Blue Eyes

 As the Mother Natures switches gears the infamous BLUEFISH have arrived in the local inlets here in VB, and for us in-shore anglers it's a sign of the change of seasons, from winter to spring. This time of year can be pretty fun for all anglers, intermediate to the advanced anglers, these blues hit just about anything you throw, and put up a pretty good fight, if you are fortunate enough to nab  a bigger blue, also known as CHOPPER blue, then you have a real fight on your hands, for sure. over my past few trips out I was lucky enough to nab a few of these choppers, with one of them being my personal best 35" just a inch shy of a citation here in VA waters. The last few trips have been productive with blues, trout,flounder and a few slot reds mixed in as well. I hope to  make it over  to the eastern shore Va. in the coming weeks to try my luck for the GIANT REDS that are swimming the shoals, since they evaded me the first go round..

Bed Bass and be GONE

On  this particular trip I was targeting Bass for the Pirates of Lynnhaven monthly club tourney, this tourney is CPR tourney, three biggest bass by length,wins it all!!! My plan of attack for this tourney was to target spawning bass on there beds, ie. the big females. I made my way in and around the shallows only to find a few unoccupied beds and a few angry dink bass. As the day worn on and the sun got high, I switched up my approach to the matted vegetation throwing a 1/4 to 1/2 ounce texas syle rigged Sinkos and worms, and that seemed to be the ticket for me, although the fish were not of much size, I was at least  catching enough to put me on the board. I did in fact hook up with a couple quality fish doing this, only to lose them in the struggles of fishing in this thick matted vegetation, but I still managed to squeak out a 2nd place finish in the tourney with the few dinks I did manage to get to the boat, so all in all it wasn't so bad after all....

Cold....Warm..... Hot.......

 The weather was cold, the water was warm, and the Bite was HOT!!!! I decided to launch at Chesapeake Yachts on Thursday afternoon, and give it a shot. The weather was calling for evening temps in the 30's, and winds from NW 10-15 with a chance of flurries.I know some will say,what the hell you doin fishing in those conditions?? Well I have found that the colder the better when it comes to fishin the ER,especially the Hot Ditch, not just because the discharge is usually running,but there was absolutely NO ONE out on the water, and if you fish this area in the winter, that's a rare site. I managed to catch most of my trout on 1/4 lead and paddle tail saltwater assassins, slowww rolling over drop-offs  and ledges near these warmer water temps of the ditch. I managed 20 or so trout to 23inches and some really cold feet by the end of the nite, man I can't wait to get out of these waders, and into some shorts!!!! SPRING IS ALMOST HERE

Headed South

 

    For the Presidents Day BOONDOGGLE that is, in Merritt island Fla. for a long weekend of socializing, feeeshing, and just a plain ole good time.I arrived friday morning to a already busy  campground  full of boondogglers eager to get the festivities underway.As many asked what's on the agenda for the Boondoggle, well that's the beauty of it, there is no itinerary,no schedule, with the exception of a dinner on saturday night ,which also host raffles and giveaways, just a chance to fish and hang out with like minded people,and have a good time. That's what a Boondoggle is.


  Me being from Virginia this was a chance to fish a fabulous fishery in conditions that i'm not use too, going from fishing murky deeper waters with heavier fishing tackle, to fishing gin clear  shallow water with lighter tackle. there was a bit of a learning  curve for sure,but I was able to figure out a few fish with the help of some of the locals pointing me in the right direction. I encourage everyone to make plans for future Boondoggles,they are held on Columbus day weekend,and Presidents Day weekend, so pack up the wife, and kids, lets  BOONDOGGLE

Another one Down

 2012 that is, It's hard to believe it has come and gone.with a new year here it got me thinking,what would be some goals I'd like to achieve in 2013? Well the #1 thing in my book is learning to fly fish. I have always wanted to give that a try and, this year is the year. As for other goals for the year,I'd like to spend more time on the water, and also explore new areas to fish. The last thing on my 2013 list is to be even more thankful for the opportunities that mother nature blesses us with. let's hope next year will be even better than the last but until then, I'm gonna leave a few images from the last couple months of plunders on he water. Happy New Year

SPECKS

 As the days have shortened, and the temps have dropped the elusive "Speckled Trout" is on the prowl, and they are hungry. I decided to hit the inlet the past few days to try and find a few of these critters, and it didn't take long however this time was different . I made cast after cast at fish that I knew were in the area and was only rewarded with a few short strikes,as I grew frustrated at them, I had told myself I'll try another spot as I made my way to that spot I deployed two lines out and trolled. After a few short minutes BAM  I quickly grab the rod as the other one slams down as well. After I haul them in,I thought to myself, I might be on to something. I fished the rest of the evening trolling and ended up with 12 or so trout to 22 inches and dozen or better  puppy drum  up to 18 inches, this just goes to show you  it pays to try different things to trigger the bite. I guess in this case there was just something about the speed and presentation of the lures as I drug them behind the yak that got them going. I also learned another lesson while I was loading up to leave..... DON'T FORGET YOUR FISH  apparently  I somehow left my stringer at the dock with my more than still lively fish on there LOL!! I returned to the dock with  my headlights on facing the water to see if they were still there,and what did I see? my fish swimming away from me. I darted into the cold water and snagged them just in time. I could only imagine someone hooking into one of them and pull up a stringer of fish.

What The Fug Is a Boondoggle???

Well this weekend I got to find out for myself,what a Boondoggle is? A Boondoggle is a chance for kayak anglers to get together in a location for a weekend and FISH,Socialize,Drink,and Eat. Think of it like a family reunion,except everyone shares the same passion for this great sport as you do.

 The boondoggle started for some of us on Thursday evening, at the Ocean View pier. Here I met some of the regions finest anglers, Kayak kevin, Mark Lozier, Jay brooks,and even Lee Williams. I am sure if the fish under that pier knew who was up above those thin wood planks they'd surely head for deeper water. I also met Rob Devore aka A Bad Backcast, Mark Watanabe,Mark Wheeler, and many others. What a great way to kick off the Boondoggle.

 The following morning we fished the around the 64th street launch at first landing State park. The fishing was less than stellar,but a few managed a couple fish. It was still nice to fish among like minded people. That evening I made a run for some Striper at the Hrbt with Rob Choi, I personally didn't get any but I think Rob had got one. I did manage to nab a ton of gray trout and a 19in. flounder That was later used in the Guyataku seminar.

 Saturday started the Boondoggle officially for most people reason being, we had people travel great lengths to attend the event, and many arrived Friday evening. On  this day also was the Mini Rod tourney. Grab your Spider Man and Sponge Bob reels Me, I opted  for the the Optimus Prime combo, I thought was a sure winner, but my 16in Red I caught on it would fall short to a Ribbon fish that measured 32in caught by Allie Brooks, Jay Brooks wife CONGRATS.

  Later that evening we all met for a dinner at Salty C's on Shore Drive. Here we had a great dinner and plenty of drinks, along with a huge raffle that supported the local Heroes on The Water Chapter. In which we raised over a thousand dollars for. After a awesome dinner and raffle, we all headed back to DDolsen's cabin for a Guyataku fish rubbing seminar held by non other than Rob Choi . This is a very cool concept that the Japanese did to document there catches when they didn't have cameras . Rob had learned this art from his mother a few years ago and was nice enough to share it with us all. Thanks Rob

 Sunday was a bit of a rain out for the most part, a front had moved in and the temps had dropped into the 50's the night before, but a few managed to get out and have there way with the fish. As the evening wore on I had got a call From Mark Watanabe about a impromptu  pot luck dinner, and sort of a ceremonial  closing to the Boondoggle. So all in all, was the fishing insanely good? No, but the new friends I've gained is  better than any good day of fishing. If you haven't been to a Booondoggle ,please join us for the next one in Florida, Kars park Feb 15-18 you won't be disappointed