1/10 - C'mon and get you some

First day it was calm, after the few days of DEEP FREEZE.

-Water temp: 53 in river (surface)
-Bait: Fresh dead "Jumbo" Shrimp
-Rigging: The Jettywolf, "double whammy"
-with Tom O. Jettywolf "regular"
-Seas: 4-6 foot
-Atmosphere: FOG at Ocean
-Afternoon temp: 70 degrees!!!!
-Rods: Ugly Stik
-Reels: brand new Daiwa 20HC
-Locale: St. Johns River fishing
-NO long boat rides!

1/6 - Reel review...Comparison

added the "CAROLINA CLAW" reel clamp...remember that review?
(www.carolinaclaw.com)

BIG, BAD, screams grab me and hang the hell on!!!!

But, the Ugly Stik(s) I mounted these new reels too. Has a Trigger Grip.

So being a McGyver kinda guy. I cut the trigger off. Finished the edges with my sanding disc on my Dremel tool. And now, you can barely even notice there was a "trigger" on these rods.

But check it out. The Carolina Claw reel clamps fit right on, and now talk about a casting trigger.

Ready for super "LT" sharkin', making bomb casts with large plugs for GATOR Troutz, and hold on tight bottom fishing battles.

I'LL TELL YA WHAT THE PERFECT ALL AROUND REEL FOR ME WOULD BE. ESPECIALLY, FOR THE FLOAT-RIG FISHING FREAK.

INSTEAD OF A SHIMANO TR-100 G, IT WOULD BE A TR-50G.

WITH IT'S GRAPHITE, ALUMINUM SPOOL, STAR DRAG, LEVELWIND

-ADD IN 6.1:1 GEAR RATION
-LARGE HANDLE
-CLICKING STAR DRAG
-""""AUTO ENGAGE"""

YA THINK SHIMANO WOULD WHIP OUT A FEW OF THOSE FOR ME...AT LEAST A DOZEN?

THAT WOULD BE THE PERFECT REEL.

LET'S SEE IF THESE DAIWA'S COME CLOSE. I DON'T HAVE ALOT OF CONFIDENCE.

PRE-SWAP NIGHT SALE:

Every year my fishing club, the JOSFC ( Jax. offshore Sport fishing club) has a swap night. That'll be in two week on Thursday Jan. 16th. Basically, Garage Sale Night!

Prior, I am going to list out here what I will be taking to the "swap" night.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE ITEMS, LET ME KNOW!

ROCK BOTTOM DEALS

-brand new Igloo 72 qt while marine cooler

-two seriously nice stereo speakers for book shelves (came out of my Moms house so these are like new)

-Never used that I know of, 2 man tent, in storage bag ready to go!

-Many jumbo spools of Monofilament line; 30# Ande , 30# SeaStriker, 100# Braid (for down-riggers)
 12# Suffix

-Canvas Rod storage cover(s), 7 foot for traveling.

-Handheld VHF radio and charger Like New.

-Cabelas rig storage bags; stores premade leaders in single plastic bags. (2 bags) with 100 envelopes.

-Dickies XXL full canvas/insulated coverall's "suit" Fits me at 260 & 6'1"

-Ugly stik Catfish rod, and Bimini Bay graphite level-wind matching reel (reel is new)

-Coffee can full of 2-1/2 ounce Banana head "troll-rite" un-painted jig heads with 7/0 hooks

-8' Shimano Compre Heavy action MUSKY rod, cork grips, SS guides, used a few times but in primo condition.

-7'6" Biscayne custom made for a 2 oz Float-rig, fiberglass casting rod

-4 foot "Digital marine" VHF antenna for boat console, with S.S. Ratchet mount

-4 Shakespeare Axiom 6:1 gear ratio "Like New" freshwater/light saltwater, Mag adjustable baitcasting reels. Perfect for the beginners .

-NEW Frabill "bait-pen" - for holding Pogies/Mullet

- Used but looks great and all works, Tough Canvas padded Camera Bag. Perfect for your DSLR's or Video Cameras. Could be used for reels, or tackle.

And I'm sure I'm missing a few things too.

Not pricing here. But believe me....

Priced to sell. No one will be disappointed.

All will be heading to Swap Night on 1/16

If interested Come on by and see.

charter@captdaves.com
904-642-9546

Ole Man Winter.....similar to 2011

Well, he's here.

Especially when ya see this.....

Finally. After a summer like fall season. With what seemed like months with 80 degree days, with a few cooler sprinkled in. I believe winter is finally here.

Same as 2011...It took aloooooong time to cool off that fall, but when winter came. It came setting temp records in NE Florida.

But the Trout chewed like mad that fall-winter. Hmmm, wonder what the difference is?

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

I was out today. Yeah Saturday!!
(why we didn't go on Sunday was beyond me.) 

20 knots Noreast, temp feeling like 30 degrees!

Had a late caller, on thursday. Wanted today, didn't discuss weather. So either did I. 

4- persons. Departing at 8am.

I saw the weather coming and after I was at the boat ramp on Thursday night at the fishing club meeting. I knew going in that today would test everyone BUT me, I can take it. Because I know how to come prepared.

"Eagle Scout", That's me. 

I get to the boat ramp and it's USDA registered heinous. But, my crew arrives. I was a bit shocked.

Dressed right? A few may have been, a few may not have been.

remember this:

"a hooded sweatshirt is a fisherman's friend."

One had a hooded jacket on. 

4 spots later...float-rig fishing and bottom fishing we had 2 throw-back skinny 13" Trout, 2- Skates, and 4 sand Trout.

Needless to say, yes there were other's out there. "It's a Saturday" right? They have to go!

The current was relentless "Flooding tide" because we're just coming off the New Moon. And the wind was NE which pushes the water even higher.

I call a "rising tide", near a Moon, with a NE wind at 20+ knots a K.O.D. day (kiss of death).

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

It was just Monday when I had a beautiful falling tide, blue skies, 2 good fisherman, and light to variable winds and we wore out the big Trout.

It can be that way.....






Looking forward: Wanted, mid day low tide at Jetties!!
                                 Target species:   BLACK DRUM
                                 Bait:    Loads of dead shrimp I have
                                 Reason:   Testing New Daiwa Saltist 20HC reels
                                 Video:   Review

                               
                 















NEED ANGLER(S): not 4....(just 2-3)
                                          Ready to go!
                                          With Hoods on Jackets!!
                                          Dressed for success!!

What I'd like to target:

1/2 - A 2014 Reel Review....coming.

If you really know me, then you know if I had the cash flow I'd be buying, selling, testing, comparing, and reviewing FISHING TACKLE, as another form of my life -Style entertainment proccess.

I do that already, "slightly". But not nearly as much as I'd like too. (IE: weekly, monthly basis.)

But, I'm prepping for an all out review coming up.

I just SOLD my Shimano Tranx 500 HG reel.

"SAY IT AIN'T SO?"

Yes, this reel:



WHY....might you say?

Answer: Because I'm poor.
And to be able to check out "other reels" to see if they are more to my liking, I have to turn-over what I have.

So, I could say...."SEE WHAT I DO FOR YOU ALL!  MY BLOG READERS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO ME THAT I SELL PERFECTLY GOOD AWESOME REELS, SO I CAN REVIEW NEW REELS FOR YOU."  

But that would be a lie. Yes, what I do personally does spill over into my reports here, and on to my video's. But I'd be lying if I said it was for the sole purpose of educating you the readers of this blog.
Because really, "how many of you paid attention to and thought about purchasing a Shimano Tranx before or after that video above? 1/1000 of a percent of my readership?"  

Okay, the reason for the selling of the Shimano Tranx 500 HG is because it was expensive. They retail for $499.00!!!!!!!!!!!!  I sold mine for $375 with free shipping. So, before Ebay fees are subtracted I may have made $340 on a $499.00 reel.

But with that said. I have never ever been a DAIWA man. Shimano is my reel company. But after multitudes of hours spent surfing the world wide web and Ebay. I quickly became really fascinated with a reel that DAIWA came out with.

They (a reel manufacture) finally...and I mean FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Came out with a "conventional style" level-wind, star drag, heavy duty, HIGH SPEED reel, that AUTO-ENGAGES!

If you're lost, that means that the lever you disengage the spool with "automatically" RE-engages when you turn the handle.


DID YOU CATCH THAT?

"auto-engages"

So, with the sale of one Shimano Tranx 500 HG, I was able to purchase TWO of these reels for my use, via Ebay, at $187 with free shipping.

Daiwa isn't as proud of their reels as Shimano "HAS BECOME". So, as I dabble in the world of buy high, sell low. I may become a Shimano/Daiwa man.

Two for One. Hmmm, that's reely something huh?  But Josh, the guy in this video doesn't actually do a REEL WORLD review.

So that's where Capt Dave will come in.
** 20#'s of drag pressure, is it really Shimano smooth??
** how tough is that "auto-engage", does it break or hang up at all??
** does this Daiwa Saltist 20 HC put the breaks on a 150 lb Spinner Shark the same way a Shimano Tranx can?
** is the Daiwa Saltist 20 HC worth buying more of??
** is the Daiwa Saltist 20 HC more "Versatile" than the largest low-profile reel ever made, the Tranx??  (casting distance, throwing monster lures, bottom fishing)

THESE ARE THE REASONS I BOUGHT TWO OF THEM AND WILL ANSWER BEFORE SUMMER IS OVER.

SO PLEASE STAND BY. MORE TO COME.

12/31 - Those crazy Tides!!!!

Yep, it was that time O' the month. A winter time NEW MOON. The current was on the ridicules side of bazzaro.  SMOKIN' is another way of saying it.

Which for us "float-riggers" is a tough time upon the not so slow and lazy St. Johns River, as it has been referred to.

Guess, who ever called it that wasn't in the Mayport area. But rather 100 miles south.

And of course it was a Holiday. And that meant the river "around the HUB" was a real zoo.

Had Tim & Logan aboard and our day started at 8:30am. Because I had all the perfect plans set up for a day just like the day before.

But being that it was a zoo. I couldn't go to where I wanted to fish. Because someone sat there camped out catching most likely damn near squat. Cause I watched them.

But we ended up catching some small Trout, many Bluefish, a few keeper Trout, and had many a Sheepshead bite. With Tim connecting once.

But, while waiting for some falling tide and waiting when the tide would be right on the spot I wanted to fish (which we got japped out of a minute before I was to start the engine and make the 25' move)
We bottom fished and had 2 eels, and a few Croakers. Yes, (2) eel's!  Those fish that in another world maybe considered super gamefish.....Unfortunately, NOT on the Jettywolf, or in NE Florida. 

They weren't looking for keeper fish. So I suppose any action would do. And action was kinda hard to stay in. Because of the super current. But we did find action, if actually found a "spot" without a human sitting anchored upon it.

12/30 - Dem Gators!

Day #2:  with Dennis and Seth.  Can ya say......"dem boys are hooked!!!!!"

I NEVER WANNA STOP, I WANNA GO FISHIN'.

See Capt Dave, do the Gator Trout dance!

12/28 - WET...but we knew that going in.

Yep. The sky was over-cast since when I was out on Thursday. And at least today, we all knew (Bill, John & I) that rain would and could be part of our day.

I had my slickers on, and even before we left the dock I made up a nice little rain coat for my depth sounder display screen out of a Glad "stretch" baggy. Don't want this one to get a case of the shitz, by getting wet like my last display screen that toasted after 7 years and three complete soakings. (It's on Ebay for sale right now for "Parts" for $100) Hmmm, lets see. I guess $371.00 per year is all that eventually cost me.

OH......back to the fishin'. Well spot one was fruitless. Spot two was 4 Trout and one good keeper. Then spot three. Where I planned on putting all my marbles. Two Trout. One Giant Croaker.

B-U-T. Spot three is where we sat through the rain. Misty at first. Then, came a bit more soaking.
But Bill & Johns came "sort of" ready with a few cheezy poncho's.

NOTIFICATION:  
As if anyone who will be booking with me in the near future will actually be reading this!
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOME IN ___________ WITH PLANS ON FISHING IN FLORIDA WHILE VISITING__________ OR COMING FOR THE SHEAR PURPOSE OF BEING OUTDOORS WITHOUT PACKING "FOUL WEATHER CLOTHING".
I say this every single winter.
BUT IF YOU OWN A WATERPROOF JACKET, AND EVEN BETTER YET A SET OF SLIP ON WATERPROOF PANTS. BRING THEM!!!!
FROM HERE ON OUT TILL AT LEAST APRIL, YOU COULD USE THEM.
-a simple set of "frog-togs" or a stearns walmart rain suit can be a life saver.  

Okay, enough Eagle Scout talk. I never was one. But I could have been. Instead, I'm your guide.
If you were heading to Mt. Everest, and your "sherpa" said, bring a down jacket, and you didn't.
Heck, at least you were warned, right??

We ended the day with enough for a fish fry dinner at Singletons. And that's where Bill & John were heading with the women afterwards.

Yes, today was tough. But they hung in there and we had a great time, as always. No matter what problem the Trout had.

12/26 - One more BIG Holiday left......

Get your NEW YEARS charter booked now!  It's the last Holiday left for at least a little while.
And I can say the Trout are chewin'. It took long enough....

Because we caught them today. There was no one around. The weather was just this side of "iffy".
But one thing for sure was that it was the Coldest day so far for me on the water.
And that's a good thing. It'll keep them chewin'.

It's supposed to be cold in the Winter. Not 84 degrees and perpetual summer. So, you may have to bundle up.

It was overcast, and slightly breezy. But nothing too bad. It looked as if it was going to rain all day. But it was too cold for it to do that.

Had Dennis and his son Seth aboard. Ready for action. The bites today weren't thru the roof. But we all caught decent fish. 99% Trout, with a 1% Bluefish tossed in because....."it's winter".

Some throw-backs at 14 inches. But if the regs were not so "treehuggerish" we would had a really good box of fish. But since it's "treehuggerish" in Florida. We ended up with  2-Croakers on float-rigs and live shrimp and 6 keeper Trout, to take home.

Enough for a Fish Fry!!

C'C'mon.....it's all about the water, NOT ice!

 

-SETTING RECORDS!!!!!!!
-NO WINTER HERE
-WHICH WATER WOULD YOU RATHER FISH?


CALL CAPT DAVE: 904-643-9546 (yes, call. not e-mail)

www.captdaves.com

12/21 - NOT MINE

JUS' AN F.Y.I for my readers. (these reels are not mine)

Here's a DEAL, on the reels I use because they are BULLETPROOF. For either HD float-rigging (heavy Duty) or bottom fishing the river and inlets. EZ to maintain, they remind me of my JETTYWOLF!

"""IN ACTION"" on BIG REDS!

Hell, I'm so impressed I did TWO reviews on these Shimano TR-100G Reels!
 ***VIDEO LINK #1***

 ***VIDEO LINK #2***

Great price for used FRESH WATER reels, that look very clean on Ebay. MSRP on these is usually $60 on average, plus shipping. Check out like below.

***EBAY LINK TO $30 SHIMANO TR-100G levelwind star drag "work horses" ***

ONLY 14 hrs Left....as of right now: 12/21 at: 3"07pm. I might just grab a few if nobody does.

12/19 - IT'S JINGLE BELLS & FLOAT RIGS.....

-are you freezing your butt off, in the Northland?
-are you in need of some skin soaking, Vitamin D?
-are you ready for a winter break?

WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM
"the sun is shining here" 

12/17 - No Lines, No Waiting

Sick and tired of boat ramp follies?  Those idiots who take 30 minutes to put their boat in the water?

Create your own. No Lines, No Waiting....

12/16 - forget this...no LBA for me.

Minutes from my house. The Little Jetties Park is a JOKE. Thought I'd go see what it looks like after years of not going there. It's not LBA, friendly. That's for sure. (land based angling) Plus everywhere I went there was a HUMAN. I don't want to be around HUMANS. And that proves futile at this so called "Park" in the river city.

I believe, I've seen more LBA opportunities in a two horse Florida town! Let alone a city who thinks they're some big dog. But isn't.

I'll stick to fishing the JETTYWOLF.

12/14 - Swimbait Unboxing!!

It's all about saving $$ in my business. And my business is FISHING!

12/13 - Windy, Cold & the Flipflop kids!

Did a 1/2 day today with two adults and two great kids. Dad and the two kids were visiting from Michigan. So today's windy and chilly weather was no big deal.

The fishing wasn't all that bang-up. But the kids and us adults caught some Whiting, Puffers, small Sand Trout, and Seabass while just bottom fishing with some jumbo "primo" dead shrimp on the bottom on a falling tide.  (I felt as if we should have had a bit more action. But the kids were happy and loved the pufferfish)

But the point is....I had to document these kids. Six & eight years old and were super troopers. Yes, rambunctious, but they never ever said BOO, about the wind or the temp.

They along with Dad, all had one their "flip-flops"....because dammit, they were in Florida!!

Had hoods on their jackets and hardly wore them.




All the while, Captain Dave looked like this all day.
Double Jacket, sweatshirt underneath, hat on, hood UP.

My "usual" winter look, to include slicker pants over shorts and my Alaskan Sneakers on aka: "Xtratuff's".

NO, I certainly didn't mind either. Because I know how to dress for it. And before ya know it. The heat will be on, and yet another summer will be upon us. Again, I don't mind, thats for sure.

I'd rather be in my office in the wind, in the chill, then sitting home bored to tears any day.

But, I just wanted to show off two litl' crew members that were tougher than many adults I've had out on windy chilly days.

12/12 - It's perfect, and on my wish list

I think so.........5 gallons of gas in 10 hours. Sounds like I could use a "Mudwolf".

-Mill Cove
-Dunns Creek
-Broward River
-Trout River
-too name a few close areas that are all mud and oysters. But have fish, and no one else around.

ALLOY HULL TOO.

NO FEAR & NO FLATS BOATS FOLLOW



THIS IS WHAT I MEAN......and yes in NE FLORIDA, too!!

12/11 - Two days, Two boats, Two kinds of weather

Let's plan a great holiday trip, for you.





904-642-9546
8am-8pm eastern time.

The morning after...




TELL ME, WHAT JACKSONVILLE FISHING GUIDE PROVIDES YOU WITH WHAT I DO?

IF YOU KNOW ONE EMAIL ME (CHARTER@CAPTDAVES.COM)
HIS WEBSITE. SO I CAN SEE FOR MYSELF.

12/8 - what are ya waiting for?

"NAME YOUR OWN PRICE"

INFO HERE- link

Yes, it takes a bit of planning on your part.

winter is where it's at for all Jax inshore fishing!

If you can call this a winter so far...

 

Last week, my crew lathered up in sun screen!

It's been t-shirt weather. Not winter weather.

While the rest of the country, and out west even Dallas TX has been blasted by winter condition.....NOT HERE!   (photos are from 2012 winter)

904-642-9546

8am-8pm

-since 1996 Jacksonville 'full-time' fishing guide service.

12/6 - GoPro JAWS & Trout Blues

The handiest ever, GoPro mounting system!  I love this thing. Check out "why".



Big problem though...when I got excited and hooked a 27" Redbass, on a Storm wild-eye Shad "swim bait". Along the south Jetty in 28' of water. I hit my "GoPro remote control"
fast, to get the footage of a great fish fight on light tackle.

Obviously, I turned camera off instead of ON! And when it came down to the very end. I didn't get the BEST footage of the day. Gawd dang I was pissed as I reviewed what I had shot today.

NO Bait on the Jettywolf. Just a quickly trip to do various camera angles and make a review type video. And I still caught 4 "dink" Yellowmouth & Speckled Trout, and the 27" Redbass.

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

The Next Day, Thursday 12/5:

OMG...what a perfect day! Light winds. Only two guys aboard the Jettywolf. "The Hunt for the Speckley Bastards" all day.

It was 10am at the jetties, three of us float-rig fishing live Shrimp. NOT A SINGLE BITE.
Even, me!

South Jetty, North Jetty.....D-E-A-D on a flooding tide from hell. (NEW MOON)

Holy Bazzaro World, Bat Man!!!

"Here's yer sign". GO ELSEWHERE.

So we ended up in Mill Cove by 11:00am. The Cove was MEGA flooded.

It was Noon by the time Patrick caught the first Trout. Barely a 15" keeper.
To make a very long story shorter. The three of us ended up with three keeper (barely) Trout, 10 14" Trout, a small Flounder, and 3 dozen 15-17 inch Redbass. It was also DEAD SLOW up in the nursery grounds. Is there any LEGAL IN FLORIDA REDFISH IN THAT PLACE?

Yes, Mill Cove. "Romper room, Sesame Street" was barely cutting it. But, the move did have us catching at least. And my crew was happier.

ENDLESS too warm conditions. Not enough winter. Trout fishing is almost futile. I finally realize that.
It's certainly not me.

Like a relationship gone bad. You wonder, "what could I have done. What can I do..."
Then you realize. "It's NOT me."

A buddy of mine, who stereo typically fishes the ICW, and creeks told me. "I've given up on Trout, this year."

LOOKS LIKE THE JETTYWOLF HAS TOO ALSO.

-FRESH JUMBO DEAD SHRIMP (Drum bait)
-FRESH CAUGHT CUT CROAKER (Redbass bait)
-EXPENSIVE FIDDLER CRABS (Sheepshead bait)

-Will be the norm I suppose, from here on out.
-Will save me a lot of mental anguish?

It really hurts, because all I live for is this time of year. Giant Jetty Trout. Cold weather. And then it's soon back to 95 degrees in the shade again.....


Hmmmmmm, look below! Yes, just look down. Right here on this screen. See the photo on the Video, on the post below this one??

Check out the date. Check out the size of that Trout.

DO I HAVE PROOF OR WHAT?

I always have proof, that's the problem.


GOT A REEL THAT NEEDS SOME TLC?
HOW ABOUT A FILLET KNIFE THATS BUTCHERING FISH?
CAPT DAVE CAN HELP
"CLICK HERE"

12/3 - Let's repeat.....in 2013

SEE THAT WEATHER WIDGET ON THE RIGHT SIDE BAR OF THIS BLOG?
YEAH, IT'S THERE AMONGST ALL THE OTHER SUPER INFO ABOUT MAYPORT FISHING YOU'LL FIND HERE.

-TAKE A GOOD LOOK!
-CLICK THE WEATHER LINK!

PLEASE DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WEATHER IF YOU CAN'T PLAN AND PICK A PROPER DAY.

THIS WEEK ALONE THE WEATHERHEADS HAVE BEEN TALKING PERFECTION.

PLUS THE TIDES ARE GREAT FOR T-ROUTZ!

THATS ONLY IF YOU'RE INTO CATCHING FISH, OF COURSE.

12/2 - POCKET FULL OF WHAT?????

The only time you will witness this phenomenon in your life.     
                                                                     

August 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

     
Next year, the month of August will count 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays.This phenomenon occurs only once every 823 years. Chinese people call it: ‘Pocketful of money!’  

So, with that said......

I'll be soooooo busy and make such a living next August that I'll be heading to Slidell La. for the month of September (yeah, right during Hurricane peak'ness) but I don't care. I'll be in the "mother land of all Trout"...

NOT!

- it would have to be a time capsule back to No wars, and a balanced budget. For that to happen for me.

11/29 - While you sat drinking coffee next to the fire, bored to death.....

You could have been out on a day filled with catching and adventure!



Seeing it was ""USUALLY"" the #1 day of the year besides 4th of July in the 110 degree heat for all charter fishing, in bazzaro world, Florida You would have not know it by the looks of the weather. And of course, the pre-date calls, I hadn't received, all week.

Yeah, I was lucky. If you look at it that way, to have had the same "crew(s)" I had booked this week last year in the chilly, but sunny, calm TROUT FILLED, weather.

Obviously you read the report below this one about Ed, Ronny & I doing a hour and a half charter on Tuesday before it rained buckets on us. Catching one nice trout before hitting the dock, all wet.

Well today, the day after Thanksgiving. I had The Walters, plus one. Dan, Scott's brother along this time, with of course dad.

Yep, the standard manly trip...."because today you had to be!" If not prepared, like a Boy Scout.

Here I am, at the dock, "YOUR CHIEF EAGLE SCOUT", ready to rock & roll!!!

At First Light, I was greeted at the dock by the ole saying; "Red sky in the morning Sailors, take warning. But it didn't scare me or my crew".

Certainly, not a uncommon appearance to the sky, this time of year. Kinda, S.O.P- standard operating procedure! And like Dr. Phil says on TV........"THIS AIN'T MY FIRST RODEO"

It was dead calm. And basically a "here's yer sign" to what's in store. It was chilly...But not frigid. The water and the Coast is always warmer than a Walmart parking lot on the BFE side of town. Us "coastals" are lucky that way, in the winter.

I had ONE plan in mind. Go to the last place I've seen a "LIVE" Trout. So the boat ride wasn't long. But I should attempt to at least mimic last years TROUT slaughter with the Walters, again this year. 

Right??   It's the least I could do.

So upon arrival. The first several Trout bit, and jumped into the fish box within a few minutes!

This is "no throw-back bank"...there's a period of time along this area that there won't be a single non-keeper Trout caught. So I was very happy because we already did better than I thought we would and we're only a hour into the day! 

These fish weren't monsters....But in Capt Dave's terms (that's me) they were "sweethearts"....near and dear to my heart/soul and well being. Seeing I could live happy the rest of my life with over flowing fish boxes of fish like these, caught all kinds of ways.

The box filled up quite nicely as the tide faded away. And we only lost maybe twenty minutes by being visited (another name for inconvenienced by the FWC) with just short of a colonoscopy!! By one of the states finest.  At that tide, we probably only lost out on 3 additional Trout for the fish box and nine fillets for the dinner table.

I brought just enough live river crickets (aka: shrimp) to do the job for the morning. Because once we re-entered the wilds of the river by 10:30am, the winds were a HONKIN'.

We went to the Jetties. It wasn't bad. But the sea spray from the northside of the north was quite good as we sat and caught a few Whiting for the fish box. And NO croakers for Redbass cutbait. Which was the plan. Using fresh dead shrimp I had left over from Tuesday's failed wet charter.

Then, I tried anchoring at the little jetties after we watched 3 guys in a 23' center console up against the rocks, with twin outboards wrapped up in the anchor line....."what a FUBAR that was!"

Trying their best to hold the boat off the BOULDERS as one guy was untangling and cutting the anchor line off TWO props. I offered a hand, by pulling them away from the rocks. But they seemed to have it somewhat under control. Got away from the rocks and later anchored in the I.C.W. and then later...motored away. With the boat owner probably needing to change his "Fruit of the looms".
They probably would have fared a bit better scratch and scrape wise in a USDA grade ALLOY boat.

(But, I'll remain a rogue ranger of the alloy world, till I'm dead and gone, before people wake up to the fact that ALLOY is perfect for our environment around here. Just NOT Alaska. As so many seem to falsely believe.) 

Either way, I couldn't stay anchored at the Little Jetties as the wind was in full 25 knots regalia, out of the Northeast. So I went and tried the other side of the river. And we caught a handful of Yellowmouth Trout, worthy of being dropped into the fish box. To add to the Whiting and Specks, we had. 

I could have took many more photos, I know. But under the circumstances I was a tad busy, pressed for time, and going through Bazzaro world anchoring frustrations. Which leads to less time to get all artsy fartsy, as I'm known for. But less winds make it much easier to play shutter-bug, or videographer.

I predicted many many weeks ago; That it'll be at least Thanksgiving before we see any serious Trout numbers to the east where the Jettywolf roams this time of year.

I may have been correct. A few more trips will be proof or not.

So, given that this IS  the time of year to "don thy float-rigs", large amounts of live shrimp, best fishing outerwear, I expect to hear from ya. 

And prior, you'll need to purchase some Peanut Oil or Canola Oil, a black cast Iron skillet, and some Zaterains Country fish fry mix.

Because, the Redfish, Trout, Yellowmouth (weakfish), and Sheepshead along with Black Drum on the bottom will be the only thing on my mind.. 

Don't you want  to fish with a fishing guide that loves fishing in the winter, and will get you fish no matter what??  I don't deer hunt or watch football either!

Call: 904-642-9546 8am-8pm eastern time please. 

Or email me at: charter@captdaves.com to check on dates for this holiday season.     

11/27 - Getting Lean

11/26 - then it got really wet...

I was so happy to have two really great guys back aboard the Jettywolf today. Ed & Ronny from S.C. cam down again. "After last years way-lay on big Trout at the jetties, heck I would have too!!!"

Ed is the killer, and Ronny is the kicked back one.  Ying & Yang, makes for a good duet. With hyper ready to kill Capt Dave in the middle. Last year we had a blast.

Yes, I knew going in what we faced "weather-wise". And so did the guys. But did they cancel, NO.
Did they whine. Hell no.

So I kept it really close. Departing at 7am, in the rain sprinkles.

I told the guys, "We going to a place where if they bite they're gonna be really nice fish. But at the same time, it's been Bazzaro world as far as the Trout this fall. And they may not be there at all..." 

We hit the first spot at break-neck speed. I basically idled over to the first anchor drop. The guys worked live shrimp on float-rigs perfectly.

-NO FISH

Then, after we discussed my initial statement about the way it could be, Ronny's float went down with a head shaking rod tip throbbing pulse.

Here's Ronny's 1st take down. A sweet 20 incher.

As the very last of the falling tide (which wasn't a strong one to start off with) slowed down, I kept adjusting us in the area, to the tide conditions and we never had another taker.

Then came the, REAL RAIN!!!

And Yes, I was exactly right!

It was a mix of what I initially told the guys, back at the dock.

I KNOW MT WATERS. 

ESPECIALLY. MY FISHERY!!  

ESPECIALLY, WHEN IT COMES TO MY TROUT FRIENDS

....OR MY TROUT ENEMIES. DEPENDING ON HOW WE LOOK AT IT, THAT DAY .

Plus the weather.

So as it poured rain, we went back to the dock, our morning was wet and over.
Next up, would be the 20 knot South winds as forecasted. Which is highly unusual this time of year.

So we packed it in, at 9am.

 And Ed said he'd be coming back in December to go to, one place.
THE JETTIES!
Even if had to come alone, without Ronny.