10/21 - Two Hour KIDS trip

I had a cute princess on the Jettywolf today. Her name was Reagan. She was 6. And she caught some fish, saw some Dolphins, played with some live Mullet, and even had on some lucky seaweed colored costume hair, to help her catch her first ever fish....a Mangrove Snapper.

Reagan, Trent and Amy came out to fish on the Jettywolf at 8:30am. I was fortunate I got to sleep in till 5:30am....and then my eyes just open and I'm wide awake anyhow.

So as usual, I was at the ramp an hour early so I could catch some bait...."live Mullet".

I had a P-L-A-N.  Have Reagan catch some small fish, and hopefully put Dad on some larger fish.

Guess what. The plan worked out PEFECTLY!

We had to stay in calm waters because I wasn't gonna take Reagan into the slop & chop of where I have been fishing. The wind was honking pretty darn good today.

Seems like we're in a pattern?????

Let's see;

Thursday - calm
Friday - not calm
Saturday - calm
Sunday - not calm

So, that means tomarrow means it'll be calm?  I guess I'll see, won't I?

Reagan played with the Mullet and reeled in a few.  with help from Amy and Trent. Species included; Margrove Snappers, Whiting, Seabass, Piggyperch, and then one of the rods baited with Mullet bounced. I handed it to Trent.

Low and behold, something that hasn't been caught on the Jettywolf, in a long time.

A True Hammerhead Shark.

 

Then, as we fished a while longer, another Mullet baited rod bowed over and Trent got another good fight. This PLAN was really coming together.

A 20 pound Redfish!

 

We ended our two hor Kids Trip "slash" Big fish teaser for Dad trip. And Reagan drove us back to the dock sitting on the leaning post as I helped her steer us in.

Talk about a GREAT TWO HOUR KIDS TRIP......WOW!

Reagan even made me some Thank You Cards before hand.  I told her "I usually don't get anything so special from little girls like her"

 

 

Now, wasn't that just a sweet thing from such a little sweetheart?

 

10/20 - CALMED way down.......

Had Angelo V. a local Navy fella, his Mom and Bob visiting from Michigan aboard the Jettywolf today. I was hoping the front would calm down, and it did. The ocean laid flatter. And as the day went on, the wind even laid down.

And guess what was back......."the hordes of Mullet, but this time they were hugging tight to the jetty rocks in what looked like back on Thursday. An endless stream of baitfish!!!"

We no sooner anchored up for the second time. First time I just wasn't right. "And that always bugs me." So when we got just right, we used cut Mullet. Only because I didn't have an endless supply this morning at the dock, they were a bit harder to catch. So we had to make them last.

Using small cut pieces, Bob was the first to hook up. Oh, how these Reds make people freak out. Being a Speckled Trout kinda guy and being a fish fry kinda guy, afterwards. I know that these Reds won't last like this. So no matter what, we have to get on them.

Again, 2 ounces of lead was used. No giant tackle either!

 

Everyone got their chance and we even had at least two or three "double headers" (two big fish on at once!) And finally, we started catching a few Sharks. Mini Blacktips. And a few larger that ate through a leader or two, on the first run.

But Angelo's Mom was the one who scored a KEEPER. A perfect 24 incher, for the fish box. And as usual, the 12-15" Yellowmouth Trout, were chewing on live and cut Mullet and hitting the ice filled fish box.

 

 

Oh...I forgot to mention. But back on Thursday. The guys even had 13-14 inch Speckled Trout out in the sand way off the rocks in 30+ feet of water. So the Specks are gonna show as time goes on.

Personally, I lost count of Redbass. Just like on Thursday I estimated between 25-35 of them. Today, at least 10-15 had to be caught? Or more??

We went back and forth between cut bait and live bait. And let me tell ya, sometimes it just didn't matter.

Everyone was hooking up.

 

 

We ended the day with the largest Red at around 35 pounds. It kicked Bobs butt!  It was all out mayhem at times. I was mult-tasking my butt off. Tieing leaders, untangling, un-birds-nesting, making a move and dragging the anchor, pinning on baits......whewwwww. It was GREAT!

IF YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON THIS FISHING. BLAME NO ONE, BUT YOUR DIALING FINGER FOR NOT CALLING ME!!

RIGHT NOW IS SOME OF THE BEST OF THE BEST. THERE'S SO MANY OTHER "GUIDES" THAT DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING ON.

LIGHT TACKLE, LIGHT SINKERS, LIVE OR CUT BAIT.  FILL THE BOX WITH A FEW KEEPER REDS, AND THE CRACKS INBETWEEN WITH PERFECT FISH FRY SIZE YELLOWMOUTHS. ADD IN A FEW SPECKS, JACKS, TARPON ROLLING ALL OVER THE PLACE. BLACKTIP SHARKS, JUMPING, SPECKLED TROUT IN 34' OF WATER, DAMN I LOVE IT.

IT'S SO ON!

10/19 - FRONT blew through......

IT'S GO TIME FOLKS!

And today was day number 2 of a 5 day run. And so far, it's looking like summer is definitely way behind us.
FINALLY.

And I say that because here comes those little cold fronts passing thru. Which is okay with me. But, today I had Paul and his son Allan aboard from Tennessee. I had a feeling the slick calm ocean couldn't last. Which enables us to catch 300-400 pounds of BIG Redbass in one day.

Oh, BTW......for anyone who thought or even asked, back in Sept. or even the start of October. "Dave, ya going after those big Reds?"  And my answer was, "NO".  The reason being is I'll let the rest of yall chomp at the bit. I certainly am NOT into using that 8-16 ounces to hit the bottom of the river, when I know you don't have too. IF YOU WAIT!

Yesterday, max lead used 2 ounces!!!!!

Now that's "L.T." - Light tackle fishing.

Today? 2 ounces.

Allan caught a 24 pound Redbass no sooner we were on the first drop of the anchor. And the anchor was slipping anyhow. So I pulled it and we gave chase. The Big RB was full of fight and wouldn't come off the bottom. I was telling Allan, "Hope this isn't a Polish Flounder",  aka: StingRay. Because we haven't caught one yet, but ya never know.

In between we tossed 12"-15" Yellowmouth Trout in the fish box. The dang Yellers will inhale a 3" Mullet in a second.
Double time if you use "cut" Mullet.

 

Then it was Dad's turn. Paul slammed the hook into a big Red, and it wasn't even 10:00am yet. But the wind started howling. The light'ish breeze started gusting to 20 knots of the N.W. and made holding anchor out in the sand troublesome.

I could tell it was a small "front" that was passing thru, because the bites slowed down, the hordes of Mullet from the day before were gone, and the water started to get real dirty looking. And we even got sprinkled with some rain.

So we had to eventually give up the jetties and head into the river. I wanted someone to catch a Flounder, and after many failed attempts because of wind and tide. Allan finally popped one. And I helped out...." I had one grab a mullet before it even hit the bottom, but it got off.

 By the afternoon the sun was shining, the clouds had past and we boxed some larger Yellowmouth. Then headed in. Yellowmouth and a Flounder made the makings for a fish fry.
 

10/18 - FALL MULLET RUN!!!

Had Glen, Jim and Charlie aboard the JETTYWOLF today.......on the JETTYWOLF's 6th Birthday! Today, She was delivered to my driveway six years ago. I sat in a chair in my driveway, waiting for her to roll down my street on a trailer.

So NO, we didn't have a birthday for her, like this. It's not my style.

But rather, we went out and worked her deck. And netted fish, after fish.

Cuz, the fall Mullet run is in full swing!  Literally, acres and acres of Mullet and even Pogies. And guess who's underneath them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAUGHT ON 3" MULLET:  SOMEWHERE OVER 25 REDS TO 24 POUNDS, 6 - TROUT, 15 - YELLOWMOUTH TROUT, 10-JACKS, 2-BLUES, 1-CROAKERS, 1-LADYFISH, WE EVEN HAD TARPON ROLLING ALONG SIDE THE BOAT.

 

GAME ON FOLKS!

 

BOXED - 6 KEEPER REDBASS

                 15 YELLOWMOUTH

                  1 SPECKLED TROUT

10/17 - When it rains it pours.....

When it rains it pours.

 

As of the 19th of this week (Friday) the Fall New Moon effects will go away. The 6 foot plus tides will go back to normal "fall season" tides.

I'm booked from the 18th Thursday till Monday the 22nd...."Yep, never fished once during the super high tides earlier this week. Hell, Saturday it blew like Hell and on Sunday it rained all morning then blew."

I was smart enough to do my little bit of R&D on Friday before it got all sporty.

So now I better get seriously rested up, cuz I've been warned by 2 groups that they want "sacks" of fish. Guess they think it's "trawler" fishing.......Hahahahaha

But, still a live and or dead shrimp can't put anywhere on or near the bottom of the river because of the Croakers, and Mangrove Snappers on the same spots I trout fish with Float-rigs. So even though many "regulars" think we'll go blow 10 dozen live shrimp.
We aren't!

Mullet...and let's see how well they can fair on Flounder and Redbass in the next few days.

(discount Sunday, cuz I'll be fishing with a 6 year old litl girl, she won't POO-POO Mr. Croakie, I know that!)


I'M GETTING A TAD STIR CRAZY MYSELF, CUZ THIS IS ALL I REALLY CARE TO CATCH AND DO, PERSONALLY.

 

THIS PIC WAS ON 11/18/2011

"WHEN YOU SEE ME IN THIS FISHING JACKET

IT MEANS IT'S "GO-TIME", LOOK FOR IT TO BE HERE  SOON."

 



From: 10/12 Solo, World Tour Fishing

-Headed out at in the dark Friday morning.

Pulled up on a generic spot, to work some large lures for possible BIG TROUT.  I caught ONE, on my Kick-A-Mullet.

As I mentioned in a video I made when just testing out this new lure from Egret Baits. Is that I seem to do well, working it just below the surface. The bait's wide wiggling and rattling tail section will throw a wake, as it rattles.

That's how I caught my only Trout!  Key word: ONLY!

Yes, I worked all around and ended up at Trout River, without as much as a swirl on any lures I threw.

I guess the Trout are all in "mud flat creek" or something. Because I surely couldn't find any and then it was 10am, that fast. I started casting and it was still dark. So I was at this for quite a while, today.

I decided to bottom fish with some dead shrimp. The Trout River mouth has plenty of "hard bottom" structure, and I've always like fishing around there.

So I caught some Croakers to 14-1/2 inches, and some yellowmouth trout. But it wasn't like I was into all larger fish. I was getting a bit bored. So I ran all the way back to the jetties.

Yeah, I "shoulda' coulda'" caught some Mullet when I was down there and fished a different way. But, this R&D I felt was really over. At least down here. Cause I go that way to catch Speckled Trout, and I was kinda upset I found only one. Even after hitting some new spots on the high tide that looked so damn promising.

At the jetties, I saw waves of Mullet just pouring in the rocks and swimming tight heading westward. They were EZ to catch. I just pulled ahead of them, and they'd swim around my boat, and I threw my net on some.

I got about 15 or so. I anchored up, dropped one out on a bottom rig and fished some dead shrimp on another rod. The mullet was getting pounded by pretty big Seabass, and the dead shrimp was pounded by Croakers!

THE CROAKERS ARE CARPETING THE BOTTOM EVERYWHERE. YOU CAN'T PUT A SHRIMP ON THE BOTTOM WITHOUT CATCHING ONE.

(TIME to get the kids out for a morning.....they LOVE this kid of action!)

The key, is catching large Croakers, to keep me happy. They're becoming a nuisance, just like little Bluefish in the spring time!

So I pulled my anchor and changed tactics. I decided to Flounder fish.
I had maybe 10 Mullet left. So I used the "knocker-rig" with a bullet weight on my lightest rod I own.

I had no less than 2 on right away, fishing shallower water now. But even after the "bump-bump", letting them have it for a minute or two, then the run away with the bait. I'd do the "sweep-n-reel" on them and they'd get off!!!!!!!

3 reasons, I'm not a huge Flounder fisherman:

1- I hate loosing them! And the slowness of the fishing.

2 - The constant "re-rigging" that comes with bottom bumping

3- I'd rather catch them "here and there", on a float-rig!

That being said.....I finally caught a 5 pounder. Oh it was a nice Flounder. But it cost me 6 rigs, and in between I lost at least 6 other's.  They'd just seem to let go. I'd have Flounder heading upwards, after they'd run, I'd give them some time, and the whole deal.

Very frustrating. Seemed to be the theme of the day. Plus I made a video, rather than taking any photos. And when editing it and uploading it something happened and the whole video went bye-bye. Again, the unexplained computer glitch, screwed up the whole deal.

Just after spending HOURS editing the video for YOU. 

It  just wasn't my day!

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


What I'm waiting on:

Cooler water, and less Pinfish, and 4" Mangrove Snappers. So I can actually fish a expensive "live shrimp" with several people aboard. Which equals 8-12 dozen live shrimp! And fish the float-rigs for Reds, and Trout.

I've saved alot of money this year. Because I refused to float-rig fish if all I'm gonna do is feed pinners and needlefish. Or, my customers will feed them. Yeah, "I" may be able to slip a live shrimp through the masses of hungry bait-stealers. But my customers most likely won't.

When no fish are coming to the boat, people who are casual fisherman (maybe) get complacent. I have to constantly be on top of them having them adjust, do things different, and pay attention.

So, I avoided that frustration all summer long.

My float-rigging tackle is cleaned, oiled, and lubed, and oh so ready to go.

If you have not thought about booking your "HOLIDAY" charter day yet. It's time to get on the ball! If you have plans too. I've got days surrounding Thanksgiving already reserved!

Because, that's when I'll be attacking the Inlet with a vengence, livewell brimming with shrimp, float-rigs ready, and bottom fishing gear polished honed and ready to GO!

10/13 - Too Many.....sale

Ya'll know I'm a Ugly Stik fan. Because there's no rod more durable.

Well. I am over stocked and need to slim down again. I have 4 - Ugly Stiks for sale, and a few Spinning reels for sale..

2 - 7' Med. Heavy "Ugly Stik Big Game" rods, only real difference is that they have a tougher and nicer Fugi reel seat. Foam handled. Black in color, and standard Ugly Stik colors. In great condition...if you've seen my Youtube video of "Traveller Bob" reeling in 40 pound Spring time Redbass. You saw these rods in action.  They are TRIGGER grip casting rods.
$25 each    / Regulary: $50

2 - 6'6" Medium "Ugly Stik lights" casting rods, with really nice super durable guides, cork handles. Good plugging rod, or jig casting rod. Yes you've seen Trout galore caught on these rods while using the Larry Dahlberg River2Sea Wide-Glide lure. In great shape.
$20 each   /  Reguarly $32

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

1- Daiwa spinning reel. Used maybe 3 times. Loaded with braid, Like New! $12 <<<<SOLD INSTANTLY>>>>>

1- Fin-Nor Light spinning reel, same deal used a few times, Loaded with braid like new $12 <<<<SOLD INSTANTLY>>>>>

Set of two Stereo speakers. Very very nice, and of high quality. Approx 22" high, and 12" wide, tri-angular shaped, really nice wire all brass wire hook-ups in the back, book shelf size. A must see set of very nice speakers to add to Big Screen TV or Stereo for just $40.00

Used size "Large" very durable Texsport Blue rain suit. Bibs and Jacket. Lined inside, and made from Denier 400 material. NOT cheapy PVC coated.  Perfect fall & winter fishing suit. $25.00 OBO

NEW. 2-4 person Tent, in canvas bag. Put up once, to see what it was all about. $25.00



"TAKE IT ALL",  BIDS CONSIDERED

Interested call 904-642-9546 to view.

BULK MATRIX's.......Special

Dockside Bait & Tackle has a October offer:  BULK MATRIX SHADS!

One fine soft plastic. Durable, no gimimicks, proven colors, perfect size & rigging.

I'VE CAUGHT, TROUT, FLOUNDER, REDFISH, YELLOWMOUTH TROUT AND MORE ON THEM WITH 1/4 OR 3/8'S UNPAINTED JIGHEADS.

I MATCH THESE JIGS WITH MY MATRIX SHAD BODIES. THE H&H TACKLE "TOUT HEAD" JIGS SNUG UP PERFECTLY TO THE MATRIX SHAD. THE HOOKS ARE STRONG, AND YOU CAN FISH ALL THAT FANCY EXPENSIVE STUFF...."BUT DO YOU REALLY THINK IT MATTERS?"  ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS HAS PLENTY OF THESE JIG HEADS IN 1/4 & 3/8THS OUNCE. AND EVEN LONG AND SHORT SHANK HOOKS.

-tell them Capt Dave in Jax sent ya....



http://matrixshad.com/shop/


DOCKSIDE-Slidell, La.

 

 

 

 

 



 

10/9 - Quick changes

Oh my....I was feeling like I was energized all day long. TODAY'S air temp on the river was simply glorious!! It was cool, and foggy all day long. At least 15kt winds from the North. The fog was lifting from off the water as the air temp was cool and the water was warm. Classic, "smoke on the water....."

Just two days ago I did a report (10/7) and told you about how HOT it was.

Beyond the fishing, beyond what goes on aboard the Jettywolf. After today's trip I pulled the "wolfie" under her shed and got out of my truck and  went to check the mailbox. And I didn't feel like I was beat with an Ugly Stik, and needing a cold beer, ASAP!

I still had a "spring to my step". Even the boats Honda 225 seemed to run better, and so did the Dodge Trucks Cummins diesel. Everything including combustion engines loved the coolness of today's air.

I had Dale & Antonio aboard the Jettywolf. Antonio has never fished before......Never!  So I kept it simple. But of course wanted lots of action.

So we ran to my Croaker spot. His first drop down he slam dunked a giant Croaker. But that's when the size of the Croak's kinda stopped. Out of at least 25, just on this spot. FOUR, were large keeper size. My self imposed size.

So we packed it in and tried cut bait for Redbass on another spot, with no takers. Then another spot, with no takers. But the guys caught plenty of "bait sized" Croakers, so I stoked up the bait well and put a few in it for live baits as we continued the "HUNT FOR A BIG RB"......RedBass.

Next spot. I threw out a cut in half Croaker and it wasn't on the bottom but a few minutes wen the Rod doubled over and the drag peeled off my Shimano TRN-200G reel.  Dale picked it up and was completely overwhelmed.

This was a big S-T-U-D Redbass hauling azz with the tide behind it. I instantly had to do some fish control, tackle handling instruction. The fish stopped, then ran some more. Then, the 50# Mono leader broke!!

Okay, no more mono. I retied using the Mason Hard type Nylon leader, I should have used.

"Holy crap. After all that and we loose it???"

By now I was believing that those Bananas that Dale brought were having a major effect.
YES, BANANAS!

Old rule. Don't take Bananas fishing, or on a boat period. It's a "unlucky thing". A "mariners lore, thing"
Well, we had the kitchen sink stuffed into the 92qt cooler anyhow.

FYI.....show up with a few drinks per person, and a sandwich per person. It's all you'll ever need.
I PROMISE, we won't be heading to Gilligans Island.  

Okay, no more takers here, time to move on again. Next spot, no Red bites, but the guys caught a few more bait sized Croakers.

Made another move. (Notice, the trend. I don't  get stuck on one spot, EVER)

As I anchored the tide was starting to come in on the bottom...that was a good sign. So two more tasty little live Croakers went out.

One of the rods went down, and then just POPPED. I brought back a casualty of anchoring near huge lime rock ledges on the bottom. Broke line, and the whole rig was gone!

Next,  I looked over Antonio's shoulder as he stood in the stern of the boat and saw a rod jump and double over.

I went and grabbed it and made sure the fish was really on and hooked. I handed Antonio the rod and the fish kicked him around the back of the boat. No real current meant that the big fish run all over, instead of with the tide!
The line was dangerously near the prop, then the fish run under the boat, and I mean under the boat. Antonio was over gunned. This is where some good experience takes over. The fish round under the boat and busted the leader on the hard lime rock ledges we were anchored on.

That was Big Red #3.
G-O-N-E

Will we get another chance?  I hoped so. "We have the Banana lore haunting us", I said, and we all laughed......

I re-rigged and set out a few more live small Croakers and we waited. Then, one of the rods jumped a few times. I went over and yelled at the rod. "EAT IT, DAMMIT!!!!!"

Then, it bowed. I picked up the rod, the fish ran and Antonio grabbed the rod and it was game on.

He caught the largest Croaker. Now, he finally has a big Redbass! It just took 3 tries.





 

 

ITS OCTOBER, really?

Sure hasn't felt the way I'd like October to feel...(but like everyone else. I too am rushing winter)

Yep, I've skipped a beat here and haven't made any reports in a week. Well, lets see. I went and did some R&D the other day solo. I went and bought live shrimp and went to the jetties to try my hand at float-rig fishing.

That sure was a huge waste of time. The tide was really weak, and I caught no Trout, either. Hell. I couldn't hardly give a live shrimp away. And when I did, I caught two little Jacks and a Ribbonfish on a float-rig.

Disgusted as all hell and sooooooooo sick and tired of junkfish. I bagged it and went into the river where all I caught was 14" Trout on top water plugs.  Like I said, a waste of shrimp and time and money, really. But, going in I knew it was too early for Trout to be stacked at the Jetties. But I wanted to make sure.

I did a Burial at Sea with two folks this past Friday, and it was so rough a 1/2 mile outside the jetties that in the short time we were out there, they got seasick. I also did another Burial at Sea with people from Mississippi, last Friday too. And it was rough then. I had two kids on board with two women and the kids were balling their eyes out, because they were on the boat. "Guess, they'll remain Land-Lubbers when they grow up".

Yesterday, I did a regular day with 4 mid-westerners from the Malnove Co. I've done alot of business with various folks from Malnove over the years. And I'm really glad, I did what I did. But first, we didn't depart till after 8am. Not by my choosing, but by theirs.  I went and got some live Mullet in one cast of the net. But then again we never really used them much.

As we ran the river to get "outa the dang weekender hub", we past what seemed like 100's of boats fishing the Bull Redbass tournament. The gauntlet of hooks, and anchor lines must have made for an obstacle course for any fish on the bottom of the river.

Again, there sure was alot of people sitting and staring at the rod tips as we went by. Which was good for us. No one was on my favorite monster Croaker spot.

These guys came to just kick back and have a fun day. And wow was it H-O-T!

No wind, slick river and fishing like crazy....Opps, let me re-phrase that. CATCHING like crazy!

None of the 4 were "big time fisherman". So, this idea I had really fit the bill. Bait-up, drop over in the current, hit the bottom and get BIT!

They kept me "steppin & fetchin" so much I never fired off the first photo of them. But it was all out laughs, fish after fish and a really great time for Chicago and Detroit folks that haven't fished since they don't know when.

I was warned that they haven't fish in a really long time. And that right there showed me these guys had a sense of humor.

I was sweating, but I was having a great time also.

As the tide started to really slow. We picked up and ran another mile. I handed them all my spinner outfits and the old Bullet sinker and Owner circle hook finger mullet rig. Well.....they weren't great casters either. But, the tide was barely moving at all and made for a HOT, and troublesome attempt at live bait fishing.

So we picked up and headed back eastward. I tried another spot for not long with Mullet on the bottom and here came the rain. So we basically bagged it and headed back after taking shelter under the Clapboard Creek bridge while the atmosphere cleaned up a bit.

They all agreed that they'd had a big enough day. So back at the boat ramp, I cleaned a pile of big Croaks, and they went to Singletons for a late lunch and some cold beer with their fillets ready to hit the oil at Singletons.

Don't know about YOU.  But I'm more than ready for the axis of the earth to change to a winter state in this hemisphere of N. America.

I want to float-rig the jetties, catch Trout and Redbass on light tackle against the rocks. Catch less junkfish. And pop open that "winter closet" and don my lucky fishing jacket.

If that's what it takes to get into my "BEST"  six months of fishing out of the entire year. It can't come any sooner!

I'm happiest when I look like this:

 

 

HINT-HINT