So Fresh and So Clean

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!

Dramamine please

Catchin' for Kids, and Catching Up

8-29-10

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).