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Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 54
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 3:41 pm: | |
Report taken from www.captdaves.blogspot.com my daily reports & photo Blog.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
5/15 - "SCA" - Today & my Plate Alloy Boat.
Had Don B. and his parents scheduled for today. But man was it windy.
The NWS called for Small Craft Advisory. And they were right, but I don't think it ever blew as hard as it was supposed too.
But I'm glad we re-grouped this morning and decided to venture out on Wednesday instead. Because the forecast is getting better all the time!
For once in my life, can ya believe that??
----------------------------------------
I had my dad and mom out the other day (report is down page). Mom knows zero about boats. But dad was with me when I ordered mine from Jay at Black Lab Marine, up in Maine. July of last year. He's a motor cycle head, and I'm a fish head. But at least he "gets it".
"Getting it", is part of why people buy Plate Alloy boats. And for Dad "Getting it", is why people like him ride BMW - GS Adventure models.
Finally we have common ground!
Just as a boat owner goes through many a boat till one finds a boat that really fits their needs for life. He's done the same thing with motorcycles. First it was a Kawasaki, then on too numerous Harley's, then on too many BMW's, and then now he found his niche. The German UNI-MOG, or here in the US it would be the original Military HUMMER, of Motorcycles. Go anywhere, street or off road. A Serious traveling bike, that can take the abuse.
And for me, it's my Plate Alloy Boat. I say Plate Alloy, because it's really not your average aluminum boat. At Blacklab Marine, they don't refer to the boats as aluminum. Because everyone thinks "Jon-Boat", rather than lets say....the St. Johns River Bar Pilot Boats! Which are built out of the same material. And they certainly are not your average "Aluminum Boat".
When I had dad on the boat on Sunday, I must have said, "Isn't this boat great?" about 10 times. Because I'm just so happy with it. And he doesn't fish with me all that much anymore.
(too busy riding that "UNI-MOG" motorcycle all over the country)
The attributes of this hull are clear. If you're not trying to impress your neighbors with sleek "cad-cam" hull designs and the color of the drapes in your cabin. Because if you're worried about all that then a boat like this isn't for you.
It's taken me all these years to realize how much I loved my ole 14' 1971 Aluma-Craft. I beat it, banged it, beached it, and drove on top of oyster beds with it. And that's why I loved that ole boat. And back then is when they made them TUFF. I look at an Aluma-Craft now, and can't believe how cheaply made they are. With thin, low grade "aluminum".
My BLM is Marine Grade Alloy and without going into all the jargon, it's 1/4 inch think one piece plate on the bottom. The sides & floor are 3/16" and the transom is 1/2".
I run into tug boat wakes and don't hear any "creeking", and the simplicity and functionality is unbelievable. I know people talk about me as they see it at the boat ramp.
-I bet it's hot in that boat.......not really.
-I bet that boats noisy.......No, it's completely foam filled.
-I 'm sure that boat costs a fortune....go price any decent fiberglass boat. They cost the same.
-Who buys a Stainless steel boat?........ It's not stainless you dummy!
So far I've heard all the wacko comments, been chased down, had my time wasted by US Navy retiree's who are obvious metal boat experts in their own minds...and it doesn't change a damn thing.
Plate Alloy is a superior boat building material. Period. I have zero wasted space. And the 2-1/2" scuppers drain water off the deck (when I use my wash down pump) so fast it's a beautiful thing.
Remember the photo of Tiger Woods' big monster yacht I had in a post a few days ago?
I'd bet that yacht is Plate Alloy! But you can't tell.
My plate alloy boat floats differently than a fiberglass boat. It's not tippy, or stern heavy. I used to think my ole 23' MayCraft was a stable boat. Until I rode in a BLM boat. Here's just an example of the difference:
My 26 footer is capable of carrying twin 300 four-strokes (for commercial purposes), but I have a single 225 Honda.
Over-all weight capacity is 4600 POUNDS! Have 4600 lbs in most fiberglass 26 footers and your about to sink!
Even the best, go fast, $100,000.00 boats will take water all over the engine(s) while backing down or by big following waves. I have not seen a drop of water go over my Honda yet. And I back into huge rollers while holding someone in position while they cast a jig at the jetties. And manuverability in reverse is something that made me say S-O-L-D, while on a seatrail in a 23 footer with 5 people in it.
I have this LINK on my NEWS PAGE.....but I will bet no one ever looks at my NEWS PAGE, so here ya go:
http://www.aluminum.org/content/navigationmenu/the_industry/-sheet,_pl ate/aluminum_boats/aluminumboats.doc
If you want to read the facts by people who know them. The facts I know is that no matter what this business throws at me, I'm absolutely the happiest boat owner I know of. And couldn't ask for anything better.
Except, now I want a customized 19 footer with tiller steering, as a back country creek & shallows boat for me to go play in. I want a fleet of these boats! Just wish we had enough people to take in this town.
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM
904-642-9546 |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 53
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 8:52 pm: | |
Friday, May 11, 2007
5/11 - AFTER THE BIG BLOW
Report taken from my Daily Blog Reports & Photos at: WWW.CAPTDAVES.BLOGSPOT.COM
WHY THE HELL AM I OUT HERE TODAY BY MYSELF?
Because I get calls, for you guessed it......for Wednesday, and then Thursday....and last but not least, Friday. TODAY!!!!
I'll refer to today as the "Officially the First Day after the big Blow". But not everyone gets it. It's HOWLING upwards on the coast a gale or better. A Gale; is defined as 32 knots or more. And people in the area actually think we can fish in that?? But when the wind drops, as in today. They never call, then. Only on hainous days.
I know we have had damn near the worst weather anyone can think of in the last 2 months. And believe me, no one feels it more than a fishing guide. I cannot remember such a windy/gale filled April & May, than this year.
So, I went to do some after storm R&D.
I've done a lot of that lately. Every time it's gale force plus winds, I go the exact day it calms enough to "actually fish".
And when I tell ya', I had a tough time catching fish. Believe me, I know EXACTLY what I'm doing. I would bet, you'd have a real hard time.
(remember....I don't sit on a trolling motor and fish all day during YOUR charter, like many fishing guides. So when I hook'em up, I can hand them off to you. And pretend you're having a great day catching them yourself.)
When you fish with me, unless we're on a single passenger trip. I do not have time to fish. I'm busy helping YOU.
So, my day started after waiting and waiting, then waiting some more for live shrimp to appear at the bait shop. Yes, shrimp do not grow on tree's.
I think I left the ramp around 11am. And I headed straight up river.
But first, I took a pic of Tiger Woods' yacht "PRIVACY", sitting at Mayport Marine. Quite convenient, travel in your "ship" to and from Golf championships.
Can ya imagine being that young and that wealthy.
I had plans of fishing dead low at several spots. But we never really had a good low tide, anywhere. That pic of the Flounder is from under the Mathews Bridge!! I fished momentarily a Flounder spot there, where I've caught them before. But they were bigger before.
Previous to that Flounder, I fished 3 spots. And only caught Lady Fish and Jacks. I worked in the 15-20 knot gusting winds from the ENE some seriously great Trout areas at low tide till I worked my way to the Mathews Bridge. To check the Salinity Levels!
THE MONSTER OF ALL FLIP FLOPS: Last Thursday south of the Dames Point Bridge area, salinity level in river 22 Part Per Thousand. NOW? Let's just say, with a stiff breeze holding all the water up in the river for the last 4 days at least, now all the way to my measuring point, the salinity level today was 35-36 PPT.
I could just look at the water and tell it's not right, as it was last Thursday. The color, and the other dead give away was the salt covering the boat & engine. I want no salt or much less salt water.....I'd love a 10 parts per thousand. That's serious Trout water!
But I caught some fish.
I boxed 3 Trout to 4 pounds, (threw back one 14-1/2 incher), and the "chipper" Flounder, and one big Spanish Mackerel. Plus hads 6 ladyfish and 4 Jacks.
On one spot, where I caught the 4 pounder. On my first drift of my float, I GOT MY ASS HANDED TO ME! It's a dock, and man do these fish wait till you're floats up between two pilings, and then they hit and hit hard. But that's not all...I received 2 more "ass handings" before I left the spot. Man, it was exciting. Pitch back to the dock, drift in beween two wood pilings and next to a concrete one and BAM! Float goes down and I set the hook, I got it....and then against the drag pulling the fish ducks for cover around that nasty wood piling.
I LOVE IT! Maybe big Trout, maybe a Red. I caught not a single Jack or Ladyfish at this spot and can't remember the last time I did. But have only caught and lost Reds and Trout here.
It's fun, getting slam dunked. If you think Trout do not PULL hard, then you've never hooked a really, really big one.
We really need less wind and less wind with EAST in it's name. ALL was right on track. And then came this storm Andre (?) and now everything is totally FLIP-FLOPPED. I know for a fact, I'm back-stepping. I was right where I wanted to be. Now all has changed........
AGAIN!
Man, I love float-rigging a live shrimp through dock pilings. Backing up and anchoring next to massive structure, right where you know they are. It's truly NE Florida's version of addictive fishing for me.
I hope mother nature will cut me a break and let me get back to taking people to do some really good Trout fishing, again.
Memorial Holiday is wide open. The tides are good that whole week. Call now to reserve your day, because.........
Not another single fishing guide in this whole area gives you this kind of info as you get here, to make the right choice in a charter.
I want educated anglers aboard.
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
Jacksonville-Amelia Island, Florida
WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM - for charter info
904-642-9546
For daily reports & pics:
www.captdaves.blogspot.com |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 52
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 7:02 am: | |
4/26 - The man has good balance!
(report taken from my daily reports blog at: www.captdaves.blogspot.com)
Now this is one thing I do not get very often on my boat....a fella who can cast a Bait Casting reel, and into the wind too!
Whit Sherrill, my Solo angler I had today could do that and more. This soon to be "ex" USAF Officer, (GO AIRFORCE...it was my choice of armed services also) was a good fish catcher, and he and I, had a ball.
He was right on time at the dock this morning, not coming from very far....he was staying at the Mayport Navy Base vacationing with his wife and baby boy.
His first fish of the morning was a big nasty Jack, that snatched his float and gave this N. Carolina "sweet water-ish" fisherman's rod a serious jerkin'. We weren't fishing 5 minutes and he hooked the Jack. Then came some Trout, then a Sheepshead.
Then we ran down river and found the wind too strong, on one spot and the current too strong on another. So back to the Big Rocks (jetties) we went. Caught some Yellowmouth Trout, a few more small Jacks, then a Ladyfish or two, and a nice light tackle battle with a good size Shark too.
The south Jetty was a mess on the outside. THE SOUTH WIND I WAS LOOKING FOR WAS ACTUALLY S.E. AT 20 KTS. NOT THE KINDA SOUTH I WANTED, LATER IN THE DAY!
The South Jetty was Sandy-silty water, nasty and very choppy, and NO BIG DEAL to fish in my battle wagon. I swear to you, you can not imagine how superior this big & brawny Plate Alloy boat of mine handles the nastiest of conditions. Believe me, I'll never go back to Fiberglass. And will never have too. It's my life time boat!
The fishing wasn't full of action. So we moved, and put up the float rig (DON'T TELL ANYONE) And pitched jigs while power drifting the jetty tip. More like power Backing. Because the 15-20 knot SE winds were pushing us into the rocks, so I had to stay in reverse the whole time we sort of drifted. (AND NOT A DROP OF WATER CAME IN THE BOAT) As the 4 footers crashed on the transom, as I backed away from the jetty. (the boats design is super dry and stable)
Whit played tug of war with a 28" deep water Redbass, and another big Jack. I even made a few casts and pulled as hard as I could on a Red, just for the fun of it and the fish straighted my jig hook.
By looking at the photo's, I think you could tell Whit had a good time and he also had some fillets for a nice family dinner, also.
Thanks Whit.
Here's today's "Recent Catch" page photo's:
http://www.captdaves.com/Catch4.htm
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com
904-642-9546
26' boat 1-4 passengers |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 51
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 6:59 am: | |
4/30 - GATOR HUNTIN'
(report taken from Capt Dave's Daily Reports at:
www.captdaves.blogspot.com)
As you can see....I started out "counting" them, holding my fingers up. But that didn't work. Actually I got the first three fish on my first three drifts of my Float-rig.
I had 2 - 19" to 20" Trout in the box, then the third fish was a 5 pounder. Then I caught a Spanish Mackerel and a Ladyfish, and then in the next hour and a half I had 5 more, 5 pounder G-A-T-O-R-S!
The wind (sea-breeze to be very technical) started honkin' so bad I could almost not fish anymore, but I waited it out. And the wind would subside a little and I'd catch another one. So, what's a TROUT FREAK gonna do? Keep at it, of course. I actually needed not 5 pounders, but rather smaller fish for the box.
So after 8 mega-nice Trout I started pitching a jig-n-shrimp. Hooked up two super sweet sized Flounder, and both got off at the side of the boat. So I went to a curly tailed plastic on the jig real fast and pitched along side the boat right where i lost one of the Flounder and hooked it up again....."Ahh, you bastard are gonna meet Mr. Trout, in the fish box", I thought. But damned if that one didn't get off too! Dammit! I know why, because all the flounder I hooked wewre in NO CURRENT, and they just snapped at it, and didn't engulf the bait. I heavy current it would be a different story.
Earlier in the day, as I waited for the tide to drop. I found a new spot. Boulders all over the bottom from 10-18 feet, dropping off to deep water. Another possible Trout hang-out. So as i looked around I pitched a Jig-n-curly-tail, I hooked up a Flattie immediately. So as I reeled it to the boat, I looked up and saw two Sheepshead tailing, around a rock in a foot or so of water...Cool...but it wasn't meant to be because when I looked down again at my Flounder. It also got off the hook.
I just wasn't my day to catch 4 nice Flounder, I guess. But that's okay. I know where the Trout are.
A Trout Tracker, that's what ya have to be. These are all big fat "roe" Trout too. It's spawning time. And if all goes well and I actually get someone who picks a day for a charter when the tides right, they may get the chance to catch fish like these pictures. But, the likely-hood is slim to none..."and slim left town".
People from other parts just do not get it. Thats why they hire me I thought. I had three calls today. And 3 yesterday. Everyone wants the best day, but do not get that it's all about the tide. I just do my best with the day they give me. If they want a GREAT DAY........PLAN instead of just showing up hilly-nilly. I have a phone, a blog, e-mail, a web site with alot of info, that many do not even want to look at and read. I hand out pearls full of info, and just do the best I can, with the cards I'm dealt.
So that's why I go and mess'em up all by myself. Because I can.
PHOTO & Report LINK:
http://www.captdaves.blogspot.com/
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
Jacksonville to Amelia Island, Florida
WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM
904) 642-9546
26' boat 1-4 passengers
Inshore/River/Near-coastal waters light tackle fishing
Visa/MC/Amex/PayPal - accepted
ADVANCED RESERVATIONS REQUIRED |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 50
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 6:10 am: | |
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com
904-642-9546
4/23 - Only on a falling tide?????
Thank goodness for a few hours of falling tide!
Had Dave Campbell and Mike and Austin out again. Dave and Mike have been with me several times before, but this was Austin's first dip into the saltwater fishery, since he's from IOWA??
Where's dat? I've heard of it before, though. Prior we always bottom fished so this was their first time doing the float-rig fishing.
Wow, was the rollers high this morning heading out to the tip of the jetties. Rollers, is all I can think of calling them, because we rolled up them and over them as we headed out to where I was putting all my nuts in one sack. Yes, I had no where else I could think of going that would produce some good bites on the last few hours of falling tide. Everywhere else has been so damn dead. Or just so damned hard to fish in the winds, day after day.
I was a tad pissed off that I had to go thru such nastiness just to get to where I wanted to fish in the first place, I'll admit that. And it was showing.
Can I please get a single day that life is easy.....or just easier?? I guess not.
The last dead calm day I had was back on April 4th with Jake and Jeff, and we fished the beach that day.......literally the beach behind the surf (if there was one) and left them biting
Alright, we made it to the spot, and I anchored up and it all felt WRONG! The boat lay, the way the floats went.......EVERYTHING!
So after a few minutes I re-grouped and made a slight adjustment. And we were on them.
Trout, and some Jacks, and one big Ladyfish. The fishing was consistent for a few hours and like a light switch all of a sudden went completely dead!
I again made some adjustments for the guys on their tackle...and that's when we had back to back Sheepshead, 5 & 6 pounds. I don't mind two of them, maybe even 3 of them. But I'm not like some of these Sheepherders. I certainly don't want to have to clean a whole bunch of them.
Then, as the tide completely died we ran up into a creek and had some more blues, a Ladyfish and some small Trout to finish up 10 dozen live shrimp.
By noon the wind was again howling inshore from the east...You'd think I was used to it by now, but I'm not and it made precision anchoring a problem.
Next up:
Wednesday's afternoon Group Charter with 3 boats (on an incoming tide) & Thursday's "solo" angler and me. Which is always a fun day, where I can throw in something different.
Where's that south wind?
Here's the rest of today's pics on my Catch Page 7 - http://www.captdaves.com/Catch7.htm |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 49
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 6:08 am: | |
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
Jacksonville-Amelia Island Florida
WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM
904-642-9546
4/20 - Another windy weekend
I think today's weather stats say it all:
04/20 - 12:06 pm,
NNE @
22.9 knot sustained/
32.1 knot gusts
04/20 - 12:00 pm,
NNE @
25.1 knot sustained/
31.1 knot gusts
04/20 - 11:54 am,
NNE @
24.1 knot sustained/
28.9 knot gusts
I THINK YA GET MY DRIFT.
But there's more to this story than just un-bare able winds. That's Dave Seidel in the photo. He met me at the Mayport boat ramp around 8am. It was sunny, chilly and with some wind, about 10 knots from the N.E. Not all that bad.....just a tad askew that's all. Dave just wanted to "get out", since he was hotel bound and was here for a Navy reunion, and was leaving Monday back to Pa. I told him, the forecast looks to be heinous, and I certainly cannot promise much if anything at all. It was okay, he said. He understood, an was a fisherman himself at home.
So we leave the ramp, and head for the jetties. Not really to fish them, but I wanted to give him the .50 cent tour at least. He was easy going on the phone last night and at 6:00am this morning when I called, for the heads-up on the weather report. I wanted to at least show him around.
The jetties were nasty, even on the incoming tide. I can only image how bad they will be when the tide really starts falling against the N.E. wind. So off down river we went. 2-Bluefish on, 2- Bluefish off.....they chewed through the 20 pound leader. Next spot, 2- Speckled Trout (keepers) and a Flounder. And then another one we call "LUCKY".
Dave's float goes down, he reels, sets the hook tight, and has the fish coming to the boat, so he thought. The drag burns.....he reels, the drag burns again.....I look into the water (care of Ocean Waves sunglasses Illuminator Lens') and see a big fat Speck! The drag goes off again......I go for the net...Dave's line goes slack.....Fish Gone!
AHHHHH, man. A big Trout lost. And Dave did nothing I saw wrong. The fishes name was "LUCKY", that's all.
The sky was dark, the wind was picking up, and the saving grace is we were into some fish up in a small creek, behind another creek, that branched off another small creek, way on back there! The rain started, the clouds began to darken, and here it comes. ANOTHER "FRONT" FROM HELL!
All bites stopped, the anchor broke free because the wind was so full bore against the side of the boat, so we moved on. As I got out in the main creek, it was not looking good. But we tried it again. Then another spot, and it was now in full Gale conditions.
In the back of my mind I was thinking about..."how do I pull up to the dock in this wind?" "how do I get the boat on the trailer in this wind?"
So we looked around a little more and headed into the river. Holy Crap, this was some sporty stuff, and the tide hasn't changed yet and may never against all this. So I made the decision to bag it and head in.
I idled outside the boat ramp docks studying how to get to the dock that was down wind, without making this into a all out collision with concrete and those damned NYLON sides on the dock. Hey, I may have a big Plate Alloy boat, but still would like to avoid any dents in the hull.
So I made my approach with "all hands on deck", ready for who knows what. And I came in good and safely. Now, how do I drive on the trailer without driving over the trailer??
Dave and I figured it out and it was so simple, and I slid into the bunks like an ole man sliding into bed.....oh so easy.
I was so happy. No casualties or broken anything! Just had to do the geometry. The angle of the gale force gust versus the docks, the trailer and take it easy and think it through.
Sounds stupid maybe but this was no laughing matter, because the wind was blowing straight into the docks, and in this kind of Gale I had no bow control at slow speeds, or boat control at all.
Tomorrow, I have two guys scheduled. And we decided to do a rain check and I put them in my long will call list. They want to go, but will call back with another date to do so.
Back to back weekends with winds this strong is freakin me OUT!
This like NO April I have ever seen before.
So far I have 3 days next week and as far as what they say now, 15 knots from the south seems to be the norm. I'll take that over a cold NE 15 anyday!
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 48
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 8:20 pm: | |
NOW TODAY WAS PERFECT! (4/4/07)
-taken from daily report & photo Blog
Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, and Black Drum......AND WE LEFT THEM BITING!!!!!!!
Wow what a beautiful day. This is how it's supposed to be. No B.S., just three Amigos, shooting the bull telling stories, out catching some fish, and nice ones I might add. On a beautiful day, soaking up the sun, getting some great bites, a variety of species, not having to fight Momma Nature, 20 knot winds or crowds of people out to ruin your day with clients, with inconsideration.
Jake & Jeff had their trip planned for late March. But as you may know if you're a frequent reader of these pages, the end of March was heinous! Jake said, "I do not want to fish in the winds...so pick another day Dave and call me." So I picked today April 4th, for the soul reason Jeff was coming from Gainesville, and a 10:30am High Tide gave him some wiggle room, to get to Mayport. And avid Gulf Coast fisherman himself, Jeff hadn't ever went float rigging before. But then again it wasn't your average Float-rigging day. We never really did any long drifts, because the fish were all around us. Plus, we were in such shallow waters, that I could have just as well had on the ole Cajun Thunder clickin' corks. (have a I told ya'll how much I LOVE my new boat, lately??? If not let just say, It's the best boat I have ever fished on, EVER!)
And really lets face it. Some of the simplistic most relaxing fishing in saltwater is when all ya do is set the float a drifting, and watch that baby disappear......FISH ON! And anyone can do it. I think that it's obvious that this "blog" and my "recent catch pages" prove that!
There's not much else to tell other than Jake is wanting to learn more about the ways of the float, and I think he learned just enough to make him dangerous today, but he'll need some more reel time still.
We had 4 Sheepshead to 6 pounds, a 5 pound Flounder, a 4 pound Trout, and a 4 pound Black Drum, and a small 17" Redfish, too many Bluefish. And for Jake it was all he needed to fill up on some fresh fish fillets.
And again, I'll say it. WE LEFT THEM BITING!
Jeff and I both knew that. But there's hopefully more days like the one we had today still to come.
It was an awesome day, with great guys.
________________________________
Link to photos:
http://www.captdaves.com/4-4-2.gif
http://www.captdaves.com/4-4-5.gif
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com
904-642-9546
26' custom plate alloy boat, from 1 angler to large groups accomodated. |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 47
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 5:33 pm: | |
Report photo's, or visit www.captdaves.com - recent catch pages.
Photo's of recent trips:
April 2nd - http://www.captdaves.com/4-2-2.gif
April 3rd - http://www.captdaves.com/3-31-3.gif
more april 3rd:
http://www.captdaves.com/3-31-6.gif
April 4th -
http://www.captdaves.com/4-3-07jetty3.gif
more April 4th - http://www.captdaves.com/4-3-2.gif
LETS GO MAKE SOME MEMORIES
Capt Dave
904-642-9546 |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 46
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 5:27 pm: | |
3/31 - Blustery, overcast, WHO CARES?
LOOK AT THOSE P-fish!!!!! (pics of pompano)
POMPANO.....one of the special spring time treats, that I love catching on the Float-rig.
And so did Jeff & Carl....Carl's was 1st, and we were excited. Then, came Jeff's whopper Pomp and we were really excited, because it hit as I was dragging on the anchor and idling the boat forward against the anchor line.
They were 2.5 & 4.5 pounds.
We also had Speckled Trout, (of course) and all but one were good keeper size fish to 19".
Then a Sheepshead, a frisky 5 pounder. And way to many Bluefish. And let me just say..."where the hell did these Nantucket junk-fish come from?" This year they are like in plague proportions. I've been fighting them since January, and I'm about tired of it. I hate them....and they're green NOT blue!
So we sat in rough and tumble waters most of the morning to get our fish, then all of a sudden the bite fell off. So I went shallow, down river. We went to kayak country. Yakers all up in water where the birds wade....why? Fish need to swim yaker-man. So as we laughed and joked about the yaks fishing in 3 inches of water, we caught some pupper Redfish, and then came the one we were fishing for, Harry's 26 incher that fought real good. (in 3 feet of water...where the fish were)
The day was overcast, blustery winds shifting from easterly to the south. Waters disturbed, and rough, with swells in the river. But we didn't care. The fish were chewing. And I was surprised, seeing that yesterday it blew like hell.
Wanna see the whole days pics? Go to my Catch page 3 on my web site: http://www.captdaves.com/Catch3.htm
Next day up, Monday with just two anglers. I'm looking forward to it. The Weather Guessers say it'll be nice, I'll see, and if so I'll enjoy that.
Commentary:
I've notice A LOT of fishing guides who constantly fish-hard on their charters. They are always casting, and seem to be "just going fishing" and letting paying customers tag along. That isn't a charter, that's paying to fish while the guide fishes. That's tacky, and hack-like in my book.
And I guess at the end of the day the Guides fish are what his "charter caught" huh? I see something kinda wrong with that do you? If not. Stop reading any further or you'll get your feelings hurt.
I just want you to know, my people aboard catch all their own fish. They don't just reel in a fish after a guide hooks it for them, or watch the fishing guide reel in a fish. This seems to be a running trend with the flats boat/bay boat crowd on a trolling motor. I guess that's their excuse they're using. Personally, I see some guides never, I mean never bait a hook, or personally instruct an angler. I've done it all, had bay boats, small skiffs with trolling motors....)I hate them! Because they always break, when ya need them the most.) I was in the fore front of developing the jigging the jetty rocks with jigs and shrimp/fiddlers. I've done it all, and believe what I'm doing right now is a true and a honest days fishing.....for my customers. Where YOU always catch the fish, not me. And personal attention and instruction is something you get a lot of.
And I even read an article about a outdoor writer who did one of those "$400 a day take a Guide on a Fishing charter, type trips." And man was he telling it like he saw it. I'd love to find that article again and post it here.
-Just food for thought, that's all. I'm always watching and observing.
Capt Dave, "the float freak"
904-642-9546
www.captdaves.com |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
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Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 45
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 5:23 pm: | |
Sunday, April 1, 2007 4/1 - ...."its blowin again"....April fools!
(taken from my daily reports blog)
I lazily rolled out of bed at 7:30am, (really sleeping in for me) back aching, burry-eyed and made some strong Java this morning. Sat down at my desk and went to work updating my NEWS page on my web site with the new pre-reserved days on the calendar. And then the phone rang around 9am.
It was Brian & Matt, wanting to go fishing. They said they were hung-over, had a wild night but really wanted to go fishing. They called around and ended up with my phone number, from a friend already out fishing.
Well, ya know how I love "last minute" phone calls for charters. So I told them I too am sitting here waking up slowly while still in my BVD's.
But they didn't hem or haw, they wanted to go and laid a Visa on me with no gripes. (usually these types of calls never work out....not because of me, but because fishing was just a whim) But not these two guys.
So I said, "Okay, meet me at 11am at the dock". I scurried and got my act together, loaded the boat and just knew it was gonna be a cone-a-rama out on the river, and it was! The ramp was full, the river was full, and there was people wall to wall everywhere you looked.
And ya know how I just love fishing in and around other people....I DON'T, I HATE IT! (It's heredity. My Grand father was incredibly unsocialable when he fished so my dad tells me and he says; "your just like your grandfather, if he saw a single body standing on the beach when he went surf fishing, he'd pack up and leave that entire stretch of ocean.")
But that was back in the 1950's, he'd just flip if he was alive and trying to fish these days, without seeing a soul.
I got a good word that the jetties were heinous, big seas and big wind. And yes, it was windy when we left, too. So my 2 crew members didn't want any parts of rockin & rollin' so we turned left out of the boat ramp towards inshore waters.
My options were pretty limited starting late and with so many people everywhere, so we went to the closest place I know we can hide-out. We were early on the spot, but I didn't care. I had to stake claim or loose it to the unknowing weekend crowds. The tide started to drop, and the bites came.
First fish was a small 14" pup Redfish. Then a Flounder, then a good pull on the rod lost to a user error. Then another Redfish, a 22 incher. Then more traffic coming thru screwing us over, then some small Trout, then a keeper, then another lost good puller, then a few more small trout. Then our current died....Time to move on.
But as we were fishing the wind was worse and worse. South at a good 20 knots easy!
April fools!!!!! Ya'll who listened to the weather guessers, really got bent over the rail today. (personally I never even looked at it and didn't care. I had a feeling nothing would change from the rest of the last 30 days.)
Is that why the river was a July like festival of boats, because the weather guessers, said it was gonna be nice? Sure was nice. NICE AND WINDY.
So we looked around, and it got to the point where a boat was on every spot, the wind was bad everywhere, and the river was so rough it was like being offshore during a gale.
So we pretty much went back to the creek, caught a few more dinks at dead low tide, and then headed in.
We had a pretty good day considering a late start, too many people, and to much south wind. Keeping one Trout, one Flounder and one Redfish for take home.
Now I have Monday thru Thursday reserved...and will not be fishing next weekend probably. 5 days in a row, and if I have to fight the wind I'll really be tired of it. But according to the forecast: - MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. I guess I may get a breather from the wind burn.Because as of now the whole week looks good.
My News page is where you can find what dates are "pre-reserved", in case your interested in booking a day of float-riggin, aboard the CaptDaves.com boat. Along with other pertinent dates.
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing www.captdaves.com
904-642-9546
26' Center console bay/bluewater capable boat 1-4 anglers. |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
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Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 44
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 5:22 pm: | |
Jacksonville Fishing Report for:
Amelia Island and Mayport (inshore).
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 4/3 - Super weather.....doesn't anyone go to work?
(report taken from Daily report Blog)
Had Allen & Cliff Giddens on board today while in Jax with their parents. The boat ramp looked like a July 4th weekend, on an ordinary Tuesday.
Thank goodness, it's all the slick sea starved offshore warriors, that haven't been able to do anything, because of the 21 days worth of incessant east winds.
I'm more than happy to do just what I do and that's, no long boat rides.
So the boys met me at the dock at 8:30am. I decided to fish the incoming tide at the big rocks for a change. Drifting our floats straight down the jetty with not a single sniff.
It just wasn't happening, so I waited for the tide to turn by anchoring up and using some finger mullet about 4" that I had in my second live well pinned to a leader and a 4oz bank sinker pitched out on the bottom along the south tip.
That's where Cliff caught a 12 pound, 31" Redfish. We tired for a second one, but the dullness of bottom fishing was more than I could take, and the boys seemed restless too.
I did all I could to roust a smile or a conversation out of them, but they were the quite types. The exact opposite of me, which for 6 hours is tough.
So we went back to the trusty float-rig. We went back to where we first started, because I do not give up, and I do not run around all over chasing a bite. Patience and the tides timing will bring what it brings. We ended up nailing 5-giant Yellowmouths in a row, 2-3 pounds a piece. Then, the Specks showed and we boxed 3 of them, and that was about it. Everything shut down.
So I moved no more than 200 yards, but to a very difficult area to fish. And Cliff, nailed a 4 pound Speck. We got waked, knocked off anchor twice. And the difficulty of float-fishing this spot forced me to make a run down river.
We stopped by the river/ICW intersection and worked an area that I can't wait to actually have fish on it again. Last year I could go in there, bang 5-10 healthy Specks on almost any falling tide. But not this Spring.....not so far. Yesterday Mike pulled one nice Speck off it and that was it. So we slid into a Redfish "go to spot", before packing it in for the day.
Looking for that perfect 18-27 incher that does swim this area, Cliff hooked up a nice 18" Speck instead, and Allen hooked that pupper 14" Redfish.
If we had enough time to possibly sit there and work the area hard for another hour or two we could have probably picked up a keeper Redbass or Flounder, but it was getting late.
So I ended up cleaning 5 Specks to 4 pounds and 5 yellowmouths to 3 pounds at the end of the day. I think the boys will have a good fish fry.
The photo outside the boat was taken by Ron Brooks from http://www.saltfishing.about.com/ Ron's and outdoor writer and does some great local fishing articles. Plus I knew of him because I used to buy mass amounts of my "Capt Dave's Jetty-Jigs", that I used to sell in my online tackle shop from his cousin in Tennessee. Ron was out fishing solo on his flats boat, loading up for a fish fry. So you may see the CaptDaves.com-Sportfishing boat in an article someday soon on Ron's ABOUT.com site. (thanks for the pics, Ron)
2 more days to go.......till I get a days rest. And the oil changed in the Honda outboard, and my Taxes sent to the IRS.
To see photo's go to www.captdaves.com and click Recent catch pics and daily reports page.
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing 904-642-9546 "Float-Freak" |
Bryan Russell (Capt_bryan_russell)
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Username: Capt_bryan_russell
Post Number: 3
Registered: 1-2006
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 30, 2007 - 4:55 pm: | |
INSHORE/OFFSHORE April - 30 Mar 2007
INSHORE
Well, Spring is springin'! After 8 days of charters i can say that with confidence! The fish are chewin' the transom off... Catch the tide right, and put out a float rig with a live shrimp and hang on! I have boated limits of NICE specks from 18-22" on every good tide. Also the big yellowmouth have been off the chart, with fish in the 15-20" range. Mix in Spanish macks in ever increasing numbers, plus, Sheepshead, Drum, Red Bass, Flounder, Jacks, Ringtails Etc. And you can see why fishing is smoking hot!
The trout bite will continue to get stronger as will most of the other species listed.
Now is THE time to book a trip and experience the great spring fishing yourself.
OFFSHORE
As the seabass get smaller and less numbers, the good news is the Nearshore Red snapper and Gag grouper bite is steadily improving.
Tons of short snapper available, but bigger, nicer fish to 20 lbs. are moving in preparing to spawn. Also Spring kings along with Bonito, Spanish mackerel, Bluefish are starting to show on some wrecks. That fishery will improve drastically in the next 2-3 weeks. Also if my hunch is correct, we may have an early cobia run. Book your trip ahead of time to get prime weekday slots. Most charter captains including myself don't fish thier best spots on the weekend trying too keep them a secret as much as possible.
I've renamed my boat.....The new name is "The office"
So book a trip now and tell your boss or your wife that your working hard in the "office"
See you on the water, Capt. Bryan |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
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Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 43
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 6:03 am: | |
Had a two boat charter today, and some fun guys from Jax. Port Authority. Had Mike, Dave & Dennis on my boat.
We left out at sun-up, with somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-8 dozen live "river crickets" (aka: Shrimp), more than plenty for a 1/2 day river trip...................SO I THOUGHT!
We pulled up on the spot, and I had "I.G." - Instantaneous Gratification, showing them what to do, catching a small trout. And then that was all she wrote. It was time to rumble. I could barely get them all ready to go with their rods before Trout were hooked up and coming to the boat.
We flew threw the shrimp, as the fish flew over the gunnel as floats were disappearing, as soon as they hit the water. The tide was the last few hours of the falling, it was calm with low winds and all was right in "Cappy Dave's World" again.
The catching was so fast and furious, I felt as if we were bailing schoolie Dolphin from under a mat of Sargasso weeds offshore.
And the guys were having a ball.
Then right as I turned and said we ought to get another species fired up with all this commotion, the hook was set in a Sheepheads mouth. It crushed the hook flat, be it made it to the net.
The Trout were big'ish and small'ish, we had to have caught 30 plus easily, and kept 20 of the largest. We were astonished, at least I was when Mike hooked a Trout and it took off like a Bat outa hell. Ripping drag like no Trout could. And then we thought it came off.....NOPE!
It came back crushed, ripped up and mutilated. Some MONSTER something came by and grabbed it, mauled it and then let it go. I'm scepticizing (fancy fishing word), that it was a huge Bluefish, a really big Bluefish like a 10 pounder that we "used" to get visits from around here, but haven't seen in many years.
Then, quickly we were down to just 2 shrimp left..and we were only 2.5 hours into the charter.
HOLY CRAP! I've never burned through that many shrimp in such a short time.....maybe I had but it's been a real long time.
That's when Dennis sets the hook on another Trout, and Dave sets the hook on a different fish. One that was clearly not a Trout.
"P-FISH"....I yelled. IT'S A POMPANO!
And I didn't even have to see it. I could just tell by watching the line in the water. It zipped around so fast, making 180's on a dime. There's only one fish that I know of that can turn from one direction to another in the length of it's own body, and that's a Pompano. And all during a high rate of speed. The last shrimp of the day caught a beautiful 3 pound Pomp, and the first one for the 2007 fishing year. And nice and early too, just like the 5 pound Jack Crevalle on Friday.
I usually do not catch the first Pomp or 5 pound Jack until were into April a little ways.
So we hit the dock, snapped a few pics and then began the a long fish cleaning process. ( And I was happy) Between the two boats, these guys had some serious fish fry fixin's, make that 4 fish fry fixin's, for several people.
I may have to go hit the Trout myself tomorrow. I have a experimental plan, I'd like to try out.
Then next up is Mike a regular on Friday, and another regular Jeff and his dad on Saturday.
Hope the weather holds, (because it doesn't look that good for Friday, right now the NWS is calling for Friday to be 15-20 knots out of the N.E. and we all know, that means 20-25 knots out of the N.E. in reality! And Saturday is iffy'ish wind wise too.)
But the closer we get to the weekend the more people on the river "will" affect the fishing. It always does, that's why I hate weekends this time of year with a passion. Maybe the wind will keep people off the water???? But if it's sunny, I doubt it.
There's nothing like a Tuesday at sun-up on the St. Johns, except for someplace else where there's no one around.
Just remember.....you stand a whole lot better chance at catching a lot of or BIGGER Trout when there's less boat traffic.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG:
5 LB JACK 3/23
3 LB POMPANO 2/27
TO SEE RECENT CATCHES, AND DAILY REPORTS VISIT WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM - CLICK ON FISHING REPORT & DAILY BLOG & RECENT CATCH PIC PAGES.
904-642-9546 |
Bob Cosby (Captain_bob_cosby)
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Username: Captain_bob_cosby
Post Number: 18
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 12:51 pm: | |
Florida Fishing Report for:
Intracoastal Waterway, St Johns River and Nearshore Waters from Fernandina to Saint Augustine
Updated: March 14, 2007.
NE Florida inshore nearshore report
March, the transition month, is here and we'll be steadily moving from our winter fishing patterns into spring. In fact, a customer caught a jack crevalle a couple days ago, which is a sure sign migrating fish are moving north.
Sheephead are biting very well right now at area jetties and are averaging 3-4lbs with 5-6lb fish mixed in. These normally elusive fish fight hard and are excellent table fare. A 1/8 oz. jig and fiddler crab fished around the rocks should work.
Redfish can be found in all their normal haunts: edges of the ICW, jetty rocks, creeks, and around dock pilings. Several redfish tournaments have or will occur, and boats "pre-fishing" are pretty much everywhere.
The speckled trout are common in the creeks with some fish large enough to keep. With the water temps rising try a topwater plug early and late on high water. In the river the small aggressive bluefish can be a nuisance striking your expensive shrimp before the trout can find it. A few weakfish are biting, usually on high incoming water.
A surprising number of small to medium size flounder are biting in the creeks. Mud minnows and Gulp baits are effective options. The whiting action has improved on the pier and in the surf. It won't be long until pompano and spanish mackeral move into our area also.
This and next month provide opportunities to catch a giant black drum in our area. Fish deep around the jetties, area inlets, and in the ICW with crab and clam baits. Use heavy tackle to subdue the fish quickly and release them carefully.
Tight lines!
CAPT Bob Cosby
Captain Bob's Fishing Charters,Inc.
http://www.captainbobsfishingcharters.com |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 42
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 8:15 am: | |
So far so good.
Got out of February with minimal cold weather, but even though it was quite chilly the morning of the Super Bowl, I went out solo and waxed the Redfish, Trout, Flounder pretty good. It's always that way....no one wants to miss that 3 hour long commercialized event, and I go and have the best day of the whole month.
Now it's March and the water temps hovering around the 60 degree mark and all hell is gonna break loose here by the end of March, along the banks of the Big St. Johns River East of down town Jacksonville, Florida.
Speckled Trout, my specialty is in full swing, along with Redfish, Sheepshead and Black Drum.
Went two days this week. Once alone to do some R&D,in a damn near gale and had 6 Reds and 10 Trout in 2.5 hours! Then, again with Nick W. a local drummer for the Celtic rock band, Rathketair.
Nick did a businessman's day off weekday trip with me by himself.
We had alot of Reds, Trout and some Sheepshead, and Black Drum.
Left out with no less than 6 dozen live shrimp in the well, and came back with zero shrimp left.
From the first bait to the last bait Nick and I caught fish after fish. (see my Daily Blog for more info, and Recent catch pages)
This was a teaching trip for Nick as he wanted to learn more about Float Rig fishing.
This was his second trip in two weeks or so, so to make sure he was confident that he's got it down for when he goes himself.
Shallows....that's where I've been finding the best action. And that's sort of uncommon for me as I am a big water Jetty guy. But the action has been Great!
And the boat ride is SHORT. I do not have to go far to find good action.
But in the comfort of my 26' plate alloy custom BlackLab boat, it can do bay or bluewater.
RIGHT NOW is when you need to start thinking about Memorial day weekend or Easter weekend.
RERSERVE EARLY, is all I can say.
Please visit my Daily Report Blog page, by clicking on FISHING REPORT at www.captdaves.com
Here is where you'll be able to track whats going on weekly and daily. Because this is a transitional time of the year in NE Florida, and things change fast.
I'm CRAZY over big TROUT, and April is a TOP MONTH. And I'll be fishing a lot for them. As with late March.
Last year was unbelieveable, and I hope the trout fishing will be the same this year.
On a falling tide I didn't have to go but to one area, and we could limit out on nice Specks to 6 pounds.
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com
CALL 904) 642-9546 to reserve your day
1-4 passengers in comfort and loads of room to fish the BIG water or shallow salt marsh. |
Bob Cosby (Captain_bob_cosby)
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Username: Captain_bob_cosby
Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 6:40 am: | |
Florida Fishing Report for:
Intracoastal Waterway, St Johns River and Nearshore Waters from Fernandina to Saint Augustine
Updated: March 2, 2007.
Inshore report
Recently, we've had a break from the cold weather. In the last few days the water temperature has approached 65 degrees in the shallow creeks and on the flats. That being said, I wouldn't be surprized if we get another cold snap before spring truly arrives.
The reds are cruising the shallows in the creeks at low tide. Sometimes they are reluctant to bite and can be very spooky. With all the fishing pressure, particularly on weekends, they are resembling Islamorada bonefish more each day. You can also find them along the edge of the ICW before the boat traffic gets rolling. Be stealthy; fish slowly, and be patient.
The trout bite was pretty good all last month. Now they are fair game once again. With the warming water, topwater plugs are worth trying early and late. Some yellowmouth trout are being caught near the jetty tips, but the bite is not as strong as in years past. Sheephead have slowed down some recently. Some fishermen attribute this slowdown to the clear water. The local El Cheapo sheephead tournament with 300 plus boats also put a significant dent in the population.
Lots of small bluefish are in the river and ICW. Most are too small to keep. The drum action has improved. I heard of a 67 pounder being caught recently. Drum fishing should improve through the month of March and into April. Crab, clams, and fresh dead shrimp are favorite baits fished deep near rocks and other structure. The flounder fishing in the creeks has been quite good, though they're difficult to target specifically. Fish the small runouts with mud minnows or Gulp baits.
Tight lines!
CAPT Bob Cosby
--
Captain Bob's Fishing Charters,Inc.
http://www.captainbobsfishingcharters.com |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 41
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 9:48 am: | |
2/19/07 - After the big Blow
That was some serious wind yesterday, huh?
Gale force gusts, in conjunction with some nice strong tides made for 'NO' water as I went over the ICW-Wonderwood Bridge and looked over the side as I always do while going and coming from B&M bait and tackle. The "ditch" was dry! A heavy duty west wind and a very low tide, made for some big time exposed shoreline.
I had to hurry up and get to B&M because I no sooner get home and had to pro-cure bait for a Monday charter, that I booked while walking the Miami Beach Convention Center halls, with Sam Kennedy who called and wanted to go fishing with 3 of his buddies.
The rush to B&M bait and tackle was because when there's seriously cold (hard Freeze type weather) You can bet there was NO live shrimp delivery in days. The shrimp just bury up, and no one catch's any. So I hoofed it quickly over there to get some for Today's charter and Tuesdays charter. I have keeping them warm, comfortable and alive for days down pat, thru obvious trial and error of many years. My secret "a heating pad"....yep, the same thing you may use on a bum knee, with a good slathering of BenGay.
And ya'll think, us fishing guides just go get bait, because it's always plentiful and just show up to go fishing in the morning huh? Naw....it's far from that many days in the "deep" winter. Babying bait, rushing to get bait before it's all gone, having a really tight relationship with the manager of the bait shop, and getting up at 3am to check on them is all things I have to do. And I did a lot of it last spring when no one was catching many shrimp. And then there's those holiday weekends and live shrimp are scarce, and people call and have no idea what hoops I have toi jump thru to make sure we have bait to use. But all that is another story.
Today, after yesterdays huge blow. And not fishing since last Thursday. I couldn't believe how fast the tide moved out today. I picked up Sam and three of his buddies at 11:30am to fish the falling tide all day.
And we float rig fished to start. And one spot produced...even though the tide was great. Low tide in the late part of the afternoon, perfect timing for a chilly day.
We caught a bunch of what you see in the picture. Small "pup" reds. And them had a double header of a pupper and a 23 incher. Our only keeper fish of the day.
I tried some clams at the jetties and just plain bottom fished. Good ole Bait-N-Wait fishing.
B-O-R-I-N-G...as hell. And the 4 guys aboard would agree. We had a few "pecks" but no Sheepshead which was the target species. So we stayed at the jetties and went back to Float Rig fishing and caught way too many small bluefish. (We never got any brown water)
It wasn't the festival I was wanting, of course. But on a short notice trip, and me not knowing what the deal would be, we did okay and caught a few fish, most were just very small.
Now, tomarrow it's a company group charter, 4 boats.
Man was it a beautiful day today though, it remained cool, but the wind went away, and the sun was nice and bright.....the waters still very cold though.
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
26' BlackLab Marine Plate Alloy boat, 1-4 passengers in comfort.
www.captdaves.com - for daily pics and reports
Here's what I'm talking about: http://www.captdaves.com/12-13-D&K-6.gif -Looking to get back into this March 1st.
So reserve now! |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 40
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 9:40 am: | |
2/20/07 - Media General Corp. group charter
I WISH I TOOK A FEW PICTURES....sorry they had me running, and time was of the essence so I never got around to it.
But, I had a 4 boat 13-16 passenger trip that headed out Tuesday. It was in the planning since back in October before I even got my new boat.
BIG problems though, as usual. NO LIVE SHRIMP were to be had. Except on my boat, because I run a shrimp farm in my live well most of the time.
With the weekends cold cold weather no shrimp could be caught, so a few of the boats had to just "wing-it". And go with mud Minnows or dead shrimp.
I know I had plenty so a few of the big-wigs jumped on my boat, for a 1/2 day of float rigging.
They told me, "Dave, we have a big pot going for largest fish...so put us on them."
Just what ya wanna on a February charter huh? So I was under the gun.
On the first spot, and only spot I had that would produce "I.G." - instantaneous Gratification", we were on Trout the first drift of the float!
Then came a few more. For I think it was (3) 17-19 inchers.
Then a few pup reds, and then a 29", 8.5 pound Redbass.
I said, "Here's your winning fish!" As one of the guys took 15 minutes to get it to the boat.
(the fella who hooked into it wasn't by now means a Roland Martin type fisherman)
It was the winning fish worth $140.00
And then I think we picked up another small pup red again...and that was it. This spot was OVER and DONE with.
But what did we have yesterday?? The lowest tide of damn near all of 2006 and 2007.
The ICW was 10' deep in the middle, the creeks went dry, and by the time we left out of where we were, the tide was so low I couldn't go anywhere else in a creek, or if I went in the river the current was so strong we couldn't fish.
So we spent our nickle on that one spot.
One other boat did really well tossing jigs and Gulp and Mud Minnows, and caught Reds, Trout, and a nice fat Flounder while using the trolling motor up inside Hannah Mills area.
Now we still have no shrimp at the bait shop, No fiddler crabs, just clams....and here comes the JOSFC Sheepshead tournament this Saturday. I'm a sponsor and may or may not fish it.
But I will trade my entry for 20 dozen live shrimp...anyone??
Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM - FOR DAILY REPORTS & PHOTOS
904-642-9546 |
Bob Cosby (Captain_bob_cosby)
New member
Username: Captain_bob_cosby
Post Number: 16
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 5:15 pm: | |
Florida Fishing Report for:
Intracoastal Waterway, St Johns River and Nearshore Waters from Fernandina to Saint Augustine
Updated: February 13, 2007.
Inshore report Jacksonville area waters
Speckled trout are closed in our waters this month, so naturally, they are biting fairly well. Since they are "weak" fish, release them carefully with wet hands if you must touch them.
There are some large sheephead in the river. The last two to come into my boat weighed 7 1/2 and 8lbs respectively. Both were caught in deep water. Ringtail porgies are still at the jetty tips.
The water temperature is hovering around 56 degrees, and the water is exceptionally clear with the algae die off. The cold weather has finally arrived with a few nights dropping into the 30's. The fishing remains good, though fewer fishermen are on the water.
The reds in the creeks and along the ICW can be seen cruising the shallows near oyster bars, but often are in no hurry to eat. They spook easily, so it's best to pole from a fair distance away, if possible. There are also some larger over slot reds at the jetties. In some areas when casting a jig and shrimp, it's a toss up whether you'll hook a big red or a sheephead.
If you just enjoy pulling in lots of fish, the small bluefish are more than cooperative. Watch thier teeth! Yellowmouth trout are another good winter fish to pursue, though, in my opinion, they are not as plentiful this year as in years past.
Tight lines!
CAPT Bob Cosby
--
Captain Bob's Fishing Charters,Inc.
http://www.captainbobsfishingcharters.com |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
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Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 39
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 4:42 am: | |
Capt. Dave Sipler
Jacksonville Fishing Report for:
Amelia Island and Mayport (inshore).
Updated: January 30, 2007.
1/30/07 - Trouts Closing for 28 days...I needed to get me some!!!!!
Down right chilly today. I was maxed out with the fleece outer wear.
Immediately had my Trout limit of 5 from 15" to 19", but they were all skinny fish. Basically went back to the same place I took Travis the other day, and tried it again. The trout were seriously scattered along a 100 yard piece of the creek, way back in the salt marsh.
Then as the tide got really low and I had my 5 Trout in the box, I worked my way around and float-rigged some deeper holes. Catching an absolute ton of 12-14" Trout, at the slack low tide.
Then, as the water barely started to move again, I re-anchored and floated just outside an exposed oyster bank. I got a great hook up on a big fish and had it one for a nano-second. So, I pitched up there again.....float bobs a little and I come back with a bit in half shrimp. I pitch up there again, and the float takes a dive. And I'm hooked up to that fish with a few lives, but those lives just ended. And that 7 pound Sheepshead puts up one hell of a battle. The bite was fast and furious as the tide poured in over the oysters beds.
I also had no less than 8 small Redfish, 15 more small Trout, and two small Flounder.
As the tide got high I switched over to my home made (and a lot better) Cajun thunder, clicker float with a 3 foot leader. But I call mine, the "Capt Dave's custom thunder" rig. I don't get to use it very often. Because I'm not in very shallow water very often. But, I ended up on a huge mud flat with high mounds of oyster's and islands out off the grass line. I pulled up on that flat when it was just barely 2 feet deep, and as the water rose, the fish followed, and I found them all in one spot, with my "CDCT".
I had a blast today, and had to have caught at least 30 fish, on 48 live shrimp. But still only ended up with my 5 Trout, and the Sheepshead in the box. It's really something that 26 foot Plate Alloy, boat of mine. It floats in hardly any water.
It's no Gheenoe, or Kayak but for a 26 footer with a 225 HP Honda on the back, you'd be very surprised where I can go. And do it with lots of fishing room. That's the difference between 26 feet of 1/4" Aluminum, and a fiberglass boat. Plus, I have no fear of oyster beds, either.
One more day till the Speckled Trout closure for the next 28 days. I just had to go and get me some for the plate. And that Sheepshead will taste better knowing I got it on a float-rig off a shell bar, in a creek. And by the way.....there's a whole lot more up in those creeks I didn't catch.
I had other Salt marsh "7-striped Jetty Snappers" chewing on my live shrimp too. I just couldn't connect as good as I did with the big boy.
Go wade the hard bottomed areas of flooded marsh grass off the ICW sometime in Sept. & Oct. if you want to see for yourself how many Sheepshead "DO NOT" hang out on pilings, rocks & docks.
I just may have to go tomorrow too. We'll see.
hope to have you aboard,
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing "the float freak"
-On the big St. Johns River, Jacksonville/Mayport Florida.
www.captdaves.com - for daily reports and photos
904-642-9546
1-4 passengers, 12 months a year-full time guide, yearly corporate charters arranged, discounts for singles, 26' Plate Alloy Boat, safe, comfortable, loads of fishing room. VISA-MC-AMEX-PAYPAL accepted. **Special "just for the kids" charters**
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Capt. Dave Sipler is a fulltime fishing guide out of Jacksonville's Mayport area. He specializes in St. Johns River and the Mayport Inlet near-coastal waters for tarpon, shark,pompano, drum, sheepshead, trout and Florida's largest trophy redfish (April thru November).
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Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 38
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 09, 2007 - 3:13 pm: | |
Hot-Cold-Warm-Windy-Nowind, you name it we've had it so far in the first week of 2007!
FEBRUARY OFFER:
Reserve now for my February "Photo Shoot-out". 2- consecutive days fishing for up to 3 anglers, just $700. (that's a $200 savings) Largest Trout or Redfish in Feb. gets bragging rights plus photo pictured here and framed 8X10 of your catch.
Call now to reserve...remember this time of year there's No crowds!
www.captdaves.com
904-642-9546
 |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing (Jettywolf)
New member
Username: Jettywolf
Post Number: 36
Registered: 7-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 8:44 am: | |
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing - Jacksonville, St. Johns River/Inlet & near-coastal waters to Amelia Island Florida. Updated: 12/27/06
No Lack Of Fishing
January report
There's certainly no lack of fishing opportunities as N.E. Florida goes into the it's first winter month, January. Just a lack of fisherman sometimes. I'm certainly not some fair weather angler, because I know that on certain days it can be a all out bonanza!
I remember a trip I did a few years ago with three guys on a cold morning. It was a 1/2 day'er (which I don't really even do), and by the time we were out for 3 hours we had to of caught 100 pounds of Black Drum, Redfish, and Sheepshead. They tried their best to get out of going, the night before. Making up one heck of a bad excuse. Because the weather report changed after they reserved the trip to; very cold but sunny. And they didn't like that. I said, "Okay we can not go, but ya'll will loose your deposit." And then all of a sudden their story changed. And the boys were so happy they went, because we all had a ball!
Unfortunately, that's the way it goes sometimes. When I'm talking to you on the phone it's 68 and warm, and then two days later it's a high of 40 in the morning as we depart. Not all Fisherman were Boy/Girl Scouts, I understand that. SO PLEASE, COME PREPARED!
I know I have a saying for when it's like that, as I'm putting on a heavier jacket in front of my clients, that failed to bring one, "there's no HMO's or sick days to take in the fishing business, and I can't afford to get sick."
So let's talk FISHIN'
As of December, the big Trout move east. Actually, back in early November when we had a blast of cool temps followed by a weekend of Gale Force winds, was when I found all the monster Trout exciting the salt marsh in huge numbers.
RICK WIDNER'S Nov. 9th, second fish of the morning.
But, as of December the creeks were void of really big Trout, and out in the main river is where I'm finding the big ones. Then, as December progressed I find large numbers of fish closer to the inlet and out in the Ocean. And this is the way it'll be till spring time.
During January, everything is at the inlet. Except for us if it's so nasty that we can't fish there. One year I had a charter that was rescheduled all the way from a summer time Tarpon trip, till we finally went in January. Schedules of the the two | |
