10/14 - OMG!!!!

Today, the wind was howling. A hard southeast breeze. Very uncommon wind direction for OCTOBER! Huge front coming across the S.E. from the west, with passing Hurricane this week way out in the Atlantic produced some of the largest seas I have seen at the jetties (Our Inlet) in a long time. Especially with the strong falling tide, against the S.E. Winds.

I'll guess the seas at the end of the North Jetty tip was 8 foot, if not taller with an occasional "FOLDER", with white water on top! I had to time it, and shoot across the end of the jetty to reach the north side of the north rocks.  Haven't had to do that in a long time.

Couldn't stay anchored at all. The anchor would get snatched out of the rocks/bottom as the boat lurched up and down from the swell on the North side.

Needless to say. It was one tough day. Live well full of perfect sized live Mullet, and no one was interested, even in the river.

The big Bull Redfish bite was better back in June than it has been this week.

SO.....today's charter is a calendar marker.
1st day I'm breaking out the good ole "FLOAT-RIGS" and we're heading far up river to drift live shrimp instead of starring at rod tips all day with no action.

THE FLOAT RIG:  aka; "slip floats"

(I use ultra sharp Matzuo's hooks)

TARGET SPECIES:  "Action & bites", I'd be happy with. TROUT? I'd be super happy!

We'll also pitch some "Jig-n-Shrimp" combo meal here and there.
A standard way of fishing the shoreline structure.

So far in my opinion, the Big Bull Redfish "spawn" is a real bust.....
I've seen much better years, that's for sure.

10/10 - UGLY STIK; Tiger Lite unboxing a Jettywolf Moment

10/10 - Get 8-10 years out of your boats batteries.

WWW.NORTHSTARBATTERY.COM

other useful info:

-Battery Distributors SouthEast inc: www.Barracudabattery.com
904-378-7747

-Battery Depot: Ramona Blvd - 781-6167
                          Phillips Hiway - 268-8806

10/6 - Shakespeare Ugly Stik Review; Capt Dave talks "Tiger rods"

- Capt Dave discusses his favorite Shakespeare Ugly Stik rods; their great features, durability from a fishing guides aspect. 

He bleeds.....UGLY STIK! (wanna see the tattoo?)

I was on the G. Loomis pro-staff for I believe 7 years, and had more rods snapped in half than I've ever seen before. I've tried St. Croix's, Cabelas brand rods, even some Heavy Duty Penn rods.

I started out in the charter business in 1996 with a arsenal of Ugly Stiks, made the rounds trying out all the High End rods, and eventually ended up where I began. Because they just plain WORK, for me, and my charter customers. Happy to be a Select Angler thru Pure Fishing.

Video: Mobius Action Cam in 1080HD 
Audio: Mobius Action Cam
Mount: GoPro 3-way handle mount

Member of the, HOOKED-UP NETWORK on Youtube. 

10/5 - Beautiful Fall Fishing Weather: Jacksonville

10/3 - Capt Dave talks deals on Braided Line

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE ORIGINAL POST!

10/3 -Matrix Shad "Welcome to the Revolution"

The ONLY "Soft Plastic" I use!
The ONLY "Soft Plastic" I ever need!
TROUT, they make my world go round!
www.matrixshad.com

10/2 - "Take your Gal fishing"

SOOOOOO, much F-U-N!

(someday I'll be a Gulf Coaster)

9/30- Jacksonville Fall Bull Redfish

Joined by regulars, Dave & Eric, today.

Had a ball!

Sat thru morning rain till we were all wet. Then, came the breeze.

But to quote Dave, "This is a fisherman's kinda day. Tourists don't fish on real fisherman days."

And he was correct in every way! And it paid off with a big day, and a bounty of 25-35 pound Redbass, and a bunch of Jacks and Ladyfish in between on live finger Mullet on my "Comfy" Redbass spot, especially on the rising tide.

We dried out, and eventually the sun came out.

Good thing, we were never HOT, or SWEATY all day long. For all that complained about the intense heat back in JULY. 

"I told ya'll you should come back in Sept-Oct-Dec-Jan.......at least!

But really, "do ya have the salt?"

It's "SPAWNING TIME"...even on my deck!

9/28 - Did it again......

Some of you out there should have me on the payroll...because what I could save you in Fishing tackle, not to mention steer you towards a better more economical, roomier boat. Because over the years, I have perfected the craft of spending less and getting as much mileage as I can out of everything "FISHING".

For the 3rd time now, I have surfed on over to ________ and got such a deal on Good Braided line in quantity, it's insane!

Insane compared to what I see Braided line for sale for in J-ville's local yokal tackle stores.

You know you only benefit when you buy a large spool of line, and spool your reels off of it.

Well, for the 3 time now, I have got such a deal on this Hi-SEAS Grand Slam line. 2500 YARDS of 60# and 50# super braid, it has me wondering what the rest of ya'll do when you need to spool up your arsenal of reels?

TELL ME....click on the title of this post where you then get to leave a comment!!!

-Do you buy a big spool (1200 yards) for $150 at Strike Zone?
-Do you have all your reels spooled up at a bait shop?
-Do you buy any ole Braided line at 300 yards a shot?

I'm asking because I have no clue what other fisherman do, compared to me. I've always been like this. Everyone says, "well, you can do that. Because it;s your business...."  And my reply is always, "I've always tried to save money in BULK. Even way before I went in the charter biz"

Just like the deal I got last week with the 1000 box of 13/0 long shank circle hooks for $50 to my door. Some things are just too good to pass up. Even if I sell off a bunch of those hooks to "REAL" fisherman, I'll still always have plenty. I also got a deal of Trout fishing hooks, off Ebay last year;
1000 for $30. Really, where ya gonna see that in J-ville????

How's 2500 YARDS of Hi-Seas Grand Slam Spectra 50 / 60# Braid for $57.00, sound?
That's 1/3 the MSRP prices you'll pay around here. Less than WHOLESALE!

And I've bought it now 3 times! So re-occuring deals can be had!

NO. NOT EBAY.

From here on out, this will be the last time I show the deals I find. YOU'VE BEEN FYI'd, about paying MSRP. From here on out. The trade secrets, stay trade secrets!!

FOR YOU LOCAL FISHERMAN, YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW THIS, BUT WITH A BOOKED CHARTER, YOU GET INFO LIKE THIS WHILE WE'RE OUT THERE FISHING.

9/26 - "Post" Fishing Ritual, Jettywolf Moments

9/25 - SHARKS in the river, especially right now!

9/24 - A Fishing Guide's Tip:

YOU ALWAYS GET MORE WITH CAPT DAVE & THE JETTWOLF!


"""SUBSCRIBE"""

9/22 - Jacksonville's Mayport Jetty Fishing, MULLET RUN!

1ST TRY AT NARRATION. NOT PERFECT, I KNOW! TRIED 3 MICS, NO DEAL, ENDED UP USING THE VERY FIDDLY LAPTOP MIC THAT'S BUILT IN TO THE FRONT OF THE LAPTOP AND IT SOMETIMES WORKED. I RECORDED AND RECORDED OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO GET THE "QUALITY" YOU HEAR IN THIS VIDEO.

YEAH, ME TOO. I LIKE A GOOD TUNE BETTER. BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT EXPERIMENTATION.
"JUS' LIKE FISHIN'" 

9/19 - MSRP? RETAIL? NEVER!!!!!

Jacksonville basically doesn't have squat, when it comes to D-E-A-L-S.
I don't pay MSRP or RETAIL, If I did I couldn't stay in business.

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

WANT SOME??

Because as we all know when you go offshore and bottom fish. Y-O-U must use circle hooks.
But many of us HATE them for plain ole "straight lining" aka: "jus' holding your rod and plain ole fishing"

That's why Capt George of the Mayport Princess "party boat" like these hooks for deep sea fishin'.
He told me so! 

A circle YES. But like a circle, NO.

You CAN sort of get away with setting the hook with these. I'd call it a LIFT quickly kinda hook set.
BUT, you are within the LAW....even though like way too many Florida laws. Are about as stupid as the desk jockey's who write them.

If only the FWC had a clue. But we are stuck with them.

SOOOOO, would you like to have some of these hooks? Not at MSRP??

I'll sell YOU (cash on the barrel) 50 for $10.00

For the average Joe, that's practically a life time supply.

Get ready for the fall Grouper season, now. 
October & November is "closer-in" Grouper and Snapper time. (Snapper just for fun, of course) But 

Grouper is open, right???

-See, I don't even keep up with it! So, don't ask me about "offshore" charters. I quit doing that years and years ago.

======================================================

My Ebay listings at the moment:

Locals pay no shipping. Pick-up at the Jettywolf Ranch. And I end listing. 


(3) Shimano Triton reels:
      FIRST ONE (link) <<<<<<<SOLD>>>>>>>>>>>
      SECOND ONE (link)  <<<<<<<SOLD>>>>>>>>>>>
      THIRD ONE (link)  <<<<<<<SOLD>>>>>>>>>>>

(305) Eagle Claw circle hooks L197 7/0 seaguard finish
          LINK

(39) 4 oz. Banana-head jigs, heavy Mustad 7/0 hook
         LINK

(4) Spoons, two heavy weight trolling, and two monster Bunker spoons
        LINK

Numerous stand-up rods and non-stand-up rods: "Ugly Stiks, STAR, Okuma, Penn."
Combo a few with the reels listed above!!  <<4 used UGLY STIKS SOLD>>
still have more rods, though.

Come on by and see them.
Super deal.....Not even close to MSRP
RODS STARTING AT: $15.00 to "lets make a deal"

GET READY FOR FALL JUMBO REDBASS, GROUPER and more.

9/17 - The "RUN" is on!!

Shrimp all over the docks, the Mullet are in large schools at the Jetties, I'd say it's "Go-Time"
folks.

charter@captdaves.com - for charter info.

Jettywolf is safe, comfortable, high-sided, and built for fishing the Mayport Jetties no matter what the conditions are, from Sharks to Speckled Trout. You know I'll be there!

9/16 - Hey, where's "consistency"?

Had Jeff and crew out today. Went straight to fishing the shrimp boats. Looking to put the guys on a few arm strainers. Always a good way to start the morning, right?

No soon we got there and let out the first giant Mullet half, and we get a all out "freaker". The line comes tight and a spinner shark goes absolute nuts behind the boat. Then, as Jeff reels on it.
300 pound mono snaps.

Well that's what happens when these dudes go crazy flying thru the air and spinning all over the surface.

From here on out not much took place. The small sharks were stealing my massive baits that couldn't eat whole like a big dawg would. Catching only one small sharpnose that may have went 20 pounds.

Then, we get on one more with shoulders. But it just comes un-pinned. While we reel the hook in with no bait left.

We try and try, but it's evident. Something is really off.

So, I bag the shrimp boats and have it timed perfectly so we hit a BIG REDBASS spot on the last of the falling tide.....perfectly. Up in the river across from the USCG station in Mayport.

BIG fresh chunks of Mullet go out in the 26' of water.

CATFISH         CATFISH         CATFISH         CATFISH         CATFISH

play with our baits constantly. NO they don't eat it. They just play with it.

Booooring. So we head back to the jetties and I try the "COSTANZA RULE".
If you're unfamiliar with Seinfeld the TV show, I'll explain...

The rule is; if whatever your doing now is wrong, then the opposite "must be" right.

So, we give up targeting BIG Blacktips and Spinner Sharks. Give up targeting BIG Redbass.
And head to the jetties as the falling tide waines to a stop and starts to turn around, and take my BRAND NEW SHAKESPEARE TIGER RODS and we drop dead shrimp over the side.

Getting one break-off, one 17" Black Drum and a 17" pup Redbass.

THEN... 

I look northward. And there it is. B-I-G RAIN!  So I grab my smarty pants phone and go to my "weather radar app" and see a line from the St. Johns River westward, and a line from the St. Johns River southward.

Needless to say, "we beat feet!" and headed in. Which was a very smart thing to do. Because as I pulled the anchor the wind started at the jetties, after the stillness that proceeded it.
A definite, "here's yer sign!"

When I got the boat backed into her house, that's when it really cut loose. With lightning and pouring rain.

GUESS THE FISH KNEW IT WAS THE COLD FRONT, AND THAT IT WAS COMING?

Yep, many times they're talking to you. Ya just gotta listen. and their language is, "we're gonna give Capt Dave a fit today!"

Oh well. Back at it again on tuesday. 

9/13 - Wicked Sharkin, aboard the Jettywolf

9/11 - Full Moon, Hot, GIANT Blacktip Shark

Had a late call for today, yesterday. Two guys living in a tent at Huguenot Park!
I should have taken a picture of that "morning moon". Full, bright, and a "here's yer sign!!"
It's gonna be a tough day!  (It'll be a real azz kicker come next month)

I was at the boat ramp early as usual answering the question of why I'm at the boat ramp early to a acquaintance.

Let it be known. I'm up and about at 4am. AND ALWAYS AT THE BOAT RAMP AN HOUR EARLIER THAN MY SCHEDULE CHARTER, WHICH ARE USUALLY LATE.

But, as we were getting ready to depart I spot a massive school of small Mullet. I throw the cast net, I get a few dozen. Then, 5 minutes later, I spy a huge school of B-I-G Mullet. Two pounders!!!!!

I pitch my net and I can barely pull it to the dock! I caught big mullet enough for the next 10 Sharks charters, or 20 Redbass fishing charters as cut bait.

Now that's what I like. FREE BAIT! 

Since I essentially hate Pogies and everything to do with them. I loved this.
Cliff & James loaded up and we headed to the jetties.........live Mullet, Z-I-P!!!!!!
Run up river, Bluefish & StingRay.
Hot as all Hell and back. Zero breeze, Unbearable.

Back to Jetties, out to first shrimp boat.
20 minutes later James is on a stud Black tip, that almost killed him.
Then, Cliff's turn......

LARGEST BLACKTIP OF THE YEAR. LITERALLY MASSIVE. Cliff put his all into it as James was needing a air conditioner and a "nurse"...and maybe a cold beer.

Actual saw my first ever Tarpon feeding behind a shrimp boat in a pile of floating bait that shrimpers pushed over board. There's was 100 smaller Sharks feeding on the surface and as I dragged our 20" Mullet over and let it sink the Sharks were all over the surface , and so was a large Tarpon, eating the dead baits off the surface and it swam down the side of the boat.  W-O-W, that was a first.

People ask about Tarpon behind the shrimp boats all the time. I hear stories too. But why am I out there and have done hundreds and hundreds of Shrimp Boat Sharkin trips over the last 30 years and this was the 1st time I ever saw a Tarpon???

That 20" Mullet??????

That's the bait that caught the largest Blacktip on the Jettywolf so far this year.

It was dead calm hot as hell. So I came back to the jetties and used our live Mullet in the well, the small ones for a 31" Redbass, and a 5 pound Jack.

James was really down and out. So we packed it in and were back at 1:00pm. Which was when we were supposed to be back anyhow.

NEXT UP: SATURDAY

Pay attention to my rates page.
Monday thru Thursdays $100 off regular day charters.
That 1996 rates!!!
That's because this is Jax. Florida

9/9 - The Fish Cleaning....Attache?

9/8 - Fish hooks for Snelling

9/8 - B-A-I-T

Talked to a man for an hour and a half yesterday in Academy Sports on Atl. Blvd, all about "Float-rig" fishing.......

His name was DAVE!
He and I are on the exact same page when it came to float-rigging, BIG TROUT.
Amazing to meet someone, by just saying Hello, who is on my same wave length.

Accept he gets to fish, where and when, and do what he wants. Unlike me.

He told me stuff, I told him stuff. Great exchanges of ideas!!

And we both AGREED.

Here's the best MONSTER TROUT BAIT in the summer.

OH YEAH!

9/7 - For ya'll that didn't get it the 1st time....

 DOING A SNELL, THE EZ WAY,

AND WITH THE RIGHT HOOK

And........if you need even more??

9/6 - What the holy hell??????

I was re-watching a ole video I made about tying a "stopper knot" for your float-rig / slip float.
And ran across this "chap" on Youtube.

I wish I had a camera on. Ya'll could have seen my reaction. I laughed out loud and almost fell out of my desk chair!!

I say, "WTF" is he doing?

Is that actually fishing?

Minnow fishing?

Bait fishing?

sitting around in the water, with slicker pants on?

And I thought the Filipino's on "our" jetty rocks used a L-O-N-G pole!!

ENJOY THIS ONE:

There's obviously a entire series of this guy doing this, "whatever this is?" I wouldn't call it fishing.....would you?  Funny Shit, huh?



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

Let me share this with ya'll.
The other day out with the Kready Krew aboard the Jettywolf while we were catching 100 pounder type Blacktips and Spinner Sharks.

I was running out of hooks. For some reason that day. No matter what I did, I could never get my hook back. These dudes were slashing 200-300 lb. test leaders at boatside.

You may see that blue ARC de-hooker pole in my video's and photos. Yep, that's the ticket to getting hooks out of the BIG toothy critters.

I gave up on all circle hooks when doing the shrimp boat sharkin & release fishing. Way to difficult to get the hooks out, even with the ARC dehooker pole.

So, yesterday my new Sharkin hooks arrived!

200 of them!

Yep. ANOTHER SUPER EBAY DEAL, for Dave.  Same place I got the ARC de-hooker pole, for a whopping 30 bucks!  YOU can pay $30 for a stinkin' 20" ARC de-hooker, for Snapper releasing.

Oh, hunting deals is my middle name. I don't pay MSRP for anything. So that means I buy NO significant tackle here in J-ville.

I can't afford too.

Back to the hooks.

Check these super tough perma-steel 10/0 VMC Big Game Hooks, out!

The eye is even "welded shut".

Go look for yourself. You can't get any hook similar to these 10/0's for less than approx $70-$80 bucks a box  of 25! Many times hooks such as these even on Ebay are $25 for ten of them!

My deal, 200 count for $100.

NO MORE RUNNING OUT OF SHARKIN' HOOKS ABOARD THE JETTYWOLF ANY LONGER.

9/5 - How to Snell a hook, "the correct hook"