27 Apr 2008

I met Lee at Shoreline park for a few hours of fishing. I was a few minutes late, I just couldn't pry myself from the bed after the last few days. My first stop was a dock that I'd heard was holding a few reds. As we approched we noticed another boat was already working the pier. We slid over to the next dock an pitched a few shrimp with no results.

The other boat was having trouble with the wind. They didn't have a trolling motor and were both trying to fish at the same time, all the while the wind was pushing them into the dock. Thay'd get blown in, start their engine, and back out, only to get blown in again. We watched them boat two nice slot fish. I told Lee we needed to get in there before all the fish got spooked. I eased over so we could pitch over there as well and gave the guys some friendly advice. If only one person fished at a time, while the other kept the boat away from the pier. Our same baits got thrown in there a few times without losing as much as a leg. We decided we'd come back later, after the fish had a chance to rest.

We drifted a nearby grass flat and caught a white trout and a small grouper. Peeled over to another pier where the mangrove snapper were hungry. A few snappers and a small grouper later we picked up and ran to the Pass, in search of the bull red that Lee was after. In the Pass I see my good friend Capt Lance Powers, I give him a call for a report. He proceeds to tell me about the abundance of catfish today. Catfish...yeah!!! Well catfish it's gonna be.

We caught small snappers and groupers, not a catfish...or a redfish in sight. I made it my top priority to find a catfish! It took me a few drifts to do it but we finally caught one. Then it happened... Lees rod took a turn towards the bottom and the drag started pouring line off the spool. Oh yeah, that's him. Lees grin split wide open, this is what he was after.

The fish put up a good fight, but Lee wore him down and I lipped him with the Boga.


Our friend the wind awoke from it's short nap, on the wrong side of the bed. The bay was starting to turn white We made another drift and hooked another fish that got us in the rocks and missed a couple more. The wind continued to increase so we headed back towards our original dock and the ramp. Relocated back to a now deserted pier, we had no problems fishing it at will. Empty hook after empty hook kept returning to the boat and both the bait supply and the time were running out. Lee had put his rod away when I hooked up. A 20" Redfish was my reward. Lee picked his rod back up and we finished giving away the rest of our bait. We couldn't get another hook to find strike home.

We were back I the ramp a little after 1100. Having released all of our fish, the clean up was quick. Lee and I parted ways; me headed home for a nap and Lee trailering his boat to central Florida for more fishing.

Thanks again, Lee, I had a great time. And yes, next time we'll take your boat.

26 Apr 2008 Fishin' Chix Orange Beach

The alarm sounded way too early this morning. I'd set it for a little after 0300 figuring on fighting with the snooze at least a few times. It went off and I woke up, no laying back down after hitting that blessed snooze button, oh no, not today. The boat was pretty well ready to go, just put the rods in and leave. I got a big head start on everyone else. The morning drive to the ramp wasn't that long yesterday, at 0600, no one was on the road at 0400. What would have been close to an hour drive lasted about 40 min. I was in the water (avoiding the rocks this time) and sitting at Lulu's by 0515, boy was it quiet! The rest of the guides arrived within the next 30 min or so and we all began loading our anglers on board. Two of my ladies were running a little behind ( I think their make-up took a little longer than expected...you MUST look your best while you fish! Didn't your mother tell you that?); it was 0615 when we got underway.

Yesterday's fishing in Mobile Bay, for me, wasn't enough to get me to go back today; especially given the wind and what the run back across the bay would be like. I turned the boat east and headed for home turf. Our first stop was an open grass flat, known to hold most of the seven eligible target species. The flat was barren, we didn't see anything more than pinfish, and only a few of those at that. I figured I'd go to the easternmost reaches of today's territory and work my way back towards the weigh in. To the Pass!

Once we got to the pass and began fishing the phone started ringing. most everyone had made it to their first stop and we were all reporting to each other what was going on. The general consensus was...NOTHING. From Fort Morgan to Garcon Point very few people had found fish, and fewer had found legal, eligible fish. We were putting a hurting on the catfish in the pass. The ladies were having a blast just having Mimosas and a bent rod. A few drifts and a bunch of catfish was all it took to get me to move again. Our best opportunity of the day was presented shortly after our arrival; in the form of a Flounder around 3 lbs, that came off the hook before we could get him close enough to net. We pummeled the area with baited hooks for a while, hoping for a second chance that didn't happen.

Our next move was to the Barrs bridge for a flounder or maybe a redfish. We got located and the catching began. A Pinfish and a few small mangrove snappers fell for our shrimp. Margaret lost bait after bait to an unknown thief; somewhere around the 10th bait, she connected! It turned out to be our best fish of the day, a nice Sheepshead. Unfortunately not a target species, but that didn't matter to Margaret, she was all smiles. Rhonda had mentioned the pier at her home in Bear Point held some nice trout, so we made that our next stop.

The ladies wanted to use the restroom. We tied to the dock, they headed for the house, and found it locked. Some miscommunication led to locked doors with the keys still inside. It took them 15 min and a few neighbors to get in. Everyone did their business and without so much as a bite we made our way to Perdido Pass to finish out our time. Perdido pass was as productive as everywhere else we'd been. As our clock wound down we made our way back to Lulu's.

Back at the weigh in the ladyfish division was completely empty. Since we didn't have any target fish to weigh the ladies decided they'd wrap our Sheepshead in a pink feather boa, and tried to pass it off as a ladyfish. Although it got a lot of laughs, they still refused to give us credit for a ladyfish!


All in all a great event. We raised some money for Hospice, I met some wonderful people, and we had a lot of fun, which is what it's about anyway. Thanks again to my crew for making it such a memorable day and thanks to Claudia, Capt Wes, Elise, Natalie, and all those involved for all the work you do to make this happen.

I hope to see more of you at the Pensacola tournament in June! Come out and support these ladies and their cause.

25 Apr 2008

It was the end of Dad's week off; he'd been Cobia fishing two days, Bream fishing in Alabama one day, and hadn't made the slightest dent in his honey-do list. So I, being the good son I try to be, talked him into playing hookie for just one more day to help me scout for the following days Fishin' Chix Tournament. He not so reluctantly agreed, but said he couldn't be too late, that list was piling up! We decided to drive seperate vehicles so I could drop him off and continue fishing.

I got to my parents house around 0655, went in, made my good-mornings, and told Dad I was going to stop at Gray's B&T for some live shrimp and I'd meet him there. The drive to Gulf Shores wasn't too bad that early, and we were at the ramp and in the water by 0700. As I was trying to tie up the boat, I found, the hard way of course, that there were sporadic rocks on the bottom near the pier. Oh well, nothing that Accu-Prop can't fix.

Our first stop was a point in Bon Secour, We made one drift, got one blow up, and decided we need to go fish the bay before the wind started blowing any harder. By this time it was SE @ 15kts. There was an oyster reef a few miles from where we were, so we headed for that. Again, one drift and the wind increases to 20+kts. The SE shore is looking better and better, nice and calm; we shoot over there. Again, one drift, but this time the trolling motor wires get caught on the mount and get pulled out of the plug. Great! Perfect!... I get out the tools, and in about 5 min have us back up and running.

The wind hasn't let up, by now we're only a quick run to the Shellbank Reef. Off we go again! Persistence pays and we found three nice trout out on the reef, wind or not! Then my phone rings... Claudia, head Fishin' Chik, is having an interview with FOX News, and was hoping to have a boat and tackle to use for the shoot. I wasn't far away and the honey-do's were looming so we decided to call it a morning and started cruising in.

At the mouth of the ICW into Mobile Bay there's a place called Sailboat Bay. It's a nice little canal with lots of boat slips, neither Dad nor I could resist at least a fast run through there pitching shrimp. It took us maybe 15 min to cover 70% of the canal. We caught one small Speck and a Croaker: Dad did have one good hit that broke his line.

I dropped Dad off at the ramp, met Claudia, and waited for the camera crew to arrive. I had a good lunch at Lulu's and after the better part of an hour waiting, I left Clauida with a couple of rods and reels for props and began the journey home for a nap; tomorrow morning would come EARLY!

20 Apr 2008

Nick Taylor is a World Champion tennis player, he plays from a wheel chair. Check out this video of him...unbelievable!!!

Nick contacted me earlier in the week for a trip today. He is in town for a tennis tournament and didn't want to miss an opportunity for some saltwater action. Nick, his dad, Bill, and I met at Galvez at 1500; after a small production to get Nick comfortably into the boat, we were off.

We headed for the pass in hopes of finding a Redfish and maybe some Sheepshead. Upon arriving we found ourselves in a ripping current and blowing wind. These conditions aren't exactly perfect for what we were trying to do. The leads just would not hit bottom for more than a second or two before the current would whisk them away. This was not going to work.

Plan B: We'll troll the inside beach for the Spanish and Bluefish that Capt Wes has been catching. A couple of jigs and a lipped plug are deployed and the trolling begins.

A half hour or so creeped by without a bite. I kept a constant eye on the tide, waiting for it to subside enough to go back and fish the Pass. We finished our trolling run down Pickens beach, no fish to show for it. The tide had slowed a bit so we headed back to the Pass, intent on finishing our afternoon trying for big fish, no matter the outcome.

Plan A, take 2: Once we relocated (again) back to our original location we found slightly better conditions. The current had slowed just enough for us to have a shot at some action. With a little extra boat handling and a fair bit of luck, we succeeded. The catfish couldn't stand it anymore and began biting. We caught a few kitty cats, then Nicks rod took a turn towards the bottom. Watching him fight that fish was awesome. I know it wasn't easy, but he hung on, grunting and groaning, and boated our first Sheepshead of the day!



We kept plugging away at it and pulled another Sheepie and a few more catfish then decided to polish out our time seeking a redfish. We drifted a few times over my favorite redfish spot and came up empty each drift. I had just enough time to check another of my better spots. Within minutes of starting our last drift Bills rod started singing. The battle lasted for 15 minutes, the tide taking us well out the Pass, when the fish finally gave up we were rewarded with this LARGE specimen of a redfish.


Tipping the Boga-Grip at 26 lbs, that is one impressive fish.

A couple of pictures and a quick release later we packed it up and headed for the ramp. Back at the ramp we found it much more difficult to get Nick out of the boat. I called my dad who, along with my uncle, helped me get him back properly in his chair.

Thanks again Nick and Bill for a great afternoon!

Side Note: Just because you're not able to do everything doesn't mean you can't fish!

13 Apr 2008

Met Mark, Sarah, Kilian, Jay, and Brianna at Shoreline Park at 0700. The morning was beautiful as we made the run across the bay. Once to the Pass, the poking around began. I searched high and low and finally got a mark of fish to drop down on. I made the first drop, showing everyone how to use the tackle, and immediately hooked up. It turned out to be a catfish, but one drop one fish...that's a good start!


We continued this pattern of looking around, finding a mark of fish, and dropping to them. The bite was tough, but with diligence, hard work, ...and a lot of driving around, we put together a nice mess of fish. Ten or so Sheepshead fell victim to our offerings, we kept 7 to eat. Three Redfish also responded in course, along with half a dozen Catfish. Here are some highlights of todays catching.



Brianna Stood up on the bow, all quiet, and every time I looked up she was hooked up!




Here's a Family portrait!

A great time was had by all. Jay had a flight home to catch, and Kilian was ready for a nap (so was I); so we returned to Shoreline just after 1100, cleaned our fish, and said our good-byes.



Thanks again Mark, Sarah, Jay, Brianna, and Kilian for a great morning. I look forward to seeing you all again.

11 Apr 2008

Today's trip included Maxwell, Belinda, Winston, Jack, and Luke. We left Galvez @ 0715 headed to find the Sheepshead. Upon arriving to the Pass we're greeted with a sparse mark on the bottom machine, so I begin searching around for the best concentration of fish. Everywhere I looked, the same absymal sounding returned. I found the best mark I could and we fired away at them; and they answered back.

First one catfish comes over the side, then another, then another. Well, not exactly what I was looking for. I reposition a few more times with nearly the same results each time. Then, as my hopes of a nice Sheepie are almost dashed, Winston connects with a fish that begins to take line; and continues taking it. A few minutes pass before I'm sure it's not a Sheepshead on the other end. Winston is rewarded for his efforts with our catch of the day, a 17lb Redfish.


The Pass was a little choppy, and after rolling around in it for a while, Luke began not feeling well. We picked up and ran into the lagoon to try our hand at flipping shrimp around some docks. The usual suspects, Trout and Reds, were few and far between. A couple of baits got quickly wrapped around pilings and the Pinfish made quick work of nearly every shrimp we threw. A nice little Gag Grouper did make it to the boat, and we let Luke finish out the day catching those wiley little Pinfish!

The fishing was tough, but we had a great time sharing the morning and watching the kids catch fish, be it Catfish, Redfish, Grouper, or Pinfish.

Thanks again to all of you for making the morning so enjoyable.

04 Apr 2008

Capt Wes and I met our group of 11 at Gray's B&T at 0600. Captains Dusty Powers and Steve Jones were standing-by at the ramps for us. We had decided to split the group into two, 6 came with me to meet Capt. D.P. at Galvez. The other 5 went with Capt. Wes to meet Capt. Steve at Herron Bayou.

Capt D.P. and I split our 6 and headed for the pass for the Sheepshead bite.

I had Rob, Steve, and "W" (or Dub) on board, these guys were experienced, and , with the exception of Rob (who was having a tough time keeping the fish on the hook), we began catching fish immediately. Actually Dub and Steve started us off with a double hook-up! It was soon apparent that they were hung together, then we realized they had found the greediest Sheepie around...take a look.

Here's Steve and Dub with their shared first fish of the day!

We POUNDED the Sheepies for the next, oh, 5 dozen baits. It took him a little while to get it right, but Rob connected right along with everyone else.

As the livewell got less "live", I began pinching the shrimp into multiple pieces to keep the catching going. When their comming up four at a time, it's hard not to go through bait in a hurry.

I had to take the picture, so you can't see my fish on the deck! It wasn't just Sheepshead, we also caught 2 Scamp, 3 Sand Perch, a Pigfish, and a handful of Catfish.

Our baits stretched until the time finally caught us and we settled in for the quick run back to the ramp. D.P. and I cleaned up the few fish that were kept for dinner, and sent the guys to go trade war stories with the rest of the group.

Thanks again Rob, Steve, and Dub, that was a blast!