This has been a odd summer for me. In the years past I have been hammering the fish inshore getting on good numbers of quality fish, of many different species. This year, the inshore fishing in SE Virginia really hasn't materialized into much to talk about, so I have spent my time carp fishing instead. Besides a few outings which produced a few Sheepshead to 25", Carp fishing with the fly rod has been my main pursuit.
Bowed up on the 6wt
A bit over 32" Common
My first Mirror (on the fly none the less)
Carp fishing has presented me with a number of challenges that have helped me step up my fishing game. It teaches you patience, to make the right presentation on a fish, observe their moods and adjust to the fish, and fighting fish in close quarters. All of these skills I worked on came into play the past month, when I went on a 3 week marathon to the great waters of the North Carolina coast.
These trips all occurred on days off, with the schedule looking something like this...
0600 - wake up for work
1600-2300 - go over gear, pack the car, and relax
2300-0430 - drive south
0530-1700 - fish hard!
Repeat for the following days off
last day 1600-2200 - drive north
This leads to very little sleep which requires good decision making and patience when your body just isn't willing to do what your mind tells it to do. It also requires a good playlist to keep you going.
Money Trees - Kendric Lamar
Woah! - Black Robb
Root Down - Beastie Boys
Woo Hah!! - Busta Rhymes
The music got me going, and it was time to get some fishes! Week one presented muddy waters, low tides, and lots of wind. With all of that being taken into account, there were still a good number of flounder being caught on the natural Ultra Shrimp. These bad boys were sight casted along marsh edges. Just look for sudden and violent explosion's, and there you have it!
Flounder on the Fly
Day two was searching new water for reds. Again, the conditions were challenging at best but we still got a few fish to hand.
The Wicked Pissah of the world famous Wicked Pissah Guide Service with a quality inshore Redfish
This greedy lil' guy fell for a Chatterbait with a PTL JP Hammershad
Following this trip, I had a 5 day hiatus in which I met up with Kevin and Lee for a fishing/fight podcast.
Late during the week, my boy Ted Crumb and I decided, "What the hell, lets do it again". Another night of driving found us at the fishing spot in just enough time to get unloaded, rigged, and on the water at sunrise. Sunrise services consisted of Topwater and Trout Tricks, resulting in a good number of aggressive, healthy Speckled Trout.
A feisty fatty fell for a Tactical Anglers Crossover
This weekend ended with some keeper founder coming off the flats, and a crap-ton of reds between 20-24" coming from a cut through an oyster field.
The third weekend was the weekend of the 2015 Hook, Line and Paddle TJM tournament out of Wilimington NC. This is an event that I fish every year, and has become one of my favorites. I would miss Christmas before I would miss this. So, I had a 4 day weekend to get out and really hit it. Friday morning was forecasted to be calm and clear. Everything was supposed to be perfect, except it wasn't. Winds were NE at 10-20, pushing the tides out, making things difficult. The Trout Trick ended up being the skunk buster, bringing a few flounder to 17" and some spike specks to hand.
Flounder on the Trout Trick
After a less than encouraging pre-fish, Seth Goodrich and I decided to change things up, with the plan of being "Hero's or Zero's". A paddle across the mouth of the Cape Fear resulted in some beautiful cuts with lots of oyster mounds, and clear, moving water. When we first saw the area in person, our mouths dropped as it was one of the fishiest areas we had ever seen. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving, and this was not the case. In looking for reds, Seth and I both saw a fish pushing 30" that would have made for a great day. This fish didn't mind us being there and looked as if "I'm going to stay here and watch y'all make fools out of yourselves trying to catch me." We saw other small reds, that just weren't in the eating mood. I ended scratching an insignificant speck, but the fish of the day was the flounder. Seth and I both lost flounder that would have put is in the top 3, with 4 of mine being 2nd and 1st place fish. I was sickened, but at least we brought home a few for the frying pan and found some new water. Youngblood Drew Camp really did some work with a 30 1/4" red that brought him home 1st place and an awfully large bag of donuts. I'm super stoked and honored to be able to call him a teammate!
At least the tournament day view was plesant.
With two days remaining, I drove a bit further north, and fished with the Wicked Pissah himself. We went out to two spots that produced fish for us the previous two weeks, but were fighting strong North winds and falling tides again. The first day, we expanded our search area after only finding flounder in the oyster fields, As we worked our way south with the wind, we started getting into flats filled with large mullet and some reds. I ended up getting out on a grass island to find a better vantage point and could see 5lb mullet spooking mid 20" reds. Our problem was that we were spooking mullet, which in turn spooked the reds. In 10-20 mph winds, we gave it a good try, but only had a slot red and a few flounder to show for our efforts. On our last day, we decided to go back into a spot along the ICW in which canals would lead us into ponds and lakes in search for reds. This was a good choice! On my 3rd cast I landed a red just shy of 29". Hopes were high, and the fishing didn't disappoint!
1st fish of the day
As we progressed we found more solid pumpkins. It was also an opportunity to test out fish shots with the DSLR. I still need some practice but all of these shots came from the camera on a tripod, and remote.
Notice the "selfie" setup back in the marsh.
Had over a half dozen quality fish in the morning, with some shots that I am extremely happy with.
The trip ended as uneventful as it started, with a long drive back home. As I write this, I cant help but wonder... When 1600 comes around on Friday afternoon, will I be Carolina Bound again?
Over the past few weeks my fishing has been sporadic at best. From my last post I had been getting into a decent class of Triggerfish, and some real solid bridge Spadefish. Between now and then I had to switch up my summer fishing style to inshore tourney mode. This led to some issues...
Trip one - My boy Tex and I went out to a spot to fish a real solid redfish pattern I had established this spring/early summer. It ended up being one of those days where two extremely competent fishermen landed (1) small croaker and (1) small oystertoad between the two of us.
Angler 0 - Fish Gods 1
Trip two - Ben Hoover and I decided that with the slow bite the day before, we would try to change it up and hit the Eastern Shore of VA for some flatfish. When we got out there we met the Kick-Kick MD crew (Jack Daughtry and Matt James) who had been catching some solid flounder to 20". For us, it was oystertoad after oystertoad. After hours of fishing, I managed to find (4) Flounder from 16.5" to 19.5" A far cry from the work that had been done by others just days before.
Angler 0 - Fish Gods 0 (Draw)
19.5" Flounder
Trip 3 - A mid week excursion on the SUP yielded no fish, but plenty of views. This trip wasn't all about fishing as much as it was about getting used to reading inshore waters. I was able to regain focus and center my soul in preparation for the first tourney of the year, so in that aspect I was fine without catching.
Angler 0 - Fish Gods 1
Trips 4 & 5 - After being down to the fish gods 2-0, traveling 260 miles and no sleep, I finally made it down to Cape Fear for some tournament action. This was the weirdest tournament weekend I have ever had. On the drive down I saw over 150 deer along the road (in downpouring rain), a running car in a ditch with 4' of water (nobody inside), and drank 4 Monster energy drinks, just to wait on early morning thunderstorms to pass. While I was waiting, I made acquaintance with a crusty old Korean War era Marine (Semper Fi you old fart), and a swarm of fire ants. I will just say this, don't think that you can drown fire ants to get them off of you, because you will lose. I also learned that fire ants bite to ensure they have a solid hold on your skin, then they sting.
After a crazy energy drink fueled morning, I got on the water in search of my 3 target species (Specks, Reds, and Flounder). I managed to find the specks about halfway to my target location, and left them be. I then proceeded to soak mullet at my destination while finding a pattern on artificials. While my mullet was on a flat swimming under a cork, I see a large wake making a b-line towards the bait. It hits, and turns right for my yak. I was thinking shark as it charged me, but when it hit the yak, I saw a solid 23-25" Jack. Unfortunately, the cork got buried in the grass before I could get my line back, and the hook straight up bent. Now my blood is pumping and I move around more looking for some solid Jacks (screw the tournament fish). I didn't find any more jacks in the area, but saw reds around 30". I established my pattern on some mid 20's reds, and while I was doing so, I had a storm bearing down on me. Being 8 or so miles from the launch, I left and made a strong effort to get off the water.
This is where it gets really fun! The tide was super low, and I didn't realize the wind was pushing the remaining water out until it was too late. I made my way deep into a cut, and dealt with an impass. At this point, I tried to turn around, but there was nothing to turn too. So I had one choice, risk lightning strikes and wait for some water, or get out and drag. I chose the latter and soon realized, I chose wrong. The first 30 or so yards were fine with hard bottom, then the fun started. At the beginning I was sinking to mid calf, then to my knees, and finally my nuts. This is when I realized I had made the wrong choice. When I was Balls Deep in fluf mud, my fears turned from lightning strikes to drowning. It gets better though, for about 500 yards i'm anywhere from balls to tits deep, dragging the yak. Over an hour and a half later, I am covered in mud from head to toe, thinking i'm going to have a heart attack before I make it to hard bottom. I will say this, one of my sponsors ASTRAL makes some of the greatest gear, in this case the BREWERS. Solid water shoes that (1) didn't come off my feet when stuck in the mud, (2) kept my feet and ankles safe from submerged oysters, and (3) still remained comfortable to wear after all that. From now on I will not flats fish without them! (No pictures, but I changed close before going to the HLP captains meeting, and everyone asked me why I was covered in mud)
To finish that day, on my way in I for the Captains meeting I see some amazing topwater action. At first I throw a Skitterwalk and get smoked by a 15" Jack. After another in the same class, I switch up to a chatterbait and landed 3 in a row. Being so ubsurdly late, I decided that when I had an unproductive cast, I would leave. I guess threes company, fours a crowd.
Tournament day, I woke up late and called my tournament partners Seth and Kam it was a no-go, id get there as soon as I could. After making it to the launch 30 minutes late, I paddled out and met up with them. Kam had a 14" speck in the bag, so Seth and I sent her for Flounder while we netted some bait. I took off my PFD and glasses, and got a few dozen mullet and spot. When it was time to go, I put my PFD on and realize the splash next to me was my Maui Jims. After 30 minutes of looking, I was able to find them and we were on our way.
As we moved to the speck spot, I tell the team to start focusing on the area. I managed a 19" red, but no specks. We move on and I get the unmistakable hit of a speck. I missed the fish and made another cast. This time "Bam Bam Bam" and weight. I knew it was a good tournament fish, but it never made it to the boat. In hindsight, it was at least a 3rd place fish, if not a 2nd. Damn! We move again, and I make it to the spot that I patterned the reds the day before. My first red was 25.5" and I gradually upgraded to a 26.5" to end the day.
Historically this would be a real competitive fish, so after a bit more fishing we head in. Now keep in mind the low tide fiasco I had the day before. I check Navionics and my track from the previous day and come up with a plan out, while staying in some water. Kam is not psyched with our path, but after showing Seth the plan, we keep going. At this point, every 5 minutes Kam says "I think were lost". This is not what a Type A male wants to hear so I kept going, and going, and going. On my last turn, I see a blessing and a curse. A landmark that I knew without a doubt, but also I knew how far from the launch it really was. At this time, we had about five miles to the launch and two hours to the weigh in. Kam later asked me "Did you know where you were going"? My response, "Of course", to which she said, "Obviously not, because you got us F'n lost!" Not my proudest moment. Sorry Kam!
Fast forward one long paddle and now I have less than 10 minutes when I walk in. the time is called, 3:55. Five minutes but I feel good. The Tournament Director Chris looks at my card and his eyes said everything. BUMMER!
On a brighter note, my boy Bob aka Toba, killed it with a 33" red and a ginormous lam to bring home to yaks! To boot, I got to chill with my fellow Teammate Drew Camp, and All Out Kayak Fishing Contributors Mike Eady and Seth Goodrich, not to mention the other great anglers and folks from Hook, Line, and Paddle and NCKFA. For me, I am giving myself two points for a new species, and surviving the marsh with a quality fish!
Well, it has been a busy week. Took Wednesday through Friday off work. Unfortunately, Wednesday was spent taking two exams, doing homework and chores around the house. It was on for Thursday-Saturday. I fished Lynnhaven inlet. I spent my time Thursday looking for the reds, which I was unable to find. I managed some small Specks and a 15" Flounder.
Baby Speck!
Friday was a better day. I caught a small speck right off the bat. I spent quite a bit of time looking for reds, and I finally found them. I had a knot fail and lost a fish. Saw the dreaded pigtail on the end of my line. After working the area, I had my cork go down and this time I had a 20" red. I had another fish about the same size hit a Redfish Magic spinnerbait with a Salt Water Assassin plastic. Not what I wanted, but I was awaiting a shipment from Marsh Works. Thankfully it came just in time for the tournament. I can say that the quality, action and price cant be beat. Sorry Strike King, but as the great Kenny Powers would say, "Your F@#%ing out!". I finished up the morning wit this small flounder. It was my first slam of the year! I did have the satisfaction of helping set up for the tournament, that is why my day ended so early. I sold tickets at the Capitan's meeting and met quite a few members doing that. Good times!
Baby Flounda!
The 2010 tournament started at 3 am. I made it to Lynnhaven at 3:45 and got set up. Last year, I made it there at the same time and the parking lot was almost full. This year was not the case. Fishin time was 6:05 am and the first car showed up after 5:00 am. I went out for specks, but in retrospect, I should have fished the light line of the Lesner Bridge for trout and stripers. I scratched a few 16" Flounder (I thought one was bigger but i measured it wrong), and a bunch of small trout. Marsh Works were the go to baits for the day. I could not find a red to save my life. I dont think that a red was caught there all day.
The dinner at the weigh in was great. I was lucky enough to win quite a few items in the raffle. My thanks goes out to the following sponsors:
I want to thank all of our sponsors, notably those I listed above. Thanks goes out to Mark Lozier - TKAA President, Wayne Bradbry - Tournament Director, the club officers ant those that volunteered to make this event a success. Cory Routh and Ruthless Fishing for all their work to get the vets out on the water. PURE SWEETNESS! Congrats to all of the winners. I hope to join your ranks next year!
9-4-10
With Hurricane Earl threatening "blah, blah..." and the itch for some panfish, I decided to head out to the Northwest River for some dinner. The Crappie and Perch didn't want to play on the microlites, but the bream were out in force. Caught over 50, bringing home 12 of the fryer. Also caught some small blue cats, which are a blast on microlites.
Good Eats!
9-5-10
With the TKAA tournament coming up in short order, I hit the salt. To my surprise, the water was nice and clean, not to mention a drop in water temperature as well. I got out to the ODU reef during low tide, and with some fresh mullet, proceeded to drift for some "Fattie Flatties". My drift was North to South, which made fishing fairly difficult. My first fish was a VA Citation Toadfish (at least it would have been given the state included it in the saltwater tournament). Shaking off the stink from the toad, my next fish was "tap, tap, fish on, or is it..." That is the fight of the ribbon fish, which got a piece of me. My final fish at the reef was a nice keeper flattie. If you don't know, flounder are notorious for their antics once in the yak. Lets just say that it was a mutual release. I finished up with a blue in the surf to call it a day.
9-6-10
Got an invite to fish with Mark, Kris and her son Daniel. We hit Rudee inlet in search for some "Fall" fish. Some specks were caught, with Kris catching one for our group. I hit a small red, which I was hoping was a speck. I tried fishing some structure, and had a nice trout hit. It decided to wrap me around some pylons, and release itself (I hate that). Im pretty sure I let out a hoot, and a holler on that fish. Still working the same structure, I hit a "schollie" striper to call it a morning. All fish in our group were caught on Marsh Works plastics!
"Puppy" Drum
"Schoolie" Striper
I had a prior commitment to take a friend to the ODU reef. After calling from Rudee and hearing "Oh, the water's like glass", I departed the Oceanfront for Norfolk. To my pleasure, I walk over the berm to find 2-4' seas. The period on these waves was not 10-15 seconds, but more like 2-5 seconds. Needless to say it was rough. We paddle out and decide that going the mile and a half to the reef is not the best idea. The day ended early and on kinda sour terms. But hey there is always next week!
This post seems to have a common theme (searching for redemption after a tough Saturday). I hit some local water with the president of TKAA Mark Lozier and his girlfriend Kris. It was a beautiful morning on the water and the company was second to none (thanks guys)! On the way to our morning destination, Mark hooked up with a nice red (approx 26-27''). Working the water and the incoming tide, Kris hooked up with a mid 20" red. I am feeling the pressure now. Next thing I know Kris has a nice red on again. This one was 27 1/2". All fish were over the VA slot size of 26". It is nice to have these quality fish in the area!
On another note, Mark is a pro staffer for a number of different companies as well as a local guide. Mark gave me some plastics and corks form a company called Marsh Works. Their products are sweet. The plastics have a nice shape (Bayou Thumper, and the Killa Squilla) and are durable. One of my favorite presentations for reds are throwing spinnerbaits with paddle tails. The problem I have with other baits is the plastics ride down to the bend of the hook. The Marsh Works plastics did not have that problem. Running over oyster bars, crab's clawing the baits, and the infamous croaker biting the tails off your plastics are not a problem. I fished with one plastic all day. The action is second to none. I recommend taking a look at their site and support a American company (products made in the USA).
8-28-10
I headed out to Lynnhaven via Crab Creek looking for some reds. The water in the system is getting better, but is still a bit murky. I got to my "usual" spot looking to hook up. I had a few short hits, but nothing i could do anything with. It was a tough day of fishing, but was nice to get out none the less. I left the water with the black and white striped kitty on my back.
8-21-10
After feeling down in the dumps about not scoring any points for the club the previous day, I hit the Old Dominion University (ODU) Reef. The reef is man made, about a mile off shore in the Chesapeake Bay. The weather was threatening all morning. After realizing that I was in the clear, I paddled out. I saw one Cobia, but was unable to make a cast. The water was like glass, and the tide just started to ebb. I was fishing a "Big-eyed Bucktail" flounder rig with a 5" finger mullet. On my first pass over the reef, I nailed a 23" flounder. It was a nice fish and a nice fight. I was on my way to let a new TKAA member paddle my X-Factor, when I hooked up with a ribbon fish. It was definitely a first for me.
8-20-10
I had the pleasure to fish in the 2010 Catchin for Kids Angler Club Challenge. I was fishing with Cory Routh, and two other members from TKAA. Fishing was slow for us, catching small sea bass, spot and blues. Cory caught a nice little 15" flounder to make us feel a bit better. It was a tough day, but in the end, TKAA took 5th place in the tournament (not bad for being the only club without powerboats).
After a long week, I was aching for some Redfish action. Saturday morning had different plans in mind. The water quality has been poor in the lower bay the past few weeks, but what the hell. I hit Rudee inlet, searching for Flounder. Again, the water quality was poor but I managed to scrape together a few flatties up to 16". I took a bit of a detour and went outside the inlet, hoping for some Blues and maybe the chance to cast to another Cobia. The waves were nice (for surfing), but after a mile or so paddle out, Not hits and no cobes, I decided to call it a day. It was a nice paddle in with the sun setting behind the boats.
VB Oceanfront and Rudee Inlet
A Perfect Ending
On Sunday, I was targeting reds. This year has been strange. Rumors of a huge mullet kill in South Carolina, a cold winter that culled a bunch of the residents, and water quality issues have resulted in a off year in the near shore locales. A few weeks prior, I hit some of my honey holes with some promising signs but no dice. I was drifting to some of my holes and the mullet were going crazy. I threw a Redfish Magic and had a hit. It was a short, non-aggressive bite but I figured "what the hell" and drove the hook home. Wouldn't you know it, a fish was on! After some nice runs, a spirited fight and some hootin' and hollerin' the first red was in the boat. She came in at a respectable 23". Fishing continued throughout the day with noting else notable. The water visibility was about 3", but it seems that if our temps cool down, and the wind lays back a bit, it will be a banner fall!
