Turns out that our late-October foray into the Chesapeake would be our last for the season. Over the next couple of weeks, Captain DiPaola ventured back out several times, only to find the bay barren of working birds and fish.
Fortunately, the end of Bay fishing doesn't mean that fishing has ended for the year. The trout streams in NC PA are back to normal flows. And, if you don't mind getting on an airplane, warmer climes provide opportunities to hook into a variety of species. So last week I headed down to Jacksonville, Florida to fish the Intracoastal Waterway with long time friend and squadron mate Curt Toomer. Our plan, which had been hatched several months ago, was to spend a day with a guide who specialized in targeting spawning bull redfish. The guide (who shall remain nameless, for reasons that follow), also had a reputation for finding keeper flounder.
I arrived in Jacksonville last Sunday to sunny skies and temps in the upper 70s, a far cry from the 30-degree temps in Potter County. Unfortunately, we missed the big Reds, which had already moved offshore. But the intracoastal is still a phenomenal fishery, with a number of species that hang out through the fall and winter. The forecast for Monday, our day with the guide, looked pretty good. A cold front was moving through, but temps were to stay in the 70s, with winds at 10 knots, dying off as the day progressed.
So it was somewhat surprising when the guide called at 6:45 Monday morning with concerns about the winds. He had based his observations on the trees in his yard (he lives on the southside somewhere, and not on the water). Now, I suppose that looking at trees is one way to get sense of the winds. But you'd think marine forecasts would provide a bit more empirical sense of the weather. And it didn't look bad to us. Whatever. Maybe the guide wanted optimal conditions, and Tuesday's forecast showed lower winds and warmer temps. We had flexibility, so we pushed him to Tuesday, and went with Plan B.
The tide was set to begin to fall around 9:00 AM, giving us plenty of time to grab some live bait (mud minnows), and head to the marina where Curt keeps his 17 foot Maverick skiff.
We headed up the IC to scout some water and find some fish. Now, fishing with Curt is both about exploring as well as catching fish. He meticulously studies satellite images of the IC to find the spots in the back creeks that should hold fish. You could fish the banks along the main channel of the IC and probably pick up a few fish. But it's the feeder creeks, with their points and oyster bars, that you want to target. Plus, it's just fun poking up into skinny water looking for fish.
We spent the afternoon hitting some spots north of Blount Island. As forecast, the winds died and the temps warmed; despite the guide's concerns it was a prefect day out. And around 1:45 PM, two hours before the bottom of the falling tide, the bite turned on. We anchored at a small creek mouth, and proceeded to hit the Northeast Florida Slam, catching a Red, a few Speckled Trout, and a keeper Flounder.
Fishing for Reds and Trout isn't particularly technical. You basically need to be in the right spot when the water is moving. We jigged live mud minnows and soft plastics (paddletails) off the bottom. Flounder present a different challenge, as they prefer to chew on the bait for a spell before committing to the take. Patience is a must to catch 'em, and the smaller the founder the more difficult to detect chewing from striking. But it's all part of the fun.
By the time we got off the water, the forecast for Tuesday had changed a bit. Winds were now going to blow between 10-12 knots. Perhaps a choppy ride in the main channel of the IC, but certainly enough protected water in the feeder creeks. Plus, we were fishing with a guide, who would know where to go, right? So it was all the more exasperating when the captain called again, almost exactly the same time as the day before, claiming that the wind was "howling" out there and it might be prudent to sit the day out. We used the guide's weather tool and looked at the trees, noting a bit of a breeze, but not quite "howling," but then again not knowing the guide's tree-based Beaufort Scale. Suspicions were growing, and we told the guide that we'd meet him at the Mayport boat ramp to make the final call.
As we drove to the ramp, Curt and I decided that, if the captain began whining about the weather, we'd just bag him and head back out on our own. When we got to the ramp the wind was blowing a bit, maybe 12-15 knots. But the river wasn't too choppy. And the forecast was for the winds to lie down as the day progressed. Sure enough though, when we met the guide at the ramp, he immediately launched into "wind is howling" mode, and again expressed his reluctance to be on the water. All the while , had he turned around, he would have observed several flats boats going into the water. Obviously anglers with a death wish. He then went on to regale us with his TV appearances, the most recent of which was with Bill Dance. "Bill Dance ... you gotta be kidding me," I thought to myself. A septuagenarian, still wearing that Tennessee trucker's ballcap. Why not Orlando Wilson or Roland Martin or Jimmy Houston, for crying out loud. Maybe had he mentioned Tom Roland or Rich Tudor, then he would have had some street cred. That pretty much did it for me. For whatever reason, the chucklehead did not want to go fishing, and earn his $500 fee, which to me seems a weird business model.
Pro guide Tip: If your business is taking people out fishing for money, then in order to make your business work, you need to take clients out fishing and collect your money.
So we bid Captain XXX (who shall remain anonymous for now, since he still has Curt's deposit) farewell, hit the bait store for live shrimp, got onboard the Maverick, and headed out into the "gale." Aside from being a bit cooler and breezier than the day before, it was certainly good enough for fishing. And, since the tide would fall a bit later than Monday, there was no hurry to get on the water. We fished the afternoon exploring creeks just north of the marina. The first we hit seemed promising, especially when we landed a small Red on the second cast.
But it turned out the only fish brought to the boat. So after staying awhile longer, we moved to a second spot, just as the tide was about 2 hours from the bottom. Just like the day before, we no sooner anchored up and started tossing live bait and plastics that fishing became catching, mostly Speckled Trout, but also a number of Ladyfish (also known as "poor mans Tarpon"), and even a small Snapper.
It was a great two days on and off the water. And always a great time hanging out with Curt and his lovely bride Michele, who has tolerated our fishing antics for over two decades.
So, another Mikey D season is at an end. The boat is out of the water and getting prepped for winter storage. And the last of the Striper filets have been devoured.
A bit sad, but barring Covidiot travel restrictions, there are still fish to be caught (Belize beckons in January), and only 5 months until the opening day of Trout season in Pa., with Striper season not too far behind. We're also excited about extending our reach south to Cape Charles this summer. Stay tuned.
Happy Thanksgiving, and Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
