Lets Try this One More Time

So we are going to chalk up 2014 to an adoration it ended up being a crazy year of transition in my life and one of the items that was moved to the back burner was this blog.  I can say that I did my fair share of fishing and catching for that matter but I would bore you with all the details.

Its has been a slow and cold start to my 2015 bass fishing year.  I have managed to only get out and wet a line two or three times of any consequence and have managed to land two fish and only one bass.  However that bass did turn out to be a solid 4.5 to 5 lber, wasn't carrying my scale on that day.

I have managed to do a little upgrading to my tracker.  She has a few new additions for the warm weather that I hope is right around the corner.  I have upgraded the trolling motor to a new Minn Kota 55lb and added new electronics in the form of a Lowrance Elite 7 HDI.  I took both of them out together for there maiden voyage on Sunday and they both worked like a charm.  I have never seen so much detail in the water.  Now my free time is going to be spent learning how to enhance my ability to interpret what I see, but this is one fisher man who could not be more happy.

In exactly one week I will be boarding a plane for what is now turned into my annual Florida trip.  This year we have extended our trip a day and added more fishing.  The hope is to fish four days while we are there but each year we have had to lose a day due to weather.  This year we built in an extra day thinking the same may happen and at minimum we will get in three.  I am eagerly waiting in anticipation, cleaning, organizing and re-spooling my equipment in preparation.  I am glad that February is behind us and hope that the spawn is upon us soon.

Until next time.....Tight lines!

Ready, Set, Lets Go!

March 9, 2014

It is rapidly approaching, that time of year, when I embark on another journey south.  This year it can not come soon enough.  The weather looks like spring is finally trying to force her way through, I just hope old man winter knows that it is his time to give up.  I have still yet to get my hand around a bass.  I have succumb now to the realization that my first bass of 2014 will be Florida one.

I set sail Thursday for my second annual trip to South Florida for a long weekend with Brandon and James in search of bucket mouths we all so love.  This year the first stop will be the Big O.  I imagine that we will find some matts and go to work, hoping that double digit fish is ready to bite.  Saturday the plan is to hit the hidden limestone quarries known to us as the Peacock Pits. Last year a cold front the night before really hurt our fishing for peacocks as we were only able to land a handful, but it was still a highlight for me to catch a beautiful Amazonian fish.  As of right now Sunday is still up in the air.  We may head down to Miami and try for more largemouth and peacocks in the canals or we may head off shore to do some sport fishing. Whichever it turns out to be I am pretty sure I will not complain.

I did not envision my skunk to last this long but I am confident that it will be coming to an end in only a few days.  I will have the GoPro will be updating my blog upon my return.

Until next time enjoy some photos from last years trip.

Mounting Frustration

February 22 & 23, 2014
Its been a tough year bass fishing; for me at least. I was pretty excited leading into this past weekend.  We had our first real warm spell last week with multiple days in the 60's.  The weekend outlook seemed promising as temperatures were predicted to be in the 60's.  As planning commenced I decided to participate in my first bass tournament.

The tournament was scheduled 7-4 on Lake Meade in Suffolk, VA. The turn out was large, as 23 boats showed for a shot a little cash and a tug on the end of the line.  Neither one happened for me!  It was a hard day sledding. I spent all day pounding away trying to locate fish and find the pattern. After 8 plus hours nothing to throw in the live well.  My boat partner (DJ) and I did manage to hook in to a few pickerel but the largemouth we were seeking did not cooperate.  I didn't feel as bad to learn that of the 23 boats only 11 caught brought something to weigh-in.  On 11 boats only 24 bass were caught and one boat had a limit.  It seemed to be a hard day for everyone.

Sunday saw me headed to West Neck Creek with my boat and dad in tow.  We got a late start pushing off about 12:30 and headed straight to what we now refer to as Charlie's Point.  We weren't there long when pops hooked into a decent 1.10 bass on a suspending jerkbait.  But that was it for the day.  No more bites. We hit a few different spots that I have had previous success at but and that stench is on me.

This leaves me in a place that I hate to be, desperately wanting to get my hands on a bass.  February is coming to a close and that first bass of the year still eludes me.  I pray this streak ends soon as my confidence is beginning to take a hit.  Warmer weather and good fishing can't come soon enough for this guy.

Until next time...

Still Drummin'

February 9, 2014

After a week about thinking fighting drum, and with the threat over more nasty weather on the horizon the choice to take the boat out was an easy one to make.  Loaded up and headed out with my normal partner on board along with a buddy DJ who wanted to see if he could get on the drum action.  I had heard that there were still some drum in the area and people had been landing a few, but got a report from one friend that Saturday he only caught one.  My expectations were mixed as we pulled off the ramp at Rudee Inlet and headed out.

It didn't take long again to find the pattern and what they wanted.  Like last Sunday I had 2 fish in my first few cast.  I tried different lures, colors, and sizes this time to see if the fishing was just really good or we had stumbled onto something.  My findings were that they preferred the smaller 3" baits and more natural colors have produced better than the opposite.  We finished up with another fantastic day of fishing.  I finished with boating 30, I believe Brandon and DJ had 25 and 11 respectively.  Which if my math and our count is correct that is 66 drum that saw my boat on Sunday.  I would say that is a good day!

It is really difficult to complain about fishing that is this good, but as Brandon and I discussed afterwards we would both trade a good day bass fishing for a great day drum fishing anytime. I guess that we are both truly bass fisherman at heart.   I have caught close to 60 drum myself over the course of the past two weekends, but I have yet to catch bass this year.  My itch to fish has been scratched for the time being, but that inner desire to fight a largemouth is beginning to well up deep from within.

Until next time...

Beating the Drum

Sunday February 2, 2014

After many inches of snow and cold days, the weather finally broke enough for me to get out and wet a line.  I was slowly going crazy not being able to fish, constantly waiting, watching and hoping for warmer days to come.  The weekend looked decent enough, although the water conditions were not favorable enough to get out and hunt the bass that I so desperately wanted to catch.  So, in turn, I headed to Rudee Inlet in hopes of hooking up with whatever would be so kind enough to take my bait.  I had heard that the puppy drum were biting and off we went.  I had a quick 4 hour trip Saturday afternoon with my trusted fishing companion Brandon that yielded us 3 drum and we decided with a 60 degree day on the horizon that we should give it a shot again.  We loaded up and head out this time with my dad in tow as well.

Brandon on Saturday

One from Saturday

Once we got to our spot we knew it would be a good day.  I landed fish on cast number 2 and 3 of the day and with in the first 15 minutes each one of us had at least one fish netted and in the boat.  Four hours laters we had amassed what we totaled to be 63 drum.  Most 22-26 inches long from 3.5 to 7 pounds.  I couldn't have asked for a more fun and enjoyable time on the water.  I don't know a fisherman alive that could complain about the day that we had.  The only thing I wish was that they were all bass.

With regrets I failed to take the GoPro out with me so picture from the phone is all I have to attest to our success and of course the word of the 2 guys on board with me.

The first one of the day

Brandon with a nice puppy drum

Dad happy to be catch some fish

Until next time....

Until next time...

Ice Fishing

Friday November 29, 2013

I am not much of a Black Friday shopper.  I believe that in 30 years of life I have made only one purchase on Black Friday and it was a tv for myself.  With that being said I saw this as a great opportunity to go out and try and find some fish.  The weather was predicted to be in the 40's with a winds out of the N NW at 10-15.  I decided to get an early start with my pops as usual.  I just love being on the water early.  Today that may not have been the best idea.  As we rode over the West Neck bridge this morning to my shock the entire creek was iced over.  We decided to ride up to the ramp and take a closer look.

We saw one other really smart truck in the parking lot that appeared to beat us to the idea of heading out in the ice.  My dad and I looked at each other and said what the heck we are already here, never been ice fishing before.

It was a slow needless to say.  We headed to the bridge first since this was the only visible spot that had no ice on the surface to make a cast.  It was so cold that on the retrieve ice was forming on the eyelits of my rod.

We try to find clear open water and deep water and tried North Landing channel as well as the Pocaty but not a tap, nibble or bite on anything that we were presenting the fish.  After some more debating we decided to head back up to West Neck to give it a shot.  We passed fellow blogger and fishing enthusiast Charlie at the bridge. He appeared to have just made it out and thanked us for breaking the ice to make it easier to for his paddle out.  The north side of the bridge offered us the same result as everywhere else, nothing.  About 1130 we made our way south again to call it a day when I decide to throw on one more point that I have had some success in the past.  It was in this last location that I got my first bite and the only fish to avoid the skunk.  I picked up this 12 in beauty on a black and blue jig with a chigger craw crazy legs trailer.  It was a very light bite on a slow slow presentation.

It was a learning experience as the cold water and cold weather is setting in.  Middle of the day from now on will most likely be best or waiting til the warm weather sets in.  Neverless a slow day fishing beats anything else I could have spent the day doing.

Until next time.....

A Salute to our Vets

November 11, 2013
As a grandson of two amazing men whom both served in the United States Navy for 20+ years each Veteran's Day is one that sits close to my heart.  It is an amazing sacrifice to put yourself on the line for the freedoms we so often take for granted.  To all of the men and women out there who serve or have served I thank you and your families to the service that you give.  You are the backbone of this great nation and I salute you.

Like planned I set out for West Neck again, this time my good buddy Brandon in tow.  We got to the ramp as the first boat to launch just as the sun was peaking over the tree tops.  Once again the air was cool and crisp.  The wind was laid down and calm to start the morning and there was a slight fog rising over the water.  There is something incredible about setting out during this time of day, it is and always will be my favorite time to fish.

The day started off hot for me again as I put two in the boat within the first 30 minutes. I landed both on an X-Rap Fire Tiger. I went out to try and find the school again but of course that was unsuccessful.  So after a bit we motored up and headed for the Pocaty. The more I fall in love with the sport of fishing, the more I read, listen, and learn about the techniques and tactics that make you a successful fishermen.  I say all that to say I am intrigued by this creek.  As you head up creek you come across a nice channel that runs anywhere from 6-10 feet deep with a steep ledge that rises to 2-3 feet close the bank.  I feel that with the fall and winter patterns of fish moving up to the shallows to feed and back to deeper water this should set up for a nice place.  I didn't disappoint today!

The bite started early and stayed fairly steady until about 1030.  I had a limit in the boat by 900 and had seven bass in the boat by 1030.  Brandon had added 3 bass and a pickerel in the same time.  My bait of choice was my War Eagle Spinner in Sexy Shad with double willow blades gold and silver.  My luck changed when I unexpectedly lost this bait.  The fish seem to really love it.  Always remember to retie you baits especially after a few fish and when throwing in heavy cover.

The bite slowed down after this and we only boated three more bass between then and 230 before we pulled the boat out of the water.  In total for the day I had 8 bass with the only one I felt like weighing coming in at 1.9 most were in the 1 lb range with one really little guy.  Brandon ended up with 5 bass and one pickerel.  All and all not a bad day, really beginning to enjoy my fall days at West Neck.

Until next time....