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STABBIN
By, I FA DAT, 11/15/08

My buddy Scott and I went out on Friday night right at dark. The tide was going from low to high which isn't the best choice for gigging but we made the best of it. The water started out real murky and there was a lot of boat traffic which wasn't helping. Some folks on a fifty foot yacht came barreling by us partying on the deck and added some water to the boat. We ran around checking different areas for clarity and were able to find a few stretches of good clean water. While gigging we stand side by side on the front of the jon boat. Scott's on the left side closer to shore. He's talking on about something and I see a nice one go by his side and lunge over and get it. It was a nice one around 19 or so. I'm ribbing him pretty hard because he usually stabs them on my side. In fact last time we went out he got all three and one was on my side.

We keep going a little ways and I'll be darned if it didn't happen again. This one was a good one though. I had to leave the boat and make sure I got a grip on this Flounder. I threw in the cooler expecting the chaos but it didn't happen. I guess one of the gigs got the sweet spot. Definately one of the thickest Flounder I've gotten. I cooked some up Saturday night. Sauteed with a roasted red bell pepper saffron sauce. Good stuff! >>Forum Thread & More Photos

PREDATOR OR PREY
By, HaMm3r, 11/10/08

After three months and a whirlwind tour to practically nowhere, it was time to get the Gheenoe out of the garage and back on her lift in Palm Coast. So with the soon-to-be-dismantled trailer in tow, I made my way to Bing’s Landing just before sunrise and prepared to launch into a bluebird sky, slick water and windless morning. However, as I backed down the ramp I suddenly heard the whine of a bilge pump, and knew instantly that I’d forgotten something…doh! Fortunately, the place was desolate and so I completed my bilge pump “testing” without unwanted scrutiny or further incident.

Leaving Bing’s behind, I used the calm morning to let my little Mercury stretch its legs a bit, and ran WOT up and down the ICW for fifteen minutes or so, as persistent bad weather had prevented me from really getting a good run in since the rebuild. After my knuckles started feeling the chill, I turned west into the creeks and was pleased to find that the high water allowed me to remain nearly at full throttle over even the shallowest of spots. Needless to say, I arrived at my first fishing hole in record time! Had I known how slow the bite was going to be however, I’d have not been in such a hurry.

It took almost two hours before I picked up the first fish of the day, a just barely underslot red, but boy was I glad to see him. Then another hour or so passed before a second runt paid me a visit. Oh, there were a few missed hooksets mixed in there and one lost red that fought halfway to the boat, but it was painfully slow.

I took a break for lunch as the wind began blowing hard, then moved into a winding tidal creek that is often too shallow to navigate. As I made my way along this narrow tributary, hunting for any sign of an elusive redfish, I suddenly realized I was not alone. Something else was laying in ambush just ahead, and I was drifting right into the trap. Overweight, middle-aged angler….the other white meat?

So, Mr. Bobcat and I spent a few moments staring each other down from about twenty feet apart, then I went back to fishing. Maybe it was hoping for a handout, but that cat hung out for some time, long enough for me to take a few pictures and catch another small red. If there ever was an opportune time to catch a catfish, that was it, because I would have taken great pleasure in tossing that free meal to another hungry carnivore. Eventually, the cat got bored watching me fail to catch anything else , and bounded off across the marsh. I managed to snap a picture of its backside, before it disappeared into the grass.

As the afternoon went on and the tide dwindled, I managed to catch another couple of small reds before heading back out to the ICW. On my way to the dock, I spent few minutes in the residential canals, hoping to come across a lingering snook, maybe a flounder or even a jack or two, but I got into a school of ladyfish instead. Ladies are always a fun way to end a day, and trying to hook up with as many as possible can lead to some good times. I had to settle for only four this time around.

Although not as exciting a “homecoming” as I would have hoped for, it was nice to be back on familiar water. It will also be nice to get my truck back in the garage, now that my trailering days are over…for this year! Tally for the day; 5 Redfish – up to 17”, 4 Ladyfish. >>Forum Thread & More Photos

SURF REPORT
By, Sea-Squatch, 11/2/08

The tide looked right and the water had cleared up a bit since yesterday, so I decided to give it a try. I sped to the bait shop, got some fresh dead shrimp, and sped back home. Grabbed my stuff and I walked down to the beach. I got both rods out and it wasn't long before some nice whiting were being drug up onto the sand. I made a call up to the house and told the wife to bring down the kids. Here's a pic of Charlie, w/ Mom and little bro cheering him on, reeling in one of those hard fighting whiting. >>Forum Thread & More Photos

MONSTER RED
By, kajo, 10/26/08

we headed to vilano at about 10am with plans to fish a few hrs of out going and a few hrs of in coming. first we headed to the back side and threw the net for some mullet..man there were lots of them, most still finger but mixed with some larger ones.

we headed back to the ocean side and set up camp on the north side of the rock jettie, about 30 yrds or so north..it was blowing pretty good with some rough water but not too bad. more weeds than i would have liked to have seen but it was doable. it took 8 oz to hold bottom. we had 3 lay downs with the bait getting bit in half, i figured blue fish or small sharks. i then took the largest mullet i had in the bucket about 12" or so, cut off his tail hooked him through the bottom of his mouth and up through his head. locked down the drag and sent it out..about 10 mins went by and BAM the rod tip was pointing east hard..this was a fish that had radar on it, he was heading for the rocks the entire time..it was hard to turn him and only lasted a few mins before he headed south for the rocks again looking to break off on me..thank god my knots held because i had to really horse him hard..once in the wash i had to run down to him and stick the boga grip in his mouth..that was fun, his mouth was just a little larger than the grip would open so i scooped him up like a baby and got him away from the water..he was hooked in the side of the mouth perfectly.

i got the bogas in his mouth to aid in the release after some pics he headed back to the water for a happy and healthy release. i looked him over pretty good while i had hold of him but wanted to get him back into the water as soon as i could so michel got a much better look than i did..but she got some awesome pics. all the spots on both sides..what a beauty. man his girth was huge..massive head and body, i was surprised and having a hard time holding onto him, i dont hold them vertical because it is bad for them but he was really trying me..

i am glad they are showing up down here, i was hoping i wouldnt have to drive all the way up to mayport for my red fix but i was getting jumpy waiting for them.. >>Forum Thread & More Photos