7/19 - Not what it used to be:

I remember that when it came Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament time, I'd dread it. Because of the boat ramps, no parking, and crowds everywhere.

I even went to Maine in 2006 while the tournament was going on to order my boat from the company rep. (that was sooooo nice to be in cooler temps in July)

Although the tournament isn't no where near, two days of 1000 boats anymore (thanks to our U.S. economy, and fuel prices) I still had to be "hours" early to the boat ramp, for a 2 hour Kids Trips at 8am, just so I could park in a decent spot. Then, as the crowds cleared. I slipped the Jettywolf in the water and my folks showed up and we headed to the jetties for a little fun.

Here's my observations:





Video from Iphone5

7/18 - More "Kids trips"

My summer time staple...the Jettywolf taking the next generation of Fisherman & Fisherwomen!

Yes, it's been a Gal summer so far. Not a whole lot going on at the Jetties. "Normal mid summer deal", but the kids caught Jacks, Blues (why are they here?) and SeaBass and Yellowmouths.

Then, we took a short ride over to see the Kingfish Tourney Grounds at Sisters Creek Boat Ramp.

WATCH IN 1080 HD, select via "settings gear icon". I did the video in Hi-Def. Might as well watch all my video's in Hi-Def..."if your connection can handle it."






By no means is GJKT week, like I remember. The boat ramp wasn't a zoo..But I'm still waiting to see.

NEXT UP:

Tomorrow another 2 hr Kids Trip
Then Saturday, a 4 person regular day...

-want to take your small children out for the morning? Check out my Kids Trip rates at:
http://www.captdaves.com/fishing/index.html reasonable and even NO deposit required for
weekday morning trips.

INLET ?

And I thought St. Augustine inlet sucked!!!







Not a "part-timer".....a life style:
www.captdaves.com

PERFECT TIDE?

If you notice. When I go "solo". I wait to go on the perfect tide (and hopefully weather too). Plus, I depart EARLY!!!!!!!

Here's a heads-up for anyone interested in my $350 for 2, Early Morning Top water Trout Trips. 

Next week, I'll be departing the boat ramp in the dark (prior to 0630 hrs) making a fast but safe run to my area. And working top-water plugs and Matrix Shads for deep summer sweet-heart sized Speckled Trout.

I'd love to do Saturday, but there could be alot going on at the ramp and river seeing the circus is in town (GJKT)

But with high tides at 8:00-9:00'ish, Sunday and Monday. (even though Monday's the full-moon) I'll still give it a go.

  

7/15 - Weather? East winds, and slow bite...

NEXT TRIP(S):

OFF BEACH, CHUMMING, DRIFTING...river/jetties has reached the "duldrum level"











WATCH IN 1080 HD!!
CLICK ON "GEAR" ON YOUTUBE SETTING ON BOTTOM OF VIDEO.
VIDEO WAS DONE IN HIGH DEF.
SO WATCH IN HIGH DEF.

"NOT SOME CRAPPY RESOLUTION, YOUTUBE SETS"

(THIS GOES FOR ALL MY VIDEO'S)

7/14 - River tour

Had Akli aboard today. He's from Algeria, and has never ever fished before. Let alone been with a "hard core" guy like me.

It was really fun. Because everything, ever where, from live shrimp to tides was new to him. Our trip was basically a "show me kind of day".

Croakers, Yellowmouth Trout, were the catches in the river. But Akli wanted to also see the "Ocean".

So we ran all the way from the Dames Point to the end of the north jetty at one point, and when we got there, the tide was changing and the dark brown was hitting the bright green water. Tarpon were rolling around near us, even. But I don't think Akli ever saw them. I of course with the "keen" fish eyes saw 10 roll the surface as we drifted out the rocks.

We eventually anchored up. Fished Live Shrimp on a "dropper loop rig", and to my surprise started catching Speckled Trout in 33 feet of water.

Akli, also caught some small Jacks and a Ladyfish.
Which all looked like dinner fish to him. And I told him, there's some fish not worth eating.

Fun day, showing someone from very far away "my world".

7/13 - Morning.....

Guess what I did this Saturday morning, in mid July??

Here's a clue:

Took these "two cuties", but still a handful, to catch their first ever saltwater fish.
-Croakers 
-Yellowmouth Trout
-Seabass 

Brother, sister, and of course Dad.

One of my 2 hour Kids trips: http://www.captdaves.com/fishing/index.html

Next up:

Sunday, solo fisherman, on his maiden "learn to fish trip".
Monday, regular Don B. I'm expecting a "VIDEO DAY" coming with Don & guest.


Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament week....(aka: major morning boat ramp congestion)

Starts on the: 18th with V.I.P day
                        19th Kids Tourney
                        20th General Tournament
                        21st General Tournament
                        22nd a Redfish Tournament

Usually this tournament "shuts" me down. But, if you're looking for a simple 2 hr. KIDS TRIP or something don't hesitate to call 904-642-9546 or shoot me a message: charter@captdaves.com     

7/12 - PHOTOS MISSING?

Yes, some photos on the ole Blog here have come up missing because I'm fixing, relocating, re-naming, my many photo albums hosted by Google Picasa. Never fear. Nothing is wrong.

I have some think like 5,000 photos so I had to whittle them down, and re-arrange them. So a few got lost out of the below "postings" because of that.

Changes happening at www.captdaves.com
So, stand by.

7/11 - Again, "wife out fishes husband"

Crazy day, yesterday.....

So, without dwelling on that ....we left the dock till 11:30am.

HUGE NO-NO!
(in the summer time, in my "fishing guide" opinion. But just one of the few things they learned as begginers in the Jacksonville fishing, world.)

Oh, we had a prefect tide. If it was 6am in the morning! 
Because it was a rising tide, and high at essentially NOON.

We worked "up river".  I wasn't into fighting the daily S.E. Seabreeze, that was starting right as we departed the dock, at the jetties.

Used soft plastics on jigs, the "Matrix Shads" which are of course www.captdaves.com official soft plastic lure. Because live shrimp on the jigs lasted a NANO second after hitting the bottom because of all the litl' shitters we have now carpeting the river bottoms structure.

It was HOT, very HOT. And as the tide poured in it was a struggle in the MID-DAY, no doubt. Not what I was used too.

But as Dr. Phil says on TV, "This ain't my first rodeo, either."   So we plugged on with one healthy Trout in the box.

Next spot.....Trout and Ladyfish! 

A-C-T-I-O-N

Bring you best gal....'cus she's gonna outfish YOU.

Tried to get some perfect finger Mullet. That's one baitfish that been NON-existent on the Jettywolf lately.  By this time of year. I get at least a dozen or so. And it makes for an easy Redbass, Trout and Flounder.

I hate those little Mud-minnows at the bait shops. I think of it all like I do when it comes to "plugging" for Trout. I'd just as soon cast a BIG plug, to Target a Bigger Trout. Because when I'm throwing lures, I want only large trout, if I can get them.

Same goes for bait fish. I'd like 4-5" Mullet......because when a Redbass or a Trout eats one, usually it's not a 15 incher!

Talked to many a fisherman, and many are also frustrated with no big schools of finger mullet around.
I go to my usual "easy to catch'em spots" and they just aren't there.

So as we fished yesterday. It suffered. Because I only caught 2 tiny two inch Mullet and a nice 14" Flounder in my castnet..."Yeah, a bonus Flattie!"  

As far as float-rig fishing, just one Trout. and by then the wind was ripping from the SE. 

When all else fails:  BOTTOM FISH.

And that's what we did. Filling the box with more Speckled Trout (that ate a 1/2 a dead shrimp in 30 feet of water) and loads of decent Yellowmouth Trout, and some Croakers.

It was H-O-T and the wind was like a blast furnace in your face. So at 5pm we headed back. And Gina and her hubby headed home with a big bag of fresh "fish fry" fillets.  Successful day.

I learned a lot, they learned a lot, about how and when to reserve your charter. 

-Craigslist is not the best place to find a fishing charter.
-Do your homework, read reports and "up to date" info.
-Go with a "full-time" guide.
-Departing late is NOT the best way to fish in the middle of summers in Florida.


NEXT UP:  Some "TWO HOUR KIDS TRIPS". Very, very popular in the summer time.

7/5-7/6 - The Gals are H-O-T!

Did you know that the boat ramp at 6am isn't a zoo? And if I had my druthers, I'd depart at 5am. Problem there is, it's kinda hard to get live shrimp from the bait shop at the time of the morning when they don't open till 6am on weekdays.

But "weekend-holiday" traffic magically appears when we return from our adventure around noon or one.

So, that's the morale of the "inshore fishing" story; GET OUT THERE EARLY!
And over the course of the last few days. Damn has the wind blew like hell from the S.E. by 12:00.
Add a falling tide buckin', and you got yourself a 50 MPH hair cut by the time we come back to the dock, for sure.....

I had the absolute pleasure of being able to take the Morrison Family out fishing, that are "ADDICTED" to Trout. As soon as Shawn contacted me by visiting www.captdaves.com I knew these were my kind of folks!!

It was Naschica's birthday! And my gawd was she the HOT rod. This gal was like a "Trout Whisperer".

Tossing the Egret Baits, KICK-A-MULLET she was making myself and her husband Shawn look like we didn't even know what we were doing there.....

Then she schooled us on the float-rig later on, also. But Shawn continued to play catch-up.

We hit the dock and a whole box of beautiful Speckled Trout. It was a very respectful day we had. And 8 year old Miles, even though he liked playing with jigs and lure, caught a few too. They had a major fish fry in store for them, while visiting Jacksonville. Can't wait to possibly have Shawn and Naschica back again, during the fall/winter or spring JETTY Trout fest.


THE LADIES ARE HOT....DON'T LEAVE YOUR GOOD LUCK CHARM AT HOME!

The next day I had Brandon & Paulina. Brandon had a choice. We could possibly face the winds and go Jetty fishing and Shark fishing. Or depart early, and head down river and look for them Trout again.
Brandon wanted to play it safe. As Paulina was our "rookie" so he wanted to stay inshore.

Well, that did it.

We weren't on the first spot 5 minutes, tossing KICK-A-MULLETS on a spot with a rising tide, before Paulina caught a GATOR Trout!  Then, she caught another. While Brandon got some "swipes" and yours truely had one "swipe" Paulina had all the action.

The bite wasn't as hot as the morning before. But, it's summer and that's the way it can be. But Paulina put 3 nice Trout in the box easily.

We fished around mixing in some Float-rig fishing, and casting of jigs and shrimp. Catching a Mangrove Snappers, Yellowmouth Trout, and some small Speckled Trout. All the while working for that Redfish. But by 10:30am. the wind started honking pretty good, and all I could think about is how glad I was I had Paulina up in calm waters and catching some fish. Versus, being outside or even inside the jetties as I heard it was pretty nasty from friends.

Here she is in a "one of a kind" photo......"never seen anyone with a umbrella like that on the boat before." 

As for the rest of the ""deep summer"" months. There is choices. But one thing is for sure. There's alot of miles between the inshore fishing choice and the coastal fishing choice, during this time of year.

It has nothing to do with me. It's just the way it is.

www.captdaves.com

IT'S TIME FOR : "Shark Week Live"

Boys and their SHARKS...it's LOVE.
904-642-9546 - call now!

Here comes the "Mid-Point"

The mid point of the "heat season" is around July 20th.

Then it's all down hill from there. Unless we get another year that on Halloween it's 92 degrees!!!
I sure hope not. But it does and has happened.

I suppose plans are being made for people up north sweating, to come on down here and sweat a little more. (because it's vacation time) And the kids are out of school. (Can't vacation any other time, right?)

It'll be just in time for the heat of the month. But watch out.......PARK IN THE SHADE!!!

6/22- Really is this what it's like on summer weekends?

Was up at 4am....after reading one of the 20 weekly update emails I get from the Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing club. Referred to now on as the J.O.S.F.C in my reports.

They have something to do with a Kingfish tournament going on <<THIS WEEKEND!!>>

So when I read that wonderful news. I like Doctor Phil say, "This ain't my 1st Rodeo", which means I know it's gonna be a mega-zoo at the boat ramp.

I had Gary K. and his wife and daughter booked, so I mistakenly told them 630am, the day before. Not knowing a mega-zoo would be going on. (Yeah, I had one days notice, par for the course) and so it happens I was at the boat ramp at 5:10am!  Yeah, early. But I was in and docked and parked in my usual spot, just before the mayhem started.

No heading east. Forget that. So we went west......far west!

We weren't early enough. What did I just say in my last report with the video? Hope you can leave early, hope you can cast. Well, the early depart thing was my mistake, and yeah all three of them could cast a spinner.

I had these rigged up on their spinners already:

Egret Baits: Kick-A-Mullet top water lures. Because the nice thing about what I have researched is. At low light, all ya have to do is cast these as far as you possibly can. Do a 1 potato, 1 potato, and start reeling really slow. These lure swim their asses off....yeah the tail wags like crazy. And just under the surface, as the lure leaves a wake. The Trout will smash'em.

Well, we also have a full moon. Not a great thing in our favor. But I can't change that. So as we eased up on spot one. Everything looked decent.

I gave Gary and his wife the Kick-A-Mullets, and his daughter a jig and Matrix shad. Mom, dad and I would work the shallows. While daughter works the deeper water.

No sooner we get started Gary's daughter starts hooking Ladyfish one after another, then yellowmouth trout, and then small Specks. She's up 10-0 on us. But most of the ladies jump off.

Then Gary gets a wallop. A nice sweetheart sized trout inhales his Kick-A!

 

























In between his daughter....."forgot her name, of course". Is having a ball casting and getting bit on every retrieve. Gary gets a few more swipes and then the Mrs. yells, "GOT ONE".  Her trout comes up and is another sweetheart sizer.

Then, your's truly hooks up and mines the smallest of the bunch. But still a keeper. Gary's daughter is having a ball getting bites constantly, as we keep at it. With a few hits, but misses.

The sun's getting up already, and the tide dies. So we move on. I hit another spot, but there's no current. So we make a run a bit further.

I drop anchor and say....Last time we fished this deepwater. I had a guys wife hook-up a giant Red on the float rig.

Not 5 minutes after that. Gary's daughter has he float go down and she's on a fish this 13 year old can't begin to handle. It's a big Redbass! As she reels frantically, the she makes a dive and POP goes her 20# leader on the float-rig. The fish dove and got her in the structure.

We keep trying but that was it. Time for a restroom break. And then we're back at it again. Next spot was just a few small Trout. And then we see this:

So we blast back towards Mayport and yep, at the boat ramp we get rained on, and after Gary and family leave.....all hell breaks loose. And it really comes down as I'm driving out of the parking lot.

They didn't score a lot of fish, and didn't even keep any. They left them for me. 3 nice fat Trout and a handful of medium yellowmouths.

But that's kinda par for the course really. The bite is early and I'm sure the full moon wasn't any help. It normally isn't, by the way.

But, yes even folks from Kansas City Missouri can catch fish on top waters and jigs and soft plastics. It's not always perfect like when you watch me do it in the video's. But the better YOU are, the easier you'll catch'em like that in the dawn of another summer day.

6/20 - Dances with Troutz....his name "Jettywolf"

Where ya at?
Whatcha Doin'?

Sitting in the A/C, wastin life?

Can ya cast?
Can ya get up and go before daylight?

If not, guess you can experience Trout Dancin' via the Jettywolf, then.

Leave early-Back early...eat Trout Lunch!
(Yes, in that order)

6/12 - SUMMER FUN...

-all before the heat poured on. Leave early (crack O' dawn) Be back by High noon, to clean fish, and celebrate our success. (I do that with a cold PBR)






Watcha' waiting on. There's nothing to be scared of...Learn something new, see something new, do something new. www.captdaves.com

BEST, light tackle inshore trips: 2 person, more versatility.

Calm waters-Free video/photos!

Accurate Reel Sale:

I hope this explains all...

6/9 - JIG TALK....info? Or not?

Here's a few things I never hear about.....TECH TIP #10

-discussed in a seminar type video.

Watch in full 1080 High Definition (adjust Youtube settings on Youtube screen) if your computer can handle it, and for seeing detail, use "FULL" screen.







(by the way, it took me hours and hours to make just this. And then, 3 hour load time to Youtube)

6/6 - The talking heads, crack me the hell up!

What was that in the first week of May?

5 days straight of rain and high winds. What the hell did they call that??

-Black Creek 15 feet over normal 
-San Marco Flooded
-40 MPH Mayport winds
-5 days of solid rain

But now, Tropical storm Andrea, ewwwww...and they're going nuts on the local yokal TV news stations.  They remind me of the Coasties for some reason?

It's not even raining at my house. Right now (1730 hrs).  The Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Club even cancelled the 54th Club birthday party/meeting.

Rescheduled today's charter..." I rain-checked it" Hahahahaha  Because it was raining harder this morning than it is now, and the "STORM" is way closer!!!

6/5 - inconsistent weather, and big fish.

Yeah, everyone wants to take my J-O-B. But at least when you go to the office, and sit behind your desk. You probably have an idea of what you're in for. And I'd guess....."It's pretty damn boring, too"

So no. I won't trade with you. But then again, not all that sure if you'd want to hang with never having any consistency, either.

It's my biggest frustration. And yes. It's not everywhere. There is places that do have some kind of consistency. But that place is not N.E. Florida. If someone tells you there is. They're blowin' smoke.

Here at captdaves.com blog reports. I tell it like it is. Because, fishing this area is just that. FISHING.

Today, here comes the storm. So we decided to "postpone" today's one person TROUT ONLY charter.
Yeah, I had Chuck visiting Amelia Island with his wife. He called, and said "I want to go TROUT fishing. And yeah, I'll break off a Redfish to get to a bog Trout!" 

WOW, a man after my own heart!

That's a real rarity to have someone say that to me. So Chuck will be back. He's just in Midway, Ga. So in two hrs he can be in Mayport.

Yesterday, I had regular customer Dave Z. He loves Trout fishing too. We had a short window to fish. So we departed early and headed due WEST. It had already drizzled a bit at the boat ramp. But we got very lucky. And had a dry morning.

Spot number one:  Not much current, 3 feet of water, scattered oyster shell bottom, I threw a jig and Matrix Shad, had one Flounder hook up and lost it. Dave had a few pinfish bites. So we moved on.

Spot number two: 4 feet of water, rocky bottom, fantastic current. High-tide, just starting to ebb. Dave was on a light spinner rod and reel. A home made popping rattling cork, and 2 feet of leader to a unweighted hook and a live shrimp. 1st cast and drift......Float down! The fish pulls the drag really good. Dave is smiling big time!

FIVE POUND SPECKLED TROUT - 1st cast on 2nd spot. It's 0730am!

We continue to fish the same spot. The Mangroves and Ladies, and Jacks have our number now. Dave get's bit on almost every shrimp.

Then, the float goes down and he gets another beautiful TROUT. Not a 5 pounder, but a nice 18 incher. (no photo....Dave wanted to waste no time, either did I)  So he got right back out there and the rest of the bites were "shit fish", Mangroves, Ladies, and Jacks again....

We moved on. THE "shitters" found us!

Spot number three:  3 feet of water atop a rocky shoreline. We had a BIG Flounder sky-rocketing small little minnows along side the boat!!!!!!!!  This Flounder looked to be 5 pounds. Coming up to the surface, swirling the water, jumping out of the water, eating 1/2 inch long minnows.

I tried dropping a jig in the spot. It was all ROCKS. Kept snagging. Dave drifted his popping cork thru, and his live shrimp would dive straight into the rocks. Snaggin.......
Oh, this was frustrating. But even a free lined live shrimp may get hung up too.

We ended up with three Ladyfish. While Seabass were eating my jig and Matrix Shad behind the boat.
Seabass??

Third spot: Float-rig fishing. One small Trout. Nothing else. Moved on.

Last spot of the day: A BIG Trout area. For me, as many 5 pounders have come from this spot as I've caught at the jetties in the winter time. So I had confidence. But the current was a bit too quick. So we stuck it out. Mangrove Snappers GALORE. This river is full of those "shitters" this time of year. Almost the reason to fish only "soft plastics, or plugs".....I know that. But most of my customers need live bait. They do best with live bait.

And Dave did!

Right as the tide slowed. He nailed another "sweetheart".

Okay, three nice Trout in the box. No rain. We're dry. And Dave has to head back.

NOT BAD. We did okay, during the super overcast sky's. And now the wind started blowing. So we headed back. And Dave was heading back to Chicago....."with Dinner."


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

So, who up next??
Who wants to go hunt up some Big Troutz?

They're around. I'm liking it.

But, I just wish for a bit more "consistency", that's all.


STAY DRY, THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. I BELIEVE THIS MAYBE A GOOD TREE-TRIMMER AT MY HOUSE....TROPICAL STORM ANDREA, I MEAN. 

-IF YOU DON'T WATCH  THE WEATHER.
-I DO, I LIVE BY IT.

6/4 - What a difference a day can make..!!

No to slow Trout bite....boxed three keepers, versus yesterday's 30 keepers!

"if it wasn't for inconsistency around here, we'd have no consistency at all"

And that's what I hate the most. I despise it!!!!!!!

Picked a nice Flounder. Had Mangrove Snappers, Ladyfish, and Jacks, of course. And a few small yellowmouth trout.

Maybe the NEW moon coming on strong, and the weather played a part in the inconsistency...I don't know. I can only guess.

6/3 - What a day!

Finally....this is what I have been waiting for.

An all out TROUT slaughter.

We got on the tail-end of it, Friday with Traveller Bob in my last report. But today we were On It. And Stayed On It!

Fished one area all day. Just made slight adjustments to stay on the spot better as the tide changed.

Four guys, and myself of course. LIMITS for all!

Plus, we threw back some small ones, and kept a 1/2 dozen Yellowmouth Trout, Two Mangrove Snappers, had 4 Jacks, and a 17" Redfish.

Float-rig fished live shrimp. Had two guys in the back of the boat doing that, while two were on the bow casting 1/4 ounce jigs and Matrix Shads, on light spinner rods.

JUST LIKE LAST YEAR, AFTER BERYL AND DEBBY.....(the two tropical storms that hit us in early summer) IT ALSO TOOK NO LESS THAN 4 MISERABLE WEEKS FOR THE WATER TO GET BACK RIGHT.

Well, same here. We've been picking and poking around. And even had completely dead "couldn't find any good bite going on days" since the big rains of the first week of May.

So, hopefully. All that is behind us, for a good long while. I'll be basking in a Trout bite that makes for some seriously happy customers.

LIMITS, from 17 inchers, to 5 pounders!

5/31 - End 'O May.....with the "Traveller"

Always have such a great time with Bob "Traveller" Johnson.  Bob, got his "float on" and thumped some fatties. I just lost them on jigs.






Now gearing up for June 3rd - 4 persons, 4th - 4 persons, 5th - one person & 6th - one person...when it rains it pours!!

"and pour me in a Dixie cup afterwards, too."

5/29 - A little "MacGyvering"

All to make YOUR fishing charter video's better. (and my R&D fishing video's too)

Oh, you're new here?

Okay. I'll explain.

Many of my customers not only get a report here on my daily reports blog, to show everyone back home. That usually includes photos...."but photos, are so 1990's....hahahahahaha"

But, you'll also get a video of your day too. That get's posted to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL so you can really show folks back home your day's adventure.

Not every charter day do I produce a video. But, if all goes right. I just can't keep the camera box closed!

Compare that to what you get with any other guide service around here....Go ahead. I dare ya!

-26' loads of room comfortable boat.
-A report to share
-Photos to share
-A video to share
- and much much more.

5/28 - PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

Yeah.....pretty boooring around here.

My busy'ness doesn't start till Friday and the next week after that. (you know in the world of John Q. Public. Everyone is the same, sort of. At least they all want to fish on the same week)

So, what do I do. I play with new toys. And spend huge amounts of time researching them.

Yes, this is how you get not only your day on the water. But if you give me time. I get to do a video of your day as I have many so far.

So, photo of the week is;

A new addition to my Camera Box:

Actually, 2 photos....

I went to the dark-side twice in one year. GoPro Hero 2, and a Apple Iphone 5.

What's next?

5/28 - 1st Kings and a Cuda caught off Jax Beach Pier

It's officially Spring when the Spanish Macs hit the area....which was awhile ago.

And now it's officially Summer, when the 1st King Macs are caught off the end of Jax Beach Pier.
Along with this one there was another and even a large Cuda, taken.

I mentioned a technique, if ya want to call it that, on Facebook, that worked for me one time. And by doing it I saved alot of run time, fuel and sanity, during a J.O.S.F.C. tournament.

The Kings were supposed to be on the beach. They had already caught a few off the end of the "old" and longer Jax Beach Pier.

So myself and my tournament partner decided to stay close and keep lines in the water as long as we could.

I bought a gallon of Pogie oil, not sure if this was really necessary or not. But it was insurance. I ran down to the pier and set up shop 1000 yards off the end. I tied the gallon jug of Pogie oil to a sash weight, and sent to the bottom. With holes punched in the jug, and a tiny float on the surface tethered to the jug of oil.

I trolled 3 live Pogies. From in the prop wash, to far out behind the boat. As we did the "put-put" just barely trolling along with baits out. I said we'd cut up 3 Pogies into pieces and chum them over the side every 5 minutes or so.

Doing a figure 8, from where my little float was, to where the oil rose to the surface making a nice long slick.

As usual, beach fishing for King Mackerel isn't full of action. But rather a waiting game. A few small pesky Sharks is all we had for the longest while.

It's been said that beach fishing and especially live bait fishing, while going NO where fast is the longest day you'll ever spend on a boat fishing, for only 10 minutes of excitement.

That's why back in the day of $1.50 fuel (I'm guessing) I was a Cigar Minnow troller. Instead, I'd rather do 3.5 kts at 1500 RPM's was I think, the key speed and rotations for me, on my old Sitex/Koden LORAN-C. And 200 Evinrude, smoker engine.

Okay, back to oil slick trolling outside the Pier...

We got to talking and eatin' lunch or whatever. And finally the prop wash pogie got ate by something with a forked tail. The drag ripped on my ole Daiwa 50H reel.

It was a Kingfish. And as it was gaffed and dropped on the deck.

Out of it's mouth flew 2 pounds of perfectly cut square Pogie pieces.

Yep, my chum chunks.

That fish was following along behind us. Having itself some snacks for who knows how long!!
And when we stopped chunkin' Pogies to eat lunch ourselves. There was no more "snack paks" coming from the stern of my boat.....obviously.

And that goes to show ya. These fish are just plain lazy. Because it took a bit of effort to eat that live swimming Pogie in the prop wash. Why do all that when chunks of breakfast and lunch are just falling out of the sky?

The fish was just 19 pounds. But good enough for 3rd place. With the 1st place fish only being something like 23 or 26 pounds. But did come from nearly St. Augustine.

It was just a club tournament. I'm sitting here writing this story and have the 3rd place plaque on the wall in front of my desk.

Yes that was a long time ago......1993 as a matter of fact. But, when it's right. Why couldn't that same thing work all over again. There's no reason why not.

Only thing I will and would do different is less chum chunkin. That's about it.

I get the right day, the right crew, I may try it out again soon. Jus' for the good ole times...

Sorry. I have no idea where the photo of our fish is. But I know I was younger and thinner.

It's a good way to attract a Cobia, Tarpon, Cuda, Spanish Macs, and a Kingfish.

No long boat rides, I like that!

But be prepared to be very patient and HOT.