2/28 - 2 hr Kids Trip today.

Yeah....jus one 4 year old. And parents of course. Really a Two Hr. Adults trip?
Oh she finally came around. After awhile, our Junior Jr. angler got into it.

 FUN either way. Caught a bunch of Croakers, a Yellowmouth Trout, a 12" all bowed up Seabass. Then, took a ride out to the Jetties. As the tide slacked at high.


Friday: Father & son, regular day. Feb. "blog readers special offer", dropped into March because of winds and rain on the 26th.

Here comes "spring"....

-Spawning Sheepshead
-Mega Black Drum
-Gator Trout

2/25 - Oh...Now we get February weather!

2/19 - Largest ever Float-Rig caught Redfish

Check it out.......Mike was such the HOT ROD!

Interesting day. Slow with no Trout, interrupted by some pure MAYHEM!
I love it.
Plus, a Sheepshead and a Flounder, and a 25" Redbass.

2/18 - VIDEO, is always better than pictures.

Had Dave & Bob aboard today, on which turned out to the most gorgeous day of the week! Dave is a "Fishing reports blog reader", and took advantage of the "February Special" that I sent out to all Blog Readers.

So it pays to be a signed up member of these fishing reports posts.....& more.

Yeah, because it's Feb. we're struggling a bit. Water temps. ate low, but working hard gets you into the action. On this day it was something like 28-30 degrees in the morning. The bait was all comatose, and as it warmed up a bit. We felt better along, with the live shrimp in the well.

2/16 - Brrrrr...but FUN!

Had Ray & his wife Lynda aboard the Jettywolf today. The forecast had changed three times since Ray called me asking about getting in on my Feb. blog readers discount, announced via the newsletter I sent out.

Say ya never got it......"well take me out of your spam file."

As a matter of fact 4 blog readers called or emailed me and got in on this months special. Which is over Feb 28th.

So with that said. We departed early this morn at 7am. The looming forecast was 20-25 kts by this afternoon. Gusts to gale force!

Dang we better get to fishin'.  So I ran straight to the jetties. Float-rigged the last of the falling tide there. And had NO LOVE at all. Nothing but mini Seabass.

So to grab more tide, we fished the Litl' Jetties. Ray got one under sizer Speck. Damn, what's up with this?

Time to pull a good fish outa my hat and fast. We made a move again and that's where Lynda shined.
Her first drift on the new spot and B-A-M......a sweetheart Trout.

  
























Then, she got two as Ray caught a Sheepshead on the float-rig......DOUBLE-HEADER!

The tide slowed so we switched over to vertical Sheepshead fishing on the same spot and also had lunch. Lynda was the hot rod, putting "HARD EARNED", Trout in the fish box. But at the same time Ray was getting bit, because as I inspected his hook, it was bent closed!

He was getting Sheepshead bites. And they were closing and bending his hook!

But now, we were on the vertical thing. And oh is this a hard to master fishery for someone brand new.
Loads of bites, especially after I moved over to my favorite under water ledge and rock pile.

There we had two more Sheepshead. Lynda scoring again!

Here she is showing Ray what happens when ya get a hook into them.

This spot is a small Sheeps spot, though. A lot of those 12-14 inchers live here, that can "pop" that fiddler crab off the hook in a nano-second!

But, Ray and lynda were a blast to have aboard. Good natured folks. Out for a fun day.

And right on time at 12:00 noon here came the blasting wind. My anchor was dragging constantly. So we stayed with it. It was Ray's turn to show us he had it in him, to feel the bite and set the hook fast enough. But after awhile we opted to head back and clean the fish we kept. When the boat snatched the anchor loose for the 4th time as we whipped  back and forth in the high winds that were bucking the flood tide.

We kept enough for lunch. And Ray & Lynda were heading over to Singletons for a fish fry after fishing, but I think after warming up first.

As I write this report at 7pm, I still have a chill in my bones I can't shake. But that's a good thang!

2/13 - what a day...

Without going into it all too deep......Wow, today sure was a struggle.

-It blew
-It rained
-Yeah, we got wet
-Yeah my sounder was acting up "again" because it gets wet (?).
-We fished our butts off.

Had three great guys from Illinois out on the Jettywolf. And our fishing success/or non-success, wasn't from a LACK of trying.

We fished for Sheepshead on rock piles, hard edges, oysters & barnacles, and then the North Jetty rocks.

Here's a little Video I did of this morning before, just before it started lightning and raining. Not long after we picked up and ran east, away from it. But it followed us.

At the Jetties we were the only boat out there......Wow, now that's a rarity!!

And we couldn't give away a fiddler crab to any fish! So we packed it in.

2/12 - AMAZING....

Can you just imagine?

No more rubber boots?

We as a race are heading some where that's for sure. Now if we just knew how to run the USA.

2/9 - New STUFF

 Sports-Vue 360HD, times (2) one on the landing net, and one on the console!!  Cool, huh?

Water-proof to 60'. 170 degree swiveling lens. Awesome remote control. ON/Record - Stop recording/Off means EZ usage via the remote worn around the wrist.

Rubberized, with viewing screen.

NEXT:

CamOne Infinity, for really dunking in the water!








Super small and light weight, with viewing screen on the back. Perfect for sticking into the water to capture fish coming to the boat, with this next item....

The iPole Stealth. I got the "standard model" that reaches out to 53" for FREE to test out.

But will be a great tool to mount the CamOne Infinity too.

If, it works good which I'm sure it will. I'll probably add the mini one, so I can carry it around with me on trips.










Wondering if I'll actually have time to fish, with all this going on aboard the Jettywolf?  Well, that's where YOU come in!

Photos are great. B-U-T, Video is so much better!

(A blog voice posting. New, yes. So turn on your sound. And hit the arrow button and listen in.) 

2/5- Change of plans....

Had "regular" Tom O. on board today. But before I even got to the boat ramp plans had changed.
At the bait shop this morning I walk in drinking my coffee and eating my BearClaw danish. And Rusty asks what I'm doing today. I said, "Float-rig fishing with one guy." He says, "with what?" I say, "shrimp of course". Rusty says, "well we were cleaned out yesterday. I might have some by 9-9:30am"

Well that isn't gonna cut it. So I ran home, dropped off the float-rig rods and grabbed the light "fairy wands" (light Ugly Stik Striper rods with Shimano Curados)  and go back to the bait shop and buy the first pint of fiddler crabs I've purchased it what seems like years!

I usually DO NOT purposely go Sheepshead fishing. And when I do, I wait till late Feb thru March and use cut clam, fishing for monster spawning female Sheeps. A couple 8-10 pounders is usually better than a bunch of 2-5 pounders in my eyes. Because I'm in charge of cleaning them 99.9% of the time.

So, today Tom and I went sheep herding. Oh it's been a long time since I "dangled a fiddler". I've pitched Fidd's and shrimp on jig heads more than ever doing the "dab down" style of sheeping.

So, at break neck speed we went about 200 yards from the boat ramp and got into what would set the precedence for the days fishing. A ton of bites. And a lot of small 12-14" Sheepshead.

As I told Tom. My number one deal for any day is A-C-T-I-O-N. So if it be nursery school Sheeps. So be it!

They were kinda small, so we kept Tom;s first one. It's not really good luck to toss back the first fish and first "legal" fish, no matter what. It's just bad mojo in my book.

So we caught a few more, and then released them. The spot was a real pain in the azz to stay on. The vortex of hell was whipping the boat back and forth. And that last time I fished this same spot must have been 10 years ago. And I remember myself and an ole buddy Joe, sat there slamming 30 Sheepshead, a lot larger than these!

But times have changed on the St. Johns in Mayport.  That's for sure. 

So after not sitting on the same spot twice, as the boat moved back and forth with each passing freighter pushing a wall of displacement water at us. I had enough. So we headed to the jetties.

On the south rocks at the tip the water was so clean and clear. I could look down in 8-10 feet and see the tops of boulders. And I remember the fishing for Sheeps being really difficult when the water gets like that. We never had a bite and never saw anyone catch a fish. So back into the river we went.

Actually looking for darker brown, real falling tide water. It wasn't hard to find. So we tried a few rock piles I know of and we caught more small "buck male" Sheepshead. And Then I nailed the largest of the day, a 6 pounder.

And after that it was more bites, lost fiddlers and some more small sheeps. But it was ACTION, and we had a good time catching them.

They gave a little tug, and after all was said and done. Adding in some Whiting I kept from yesterday's solo beach fishing trip. Tom had a bag of fish fryers.

Don't know exactly how many we caught. But it was enough, and enough kept. Because those little Sheepshead don't give up any large amount of fillet, especially after de-boning the fillet.

But, it was different and as I told Tom. "I may try this again." 

But, "I'll be dead when they pry my cold stiff hands off of my float-rig rod." 

Although I heard, "variety is the spice of life" but doesn't that just pertain to woman??? 

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

Nothing is better for the avid Sheepshead fisherman, than the JUS' GRAB IT GLOVE.

Capt Dave's valuable Sponsor.

You never see me with out mine on. You don't have a clue of what you're missing, until you have one on your side. NO MORE NASTY FISH RAGS.

(available at Academy Sports & Outdoors) 

2/4 - Trying something else...

Heading out again on Tuesday with Tom O.

Think we'll "hang" at the jetties and float-rig fish. But no matter what. I'm always doing R&D.
(research & development)

As I tell my customers, "I'm addicted to fishing too!"
It's all I do and work for.

Even if it means; "Giant Polish Flounder", "Dumpster lids", or 11" Whiting.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel and "get notified" when I upload a new fishing adventure.

"SUBSCRIBE HERE"

1/31 -TECH TIP #4 - A Review

1/29 - another direction.....

Well, I sent back my DRIFT INNOVATIONS action/waterproof camcorder. The 4 times I had it out on the boat had the LCD screen getting condensation inside it every time. I guess it wasn't really waterproof after all. And I never even had it the water...yet!

So, I have spent hours on top of hours striving to find the next waterproof wide angle lens High defination action cam-corder for aboard the boat.

I've combed the world wide web for hours. Because these camera's are all a compromise. Just like boats. Everyone and their brother "touts" the GOPRO camera's. But they do have their short comings.
Like so many pieces and parts. Cost of all that. And Audio, is a mute factor without spending lots more money.

I thought I had found the camera for me with the DRIFT HD GHOST. But like many who buy a ski boat, and then end up trying to fish from it constantly. Soon find out that all is not "spot on".

So I ordered what will be the 3rd waterproof action camera, since Christmas. I hope like hell number 3 is the charm. The rest have all been sent back.

Pictured is the Sports-Vue 360. Has many of the same attributes as the DRIFT camera. Costs less, and has a "TRUE" action cam RF remote control.  NOT all action cam remote controls are equal. And not all action cam's are waterproof, either. Some maybe "splash proof", and some are all out scuba diving cameras. This one is in between.  It supposedly goes to 60 feet deep.

The remote (pictured) is what I've been really looking for. Push a button and the camera TURNS ON and goes straight to RECORD. Push the button, and the camera stops RECORDING and turns, completely OFF!

Wow, truly an action cam!  Set the hook, hit the remote. After fish capture, or high fives. Push the button and the whole thing shuts OFF. Saving battery power!

It has all the same things my DRIFT camera had...swiveling lens, HD, rubberized coating. But has better mounts, and COSTS less than the DRIFT, or GOPRO's.

All this in striving for better BLOG education. Making video of customer days. And doing tech-tips, with maybe some actual under water footage!

My motto has always been...."I'm not a part-timer looking to make my boat payment each month. I want to offer more, and do more. This isn't just a J-O-B. But rather a life style I want to share with you the customer."

You already get reports of your day, photos of your day. And yes, I have made many video's of customers charter days before.

NOW....if I can only get people who inquire about charters, book a day, we go, but they NEVER EVER come here to do their "due deligence" before or after the fishing day.  I don't understand that. But, it's always out there (these reports) for all who wants to come see them.

So, crossed fingers!  I hope this will be the last boat camcorder I'll buy for awhile. But, if it works out I'd like to run 2 of them, and get different angles. Fish in the water, and people in the boat. So I may actually get another one of these camera's if they work out.

Just hope the manufacture/dealer realizes how much I'm wishing this search for the perfect boat video camcorder to work out.

We'll see.

You think "flatfish" are just laying around?

EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE "FLUKE" IN NY. FLOUNDER CAN'T BE MUCH DIFFERENT.
I WAS REALLY SURPRISED HOW THEY'LL CHASE AND CHASE A BAIT.

IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO WATCH YOUR QUARRY IN ACTION. BUT I CAN'T FIND FOOTAGE LIKE THIS OF SPECKLED TROUT.

1/26 & 27 - More Full Moon non-action

What do I preach?

3-4 days before the Moons, and 3-4 days afterwards!

Well, I don't pick the days. So Saturday we fished and caught only 10 Trout, and 6 keepers. But we were out there all day long. We tried bottom fishing for the Black Drum with shrimp, just like my video report (below on a previous report). But that never happened. It wasn't as windy, but it wasn't calm either. Another west wind day, and TOUGH tide.

Zim, Kevin and Tom were all good sports. But it was what it was. And it wasn't from a lack of trying on our part. To not have any Drum or bottom bites at all.

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

Sunday I did a 2 hr Kids trip with Amy & Ken from Ponte Vedra and the two kids. Again, hardly any fish catching at the high tide. As we tried drifting the south jam and anchoring just off the south jetty.
I had the kids just dropping shrimp to the bottom. But the excitment came when I lasso'ed a Spiny Puffer around the tail, and the kids never seen a fish like that before.

They were entertained by the Dolphins, Gannet birds, and Sea Turtles, and Jellyfish. Plus they goit to drive the boat in from the jetties, too. So it was a successful Kids Trip.

1/24 - Whoa - the wind kicked our butts!

1/21 - TECH-TIP #3, "the stopper knot"

When all else fails, and you're "sporting braid" on your reels, as you should. A piece of leader material, (20 pound mono) will do the trick. When making a "stopper knot" when float-rig fishing.  No pre-made, stopper knot BS needed.

Still need help?? "CLICK here"

10-4?

"Let's go fishin....."

1/20 - Exciting month?

Sooo, what been going on?  Well, I see no less than 10 people signing up to read this blog per week. SO? What ya'll waiting on? Let's go fishing!

There's absolutely nothing wrong with fishing in January here in Jax Fla.  Finally, that 80 degree weather went away, and as of Friday & Saturday the 40 MPH gusting winds I'm sure snapped us back into what and where we

should be this time of year.

Although, I felt like a "Yankee Captain." working on the boat all weekend tightening her up a bit, instead of fishing with customers. Today, was one sweet weather day, that's for sure. Not warm, and not cold.

Had two guys cancel out on me for Friday morning. I was supposed to serve up certain fish species, obviously. And my plan to hunker down and Sheepshead fish.  Because of the possible wind direction. Wasn't one of those species they wanted to catch, I was told. And the last thing you should be doing is sitting in a bar all night before you go fishing. I know Beer drinking makes me lazy as a Cat.

Yep, fishing isn't like a restaurant. There isn't any menu to order off of. If so, it's called TV fishing show fishing. Where they fished for 4 days straight wearing the same colored shirts!

Ya'll burn your wicks short over the holidays?  No one allowed to go fishing in January?

Not me. I've had Epic days in January. Like the one the two guys had last January, which had them thinking all years are exactly the same.

My customers ought to be apppreciative. That I do A LOT of solo fishing on my own, or with my buddy Doc Miller during the winter. Spending that gas money. SO I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE......while other guides go hunting, or don't even fish unless customers are on board!

So when I say NO we aren't catching Sailfish or Tarpon right now..."head to Miami and the keys for that", like the phone call I had today.

Like I've preached for 16 year.....Florida has winter too.

Especially NE Florida. No, it's not thongs and cosmopolitan magazine photo shoots on the beach in Jan. & Feb. But then again, you only need to know ENGLISH around here. Nothing else.

This coming week has some realy good falling tides all week long. PRIOR to the full moon on next Sunday.

If I was going. I'd work on this week.

And this is how to celebrate a nice day out fishing.

1/15 - STILL TO NICE...??

The weather's too nice.

Yeah, you'd think it would be great (the weather that is) for tourism, the fish, snow-birds, and fishing. But everyone has burned their wick, as all the Holidays are over now.  Ya'll in the snow and cold......YOU MISSED IT!

The weather's supposed to "turn-back" to winter. (talked to a guy in Chicago today. Up there was 10 degrees this morning)

And here I am complaining about 78 degrees in January.....YOU BET!!!!!

IF YOU FOLLOW these daily reports you know that the Doggies....AKA: The Dogfish (small toothless sharks) were a super problem just days ago. And so was the NEW MOON. ( see last video from just days ago)

Both are now over. And we never saw a "doggie" all day long. But the fishing was still S-L-O-W for T-R-O-U-T!
Which had Doc and I, not all that happy.

It's all about EFFORT versus BIG TROUT in the box, at days end.  Today, we worked hard. And the box was lean at days end.

 

We had a few throw-back trout, one pup Red, and what ya saw at the end of the video. The 5-Trout to 22" and a 7 pound Sheepshead.

How the JETTYWOLF was built....versus:

Versus: "the other way".

The Future...

With Plans for a 175 horse power.....would make a great little stern trolling motor on my boat.
And a perfect "slow trolling kicker" for the Kingfisherman, for sure. Shut those 300 Mercs off!!!!

I could easily have a welded Kicker engine bracket put on my stern.

up to 5HP right now.

PROPANE OUTBOARDS by LEHR

see action video's "here"

Not the best way to fish.....

Who needs stinkin' bait & expensive tackle??????

1/11 - Oh, those moons & huge tides!

In a matter of one week (as per all my video proof) the inlet aka: "jetties" have gone from bustin' gator Trout, to completely invaded with small toothless sharks. I believe, they are called "Dogfish". They eat everything and are carpeting the bottom!!

Left out this morning on a semi foggy morning with Mike & Matt. Worked the float-rigs hard, and came up with one Sheepshead and a few small Speckled Trout. But at the same time, most of our shrimp were eaten off the hooks by ravenous Ring-tailed Porgies. And the seas were seriously "Nautical", where we fished.

Mike and Matt, hung in there. But, for me it was just "S.O.P." for winter jetty fishing. The forecast was for high 70's, and it was a beautiful day, as you'll see as the early fog burned off. Though the swell continued. (BECAUSE OF THE TIDE)

Working with my new camera, the DRIFT HD GHOST action cam mounted on the boat, using the wide angle lens setting. I'm still getting used to it and playing around with it.

The current and lack of bites on the float-rig & live shrimp had me scrambling to find some kind of action. The guys were "spinning reel casters" when fishing themselves. So I said, "Bring a few of your own rods and reels." Even though they were well versed with my baitcasting float rig reels and did great with them.

So we went and did some "jig-n-shrimp" pitching, on the crowded north jetty. Where Matt, feeling not so well with some sea-sickness slammed a 29" Redbass, and we caught a nice pup Black Drum also.

The bites were few and far between from "real targeted species". But the small sharks were killing us. At one point we caught them on every single cast!

We ended up leaving and finishing the day and over 12 DOZEN live shrimp in the bait well, back float-rig fishing for more little sharks and a few Bluefish and a small Trout. With the Redbass (29") a Sheepshead, and the Drum in the fish box.

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

SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED OUT THERE AT THE JETTIES!

THE NEW MOON'S 5.5' TIDE WAS NOT ONLY A KILLER, BUT THE INVASION OF THE SHARKS MAKES ANY BLUEFISH SEEM ALMOST LIKE A WELCOMED SPECIES. (EVEN THOUGH I STILL HATE THE BLUEFISH).

UNTIL SOMETHING CHANGES. MY EFFORTS WILL BE CONCENTRATED ELSEWHERE! THE "JETTYWOLF" WON'T BE FISHING THE "JETTIES".

I'LL BE MAKING A BIG ZIP CODE CHANGE. MY MOTTO IS: "NO LONG BOAT RIDES" BUT THAT'LL HAVE TO CHANGE, AS I HEAD THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND HEAD UP RIVER FOR MY TARGETED SPECIES.

HMMM, "ANOTHER CHAPTER UNFOLDS", IN THE QUEST FOR GATOR TROUT IN BAZZARO WORLD.

AND HOW 'BOUT THIS JANUARY WEATHER???

PERSONALLY, I'LL TAKE COLD WINDY AND SPORTY ANY DAY. THE FISH SEEM TO BITE BETTER FOR ME. THAT'S WHY I LOVE N.E. FLORIDA WINTERS.

1/9 - Finally....battery cables!!!!!

I'm a happy Cappy!   THE SPARE HONDA 225 PROJECT CONTINUES.....!

On my new Drift HD Ghost action cam. Playing with "wide angle lens selection".

Yes, it's always good to have a "SPARE MOTOR", when your "LIVING" depends on it!

1/9 - WARM BREEZE....



Jus' days ago....cold, windy, overcast, and "GATORS"
1/4/2013           7 pounder

Yep, can ya believe the crazy weather we have? My dad and are were talking, and there probably isn't that many places along the East Coast where there's such huge swings in temps and weather as this area. I'd like to know the "facts" about that. From someone at the National Weather Service. Would be an interesting converstaion......

The mercury is still rising, can you believe it. But there is a little early morning fog to deal with and there may be a coastal shower or two.

But first we have to deal with the 'inverted trough' that is just off shore. This means we still have some showers and clouds to deal with but the rain chance is only 20% . This system will begin to break down today and open the door for dry and more warm temps.

As we move toward the weekend we will see more sun and highs near 80...yes it is winter!!

The "wind" forecast:

THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO
4 FEET. INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.

FRIDAY NIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INLAND
WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

SATURDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND
WATERS MOSTLY SMOOTH.

SATURDAY NIGHT
SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.
INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

SUNDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND WATERS
A LIGHT CHOP.

 

LOOK AT THOSE TEMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

1/5 - Much Nicer Day

Long story short.

The day before was pretty nasty. And as you can see we had to leave in the dark to catch the last minutes of falling tide in the Video.

Well, I had Gabe & Donna aboard 24 hrs later and it was a much nice day. Sunny, warmer. And they were kind enough to be really early. So we too could depart in the dark and catch as much falling tide as we possibly could.

Only thing..........The fish didn't bite as well as they did in the NASTY weather the day before. GO FIGURE. It's like that alot. Those day when I would run up into Mill Cove when the tide was super high, being pushed by near gale force winds out of the North, raining as we departed, and super cold.  THAT'S WHEN THEY'D BE ON FIRE!

You go back the next day when the "NOReaster is over", and you struggle!

That's what we sort of did today. That falling tide just didn't run all that long. But that of course is when all the bites came.

Donna catching the best Trout. (of course, always bring your best Gal!!) And maybe she even caught the most too.
But the most out of not many, wasn't my usual style...

 

Gabe & Donna came to learn about the float-rig. And I tried to show them the most I could with out all that much action. But they got the picture.

Funny thing is that we didn't have a single under 15" Trout the whole day. They boxed I think, the start of 2 limits, but fell short by 4 fish. Keeping 8 up to 19-20".

After about 9am, the tide slowed and started to creep in, and that's when the water temp changed. And we started to struggle at the jetty rocks.

 

NO LACK of "green scourge" bites. The ever present eat at least half your baits Bluefish. If there's a reason to run far south on the river. The inlet Bluefish are it.