Kayak and Raft Fishing Dad Part 2 ( 02/03/11)

Hello Folks,

I hope you enjoyed my introductory entry for "Kayak and Raft Fishing Dad".

Today, We'll continue with Part 2 of kayak fishing and some pics from my cherished picture collection from over the years...

Smallie Chaser on the Susquehanna River... We made a float the first day of the 2004 RiverSmallies.com (The now defunct "Mothership" of all smallmouth fishing websites) Rodeo.



Greg Smith, who now guides on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, is holding a beautiful 18" smallmouth bass. I swear he was constantly looking for the throttle to his kayak. This may have been the last time he ever sat in a kayak to fish... LOL!



Jason Venesky (Pittsburgh, Pa.) on the "Doah River in Virginia during a 2003 Rodeo. We had a tough fishing morning. But there were three of us who were fishing together and we finally developed a steady fish catching pattern. The smallmouth were feeding directly in front of the ledges in the "push water". Cool!



Portaging Big Fall (Va.)on the New River in 2003...



DaggerDave (Ohio)...



Spud (Va) on the Rapidan with Phil (Oppiey) in 2004...



Here's Phil (Oppiey) and his son Joey in 2004...



Dad on the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers float with Sean Beaver and his father. This was a fantastic day for spinnerbait bites. I hit an area right above Sherman's Creek (Duncannon, Pa.) on the Susquehanna River that produced a dozen smallies on a 3/8th oz. white/chartreuse spinnerbait. What a treat!



October 7, 2003 on the Swatara Creek with Eric Lohr (Tuberman). We only caught a few smallies that float while actively seeking Musky.



I used to like taking day floats on the Susquehanna River with groups of fishing buddies. Here is Daryl Richer (Susqyman)taking a short break and giving me a photo opp.



MTO Sammies from Sheetz make for excellent "float" lunches...



There's much more to come as I continue down memory lane with "Kayak and Raft Fishing Dad". It's hard to believe that I took so many trips over the years with such great fishing buddies.

I always get asked how I learned so much about smallmouth and largemouth fishing over the years. Well, folks, you are now seeing that I was extremely fortunate to be out fishing with some of the greatest smallmouth anglers over the years. No, we aren't professionals, but we definitely are serious about our bass angling.

I hope you enjoyed today's pictures and short stories. Be sure to check back real soon for a new entry in the adventures of "Kayak and Raft Fishing Dad".

Dad

Maine Saltwater Fishing Charters With Capt. George Harris & Super Fly Charters

Maine Striper Fishing Guided Trips

WOW...SNOW...SNOW...SNOW...And lot's of the knee deep, light, powdery stuff...the kind of rare snow that's perfect for outdoor activities like skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling...take advantage of it!!!Yup...We survived the latest monster blizzard that terrorized us up here on the coast of Maine and we're now firmly locked in winters icy's grip...but that doesn't mean that we're not busy getting ready for the 2011 season. We have a ton of work to do!!!We have lots of equipment to do annual maintenance on...we need to restock on line, leaders, lures and other misc. tackle...Our fly boxes need to be re stocked with killer patterns....and we need to assemble a list of projects to get the boat ready to splash...
Another part of the off season is making sure that you all get your trips booked with Super Fly Charters...so far, thats been pretty easy!!! I have had a few questions lately from folks that want to know what the most productive methods are for our Striper trips...that's a great question...with many different answers...Without a doubt, the most productive technique day after day is live lining frisky baits...it's a fact that no one can argue...however we also pursue Striped bass with an array of fly & light tackle artificial baits which can also be very productive...Some days, skipping jigs and swimbaits off the bottom in 20-40 feet of cannot be beat, while other days working current washed rocky shoreline structure with flies or soft plastics gets the nod...some days we're crushing fish on the shallow water sand, mud or eelgrass flats...a variety of factors come into play and it all centers on what baits the fish are keyed on...sometimes the fish are gorging on tiny sandeels, silversides or grass shrimp...other times it's a worm hatch when they wont even look at anything but a sand or bloodworm...maybe a herring or squid run that has the fish jacked up...on the tough days it's up to your guide to crack the code...On every trip we always have ALL the equipment aboard including a bait tank full of tasty livies...what does this mean for the angler...NO EXCUSES!!! In the unusual event that we're not catching fish...it just means that the fish are simply not eating during that stage of the tide...they call it "fishing" for a reason...that's where having the right tools aboard comes into play...we can often save the day by coaxing a dead bite into a full blown blitz just by employing a few simple techniques....When somebody books a trip with Super Fly...I really value the short time they are with us...our goal is to provide the best chance for success in that short 4, 6 or 8 hour window.
When I get a call or email asking if we can sight fish for Stripers or catch a Tuna on a topwater plug....my answer is always..."sure that is possible"...The Tuna bite can be epic but not always dependable and Granted, for sight casting on the flats the conditions can typically be good to very good...but it's also a very good possibility that the conditions won't be remotely good enough for sight fishing...I know that most of us saltwater inshore anglers all love to sight fish for Stripers with fly or light tackle...it's a blast for sure, but let's face it...we don't always have the conditions to allow for it here in Maine...wind, turbid water, cloudy conditions, fog for weeks on end can all hamper the sight fishing game...These are the times when the guide needs to switch gears and they need to do it quickly or you the angler suffers...This past summer a comment really got stuck in my head and sort of reinforces the way that we approach guiding, After telling a group of guides at a fly fishing only tournament, how successful we've been using livebaits...I had one guide in the group tell me, rather arrogantly, that he'd rather watch paint dry than fish livies on light tackle...hmm...a very interesting philosophy I thought to myself...but hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinion...to each their own...To me...it's not about fishing with the methods that I prefer...rather putting my anglers on fish...which I guess, to most anglers is the whole point at the end of the day...I just thought to myself that while those anglers are watching paint dry and struggling to get a well fed fish to eat a clump of feathers and hearing the excuses as to why the bite is turned off...we're hammering away on fish using alternate methods...even during the dog days of summer...We're on the water everyday and have the experience to advise you as to what methods or species that we should pursue...If you're willing to buck the odds and swing the bat after I've explained the current conditions...then we can go for it 100%...either way it's all about having a fun day on the water....just with an added challenge...hahaha!!!

This winter...We're also planning to make appearances at various sporting shows on the east coast...this season I'm even traveling out of the country to the Canadian city of Montreal to attend a sporting show....Since many of my gusts are from Quebec...it just makes good sense!!!

Reservations have been coming in at a good pace and fortunately for us, that means that we're going to have another super busy season.

What's Hot Right Now: Reports indicate that the Smelts have been biting well...if you'd like to give this fun winter activity a try please get in touch with me...I do a handful of guided trips on the hardwater during the winter months...We have the equipment and the know how to make this a fun experience for you!!! Please inquire for pricing

Also don't forget to stay connected with us to get the most up to date saltwater fishing reports on the Maine coast by joining us on our Super Fly Charters Facebook page....during the season we'll be posting our big catches as they happen...It's easy and free to join...just click the link on our sidebar!!!


Maine Striper Fishing Guide
Capt. George Harris
207-691-0745
www.superfly-charters.com

Myakka River pictorial

Enjoy!

Snook, redfish and bass slamming lures in the Myakka River



This 29-inch snook fell for a D.O.A. 4-inch jerk worm on a CAL Jig Head.



Fishing has been very interesting on the Myakka River. Most days, we’re able to take a river slam: snook, redfish and largemouth bass.

Not bad.

The beauty of the river is you never know what you’re going to catch. Could be a 2-pound largemouth bass on one cast and a 20-pound snook on the next.

Every cast could result in a monster fish.

Those fishing the river should realize that the fish don’t jump in the boat; you have to work for them. Key is keeping your lure or fly in the water. The more time you’re lure is in the water, the greater your chances of hooking up.

We’ve been launching at Snook Haven, 5000 East Venice Ave. It’s located about a mile west of Interstate 75 off River Road. The place is quaint. In addition, the restaurant there serves up some decent grub and they offer live entertainment on Thursdays and Sundays. You can also hop aboard a large pontoon boat to take a tour of the river.

We usually launch long before Snook Haven opens. We’ve been paddling downriver about a mile.

We’ve discovered a new pattern that has been paying dividends. I won’t divulge it here, but just say we’re taking snook, bass and redfish in areas you normally wouldn’t cast.

Today, I took Nick Walter, the former outdoors editor of the Bradenton Herald, out for a morning of fishing. Walter now is writing outdoors stuff for www.bradentonpatch.com.

I showed him my new pattern and it worked pretty well for the second day in a row. We caught quite a few bass to about 2 pounds. We also caught and released a small snook. The highlight of the outing was a monster snook that I hooked. It towed my kayak and made five jumps. The snook was so large it couldn’t get its body out of the water.

Walter figured the fish to be 39 or 40 inches. I estimated it at 30 to 32. It wore through the leader before I could land it.

Not to be dismayed. You can’t lose a big fish unless you first hook one.

Every day is different. On Tuesday, I landed four snook to 24 inches, four redfish to 22, four bass to 15. In addition, I hooked and lost a couple of big gar.

I landed a 29-inch snook on Monday and two smaller fish. In addition, I caught and released three redfish and several bass.

I’m taking most of my fish on a D.O.A. avocado flake 4-inch jerk worm on a 1/8-ounce CAL Jig Head. The key is to slowly hop it across the bottom.

In addition to fish, we’ve been seeing a few alligators, raccoons, otters, osprey, great blue heron and night heron.

The Myakka River is my favorite place to fish this time of year. It’s a great place to fish for snook, and there’s always the chance you’ll hook a monster.

Even if you don’t land a fish (that won’t happen), you’ll have a wonderful time. The river, which has been declared a scenic body of water, is one of the most picturesque streams in the state – if not country.

I expect fishing to remain steady until we get two weeks or so of warm weather.

Until them, you can find me on the Myakka River.

Kayak and Raft Fishing Dad 02/02/11

Hello Folks,

Happy Groundhog Day from the great state of Pennsylvania. Our annual prognosticators seem to have a slight difference of opinion. "Punxsutawney Phil" came out of hibernation to claim he could not see his shadow and winter would end soon. However, our local Lancaster County whistle-pig, "Octoraro Orphie", predicted yet another six weeks of winter after seeing his shadow this morning... Wait, Octoraro Orphie! It was freezing rain outside this morning. Are you sure you weren't fooled by all the reporters' camera flashes and t.v. crews? Oh, well, winter will end when it does.

I'm going to start a topic today that I thoroughly enjoy and that is "Kayak and Raft Fishing". Please don't confuse this type of kayaking, like my insurance company once did, with white water kayaking that we often see on outdoor adventure shows. Yes, sometimes we do Class 1 and 2 rapids, but not the outrageous and very dangerous rapids we often associate with the smaller and very maneuverable kayaks used by Olympic kayakers and thrill seekers.

My kayaks were between the sizes of 9' and 12' in length and fully rigged for fishing.

Over the next couple of blog entries, I will be sharing close to 60 pictures of kayak and raft fishing adventures that started in 2003 and continued through 2009. Seven full years of memories, laughs, camp outs, and lots of fishing. I think that you are really going to enjoy this pictorial of friends and fish! So, let's get started.

I was introduced to kayak fishing by Pete and Tim Hanford on the Susquehanna River near the confluence of the Juniata River. We used to launch from under the Rt. 22/322 Clark's Ferry Bridge near Duncannon, Pa. So, let's start with kayak fishing and move on to raft fishing.

My first kayak was a Wilderness Pamlico 120. The Pamlico 120 was 12' "sit in" (SIT) yak. I had fully rigged it for bass fishing with two Scotty rod holders, a "fishing deck", and a waterproof deck bag attached to the front deck. I had added a padded seat to ease those long hours of seating on my butt while doing floats. A float is what we called launching from on location and "floating" to a take out point. A rule of thumb for kayak fishing was to estimate one hour of fishing per one mile of the float. Therefore, a five mile float under normal river flow would take about five hours... Leave at 6:00 a.m. and be finished by 11:00 a.m. Add another hour or two in for eating lunch, taking breaks to stand and stretch, or wade fishing.

After my bilateral hip replacements, I bought a Wilderness Tarpon 100. The Tarpon 100 is a 10' long "sit on top" (SOT) yak. It allows you to sit on the yak rather than in it. This allowed me to enter and exit the kayak rather easier under my restricted movement. The SOT sits a bit higher and is not quite as stable. I used knee straps to "lock" me in when maneuvering small rapids.

We kayaked and rafted a lot of rivers from Pennsylvania to Virginia. Here is a list of those that I can remember... Main Stem of The Susquehanna River (Pa), The Juniata River (Pa), Conestoga River (Pa), Codorus Creek (Pa), Swatara Creek (Pa), Sherman Creek (Pa), Rapidan River (Va), Rappahannock River (Va), Shenandoah River (Va), James River (Va), New River (Va), and the Potomac River (Va).

Kayak fishing puts you just inches off the water. It is a lot more stealth in it's approach to fish, but it does limit your visibility. The closeness to the water is a unique experience when landing a feisty smallmouth bass. My biggest pleasure while kayak fishing was catching my largest smallie at 23.75" on the James River!



Let's begin the kayak adventure!

Phil, Pete, and Dad on the Point b/w The Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers. Phil and I had to "mud bog" his F150 from the parking lot to the take out in order to pick up our yaks and gear. This was the summer before I had my hips replaced!



Did you take note to the "2-Way Radios" we always carried in a waterproof bag? It always kept us in communication with one another when we would lose sight of our fishing buddies. Some of us carried GPS units to keep track of our location. Safety First!

This was a great weekend of fishing. Pete's screen name is BassmanPete until I dubbed him PinmanPete. No explanation is needed.



Harry Fetter assisting Pete in freeing his yak.



The very next day, Pete and I headed out together to fish the Rappahannock River and look what he did... AGAIN!



Yep... That's PinmanPete!

One great thing is communing with nature and teaching your children about the river and fishing. Here was a trip I took with my then 16 year old son, Zach. Zach will be celebrating his 22nd birthday on February 13, 2011.



A nice 17" smallie for my boy!


Here's a picture taken by Tim Hanford of me in 2004. This was the summer immediately after my hip replacements. I received a lot of help from my friends that summer so I could continue to enjoy fishing. I appreciate everyone and everything they did for me after my surgeries.



My good friend, Ron Reidenbach, with a smallie on the Codorus Creek in 2003.



Yakbow and Dagger Dave... Yakbow taking a cooling dip!





Hang tight and stop back soon. I'll be continuing this kayak and raft pictorial adventure in my next few blogs. I have plenty more to share, including an encounter with Walt Disney pescado.

Take care and be careful in this wintery weather,
Dad

First trip of 2011

I finally got out for the first fishing trip of 2011! The cabin fever had me feeling like Jack in The Shining. CRAZY! So, with an invitation from local fishing legend Forrest Short and it being the opening day of Kayak Wars, I was determined to get some pullage.

The air temps were in the mid to lower 40s with a little mist. It was nice night to paddle out and as I took my first few strokes I was glad it was dark so Forrest wouldn't see my gooberish grin. It was my first time out in over a month so all the feel-goods were flooding. As we were heading out I listened carefully as he shared valuable info about the area.

We got to the spot and realized we had some friends fishing on shore. Marty (PAHillbilly) and his friend Chris were getting into the striper already. Last I heard, Chris pulled in a 33"er. Anyway, Forrest and I started working our lures and eventually got into a few. I got one 21.75" striper and Forrest's final count was three with the biggest going 23"ish.

It was a tough night of fishing but it was still nice to get out. The highlight of the evening was a green VIMS tag in Forrest's first fish. I believe he can turn in the green tag and get $$$

The thing is, he ended up breaking his Tica rod last night as well. We're not really sure how it happened. He was messing with a 17"ish striper he just got in the yak and snap.

I guess that $$$$ will be going towards a new rod.

Good fishing with you Forrest and thanks for sharing your spot!

Pari Coast Fishing Baits Moreb and Compatible

What bait and the right time to catch rays in the coastal areas, especially coastal ooze Morib.
If we look at landscape Morib beach, the beach is of a very flat and often visited the public during the holidays. Places that are often the focus of the public to wash Manda less populated Rays. Rays are not fond of fish species encountered by humans. Hubbub of people playing beach impact on the coast except the Stingray presence of a strong attraction for the Rays come to play at the shore. The beach is of sand and mud were mixed. For the Rays this area is part of the focus of food sources.
The Rays are close to the beach with a goal of finding food. The coastal areas there are several species known to be in the list of fish diet of fairy bebolos, belacak, gelama, cobra, anchovies, goggle eyes, lotion, etc. Amendments sisiknya not particularly thorny. Besides food source for coastal Rays are shrimp, squid octopus, crab perumpun and children.
 

In view of the beach area was the focus of fish to play and looking for food, use the right bait to ensure success. If using a dead bait fish slices, for example, it is easily destroyed and carried out a small fish, including crab before the Rays found. When the Rays find a bait that has been destroyed it is not interested in the bait. Recommended anglers using live bait fish are not disturbed getuan bebolos small child, the child belacak or Jajang (belacak a long occupation of brackish water estuary), a subsidiary gelama, medium-large shrimp life. Important forage fish consumed less digetu other.
 

As Morib is the focus, so fishing is recommended in the absence of the public.Better night for Rays will approach the coast at night. Summary, the best time is when the full tide at night.

Maine Striper Fishing Report: Super Fly Charters July 9th, 2010

Striper Fishing In Maine Approaches Mid Season

I'm a little tired after doing 16 guided saltwater fishing trips in the last 10 days so I'll make this short and sweet...During the last week or so we have covered huge amounts of water in pursuit of the saltwater fish that inhabit the Gulf of Maine...our focus as usual is the legendary Striped Bass that thrive in the Kennebec watershed..We've also been fortunate to have had some incredible summer weather permitting us to access some of the great ground fishing that Maine has to offer. With the hot humid temperatures that we had during the last week we've seen some ups & downs in the Striper feeding patterns.... One of the great things about being a saltwater fishing guide is seeing the various changes that take place in our marine environment and being able to make the adjustments to be able to stay on the fish...I often find myself making these adjustments without even realising it ....Fishing structure in fast water still remains to be the best game in town as far as putting numbers of quality fish in the boat. The Stripers have settled into there summer feeding grounds and have been feeding at their own leisure on the abundant herring schools... Offshore....the Cod continue to hammer away at our Jigs...and we have seen sporadic bursts of Tuna blasting through baitballs on the nearshore ledges...It's getting to be that time of year to start focusing on chasing some bluefin tuna so please inquire about our available dates.





Maine Striper Fishing Guide
Capt. George Harris
207-691-0745
www.superfly-charters.com

Article About One Of My Youth Anglers From 2006, Lancaster New Era

I was thinking about some of the accomplishments that the many youngsters had during my tenure as a counselor with the Penn Manor School District in Millersville, Pa. With the help of the Lancaster County Hawg Hunters and Ray Caldwell, we took the in-school club to the rest community.

Much of the detail information (location, etc. ) has changed, but the Lancaster County Hawg Hunter Youth Club is still functioning.

If your child has a penchant for bass fishing, please look into the youth clubs in your area either through BASS or FLW.

Junior angler casts in world championship, wants more
0 Comments | Intelligencer Journal Lancaster New Era; Combined Saturday edition, Feb 28, 2006 | by AD CRABLE / OUTDOOR TRAILS

Every since he was 5 and first held a fishing rod, Zach Altland has dreamed of fishing in the Bassmaster Classic, the Super Bowl of professional bass fishing. As he got older, the 18-year-old Penn Manor High School senior not just fantasized about it, he made it a life goal. The Mountville-area resident took a giant step toward that achievement Feb.19. He and 44 of the nations best anglers from 15 to 18 years old squared off against each other in the 20th annual Junior Bassmaster World Championship on the Harris Chain of Lakes in central Florida. A separate category pitted state champion anglers ages 11 to 14 against each other. As is his nature, Altland took a bold chance and boated nearly two hours to a spot he had never fished. It gave him a mere three hours to cast. The strategy didnt pan out as a cold front and high winds shut down the lunkers that Altland had been told by an adult pro were there. Altland and 12 other anglers never caught a minimum-size largemouth. The winner of the event, Nick Kelly of Brownsville, Tenn., took home the $5,000 scholarship, a new boat and motor, and a trip to Disney World with a mere 2 pounds of fish. It was a gamble and it was worth it, says Altland, having none of that second-guessing himself. Hardly crushed with disappointment, Altland donned a pros penchant for showmanship when his boat was towed to the weigh-in. With a large crowd cheering wildly, Altland plunged his arm into the boats live well, frothed the water fooling the onlookers into thinking he was about to display a large bass then came up empty handed with a huge grin on his face. The crowd loved it. Hes a good sportsman. He doesnt have any problem losing, says his proud mother, Linda Altland. He always says catching fish is 80 percent luck and 20 percent skill. Certainly, Altland earning his way as Pennsylvanias champion proved he is proficient at casting, reading water, knowing his prey and many other intangibles that separated him from thousands of other kids his age. To get there he had to perform well in various tournaments around the state from spring to fall. Then, last Labor Day weekend in Presque Isle Bay, Altland easily won the Pennsylvania BASS Federations state championship by being the only one of 70 anglers to catch his limit of four bass both days of the tournament. Actually, this is Altlands second foray to the pinnacle of fishing, an almost unbelievable feat. He also qualified in 2003 when the tournament was called the Junior National Championship and held on a Missouri lake. He was shut out there, also. Altlands skills and personality were shaped through the Junior Hawg Hunter Club, where he has been a member since seventh grade. The club was founded 10 years ago at Martic Elementary School by guidance counselor Tom Boyd of Millersville to provide a wholesome, inexpensive activity for kids. It followed Boyd to Manor Middle School, where it continued to thrive. Today, the club is for any boy or girl from 11 to 18 years old and has members from as far as Harrisburg and Paoli. In addition to fishing some kids get their first exposure to the sport through the club it performs conservation projects. It meets at the West Lancaster Fire Hall at 1697 Temple Ave. the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call club adviser Ray Caldwell at 872-7949. The club provided Altland with $1,000 to help defray expenses to the junior championship. Next fall, Altland will attend York Technical Institute to fulfill another longtime quest to become a motorcycle mechanic. But fishing will not take a back seat. As soon as the slush clears, hell be out alone in his 14-foot johnboat, using his Baitcaster reel to cast for smallmouths on his beloved Susquehanna River. Before his 19th birthday, Altland will have to leave the Junior Hawg Hunters and become the youngest member of the parent club, the Lancaster County Hawg Hunters. Hell have an instant inspiration in member George Acord, the only Lancaster County resident ever to fish in the Bassmaster Classic. Acord has done it twice. Altland knows it will be a long and tough climb to the Classic. It will take a lot of hard work to get there, but Im willing to do it, he says determinedly from his home in an old farmhouse. He really still feels he can work his way to becoming a pro. And I think he can, too, says his mother. But all mothers believe in their sons. How about club adviser Caldwell? He just stays at it. Hes very good at changing and adapting, paying attention to whats around him. How about Boyd? Altland still has a lot to learn, he says, but his former pupil is a willing student. Zachs a very open young man, willing to learn. When he goes on the water hes very intense and focused. You can almost see him feeling the bottom when hes fishing a tube. And that is why, some day, you may see Zach Altland in a Bassmaster Classic.
Copyright 2006 Lancaster Newspapers
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

Winco's Custom Lures on Delaware Valley Outdoors

Hello Folks,

My good friend and sponsor, Al Winco, recently met up with Bob Murray from Delaware Valley Outdoors to tape a show on custom lure making.

I believe when you view this video, you'll understand why I use Winco's Custom Lures. The care and time that Al puts into his baits is unmatched.

Enjoy!

Delaware Valley Outdoors and Winco's Custom Lures


Take care and Go Fishing!
Dad

lower derwent,8th july

had the evening down on the derwent with mick,
it was a nice evening just chilling listening to gold
on the radio.loads of chubby like taps all the time we
were fishing.had to wait for a allmighty bite about 10.20pm
at first i thought this was a carp as it took line and made
some powerfull runs,it took me a good ten minutes to
get the fish on top in front so i could get the
net under her.on seeing the size i was gobsmacked
as surely this was a good un.

when i weighed it ,i had to look twice as the avon
scales settled on 12.12lb my new pb.
having some great fishing at the moment ,cant wait
till my school holidays(six weeks) then i can get more
fishing in with maybe some all nighters.

BPS-RiverBassin' Tournament - Charlotte, NC - June 26, 2010

My anticipation had been growing for some time for the RiverBassin Tournament based out of the Bass Pro Shops in Charlotte. I grew up fishing for bass on the rivers of central Pennsylvania and spend a ton of time on the rivers and streams of North Carolina...so I was pumped.

Unforunately, my favorite river was just out of bounds for the tournament and I wrestled all week with exactly where to fish. The day before the event I headed down toward the South Carolina border to check out a stretch of the Pee Dee River. I had never fished here before, but I had faith and it looked like it had potential. My mistake was getting out of Durham late, which put me on the water around 11:30 AM in 98 degree heat. To make matters worse, the dam above this stretch was running no water and the river had dropped a few feet over the 24 hours prior. Needless to say, the bite was slow, but I managed a handful of largemouths with my best three going 19", 16", and 12" for a respective total of 47". However, that was not the number I was hoping for.



I headed to BPS-Charlotte as confused as ever. Would the fishing be really good in the morning if the dam was releasing water? Would I be able to get a few decent fish during the morning bite? Should I stay close to home and stick to my guns?

In the end, I decided to fish with my good friends Bob and Joey as well as Bob's dad Parker. The river was one I know well, but I had never fished this particular stretch and going in blind would come back to cost me. After the captain's meeting, a long drive home, an hour of prepping gear, and 3 hours of sleep I was on the road again headed for the river.



We launched at first light, which I guess is debatable depending on who you are. For me, if you can see the sun coming up, identify the color of your boat from 15 feet away, and make your way safely down river....then it is safe light.

My day started slow and for quite some time it only got worse. In the first hour, my only bites were 8"-10" largemouths, none of which I could bring to the boat. Although I knew they would do me no good at the end of the day, it was still frustrating. Finally, I hooked into a good fish on a 10" Berkley Power Worm. I boated him and got him on the ruler - 16" and finally things were looking up....until the fish flopped off the measuring board and back into the water before I could get a picture. Two minutes later I landed a bass and got a picture. 12" was nothing special, but it was 12" more than I had all day. I was just starting to feel good...then three casts later I had what felt like a good fish run me into some heavy, heavy cover and come off. The bad luck continued!

At this point, I realized having never fished that stretch before was catching up to me. Long stretches of shallow, swift water were clearly void of larger fish and it made me regret not focusing more on some areas I had quickly fished through earlier. I paddled to the other bank and after navigating some rapids found a creek that came into the river. On my first cast a fish blasted a 7.5" Culprit Original Worm on the fall and made a run for it. I knew it was big and a couple minutes later I had boated a 20" fish that was right around 5 lbs.



I took a deep breath, and knew a couple more like that would put me in good shape. But, the big ones never came. I continued on, catching numerous fish in the 12" range on plastic worms. And, my bad luck continued, as I lost 4 fish that were all 15" or bigger. Before I knew it, we were at the end of the stretch and I was having second thoughts about numerous aspects of my day as I sat with 44". I decided at that point it was all or nothing, so I tied on a 5.5" swimbait and my favorite Strike King jig with a Paca chunk trailer. Over the last hour I was able to upgrade with a 12.75" and 15" fish.



I was frustrated with my showing, but at least it was respectable given the brutal heat. In the end, 47.75" was good enough for 6th place in the Avid Angler division, which consisted of talented anglers from all over the southeast. My good friend Bob won with a total of 55.75" (special congrats to him) and second place was 52"...a total I would have surpassed had I caught a few breaks during the day.



Thanks to Drew Gregory, BPS, The River Bassin Tourney Trail Crew, RiverBassin.com, Bob, Joey, Parker, and everyone else who made it a great event!

Kickin' it off right....

I am finally getting this site off the ground - with the main goal of sharing my fishing adventures. All of my trips (barring special occassions) are done from a kayak or wading, hence the man powered edition. I hope to share my experiences, knowledge, triumphs, and sorrows....because we know there are always a few that get away.

The little warriors from the rain

We had fun during the bad weather today. We did not catch anything big. But the number of bites that we had, rewarded for the necessity of drying the wet pants after returning home :)