A few weeks ago, Kayak Kevin Whitley, Virginia Marine Police Officer Ron Cagle, and I were invited to the Hampton Appomattox River Company location speak on springtime striper fishing in the lower Chesapeake Bay.
Officer Cagle was awesome, speaking to the changes in striper regulations, and rules in general if you plan on keeping any striped bass in particular.
Kevin and I presented in more of a forum type style, which was really enjoyable. Whether you are interested in the conventional or fly fishing aspect of springtime striper fishing, Im sure you will enjoy the video.
Video courtesy of Kayak Kevin
Below you will find some information I came up with to aid the kayak fly angler. I hope you enjoy it!
After a ton of drafts, I finally found my voice for this post. One in which I feel really represents the spirit of reflection. So with that being said, lets jump right into things.
Redfish - 2015 found multiple trophy fish in both VA and NC, lights out fishing that I will never forget, and the absolute demolishment of a personal best.
Spring 2015 48.5" Redfish
PC: Rob "RMFC" Choi
While fishing the 2015 NCKFA Oak Island Classic I was fortunate enough to experience one of the greatest NC drum run's of the last 30 years. Even the "Old Timers" were using words like "EPIC" to describe it. While fishing off the beach, I caught well over 40 drum between 38-42".
Beautiful "Pumpkin" caught off Oak Island NC
I also found a number of fish in the fall. Plenty of trips were had with multiple drum caught, and more fish over 50" than I had ever caught ever in my entire time saltwater fishing. One experience comes to mind in which my bro Tex had a hunch about the location of the fish. He casts and hooks into his PB (at the time), While I cast and hook into another PB at 51". Well that didn't last long for me because on the very next cast I shatter my PB at 54".
A 54" Drum that comes in at over 60 lbs (L x G formula)
I also got a fight that I had been wanting for years... the coveted bull red piling fight. The end result was a 53" drum and a broken Trevala S rod. Well worth the price!
Sheepshead - Words can't describe my 2015 Sheepshead season. Insane amounts of large fish were the norm. During a 4 month period I only got skunked twice early in the season and once on my season ending trip. I caught them in insane conditions making for challenging fights. It was such a good season that I completely lost track of the number of fish over 24", while breaking my personal best with a 26.5" fish.
So many fish looked just like this one - insanely fat!
Conservation is key to sustain a trophy fishery. I personally believe in releasing all breeders over 20"
CPR is rewarded time after time.
I was also blessed enough to experience many PB's by good friends. To include Tex and the fish that kept him sheepshead fishing.
Roland "Tex" Butler with his first citation Sheepshead
Striped Bass - If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that I would be writing about this species, I would say you were insane. The trophy Striper fishery over the past few years has been pretty poor, but in 2015, it started off strong and kept on going through the year.
A 42" Spring Striper
One of the highlights was a Striper-Sheepshead surprise. This 40" fish came on a Fiddler crab in 38 FOW... in the heat of summer.
So shocked!
And one of my last fish of the year just happened to be my first "Official" Virginia Striper coming in at 45". This fish marked yet another Personal Best in 2015.
A 45" December "eel eater"
PC- Rob Choi
Coming in as an honorable mention for 2015 was probably the toughest pound-for-pound fish I have ever caught. The False Albacore had been a line item on a lengthy hit list for years. After my first trip off the beach back in the day... seeing blitzing packs... and the amazing speed they possess, made them an itch that I could actually scratch. Plenty of research, a good intel network, and lots of luck resulted in a good number of 10 to 15 lb falsies, and lots of laughs.
The first of many falsies on the day
Mr. YakAttack (Luther Cifers) with a RonZ eater
Some of the more notable absences for me in 2015 were those of the springtime chopper bluefish and sadly enough trophy speckled trout. The blues never really were a priority for me in 2015, but will be in 2016. After a Cold kill and loss of warm water discharge for the VA trout fishery in early 2015, gators kinda fell off my radar as well. Both specie will find their place on my 2016 priority list.
While 2015 might not have been my "best" year kayak fishing, it certainly ranked as one of my most memorable. In 2016 I am looking forward to the Usual Suspects of my fisheries, and some more of the less common guys such as the Fat Alberts, King Mackerel, Cobia, and if all goes well beach launched snapper and amberjacks. I am also looking to push my paddling capabilities to my limits, with some distance and open water events that will put all my skills to the test.
Finally I would be remised if I didn't thank some very important people. All of whom I consider friends that push me to my limits and will be along with me on my 2016 journey. Thanks to the one and only Wicked Pissah, Tex, RMFC, Kev, Lee, Jay, Tommy, Jeff, the ARC crew, Crumbwad, Danny, Megan, Steve, Lydia, Bryan, Luther, the cats at OE, and 2nasty. Y'all rock, and here is to 2016!
Thankfully, I have a lot to write about. Unfortunately at this point, it would be way too much for one post so I'll keep it quick.
Low pressure, scattered rain, and a crap ton of wind put a damper on my 2015 Labor Day weekend. What originally started out as an amazing 3-day period of big water and even larger fish turned into a period of sadness when I felt there was a legitimate forecast. Fishing was put on a hold, and I had to deal with it. Sometimes safety comes first!
So, before the weather turned to total crap on the friday leading up to the weekend, I was given an hour off work to rush to the water. I met up with my bro Tommy Dewitt, and joined him in his chase for his first VA Release Citation Sheepshead. He had been out for a bit before I launched and ended up with a few nice fish, but not quite what he was looking for...
Tommy's Sheepie just a hair shy of 24" and a VA Release Citation
(Photo - Thomas DeWitt)
Tommy with a consolation prize - Dinner
(Photo Thomas DeWitt)
While Tommy got to enjoy some decent conditions, I launched into total garbage with a stiff NE wind, and lots of chop opposing an outgoing current. While these are not enjoyable conditions to fish, the sheepies do enjoy them. I made a few drops on a couple of pilings and was plagued by the Sheepshead fisherman's worst enemies; Black Seabass, Puffers, and treaded Portsmouth Tautog (Oyster Toad). I move on and get the bite I was looking for. I didn't set the hook, and brought up my rig to find a missing fiddler. I smiled to myself, re-baited and dropped, and immediately found myself setting the hook onto what would become my Personal Best Sheepshead.
25.75" VA Release Citation Sheepshead
Unfortunately, the conditions were such that Tommy didn't hear my calls, and there was not a proper picture taken of this hog. No worries... Shortly after landing this guy, the conditions got too snotty to effectively fish, and we called it a day. A personal best to end a long weekend of fishing before it started lessened the sting a bit.
Fast forward to Saturday Evening. No fishing, just talking fish with Kayak Kevin and Lee. Prior to starting, I just had to get on the beach and see how bad it really was in the bay. After seeing this view, I knew staying landlocked was a good decision.
Sunday consisted of great company and amazing beer from one of my "Unofficial" (ok, DREAM) sponsor Back Bay Brewing. Almost a growler of IPA in, the talk shifts to fishing. After exchanges over the conflicting forecast (in which Tommy and I were referred to two "Bitches"), I caved and we made plans for the next morning. The wind was still clipping which made me unexcited to wake up early and experience a day where I would be getting a whoopin'. I make it to the launch at sunrise, to find excitingly and unexpectedly nice conditions.
Labor Day Sunrise Services... At the launch and on the water!
(Photo - Thomas DeWitt)
First order of business... make a drop and get Tommy his paper. Well, the fish gods had different plans, and I had the hot rod of the morning. Immediately, I hook a 20" class sheepie, and as I bring him up, I notice the hook is not in the skin, but pinched between two teeth. At this point, without a net, it's a crapshoot. I went for the sweep, and it popped off. No worries, "cause I got this... This is what I do"! Within minutes, I hook up again, and this time land a nice sheepie a hair short of 25".
We work the grounds for a bit longer in search of Tommy's sheep, but come up empty. Lots of baits being eaten by trash, but no sheeps means we decided to keep a few crabs each for the trip in and head out in search of larger fish. Upon arrival to "The Grounds", I was greeted by a waiting Jay Brooks, Meghan, and the Family Seed on their respective boats. The reports were not great, but it didn't matter. I know what I can do, and I was feeling good!
A few Kayakers from TKAA were out, and I decided to do something different from the rest of the fleet. I went to find a spot and instead of following the pack and using their techniques, I paved my own path. Each pass rounded out some different fish. Some stud Flounder, a solid Gag Grouper, and some baits for my friends on the stinkpots. It was all fun, but kinda boring until I feel a "THUD" This could mean one of two things, the not so elusive ROCK...fish, or them big, nasty bulls. I set the hook, and get into one of the oddest drum fights I have had. Not much initially went into getting it off the bottom, but about half way out, I had a strong run back down. Each time I gained more ground on the fish, but it was if the structure had an equal draw. With the drag cinched down, I made short work of the brute, but still got worked at the same time. Hard runs, but not heavy head shakes had me scratching my head, especially given the hook placement right on the nose.
Landing the second paper of the day... A 46" Red
(Photo - Jay Brooks)
I got the fish on the grippers to keep it fresh in the water, got an official measurement of 46", a few pictures, and got her off. In all, the fight was less than 5 minutes, and she was out of the water for less than 2.
A big, nasty, spawning bull released to"Get it on" and make some youngins.
As time went on, it was apparent that not much more was going to happen, so we paddled in and attempted to again get Tommy on his paper. Unfortunately, things sucked for both of us and we called it a day... But not after I did something I had never done before. I got multiple saltwater species citations on the same trip for the first time. I can't wait for my next trip out. Hopefully I'll be seeing double once again!
I thought I would share for those who are unable to attend tonights talk, and all of you not in the Hampton Roads VA area. Thank you Kayak Kevin for use of your lightline pic.
