9.18.14
Ok. I now have everything set up.
If you like to follow, here is the new address.
http://fishhardlowcountry.blogspot.com
Check it out, and thanks for looking!
Bill
Thursday, September 18, 2014
And So It Begins........
9.15.14
We finally have gotten all things in order.
Move in. Check.
Insurance. Check.
Pay property tax on cars and boats. Check.
Go back and forth between county auditor and DMV to get licenses for car and boats. Check.
Get drivers license. Check.
Get fishing license. Check.
Slap numbers and stickers on sides of boat. Check.
Finally, go fishing! Check.
We ventured out in the tin boat, not knowing where to go except for looking at people fishing around the Beaufort area with my binocs from the back deck.
Armed with plastics and jigheads we headed out on our first adventure.
The good old bonnet head showed up first. He liked the old fake shrimp on a jighead and put up a nice fight on the spinning rod.
We finally have gotten all things in order.
Move in. Check.
Insurance. Check.
Pay property tax on cars and boats. Check.
Go back and forth between county auditor and DMV to get licenses for car and boats. Check.
Get drivers license. Check.
Get fishing license. Check.
Slap numbers and stickers on sides of boat. Check.
Finally, go fishing! Check.
We ventured out in the tin boat, not knowing where to go except for looking at people fishing around the Beaufort area with my binocs from the back deck.
Armed with plastics and jigheads we headed out on our first adventure.
The good old bonnet head showed up first. He liked the old fake shrimp on a jighead and put up a nice fight on the spinning rod.
We putted around trying to get used to boating in the area. Huge tides, fast moving water and endless creeks makes it a challenge.
We just kept looking for fishy little points and islands where the weeds changed in size and type.
Finally we hit one last place and caught three trout. Two were South Carolina keepers, 14" plus and Nancy got a non keeper. But she scored.
She tried to make it look bigger by holding it out towards the camera. She has learned well.
Not a bad start to our adventures here in the low country of Beaufort.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Gone, Gone, Gone
8.19.14
For those folks that read my blog I greatly appreciate that.
For those who don't know me, you may have noticed that I quit posting.
The reason is that we have moved to South Carolina to test the waters (literally and figuratively).
We really enjoyed the fishing in the Big Bend.
But, I won't miss the yellow flies and gnats!
For those folks that read my blog I greatly appreciate that.
For those who don't know me, you may have noticed that I quit posting.
The reason is that we have moved to South Carolina to test the waters (literally and figuratively).
We really enjoyed the fishing in the Big Bend.
But, I won't miss the yellow flies and gnats!
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Doug Vs. Tarpon, and Doug Won
7.18.14
Destination Unknown or they will come to kill me.
Doug came up from Crystal River to try and slay a tarpon. I had some good intel that there was a good bite.
The tide was right on Friday morning and the sunrise was magnificent. The journey to the fishing grounds was a beautiful ride as fog was rising off the water. An unusual sight in late July.
We found the tarpon scattered with gar and after about an hour and 1/2 of slinging Bomber Long A's the moment occurred that we had hoped for.
As I was leaning down to grab a water, Doug yells, "Here is comes!" Usually for Doug that means he is about to pull the plug away from the fish as he hasn't digested all the coffee he drank that morning, but not this time.
The monster fish exploded 30' in front of the boat. It is amazing to see a fish as long as you are jump up and look you in the eye.
The 45 minute battle had begun.
The big tarpon was really getting some air early in the battle.
Destination Unknown or they will come to kill me.
Doug came up from Crystal River to try and slay a tarpon. I had some good intel that there was a good bite.
The tide was right on Friday morning and the sunrise was magnificent. The journey to the fishing grounds was a beautiful ride as fog was rising off the water. An unusual sight in late July.
We found the tarpon scattered with gar and after about an hour and 1/2 of slinging Bomber Long A's the moment occurred that we had hoped for.
As I was leaning down to grab a water, Doug yells, "Here is comes!" Usually for Doug that means he is about to pull the plug away from the fish as he hasn't digested all the coffee he drank that morning, but not this time.
The monster fish exploded 30' in front of the boat. It is amazing to see a fish as long as you are jump up and look you in the eye.
The 45 minute battle had begun.
The big tarpon was really getting some air early in the battle.
Then the long slog of the fish pulling the boat and occasionally coming up for a big gulp of air and then back down again for another long pull.
Doug stayed after him as I handed him water to keep him from dehydrating.
His Blair Wiggins rod and his Shimano reel performed admirably. But what about those knots!
Finally, we managed to get the behemoth to the boat. After a DNA swab for the tarpon study and a few pictures, off he went to swim again.
The fish was actually hooked below his mouth. You can see the red spot below the fish's jaw where the Bomber had done it's work.
After all the commotion, we had 7 more come up and crash the Bomber Long A's but couldn't quite get hooked up. Also had one knock the heck out of the custom made Wicad by Nick Larson, but couldn't connect.
What a day with my bro!
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Good Morning Bite
7.17.14
Phil and I hit the mouth of the river today. He was looking for some fish for a fish fry.
It was a beautiful morning and quite a change from the humid, stormy mornings we have been having lately.
The Ochlockonee was just before a high tide and the water was clear.
We went to the horse shoe bar and it was open as Phil banged 3 nice trout and some small reds and flounders on a white gulp.
I couldn't get anything to look up at the bandonkadonk or cordell, so I joined the gulp fest and caught a few myself.
As the tide died, we headed up to the long bar just to check it out. I finally go a trout to look up at the donk and a nice topwater fight began and ended with a 19" trout in the box.
The only fish I could get to hit the Cordell red fin was this. I think it is a fish.
Phil and I hit the mouth of the river today. He was looking for some fish for a fish fry.
It was a beautiful morning and quite a change from the humid, stormy mornings we have been having lately.
The Ochlockonee was just before a high tide and the water was clear.
We went to the horse shoe bar and it was open as Phil banged 3 nice trout and some small reds and flounders on a white gulp.
I couldn't get anything to look up at the bandonkadonk or cordell, so I joined the gulp fest and caught a few myself.
As the tide died, we headed up to the long bar just to check it out. I finally go a trout to look up at the donk and a nice topwater fight began and ended with a 19" trout in the box.
The only fish I could get to hit the Cordell red fin was this. I think it is a fish.
Phil ended up taking home this nice bag of trout for him and his buds.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Cobia Run
7.9.14
Wanted some cobia steaks and did our cobia run Tuesday.
Started out by the barge off 24 but nothing wanted our freshly caught pinfish.
Hit our holes coming back in to the ramp and managed 3 non keepers like this.
They all had friends following them up when their hooked buddy was coming boat side.
Didn't see any big ones.
We eased in to Mashes to look for tarpon. Saw a couple, but no takers.
And then the storms came....
Scurried back to the ramp.
Wanted some cobia steaks and did our cobia run Tuesday.
Started out by the barge off 24 but nothing wanted our freshly caught pinfish.
Hit our holes coming back in to the ramp and managed 3 non keepers like this.
They all had friends following them up when their hooked buddy was coming boat side.
Didn't see any big ones.
We eased in to Mashes to look for tarpon. Saw a couple, but no takers.
And then the storms came....
Scurried back to the ramp.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
2,2,2
7.3.14
We wanted to run and see if we can see/catch a tarpon and then head on down to Lanark to get some scallops. I heard good reports from last week that there were a bunch of scallops down there.
So off we went to the tip of Alligator Point. The water was choppy so there was a degree of difficulty in looking for the tarpon.
We anchored up on some white sand and soon I saw two big tarpon shadows looming just off the starboard side of the boat. Some quick casts with my DOA got nothing.
But we did catch two sharks.
We then motored on down to Lanark and the fleet was in.
We anchored up there about 3 times and I managed to get a limit of scallops, one for me and one for Nancy.
We wanted to run and see if we can see/catch a tarpon and then head on down to Lanark to get some scallops. I heard good reports from last week that there were a bunch of scallops down there.
So off we went to the tip of Alligator Point. The water was choppy so there was a degree of difficulty in looking for the tarpon.
We anchored up on some white sand and soon I saw two big tarpon shadows looming just off the starboard side of the boat. Some quick casts with my DOA got nothing.
But we did catch two sharks.
We then motored on down to Lanark and the fleet was in.
We anchored up there about 3 times and I managed to get a limit of scallops, one for me and one for Nancy.
So the day ended, two tarpon seen, two sharks caught, two scallops in the bag.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Fish Fry On Ice
6.25.14
Headed out about 3 miles to our area that is covered with debris.
We wanted to replenish our freezer and the trout were there and biting on a slack tide.
The first few casts brought trout aboard with a white gulp shrimp and red jig head doing the trick.
Also the flounder were in on the action as well as some small cobia.
Fishing was good initially and then slacked as the tide quickened, but we brought these nice fish home.
Headed out about 3 miles to our area that is covered with debris.
We wanted to replenish our freezer and the trout were there and biting on a slack tide.
The first few casts brought trout aboard with a white gulp shrimp and red jig head doing the trick.
Also the flounder were in on the action as well as some small cobia.
Fishing was good initially and then slacked as the tide quickened, but we brought these nice fish home.
The flounder was a nice 16" and was great eating last night stuffed with deviled crab from Mineral Springs Seafood!
Saturday, June 21, 2014
"The Jinx Is Broken!?"
6.19.14
Phil and his buddy Mike are down fishing this week and next from Gainesville, Ga.
Phil has had weather problems in the past. Usually of the tropical storm variety. But, except for evening thunderstorms, this week's weather has been very Florida like, hot, sticky and an evening shore breeze followed by thunderstorms.
They followed Nancy and I out off the 24 marker Thursday and as Phil says, the jinx was broken. Don't know if his comment was weather or fish related, but Mike put a nice 40" cobia in the box.
Phil and his buddy Mike are down fishing this week and next from Gainesville, Ga.
Phil has had weather problems in the past. Usually of the tropical storm variety. But, except for evening thunderstorms, this week's weather has been very Florida like, hot, sticky and an evening shore breeze followed by thunderstorms.
They followed Nancy and I out off the 24 marker Thursday and as Phil says, the jinx was broken. Don't know if his comment was weather or fish related, but Mike put a nice 40" cobia in the box.
This crab cruncher was caught out off the barge and ate a downlined pinfish.
When we pulled up on the site, I could see cobia swimming with the spade fish.
I caught this non keeper cobia free lining a pinny.
Nancy and I took the SeaCraft out to a couple of grunt holes and put a few in the ice box that tasted mighty fine last night adorning a soft taco shell.
Phil is down for another week, so I'm keeping an eye on the weather. I'm sure a tropical storm is near.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Junk Fish Trip
6.17.14
Water Temp: 82
Rode with Phil and Mike today to show them a few places and lay down some tracks in their boat so they have some confidence it some spots to fish the next couple of weeks.
The water was calm and the temps were hot and the junk fish bit.
Started at the shoals and caught a variety of species, trout, blues, shark, spanish, etc.
Only got to keep three or four trout as they were reluctant to bite or grow big enough to keep.
But I did get this nice spanish. I think it is about the biggest one I have ever caught.
He liked trying to take the badonkadonk away from me on the 2 flat.
Water Temp: 82
Rode with Phil and Mike today to show them a few places and lay down some tracks in their boat so they have some confidence it some spots to fish the next couple of weeks.
The water was calm and the temps were hot and the junk fish bit.
Started at the shoals and caught a variety of species, trout, blues, shark, spanish, etc.
Only got to keep three or four trout as they were reluctant to bite or grow big enough to keep.
But I did get this nice spanish. I think it is about the biggest one I have ever caught.
He liked trying to take the badonkadonk away from me on the 2 flat.
Summer is here as we were off the water about noon.
And it was HOT!!
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Quick Trip To The Feeding Bar
6.5.14
A beautiful morning greeted us with a little less humidity and a LOT less wind. We decided to make sure the tin boat would still run and headed out to the mouth of Ochlockonee River to see if any trout were still available.
They were, all be it, for a short period of time.
We were on the last bit of an incoming tide and as we pulled up to the horseshoe bar I could see the fish were moving, as there were many chasing the small minnows on top of the bar.
The first cast with the badonkadonk yielded a big blow up but the second cast didn't get missed as a nice speckled trout came aboard. Nothing like topwater in the morning.
A beautiful morning greeted us with a little less humidity and a LOT less wind. We decided to make sure the tin boat would still run and headed out to the mouth of Ochlockonee River to see if any trout were still available.
They were, all be it, for a short period of time.
We were on the last bit of an incoming tide and as we pulled up to the horseshoe bar I could see the fish were moving, as there were many chasing the small minnows on top of the bar.
The first cast with the badonkadonk yielded a big blow up but the second cast didn't get missed as a nice speckled trout came aboard. Nothing like topwater in the morning.
Nancy quickly landed a pup red and then picked up a bomber jerk bait with a red head and white body and was quickly hooked up.
She brought in this nice 21" trout that was released to see another day.
We brought four nice trout to the boat and lost numerous others as the bite died with the tide in about 45 minutes.
We hopped, skipped and jumped to various oyster beds and picked up a few ladyfish, but the ebbed tide had shut down the bite.
We also did our first drift of the year over the clam bar. Nothing happening yet, but Nancy did see a tarpon jump.
We also saw two guide boats putting in to chase tarpon with fly rods, so they must be around. Both boats were seen heading toward Alligator Point.
It was a good morning trip and back in time for lunch.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Fishing In The Washing Machine
5.30.14
Water Temp 82
Nancy and I were eager to try to go get the cobia that are biting so well. We planned a quick trip out on a cobia run only to be thwarted by the 20 mph ese wind that hammered us yesterday.
So much for 1-2 footers that was predicted by NOAA. That isn't unusual.
We finally idled in behind Shell Point reef and made a few passes. We landed a bunch of 13" trout on jerk baits and idled back in to Rock Landing after a good washing machine ride.
Whew!
Water Temp 82
Nancy and I were eager to try to go get the cobia that are biting so well. We planned a quick trip out on a cobia run only to be thwarted by the 20 mph ese wind that hammered us yesterday.
So much for 1-2 footers that was predicted by NOAA. That isn't unusual.
We finally idled in behind Shell Point reef and made a few passes. We landed a bunch of 13" trout on jerk baits and idled back in to Rock Landing after a good washing machine ride.
Whew!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Grand Slam!!
5.22.14
What can I say? The fishing is on fire right now. We have lived here for 7 years and it is the best I have ever seen. This includes my observations and the observation of working at the marina and talking to other fellow fishermen.
Here are the pictures from an outstanding day in which every hole we hit had fish all over it. From the inshore markers to off shore structure around the 24 marker and the Ochlockonee Shoals.
The best part is we fished and had a great time with family!
What can I say? The fishing is on fire right now. We have lived here for 7 years and it is the best I have ever seen. This includes my observations and the observation of working at the marina and talking to other fellow fishermen.
Here are the pictures from an outstanding day in which every hole we hit had fish all over it. From the inshore markers to off shore structure around the 24 marker and the Ochlockonee Shoals.
The best part is we fished and had a great time with family!
 |
| Fish Bites Put This Nice Flounder In The Box |
 |
| Nancy Added This 21" Trout With A Chartreuse Bass Assassin Jerk Bait |
 |
| The Cobia Are Everywhere. Willie Was Bowed Up Everywhere We Went With Cobia Eating His Pinfish |
 |
| The Result...Grand Slam! |
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Ochlockonee Shoals Trout Run
5.19.14
After my friends Larry and Phil left town to got back to North Georgia, the weather layed down.
No offense guys, but thanks for leaving. I was getting tired of the storms and 7 foot seas you bring every time you come down:-)
Willie and Patty came in to town and we headed out for a near shore-off shore adventure. We wanted to bag some cobia and catch some trout out at the shoals. I figured they had to be out there since the mouth of the river fishing that I tried with Larry and Phil was non existent.
We drifted Rotary reef for some cobia, but with no results other than a non keeper gag that Willie summoned up on a pinfish.
I wanted to go out to the 24 marker and try to bag a cobe but the water was rolling into 3 footers by the time we got there and we decided it was best to hit the calmer water of the shoals.
It was an excellent choice as the trout and blues kept our lines stretched for a few hours.
The fish were in about 5 feet of water and bit like they were starving right at low tide.
It was fun as we hooked up with everything we threw, top water, jerk baits, fat boys and off course white gulp shrimp.
We ended up bringing home 14 trout and threw back many fish that were right at keeping size.
I also lost some really nice fish on topwater. Just couldn't make it back to the boat without coming unbuttoned.
After my friends Larry and Phil left town to got back to North Georgia, the weather layed down.
No offense guys, but thanks for leaving. I was getting tired of the storms and 7 foot seas you bring every time you come down:-)
Willie and Patty came in to town and we headed out for a near shore-off shore adventure. We wanted to bag some cobia and catch some trout out at the shoals. I figured they had to be out there since the mouth of the river fishing that I tried with Larry and Phil was non existent.
We drifted Rotary reef for some cobia, but with no results other than a non keeper gag that Willie summoned up on a pinfish.
I wanted to go out to the 24 marker and try to bag a cobe but the water was rolling into 3 footers by the time we got there and we decided it was best to hit the calmer water of the shoals.
It was an excellent choice as the trout and blues kept our lines stretched for a few hours.
The fish were in about 5 feet of water and bit like they were starving right at low tide.
It was fun as we hooked up with everything we threw, top water, jerk baits, fat boys and off course white gulp shrimp.
We ended up bringing home 14 trout and threw back many fish that were right at keeping size.
I also lost some really nice fish on topwater. Just couldn't make it back to the boat without coming unbuttoned.
We decided to try a cobia run back to the hill and hit our usual holes on the way in. This worked to some degree as two cobia and two shark came boat side. Unfortunately the cobia were undersized and got to go back into the Gulf after Willie tangled with them for a while.
So it goes, another great day on the water at the Forgotten Coast!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
That Was A Nice Boat Ride and the Upside Down Moon
5.6.14
Finally got nice enough to put the old Seacraft in the water. It's May for goodness sakes!
The weather has reminded me of when I lived in Ohio and didn't get the boat out tip May also. That ain't right.
After wishing my Mom happy birthday we headed down to the Carrabelle ramp with the idea to fish for pompano and then try some offshore spots and maybe grab a grouper or AJ.
We did all of those things minus catching the fish.
It was an easy ride to the west end of Dog Island and three boats were anchored up closely and catching pomps. We never could get in line with them and just watched them catching them while we wore out the ladyfish unfortunately.
A school of spanish came through and promptly cut my jig off, so we decided to head off shore towards O tower as the seas were as flat as we have ever seen.
Stopped and hit some grouper numbers and caught rock bass and grunts but no grouper.
A first for us: we saw a sailfish chasing bait about 6 miles off Dog Island and not much farther saw a monster hammerhead shark cruising on the surface. It was like a National Geographic special on fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
We made it to O tower and tried jigging up some AJ's but all I got was this kingfish for my efforts.
Finally got nice enough to put the old Seacraft in the water. It's May for goodness sakes!
The weather has reminded me of when I lived in Ohio and didn't get the boat out tip May also. That ain't right.
After wishing my Mom happy birthday we headed down to the Carrabelle ramp with the idea to fish for pompano and then try some offshore spots and maybe grab a grouper or AJ.
We did all of those things minus catching the fish.
It was an easy ride to the west end of Dog Island and three boats were anchored up closely and catching pomps. We never could get in line with them and just watched them catching them while we wore out the ladyfish unfortunately.
A school of spanish came through and promptly cut my jig off, so we decided to head off shore towards O tower as the seas were as flat as we have ever seen.
Stopped and hit some grouper numbers and caught rock bass and grunts but no grouper.
A first for us: we saw a sailfish chasing bait about 6 miles off Dog Island and not much farther saw a monster hammerhead shark cruising on the surface. It was like a National Geographic special on fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
We made it to O tower and tried jigging up some AJ's but all I got was this kingfish for my efforts.
As you can see that is some nice smooth water.
Saw some monster kingfish cruising the tower chasing bait, but they didn't want anything we were offering.
Made the run back to Carrabelle and when I was walking up to the truck I looked at the moon which was up in the spring time sky.
The crescent was upside down.
A couple of years ago we were fishing with Hunter and Charlotte out at K tower with not much luck. A fellow came up to K tower in a 16 foot boat with a tiller motor hardly wearing anything but his shorts. He was definitely a sea rat kind of guy. He was puzzled about the bite being off too, but the moon was upside down at the time too, as he pointed out.
He said that that means the water is pouring out of the moon and consequently the fish won't bite.
I think I'm gonna run with that to explain yesterday.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Solo Trip
4.24.14
Water temp. 67 degrees
Headed out into the murky waters at the mouth of the Ochlockonee River.
Ran into a guide and he said that it is the worst he has ever seen it in his years of guiding.
The fog was heavy and kept coming in and out and didn't burn off until around 11 AM.
I started at some of my holes that were close to the ramp as I left my GPS at the house, so I was fishing blind as you couldn't see 100 feet in front of the boat.
I fished a large circle with nothing to show for my efforts.
Finally I ended up at the horseshoe bar hoping for some late magic.
There was a heavy incoming tide and I was fishing the back side of the bar with nothing to show for my efforts.
Said to myself, self, I wonder if they are on the front side.
Slid around there and the flurry of action began.
I ended up with a nice limit of speckled trout in about 20 minutes. Four came to the boat that were in the 18 inch range.
Water temp. 67 degrees
Headed out into the murky waters at the mouth of the Ochlockonee River.
Ran into a guide and he said that it is the worst he has ever seen it in his years of guiding.
The fog was heavy and kept coming in and out and didn't burn off until around 11 AM.
I started at some of my holes that were close to the ramp as I left my GPS at the house, so I was fishing blind as you couldn't see 100 feet in front of the boat.
I fished a large circle with nothing to show for my efforts.
Finally I ended up at the horseshoe bar hoping for some late magic.
There was a heavy incoming tide and I was fishing the back side of the bar with nothing to show for my efforts.
Said to myself, self, I wonder if they are on the front side.
Slid around there and the flurry of action began.
I ended up with a nice limit of speckled trout in about 20 minutes. Four came to the boat that were in the 18 inch range.
And my over 20" fish was this nice 22" speck that but up a heck of a battle in the swift water.
As you can see, all of the fish came on a gold red fin. That lure was taken on my last cast by a blasted Spanish Mackerel. I know that folks love catching the macs, but I hate when they arrive, because I lose a lot of jerk baits to them. But, bass pro shops is happy because I ordered 3 more this morning.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Drifting For Grouper Updated Picture
Patty got home and sent me this picture of her other grouper she caught.
She was rather offended that I posted her little grouper picture in the previous blog.
Sorry Patty and I hope your arms and wrists are feeling better.
She was rather offended that I posted her little grouper picture in the previous blog.
Sorry Patty and I hope your arms and wrists are feeling better.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Drifting For Grouper
4.11.14
Water Temp 67 degrees
After the big blow, the seas calmed and Patty, Willie and I hooked a ride with Captain Randy on his 25' Parker and headed 40 miles out to try and catch some red grouper and mutton snapper.
The seas were great and the water beautiful as we laif down on one of Randy's numbers and started our drifts for the day.
Patty had the touch today as she landed two nice gag grouper that had her hands and arms hurting by the end of the day. She also had her line broke a couple of times by the big grouper heading back to their rocky homes.
While she was doing that, Willie was loading the box with grunts, porgies and Vermillion snapper.
Randy is pointing to the hot hand Friday.
We made it back to Rock Landing at 6:30 and loaded up our gear and cooler full of fish.
All I can say is we cleaned a lot of fish and the pizza from Big Daddy's tasted real good at 9:30 Friday evening.
So while we didn't get to keep any of the 4 gags we caught because we were in federal waters, the day was fantastic as the weather, company and fish made for a memorable trip.
Water Temp 67 degrees
After the big blow, the seas calmed and Patty, Willie and I hooked a ride with Captain Randy on his 25' Parker and headed 40 miles out to try and catch some red grouper and mutton snapper.
The seas were great and the water beautiful as we laif down on one of Randy's numbers and started our drifts for the day.
Patty had the touch today as she landed two nice gag grouper that had her hands and arms hurting by the end of the day. She also had her line broke a couple of times by the big grouper heading back to their rocky homes.
While she was doing that, Willie was loading the box with grunts, porgies and Vermillion snapper.
Randy is pointing to the hot hand Friday.
We made it back to Rock Landing at 6:30 and loaded up our gear and cooler full of fish.
All I can say is we cleaned a lot of fish and the pizza from Big Daddy's tasted real good at 9:30 Friday evening.
So while we didn't get to keep any of the 4 gags we caught because we were in federal waters, the day was fantastic as the weather, company and fish made for a memorable trip.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Fighting The Wind
4.7 and 8
water temp 67 degrees
Well my kin got in and we've been trying to fish as much as we can.
The wind has been blowing since the big front came through.
But we still have managed a few trout and flounder.
I love throwing baits in the mouth of the river this time of year, but sometimes it is way to rough so we have been stuck in Panacea Harbor a couple of times.
That didn't stop my sister from catching this nice trout. The shrimp sales go up when she arrives.
water temp 67 degrees
Well my kin got in and we've been trying to fish as much as we can.
The wind has been blowing since the big front came through.
But we still have managed a few trout and flounder.
I love throwing baits in the mouth of the river this time of year, but sometimes it is way to rough so we have been stuck in Panacea Harbor a couple of times.
That didn't stop my sister from catching this nice trout. The shrimp sales go up when she arrives.
Since Pat and Willie are on vacation, sometimes Patty sleeps in and I take Willie out so he can net my trout.
These came from the river on Tuesday as a few came aboard on the red fin and chartreuse pepper soft plastics.
Fish tacos were on the menu Tuesday night!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Trout 15 Gags 1
3.31.14 and 4.1.14
Did the inshore offshore thing the past couple of days. I wanted to see if some trout had arrived in the river in anticipation of some kin fold coming down and April Fools Day was the beginning of Gag Grouper season and I managed to hitch a ride with some folks from the marina.
Nancy and I did a lot of casting on Monday afternoon, but once the trout were found we hammered them pretty good.
We fished the north side of Ochlockonee River with nothing to show for our efforts. Traveled up Chaires Creek for some recon work, but nothing was found there either.
Finally made it out to the horseshoe bar at the mouth of the river and it started slow on a huge incoming tide and ended up on fire.
We put 15 trout in the boat and one spanish mackerel. Many were caught on the usual soft baits, but they preferred chartreuse pepper colored baits the best. The bigger fish came on the old gold redfin.
Did the inshore offshore thing the past couple of days. I wanted to see if some trout had arrived in the river in anticipation of some kin fold coming down and April Fools Day was the beginning of Gag Grouper season and I managed to hitch a ride with some folks from the marina.
Nancy and I did a lot of casting on Monday afternoon, but once the trout were found we hammered them pretty good.
We fished the north side of Ochlockonee River with nothing to show for our efforts. Traveled up Chaires Creek for some recon work, but nothing was found there either.
Finally made it out to the horseshoe bar at the mouth of the river and it started slow on a huge incoming tide and ended up on fire.
We put 15 trout in the boat and one spanish mackerel. Many were caught on the usual soft baits, but they preferred chartreuse pepper colored baits the best. The bigger fish came on the old gold redfin.
On April first I headed off shore, but in the state waters as the gag grouper season opened.
We trolled mostly for at least a half a day with stretch 30's but got nothing for our efforts.
We dropped dead baits on a few stops and managed one keeper grouper and some grunts and rock bass. Certainly nothing to talk about but it was a beautiful day on the water. Every hole had 4-5 boat anchored up or trolling over it. At one time we counted 27 boats on Smokehouse ledge.
So, lots of gas was sold!
Monday, March 24, 2014
Little Corn Island Nicaragua DIY Bone Fishing Expedition
3.13.14-3.18.14
Nancy and I headed down to Nicaragua to enjoy a bone fishing trip and an island vacation.
The water was nice!
Nancy and I headed down to Nicaragua to enjoy a bone fishing trip and an island vacation.
The water was nice!
The food was good!
The people were very friendly!
The accommodations were like big boy camping.
My travel companion was nice to me.
Did I say the water was nice?
Caught this snapper in the surf and busted off three tarpon this evening. My face is expressing the shock of catching a fish!
Alas, no bonefish were seen or caught on the island, but I did see this nice school of bones in the Miami airport!
That Was Fun!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
First Inshore Outing of 2014. Nancy 2 Bill 0
03.10.14
Water temp. 64 degrees
We took the tin boat to the mouth of Ochlockonee River for the first inshore outing of the year.
I was getting over the largemouth bass fever and the afternoon finally got warm enough for the boating to feel comfortable.
We were surprised when we got to the ramp to see such tannic water conditions, there must have been more rain than I realized when I was down at the Big O.
Nancy put on a show fishing RIGHT handed, since the first mate thought he had brought her left handed rods, but it was a boating malfunction, so she knuckled down and went right handed.
She brought two trout to the boat in our brief time on the water. As usual, these river trout were sporting their colors.
Water temp. 64 degrees
We took the tin boat to the mouth of Ochlockonee River for the first inshore outing of the year.
I was getting over the largemouth bass fever and the afternoon finally got warm enough for the boating to feel comfortable.
We were surprised when we got to the ramp to see such tannic water conditions, there must have been more rain than I realized when I was down at the Big O.
Nancy put on a show fishing RIGHT handed, since the first mate thought he had brought her left handed rods, but it was a boating malfunction, so she knuckled down and went right handed.
She brought two trout to the boat in our brief time on the water. As usual, these river trout were sporting their colors.
As you can see in the background the wind was up blowing pretty good and it was tough to stay on a hole with the wind blowing one way and the tide pushing the boat another.
If Nancy could have presented her white gulp better, she may have loaded the boat! Even right handed.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Red Sox Training Camp 2.29.14
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| Napoli tomahawking |
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| Big Papi taking them deep |
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| Peter Gammons Thinks the Champs Look Good |
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| They couldn't hit my sinker! |
Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report Part 3
Hunter and I left Tuesday morning to get him back on the plane and to catch a little of the Boston Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers.
We told Wally and Doug where we had caught the fish and to just keep casting the frog and the would get the bass.
By 10 o'clock I had got the message they were on them hard and heavy.
These pictures look like they came from a 1980 phone, and that is true as Doug left his iPhone in the truck and Wally had his relic of a phone in his pocket for these snaps.
The bass had gotten even larger Tuesday as Doug and Wally caught two over 6 lbs. and many 5 lbers.
They were weighing them and Doug's five biggest was a touch over 30 lbs. and Wally's five best was a little under 30 lbs. They estimated they landed over 100 lbs. of fish on a great Tuesday morning. All on Spro Frogs. Unbelievable.
Lesson learned on spawning fish at the Big O: keep going back, they will be there soon!
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