Schoolies. 16Nov/22Nov13.

My recent work schedule switched me from days to nights, and I havnt had alot of time to get out on the water. The past couple weeks I have been reading reports of limits being caught at the HRBT, so when Tim and Joe decided to hit the water me and BB grabbed the kayaks and headed over to the Ft Monroe side of the tunnel 16 Nov. We got out on the water and it was dead calm, no wind and the water looked like glass. We started fishing the light line on the bridge and didnt manage a single bite. Even though the weather was cooperating it seemed the fish just werent around. In between the bridges there was huge amounts of bait. It was everywhere in the water so thick I was pushing them out of the way while paddling. The problem was nothing was chasing them, they were just floating along in giant schools. None of the other kayakers or boats seemed to be doing any good either and once the temperature dropped the fog rolled in we decided to call it a night. The only fish caught was a ugly slimy toad by Tim.

Another week of 1500-0100 in the books and I was disappointed to learn that I would have to work Friday and Saturday to support a ship. Tim and Joe decided to hit the HRBT again this time on the Norfolk side, and I had hoped to get out on the water after work for some late night schoolie chasing. As things would turn out I got off earlier than expected on Friday, so I was in a rush to get out on the water. I quickly went home and grabbed my kayak and crate. I got out on the water at 21:00 and called Joe to see what the action was like. I was listening to the boat chatter on vhf#72 about not alot of fishing being caught when I paddled up to Joe. Ironically enough as soon as I got up to him his rod was bent over and he hooked his biggest fish of the night.

Joe's 21 inch schoolie striper.

I paddled my kayak around to the light line and started casting a ReelFast Tackle curly tail on a 3/8 oz jig head. I wasnt getting any action on the pilings I was fishing and then Tim paddled up to me, as soon as he got into my head lamp light his rod bent over and he pulled up his biggest striper of the night. It appeared the fish wanted to mock me. Both Tim and Joe were using deep diving hard baits, which I had none of. Most of my arsenal consisted of jig heads, buck tails, soft plastics, and top water. The only thing I had was a suspending jerk bait still tied on one of my bait casters from freshwater fishing. I decided to try it out and tied it on. A few casts later and I managed to hook up on a fish. A quick fight later and I had a nice slot striper in the kayak. I learned my lesson with the flounder earlier this year and with my modified hawg trough measuring him was no issue.

18 1/2 inch slot striper.

Having 2 fish each Joe and Tim decided to call it a night and paddled on. I was still looking for a bigger fish so I stayed and continued to fish up and down the light line. The wind started to pick up and it began to rain a little so I was thinking about leaving. But then the bite started to pick up like someone turned a switch on. I managed 5 fish in 5 casts in the 14 inch range.

Small schoolie striper on River2Sea Fetch Minnow.

The bite was hit or miss again and then it cranked up and I was catching more fish. They were all in the 10-15 inch range although a fellow kayaker a few pilings down did manage a nice 27 inch fish, that he let go. One fish wanted the bait so bad I had to use the bolt cutters to save him, and had to replace 2 hooks on the back of my lure.

15 inch schoolie, engulfed River2Sea Fetch Minnow. He swam away after cutting the hooks.

I was getting several short bites and tried out Gulp jerk shad and buck tails and managed some more small guys. I had forgotten my fish grips in the car in my haste to get out on the water. Between the flipping around, and treble hooks my thumb and hand sure wish I hadnt forgotten it.

Glad I had my pliers for this guy! All 3 hooks on the front treble.

Once the rain turned sideways and the waves started to come over the side of the kayak I decided to call it a night. It was a long wet paddle back to the ramp, and everything got a good freshwater washdown while loading (including me.)  Definitely gonna have to add a few more deep diving hard baits to my tacklebox for nights like this where the fish are suspending in the 10-12 foot range. Several other fellow kayakers of TKAA were out and managed some nice fish as well. You can check out Mako's report here:Mako Slayer and Chuck Wrenn's here: http://froggin4bass.blogspot.com

Veteran's Day Speck Trip 11 November 2013

The fabled Speckled Trout. A sleek silvery fish with specks across its back, reaching lengths of 30 inches and weighing up to 5 pounds and one of the most sought after fish in the Tidewater of the Chesapeake Bay. Even a whisper of these fish can bring fisherman by the dozen and create small secretive groups of fisherman who covet their fishing spots like top secret information. That was the targeted species, the elusive gator of the flats.
The weather was sunny although a bit chilly. I was suppose to meet Joe aka Archer out at Rudee at sunrise but due to some unforeseen circumstances and the Veteran's Day parade shutting down the road I didnt get to the launch until 9:30 and low tide. Even while launching we had people asking us had we been catching and specks, what were we using for bait, and even had one guy pull up in his car and ask if specks could be caught from the bank. Once we got on the water we paddled back into the creek to see if any bait was still in the shallow water. The water at the ramp was cloudy and the wind was picking up, the water in the back of the creek was crystal clear but the wind was making it difficult to stay in one position. We pushed up against the grass and started casting out across the creek. It wasnt long before we started seeing fish jumping all around us but nothing was taking our bait. I always read fishing reports from the pros about catching gator trout on top water baits like the skitter walk and mirror lures, but nothing was taking anything either of us threw at them. We decided to paddle back out to the main part of Rudee. The boat traffic was increasing, several boats trolling 5 and 6 rods, even large trophy boats decked out with outriggers and sighting towers with 5 people on the back throwing chartreuse gulp in every direction. Several kayakers were about, keeping their distance and shooting glances at us over their shoulder every now and then. I was enjoying the paddle. Ive always told my girlfriend its a good thing I like kayaking as much as kayak fishing, especially this summer where ive been skunked more times than caught fish. Apart from the wind I was pretty comfortable in my Frogg Toggs waders and dry top. Joe ate his coveted peanut butter and jelly sandwich and drank his juice box while I messed around with a mirror lure and discussed different fishing techniques.
Still more fish could be seen breaking the surface, but no one seemed to be catching any fish. We decided to drift back down the creek using the wind to push us down the grass bank, the water was up around 3 feet and there seemed to be more bait present. As we drifted down I started throwing an Egret VuDu shrimp under a VuDu cork. After two or three pops the cork darted under and I set the hook on a fish. Even small fish are fun when you dont catch alot! I reeled in my first fish of the day, I had forgotten my hawg trough so I measured him on my Bending Branches angler paddle at 10 inches. Not a keeper, and nothing to mount on the wall but a fish is a fish! I snapped a quick photo and tossed him back into the water.

10 inch Speck on the pink VuDu Shrimp and VuDu cork.

I casted right back into the same spot and instantly the cork went under. A quick fight and I pulled in another Spec! This one was a little bigger and decided to be difficult to measure. I got him off and casted again and after 1 pop the cork darted off, I set the hook on another Spec. This one was 13" another small guy short of being a keeper, and was the biggest of the day for me.

12 inch Speck.

13 inch Speck, biggest of the day.

Joe came right behind me in the drift and didnt get much but a few fish jumping near his cork. We drifted down to the end of the creek without another bite. We paddled back out to the oyster shoals and islands and noticed some activity in the grass and decided to try a few casts. Joe hooked up finally, and just like my 3 fish he managed 3 in the same size in a row. His biggest also measured at 13 inches.

Joe aka Archer and one of his Specks.

Once the sun started to set we decided to call it a day, and even though we didnt take home a cooler full of fish it was an awesome day on the water and I am glad I atleast managed to catch somthing! Now I just gotta find the big ol grandpa gators out there. Who knows maybe ill actually catch dinner one day!

Lovin the VuDu Shrimp!

"Elitist"

The other day on the TKAA forum a new member posted a topic requesting help and advice on finding the fish in the area. Several members decided it was their job to inform this person that they shouldnt go out and fish without the right experience and gear. This is true to a point. No person should place themselves in a dangerous position due to inexperience and unpreparedness. However, those same people have also stated that in order to find the fish, gain experience, or learn what equipment is best that you have to go out and "put time in." I also agree with this. The definition of an elitsit, in my view is someone who is arrogant, and unhelpful. How can you tell a person that they shouldnt fish alone until they are more experienced then refuse to let them tag along with you, or insult them publicly because they made a mistake on their own?

Im straight forward and honest. Always have been, and I am not ashamed of that.  Below are listed with their respected blogs the local fisherman I would consider elite fisherman, who have given me advice, showed me techniques, or gone fishing with me since my return to the sport of kayak fishing.

Jay Brooks-Wilderness Systems Pro-staff (Virginiakayakfisherman.blogspot.com)
William Ragulsky-Hurricane Kayaks Pro-staff (CoastalKayakFishing.blogspot.com)
Chuck Wrenn-Power Team Lures Pro-staff

Its not a very long list.
I would take the time to name those fisherman who have insulted me personally, were rude to me or other noobies, but I dont want any negative affects due to my honesty.
Also, dont be mistaken on some of my posts on the TKAA board regarding fishing spots. Im not asking anyone to give me the exact GPS coordinates to any of their favorite fishing spots, and I never have. But I do think its silly for people to openly refuse to give any information at all about a fish caught. It seems some people just want the 'cookie' given to them when they post up pictures of fish caught. If you cant even tell people what body of water you caught the fish in then dont bother posting a picture in the reports section of the board.


In the outdoor industry there are many pro-staffers, certain individuals who are lucky enough to be provided gear and equipment to field test, most of it provided free of charge. In the fishing and hunting community many of these people are experts, with vast knowledge and skill. They share their experiences and knowledge with the rest of the community. There are however, a few who are just in it for the face value it seems, and for the mocking of novice and new people in the field. As a noobie myself, researching different products to test I rely on the reviews and articles written by the people who test them. Like anything in life, if you lose your credibility then you lose your respect. Dont sit on a high horse and preach down on the people your suppose to serve just because you think your so much the greater outdoors-man.

Things ive learned this year from 2 separate pro-staffers.

Pro-staffer #1.

-Persistence pays off.
-Your equipment doesnt have to be high dollar as long as you know how to use it.
-You can improve your success by watching the weather.
-Thinking outside the box sometimes pays off.

Pro-staffer #2.

-Noobs dont deserve an opinion.
-Only 1 type of paddle will allow a kayak to move forward in the water.
-If your not using X brand then your a noob.
-Only people with 20 years experience are allowed to fish certain areas.
-You shouldnt ask for advice at your local tackle shop if you dont want to be publicly insulted on social media.

Which one would you look up to? If you dont like being associated with the term Elitist, then dont fit the mold.

2013 TKAA Charity Tournament.

Hum dum dum ditty dum 

Hum dum dum
Oh the wind is lashing lustily
And the trees are thrashing thrustily
And the leaves are rustling gustily
So it's rather safe to say
That it seems that it may turn out to be
It feels that it will undoubtedly
It looks like a rather blustery day, today
It sounds that it may turn out to be
Feels that it will undoubtedly
Looks like a rather blustery day today

And that little rhyme from my childhood pretty much sums up the day!

The forecast two weeks out looked too good to be true. 80 degrees, sunny, and calm. Perfect conditions to go out in September and catch an inshore slam. Redfish, speckled trout, and flounder! Or atleast that was the plan. Unfortunately for everyone fishing Mother Nature had different plans in store for the tournament. A large low pressure formed off the coast the week before the tournament which pushed in 20 mph winds and 4 foot seas.

With my current work schedule and different things happening I had no time to get out pre-fish for the tournament. All summer was actually pretty disappointing for me, consisting of small flounder, tiny black seabass, and not a redfish in sight. I was determined to go out and atleast catch somthing. I decided to stick to the place I fished the most this summer and headed out to the HRBT on the Hampton side.

We got to the boat ramp at 0600 to see a few other kayakers who decided to fish the bridge. Unloaded the Trident 13 and the Phoenix 120 and waited for the 0630 start time. As soon as everyone launched most of the people there started fishing the docks and rocks to the right and left of the boat ramp. With the way the wind and waves were I didnt want to make BB battle the conditions in her kayak so we paddled across to the general calm of the water between the pilings. After a few casts BB hooked up! her medium action rod was bending to the water and her reel was screaming out line. She finally managed to land a striper, her first time catching one! It was flipping around in her kayak and she was so excited about catching a fish it took a few minutes to get it calmed down enough to measure it at 15 inches.

BB's 15 inch Tournament Striper!

 I started out looking for the specks using a popping cork with a Egret VuDu shrimp and a mirror lure twitch bait. After a few passes through the pilings and drifting down to the top of the tunnel and not getting a bite I switched over to the same Egret Bayou Chub in Glow/Chartreuse that BB caught her striper on. We continued to paddle around in the wind and cover the area between the bridges and around the island but didnt manage any more fish. There were very few fish being caught, although we did see some decent speckled trout being caught just none on our lures.

Once we got to the convention center for the weigh-ins BB started getting excited since there were not alot of fish being turned in. Out of the 270 people who were at the captain's meeting only about a third returned for the weigh-ins. She turned in her striper sheet and we waited to see who won. As it turned out, quite a few stripers were caught in the 19-20 inch range so unfortunately BBs 15 inch didnt place.

A disappointed BB when they read the Striper division winner.

BB won a Skwoosh gel seat for the kayak!

A Blue water bottle! Yay!

Luckily she did win a few items in the raffles so it was a pretty successful tournament! 

 

YakAttack Zooka Tube, Egret Baits Wedgetail, Balloon Fisherking, Reel Fast Tackle grubs, Hobie accessory bag, Power Team Lures assorted lures and 20$ gift card, Skwoosh gel seat. and Dynabait freeze dried mussels.

Even though I didnt catch a fish we still had a great time with some great people. It was a great way to raise money to support Heroes on the Water and Project Healing Waters. There was a huge list of sponsors and supporters. Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, sponsored, or volunteered!

Breaking the Trend.

It was an early start to a Sunday at 5am. BB getting ready for work and making sure she had everything packed for her month out to sea. It has seemed lately that every time I decide to fish it rains and when I dont its a nice day and I read the reports of fish that were caught by other anglers. After I dropped her off I headed over to the Ship's Cabin to see if the rest of the TKAA guys were there. No cars in the parking lot and it looked a little cloudy so I figured it would be another rainy summer day, but not wanting to waste a day off work and being up so early I headed over to Ft Monroe to fish the HRBT. I figured if it did start to rain its closer to the ramp than Lynnhaven and atleast there is the bridge to hide under.

I figured id see if anyone who posted on the forums was heading out as well and gave Joe Archer a call, he was already launched so he waited for me to catch up. The sun seemed to make what clouds were around dissipate and there was a light breeze making for a nice start out on the water. Archer had already caught a bunch of small black sea bass and we started lookin for flounder. The pilings were a no go so we worked our way around the island lookin for fish in the rocks. The sea bass were everywhere, none over 6 inches but they were grabbing anything that was put in the water. I managed 3 monster ugly oyster toads and about a dozen small sea bass by the time we got over to the tunnel. It was nice and calm and no one else in sight when we started bouncin the tunnel in hopes of some flounder.

Big ugly!

 I had just started tellin a story about a recent trip to Rudee where William caught a keeper flounder right in a spot I had just fished when I felt my lure lurch to the left instead of hitting bottom so I set the hook home. A quick fight and up comes a nice flounder. I flipped him in the boat and got my hawg trough out to measure him. A solid 17 inch dinner plate. Surprisingly he was nice and calm while I measured him to make sure he was legal, and even when I hooked my stringer in his jaw, twice. I didnt bring my camera, and my cell phone was put away and I figured id either catch more or just take pictures of him later so I let him slide into the water. Then he started goin crazy jerkin his head. I had two clips in him, in both his lower and upper jaw, so I didnt think anything of it. 20 seconds later and he was gone, jerked the stringer right out of his mouth. I felt pretty bad about it, losing a nice fish like that after landing him.

 Little did I know I was dealing with a true legend. This flounder was no ordinary flat fish. He was scarred, with a white line across his back and he had only one eye. He must have been a veteran of the Rudee Inlet rail, having defeated the many attempts to harvest him below the limit he worked his way up into the bay and decided to fatten up on the baitfish around the HRBT. Rooster-as I have named him, is as grizzled and off-putting as the lawman he was named after. I know he is out there now, buried in the sand, just waiting for passing prey.

After I landed the flounder the motor boats started to appear everywhere, you could almost walk from one island to the other, and the wind started to pick up some more. We made a few more passes, I was hoping in vain that the fish gods would smile on me and I would land another good flounder (or the lost one would return) but we didnt get anymore keepers. Surprisingly I had not landed a single croaker or spot the whole time we were out, Archer did manage a decent 13 inch croaker. The sea bass continued to harass us though as we moved back down the rocks to the bridge. I got another flounder between the pilings but he was too short to make it to the rod pod (I had decided I wouldnt put another flounder on the stringer if I caught one id just throw him in the kayak!)

Not a keeper, but atleast I got pics of this one!

 I noticed off to our left gathering dark clouds and then heard the rumble of thunder. We decided not to risk it and headed over to the bridge and just in time. No sooner did we pull up to the beach then the sky opened up with lightening and torrential rain. I checked the radar and seen it was just an isolated thunderstorm right over the HRBT and was moving quickly east. We waited it out under the bridge and chit chatted with a local motor boater who pulled up to wait out the storm as well. His 7 year old son managed a nice 10 inch bluefish on his first cast out as we waited. More fish were breaking on the surface and Archer decided to try out his popping cork but didnt manage a hook up although his shrimp got torn to bits. The storm cooled things down and Archer decided to call it a day. I did manage a few more sea bass and oyster toads before another storm started to move in so I paddled in.





I am very glad to break my skunk trend and actually get a nice flounder, even if he did get away!

Recent outings and putting time in.

The weather lately has been unforgiving, thunderstorms spotting up and high winds not cooperating with work schedule. I have managed a few trips out to Lynnhaven, Rudee, Oceanview, and the CBBT.


My experience with obtaining information about fishing the CBBT has been hit or miss. There are several anglers who-happy to share pictures of catches and brag about their infinite knowledge, clam up tighter than a drum when approached with questions. On the other hand, there are several who, are happy to share their wealth of information if they know your not going to exploit it. And they see your putting in the effort yourself. Im one of those hands on stubborn learners so I decided to ask questions, pick up what I can, and trial and error. My first trip out to the CBBT was with William Ragulsky and unfortunately the weather did not allow us to paddle out, however I was able to pick up on a few things and using this I decided to head out.
I got out to the bridge and dug up some mole crabs, I also had some chowder clams. I paddled out and didnt quite make it to the first island because the weather started acting up. I mostly focused on learning the paddle while fish technique around the pilings, which is alot harder than the infamous K.K. makes it look on film. Now I know why Rob Choi makes all the silly faces (I just dont have a GoPro constantly filming me.) My first bite I got excited and jerked so hard the 2 oz egg sinker and 5 inch croaker nearly flew onto the bridge. I continued to catch more croaker. No spadefish or sheepshead were caught by me that day.

My Lynnhaven trips have been a disappointment as well, small beltbuckle size flounder, small croaker, and lost tails of gulp. I have found that by either soaking regular soft plastics in gulp, or a super secret formula I came up with I might share with you if we ever fish together, creates as much bites (atleast from croaker/small flounder) as the expensive gulp. So although im not catching 30 inch flounder or slot reds im still learning and experimenting!

Saturday's TKAA Family day trip out with BB proved to be another win for the weather. The winds were turning the water choppy and the current was difficult to paddle against, it was nice to meet some new faces, say goodbye to Russell, who in my short time knowing has been a very great fishing mentor and good friend.

I managed a trip out to Rudee with William, and he was kind enough to show myself and BB the ropes on general inshore fishing. I didnt catch a single fish. William managed a few small flounder and one keeper just in the short time he fished with us. I am very greatful for the patience, and sharing of knowledge. He was also kind enough to treat us to dinner. (Kind of)

12 inch croaker on Egret Vudu Shrimp (Tiger) under a green popping cork.

My solo rudee trip was at high tide, with storms moving in, so I didnt venture very far sticking to the grass flats I managed a few small croaker, one 12 inch croaker, and one lost fish that felt frisky enough to pull drag so I know it wasnt a croaker (or atleast bigger than any croaker ive caught since the 12incher didnt even pull drag.) Then the storms moved in so I paddled to shore.

I invested in a few lures, hopefully these prove to be a wise investment and help me in my quest to figure out Virginia inshore fishing and one day be able to atleast catch dinner.
Egret Vudu Shrimp-for use with a popping cork.
Egret Bayou Chub-for jigging/fishing with a spinner for reds and flounder.
Reel Fast Tackle 5 inch Flinchin Minnows-for specks and reds, single and tandem rigged.
Rapala X-rap 10-for specks.

I have also experienced a few negative comments and rumors and I would just like to say that I may not be that great of a fisherman, but it wont stop me from continuing to paddle out and try. I have never considered myself a great fisherman, and yes it is sometimes disappointing, and even disheartening to invest time and money and not have anything to show for it, but I believe in learning from experience.

10Jul13 OV Beach.

There was a forecast for isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon for the day so I decided to head out early to Lynnhaven in hopes of some flat fish. I got the boat ramp at 6 am and paddled out onto the water. I fished the grass, the channel, and all over the place until about 11 with nothing but croaker and one curious little sea robin that decided he wanted a swimming mullet for lunch.

Sea Robin.

Being disappointed in not catchin anything I decided to try out the CBBT since it seemed like a nice day with hardly any clouds, maybe the storms would hold off or miss us entirely (last week I decided not to fish because of the forecast and in turn I missed out on some awesome fishing.) One I got over to Alexander's that idea quickly diminished, 15 mph steady with gusts up to 25 and I could see chop building up on the waves. Sure enough I check NOAA on my radio and theres bad storms forecasted for the CBBT so I figured id stick close to home.
I headed over to east ocean view and decided to paddle out from the beach. I got out on the water and paddled a ways out and then started throwing chum. I lowered 2 blocks of frozen clam juice mixed with sand and a block of chopped up croaker. I caught a few small croaker on pieces of gulp from the morning's failed flounder attempt.

 

I was hopin for cobia, or big reds, or really anything that would bite. I wasnt sittin long when the reel started peeling. I grabbed the rod and heaved it up and it hit the deck, pending into the water. I fought the fish for about 10 minutes and got it up and it was a big cownose ray. I grabbed my camera to snap a few pics and no sd card! I had take the sd card out to upload pics for my previous trips and forgot to put it back in. Got the ray off the hook and then I tried gettin my cell phone out, I keep it in a water proof box in the fish finder spot since I broke the chargerport that made my phone water proof. Once I shimmied up the kayak to reach it the ray started flappin his wings trying to fly and flopped into the water. So I rigged up and casted out again. Another 15 min and another bite! This time I had the cell phone ready and managed to snap a few pics. It was a nice clear nose skate, which might be a nuisance to some but its still fun to catch and looks totally wicked.

Clear nose skate.

The wind/current started to pick up and I noticed a large group of birds diving in the water, I was hoping it was some spanish mackeral chasing bait. I started casting gotcha plugs into it but never managed to hook up on anything if there was somthing then they moved on. I managed to catch another butterfly ray that didnt want to cooperate in the kayak and nearly took my fishin rod with him and another clear nose skate I believe was the twin brother to the one I caught before.

Cool lookin and fun to catch!

 The wind started to pick up and some large grey clouds started forming in the distance so I decided to call it a day and packed up. As I was paddling back to shore, I passed within 30 yds of 2 young (14-15 yr old) girls on paddle boards. They had drifted out a good ways from the beach and didnt appear to be having much luck in paddling. I paddled up and asked if they needed help, they laughed and said no so I continued to shore. When I got to the beach, 2 ladies who were on the beach asked me if I would call the coast guard on my radio for the 2 paddle boarders... I told them that as I paddled by I asked the girls if they needed help and they said no, so I started loading up the kayak stuff. Once I got my stuff up it started to rain, lightning, and thunder. Then 2 fire trucks, an ambulance, and 10 life guards show up. Apparently the 2 girls were there with their parents, who were out kayaking on touring kayaks, and left them on the beach with the paddle boards, the 2 ladies were concerned and called 911. So I told the fireman that as I paddled by they said they didnt need help and asked if they wanted me to paddle out to help them. The fireman along with the life guards said no, that they wouldnt let me paddle out in my kayak in the weather. So everyones standing on the beach and just watching these 2 girls drift further and further out. About 45 minutes later the group of kayakers along with their parents show up and paddle back to shore with the girls. They were obviously scared/shaken.
As I was leaving the group of kayakers were joking about how they would have been fine and even a few hours on the water wouldnt of mattered because they wouldnt have drifted that far. Short of lassoing them and dragging them to shore anyway I dont know what more I could have done when they refused my help, and the life guards wouldnt let me go out to help.

Rainbow after the storm passed.

 It was a long wet drive home in the soaking wet jeep, the storm barely lasted 30 minutes but left about 3 inches of water in the jeep!

 

Latest reports 27Jun/4th July Weekend.(Long/Pics)

My week/weekend, pics at the end.

Went out to Stumpy Lake in Virginia Beach with BB in hopes of catching some catfish. Catfish is her favorite fish and since I had caught a bunch of keepers before she wanted to go and catch some herself. The weather was nice, although a bit windy and it had rained for the past few days before we went out so the water was a little high. We started fishin around the far side of the golf course and managed a few small white perch and blue gill but no catfish. We kept fishing the bank with nightcrawlers and then finally BB started catching catfish. Unfortunately they were only little kitties not big enough to eat but that didnt stop her from being excited catching fish. She wouldnt pose for a picture and the few pics I took didnt save, having issues with this cheap 30$ digital camera saving photos. Towards sunset we decided to try for some bass and started fishing around the cypress trees. BB was using a purple flippin creature texas rigged and I was using a blue/white 1/2 oz buzz bait. I landed a chunker 3lb bass that was 16 inches long but wide as a barn. BB asked me how she should fish so I told her to hit the trunks of the cypress and let the bait drop and sink down then hop it back to her. She had been casting up into the branches and getting upset, so when I turned and looked and seen her rod nearly doubled over I assumed she was snagged again and started paddling over to help her when suddenly I seen her rod jerk and the line shoot off. It wasnt a tree she had hooked it was a mailbox of a fish! It was a lesson learned for her though because she had her drag set wrong and as soon as she got it up to the kayak it kicked around and the fish went one way and the lure the other. She was still pretty excited to have hooked a bass on her own and how big it was. It could have swallowed a cantaloupe!

White perch!

Irritated phil caught on camera! 10 second timer and the fish jumped out of my lap before I could get the photo!

 

Chunky bass on the buzz bait.

16 inch 3 lbs!

Tuesday (2JUL) I spent the afternoon fishin Lake Bradford on Little Creek . Took the kayaks out with a buddy from work hopin to catch some bass and took some nightcrawlers along to get a few cats for dinner. The forecast was for scattered rain in the evening but partly cloudy and warm throughout the day. We got out on the lake at around 3pm and paddled to the end of the lake and started fishing top water. Some darker clouds moved in and we started paddling into a creek. Summertime bass fisherman know that a few rain drops wont damper the fishing and sometimes can even turn the bite on so we kept on fishin. Almost immediately once we decided to stay it seemed someone wanted us off the lake because the bottom of the clouds fell out. It started raining so hard I couldnt see Zach who was only about 40 feet away from me. The kayak was nearly submerged with the rain coming up from the lake so we started paddling for the boat ramp. Of course my biggest worry, especially after watching Rob Choi's video at the CBBT was lightning. Sure enough in the distance a flash and a rumble let me know this wasnt gonna just be a summer rain storm. I started paddling faster and Zach felt it necessary to anger the powers that be. "What are you worried about Zeus and Thor are too busy to waste time throwing lightning bolts at us on this lake." Simultaneous with 'time' a huge lightning bolt shot across the sky right above us. It was so close the sizzle and crack of the thunder made my hair stand on end! I couldnt believe he was trying to jinx us while actually out on the water, in a rain storm so strong we were practically submarines! Needless to say no fish were caught on this trip. Although im sure there was enough water in the jeep when I got home that a few herring were eyeing it as a place to wade for fish...

Wednesday I spent the day out at Lynnhaven with absolutely no luck, didnt take any kind of bait only gulp and I didnt even catch a croaker. I guess thats fishin not catchin!

Thursday for the 4th I wanted to spend the day at the CBBT but I couldnt find a single parking spot within 2 miles of Alexander's so I fished the HRBT instead. I fished all day and into the night catching more croaker than you can shake a stick at and a dozen or so 'belt-buckle' sized flounder. I never did land any keeper flounder but I did manage a few large spot and croaker to take home for dinner. I had the saltist out with a live croaker on it and it took off peeling line, I tightened the drag and started reeling got the mystery fish near the kayak and right when I was able to see color/shape it took off again and jerked once or twice  and then my hook flew out of the water. I think it was a blue, but not too sure.
 It was a pretty awesome 4th of July One of the cool things about being out on the water at the HRBT was I got to see some pretty awesome firework shows. It was nice weather and a nice day out on the water anyway.

13 inch croaker, not bad eaten when fresh! (This one was dinner.)

Belt buckle flounder, caught about a dozen this size but no keepers!

Whats left of the croaker after somthing bit it.

Friday I did laundry and chores. For dinner I boiled up some shrimp, blue crab, and the spot/croaker I caught on the 4th and had a pretty excellent meal.

Saturday I had plans of fishing the outgoing night tide at Lynnhaven but decided to fish with some friends on the Norfolk base pier. It was pretty packed with kids running around screaming, people crossing lines and casting every direction, and just chaos and disorder so I decided to fish the rocks. I brought my surf rod along so I was actually able to cast out farther than the people at the end of the pier were so I had pretty high hopes as I started out. I was using chowder clams on a fish finder rig. A guy a few yards beside me (yeah the rocks were packed too) was catching small croaker and spot and he was using a little spincast zebco so I figured id catch somthing atleast. A few hours went by and all I managed was a few small croaker, I know rays like to come in around the bay so I chopped one up for cut bait. Thom showed up, and he too decided to fish the rocks instead of the pier. As we waited on Bryan and Schyler to show up we were talkin about the different fishing regulations. Im not sure if your allowed to fish from the rocks on base, but I do know that on the pier you dont have to have a saltwater license because MWR has one for the pier itself. But, once your off the pier, your no longer covered so you have to have your own saltwater license*. Bryan and Schyler showed up and we started fishin and I noticed the guy beside us was catching undersized flounder and was keeping them. As I came back from the jeep getting a drink he decided to brag to me about catching "some nice flounder," so I took a look. I really hate people who dont follow regulations and this guy trying to brag about it really bothered me. I told him they were illegal fish and he needed to let them go. 10 seconds later he packed his stuff and left. I dont know if it was me calling him out on the fish and he thought he would 'get me' or if it was coincidence but about 10 minutes after he left the gamewardens pulled up and made a line straight for us. I couldnt believe that after this guy was catching undersized fish and then the gamewardens came right for us. Of course I checked out fine, I even have base permit from MWR along with my salt/freshwater license.

Sunday I wanted to go to the CBBT, but I didnt get out to the beach until 10 am, and again there was no parking. So I tried Lynnhave and Rudee with the same results, no parking. I ended up just paddling off the beach at Ocean View at the park. I paddled out until the beach looked tiny and started fishin. I figured I was right in between the CBBT and HRBT so there had to be some fish. I started chumming with a block of frozen cut bait with clam juice and had 2 rods with live small croaker. Within about 20 minutes my saltist started screaming. I flipped the lever forward and jerked back on the rod. There was somthing huge for about seconds and then nothing. I reeled it in and found a clean cut piece of flouro (40 lb leader.) So I switched from flouro leader to braid and tried again. Another 40 minutes pass and again the clicker starts screamin. This time instead of setting the hook hard I just applied steady preasure. It felt like a decent sized fish and I was hoping it wasnt a ray when all of a sudden it took off peeling line. I tightened the drag down and then they kayak got spun around, I didnt want the current to pull me with the anchor at an odd angle so I released my anchor line. After about 5 minutes I got it up to the surface and was surprised to see a shark! This was my first shark from the yak and I was super excited. I didnt get any pictures because I was messing with the shark, trying to land it without losing a piece of me, measure it, and I didnt want it to die. I got an inaccurate reading of 42 inches on the paddle as it was flopping around. It dug some sweet gouges in my fish grips though. Got the circle hook out and let him swim. It was a brownish grey with darker fins, unsure what kind of shark it was. Then the break offs continued. Total I lost 6 hooks before I called it a day. I had a trolling motor battery in my jeep and it leaked acid all over the back seat and I think it got on my fishin line. Every 20 feet or so my 65# PP would mysteriously just give under pressure. I ended up coming home with 3 large spot to eat and slime from hundreds more croaker.
The weather was amazing and it was a great day to be out on the kayak. I got to hangout with a huge sea turtle. It scared me half to death when it surfaced the first time. It was less than 5 feet from the kayak and its huge head plunged out of the water and it snorted and wheezed like a big ol buck in the rut. I nearly fell out of the kayak. Then it just kinda floated around by me lookin at me. I think it wanted the fish on my stringer but didnt know what to think of me. I kept my paddle close incase he wanted to get closer and take a bite I could push him off. It was every bit of 5 feet across on its shell. Its head was as big as a basketball with eyes the size of a grapefruit. Once I started movin around trying to get my digital camera off its mount to take a picture it dove back down. About 4 hours later it came back up again and checked me out but again I didnt have time to get a photo. I did take some video as it was submerging but you cant really see anything. Definitely one of the coolest things to happen out on the water. Seeing dolphins is cool but that sea turtle was huge! And after watchin documentaries and movies and hearing about them it was really awesome to actually be that close to one and see it out there. Finding Nemo has nothing on the real deal!

Today I got the saltist respooled with 65# power pro green, I got a crimping set and 80# Berkley big game leader, and new swivels. As soon as the weather clears up ill be back out there lookin for red drum, black drum, cobia, sharks, rays, and ofcourse croaker! 

Lake Bradford

Well I was hopin to catch some catfish to put in the freezer after not catchin any fish Saturday, so I headed over to Lake Bradford on Little Creek. I found it kind of funny that the lake I was fishin in is like 500 yards away from where I was fishin on Saturday if you look on the map. Unfortunately I had the same luck!
I started out fishin the lilly pads again trying for some bass. Fish were jumpin all over but after using every top water bait in my tacklebox and not catchin anything I put on the night crawlers and began lookin for the cats. I had one rod rigged with a cork and one rigged for the bottom.
The first fish I got into were perch, I caught 3 small ones just under good eatin size but couldnt get anymore/any larger to bite.

7 inch yellow perch

I kept fishin the night crawlers around the pads and then moved over to a fallen tree to see if there were any fish in there. I ended up findin some bluegills but again none bigger than my hand.

6 inch bluegill

After the bite died and I seen more bass jumpin I switched back to fishin lures and managed 1 small bass. It would appear I am destined to just catch small fish!

No catfish ever made it onto my hook. I dont know where they hide in that lake. I think I casted into every hole in the lillies and every 3 feet in the whole lake. The weather was amazing and I did get to see the eagle that lives there on the lake catch what looked like a decent sized fish, but was unable to snap pics fast enough.

CBBT to be or not to be?

Great fishing weather was in the forecast even though a cold front had just moved through the area bringing strong winds and lower temps. Sunny, 85 degrees, ssw winds at 5 mph, and 0-1ft seas. Spoke with William Ragulsky and Russell Hamm about meeting up to catch some fish. William was heading to the CBBT and Russell was headed to the HRBT. Before I could make a decision on who to go fishin with Russell decided to head out to the CBBT so I through my hat in.
Headed over to Ocean East 2 to grab some chowder clams and some tackle. Got to Alexander's at 0600 to see William already unloaded and catching some mole crabs for bait. The wind was a little higher than forecasted but the weather was nice.

After we got a bucket full of mole crabs we headed out on the water. The wind and current were rippin pretty hard. The chop in the pilings made it almost impossible to paddle let alone fish. We were kind of disappointed but it was decided to not try and risk heading out. Russell had arrived to the launch as we were coming back in so we decided to go get breakfast and then head over to the Little Creek jetty for some flounder.
We launched at an undisclosed area right beside the jetty and started lookin for fish. I was using gulp shrimp/swimming mullet and the mole crabs since we already had them. I caught a few small croaker right off in the rocks and tied one on the cv rod in hopes of somthing big coming around. After a few hours the first fish to be caught was a nice redfish by William on gudgeon. Russell's friend also caught one on swimming mullet. We fished the first jetty at the break and managed a few small flounder but none of legal size. My only flounder of the day was 11.5. There wasnt alot of fish around and bites were few and far between. William did manage a few more nice redfish. I caught a few more croakers, and nothing decided the croaker I was trolling looked appetizing.
Even without the fish it was an awesome day on the water. I was glad William and Russell were gracious enough to go out fishin with me and BB, this being only the 4th time BB had gone fishing on her kayak. I hope there are more trips in the future, and alot more fish!

BB flyin her pirate flag as usual.

Heading out.

11.5 flounder.

9JUN13 POL/TKAA Charity Tournament for the Boston Marathon.

Was a late start getting up at sunny 0600 to make the 0700 captain's meeting. Was another meeting of putting faces with names from the internet. After filling out the forms and grabbing an identifier I paddled out onto Lynnhaven Inlet just as the tide was coming in. I started out fishing the grass, hopin to find a redfish hiding. I used gulp shrimp(natural) on a white jig head. I managed 3 croaker right off on the first 3 casts, none over 10 inches so I decided to paddle over to the channel to see what was happening. 3 boats were vertical jigging with cutbait and squid and were catching small throwback flounder. I made a few drift pasts to see if I could come up with anything and struck out. I paddled around and talked to a few people who said they were havin about the same luck, small croakers. I started getting the tails taken off my shrimp so I switched to a chartreuse swimming mullet and sped up my retrieve. I managed a few more croaker but no red fish or flounder. Then BB called and said she was having trouble unloading at the boat ramp so I went back to assist her. Once I found her we paddled back straight out from the ramp and ran into Tom VanderHeiden who said they were catchin flounder at the tennis court. So me and BB paddled over that way hopin to bring one in ourselves. It must have been a good fish because it got crowded pretty quick once we got over there. We drifted a few passes and then continued on. I started fishin the drop off from the sandbar across from the tennis court with a 3/8 oz hand tied bucktail/white grub and hooked up on 'somthing' that felt like a flounder, dead weight which then started peeling line/moving once I set the hook hard. A few tense seconds and drag noise and then nothing. Reeling in a looped end of braid where there was suppose to be a leader not and 24 inches of flouro leader is very discouraging. The only real bite of the day, the rest of the day we spent fishing the sand bars reeling in small croaker. Biggest going 10 inches but was unable to get him to hold still on the hawg trough for a photo. The real fun didnt start until we got to Salty C's for the weigh in. Great specials on food and drinks and tellin stories with people who ive gotten advice from on the forums. It was pretty surprising to learn of some of the catches people had throughout the day. 20+ inch flounders, rays, and 15 inch croakers. Guess its a good thing they were released so I can catch them next time! Having some technical difficulties with the camera so pics are below, I may get around to editing so it flows better at a later date.