Cats, Sunnies, a Long Paddle and some Flounder

As kind as he was about sharing one of his speckled trout spots with me, I had to help Matt Anderson when he decided to try for catfish up my way.  5 o'clock couldn't come soon enough and I bolted from my office chair to meet him at the launch.  He had been out earlier with Dan Smullen and had a 29" blue cat for an online tournament he was hoping to win.  When we got to the water, I realized the water was higher than I thought it would be.  It was not a problem as far as the paddle goes, but for the spot I like to fish, it was a few feet higher than I like.  We still got into some fish just as the sun was setting.  I managed 4 or 5 with the biggest blue cat going ~31" and the biggest flathead going ~27"...nothing huge but still a good time.  Matt went on to win the tourney with the fish he caught earlier. 


The next day I went looking for crawdads in the creek down the street.  I was hoping to use some for bait, but they were nowhere to be found.  But I did find something else.  I went back home, grabbed my flyrod and had a good time sight casting to these little guys.

 
Red Breasted Sunfish (note the elongated ear flap)

Gotta love those colors

Planning my next trip got me excited.  Everything was packed and ready for the 3am departure.  All antsy and excited, I felt like a little kid.  Tossing and turning, thoughts of what could happen... oh the possibilities.  

The Eastern Shore greeted me with an amazing sunrise and light winds.  Long story short, I looked for bull reds, chummed for cobia,  and dropped clam bits for spades and sheeps.  I saw none and caught none.  An extremely long paddle in some new areas yielded small grey trout, sand perch, croaker and black sea bass... disappointing to say the least but at least I tried and learned a little about the new location.  My last ditch effort just before sunset had me jigging for flounder near the launch area.  That saved the day... 21", 20", 16" and 14".  

Flounder Print with Short Video

I kept an 18.5" flounder last Thursday and finally got around to making some prints of it.

After painting the eyes and doing a little touch up here and there, here's what the final print might look like.  

Click for bigger image

There are also samples of other prints in the Artwork section of the website.

First Sheepie of the Year

As soon as I set the hook, I knew.  It was heavy and I cranked as fast as I could knowing the jaw-clenching drag run was coming... and it most definitely did.  All the line I gained in the beginning was back under water and as hard as I tried to keep it away from the piling, it was still strong enough to get where it wanted.  I felt my line rubbing but luckily I was ready with the one arm paddle action.  I made two hard sweeps and got in position to give a good yank on the rod.  I turned his head and started gaining line... only for it to go on another awe inspiring run.  This time it didn't get back to the pilings, but I was still nervous about how much damage my line sustained the last time.  When I got it near the surface, my suspicions were confirmed in the form of a shredded leader.  And of course, in true sheepshead fashion, it got it's head pointed back down and as the tail started kicking I loosened up the drag just in time.  Two more heart stopping runs ensued and I could have sworn I was going to lose that fish.  But somehow I ended up landing my first sheepshead of 2012.

First Citation of the year, too.

Bubba is a tough fighter, but when you play rough, sometimes you lose a tooth.

You'll notice the color difference in the first two pictures.  The longer they stay out of water, the more faded the colors will get.  Please make sure, especially in the warmer months, to get them back in the water quickly and revive them thoroughly before releasing them.  It's pretty amazing to watch their colors come right back and vibrant.

I also caught a 25" black drum that fought well, but after the last fight, definitely seemed a bit on the wussy side.  There are few fish in our neck of the woods that will get your adrenaline rushing like a big ol' sheepshead.

Tidbits of what I used:  Bait, mole crabs (although other crustaceans will work as well, including fiddler crabs).  Rig, 2/0 Owner cutting point hook on dropper loop (1/0-3/0 will work).  3-4 oz sinker (sometimes more depending on current), 40lb leader, 30lb braid (most people use heavier braid and leader and it's recommended).  Stout yet sensitive rod and quality reel with smooth drag is crucial.  Noodley rods will not get a good hook set and you will not have enough power to turn the fish during the fight.  A drag that stutters will also end in disappointment.  

Side note:  Thanks goes out to Kevin, Lee and Jay for confirming our hunch earlier in the week.  Unfortunately, as luck would have it, Jay dropped two.  I'm sure they will be out for retribution soon.

ARC Demo Day

It was nonstop moving and helping once things got going.  I had a great time sharing my love for Ocean Kayak and hanging out with Kevin and the other pro staffers.  Here's a quick, silly little video of about 30 fun filled minutes compressed to about 2.

Talking about kayaking and fishing for hours... gotta love it!

Slow Night at the HRBT

The flounder bite was definitely slower than the last time I was out.
I had two little dinks and a mess of these...

I managed one decent 18.5" flounder and that was it.  After going up and down the light line with very little activity, I skedaddled a little before 11:00pm.  Sometimes that's just the way it goes.  I'm sure it'll pick back up soon.  

It was still a beautiful night.  I kept the flounder and a 13" croaker.  Hope to have some prints soon.

Sketch: Tarpon Study

I decided to start getting back into what I actually went to school for (and paid VCU a lot of money for) art/illustration.  And since I don't have a worth while fishing report to share this week, I figured I would at least share a little sketch I did recently.  

Hope to get back into painting soon 

(after I get a fish to pull my kayak around)

Taggin' some Flatties

After hangin' with Sammons and not getting any personal footage of the flounder action, I went to the HRBT the next evening to remedy that.  I got there at the beginning of the incoming tide and quickly found them hungry and aggressive.

I ended up with 8, going 19", 18.5", 21.5", 15", 17", 14", 16.5", and 17".  All were tagged and released except the 16.5"er (flopped out before tagging) and one of the 17"ers got gut hooked.  I try not to take too long before setting the hook since flounder are notorious for completely woofing down the lure/bait (especially smaller lures), just as much as they are known for soft lipping a bait before eating.  If I were using big 2oz jig heads and 6"-7" Gulps at the first island I may wait several seconds after the initial hit before setting the hook, but with 3"-4" lures I wait about 2 seconds.  If it's one of those days that I start off swinging and missing, then I'll add a few seconds before setting the hook.  I'd rather be a little early than gut hook a fish. Anyway, this 17"er was different.  I felt it hit at the top of my jig (when my rod tip is at it's highest) and by the time it got to the bottom, the lure was already down the hatch.  I didn't have a stringer or cooler in the car, so Jared (near by kayak angler) was the recipient of a nice keeper flounder.


Another thing flounder are notorious for is violent thrashing and flopping once they are landed in the kayak.  For the bigger flatties, I utilize the rod pod as what Kevin emphatically likes to label...  "the hurt locker".

They can also be tricky when trying to get a decent pic.

(Enjoy the goofy facial expressions)