Cape Charles Fishing Report, 02-08 October: "Neither rain, nor, snow, nor gloom of night...."

 Or food poisoning, will keep the dedicated angler off the water.

Well, except for one day.  Captain DiPaola was set to head down to CC for some fishing on Saturday.  But the night before he called and reported that he might be a no-go for the weekend.

Some timely advice from RN Mary Felker, a subsequent trip to Urgent Care for some Zofran and a few bags of IV fluids, and he was back in battery for a Sunday morning outing.

The fishing continues to remain slow, although there are signs pointing in the right direction.  Last Thursday evening I trekked up Plantation Creek to fish a small lagoon on the incoming tide.  I'd visited the area the day prior at low tide, and it looked really fishy; grassy banks, lots of bait in the water, and most importantly a pretty firm bottom.

I stood on the highest point I could find, figuring that as the tide came in, I'd spy Reds.  Around 3:00 in the afternoon I spotted a couple of fish circling into the lagoon.  Time to fish.

It was good that I'd checked the bottom at low tide, because the water came in fast, and I had to stand in the grass to get a cast out.  But at 1600 I chucked a Redfish Toad-colored paddletail on a weedless jighead out into the lagoon, and BAM, my first Red of the year was on.  Must have hit him on the head and pissed him off.  Had to drag the fish up the grass a bit to get hold of him and snap a bad photo before releasing him.  But the Red was all of 28", over the slot.

That was it until Sunday when Joe showed up.  We got on the water around 0930, catching the outgoing tide off the mouth of the creek.  For awhile it looked like all fishing and no catching.  We saw fish, but they'd scoot off before we could get a good cast.  We finally spotted a school of 6-8 fish, I got a decent cast in the middle of the school with a gold Johnson Spoon, and after a couple of bumps a fish slammed the lure.  

That was it for the day, and for the next couple as well.  I fished Monday and Tuesday, saw a few Reds, but once again couldn't get them to bite.  Walking back home yesterday I stopped at a fish weir and tossed a chartreuse and pink soft plastic.  The bottom looked trouty; grass and sand potholes.  A great spot for Speckled Trout to hold.  Needlefish did a number on my lures, but I was pleasantly surprised to hook a couple of trout.

Water temps are still warm, but we've got cooler weather coming in this weekend.  Time to get the waders ready for cold water and hungry Reds and Trout.

Tight Lines, 

Mikey D Fishing

Bounty of the Bay steamed clams recipe from Cherrystone Aqua Farms.  Melt a stick of butter in a deep pan over low heat, and add a diced shallot, 4 diced garlic cloves, a few tablespoons of Old Bay, and a tablespoon (or 2) of red pepper flakes.  Add a cup or so of white wine, and stir to blend the ingredients.  Turn the heat up to medium, and add 50 middle-neck clams.  Stir the clams into the sauce, cover, and wait for the bivalves to open up.  Remove from the stove (or grill), add some toasted crusty bread for dipping, and viola!