Deep Drop

Once my busy life and winds matched up, I jumped at the chance to get offshore again. Our buddy Shane texted Lee that he wanted to go deep dropping. Since Meghan and I had never done it, and Lee had done it a few times, it was an obvious "let's do it." We met up at 4 a.m. for the long haul offshore, but man when I heard the engines turn over it brought a smile to my face.

We started wreck hopping on the way out, picking up Black Sea Bass at each honey hole. Meghan was a natural and put Lee and Shane to shame for a while. But we know better than to count them out and they soon started catching up.

A pair of Mola Mola aka Ocean Sunfish or a "Jay it's a Bebe Wheeal"

David Leslie hails us on the radio and stops by to give us some numbers where everyone smoked the bluelines and solid class of seabass.

Citation Tile for Lee

Citation Tile for Shane

We tried another spot for Blueline Tilefish but only hung a few seabass until Lee hangs into something real nice. I look up and he is up current stretched out. Shane handles the boat when they say its a shark and we assume its a blue dog, right until Lee sees its tail and says "that's a Mako, son." I still wasn't sold until it started doing some arial acrobatics jumping out of the water. Lee pulls him in, I gaff it quick and we throw it in the icebox before it can start going crazy on the boat.

With the time running out we pick up and run in by 3 p.m. with over 200lbs of meat in a stuffed fish box.

What A Day.

So Fly Fishing isnt that bad..

I haven't had an opportunity to get out like I like but I have picked up fly fishing for Bass and Crappie over the last few weeks. I'm a beginner for sure but just getting out on the water and fishing has forced me improve tremendously even over this short time. I'm really looking forward to learning and advancing as a fly fisherman.

And of course I couldn't post without showing off my Personal Best Catch at the Marine Corps Ball this year.

Redfishing and the TKAA Tourney

With the fall in full swing Meghan and I decided to head out for some Bull Reds. It's a really fun fishery we have here, we can jig them, bait fish for them or catch live bait and drift over structure for them. Our puppy Captain hadn't been on the boat yet so we decided to go hand out on anchor and try our luck. We ended up getting a pair of  smaller bulls after about 30 minutes and were then covered up in sharks so we packed it up and went in. 

Meghan's flounder on a chunk of Menhaden!

The next week we had the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association tournament. It is typically one of the biggest in the nation. The  morning of I met up with Rob Choi and several others as we prepared to go for Bull Reds. The bite  had been hot on the pilings and most were planning on fishing there but in the past I had a lot of luck out at the islands. I felt more at ease knowing I had my plan and as Mark Lozier says plan your fishing and fish your plan. So while others were already fishing I made the long paddle out to the island. I saw a buddy Matt and another cat from Maryland hook up and then come unbuttoned next to me but other than that it was very slow. I then got my chance while jigging and it all came together. After the getting her into the boat and a quick measurement with help from Jeff Lockhart I had Rob Choi snap some photos despite it being valuable tournament fishing time. He is always a trooper like that!     

PC: Rob Choi

47" Bull Red (PC: Rob Choi)

PC: Josh Dolan

It turns out it was the only bull caught and I placed 1st in the Redfish Division out of just under 200 anglers! Unfortunately this year was the first year where prizes other than trophies were not distributed so I took home a trophy and the satisfaction of knowing I helped a worthy cause and finally accomplished a long sought after goal.

Marlin Fishing

I was lucky enough to finally have the bottom of the boat stripped of bottom paint and epoxy applied just in time for the White Marlin to show up off the Virginia Coast. Lee, Duane and I decided to take a weekday off to make the 70 mile run offshore to try our luck. Unfortunately at the launch we couldn't get our running lights on so we waited till first light, the joy of figuring out a new boat I suppose. Lee had a good idea of where to start and I let Duane take the wheel while I sipped on coffee on the way out. Once we made it to mecca it was obvious, sportfish boats as far as you could see North to South. Before we had our second bait in the water Duane was feeding the first Marlin of the trip. We caught 3 White Marlin before 10am and the bite shut off for us despite seeing a ton of other boats hooked up.

Overall we caught 3, burned just over 100 gals of gas and had a great time with great friends despite having one of the smallest boats out there!   



Catching up!

Since this early spring I have been away with the Marines training. I was afforded an opportunity to attend one if not the hardest schools the Marines offer, Infantry Officers Course. I passed but in the process torn a Labrum and lost just under 20 lbs.

During the course I had little to no time off, didn't have weekends off, and when I was off had homework and needed to rest as my peers were a full decade younger than I. Ill make this post pic heavy and elaborate on the fish that are really special and will stick with me for a long time in the following posts.

Billy with a stud sheepy after I broke 2 off the same day!

 First Sheepshead Citation of 2016, I lost countless sheep but it all came together with this one.

First Bass on fly!!

Tournament Sheepshead, 3rd place overall. (Catching for Kids) PC: William Ragulsky

First hog at my best friends house, taken with the gun I used to take my first deer.

 Backyard Bass with Meghan and I

All in all not bad for having almost no time. I hope to keep up with the blog now that I am back in my normal schedule. Thanks for looking and can't wait to see yall on the water!