7/10 - Sticky & windy

Had Mike M. a regular customer and his brother-in-law Jeremy aboard. Their wives bought them a Father's day trip. So we went out today.

REALLLLLLLY, wished I had my Fish finder/GPS/Chart plotter display iunit back from repairs, because we would have headed out and did some "LT" bottom fishing on some near-shore ledges. But, I wasn't getting it till later in the day via Fedex.

So, instead we headed to Nassua Sound. Yep, 3rd trip flying by the seat of my pants up there, running the bars, but at least it's all sand. So all that could happen is taking more paint off the lower unit, and certainly a sand bar won't hurt the Jettywolf!

We ran the ocean up to the sound, but first stopped and tried to catch some Pogies that were off the North Jetty out deep.
A bit futile, so we left them and went looking up off Amelia Island. That was almost futile too.

Did find some, but they were so scattered. Found some nice chunky Threadfins on the rip line up there. And I actually caught some in my cast net, as they are usually too fast to catch.

We tossed out some cut shrimp for baits and caught some Whiting, while waiting on the tide to get the pogies corraled.
And then, it was so easy! In 6 foot of water, versus 46' of water catching Pogies is a dream!

We chummed and fished a new slew up there that runs from inside the sound to the south. But the action was really slow.
Wanting TARPON as usual, settling for some sharks. But it just wasn't happening. We caught a few small Bonnetheads, but that wasn't the target.

Made a few moves and finally got some line pullers. Bonnetheads of various sizes.

The action was good for about 30 minutes.

And FINALLY, we caught something in 3 trips up there that wasn't a Bonnetthead shark, but rather a Mini-Blacktip.

The action slowed to zero. So we went and fished the S. Amelia rocks. By now the ocean was kinda kicking up, but it wasn't even close to the south Jetty in January. So I anchored up outside the rocks and we gave it a try. I told the guys that in the spring time, I've had Black Drum and just about everything else here. So, being 100 degrees and windy. We just gave it a few minutes. The small bait stealers as usual in N.E. Florida were rabid. And Mike and Jeremy caught small Spadefish and a small Mangrove Snapper, on pieces of dead shrimp.

NO BIG FISH PRESENT.....seemed to be the theme of the day!

I picked up my Shimano Trevalla rod, with the Shimano TranX reel on it, with a Shimano Waxwing jig tied on and said,
"I bet if there's a Jack around here, it'll eat this in a minute"

I made a long bombing cast up to the end of the rocks and whammm-O. A Jack jumped on the jig. And a bunch were following.

A blind squirrel, finds an acorn every once in awhile, huh?  This was the first FISH I've caught on a Waxwing jig and have thrown it in the river and jetties for 6 months!!

Guess, I won't be making any Shimano Waxwing Youtube videos for Shimano any time soon huh?

I made another cast, and I caught a second Jack. Then, the Ladyfish were following it as I made more casts. I guess the Waxwing is another fisherman catcher?

I saw reds & Trout caught on them....but that was in Louisiana, not J-ville, Fla.
Example:

I'll keep trying..."for a Trout!"
Guess, I'll try it offshore some day and maybe I can do better with it.

Thank goodness for the I.C.W.

Because it would have been one wet and wild ride back via the Ocean in the 15-20 knot, SE seabreeze. Usually I don't stay out this long, but it was a tough ass day, and I worked very hard to get something, that never wanted to really get going, to start. And it took a long time to do it.

7/9 - another "KIDS" Trip

Had another 2 hour kids trip today, or rather this morning.....
Departed around 7:30am with a record breaking 4 kids, and don't think a one was over 4. But, two dad's had two each. So we made it work.

Started out at the jetties, then we worked outside the surf drifting a few bottom rigs. Catching the kids some Whiting, and a small shark. The kids were freaking out, of course.

Then one got a bit seasick, I guess. So we went back into the river and finished up catching Yelllowmouth Trout, Croakers and Jacks.


Let's see.... they screamed, cried, fought, yelled, ate, drank, and threw-up.

As I told the dad's, I don't need to "have any kids, myself". I get to have them out on the Jettywolf almost every trip, from May till late August.

During the falling tide at 7am this morning, I tested the salinaty of the river. It was a 24 PPT (parts per thousand) where as the ocean is a 32-34 PPT. I figured that since the river's so dark and dirty that it would have been alot less salty.




Next up:

Getting my sounder back from repairs on Tueday. (in which T.S. Beryl claimed with rain intrusion) But that won't help me with tomarrows charter 7/10. So even though I wanted to take regular customer Mike M. and his brother in law offshore to some near shore reefs. I can't, because I won't have my scope or GPS display till when I get home
D-O-H!

So we'll go chum fish up at Nassua Sound, instead.

7/8 - Jus' 5%

As usual during the summer I like to keep as much fuel in my boats tamk as I can.

WHY?

Because I haven't a clue of what I'll be doing from week to week or day to day. Because summer fishing is just so wacky.
-One day I'm in the river, with a boat load of 6 year olds hunting Croaka's
-The next day I'm travelling damn near to the mathews bridge in search of Speckley bastards.
-Then, the next day I'm at nassua Sound.

So, I don't know if anyone ever visits my YOUTUBE channel. (via the link on the side bar of this BLOG.)

I even did a few video's about testing the ETHANOL content of the fuel "we're" buying on the street.
This couldn't be more important than in the intense heat of the summer. Lots of expansion going on in your fuel tank, because of the heat. Mine, being an aluminum tank in an aluminum boat, in 83 degree water may actually not be as bad as the glass boats. Because the aluminum bottoom of the boat quickly takes on the temp of the surrounding water. (?)

But, as in the video's. I TEST MY FUEL!

Last fill-up (almost 100 gallons) the fuel at the Exxon at Atlantic and Girvin roads, was a solid 10% Ethanol. Which is OKAY. Your engine is most likey made to run on it. But at the same time, as you've probably read. Ethanol is like a sponge and soaks up moisture.

So keep a close check on your Fuel-Water seperator filters. I have two, a RACOR, and another under my cowling.
I also treat my fuel with STAR-TRON. Heck, I don't really know if the stuff is "snake oil" or for real. But it's pretty cheap at Northern Tool on Atlantic Blvd, with the coupons I get in the mail.

Today, I went and filled her up (almost) again. At the same Exxon, and tested the fuel again as usual.

Jus' 5% today.  5% ETHANOL, not even the 10% allowed by law.  So, that a good thang!

7/7 - Zoo Saturday....

Glad to of just been doing one of my 2 hour kids trips, with some nice folks this morning. And glad to be a super early bird too. The boat ramp was "Saturday Busy".  There was some kid of Mesquito Fleet, gotta own a flats boat, tournament going on as I backed off the trailer. They were lined up outside the ramp for check-out, it looked.

So alot of doings goin' on, of course on a Saturday.

In two hours, not fishing all that spacific, and just tossing some Shrimp out on the bottom for two 7 year olds. We caught a whopping 2-3 small Croakers. That was it!!

So, after a little roaming around we ended up at the jetties. The tide was smoking in on the bottom, and stagnet on the top.
Jus' wonderful. Nothing but a few tap-taps at the jetties, also.

After I got home at 10:30am, I made the effort to go get a new Hydrometer. (my old one broke) aka: Salinaty Gauge. The Instant Ocean brand, from Pet Smart (for all of you that'll ask where do you get one...DOH!)

Step 1- Slowly fill the Instant Ocean Hydrometer by dipping bottom corner fill port below water surface until water flows up and over inner weir.
Step 2 - Dislodge air bubbles by gently tapping hydrometer or pointer. Air bubbles on the pointer may result in inaccurate results.
Step 3 - Place the hydrometer on a level surface and read specific gravity (inside scale) and salinity (outside scale).
Care:
Rinse thoroughly in freshwater after each use to prevent mineral/salt buildup which can affect accuracy. Salt and calcium deposits that accumulate on the pointer will result in incorrect results. If crystallization occurs inside the unit, soak in lukewarm water or vinegar for 30-minutes, rinse with freshwater and air dry.





I believe, from my sample tastings. Yes, "Tastings". I was fishing in fresh water today. Here's always a GENUINE hint.
Take your hand and run it all over your boat. Do you feel the grainy ocean salt all over it?

TODAY, I COULDN'T FIND DRIED SALT GRANUALS ANYWHERE ON MY BOAT!
(that's only if you wash your boat completely after each use)

Hence the fishing in a fresh water river, on the falling tide?  I believe so.

With my new Hydrometer, I'll start giving actual readings in future reports.

Oh back in the day......I used to find anything around 4-10 parts per thousand of saltwater from a surface test, and that meant one thing. T-R-O-U-T, were gonna be in the area.  The ocean outside the jetties would usually be a 32 PPT.
So, as you can see. The Trout loved that "Lesser" salinaty.

In Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. The average salinaty is 5.1-10 PPT on the eastern side of the lake, closest to the Gulf.
And the Trout fishing there is through the roof! Partly because they just have so many more fish, then we do here. They easily live and THRIVE in non-salty water. Which we have way too  much of, usually in the summer. And lesser salinaty from my research means a better SPAWN. (Trout spawn in the summer months) Now, that's why we don't have the Trout populations here! Too much salt water intrusion into the estuaries during the spawn??  That's what my research (unoffical of course) reveals.

Saltwater intrusion, IE: dredged to China River which equals, allowing for too much Ocean tide. That's why in the summer, alot of Trout find thier way all the way down, to Doctors Inlet!  Plus that's usually where the shrimp are.
Itr's all about HABITAT, and successful spawns, year after year after year.

So far this year, after all the storms/Rain. I have failed to find a 50-100 count Trout day, and have basically given up on them. But, given the right customers in the next few weeks we may have to go hunting down some Trout, again.

Maybe since all the storms and rain it's gonna take forever and a day for it to be like it was YEARS ago. When a 50 Trout day was not unheard of after a summer time Tropical Storm and loads of rain fall. Here in that thing we call a river. It just may take a while for all that fresh water to do it's thing. But, I wouldn't count on it. Every storm with lots of rain seems to do it's own thing. You'd think it could be measured and relied upon. But not from what I've seen.

7/6 - Nassua chum fishing

Fishing and a wishing for a Tarpon bite at Nassua Sound. But it was Bonnetheads. Which were fun. Always, always, enjoy the Brandts. Even though we were missing Shirley, Don's Mom. Who's usually the fish killer. But she was under the weather. A fun thing to do on a July day, away from the crowds, in a nice area. No ships, tugs, or coneheads.

7/5 - Same crew, same date

Had the Tanner crew aboard again today. Always after the 4th of July every year. That's why when people call with a late notice, I tell them 30 days notice to get prime dates, for most holiday weeks. My educated regulars know to call and get the same dates each year. I've been taking Greg and his boys since they were 5 years old. First Wes, then Duncan came along. And they're alot older now.

Then after a few years, brother in law Wayne, and his son John started to come. They had something like 30 people in a few condos up in Amelia Island.

I decided to fish Nassua Sound....."So why not just pick my crew up at the boat ramp at Sawpit Creek."

I was on edge, because of having no sounder back from repairs yet. But, just my "photographic memory" of the entire Nassua Sound. But, the area changes with each year, and each storm.

We made our way out slowly. Rounded Bird Island, and started fishing. Four lines out, with shrimp, so the kids could catch anything. Target species big bull "beach" Whiting. But the kids were all about sharks!

Well, they caught about 25 Whiting, a Jack, a few baby sharks, and a decent size Bonnethead. There was one spot that was a hot spot. We couldn't keep 4 lines in the water. Kids (3) everywhere, reeling,  while Greg and I tried to keep the rally going.

We kept 13 or so Whiting for the fish box. I had a goal of 20, for 40 sandwich sized fillets.

I saw Tarpon. More then just a few.

But not as many as I saw round the south Jetty tip back in the st. Johns River the other day, at high tide.

The kids were getting antsy. The tide slowed so we headed back to clean up the fish.
(sorry no pics.....I was steppin and fetchin all day.)

I brought a few dozen live shrimp (jus' in case) and still had a few live ones in the well, as I departed Sawpit creek boat ramp.

I ran down the ICW and stopped off at an old spot I used to fish alot, back in my "bay boat" running days. From my first cast to my last shrimp I caught Trout, a few Ladyfish, and a Jack. On a light spinning rod and a "Lemon drop" snap on cork. They were on fire. It was fun, but out of all these trout, I caught one (1) 17 incher, along with a 11" Redbass.

I guess the spot was more like a nursery. But it was so cool to watch small Flounder along the grass line "sky-rocket" on all the bait that was pouring out a small outlet in the flooded marsh grass, as I sat there.

I used all the shrimp and then tried a soft plastic and had no bites. Lures versus live shrimp,  live shrimp in Jax always wins.

Headed back and cleaned my one keeper trout in the intense heat at the Mayport Boat ramp. Called my Friday Charter another "regular" crew I've been taking for years.

Told them (all adults) we're gonna try "CHUM FISHING FOR NASSUA SOUND TARPON", on Friday.

Yep, "sport fishing". I keep getting calls from people who think July is the month that we stack them in the fish box, don't know that the storms/ with yards of rain can effect fishing.

Nope, that's "light tackle" winter fishing.....Starts Nov. 1

It's July, it's hot!
 

7/4 - surfing a favorite website...what I do on July 4th

Good reason to NOT own a reinforced plastic boat or was it, reinforced?

The story: ripped from the pages of Louisiana Sportsman Magazine online.

Louisiana Sportsman "Fishing News" the story:

The pictures....




One guy gets it. Look and scroll down on that "post" and someone LOVES aluminuuuuuuuuuuum!

Louisiana boys love their ALLOY.

And another guy shows pics of his bad azz Aluminum "bay boat".


Many others post pics of thier aluminum ALLOY BOATS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

With CONDOLENCES.


Should I go on there and post a pic of "MY" 1/2 inch alloy transom
That might be "rubbin" it in, huh

-Other Louisiana alloyists, seem to be doing a good job of that.

I love the smell of a freshly built aluminum in the morning....at least it won't smell like chemicals

http://www.captdaves.com

26' CC Pacific Southern Edition"

7/3 - STILL WORKING HARD

Well, I'm still fishing by the seat of my pants. I keep calling to find out what's going on with my sounder/GPS/chart plotter that got drenched back the week after T.S. Beryl. Although my Raymarine C-120 display unit was "supposed" to be waterproof, obviously it was not.

I sent it to get repaired on the 14th of June, they recieved it on the 16th of June and found out today, Raymarine has ONE guy repairing all C-series units. I pitched a fit and asked them, "Will I be without my unit all summer or what??"

I was talking to someone the other day and we "joked" that maybe they have one person doing the work. Well, we were right!

(Finally heard back from Raymarine and Thursday they're shipping my scope back to me....whewww)

I can't head offshore, I can't go into really shallow unknown places. All the things I'm feeling I need to do since the river seems essentially bite-less.  It's been even hard to find steady Croakers this week!  Yesterday the current in the morning was smoking!

The tide has been very strong, being it's full moon week. The ONLY fish I see are coming from offshore, or Nassau Sound. I can go to Nassau Sound......and hope I don't run aground on a bar up there.

In my last post, I showed the way it was years ago after a huge storm. (only one, not nearly as bad as the two we had rain-wise)  Well, at this posting. That huge bite at the jetties, still hasn't happened.  (read post below this one)

Spent all day yesterday hunting from the Dames Point to the Jetties for ACTION. Never found any. Had a Dad, Mom and 14 year old son aboard.

Today, I had a 2 hr kids trip, with two cute Jr. Fisherman. They caught one Seabass after another. And reeled in most of the way a large stingray.

Tarpon rolled by us in a precession at the jetties. Just like usual, at a certain spot at a certain tide.   If I was float-rigging with live shrimp I could have probably hooked one up.

So on Thursday and Friday, we'll head to Nassau Sound and hopefully at least have some action up there.

ACTION. That's all I'm asking for!

Fish in the box will just be gravy.

Those two storms and all that rain was more than I asked for. Instead of  a nice wet summer, and maybe some great Trout fishing. Now, it's the opposite!

Where did they all go?

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

FROM NOW ON TILL FURTHER NOTICE. ALL TRIPS WILL START & DEPART SHARPLY AT 7AM. THAT MEANS FEET ON THE BOATS DECK AT 7AM.

IT'S WAY TOO HOT, AND KIDS REALLY START GETTING FIGITTY. SO IT'S TIME TO BE DONE BY 1:00 PM.

6/29 - Just in time for the 4th. HEAT

Well, had two good guys on board today. First day out after a week of rain & wind.

The St. Johns River looks like a mud hole, with water in it.
-Two Tropical Storms
-Incessant East winds every day
-Enough Rain to choke every tributary
-Floods

With that said. We departed at 7am and I headed straight to the jetties. Off the south tip, there was every Pogie in the county. Guess they got washed outa the river. They were from the bottom to the top of the water. Why I cast-netted some, is beyond me. Hopeful thinking I guess and a habit. I dropped the net over the side and instantly it swam away with 500 Pogies in the net. I only wanted a dozen!

I anchored up just off tthe south tip. The ground swell was still rolling in and the river current was extreme. The nasty brown water was ripping out the inlet. But we baited up with just dead shrimp at first, and on the initial drop to the bottom was a 13" Yellowmouth Trout. Pat and  Brett dropped over the side and came up with yellowmouth and Whiting.
I thought........"we're in the meat!"

But that's where it ended.

Every bite after that was Sail Cats, Saltwater Catfish!  Yep, when the water's nasty, and after every storm. The Catfish show up in droves. Carpeting the bottom.  Reminded me of fishing in St. Augustine. Because that's one area that has too many Sail Cats.

BUT any day now it could change. Here's a story from years ago:

You'd have to be around for quite awhile to remember this from years ago. But I remember a mid summer storm, where the week afterwards had the Black Drum and monster Croakers, piled up at the end of the jetties. Boats would be anchored so close that if a fish ran and popped to the surface, someone in another boat could net your fish for ya!

It was EPIC.  Limits of nice Drum in minutes. I know 1/2 of the Jax fisherman, didn't attend thier own JOBS, that week. Cause it was crazy out there. Here's a pic of myself and Capt. Roger Walker (Past President of the Jax Offshore fishing club) With our Drum limit and also 65 big Croakers he took to the Fire station where he worked.

But....that was a long time ago. Maybe, just maybe in a few weeks something like this will happen.

Back to Brett, Pat and myself. I moved around the south tip area trying to get on somekind of decent fish bite besides the "kittycats". But that never happened. The guys didn't understand the magnitude of what kind of effect all this has on a fragile river and wanted to go catch Speckled Trout.

I told them a week ago we had one 4 pounder. But we'll go try. So after a few more futile bottom fishing attempts we found soft enough current to actually drift a float out. We fished small Pogies and Live shrimp on the float-rigs, and the only fish caught was a JACK.

Can ya believe that?  A Jack Cravelle! Haven't seen these in at least 2 maybe 3 years. Sure we've caught 6" ones up in the river. But it's been years since we've caught a decent sized one.

(Remember my article?  "Jacks, your lost but not forgottten" I did a few months ago. )

Well, Brett caught this one. Yes, O-N-E!

Compared to a 6" mini Jack. This one was big.

We had a few more bites. But it wasn't like we were catching targeted species (Trout) so we moved on and hit aother spot.
The next spot we never lost a bait and by now it was REALLY HOT. The guys could see this was gonna be a genuine struggle. And they decided to go back to thier hotel downtown cool off and call it a day, at 1:00pm.

So I blasted back to the dock and bid them farewell. And decided to head out solo.
I went back to the jetties. The tide was struggling to flood in. The current on top was eastbound. The current on the bottom was westbound. I anchored on the inside of the North rocks and pitched out a shrimp. Never had a sniff.

But, now it was mullet running into my line. Millions of big mullet were rounding the north tip. From top to bottom, it's been along time since I've seen the mullet so thick. And no worries....no predators to eat them, except maybe Dolphins.
We always seem to have more baitfish in the summer than actual fish. I never understood that.

So it was a waste of time out along the rocks so I came in and run to Whiteshell. Tossed a float-rig in between a gap in the submerged rocks and caught 5 Jacks. Wow, Jacks again. But as fast as I caught them they were gone.

By now it felt like 100 degrees. No breeze, and hot sun. Just in time for 4th of July week. After all this I conceded and headed home.

6/27 - There she goes...!!

Bye, Bye trouble maker! I actually saw the sun.

Finally...there goes Debby. Off the coast and just in time to start BIG holiday week called The 4th of July.
Next up.....that summer heat ya'll love so much. 100 degrees in the shade  in during that BBQ?

6/24.....this week??

WET?  MORE WET? WHERE'S IT HEADING?

I was wanting to Trout Track down yonder at the Buchman Bridge again, this week sometime. Guess not, and it's probably a DEAD zone once again after all this rain and B.S.

MORE INFO: here  I'm juggling charter(s) this week.

6/22 - Nice day!

Had Steve W. his wife and two kids aboard again today. They fished with me last year in July. Steve really likes to run out off the beach and do Sharkin' behind the shrimp boats, like we did last year. But the EAST winds, swell, and thunderheads I saw this morning, along with the non-shark action I had behind the shrimp boats the last time I was there. Had me saying.......Hmmmm, I'd don't feel all that confident, about that kinda day.

Well, we sure had a time of it in the river too. All this rain, all this wind. And it sure was hard to find consistant action for my folks from Texas. I have the patience to sit and work a spot. But that's asking alot with kids aboard. So I was steppin' and fetchin' all day looking for something, somewhere.

Janna was the hot rod at one spot, just before the tide died, and when it did it was like a light switch. We went from perfect current to NONE, and wind blowing the boat. But she nailed the ONLY Trout of the whole day.

It's really too bad no one hooked up with 5 or 6 of these. The fish was a nice four pounder aroound 22".
So we kept moving and moving and more moving.

Why is it I have found Trout packed so tight that we actually caught over 100 in a day, after past Tropical Storms?
Bazzaro, doesn't even seem to discribe it.

No Jacks, just two Ladyfish all day for the "littlest one", our youngest crew member.

Both of these Ladies, really put on a show. Jumping high and alot.
And they actually stayed on the hook, which is always surprising.

I was so happy when the float went down and the drag pulled and then this beauty came up to the surface and made one Jr. Angler very happy!!

At a solid 10 pounds and 32-1/2 inches, made this "LIGHT TACKLE" float-rigged Redbass,  oh so "Kiss'able".

I love seeing the kids get big fish...it's a bonus. Because all I'm hunting for is action.
Well, that was one tough situation for me today.

I got back to the dock, and who was there? My buddy "Pencil-Neck". Ready for some tid-bits from filleted fish. I had to take this photo, since Pencil-Neck was standing about a foot from my face!


COMING UP....

MAYBE TIME TO HEAD BACK TO THE BUCHMAN BRIDGE, WITH TEMPS CLIMING TO 100 DEGREES, IT SURE WOULD BE NICE TO FISH IN THE SHADE UNDER THE LOW SPAN OF THE BRIDGE. (?)

JUST GOTTA GET THRU WHAT EVER DEBBIE IS GONNA TOSS OUR WAY....90% CHANCES OF RAIN, YEAH MORE RAIN! ON SUNDAY & MONDAY

Garage Sale Saturday 6/23

"Possible weather maker" - starting Monday?

Saturday June 23rd - 8am Garage sale:

Premium rd. Jax - can't miss it.
charter@captdaves.com

Alot of stuff has sold already. But then again there's some stuff left and more coming.
Clearing out....slimming down

Example of items still availible "cheap":
-2 Man Tent - never used
-Welder (portable auto feed wire)
-Sony Stereo system (5-CD player, Amp, 3' tall speakers)
-Sand blasting cabinet and canister
-Giant brand adult road tour bike
-Anodized aluminum comfy boat deck chairs
-Fiberglass dock box
-Rod & reel
-Ugly stik rod
-Lure & floats
-Tackle bags
-Table top scroll saw
-Trailer hitch receivers and balls
-Propane tanks
-Trailer tire / motorcycle tire bead breaker
-Cooler
-Kitchen applicances etc.
-Stand-up, storable, Motor cycle trailer ($1200)
-2005, 225 Honda outboard 30" shaft ($7000 obo)

904-642-9546 - 8am-8pm
charter@captdaves.com

6/20 - Day 1 of summer

Well, it's the first day of summer. *per the calendar*
Here, it seems like it's been summer for a long time. Like they say, if that was "spring" who needs a summer?



RADAR LOOP


Let's see. We've had a tropical storm, with more wind then rain. Then a lull, then huge daily rains. And then lately, day in day out with hard East winds.

"DEEP TROPICAL MOISTURE WILL SURGE INTO NORTHERN FLORIDA ON
THURSDAY AND THE ASSOCIATED CLOUD COVER AND SCATTERED PRECIP WILL
HOLD TEMPS IN THE MID 80S ACROSS MUCH OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA."

"SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY, UNCERTAINTY REMAINS EXTREMELY HIGH IN THIS PART OF THE FORECAST."

Hmmmmm, that's special. Uncertainty??

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

Really want to get back down south, around the Buchman Bridge area.

There has to be some normalcy down that way by now. Last report; was a buddy saw two guys with a few 4 pound range Flounder, and a few Trout that he said were,"MASSIVE". And they caught them, not even in the river. But a tributary.

But still, I have to go see if the area is Charter Worthy.
Meaning is there enough, a-c-t-i-o-n.

It's EZ for me now, "have Cummins Turbo Diesel, will travel!"

6/16 thru 6/18 - Inccesant EAST winds...

Started out the Father's Day weekend on Saturday, with "Moose & Litl' Moose" (actually Jason & son Mathew) it was Mathews 9th Birthday. Was supposed to be two dads and two sons. But regular customer Jason's buddy ended not coming with his son. Kinda a good thing as it would have been so tough on me in the conditions with two kids and two dads.

The forecast was for 25 knot winds, and it was!!!  The morning worked out fine, and the sun finally started to shine  as we float-rig fished for Trout. But by the afternoon. It was HEINOUS. Thank goodness for hiding spots. I went to a nice hidey hole and we had fun catching another Trout, some school sized Croakers and some whopper Croakers. And a few small pup Black Drum. It was FUN.  When I can find B-I-G Croakers. I'm all about them. Because too many times, the action you can get from them is addictive.

While float-rigging, we caught the first Mangrove Snapper I've seen since the winter of 2011, when water temps dropped so low, and either sent them packing, or killed them all. Used to be they were a nuisence. Now they're kinda gone...just like the Jack Crevalle's (??)

Then, on Sunday I had 4 guys.....no kids. The winds were less. But by afternoon, not that much less. Tried and tried to get on a big bite of something! Or anything to keep 4 rods bending. Whoa it was tough! No matter where I went and what I did, the tide, wouldn't move much. We had a less than 4 foot tide to start off with and then the winds were holding the water up in the river. The guys caught some Croakers, and misc. species. But it was even tougher than the day before, especially trying to keep four rods, bent.

EAST winds, are not good for us around here. By the end of the day, we hooked a big Redbass that got off the hook, after eating a mullet. Then, finally we hooked a decent Trout on another mullet, along a rock pile. The big Croakers from the day before were not on the same spot. I did so much running from spot to spot, it was ridicules. But I worked as hard as I could. Bad conditions, made for a really tough day.

 By Monday, the winds laid down, FINALLY. And it was really nice. I had Terry H. and his two sons 8 & 10 years old. Zachary, and Gregory. The plan was just to keep the kids busy. But still, the "angler" in me wanted to target certain species. Keep lines in the water as much as possible. But I still couldn't find any larger Croakers again. And wasn't going to run 10-12 miles down river! So we fished from the White shell area to the big jetties. Again, the very weak tides were a problem. No current was the morning problem. But by the end of the day, the current was 6 ounces and wouldn't hold the bottom. Which was too much weight for the small kids.

But, they had a B-I-G day! Catching Ladyfish, Seabass, Whiting, Pigfish, & Croakers. But again, couldn't get into a "wack'em and stack'em" situation, anywhere. So I just succeeded that the tides were gonna beat me, again!!

At the jetties as the tide finally started to fall....
"here comes the wrath of day after day of H-A-R-D East winds." 
Giant mats of sargasm weed. Pouring out the jetties. The kids were all about looking at it and picking the small crabs out of it that rode in all the way from the distant offshore Gulf Stream.

6/14 - More kids....

Did another 2 hour "Kids Trip", with Fen Tan and Family, visiting from outside Atlanta. (sorry didn't take any pics)
We needed to start early, so we departed at 8am. The fishing started off slow as the tide was so high, as the Nor'easter started to blow. As predicted for the morning.

The kids were GREAT. One litl' girl was so intent on catching a fish she stood with her hands on the rod as it sat in the rod holder while staring at the rod tip.

They caught Croakers, Yellowmouth Trout, Spots, and Seabass. Then, we took a ride to the jetties, so they could see inlet and the big jetties......."and the rough sea conditions outside the rocks." 

The kids had a blast, and so did Fen and her cousin.

My "Two Hour Kids Trips" are perfect for the little ones who certainly can't last out there all day long. But, I remember taking a 5 year old out with three adults more than once in years past on a all day'er. Which was a bit tedious for the child, and the Captain. I will admit.

Any time we have small kids aboard, they need so much attention. That the charter really needs to be all about them. Not the adults. But some parents and grandparents, would probably disagree with me. Because I hear all the time that, "My litl' Jimmy is such the fisherman in the pond at grandpa's house. He can fish all day long over there....."

Yep, that's all well & good. Because I thought I was Bill Dance and Roland Martin all wrapped into one, when I was 7 years old too!!!

The difference is, this isn't a pond. This is on a boat. And there's no "Spongebob Rod & Reel", and the tackle belongs to me.

So, let's make it for the kids. Do one of my 2 hr. Kids Trips. And you can help me out, turning these kids on to fishing versus video games!

SMILES......
No matter what, that's the goal.

GARAGE SALE:

Slimming down, once again!  Here's a list of things for sale, cheap. Kinda like a Garage sale, which I will also be having.
But thought I'd cast this out to you also.

GARAGE SALE: Saturday June 23rd 8am
13111 Premium rd. Jax
off north end of Girvin rd.

But here's a quick list:

-2005 HONDA 225 outboard motor, 30" shaft, right hand rotation...CLEAN!! $6800 OBO

ALL READY TO MOVE...

-Mechanic's parts cleaner tub, has motor to recirculate degreaser. On legs, clean ready to be used

-Small band saw, table top unit.


-BULK, make offer, tackle


-Small micro-saw, precision cutting, table top unit

-1/2" Drill motor, and circular saw

- Sand blaster bottle for abrasive, and sand blasting cabinet

- 4 Shakespeare ugly stik customs rods. Tarpon/Shark/Grouper rods

- Vehicle ramps


-Motorcycle helmet

-One 2-piece spinning rod Fin-Nor

-One rod and reel combo, push-button Abu Garcia, Abu Matic, perfect for Jr. Angler

-Various tackle bags, and soft plastic lures, offshore trolling spoons, etc.

-Box of various salmon stalker floats for float-rig fishing, and rattling floats.

- Various size trailer (reciever) hitches and balls.

- Two Tow rope, straps

- GIANT brand, adult 5 speed cruiser bike cross country type with rack and bags.

- Coleman Green cooler 120 qt. and smaller 12 pak cooler

-Table top belt sander

- 19# "BOX" anchor, for pontoon or flats boat.

-Various hand and shark/tarpon gaffs

-Auto feed MIG welder

-Fiberglass dock box.  Fill it with goodies.

-Hole saws

-Two bench grinders, one with stand

-Fishing hooks in BULK, circle hooks

-Rod holders, one perfect Kayak rod holder

-Two surfing "aprons" walk the beach with your tackle

AND MUCH MORE......coming!

If you're interested in coming by  for 5 minutes, and looking at the tools and tackle
just email me: charter@captdaves.com or call 904-642-9546 for direction.

5 minutes from Mayport, off Girvin Rd.






-

FLASH BACK!! FLASH BACK!!

GAWD I SURE DO LOVE WINTER.

THE BIGGEST MIS-CONCEPTION IS THAT THERE'S NO FISHING TO BE DONE IN THE MOST WINTERY MONTHS IN FLORIDA.

WELL, THIS ISN'T WISCONSIN. IT'S FLORIDA!

SINCE JUNE 1ST I'VE TALKED TO AT LEAST 4 PEOPLE WHO WERE UNDER THAT MIS-CONCEPTION.

I CALL IT; NO SWEATING FISH CATCHING!

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE FLASH BACK.

THERE'S MORE TOO:

MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL, CLICK HERE!  ANYTIME YA SEE ME IN A SWEATSHIRT, OR A GRUNDENS FISHING JACKET, OR IN THESE BLACK FOUL WEATHER PANTS.

I'M SUPER HAPPY!

6/11 - "was busy"....

This started off as being a banner week (end). Originally, I had Friday thru Monday reserved. Which was great. But when it's all said and done. The only people I actually got out were "REGULAR CUSTOMERS". That's why my regular's get the best treatment I can provide.

Last post was about fishing in the rain on Saturday. Then, my Sunday charter cancelled, which shouldn't have because it was a beautiful day. Not all people understand Florida weather, patterns...."that's why you are hiring ME!".

Then, I had long time customer Dave C. along with his wife (her first time out) and the two grandkids. It was a super nice morning. Calm, sunny and the kids had a ball, because there's tons of small fish out there willing to bite.
Perfect for the little kids. (under 10-12 years old)

Because of all the rain and storms, we now have the perfect KID situation. Usually, as in past years it's hot, no wind, and not all that great of fishing for small kids who have a small patience level.

But, my last two trips have been for the kids, and it proved to be pretty dang good (comparitively speaking).

Today, the kids made it or would have made it longer than Dave and his wife! They never once complained and were a joy to have aboard and we fished almost a complete day. From up in the river and finished at the jetties/inlet.

Catching Whiting, Pup Drum, Croakers, Yellowmouth Trout, and several more species. Just bottom fishing. And  as their fishing coach. I can see the kids shine! And quickly get better and better as the day went on.

Well, I start next weekend with another REGULAR customer and his buddy, with their two kids too. It's that time of year folks!

If you have real little ones. I can also do a 2 hour "kids trip". But other than that, the day is at the regular price. But small children "ride for free". So there is a bit of a discount for a 6 hr day if "One" child is aboard.

Here's some happy kids (5 & 9) who caught fish after fish:

   

6/9 - Our best shot.

Back when there was no rains, the sun was shining, and the wind wasn't blowing in May. No one wanted to go fishing.

Today, I headed out with regular customer Jason and his 9 year old son Preston. My whole plan with Preston is to keep him catching, aka: "Busy".  If the chance for some big fish fishing shows up Jason is all aboat it.

I live five minutes from the dock, but am always the first one there of the regular weekend charter fleet. It's dark, when I pull into the bait shop and get some supplies. Then head to the boat ramp..........WHY?  Why do I do that?  I guess, I think just incase something goes wrong I can give my customers a heads-up, before they get all the way to the dock. Being early and ever ready is in my DNA.

But usually, I sit there, and sit there. Today, on the last of the falling tide the boat sat slamming into the dock as a SWELL pushed all the way in the inlet and up the river, as the tide fell against the 15 kt. ESE winds. (remind self, put buoy back in boat to use as a bumper!!)

Ya know, the CITY was going to give us more docks at the Mayport Boat ramp. Teeing off the ends of the docks already there. Last year they even drilled down to see what the bottom composition was before they were to pound down pilings.
But that's where it ended. Who? Besides myself  (and Lt. Mike a buddy in the Sherriffs Dept. who asked me last week about it) would pay a small annual fee for the boat ramp to be much better?  IE: cleaner, better docks, fish cleaning dock, running water, better lighting.

Yeah, it looked like rain. But not a drop fell as I waited for Jason and litl' Preston to arrive at 0730 hrs.

Here's the footage at the ramp at 7am:

IF I have kids aboard, it's usually all about them. So we fished shrimp and Preston caught everything from Croakers to Whiting, small Jacks, Ladyfish, SeaBass, & Yellowmouth Trout. When we left the dock, the "jetties" were certainly not in my sights. But then again, I went "WEST", tossed the anchor and here it came.

We sat in a Epic down pour!  Yeah, me in new leather shoes that "may be" dry by July. And as the day went on, it was on and off rain all day.

I commend Jason & Preston as they both made the best of it. It was either today, or Tuesday. So that's like saying, "6 of one a half dozen of the other."  Because the forecast looks no different!!

My Sunday charter cancelled. As I sit here at 7am with no rain or even a breeze at my house. And of course I have two more kids on Monday's charter. Paying the bills sure is tough this summer, so far!!!

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UPDATE SUNDAY AT NOON:

 The sun just came out...what is that? Not used to such bright light.

We really should have been out there TRACKIN' T-REX TROUTZ.

I only had one person, and since Beryl have not tracked trout outa Mayport, yet!!

By the way, no one books any charters outside 2 weeks time. As per my policies:
That means any cancellations looses deposits, if not re-scheduled.

so...book outside 14 days!