Memorial Day Blues

I had plans to hit Rudee Inlet Friday morning of Memorial Day weekend for some reds and flounder. I was rigged up and met up with a buddy, William Ragulsky. He looked over my gear and said you wanna borrow a rod, I got an extra. I laughed him off and he handed me some leaders and said to retie, but I already had my plan. I was gonna chase flat fish while him and his buddies Tommy, Alex and Lee chased big blues. Well after a little over an hour passed I had nothing to show and I paddle up to the guys and they yelled “Where have you been?”.  They had all hooked and landed Blues over thirty inches. Well I am no dummy so I asked for the leaders back and retied. I caught a smallish 20” and the bite died. We looked but they seemed to have moved on along with the warm air. A cold front blows in bringing freezing rain and I can see my breath. The other guys start calling it a day until its just Tommy, William and myself. I finally get a run but instead of pulling me forward he hit the lure right at the boat headed to the rear. I immediately start losing line as the drag screams off. Tommy and William chuckle at my amazement of the power of this thing. I finally get him in the boat and we know its big but we only have a hawg trough so we guess its around 33”.

I told William I wanted to take my wife out for round two and there was a TKAA Club get together that Sunday. I saw lots of folks and it was great putting some names to faces. Allie thought it was cool some people recognized her from some of her fishing pictures too. We head off looking for the blues hoping they hadn’t been scared off by the holiday boat and yak traffic. On Allies first cast she hooks up to a nice blue but it shakes her off and I throw in next to her and hook up and hand her the rod. She fights and lands on her own a mid 20” Blue, but she didn’t like it. She looked at me and said "no, I am gonna do this by myself next time.". So the next fishy looking spot she fires and hooks into a big blue. Allie looked at me and screamed its taking my line as the fish pulls her and her 14 foot kayak with ease! She finally gets it close and pulls it in and it’s a beautiful 32”er. She asked how big they are supposed to be, these are my first ones, hahaha. We take some pics and the bite dies. William comes out and catches several and I am left with the skunk until I land one at the bottom of the ninth narrowly avoiding the skunk.  I couldn’t have asked for a better day out with friends and loved ones.

 

Check out William Ragulskys report at http://coastalkayakfishing.blogspot.com/

  

On a side note I just got some stickers printed with the site logo and the quality was great. I went through “Sticker Steve”, you can find him on Face Book at https://www.facebook.com/StickerStevePuckett

This one is in the Tarpon 140.

Waiting on the wind

I got done with work Thursday at 1300 and knew I wouldn't be able to relax while I still had new water to learn, and I have a lot of it here in Jacksonville NC. On the other hand I also knew the winds were pegged at 15knts and the water was a shade darker than chocolate milk. F it, I am going fishing. I head out and fish some holes taught to me by NCPierMan. I slip onto some flats and pound the banks with a gulp ripple mullet and pick up a 17" red. That was it. I decided to let the tide cycle carry out the murky water before I try again.

 

I got out again today Tuesday 5/7 and hit a pond on Camp Lejeune. Those that know me know how hard up I have to be to fish freshwater. I fish for two hours with one small bass to show. I spooked a big bass off some shallow flats so I know they are in there and can be shallow. I get to a creek that looks nice. I hook a baby and he jumps off. I cast again to the center of the creek with a bush sticking out. Number two in the boat. Not bad and I am building confidence in my senko worm. Then I see it, a tail waving in the shallows. It moves ever so slightly, taunting me and I am not gonna waste any time. I jet to the opposite side for a good angle and I see some bait scurry away from the tailing bass. I get to the other side and cast but it doesn't hit the mark. I recant and cast close enough that I know he sees it, although far from the perfect toss. I work it ever so slightly when it begins to move causing a wake and I know I am about to hook the one. The wake grows larger then it breaks the surface and its a 6-7 foot gator tying to get into the center of the creek where I am, in the deeper water. He veered to my left and I sat there for a second before I got the hell out of there.  I caught another bass on the way to the ramp but kept my legs in the boat! That was my first experience with a  gator, hope its my last. Sorry no pics of the gator.

 



Seeing Red

I went out a few weeks ago and fished the shoals between Smith and Fishermans Islands but the water was still a little too cold. The next week I received my pro staff shirt from Wilderness Systems and wanted to get some good shots with it and I knew the reds were getting close so I went despite unfavorable reports. I drove the four hours from NC and hung out with my wife that morning. She had an engagement that afternoon so I knew I could get out without much grief. I got set up right in the thick of the shoals, got my anchor set and cast out the first crab, weighted with a 5oz sinker and an 8/0 circle complete with a whole crab. I turned around to grab a weight for the second rig when the clicker started humming from the first rod, its pretty common for the boat to drift back and forth esp right after you anchor up, I reached over placing my thumb on the spool but the line came tight, the rod doubled over and I engaged the reel. The fish began taking a decent amount of drag and I released the freshly dropped anchor. The fish ran out of the shoals and I had her play kamikaze with me several times while trying to shake the hook free. I got her to the boat and with a pull and leg sweep had her in the boat. I couldn't believe my luck having only been on anchor for less than three minutes and thanked god for the experience. I got some quick photos and released her healthy to go make some babies. I didn't bother getting a measurement on her because I wont be submitting any citations this year. Ill be in North Carolina most of the year and wont be chasing the coveted Expert Angler, this year is just about the chase and the thrill of fighting the fish.

I went back and got set up thinking that was all luck, and that I was in for a long wait if I was gonna catch another one. I sat for all of 45 minutes and notice one line has moved toward the front of the boat. I check the rod tip but it looks normal and no drag has come off, so I decided to check my bait. I reel in the slack and  it feels like its stuck in the mud. It's slowly coming toward me and then a switch goes off in the fishes mind and she starts screaming away. I know its a red from the head shakes and drag she is pulling off with ease. I get her close and I get a call, I answer laughing hysterically because of all the people to call in the middle of a fight it is Rob Choi. He asks what I am laughing at and I said "Can you hear that?" as the big red slaps her tail on the surface and he asks what it is, I said "I gotta land this red and Ill call you back haha". I barely get her in the boat and she is a beast, prob the thickest red I have caught. I look around and wanted to get a good shot so I paddle back to Smiths and keep her on the boga grip to make sure she stays healthy. I get close, get my photos then release her.

I went back and after about an hour I had a screaming run but the red jumped and came off. I was bewildered, I had never had a bull red jump me off... That was it for the rest of the day but not bad for heading out for a few hours while Allie was busy.  

   

Good News and Bad News

Which do you want first?

The good news is that the water temps in Virginia are warming and the fish are beginning to turn on. The water temps in the bay are in the upper 40s which means the Tautog should really be turning on. I made the trip to the island and was skunked, tried the ships and was skunked. I began thinking I lost my touch from last year when I caught more than I can remember. I tried the island one last time and ended the day with a single 17" tog. I have never seen one with this much color, most female are nearly all black / brown with an occasional white spot. The males have more white with a dark back. This one had a school buss yellow on both sides like a kindergartener tried to color her. I took a couple photos and called it a day with the current picking up, narrowly missing a third skunk. Have patience and the tog will turn on as the water temps rise.

Now for the bad news..... I have been selected to join a Marine team headed to Afghanistan within the next few months. I will be training for the next few months and am taking my kayak and truck down so i can fish for reds, specks, and flounder there in the area. I am also going to try to make it back up for my other loves, bull reds and sheepshead.... Oh and you too Honey. Yall have a great summer and hopefully Ill see some of yall on the water this summer. If yall have any honey holes down there please share, my time on the water will be limited and I know Ill be feigning for the fight. Once I have a chance to get on the water Ill post reports until I depart.

Overdue Report

12/8/12
My wife and I just recently moved to Ocean View, right on the water. We purchased a home knowing we wanted to raise it but we were waiting for FEMA to put us on the list. In the mean time Hurricane Sandy hit, and the max flood happened during the highest day of storm surge forcing my home underwater. I have been blessed with many people including fellow kayak fisherman Jason B and Lee Williams. Jason allowed me to borrow a dehumidifier and air filter while Lee came over and helped me rip out all of my carpet and drywall. This community continues to impress me from its work in Heros on the Water (HOW) to reaching out and helping an individual in need. I got messages from fishermen I had never met in person, who were willing to help in any way. Needless to say I am impressed with the character of those around the sport.



After a few weeks off the water I needed to bend my rods. I would be out of town the following week so I had to make this week count and wouldn’t you know it a noreaster blew in with cold temps, howling wind and heavy rain. I decided to head to the Elizabeth River and make the best of a bad situation. I fished the main river and found plenty of Speckled Trout up to 21”.



After my trip I was eager to get out for Tautog but the winds would not cooperate. Every weekend was a carbon copy of the last, windy. Finally the wind was forecasted to slack and I went out with Kayak Kevin (KayakKevin.com), Lee Williams, and Rob Choi (Angling-Addict.com). We planned to make a long drift and catch some of these Striper that are making their way down the bay. It took a while but we finally got on some fish. These two were 42” and 41” and were caught on eels free lined.

42”


41”

TKAA Tourney Report

10/20/12
The day before the tourney I went out for Sheep and they were on fire. I caught a 23 and a 23 1/2, ran out of bait in three hours. The second a 23" jumped from my arms as Rob Choi was taking my pics, she fell on the edge of the kayak but I couldnt get a good hold of her. I then tried to toss the sheep in Robs yak but she hit him in the arm and swam back to the depths!. I wasnt all that mad (surprisingly), I have plenty of sheep pics, I do it for the thrill of the fight.



The next day was the tourney.


I caught an 18" trout to start the day, and Allie got a 17 right after. The wind kept blowing and Allie went in after four hours. I kept it up and ended with a 20" on a mirror.




Mine was just under size to place but Allie won 4th in the Womens Div! I am so proud of her!

Virginia Beach Boondoggle

10/6/12
The week of boondoggle I knew I had to get on some fish. I have to leave for a week for the Marines so I had to make every trip count. The winds were favorable so I went to my favorite spot, the CBBT. The first day I go for Sheep and Tog. I drop and before I get set next to the pilings I am being bit, I rear back and hang into a solid fish. After a quick fish I leg a smallish sheep into the boat.



I keep fishing and I set the hook and I think its another sheep but it begins to run out instead of down. I kick away from the piling and Kevin says "its a drum!". I bear down on him tightening my drag, I see some color and know its a Black Drum, I feel a surge of adrenalin because that would be my 5th specie citation of the year. I get it close and leg it in. I knew it was short but was happy to share the terrific fight on fairly light tackle. The measurement came in at 37", 9 inches short of citation.



I continue thinking the tog bite may be hot but I ended with just one after a long paddle.


The next day I had Honey Do's, I had to build a hand rail to appease my home owners insurance. Lee came over and we knocked it out, finished painting a wall then hit the next slack with plans for sheep.


My first piling I begin feeling the familiar grinding and double thump of a sheepshead bite. After losing several fiddlers I get a good hookset and feel the power of an adult sheep fighting for every inch of water. I leg her in and snap a couple photos. We showed Ocean Kayak team member Jean McElroy what a real sheepshead looks like. The day wears on and we decided to call it a day.



The next day was the Boondoggle kiddy rod tourney. I begin by cathing a small red on a mirror. Allie hooks into a nice ribbon fish and because its longest fish has a real shot at winning. I drop some fiddlers and find a baby Sheepshead, my 5th in 8 days. I then catch slot red and decided with the wind blowing it was time to go in.






I had a great time meeting everyone involved with the Boondoggle, I hope they can come back soon!

Playing hooky

9/24/12
This Friday I was supposed to be at work, but that wasn't what was on my mind. I kept thinking of the fish that Rob Choi, Justin Mayer, William Ragulsky, and Seth Goodrich caught the week before. The weather was looking good so Lee and Damien had decided to make a trip off shore for some big Red Drum.

I was late in making my decision and at the last minute I decided to make the run and catch up with the guys. I paddled out even though I couldn't see them, hoping they were out somewhere over the horizon and finally I see them waving their paddles at me in between the rolling sets of swells. I find out the Damian was already on the board after just a few minutes and he had to take off to get back to work haha. Lee and I set up shop for hours and picked through shark after shark. Losing expensive gear nearly each time. It got to the point where I look at lee and said "Are you ready" and he responds with "I feel as if we sat here for a million years we wouldn't catch one.". We decided to dump our bait and began to stow our gear for the rough beach landing to come. Just as I dump my bait my rod goes off but its not a typical fight, at first its just very heavy weight and I am thinking I got a Ray this time. But as it got closer to the kayak it began moving then taking line then a lot of line. I was using my Okuma Trio Spinning Reel with a Med Action Okuma Cedros Spinning Rod with only 30lb braid so I really couldn't horse him in. She came up and I told Lee yeah its a red. She made a couple long runs until Lee said my arms were shaking. I got her in the boat took a couple quick pics and got her in the water to ensure her health. Its vital to get these old fish back in the water as soon as you can or risk losing a true trophy. She swam off and without bait and the sun going down we called it a day.

Lee looks at me and said "You bottom of the Ninth me!" haha, I guess I did. Lee told me before that he puts people on drum and man was he right, I owe Lee a thanks for talking me out of work and onto fish!

Kayak Angler Mag Article and Photo

Check out this months Kayak Angler Magazine! Allie is featured on page 12 with her 27" Speckled Trout and my article is on page 29! We are both pretty excited to be in the mag!

http://www.kayakanglermag.com/kayakanglermag_fall12/

A day of firsts and a fourth

9/3/12
I went out this week looking for some fun. Kevin said he had a spot he wanted to try. We get to his spot just before low tide and its literally every cast we hook into 13-17 inch Reds. Many times the bait wouldn’t get to the bottom before hooking up. I was like a kid in a candy store. It was awesome seeing so many healthy young Reds.


While running through them I hooked into my 4th tagged fish of the year (Speck, Spade, Trigger, and now a Red). This one was a 13” Red who looked to be tagged for some time. I scratched off some of the algae and took my pic to report the catch. I left the tag in and let it swim back to his pals.



I was still itching to fish for tog / sheep so Kevin, Lee, and myself made it over to find a smorgasbord of fish. Kevin got just about everything under the sea. I hooked into a tog and baby Black Drum. Any one that knows me knows I am chasing 6 Virginia Trophy Citations (I have four of six) but this drum was about 37” short of my citation!




Here is a tournament worthy Flounder, yall better watch out.


After catching so many Reds I began thinking of getting Allie on her first. She is a teacher and cant fish with me during the week. So Before I went to work on Sunday I took her out to catch her first Red. At the very first stop she caught three to my one! Then we moved for bigger Reds and I caught what felt like a solid drum. It turned out to be a fat Croaker measuring 15”, with citation being 20”.



We headed back in with smiles on our faces and I told her to troll in. She did and caught her first speck on artificial. The Speck went 15” and after a few pics was released.


Over all we both had a great time on the water and she is more pumped than ever to fish the tournament!

Check out Kevins Report at http://www.KayakKevin.com