Jacks on Jerks

To fight another day

Some updating

Kilmichael down

Coalie fish

Rockfishing Action!

 Little tiger

Mobile pic mullet

I had some technical problems with internet acces, recently. So, posting has been suspended for a while. But  nothing intresting happened in the last couple weeks. Sea bass fishing is my worst season in the last three years. Reasons? Mainly due to lack of time, but also because of weather conditions. The last two months, it was a very little mullet  and mack fishing for me.

Saying Goodbye to Summer... 09/22/10

Autumn arrived last night at 11:09 p.m. It's been a long dry summer and I, for one, am glad to see that we had a series of thunderstorms pass through during the early evening hours. There is a lot of moisture predicted from Sunday through the early part of next week. It will be a welcomed relief.

Yesterday was the beginning of about three days of hot and humid weather. I had a reading of 93 degrees on my truck thermometer as I was driving to meet Josh for a night on the river.

As we were heading up Rt. 283 around 3:45 p.m., we noticed that the sky was darkening up north... thunderstorms were approaching.

When we got to the ramp, we could hear the thunder in the near distance. So, instead of launching right away, we decided to wait it out to see how the storm was moving. We got out of his truck and explored the shoreline to make a plan on how we were going to navigate. The river level gauge in Harrisburg was reading 3.0' and only a 3.8 kcfs... very slow for a river that is a mile wide.

It was very skinny water where we had to launch and run, but Josh's G3 CCJ 90/65 Yamaha runs very shallow. We had some reservations, but decided to go for it as soon as the weather seemed to be less threatening.

We returned to his truck and sat through a brief shower. The storm moved through quickly and we finally launched his G3 around 4:00 p.m.

As we ran from the ramp, we hit a submerged ledge, but that was the only mishap we had throughout the entire trip... Great!

This was my first time back on the river away from my home waters since my surgery. I haven't been fishing water where the level was only 2-3' deep. I had a plan, though... Winco Wacky Worms rigged on a Size 2 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle hook.



Josh started out by fishing a 3/8th oz. War Eagle spinnerbait.

We found a series of ledges and never had to leave them the two hours we fished before being chased off the river by yet another heavier series of thunderstorms.

As soon as we moved up onto the ledges, I started to catch fish. Josh switched from the spinnerbait to a Cabin Creek (single dipped) Green Pumpkin tube.

The fish seemed to be into the plastics and b/w the two of us, we put ten smallies in the boat in less than two hours... It was a fantastic evening.

There was a ton of baitfish and the bass were gorging themselves! Check out this 17.5" smallie that Josh caught. It weighed 3.5 lbs! It was our largest bass of the evening.



Here is a 17.25" that weighed 2 lbs 12 oz.



As we were running back to the ramp, we came across several children walking in the river... Yepper... There were no parents around and they were in the middle! As we passed by the children, we took noticed that they were only in ankle deep water. That is how shallow Josh's boat can run. Major Pucker Factor!

I have a trip planned for tomorrow afternoon with my good buddy, Dell. He only has a half day of teaching and we should be on the water by 3:00 p.m. Hopefully, the local smallies will be just as cooperating as those in the Harrisburg area.

Take care,
Dad

Maine Striper Fishing Report: Super Fly Charters September 21st, 2010

This Report Will Be Simple...Come Fish The Kennebec...We Are Slaying The Stripers!!!




We still have lots of great fishing left between now and mid October so please contact us to reserve a tide or two..

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

Day 2... Helping Mike Prep for His Club Tournament 09/21/10

Hello Folks,

Before I begin, I would like to mention that today would have been my mother's 85th birthday. My mother passed away five years ago after struggling for years with COPD, heart disease, and diabetes... We love and miss you. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today was the second trip I took with Mike Burton to help him prepare for his upcoming tournament on September 26th. His bass club will hold a youth tournament on Saturday and then return to Lake Aldred for the Sunday adult club tournament.

We did a bit better today with over 20 smallies. Mike was on fire compared to last Thursday. He alone had about 14 bass from the front of the boat with many coming on a deeper diving crankbait... Good job, Mike!

Our biggest bass measured 16.75" and weighed 2lbs. 4oz. on the Boga Grip.

We explored many areas that we hadn't touched on last Thursday (Sept. 16, 2010)...






What beautiful scenery and it will just get more and more vibrant as October comes. The hillsides in these photos will be on fire with color... oranges, reds, and browns will fill the landscape.

Mike spotted two mature eagles flying together, as well as, a couple of immatures soaring right above the eagles' nest... Cool Beans! No wonder the American Bald Eagle is our country's national symbol of freedom. What a beautiful, beautiful sight!

We threw an array of successful lures today and caught fish. Many came on tubes, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and deep diving plugs. We also tried JB's and soft plastic flukes without success.

The skies were clear - a bluebird day. The water temp was still holding at 70 degrees which is what it was last Thursday. The water clarity was murky is most spots which is rather typical for Lake Aldred.

Mike and I wore coats this morning because it was rather chilly. In fact, it was only 44 degrees here in Lancaster County. There was absolutely no cloud cover last evening and it cooled way down quite rapidly.

Over the next few days, however, a weak cold front will move on through with a possibility of a thunderstorm tomorrow evening. Then on Thursday and Friday, we will see much warmer temperatures. In fact, the local weatherman is calling for the temperature to reach 90 degrees once again on Friday!!

Those warmer temperature will be ushering in the Fall of 2010. This weekend it will only be in the low 70's on both Saturday and Sunday... Showers will arrive on Sunday. Good because we really need the rain!

Mike and I moved about quite a bit again today seeking out fish and patterns for him to fish on Sunday. I believe that he will be able to put together a rather good 6 fish limit if the fish cooperate for him on Sunday as they have on our last two outings.

He should especially do well if he uses this new-fangled rigging with a soft plastic bait... Check this out!


It's exactly what it looks like - Fishing line, a hook, and a... ROCK! I believe I may have seen this rig set up used on the North Branch, but how it made it's way down to South-central Pennsylvania is way beyond me... LOL! :)

Take care,
Dad

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.

Stinkius Bugius Invades Once Again!

Hello Folks,

I've been busy over the past few days. My wife has been on vacation this past week which keeps me moving. I tried to spend as much time as I could with her since her next vacation week won't be until Christmas... three months away! It just doesn't seem that close now, does it?

We are once again being invaded by an invasive insect that we call the "Stink Bug!" (Halyomorpha halys)

Check this little critter out...


It sure is ugly looking and can destroy acres of fruit in our local orchards and vegetables in farm fields . They suck nectar from the fruit and leaves a undesirable brown spot. Although the total fruit is destroyed, no one wants to buy a fruit that has brown spots all over it.

Here is a great Penn State article describing the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB). The first appearance was in Allentown, Pa. in 1998.

http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug

These little one inch buggers are all over our siding, screens, and doors. They get into our home and can survive throughout the winter and into early spring before they die off. They don't present a problem for the home's structure like termites will, but they are annoying as all get out.

The origin appears to be China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Somehow, the "Stink Bug" made it's way here to the USA and is establishing itself.

When you read about how to prevent them in your home, you learn that it is almost physically impossible. I was always taught that a home needs to breath, yet everything I read about these bugs tells us to caulk all openings... LOL! Sure, like we'll catch every slight opening in our home... Heck, these little buggers get in even when you open the doors to go in and out of your home.

Oh, well, I guess we'll all have to learn to share this earth with one more invasive species of insect. It's not like we can't adapt.

Take care and Be Safe Out There On The Water!
Dad

Triangle River Bassin' - September 19, 2010

On Sunday morning I got up early and headed to a local flow to try for some river bass. I haven't been on a river in a couple of weeks, so I was anxious to get out. I was joined by good friends Gary Ribet and Wendy Tonker. It would be one of Wendy's first trips in a kayak.

It was definitely one of those foggy, mystical, beautiful mornings!

We launched around 6:45 AM, just after first light. I decided to head down river to hit a couple lay downs where I have had a lot of luck, while Gary and Wendy headed up river. I fished over the first log with no luck, but shortly after (and about 10 minutes into the day) I got a good bite. The fish nailed my plastic worm and ran hard down the bank. It took everything I had to keep him out of the river-side brush and trees as well as keep him from pulling me around. After a great fight, I boated him....a 21", 5 lb bass. It took me a while to get a good photo because there was no good place to access the bank. After sinking up to my knees in silt and sand, I finally managed a couple of the 'voodoo' bass. What a way to start the day!

So stoked!

Pretty bass to start the day!

I then wanted to fish one more laydown and figured I would turn around and catch up with Gary and Wendy after. However, my plans changed. I caught fish on the next 2 laydowns using a buzzbait, then the next log with a plastic worm. I spent the next hour or two fishing down river and catching fish with regularity. None of them were over 2.5 lbs, but it was fun. I ended up with 4 fish on a buzzbait, 6 on a plastic worm, and 1 on a jig by the time I decided to turn around. I also had a beaver pop up only a couple feet from my kayak. I am fairly sure I interrupted his Sunday morning beauty sleep.

Wendy with a solid bass

I headed up river and asked how the other two had done. Wendy had caught a couple nice fish, including one just under 3 lbs and another over 4.5 lbs. Gary had lost a bunch of fish and was still skunked. I briefly conversed with them before Wendy had to head back. Gary and I proceeded up river and I picked up two more small bass on plastic worms.

Wendy with a 4.5 lber

We then got to an area I had not fished before. We beached the boats and waded through a long, shallow stretch until we got to an area with a high and open bank. Gary and I climbed up the bank and started fishing. Shortly after we started, I spotted and sight fished a 2-2.5 lb bass. We were also seeing carp, tons of sunfish, and a lot of gar...including some giants. I had never actually landed a gar, so I decided I was going to give it a shot.

The gar were acting aggresively toward a minnow bait that Gary was using, but they just weren't getting the hook into their bony, rock hard mouths. I decided to switch to a Sebile Magic Swimmer swimbait and give it a try. I spotted a gar, threw the bait past him and used a steady reel, jerk, pause retrieve. The small fish slashed at the bait numerous times, but I just couldn't hook him. I then threw another cast along the far bank and felt a good bite. I thought for sure it was a small gar, but it turned out to be a pretty 3 lb bass. I then saw a nice gar and jerked my swimbait in front of him....it was on! The fish was big and he initially went on a strong run. After tiring the fish a little, we realized there was no way to land the fish on the high bank, so we would have to walk him about 50 yards down river. At first, the fish was cooperating. But, after a couple of minutes he decided to turn and make another deep run. As he shook his head, the hook popped out of his mouth and he swam away. Gary and I estimated the fish to be 36+" and easily over 10 lbs - possibly pushing 15+ lbs.

Me holding a solid 3+lb LMB

I hooked a couple more gar for short, but sweet moments. Unfortunately, I just could not land them. I also managed to lose another bass on a worm before we left that area and headed back down river. Somehow, Gary was still fishless and he was eager to get on the board. We began fishing back down river and I managed 2 quick bass. After another 15 minutes, Gary got on the board with a small bass. Shortly after, I heard a splash and looked over to see his rod doubled over. A fish was quickly pulling him toward the bank. After a nice fight, he landed the bass - a pretty 5 lb 3 oz fish.

Gary's pig!

As we fished the rest of the morning, Gary and I managed a few more bass. I ended the day around noon having landed 20 fish - all bass. Most of them were caught on plastic worms as well as a few on a buzzbait, swimbait, and jig. I think there will be a return trip to this area in my near future - to chase big bass and a giant gar! Tight lines!

This guy was waiting to meet us at the take out...fall is near!

Friday Night Catfish at Jordan Lake - September 17, 2010

On Friday, a group of friends and I headed to Jordan Lake to try and catch some catfish. The group included some old friends like Gary 'froggy waters' Ribet and his wife Pam. It also included Chris and Jeremy, two returnees to the Duke Fishing Club. However, it also included a number of new friends from Duke. Some of them had been fishing for years and others are fairly new to the sport.

We first arrived at the lake around 7:45 PM. People would continue to trickle in and out between then and about 2 AM. Armed with chicken livers, nightcrawlers, and cut bait we gave it a go. The bite was slow to begin with, but about 20-30 minutes after dark the bite began to really pick up. Mary May put the first fish on the board - a chunky channel cat, which although not a giant, would be the biggest fish we landed all night. However, we were all pretty sure it was the good luck of Jun, who had just arrived, that helped land that fish!



For the next 2 hours the bite was fairly regular on chicken livers and we were landing decent size channel cats every couple of minutes. Then the bite began to slow down significantly and we moved down the bank about a hundred yards toward some rip rap. We set back up there and waited patiently. Unfortunately, the bite there was hot and cold and a lot of smaller fish were stealing our bait. However, on a couple occassions 4-5 rods would hook up at once. We were still landing channel cats mainly, but also had some flatheads (mud cats) and even a white catfish thrown in.

Around 2 AM we decided it was time to call it a night (and we were out of bait). Chicken livers were far and away the most productive bait. We ended up keeping about 6-7 cats to eat. Since she caught the biggest, we all agreed it was only fitting that Mary May got to hold them for the last photo of the night.



A huge thanks to Gary for helping me out and everyone else who came out to join the crew. I, personally, had a ton of fun. Until next time, tight lines!

Van Wormer Resorts Fishing Report 9/17/10

by Eddie Dalmau, Van Wormer Resorts

Fishing this week out of the Van Wormer Resort’s fleet was above average. The hot spot this week continues to be La Ribera. From La Ribera to Los Frailes seems to have been the spot for the past few weeks. This week was no exception. One angler landed a 120lbs. Pargo and a 400+lbs. Black Marlin in that neighborhood. I will hopefully have pictures and more details on this next week. That is also where you will find the large school of tuna that seems to have settled in down near the south end of the East Cape. This week, the VWR fleet landed over 600 yellowfins, 300 dorado, 22 pargo, 18 blue marlin, 60 sailfish, 15 striped marlin, 110 triggerfish, 18 wahoo, 13 pampano, 2 amber jacks, 7 cabrilla, 14 roosters and 1 black marlin. I always say that if you want variety, there is no place like it in the world. I was told by the boat dispatchers that the fishing is very close to the hotels. They told me that many boats were coming in at 1:30pm full of fish. That’s it for this week amigos. Remember that Punta Colorada will be reopening on October 1st.

Until Next week…

Eddie Dalmau
Baja’s Van Wormer Resorts

Maine StripeD Bass Fishing Report Super Fly Charters: Kennebec River 9/17/2010

Check out some of our pictures from the last few guided Striper fishing trips that we've had this week...I think they'll show what kind of fishing that we've been having






































We still have lots of great fishing left between now and mid October so please contact us to reserve a tide or two..

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

Good To Be Back Out! 09/16/10

Hello Folks,

No need to wonder why I miss fishing the river. Just take a look...







My good buddy, Mike Burton, called me on Tuesday and asked what I would be doing today. My therapy is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. So, I had today free to do whatever. He asked me to go exploring on my home waters in preparation for his upcoming club tournament. I had told him about two months back that I would help him and show a spot or two that have been successful for me over the years... Those spots held up today!

I was so happy that my major spot was holding fish. We caught a smaller 13" bass and then a beautiful 16.75". Both came on slow rolling spinnerbaits down a rocky slope from 3' of water into 10' of water. After catching the two fish, we moved on to look for other spots.

Mike running his Snyder Jet on Lake Aldred...


Our second spot didn't produce any fish, but our third spot was a charm!



This 19 1/8th inch smallie came in 11' of water by slow rolling, once again. The same spot yielded several more bass and then we moved on.

You may be wondering "If you're catching fish, why move on?" It's quite simple, we do not want to "beat up" on the fish population that may help Mike win a tournament.

What is neat about Mike's club is that it is a "Paper Club". That means that they use the Golden Rule as a measuring standard for all fish caught (LM and SM) and then record the catch on a club designed paper. The the fish is immediately released without being live-welled. They use a 12" size limit and "weigh-in" their top 6 fish.

I had only one fish below the legal size limit that I later would have culled with a legal size fish. In a 6 fish club limit, I would have weighed-in close to 17 lbs of fish on the Golden Rule.

I caught one 15.25" bass that actually weighed 2 lbs and 4 oz on my Boga! This smallie was a real porker. I caught this fish off a great spot that a very good friend of mine, Dave Weitzel, and I used to fish many, many times years back. We lost Dave to cancer a few years ago. So, I dedicated that "Li'l Porker" fish to my very good friend and fishing buddy. I miss Dave.

We had great weather today. We started out fishing in overcast skies that remained with us until early afternoon. The sun peeked out for about an hour and then the wind shifted from the NE to the S and another cloud cover moved in over us.

The winds were holding at about 3 mph this morning and picked up to about 10 mph when the shift occurred.

Not only was the weather great, but we got to see the bald eagles that call Lake Aldred home. With Mike's help, we were able to locate one of the nests along the York County shoreline... Cool!

We even came across a beaver hut that was built along the west shore of one of the many islands that dot the water-scape.

There was a ton of baitfish everywhere we stopped. It just amazes me that there is that much forage for our smallies to eat and yet they fall for a presentation of a piece of plastic or metal... Gotta love it!

I wore a brace on my wrist to keep it from twisting and a compression sock on my forearm and elbow to help support the elbow joint. It worked out rather well and my elbow held up nicely. Maybe I'll feel something later tonight when I sleep, but I don't anticipate it.

When I got home, I immediately iced it down and now it feels pretty good... Keeping my fingers crossed!

Take Care,
Dad

Late summer kitties

So my friend Thom asked to go catfishing after work and of course, I had to make it happen. It was his birthday after all. Only thing is, I was in such a rush to get on the water after work that I forgot to bring my camera.

I hate it when I forget my camera.

Luckily he brought his camera.

We paddled out to an absolutely gorgeous late afternoon river. Virtually no wind, clear water, perfect. I even saw two flatheads as we were getting to my spot. I really wished I had my camera then for some underwater footage.

Anyway, I hooked up first and as my drag starts ripping, I hear a "oh #!@$". He didn't have the memory card. Doh!

Oh well. Cell phone it is.

36" Blue cat

Not long after...

Thom's first flathead at 30"

Shortly after that, Thom hooks into another that really ripped drag and I got busy clearing lines. Getting excited like a little kid, I watched his line cut through the water, swing the yak around, and put a nerve racking bend in his little Ugly Stik. He had a helluva time landing the thing as I watched with a big ol' grin. I have to say, it's almost just as fun watching.

34" Flathead

We had a couple other little guys around 24".

It was good times for a few of hours after work. Happy birthday, Thom.