My YOUTUBE Network (the Hooked Up network) Highlights and my customer Bob from Michigan's 21 pound Record Fish on my little Slab spoon jigs was included. Watch it here:
Had ole "grasshoppa" Chris M. aboard today with two buddies. In the river for Chris' first ever Sheepshead, and his first Gator Trout. (Chris had a boat, chartered me also, plus we plain ole fished together. As I took him under my wing and tried to teach the boy something...Guess it worked, he was the "HOT ROD" today.
Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Flounder, Croakers, Puffers, you name it we probably caught it today!!!
Taking reservations for December right now. Still have dates left. Call now to get your day out aboard the Jettywolf (904) 642-9546
GET YOURS NOW.....pre-book, advanced reservation. Holidays 30 days in advance for "prime dates". (904) 642-9546 8am-8pm Email: Charter@captdaves.com
Best inshore fishing - 2 persons - $400 per day (advanced reservation "Not hours" in advance)
Jacksonville's Best Inshore Fishing -Photos provided -Video to share -26 foot boat rigged for it all -Coolers filled with ice and bottles waters -Blog report to share -Visa/MC Amex, Discover, PayPal -Fish cleaning, bagging available -All quality tackle -NEVER a long boat ride!
Had a father and son aboard today. Just 24 hours later after the way-lay we had yesterday on mega Trout. Went to the same areas, did exactly the same thing and it was DEAD!
Yeah we picked up a few pup reds and some really small trout. But there was a H-U-G-E difference.
WHERE THE HELL IS WINTER??????
It was another "bluebird" day. And we never even saw the EAST 10-15 kt winds till damn near noon. And it never was very cool. Just yet another 80 degree day.
The difference was yesterday was PERFECTION. Overcast, windy, cool, and looked like it might rain all day long. Yep, it looked and felt like, W-I-N-T-E-R!!!
And I'm sure there was a massive barometer switch too. Which is never a good thing.
So being rigidity flexible I pulled up stakes from where we were and hot a rock pile in the river with the rising tide pushing good and hard.
There was some Trout on this spot, but for some reason not many my guys could catch. But I showed them, because I had damn near 3 in a row! Finally they each put a Trout in the box, plus we tossed a few shorts back in the water that they caught, and headed back after using 7 DOZEN SHRIMP to catch 5 keeper Trout, about 10 shorts, a Mangrove Snapper, 10 shitfish bait stealers, and two pup reds.
After yesterday, this was a big pill to swallow, and it didn't taste good either.
Moral of this story. WHERE THE HELL IS WINTER??????
What a day. These show only half of it.
Bob & Carol from BAD AXE, Michigan
FIRST 1/2 hour, Specks and nice Yellowmouth Trout on my 5/8ths oz. Slab Spoons
LARGEST FISH ever caught on my 5/8ths oz. Slab Spoons!!! 21 Pound Redbass. Taken patiently by Bob on a light spinning rod and reel (ugly stik, of course)
Carol with a sweetheart 18 incher, live shrimp and cork rig.
Yours truly with a 24" GATOR!
Bob with a 4 & 6 pound.......GATORS!
Carol with her 20 incher...."In da box baby!"
Yours truly, with a sweet 22 incher!
Bob, with one of four Black Drum, to sweeten the fish box, even further.
We had plenty of 15 inchers and loads of 14 inchers. We had action from minute one to the last minute and last shrimp used.
Bob set a record on largest fish ever caught on a slab spoon, we had a box of gator Trout, who could ask for anything more?
NOT ME.... -video to follow, when I get time to put it together.
Had some really nice folks aboard to day from Wyoming.
The jetties were super nice, so we parked it on the south side of the south jetty and I had 9 year old Rachel hooked up on a fast Croaker bite on her first drop. Such a cutey pie, and she loves fishing.
An absolute joy to have aboard.
The Croakers were chewin so fast and furious I really only got off this one photo.
Later, we set out some cut baits in hopes of a Big Redbass, but ended up with a Nurse Shark and two stingrays instead, Litl' Rachel and I worked the Nurse shark together and her Dad Roger too the Stingers. Have not really had much in the way of alien hover craft fish all summer and so far this fall. But today was my day for them, I guess. Either way, you certainly don't see Nurse Sharks or Stingers in Wyoming!
Next up.....N.E. Winds and East winds coming.
2 persons for all my trips coming up so we're gonna Trout track in the river.
In rough weather having the cabin aft makes for a much more comfortable trip. Once you get the fishing grounds, just move the cabin out of the way...two boats in one!#coastalfishing#biggamehunting #elfincove #salmonfishing #sportfishing #pacificfishing #charterfishing#fishinglodge
Posted by Hard Drive Marine on Sunday, November 8, 2015
WHY I LOVE THE VERSATILITY OF A CUSTOM BUILT ALLOY PLATE BOAT! BEEN HARD AT WITH MY DAD, DOING SOME SERIOUS RENOVATIONS TO MY HOUSE AS THE WEATHER IS PERFECT FOR IT. BUT IT ALL ENDS TOMMAROW...... BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. ONLY A FEW DATES LEFT FOLKS, IF YA WANT'EM YOU BETTER STEP UP TO THE PLATE. NOVEMBER SO FAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT WARM WEATHER...TOO WARM IN MY BOOK. AND WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS (CLIMATE CHANGE) I CALL IT THE 2ND SUMMER. NOVEMBER STARTS SERIOUS TROUT TRACKING TIME.
I LOVE ME A YOZURI PLUG. TOP OF THE LINE QUALITY ALL THE WAY. BUT THERE IS TIMES WHEN WE DONT NEED ALL THE JAZZ, BECAUSE LOSS IS ENIVITABLE....BLUEFISH, OYSTERBEDS, BOULDERS.....ALL TAKE THEIR TOLL ON A WALLET.
CHARTER CUSTOMERS WHO MAYBE A BIT STILL IN THE ROOKIE STAGE, MAKE OFF CASTS, HANG A PILING, ALL KINDS OF STUFF HAPPENS..SO, HOW DOES A SMART FISHERMAN COMBAT ALL THIS AND NOT "CRYING LIKE A LITTLE GIRL" , WHEN THE LOSS OF A SUPER QUALITY YOZURI PLUGS LIFE IS AT STAKE????
Welcome in the China effect. Buy the same lure effectively, bulk and for the same price get 5 lures for the price of one. Just proved in my last video that a cheapy Chinese diving plug even while filing with water catches fish over and over again.
Here is a comparison of a Yozuri Sushimi Jerk bait at $12.00 MSRP, and a (5) for $14.00 Ebay Chinese Jerk bait.
Sure there's a difference, sure there's a difference in "tank tested", and not tank tested. Quality control, paint and rattles. But the fact is the cheap Chinese lure has the exact same demensions and will still catch a Trout, all the same. And if it comes with no rattles, thats a good thing!! Many times rattles aren't good. The fish are actually liking a silent approach much better. "I've had it happen".
Here's each side by side..one is $12 plus, one is $2.50
JERK BAITS: Same size
$12.00 + MSRP (plus tax)
Not a complete "knock-off" but a very close resemblance, and same lure action overall.
$2.50 Ebay China lure cost. (No tax, free shipping)
NOT GOOD!!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE OUR LOW TEMP YESTERDAY WAS 18 DEGREES OVER WHAT IT SHOULD BE. THE ONLY REASON I EVEN MENTION IT, IS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR FISHING. ------------------------------ BECAUSE THERE'S A MAJOR HOLIDAY IN THIS MONTH I GET A FORCED VACATION WITH NO ONE WANTING TO DO SHIT. UNLESS YOU'RE CALLING ME WITH SOME WACKO IDEA, OR THINK I'M A PARTY BOAT. -----------------------------
My problem is I remember late October's when we all had to wear sweatshirts and jackets. Thats my problem...."I always remember."
THIS SUNDAYS WEATHER FORECAST:
SUNDAYNORTHEAST WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS TO
GALE FORCE. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET WITH OCCASIONAL SEAS UP TO 9 FEET
BUILDING TO 7 TO 10 FEET WITH OCCASIONAL SEAS UP TO 13 FEET IN THE
AFTERNOON. INLAND WATERS ROUGH. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED
THUNDERSTORMS.
YEAH ROLL TIDE......ROLL!! OVER THE THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY. FULL MOON, AGAIN. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO TIDE HEIGHTS (BETWEEN LOW & HIGH TIDE) OCTOBER TOOK THE CAKE AND WON THE PRIZE. EXPECT THE SAME OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. AS I TELL ALL FULL MOON BOOKING CHARTER CUSTOMERS,"HAVE PATIENCE PLEASE. HAVE PATIENCE!"
Planning a trip to "heaven on earth", Slidell, Louisiana for February. Not the typical vacation month. But if you're me, it's the only time I can afford to go ANYWHERE! AIRBNB.com has some serious deals on places to stay. And we're just gonna rent a boat for a few days to fish and explore around.
LATE NOVEMBER JETTY TROUT...."but ya better be salty if it's rough out there." THINK CHRISTMAS check out the coupon code here in this video for 25% off RUGGED SHARK MARINE FOOTWEAR! YES, 25% OFF ALL ORDERS WITH THIS CODE AT CHECK OUT. OFFERS GOOD TILL DECEMBER 31ST
Two rod reviews via Youtube Video on my channel(not yet subscribed? Well ya need too!)
Anyone who knows me knows I'm facinated with catching fish on a small piece of metal, aka: Micro jig. And I've been in "AWE" of the Daiwa Ryoga series of reels since the first one.
So, of course this leads to a progression. Wanting to try out the real deal when it comes to quality jigging tackle, not found all that easily in the USA, for some unknown reason. No trade agreements of something?
So, the next video will educate you on The WIKI - Fire Ocean jigging rod in a unbelievable, xtra,xtra,xtra, ULTRA light action.
Here's a clip from the manufacture:
The jigging rod will be paired up with this reel:
Daiwa Ryoga 10/16 - 12 bearing on every friction point makes it utterly the smoothest reels I have ever held in my hand.
NEXT is a rod that for the price just blew me away! The Wright & Mcgill S-curve 8' Tony Roach, bottom bouncer walleye rod. Ya say Walleye rod for a saltwater guide? Yep, but it has all the attributes I wanted in a long distance casting rod. Supple tip, with middle of the rod back bone, and 8 feet long rated up to 2 ounces. My use will be casting large trout plugs............. real far!
Yes, Speckled Sea Trout. My favorite fish of all.
Plus, the finer details of this rod (for the price) is utterly amazing! It has a long rear grip that's like a Golf club grip. Super tactile. That soft touch black reel seat material that's again, a step UP, way UP. And killer guides that have no ceramic at all, and look tuff as nails.
-this photo does this rod zero justice
The reason the Video has to wait, is because I'm waiting on this:
THE DAIWA SHRAPNEL C300H. Part of the Ryoga series of Ultimate baitcasters, this one can hold a lot of 50 pound plus braided line. Has all the attributes of a smaller Ryoga. But is a super caster, of large lures. "Just what I have planned for it."
Again, you don't even realize what you're missing till you fish these Ryoga reels, but I at least should pass on the knowledge, so you know what's out there for if and when you become a "TACKLE JUNKIE". I have personally tested out them all and tested them against some of the best, such as a Tatula, a Curado, a Lexa's. Sure they may not be of the same grade. But when you can cast effortlessly and almost into the direct wind with a 4" diving plug......I'm blown away!
Here's about all you'll find on Youtube showing the Daiwa Ryoga Shrapnel 300:
So stay tuned. I have a feeling to do this review, or as I like to call them, A Show-N-Tell. This could take awhile. I need to get it all done before Thanksgiving, because of course thats a huge fishing holiday. For all the people that KNOW, it's too hot to go in July August and Sept.
Kinda hot today. Not the way I'd like to see it.Years where it was very cold were always hugely successful Trout years. We actually set a new RECORD with the temp at 89 degrees day time high.
NOT GOOD!
Climate change must be real. Because the last year we had cold temps over this weekend was I believe 1996, and then 2008. I like it because it makes for Epic Trout fishing.
Started this morning at the jetties, and it was dead on Trout where I tried. And, "I know where to try for them."
From the river to the Mayport Jetties. The fish of the week is the week is the 25 pound Redbass.
And where I was fishing today all ya really needed was some dead shrimp......catch a Croaker. Cut the Croaker into chuncks, and BAM...Your on!
And at times all it took was a piece of shrimp!
Same deal as last year, this time. About the only consistent thing I can say that goes on around here.
Makes for great days. Everyone is happy. (Even though it would be better if at the same time we had a chance at a 25 INCHER, too) But the take home fish are giant Croakers, Whiting, Yellowmouth Trout, usually. No one wanted these fish today, so I cleaned them up and had them all fried up in Zaterains fish fry mix by 3pm!
See Greg here.....he was the camera man on Jose Wejebe's TV Fishing show, "The Spanish Fly".
This here was "almost" a TRIPLE-HEADER!
Probably from here on out, I'll ween off these Redbass trips and work on Float-rig fishing and jig fishing, in pursuit of the "keeper" Redbass, Black Drum and TROUT!
Unless, I get a part boat kinda trip (4 persons) and then I'm sort of forced to just bottom fish and keep it simple.
I have a saying...."If it's cold and blowin over the Fla./Georgia Game weekend. (I'm in heaven) It's gonna be a good winter season,"
Why do I say that?
Because when it "USED TOO", be cold and blowing by this up coming weekend. We always had a great winter fishing season. At least the "kick off" to the fall season was good.
If we're "sweating" on Halloween. It's not a good thing!
I remember when we had years that by now, we'd have bone chilling mornings. Could be cold (40) and crisp, and I'd still be in "shorts mode". But with the Grundens foul weather suit on. And I remember those charters, and they were great!
Alot of my career has to do with the climate. I'm like a Farmer. But my "crop" is the general public who wants to fish, and the fish in the water that I hope are easy to catch!
If I had a scanner I could fill this blog with photo after photo of those October days. Because that was before the "smart phones and digital age". But rest assured I cherish each and every hard copy photo I have, and love looking through them every couple years, especially with family and friends.
Yep, I've been doing this for awhile.
I kinda doubt that over Halloween it'll be 40 degrees in the morning. When condensation hovers over the surface of the water (water fog). But when it does happen.
ACTIVE AS DEFINED AS; "working your cork or jig"......Not just bait-n-waitin', fishing.
Beautiful sunrise of all places, while sitting at the boat ramp!
Look at that texture in the sky! "Was it a red sky in the morning Sailors take warning"
NOPE, not till the afternoon when it went from dead calm, no wind, slick water, to rough water , loads of wind and even rain!
Had Rob and Tommy aboard today. Game plan....go shallow, fish the simple corks and a 1/8th ounce jighead and dead shrimp. For.....IT ALL.
But it was too damn calm.
They did get a few drum and a few speckled trout but all were pretty small. With one keeper Drum at 15". Then, it was on too Float-rig fishing.
Loads of small Specks, too many ravenous sand trout. But they did box a few keeper specks.
Then we made a good move. River rock pile. Trout, Flounder and Reds. Between the float-rigs and just plain ole Jig-n-shrimp combo meals. Even a few Mangrove Snappers.
Ended the day cleaning fish in the rain back at the dock. That was just "wonderful!"
But a good day overall.
KEEPER SIZED REDBASS?? WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT TO BE REAL?
NO MORE BAIT-N-WAITING FOR ME IF I CAN HELP IT. SITTING AND WAITING FOR A BIG FISH (BULL REDFISH), THAT EVERYONE THINKS WE ARE GONNA KEEP.
Blowin, nasty at the jetties, smoking falling tide all day. Guess one out of three wasn't all bad.
25 pound Brutus T. Redbass at Blount island, on a cut piece of "fresh" sand trout. Lost the other strikes from break-off's. Getting cut off while using 50 pound Test leaders. Hmmmm?
largest fish my two crew members ever saw in person. (that happens a lot)
Prior, we fished shrimp on the bottom for an assortment of small fish at the jetties and in the river.
W-I-N-D...normally the worst enemy of all Anglers. And today was no exception.
BUT we prevailed. It took all day to get right. But Dennis and I ended up having a real Blast.
Shallow water
Snap-on Lemon drop floats
1/8th oz. jig head
Live or dead shrimp
..........40 to 50 fish later (many just undersized) we had ACTION and that's all that counted.
FISH RELEASED:
Flounders
Reds
Trout, to grow up for next year.
Trout to 3 pounds, Drum to 5, and Reds to 23".
WIND BURNT, versus sun burnt again today and it was well worth it. The water was so stirred up, and muddy from all the wind blowing over the shallows (3-4 feet max) that it'll take a week to just clear up if the winds lay.
YES, I see a Bob's Machine Shop "jack plate" in my future soon, as I have the best and largest bay boat out there, in my opinion and of those that fish aboard the Jettywolf.
At one point during the day, I drove up and the boat settled on a oyster shell bar, "crunching shells" under the boat as the boat sat on the bottom, with motor tilted up. Now thats a bay boat! NOT worried about my gel-coat!
USED, but in great condition. Especially the zippers. That's the real important thing.
1 - a Bellsouth Greater Jax Kinfish Tournament edition bag
1- a C&H brand bag
NOT JUST FOR KINGFISH...they work for Redfish, Drum, Trout, Spanish Macs, Grouper, Snapper, Dolphin, you name it....great for the boat with no cooler room!
(3) LEFT from sell off of horded tackle, by yours truely!
In perfect condition, may actually have never been used.
Shimano Triton Levelwind / star drag reels 100G model
Will and can catch 99% of all fish that swim in this area. And I probably have, with these Triton reels over the years. WORK HORSE & DEPENDABLE. NO GLITZ TACKLE.
$50 each cash
Credit cards/PayPal, add transaction fee +
retail price $69.99 BUT MINE COME LOADED WITH BRAID
ME AT: 904-642-9546
OR E-MAIL ME AT: CHARTER@CAPTDAVES.COM FOR INFO
