking BIG Mullet and sucked it up. Drag smoking on my Shimano Curado 300EJ, "Oh yeah baby!" Then the hook pulled. ^%^@%^#*&^%&*^%$@!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was it. Heard of a bunch of Cobia caught. Seemed like bottom fishing boats had the best luck with Cobs swimming up to the boat. Same as last year. When I'm DONE and OVER IT, here one comes. I'll try again, later.