Posts filed under ‘Places’
Livin’ the Dream – A Florida Vacation
We returned to the Outer Banks to a cultural shock: weather was colder, the fishing was non-existent and I had to put my shoes back on!!
So I thought I would re-live some of the places we visited in pictures;
Believe me, the pictures can’t begin to tell the story.
Until next time, Tightlines
Next Stop – Fishing in Islamorda
We traveled to Key Largo on Friday with a goal of continuing our Florida fishing adventures.
Our first stop was our overnight lodging at the Holiday Inn in Key Largo. This hotel is a full service with restaurant, pool and newly renovated rooms. It turned out to be very nice and a great value. During your next stay in the keys, you need to check this one out.
The next stop was the Yellow Bait shop and we picked up shrimp and fishing advice. They directed us to the Tea Table channel just opposite Bud and Mary’s Marina – about the 78 mile marker.
Once we arrived at the channel bridge, we rigged our rods with a Carolina rig – 1 oz. barrel weight and a single #4 circle hook. The current was strong so we needed something to help restrict the movement after of positioning cast.
We alternated between the main channel and bridge piles. We rigged the entire shrimp on the hooks thinking that we would hit something big. Only problem, the small mangrove snappers would steal the entire shrimp without touching the hook. Solution was to cut the shrimp into three pieces. Bingo – each cast brought a nice mangrove snapper to shore. This catching continued for well over an hour.
A short time later the first mate hooked up to what she thought was a snag. It turned out to be a huge jack cravelle. With a little help from me, we brought the 24” fish to shore. As always, my philosophy is that a fish is too valuable to catch only once. So we carefully revived the big girl and allowed her to swim safely away under the watchful eyes of a family of brown pelicans.
After we ran out of bait, we headed across the street to Bud and Mary’s Marina. There we shared our story and pictures and they were amazed and happy that we were able to land this huge fish directly from the shore.
Our next stop was the Salt water Sportsman / Bass Pro Shop. This is a fishing supply store like no other. Also, we eat dinner at the Islamorda Fish Company restaurant next door. We then headed back to the hotel to get ready for another busy day.
Until next time, Tightlines
Florida “Gator Trout” in January
On Wednesday we traveled to St Petersburg just south of Tampa to fish with Capt. CA Richardson for big trout. We would have settled for the other big fish we have caught before but it was the monster “gator trout” that we were after. The weather was absolutely beautiful with highs in the low 80s with a slight southwest breeze.
We left O’Neill’s marina at 0730 heading out to the grass flats. There we incorporated both top water and Texas style weed-less jigs. We also tried a new lure called “aqua-dream” spoon. Capt. CA designed this new lure to specifically target big fish. It was definitely a keeper.
We landed several nice trout and one redfish. As the morning moved into noon, the tide changed directions and the flats became crowded with other boats so we decided to move on.
The next area was a secluded area surrounded by mangroves. This protected area is in a “no motor” zone and only accessible by a really shallow flats boat and by poling in.
We had the cove to ourselves and proceeded t
o achieve our goals, to catch the elusive “gator trout”. We succeed catching many trout – most fish were in the 20”-24” range with the largest at 28”.
We are definitely on his schedule to fish for these monsters next year. If you want to enjoy this tremendous fishery, you need to contact Capt. CA. He can be reached at his Flats Class web site.
We are heading to Key Largo and the famous Bass Pro in Islamorada in the morning and we are hoping our good fortune continues.
Until next time, Tightlines
Fishing Boca Grande Pass
We traveled mid-morning Monday to Boca Grande Pass. This area is just south of Gasprilla Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. We planned our day around catching Permit, pompano and whiting. But as things will happen, our best laid plans are not always best occurred.
Our plan was to fish the southernmost point of the pass. Along the main route to Boca Grande, there are several Gulf front parking and beach access areas in route to the southernmost point. Decisions had to be made without the benefit of other angler’s success. So we continued to our predetermined spot.
Unbeknown to us, the big fish were being caught on the western shore just north of the point. Big Redfish and whiting were caught on both live shrimp and sand feas.
We decided to continue our travel to the most southern point of the beach. This spot is where the Charlotte Harbor current exits into the Gulf of Mexico. In this narrow space, a significant current can be found traveling within several hundred feet from the shore. The water depth can change from several inches right on the beach to well over 50 feet just yards of the beach. The current is so quick, that it can sweep an unsuspecting swimmer out into the gulf within a matter of minutes.
This current is home to both huge tarpon all the way down to small pinfish and everything in between.
Although, we missed out on the big fish up the coast, we resigned ourselves of just catching some beautiful speckled trout. I hooked up with three real nice ones with the largest at seventeen inches. Using live shrimp and circle hooks almost guaranteed success.
Even though we were outside the main stream anglers and the big fish, we had a great time.
If you are traveling to southwest Florida, a stopover to wet a line on Gasprilla Island and the famous Boca Grande Pass is a must.
Until next time, Tightlines.
Southwest Florida in January
It’s been a busy two days in Southwest Florida. Weather has been just outstanding for January. A bit usually warm but I am not complaining. This time of year is “in season” for visitors and snow birds. On any weekend you can find some type of activity related to fishing.
This weekend we attended two saltwater fishing seminars – one at the Old Pine Island Marina and the other at Laisley Marine. At both we got the opportunity to meet several captains who discussed local fishing techniques. At Old Pine Island Marina, several local chefs cooked up 7 different species of fish and had a contest to determine which was tasted. I did miss the entire fish sample guesses but not the trays as they were passed around.
We haven’t wetted a line yet but we have good idea where the fish are. Not a banner year to shore line anglers but good all the same. The best fishing is in the grass flats and pot holes on the Charlotte Harbor both East and west shorelines. Boats are catching lots of small bottom fish including trout and plenty of snook. When you find the Redfish, they are trophy size.
We left the boat at home so it’s a bank fishing week. We are heading to Boca Grande Pass on Monday to find the huge pompano and whiting. Also, we heard there are plenty of snook in the neighborhood lakes so although success is not guaranteed, we have a good shot.
Until next time, Tightlines
Starting the New Year Off Wright
Three weeks into the new year and I have yet to even match “new Years’ Day with even another Dogfish (in layman’s terms – sand shark).
Work travel has taken me to many different and interesting places since 1 January. One of the most fascinating was the Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton Ohio.
Being a native Washingtonian and a resident of the Outer Banks, I do have a significant basis towards my region. But when I arrived in Dayton and especially, Wright Patterson, I was taken back with all the mentions of the Wright Brothers and the first flight.
Well they do have a point, Wilbur and Orville were born there and they did a majority of their construction and design there, so I guess there is enough of them to share. But I do this reluctantly.
I am now back on the east coast and planning for my annual Florida trip. We have alot planned over the next week, so check back for probably the best fishing news since my “first fish of the year”.
Until next time, Tightlines
First Fish of the New Year
I kicked off the New Year with a trip to the Kitty Hawk fishing pier. The pier is part of the Hilton Garden Hotel Complex and is open year round. Over the past several days I have been watching the birds circling and diving approximately 300 yards off the coast. They were chasing the winter migration of bait fish moving south to warmer waters. Typically, these frenzied schools are followed by big Rockfish and Bluefish. Some of these fish can weigh in excess of 40 pounds.
With such a beautiful day on tap for this first day of the year, I thought I would try my luck.
The weather had winds less than 10 knots and water temps in the lower 50’s. The seas were calm with minimal surf. It was just a perfect day to spend time on the beach.
I took my eight foot surf rod with a standard two hook bottom rig and one ounce sinker. The bait of choice was cut fish chunks. It didn’t take long for the “dogfish” or sand sharks to find my line.
I spent two hours watching the huge migration just out of reach but catching dogfish sharks.
I could not have asked for a better beginning.
Until next time, Tightlines
Happy New Year – What an Amazing Year It Has Been
It’s been quite a year!
I have had the opportunity to do things that most anglers only dream of.
It started in southwest Florida where I fished the Charlotte Harbor for redfish, trout and snook. We added a side trip to the 10000 Islands in the Everglades. Besides the outstanding angling, the scenery was amazing. Pictures can never begin to share the experience.
I had an opportunity to travel to Alaska for business and took a side trip to a fish for Artic Grayling on the Chena River just outside of Fairbanks.
My annual off shore out of Ocean City, Md. produced not only bull dolphin and yellow fin tuna but a beautiful catch and release sailfish.
The first mate and I also took a fishing charter just south of St Petersburg, Florida on the Tampa Bay for giant redfish. We hooked up twelve giants and landed six. The first mate’s catch exceeded 32 inches and sixteen pounds. It was such a catch that Mirrolure is using her catch for advertising.
Between all of this, I spent countless hours on my home surf and sounds, catching trout, spot, croaker, blues, drum and of course flounder.
I met several famous television fishing show hosts during my various outings and had the opportunity for casting and fishing lessons from a professional fishing guide.
I want to thank everyone for visiting and supporting my blog over the past year. My goal has always been to provide you with the best angling and safe boating techniques. And have a lot of fun doing it. I especially enjoy sharing with you my many fishing experiences from my trips around the various waterways. My hope is that my blog will exceed your expectations and help make you a better angler and boater.
As we close 2011 and ease into 2012, my wish for you is to have a safe and healthy new year.
Until next time, Tightlines
Waiting for the Fish to Arrive
Fishing has been extremely slow over the past two weeks. I am just now hearing that some nice Rockfish are being caught both in the ocean and sounds. But anglers need to work hard due the stubborn water temperatures. Water has become too cold to fast in the sound but staying too warm in the ocean.
It also seems that the regular migration of big Rockfish and Blues has changed. On a typical fall/winter season, we see the decreasing water temps in the upper Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay drive the fish right to the near waters of Outer Banks for several weeks. Then after feeding heavily, they head off shore to winter in deeper water. Recently, the warm water temps have dropped up north but stayed too warm here. So once the fish arrive, they head straight out to deeper water and away from us.
The slow period has given me time to re-line several of my reels and purge my tackle boxes of used equipment that has seen better days.
One focus should definitely on winterizing your water crafts. Stabilizing fuel, fogging engines, emptying water tanks and hoses, removing all equipment and storing batteries in a protected environment.
A good cleaning of the hull, decks, and other surfaces plus applying a good coat of wax should be standard procedures. Plus installing your winter cover will save you many hours of agony in the spring.
Hopefully there will be better news in the coming days and weeks.
Until next time, Tightlines
My Special Trout Lure
We talked about gear and locations on previous blogs. This time I would like to talk about a special trout lure set up that I have used with tremendous success.
I start with a good action rod and a fast spinning reel. The one piece rod gives me the ability to throw a light lure further. I load the reel with a good 10 lb. monofilament with a 20 lb. fluorocarbon leader.
Fish in the fall seem to have more teeth so a heavier leader material is a must.
I tie a 1/8 oz. chartreuse flash jig head with a swimming “sea shad” paddle tail. There is no best color but I like the green speckled with an orange tail. Make sure you use a loop knot at the jig head for natural action.
Cast into pot holes, moving water, or out flows in the surf. I use a twitch, twitch, retrieve. Let the jig fall just a second then repeat. Wait for the bump, set the hook and hang on.
Does it work? – Well I caught over 50 speckled trout this weekend with several being some nice keepers.
Remember, it can’t get much better than fishing on the Outer Banks in October.
Hope to see you on the beach.
Until next time,
Tightlines
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