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...