12/20 - The Speckled Trout Blues..........

Had Tom O. back on the Jettywolf again. He brought his dad, this time. We departed at sun up...."I like that."

 

Problem was......."red sky in the morning, mariners take warning...and that meant W-I-N-D". And the forecast was dead on.

We hit the jetties with the float-rigs and a livewell brimming with frisky shrimp. It was the last of the falling tide. The guys caught some Yellowmouth, and Specks. IN BETWEEN THE HORDES OF SCOURGE FISH.

Small Blues!

They're back!!!!!!!  And I'll always HATE them. I've hated them for decades! Because they eat our hooks, our shrimp, and compete with the Trout that we really want.

But the guys pulled some Trout species between the hordes.

 

After feeding Bluefish one shrimp after another from right behind the boat. It was time to take our Trout and move on.

It was a move that was in another zip code, a spot that's been infiltrated by army's of ravenous Pinfish. But Tom;s dad slam-dunked into a big Redbass, but as it pulled and was too much to handle, he let Tom reel it in.

 

It was a long way to go, to feed Pinfish, and get one exact 27" Redbass. But worth the smiles.

 

So then we went back to the jetties. And things got really windy out of the south. But guess what was streaking through the Jetty rocks?

 

BONITA......aka: Little Tunny!  This one ate Tom's live shrimp, and streaked straight toward the stern of the boat. It went iunder the boat, under the motor, popped up way off the bow. Around the anchor line. Then over the anchor line. And finally to the net.

 

TALK ABOUT A SPEEDSTER ON LIGHT TACKLE!

 

 

Then, a school popped up along side the boat. And come to realize, other boats were hooking them up on light tackle too.

In all my years fishing the jetties, we've never hooked up on Bonita. I've had days years ago, when we hooked up on Almaco Jacks, a AmberJacks smaller cousin.

 

Tom hooked another one, and it streaked off so fast that it bent the hook.

 

It was really starting to get windy. So we moved off and hit another spot for just one more Speckled trout. So after getting waked by ships and Pilot boats we headed in to clean up the fish.

 

It was an exciting day.

 

(remember, to view photos in larger form, CLICK on photo, to open in a seperate window)

 

12/19 - Be Glad...?.

Heading out on Thursday with a regular customer Tom O. and his dad. I'm probably, having to move Friday's charter to Saturday....."have ya seen the wind report?"  Gust to Gale Force!

Be glad, because no matter how cold it gets in J-ville, Florida we can fish. And this goes for you that charter me on those cold days too.

But at the same time, I feel a bit like it's on the wind-down. Because after the 21st, the "days" will start to get longer again. And as a angler how loves the winter fishery. That mean's it's slowly coming to an end. 

BUT THIS COULD BE HOW WE HAVE TO FIND FISH!, RIGHT NOW!



12/18 - TECH TIP

Capt Dave's Shallow water Float-rig tech tip:  #1

(This is not a public video. This video is only for fishing report blog readers)

12/16 - SOLO GATORS!

Have a dermatology appointment on Monday. So I had to go on a Sunday amongst the gawkers. But that's "weekends" for ya......Or I would have waited till Monday to go, so I could be alone'ish.

Glad I went though. GATOR SPECKS GALORE!
Released a total of 5, after getting a 24 incher right at the start.
Largest was 27" at 8 POUNDS!

Had my limit, and released the others by 10-11am. Plus 4 Yellowmouth Trout (weakfish), and had my ass handed to me while on the phone by Brutus T. Redbass. He broke me off in a nano-second down deep.

 

 

FULL BELLY?

 

 

LOOKED LIKE SUMMER BY 11:00 AM

 

 

YOU MISSED IT.

Had a call for today (Sunday) but this fishing isn't "party boating". Not for large groups.
<<<<LIGHT TACKLE...2 person MAX. is BEST, always.>>>>>


-DID YOU KNOW, YOU CAN CLICK ON ALL PHOTOS TO VIEW LARGER VERSIONS, ON EVERY REPORT?

-GO AHEAD, TRY IT...DON'T BE SCARED.

Bearded Guy, a decade ago:

THEN:



Portion of my old "educational video" from Bennet Marine Video.

3/8th's oz. "plain" jighead and fiddler crab..."don't let anyone tell ya it's a new technique".

BEFORE Braided line was even invented!!
W-O-W, how time flies.



NOW:

"replay, refresher of what you'll be fishing and how aboard the Jettywolf!"

ONONEOUTDOORS:   cLICK PHOTO FOR VIDEO

12/14 - Can't hurt tryin'

Don't know why I'm expecting any more out of, "Bazzaro World Florida", but for some reason I always do. Shows that I am not a poo-poo'er. But rather a "fishing optimist"!

I talked to Doc Miller and was sooooooo glad to have such a good day yesterday with Tim and the nasty weather.

So I said, "if it's gonna be nasty again, lets go!"

So off we headed this morning to the same areas. And with an even better tide. The same areas as yesterday were,
D-E-A-D!

Bazzaro World strikes again!

So we opted to just fish some old places I haven't been too in a decade.

PUP RED BONANZA.....max fish size: 16"

Toss in a small Trout or two.......well, actually I did catch a 16 inch trout earlier. But one out of nuthin is not really killin' it. And Doc caught a throw back earlier too.

So we didn't leave fish to go find fish on a smoking incoming NEW MOON tide in the river. This was about as good as it's gonna get.

It was cold, windy, but not raining. "A good thing???"  Not sure, we did better yesterday in the super nasty.

So after a good amount of pup Redfish, I just had to fish an ancient spot that I have not fished in years. I wanted and was hoping for Black Drum on the float-rigs and a few more Trout, at least.

I GOT IT!

The next spot gave me two more Trout in the fish box and 3 pup sized Black Drum. "TARGETED SPECIES!"
That means alot. Go to a spot and target a species and catch that species. I like it!

NO they weren't huge......but they were over "legal". Which had them meeting Mr. Ice Chest.

 

Throw back Trout, a few keepers, alot of small Redfish, and three keeper drum, and one small Flounder. Not great, not yesterday's Trout action. Not Jetty sized Trout. But it was fishing on another day that was blowing and cold.

 

And I like it!

 

A FISH FRY, in the makin'. Add a few PBR's and this fisherman's happy.

 

As the afternoon went on the sun broke out as I washed the boat off at home. So the "front" has passed. And by this weekend it's supposed to be warm again.

 

Not sure if I like that.

 

It's winter! Remember? "I thrive under less that perfect weather conditions."

 

Till next time, 

 

12/13 - Rain, Wind, Cold, Overcast & Nasty..."go shallow angler man!"

Had Tim, a long time customer from St. Pete area on board today. And I just had to make a video of us. Tim was wearing an old Foul Weather suit of mine I brought for him. Because he had no "nasty weather apparel" with him.

We hit the "cove" and caught fish from the first drift of our floats to the last. Had a ball as the temp fell even more, and the wind blew like hell. PLUS, IT WAS THE DAY OF THE NEW MOON AND THE TIDE WAS MEGA HIGH.  Perfect for a 26' boat to go fish 2-3 feet of water, along the submerged marsh.

But, when dressed right, and with the right attitude. This can be just the ticket.

Personally, I thrive on adverse weather conditions. And the cold doesn't bother me what so ever. I have the gear!
I don't supply foul weather gear to everyone, like a Alaskan fishing lodge. It just happened to work that way, today.

Always dress for success!

Here's Tim's "Copper beauty" Redbass:

Here's what the Trout eat.......BIG POGIES. Plus, "our live shrimp"

Getting into the Christmas Spirit????

The MAYPORT News:

"They just needed a bigger boat!"

I heard Mrs. Claus was okay. But Santa on the other hand didn't fair that well.



Heading out with a long time customer from St. Pete on Thursday.Gonna try something a bit different. I actually want crappy weather and winds.

Cuz, they bite then, where we're going.
At least they have been.

Stay tuned!

Even 'pencil-neck' wishes

you a happy holiday.

12/9 - More of the same. A good thing!

Left out early....because it was a weekend. I call it my "default departure time" 7:00am on ALL WEEKENDS!
Being that the slow down of persons on the river has not happened yet.

Evidence is the jetties lined with "sheepherders". Bow to stern, those "all bones a head" fish, don't stand a chance.

If they only knew what was swimming under their boat. But it's great that they don't care.

Had Micheal and son Matt aboard today. Leaving early didn't match up with the proper float-rig fishing tide. So we bottom bumped around. Not alot of action.

Then I had a chance to get a slot in the row of boats, per buddy Doc Miller. He had his limit and was going home. So we slid in and Matt had action on his 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th drifts with nice "sweetheart" sized Trout!

The boy, was now officially "SPOILED".

Between Matt and dad, they quickly put limits in the boat. And we finished our day, cleaning a pile of Trout, and one big Yellowmouth , a few Croakers and just for the heck of it a mutant sized Pinfish.

12/8 - Tis' the season for limits!!!!!!!!

The bottom bite at the inlet and in the river seems to have really fell off since last tuesday. As I just like to fish some shrimp on the bottom during a falling tide and maybe get Drum, Reds, Yellowmouth Trout etc.

But the last two days have had me watching my 12" sounder screen and seeing no life down deep. So that meant ONE thing. Wait for the ripp, roaring tide to slow down (gawd how I'm over that current!) then bust out the float-rigs and send some live shrimp out behind the boat.

And when done properly.....(IE: getting a good day, and working hard) "THIS IS WHAT YA GET!"

Had Robert, Scott & Ed aboard on Saturday. And the guys had to work hard, for the first few. Because the current was so ripping.
But when it slowed.

Mayhem, insued!

One after another came to the net.

Even Ed's good sized Yellowmouth trout. But it was wierd. The Trout waited to go nuts, when the current died. I guess they're as over the hassles as much as I am.

Sure, Ed put some to the boat while the tide was freakishly blazing along in 10' of water. And they were small Trout.

Then, Robert caught up. But Scott....he wasn't feeling the same love.

But as we fished, it all worked out and limits as I said, came to the net and went into the fish box. Trout to 21-22".

It was F-U-N.

 

 Box starting to fill by the minute.....

 

 

 

12/4 - Oh those nice December days....

It's like we hit December, and the days just get so nice. It's happened year before. Usually with dense fog mornings and sunny calm afternoons.

Well, no fog this morning. But also NO WIND either.

Had Kathy, John and Joe aboard the Jettywolf today. We had a chance to hit the absolute last of the falling tide and were looking for a big fish.

Kathy got it!

Pulling it up from the "deep"......like a pro!

18 POUND REDBASS!

 

Kathy said she wanted to catch a Redfish. That's a sure nice FIRST REDFISH!

 

We continued bottom fishing after the tide changed and slide into a new spot. Target Species:  Black Drum

 

Kathy caught one of those, too!

 

 

This was happened as I had Joe & John on the float-rigs flipping back to the jetties rocks and they were hooking up big Specks and a few yellowmouth and 5 small pups Redfish. A little bit of mayhem was insueing!

 

Dropping Specks in the box....

The bite slowed, so we moved on. The next spot was dead and had a large swell pushing. That might have been the problem. So we headed back to where we came from and continued catching a few more specks for the box, a couple small non-keeper Redfish. Then Joe set the hook.......

He came to catch Reds too, like Kathy. But after a few too small, now he caught one too big at 32", to keep.

But between the 8- Trout and the Drum, the crew had planty for a fish fry dinner.

 

 

Wonderful weather day...so good I'm heading out again with Tom O. from last week.

 

Here's those "L & V" words we love to read in a marine forecast:

 

WEDNESDAY
LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS BECOMING EAST
5 KNOTS LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND WATERS
SMOOTH. AREAS OF DENSE FOG WITH VISIBILITY 1 NM OR LESS IN THE
MORNING.

He and I are gonna try it together. A one man trip. And a good one I hope. So stand by. More report to come. 

Dec 6th - Free Seminar and Chowda???? YEP.

DEC. 6 th 7:00pm

at Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Club
Mayport Boat Ramp...

 

"It's Chowder cook-off night!!"
And seminar via "ME" on Float-rig fishing for "ALL" species, EZ.

Take it to the next level, come visit the "Home of the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tourney"

"Free seminar. Free chowder, what could be more fun on a Thursday evening......don't answer that!"

Win the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament and never ever buy a FIDDLER CRAB, or loose a rig.

 

10 pounder's smoke ya' on the float

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It could be done!

 

11/30 - Nicer day....Nursery

Had Tom O. and his 6 year old son Drew aboard today.

I was excited over yesterday's trip in Mill Cove, because the calm shallow water where anchoring isn't a hassle and where I have more anchor chain than it is deep.......Was a complete 180 from yesterday!

Sure little Drew reeled in twice the fish we caught yesterday. Trout and Redfish. B-U-T, everything was so small.
Loads of small Trout, and Reds.

Drew didn't care. But adults Dad and I, did.

It was super nice. Alot warmer, no wind, but the two areas we fished yesterday never gave up a fish, today.

Well, that's one thing out of my control. But "oh so common" here in J-ville. Over night a whole area can change.

I guess from now on, I'll only be going into the cove when it's cold, 20 knots of wind, and a new or full moon. Today we had one out of three of those conditions. Without the wind, the current was 1/2 of what it was yesterday.

Little Drew did get to reel a 22 inch Redfish. Dad was proud of him.

11/29 - Mountain Timers, in Mayport

Had Tom & Margie from Colorado aboard the Jettywolf today. They won a free trip to J-ville, via Visit Jacksonville, and I was there fishing guide for the day.

We departed at 7:30am. But before they arrived I took a few photos as I usually do of the conditions:

WIND "HONKING" the flag at the Pilot Station

FULL MOON, up and glowing at 7am!














NO FEAR....I specialize in fishing all kinds of K.O.D. - "kiss of death" days.
Hahahahahaha.
As Dr. Phil says on TV. "This ain't my 1st Rodeo."

No pun intended, but many moons ago when I got started in this business, having to fish on days that someone else choose, and then those days not really being under very good conditions. Was really the first, HERE'S YOUR SIGN, that taking the public fishing, wasn't as easy as it sounds.

But that was a long time ago. These days it's the norm, and I really don't sweat it at all any longer.

So with that said, I did what I call the "MOON OVER MILL COVE".  It's protected from the wind. When the tides extra high, I can go about anywhere in that shallow "mud hole", and in the fall and winter. There's always some action in there.

I told Tom and Margie......"we need a SLAM. Redfish-Trout-Flounder!"  And Margie told me, she's never fished a day in her life. And if she catches a fish. It will be her absolute, first.

Hmmmm, that's good to know. But, not uncommon either.

B-A-M...well her's her first ever fish. A keeper 16" Speckled Trout. Which was the first fish caught this morning.

And she didn't stop there. She kept catching!

Hubby Tom, finally played catch-up and scored a few also. They weren't all keepers (over 15 inches) but I was just glad a plan was coming together.

 

The two caught a few more Trout. And when that action slowed. We made a move about 100 yards.

 

Margie then nailed this 23 inch Redfish, while Tom caught a few more Trout.

 

Then, Tom had 3 Flounder damn near in a row. All keepers that hit the ice.

 

Each one was larger then the last.....

 

As the tide slowed, it was time to move on and go into the river and hide from the wind. So we hit the Croaker hole. Last Monday it gave up some big Croakers from 12-18 inches. So let's see what happens today.

 

Yep, solid 13 inchers, along with a few smaller ones. So we kept 4-13 inchers for the fish box.

Tried something new.....putting all the fish we kept on a "stringer" so they'd all be easier to hold up for a photo. Even though, now we can't really see them all very individually. Hmmm, maybe a 1/2 a good idea?

Margie, wants everyone to know that the Gal who's never fished a day in her life before, caught the largest fish. By "pointing it out to everyone who see's it." Her Redfish.

 

As it turned out, they didn't want any of their fish. They didn't have the time to head over to Singleton's and have them fried up for lunch. So they let me have them.

 

And I cleaned them all up, and had them hit the oil by 4:00pm at home in my deep frier, that's permanantly ready on my back porch.

 

A few cold PBR's later. They were all done, and ready for mass consumption. THANKS, Tom & Margie!!!

 

 

Next up: a 1/2 day with Tom O. and his little son on Friday morning.

11/26 - UTILIZATION

I learned a few things, over this very busy week.  For starters, I get alot of phone calls and inquiries from my YOUTUBE channel. Which is GREAT!

But at the same time, there's things I have addressed on my YOUTUBE video's that have a concerned me, that I find out people should also know.

Bob the "Traveler", who I had out on the Jettywolf on Wednesday the 21st had ethanol problems with his boat. Being he stores it for a long time. I asked him, if he ever tests the fuel he puts in his boat. Because alot of people are blaming ethanol in fuel for everything. From paint falling off the house to why they didn't win a local tournament. But when you test some fuels (as I do) many times there's not even 10% ethanol in the fuel. And 10% ethanol is the maximum allowed, in the state of Florida right now. Can't speak for other states.

With that being said. If I find 3%, or 5% ethanol in my fuel. I'm inclined to think, since a modern outboard is made to run on 10% or less.......the key words: "even less than 10%", can't be all that bad."
I did several YOUTUBE video's on this topic, showing two different testers. And have even posted the "how-to" video's here.

YOU'LL NOW NOTICE. THAT NOT ONLY IS MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL LISTED ALONG THE SIDE BAR OF THIS BLOG ALONG WITH OTHER LINKS OF INTEREST, BUT I HAVE NOW POSTED THE LINK ON THE TOP OF THIS BLOG UNDER THE BANNER. In hopes that you'll visit it.

I did this, because I also talked to a fella at the boat ramp this week who said, "I read your........" but at the same time. Didn't know that this is the BEST time of year for fishing inshore in all of NE Florida. And didn't know that we use shrimp for bait.

Well, I use alot of shrimp for bait. Because everything eats shrimp! And I constantly push that this is the best time of year. EVEN in July! Because in July, I'm dreaming about when it's cold and the trout are chewing. Hence, I have many a YOUTUBE video, that show the fishing, this time of year.

Especially Oct thru May, I do mostly "float-rig fishing". Because it's fun and productive. I'll receive emails afterwards of a week of charters, asking "how do I rig up myself a float to do what we did on the Jettywolf??"  Again, I have posted that same video here several times. It's also on my YOUTUBE channel. Of how to rig a float.

Yes, I know. Each video isn't titled "FLOAT RIG TECHNICAL STUFF HERE!"  Every video is titled Jacksonville fishing. Because that's the title that helps ME. And helps all the people that find me on youtube.

So, you'll have to LOOK, and read the video's discription.

Today, YOUTUBE is like Google. Want to watch reviews of a certain Pick up Truck, looking for a vacation destination, buying a boat and want to learn about what others think?  YOUTUBE can be very useful. I use it almost every single day!

You'll notice, since Google owns Youtube. that under certain searches on Google, you'll see listed Youtube video's on Google.  That's why I have JACKSONVILLE FISHING as the name of each and everyone of my video's. When someone wants to know about Jacksonville Fishing. My videos usually pop up in the search.

REMEMBER, I'M NOT DOING THESE VIDEO'S OR REPORTS FOR MYSELF....I DO EACH AND EVERYONE FOR YOU!

11/25 - 2 hr Kids trip

Had Rachel B. and her two boys aboard this morning at 10am for a few hours. Didn't want to leave too early. Because it was kind of chilly this morning early. Plus, I just wanted some decent falling tide.

Turned out it was super nice. NO WIND, and hardly anyone around. I really love that! Guess everyone burned their wicks  down by today on this big Holiday.

But this Holiday is the start to the finest my comfortable fishing of the year. Having to wear a Jacket, and maybe even a pair of long johns is always better than sweating at 8am.

We went to the Jetties. Ran all the way to the tip. The Ocean was green and calm. Then, we went back and anchored up in 8-10' of water and I showed the kids the float-rig.

They caught 4 Trout right away! And we also pitched out shrimp on the bottom to see what was going on, and caught 3-4 small Whiting.

They got to see the little Turtles that hang around the Jetties, and the Dolphins. On this short trip that's just a "Taste" of what I do, this time of year......