7/28 - Dozen Sharks

Had a crew of two guys and two girls who wanted ACTION.

Well, although it wasn't as hot and humid as other days. We went behind the Shrimp boats and they got plenty of ACTION.

A Dozen Sharks, with several good sized Blacktips with one having a outstanding size and girth.

It was a lot of fun. With a lot of "I.G." - instantaneous gratification thrown in.

By noon, we all were longing for a different species. But the Sharks is all I ever catch behind the Shrimp boats. It would be really nice to get a Cuda at least, or some Bonita's.  But Sharks is all it ever is. So at Noon, we high-tailed it in and back to the dock.

Too much sun, salt spray and fun. Everyone was whooped.

-TAKE NOTICE THE 'BALL ROOM' DANCING SPACE THAT THE 'JETTYWOLF' HAS FOR FIGHTING A FISH.

-YOU DON'T GET ANY OF THAT ON ANY OTHER COASTAL CHARTER BOAT FISHING OUT OF MAYPORT.

-WANNA FEEL CRAMPED AND LIKE A GYMNAST WHILE BATTLING A 100 POUNDER OR EVEN A 2 POUNDER?  PICK THE WRONG CHARTER BOAT!!!! 

7/26 - 1ST BLACKTIP SHARK: Jacksonville Fishing Charters

7/20 - COMING SOON:

I like "comparisons" rather than "reviews".  Video reviews is such a over used term on Youtube.
And really there's just a handful of Youtube creators that actually do super reviews. And it's never on fishing tackle. But rather gadgets, smart phones and electronics.

I'm planning a comparison video, coming soon.

NEW, American ingenuity compared to Japanese ingenuity. And if you don't think there's a HUGE difference, you may want to stay tuned for the video.

Here's a sneak peek:

what's the differences?

7/19 - JACKSONVILLE SHARK FISHING -"Jettywolf Moment"

7/16 - I don't wanna be a, "Head boat"

I'M NOT A HEAD BOAT
as in: "not this"

Sport Fishing, "YES". WHERE LESS IS MORE!

RIGHT HERE

7/16 - Summer = S.E. Seabreeze, Bathtub water temp.

Had a call for a Saturday, but wanted to depart at noon or 1:00pm.

NOT A GREAT IDEA

Where am I supposed to park on a weekend at the time?  On a Saturday?

Then, it'll be windy. Not to mention maybe "stormy", and so dang H-O-T!

Common sense says DEPART as early as possible.

I do 7am depart, back by 1:00pm

And many people can't handle that.

Last few trips: 

Run & Gun fishing behind the Shrimp boats has been super "I.G" - instantaneous gratification!!!!!!!
Problem I have is all the Sharks have been small the last few trips. No 100 pounder type Blacktips.
You're supposed to be joining the 100 pounder club, when doing this.

The sharks have been on the small side, and I even "dropped down" the size of the tackle used, because of it.  Yeah people have a great time battling these 3-4 footers. But the real excitement comes with a high flying Blacktip or Spinner Shark that's a 6 foot plus and weighs in at a hefty 100 or more pounds.

I have plenty of video of the larger sharks. But not many this summer as summer's past.



THE MAYPORT JETTIES:

It really depends on the T-I-D-E you get according to the day Y-O-U pick.  You can always "consult" me about best dates........"But really, who's actually gonna ask me?"  NO ONE!!!

I prefer a rising tide while we're out there. Bringing in cooler cleaner green Ocean water, versus hot dark brown water. But heck, that's just me. Your fishing guide!

Species lately, on all kinds of tides:
-Redfish
-Black Drum
-Jacks
-Ladyfish
-Seabass
-Croakers
-Whiting
........more Sharks and Rays.

















Yep, just the other day we had 4 Black Drum, 2 were decent fillet'ables. And this was with some guys who really weren't "avid anglers" by no means. We picked thru the Junkfish, but persistence can get you some decent pup Black Drum. Not super whoppers. But then again, super Whoppers aren't as good eaters.

The Whiting size has dropped off significantly. Back in April & May they were huge.  Croakers of all sizes are out there, except the giants.  We actually caught many Croakers that were the perfect GATOR Trout sized baits.  But it took hours to do so, if you were to get enough to then try them for any Trout.

WORKING HARD TO KEEP LIVE SHRIMP IN THE SUMMER HEAT:

This took planning and strategizing, and many hours rigging up in my HOT garage with the fan blowing on me at maximum warp speed.

This is a 26 Qt. FROSTBITE cooler from Icey-Tek, with a hole drilled in it, in a strategic spot, mounted my 12V Double Bubble aerator to the side of the cooler with my Weld-bond epoxy & fasteners, lengthened the wires, and covered them with shrink wrap. And the Orange ammo box houses two 12V emergency exit light batteries (one as a spare) found on Ebay or Amazon for $16-$18.00. And now I have a "highly" insulated live bait tank to house those precious, expensive, LIVE Shrimp.   I plan to add a divider in the middle of the cooler, along with a thermometer, also. It's small and light, so I can change out the water easily.  With HIGH hopes that even tucked under my leaning post will help keep the water cooler, in the shade.

On certain trips I'll be re-introducing FLOAT RIG FISHING, along with using my new Spinning reels for Jig-N-Shrimp fishing. And of course I'll carry the trusty bottom fishing tackle.

 I pretty much just gave up on Float-rigging, because of the lack of any serious Trout at the Jetties. But I don't care. I will try other places, along with trying around the rocks.

JUST FOR ACTION!!

I remember years when it was JULY, and we float-rigged the Jetties and had 12 Flounder from 3-7 pounds!!!   On live Shrimp.  That hasn't happened since. But ya never know. And I don't mind trying with a 2 person charter.  

One July, fishing the Float-rigs in the rain we even got into these shiny "hub caps".

Of course, these are always the #1 fish when Float-rigging with Live Shrimp!!
We had (4) beauties like this "just off the beach" around Nassau Sound many moons ago. The same day we had the (12) Flounder at the jetties in JULY.  Guess that was back before "Global Warming"! 

W-O-W, have things changed.

7/12 - DEAD SHRIMP in DEEP HEAT - Jacksonville Fishing Charters

7/10 - rod sale....1/2 PRICE! new posting

NEW FOR SALE LIST......MORE 1/2 PRICE RODS CARE OF CAPT DAVE!

SO I DON'T HAVE TO REPOST AGAIN AND AGAIN.

HERE'S A LINK TO CRAIGS LIST WHERE ALL THE INFO AND PICS ARE

(although upside down and not that great, because cell phones make for shitty cameras, at least my iPhone is really shitty!)

1/2 Price Rod sale - Shakespeare Ugly Stik ""Tiger Lites"" 








check out the giant MANTIS SHRIMP I caught at the Jetties the other day. It was over a FOOT long and one bad mamergamer!

Guess they like "micro jigs" too..........

7/8 - "JETTYWOLF MOMENT" - July Jacksonville Fishing

I KNOW...I SPELLED "BREAKING" WRONG.

7/5 - JACKSONVILLE FL - 'FAMILY FUN' FISHING

7/7 - FIN-NOR LETHAL LT 40 - "unboxing & discussion"

BIG GAME COMBO'S FOR SALE:

Avet EXW Pro (wide) 50 2-speed

Avet EX 50 2-speed

Spooled w/ 100 Pound Power Pro as backing and then 100 pound Mono (a lot) on top, of both, w/ 400# wind-on leaders.

Matched up with MINT condition (vintage) Ugly Stik stand-up 5'6" all Aftco rollers, XH 80-130 Lb. class Rods.

additionally; equiped with genuine Avet reel covers.

$1,000.00 cash for both
(Not separating rods and reels)

email: charter@captdaves.com
or call 8am-8pm 904-642-9546

7/3 - In the river.....

Jig-N-Shrimp combo meals....Started out past the Dames Point bridge as the NEW MOON tided flooded in the river.

D-E-A-D

the water down there had us fishing all the usual spots as the wind blew like hell from the SW.
without a single bite on a shrimp.  Welcome to bazzaro world!!!

Two guys, "spinner tackle" casting and casting.

And as my Dad always says; "If Dave isn't catching, how the heck am I supposed too?"

Yep, and I wasn't getting a single bite either. Fishing a 1/4 ounce jig and a Matrix Shad, soft plastic.
OH how I'd love to have the guys from Matrix Shad over here in the summer and show them how well they work around here. Of course when they fish (their product) it's in the clean clear waters of the Gulf and or Bayou's off Lake Pontchartrain Louisiana, waylaying Redfish like stacking cord wood in the cooler.

NOT HERE.

Tried a few spots without as much as a Jack or Ladyfish. The "here's your sign fish".  Gotta at least catch them, and when you do. You're in the "correct water".

So off we went back eastward, towards the 100% Atlantic Ocean water. By now the tide started to fall and we were off to the races on plenty of Jacks and Ladyfish....AND MANGROVE SNAPPERS!

Largest at 8 pounds really pulled on the light spinner gear.

Largest Mangrove 14" (largest of the summer so far) off submerged rocks.

7/1 - The Atlantic Ocean

"some day when I grow up. I will be a Gulf of Mexico, coastal Angler!"


Today, was a total nightmare!  I had one guy aboard the Jettywolf. A young guy who I thought was a "tad salty".

I was WRONG!

The plan was to go to my favorite set of offshore ledges (favorite because they've produced and are close)

BUT. When I was down to about 4 knots, and was getting passed by the Majesty "party boat". I turned around.

It was so sloppy and rough with really nice 4 footers breaking every once in awhile, as we made it 5 miles offshore. While listening on the radio to the party boat Captain complaining about the state of the seas off our coast all summer long. He was doing nothing but repeating EXACTLY what I have said all summer myself.

- Not a single glass calm day so far this summer.
-Remember when JULY meant calm seas?
-This isn't good for anyone (the Ocean today)
-"don't bother coming out here, unless you want to take a beating"

And just think, the party boat is what? 70 feet long???

We turned around at 5 miles, after sucking too much fuel, getting soaked, and dropping off a few "comers' that came over the side of the Jettywolf!
And it's a whopping 7:45am.  The day before was calm, what happened over night?

So I turned around.

The plan was to catch some Cuda's, maybe a Kingfish, and drop out a "wicked Tuna rigged" chunk of bloody Bonita on a balloon for a REAL Shark.

I turned around, and went to the "OLD" Spoil Area.

Yep, no one ever pays that area any mind, anymore.

Do you know that that are is only 30 feet deep, and is surrounded by 50+ feet of water? It's a huge hump from all the dumping of sand out there.  It used to be a great area. I would catch big Spanish Macs out there. Football Bonita's, a Kingfish every once in awhile. And the area has yielded it's share of summer Sailfish and giant Sharks, for many people.

We got there and it was a lot calmer. But my one crew member was down for the count, sea sick.
And after a futile attempt at setting up a big Shark bait, and waiting. He needed "land" or at least to get much closer to it.

The day was a disaster, and one long boat ride in rough seas. So he finally came back to life and caught a few Sharks (small ones) behind a Shrimp boat.

Moral of this story;  "You're fishing inshore, the Jetties, or the beach." aboard the Jettywolf.

"I'm not doing this again"    

6/29 - Going Cowboy'n

Had Mike D. and crew aboard today. His young boy, and his two neighbors. Mike said, "let''s go Sharkin'".  So that's what we did. Good and early. 6:30am.

Right off the git-go, they certainly didn't want my baits on my usual Big Balsa Floats, that I use to keep the baits from sinking into the Shrimp boat nets as we run and gun behind the shrimp boats out side the inlet.

So we nixed the floats and just let the 1/2 pieces of boston mackerel sink. And that was the ticket!

Mike was up.....

The big Blacktip Shark gave us a show as it jumped and splashed behind the boat as it "SMOKED" the 60# mono off the reel.

The Shark fought unusually hard and I could tell (from experience) that something was up.
Mike strained and strained to get the Shark to the boat, and as soon as it popped up, "Yep, this was a strange one!"

The Shark got lasso'ed! (is that a word?)
My 400# mono leader was wrapped around the base of the Sharks head, and my 10/0 VMC hook had the leader around it, creating a perfect Lasso.

I gotta give it to this Blacktip. It was a champion of a fighter as it pulled and Mike pulled and was about to pinch it's head off!


Yep, this is why I over gun it when doing this fishing. I used to use smaller hooks, and 200# mono leaders. But we also lost a lot of Sharks, too.

Because of the crazy things that "just" happen!

I went to release the Shark from the grips of it's Lasso, and I knew it might not be good. As I grabbed it and snatched the hook off the mono leader, the hook swung around and foul hooked the Shark again! But, obviously not all that deep as it pulled loose after a few seconds.

That's why I tell everyone, "Until the hook is free and in my hands, stay in the fish fighting position, ready for mayhem! Just incase." 

Out of the three Sharks we caught, only one was actually in the jaw.

Here's what I came home to Mike. (Mike is a Bird Vet)

Some kind of Hawk in my Tree in the front yard, staring down Lizards.

Then, it swoops down and lands right at my front door, to take a closer look at Lizard Land. And says hello to my concrete Pelican statue

Then later, my front yard gets visited (at the bird bath) by a group of Crows, which kept walking over and looking up under my covered "Boat-port", to admire the Jettywolf, ready for tomorrows, Kids Trip.

6/28 - Necessary Evil

After fishing the river last year with Jig-N-Shrimp combo meals and getting "spooled" by giant Bull Redfish in shallow water using "cheapy" Okuma 'Trio 30' Spinning reels.  I decided, to get those obtrusive necessary evil's called, NEW spinning reels....UGH!

The Okuma trio 30's have seen better days. Out of 6 of them, only 3 aren't stripped out.

I hate a spinner as you all probably know by now. But, because the general public are NOT avid anglers. I have to tote around the handicap of reels, so they can cast on their own.

(When we aren't float-rig fishing; AKA: letting the current do all the work, while using conventional bait casting reels)

NEW SPINNERS ON THEIR WAY:

4- FIN-NOR LETHAL 40'S

A bit over sized for what you'll be doing with these reels. But you need it. Huge 30 pound braided line capacity, and built rugged, so as usual, they'll take a beating. and when you hook up a 30 pound Redbass in 8 feet of water this fall. You won't strip the handle off.

6/28 - YETI HOPPER 40, "AS A FISH BAG"

6/26 - Summer, "jack of all trades" fishing...

Let's see....

I've had a run of a week or more of trips and I've chased the shrimp boats shark fishing. Trolled Cigar Minnows on the beach because the Pogies were a pain in the ass to catch. Bottom fished the wrong tide for Bull Redfish, bottom fished the Jetties with a few super newbies, and it was dead, because all we had was shrimp. Used Live and cut Croakers for bottom bait, without a sniff.

So today with dark clouds, thunder and lightning, and driving rain. I stoked up the "Intensive Care Unit" to full max.(recycling pump), and filled the baitwell with ten dozen live shrimp and took 3 guys "Jig-N-Shrimp" fishing inshore. I even went up in a creek and ran aground on a sand bar!  Spent hours hiding under two different bridges in the rain, and it wasn't "brutally hot", because we were wet 70% of the day.....

Actually had pretty consistent action. They asked the night before, "what are we targeting??" twice in two different phone calls.  I repeated, "we're targeting action!"

"HIDING" EZ tying off wherever, when your boat is HD plate alloy. No fear of crushing that fancy gel-coat!

BUT, THERE'S LOTS OF NICE TROUT UNDER HERE!!

Luke busted several Trout t0 17", under the bridge in the high winds and driving rain!
"I liked this spot!"

The 3 guys caught loads of these, but sacrificed a whole lot of shrimp to do so.

Along with lots of Mangrove Snappers, they had  Speckled Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish, a couple Flounder, and Croakers.

No big Bubba fish. But at 1:30 the 10 dozen shrimp were gone. So we headed back to clean the fish.

I used my 40qt. Yeti Hopper soft sided cooler for a fish bag. It really worked out!  All the fish were extremely cold. I kept a "slush" in the bag, which chilled the fish a lot better than laying on ice in a hard cooler. Plus, the cooler bag takes up much less room on the boat. Stowing under my leaning post, very neatly.  I learned that if you add a handful of "rock salt", You can just about freeze the fish if you want.

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

VIDEO - REVIEW - INFO - COMPARISON - COMING SOON about the Yeti 40 qt. Hopper soft sided coolers.

6/22 - King Neptune shined on us

POGIES - MENHADEN - GREASERS - BUNKER - pain in the ass bait fish!

Whatever you call'em. 
They have never been the "end all" bait for me.
They are sissy baits. Yeah, I know getting some each time I go out is nothing but a shot in the dark.

So like fishing the Jetties and river. I never "NOT" have some plain ole dead shrimp. Well, when ever I plan on "trolling", I never not have a plain ole box of Cigar Minnows.

Ya gotta have PLAN B, always.

Today I spent way to long in the pursuit of Pogies on the beach with many others.  My 8' Pogie net is really letting me down. I threw that SOB, 25 times to catch ONE stinkin' Pogie. The water was deep, the Pogies were huge, and they just swim out from under my net. (plan for a way heavier net next year!)

As time ticked away and my 3 customers looked as if they were about to fall asleep, things were so exciting. I said, ENOUGH!

We drove out to the S.E. Hole area (50+ feet of water) straight out from the old Sea Turtle Inn hotel, that's now The One Ocean hotel, and costs twice as much!

I dropped a "naked" cigar minnow rigs over the side, and began to troll at just idle speed with my 250 Zuki outboard. And the 2nd rod I put out our ONE Pogie, I had in the well.

10 minutes, maybe 15 passed and we reached 54' of water and the Ugly Stik Catfish rod, and Daiwa Saltist 20HC started to bend over and scream.

We were due! All that looking and castnet throwing. And when it boils down to it, "I'm just a cigar minnow troller, anyhow. It's all I used to do years ago, with great success."

This wasn't any Spanish Mackerel, or a Shark.
It was Big and Super fast.

I thought maybe a giant Jack Crevalle?

The battle went from Eric (dad) to his son, to his daughter, back to Eric, to his son, to his daughter, back to Eric, before we ever saw what it was. (probably a total of almost 30 minutes!!!)

When it finally came up it was a wonderful sight. A huge Kingfish. Not the usual "snakes" that I'm used too when trolling the inshore reefs. But a true "smoker".

In the 40 pound range as it crushed down my 30 pound Boga-Grip like a fall Bull Redbass from the river. The three of them just managed to get a good grip on it, for a good photo.

I'd have to measure my fish bags length. To get a idea. But it practically filled the whole bag, length wise. With maybe a few inches to spare.

We caught a small Shark afterwards that "sand bagged" the one live Pogie (yeah, it was still swimming), by eating it and we drug the shark to the boat as if it was a wet beach towel.

The heat poured on as the breeze started to fade off. And Eric's son battling a Cold wasn't really doing so well. So we headed in, and were back to the dock by noon.

"Time to make the donuts!"

And this was all that was left, after a good filleting.

BOOKED:

Friday thru Sunday, then a short prep, then time for the July 4th Vacationers.

In my mind and personal fishing calendar. The July 4th Holiday marks the 1/2 way point thru the summer fishing season for me. And I'm glad.  By now, I'm already dreaming of 40 degree mornings, with fog on the water, rods rigged up with Float-rigs and a livewell full of sprightly shrimp.......

NOT POGIES.

6/21 - OPEN EYE SWIVELS

No longer available on Ebay.

I stopped the listing, because I'm getting low on these swivels.

Plus, I was selling them at a cost that ends up almost costing me.
Yeah, I wanted to offer them. But with free shipping at .70 to ship, plus ebay and paypal fees, I'd have to ask $20 for 50 instead of $10 for 50.

Which if you want some, that's what you'll have to pay, now.

I may re-order some more. Or I may not.

It's really tough for the "little guy" to make a buck or two on Ebay any longer. But that Global audience is what it takes if you actually want to do any business.

If you want a few, I maybe able to help you. But as of now, the sale of the open eye swivels is off the market.

Jacksonville Summer Vacation; Affordable Kids Fishing Trips!

Q&A PLUS Shoe discount, & Bait Shop visit

Days of July; COMING ALL TOO SOON