Wednesday, April 27, 2011

1 for 3....

I had been looking forward to this 3 day break of mine.  The previous week I was battling a cold and home sick for a few days.  I was really hoping to spend 3 solid days out on the water.  Well it just was not meant to be.  I did get one day in Rudee Inlet.  Started my day at 10AM, launching from Owl Creek ramp.  I paddled out to the Jetty to throw some lures around and ride the incoming tide into the Inlet.  Heard reports of bluefish earlier in Lake Wesley but didn't bother to venture back there.  I set up on the wall and drifted some live minnows along the bottom  hoping for some flounder. Fished  under the bridge for a bit with a few hits but couldn't hang anything.  Worked my way back to the police docks while trolling a lure behind me and didn't come up with anything but a few small hits.   It was a pretty day on the water with the real nice looking water.  Lots of fellow yakers out there too.  Hopefully this wind settles down and I can get a few days in the water.

The next 2 days we had heavy winds and storms that kept me off of the water.  I guess better luck next time.  Here are a few pics from my trip.








Tight Lines...

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Tough week

Been a tough week for fishing.  First had some family visit then got sick.  Sucks being stuck indoors right now..  I havent forgot about you.



A

Monday, April 11, 2011

Early morning run to the Hot Ditch...

Yesterday I decided that I was going to make a early run out on the water.  With no reports of anything biting at Rudee inlet over the weekend I decided to make another trip to the Hot Ditch in search of specks puppy drum and maybe a rockfish or two.  The morning started out with my alarm going off at 440AM.  I was on the water by 530.  Paddled over to a few spots that i had liked when I first came here the other day. Had my first fish in the boat of the season around 615.  Was just a small Speckled Trout but still a nice healthy looking fish that got a VMRC tag and got let go.  I fished until about 915.  In total I caught 3 Specks.  all in the same area.  I tried to scout out some other places but did really have any luck.  Great way to start the week  and my last day off of my 5-day break.  I think this is the earliest I have caught fish out of the kayak in the few years that Ive had it.  Hopefully that is a good sign of the summer to come.




A.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Picture says a thousand words...

A.

Cape Hatteras

Looking back on some pictures I found from a few years ago reminded me of I would say my most memorable Kayak trip to this date.  I took a day trip down to Ramp 44 in NC to enjoy the world famous Cape Point fishing grounds.  There was a blitz of Spanish Mackerel that kept everyone busy for a few hours.  Add to the list a few Bar Jacks and Jack Crevells.   With that kind of lineup you know the sharks aren't to far away either.  I witnessed a shark the size of my 13'5" kayak swim right by me in the gin clear waters off of the point. All in all it was a terrific day out there.  It is a shame that these kind of trips will not happen anymore due to the greed of Audubon and SELC.  They have taken away public access to so many great areas in North Carolina.  I hope to one day be able to share these great trips with my own family but with the way it has worked out over the past few years I may never get that chance.



Tight lines...

A.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Riverines on the River

With close to 85 degree temps today I decided I would take a shot at the Hot Ditch.  I gave Chesapeake Yachts a call and setup my parking pass with them and gave the river a shot.  I have never fished the Elizabeth River or the Hot Ditch before.  I really wanted to just get out on the water so I could scout it out a bit and see what was around before I took a trip out there at night.  The water was actually pretty warm but the bugs were bad.  didnt manage any fish but it was nice to get out and put the kayak back in the water.  I hear night time is the time to go down there.  Did get a good couple miles paddled.  Hopefully that is a spot that I can turn into a more productive fishing ground this year.







Thinking a night trip maybe this weekend...maybe the bluefish will turn on at rudee? Who knows..stay tuned..


A.

Invasion of the Elizabeth River...


Im ready to go...Hot Ditch today.....

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Turning the dial....

Just turned 95000 miles on the Jeep.  Bought it at 38348 in 2008.  Hopefully it has many miles left in her.  Big weekend coming up.  I have a few trips planned to get out on the water and hopefully net some fish.  Bring on the summer time

A.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Another day closer...

As we get closer and closer to my first trip of the season, I decided to take advantage of the nice weather today and organize and clean everything up.  I wanted to go over some of my safety gear and make sure that everything was working properly.  


Picture above is what I usually carry on a normal trip.  Firefly Strobe light, Emergency whistle, a sharp knife and a pair of nail clippers.  Also stored in my hull I have a tent and drybag that i store some protein bars and dry clothes.

I broke out my Virginia Game Fish Tagging box.  It holds all my gear used to tag fish of different species.


Yak is on top and ready to go.....Not just yet..Next stop is a good cleaning and make sure all my seals are still good. 

This year I hope to really get out and fish different bodies of water.  I would like to possibly get out and get some Rainbow Trout down in Chesapeake this week if possible.  I have yet to put the kayak in fresh water and that would be a first for me.  In July I will be going up to Maine with my fiancĂ© for a family reunion and will have s hot at Salmon and Trout.  I hope to make it a good fishing year.  Well thats all that I have for now...A few more days and ill be back in the water..

A.

Ready to Go