Start of the Bull Red Run

My 2013 bull red season was without a doubt one of the best fishing seasons I have ever had. With 8 Virginia release citations and 2 fish going over 50+"'s it was going to be hard to top. Or for that matter, even repeat. Catching just one of these citations in an entire season is a feat in itself.

The main goal for 2014 was to just catch one! My first trip out to the Eastern Shore of Virginia we were going to have near perfect conditions. Awesome water clarity and low winds should equal a good day of drum fishing. Today our hopes were high. Today we were going to get it done!

I was joined by my good friends Richie Bekolay and William Ragulsky. Our goal - get out to the shoals and find the fish! Richie has a rough 2013 Bull Red season going 13 or so times without a fish.

He worked extremely hard last year to find these fish and for whatever reason it just wasn't his time. This year was going to be different, he kept telling me (and himself). And sure enough he made it happen on his first trip. Richie landed this awesome Bull that measured at 46" - His first Virginia Bull Red Release Citation!

Photo Credit - William Ragulsky

  Congrats on the awesome fish buddy! Check out his full report here Monkey Eviction

As Richie was fighting his fish I stood up and noticed the huge school moving off to my left. I made several casts with multiple fish on then off again. I made another long cast and a fish exploded on the bait! I was in for my sleigh ride. As I went back and watched the GoPro video I giggled like a 12 year school girl the entire time. Just shows you how exciting it is to catch one of these beasts of the Chesapeake Bay!

Photo Credit - Richie Bekolay

Photo credit - Richie Bekolay

The last couple of months I had a quite a few people tell me that I had a "Lucky" 2013 red season. At first I was a little offended by the comments because I did work hard. But then one of my friends posted something that helped. "The harder you work = The luckier you get!" Another one of my favorites is "Work hard to put yourself in a position to be successful!".

Do your scouting - Watch the video's - Check out past reports. But most importantly. Go out and create your own reports. Don't just wait until you get one because by that time it might be too late....

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Breaking in the new rods...

When I arrived home from work on Thursday, there was a unexpected surprise waiting for me. It was a package from Bill Merrick and Chad Hoover from ALL PRO RODS. It included 3 APX Graphite Pro Series Spinning rods, 7' med and 7' med/light. Check them out at www.ALLPRORODS.com.

With my new rods in hand, I needed to try and hit the water soon! I called fellow APR Pro Staffer Richie Bekolay to see if he was available to fish Saturday morning. And he was game (as usual)! Although, it is a tough decision this time of year with deer season underway.

I met Richie at the ramp before light to see if we could get on the early bite. Just as we were leaving the ramp, a fellow kayaker greeted us. This wasn't just any tall, sleeveless man at the ramp. This was Forrest Short! For those of you who don't know this man; he's the local Speckled Trout Master. He has 30+ Virginia Citation trout this season alone! Not to mention all the Freshwater citations!

We all arrived at the vortex trout fishing hole (Forrest's nickname for this spot) together and pulled the kayaks up in the grass. When your fishing with a guy like Forrest, you let him pick his spot first and then span out from there. It didn't take him long to show us how its done. First fish up was a beautiful 26" citation! Forrest continued to teach us how it's done with two more citations, 24.5", 25"! He kicked our butts! And it was great to be able to fish with him for a few hours. It's amazing what you can learn from watching such a great fisherman.

 I finally got on the board with a 17 1/2" and 23 3/4" trout, just short of citation.

 

Photo by Richie Bekolay

A few weeks prior to this trip, I had a huge trout launch completely out of the water and missed my Skitterwalk. I had the image of that trout in my head for weeks. So I left Forrest and Richie to head over to that spot. I know that it's ridiculous of me to think that that fish was going to still be in that area, but I had to try.
I made it over and quietly and pulled the kayak up on the bank. I grabbed my 7' APR Pro Series rod and made my first cast and nothing. On the second cast I was retrieving my Mirrolure, when I felt just a slight bump and set the hook (now that's why you want a sensitive rod). My reel started peeling out drag, and I knew this was a better fish. After only a few runs, I thought maybe it was a good red fish, but then I got a good look. This was a stud of a Speckled trout at 26 1/4"!

Photo by Richie Bekolay

Photo by Richie Bekolay

Photo by Richie Bekolay

Could this be the trout from a few weeks ago? I'll never know but I'll take it! I put the fish on my lip grippers and made my way back to the guys. Richie was in the middle of landing a nice fish himself, a 25" striper. The day ended with us landing 4 citation speckled trout and a couple of nice stripers. A great way to break in the new rods! Thank guys, we have to do that again soon!  

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Chasing Trophy Sheep

The day started early. Left to right - Joe - Rob Choi - Alex Britland - William Ragulsky
Photo Credit - Jay Brooks

Some Sheepshead fishermen make it look so easy but I’m here to tell you; IT IS NOT!

I was introduced to Sheepshead fishing sometime in August of last year.  While at the Yakattack Tournament in 2012, I listened to Rob Choi share his excitement of catching the mighty Sheepshead. I knew I needed to get out there and give this a try.

I wanted to know everything I could so I could tackle these fish.

Where to start:  I read reports, blogs and talked to some of this sports best Sheepsheads anglers (in no particular order), Rob Choi, Kayak Kevin, Lee Williams, Jay Brooks, William Ragulsky, Matt Anderson, Seth Goodrich and Alex Britland. These guys consistently hookup with trophy Sheeps every year. I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to fish with and learn from these guys.

Well, little did I know that I was going to be in for a long ride. I have had mostly downs when it comes to Sheepshead fishing. I’ve had so many excuses about why I haven’t landed one. I was even getting sick and tired of hearing myself (and I know others were too).

These fish make some powerful adrenaline filled runs back to the pilings, immediately shearing my line. I’ve had fish right to the kayak and my 50lb flouro would just break. They will humble a fisherman quickly!

August 10, 2013 will go down in my book as the most stressful fishing day in recent memory!

I’m usually a pretty happy fisherman. I enjoy it when others around me have success. Today was going to be no different, I thought. Today was going to be my day; I knew I was going to catch the fish that has eluded me for 15 CBBT trips. Yes, this was my 16^th trip dating back to August of last year.

Today I witnessed Jay Brooks land several fish in the 23”-25” range! William Ragulsky landed 25” and 17”! Alex Britland landed a 15”! Rob Choi landed a 26”er! I was happy for these guys but the truth is, it was tearing me up as well. Jay Brooks after landing his second fish paddled over and said “sorry bro”!

I realized that at this point they were all feeling my pain! Rob has been one of my biggest supporters in my sheepshead quest. If you’ve ever thought about sheephead fishing you can learn almost everything you need to know right here --> Sheepshead Tips and Rigs by Rob Choi

The day was quickly coming to an end. Rob and I were the last ones out when even he said he’d had enough.

I told him I was going to spend another 45 minutes or so. I just didn’t want to give up just yet. The winds and current were just perfect for this type of fishing and I didn’t know when I could get out again.

Well, wouldn’t you believe, it actually paid off! Only 20 minutes or so passed. I dropped a fiddler crab down next to my new favorite piling.  Immediately I felt that oh so subtle bite. I set the hook HARD. Then I made about 4-5 cranks before this guy went ballistic on me. He drove straight to the bottom peeling off the drag. I got him turned a little and got another few cranks on him. The next thing I know I could feel my line rubbing against the piling. I have learned from past mistakes that this is the most critical time in the fight. If you feel your line rubbing pilings, you immediately put your reel in free spool! This is so unnatural because slack line is a sure way to lose trophy fish.

Just remember this: Your line rubbing pilings ALWAYS trumps slack line!

When I put the line in free spool, I got my kayak turned around and headed right between the pilings after him.  Once through the piling, I reeled in just praying that the fish was still there. Once I felt that heavy line and pulled on the fish. He headed towards the other pilings. This time my kayak momentum was taking me away from the pilings.  I was able to get his head turned around. A few cranks and head shakes later. I landed my first sheepshead! A true Chesapeake trophy!

 

 

I would under normal conditions release this fish. However today was the 23^rd Annual Angler’s Club Challenge and all the proceeds were to benefit the Catching for Kids Organization. This was a catch and keep tournament, so I took this fish to the weight in.

Eight fishing clubs from around the Virginia area entered the tournament.  It is comprised of mostly powerboat fisherman and TKAA is the only kayak club represented.

This was the largest Sheepshead weighed in and took First Place! This guy measured at 26” and 13.28lbs!

I feel as though a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders today. And I got to help my fishing club to their First Place Tournament win!

                                                       Congratulations to the TKAA Team!

I have so many great friends in the kayak fishing community. And I thank everyone for the support!

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Eastern Shore Rookie Reds...

 

50"er Photo Credit : Kayak Kevin Whitley



First off, let me start by saying that I am a rookie when it comes to Red Drum fishing.  A little research is the first thing anyone who knows absolutely nothing about reds would do! Where to start? First, check out websites from guys like, Kayak Kevin, Rob Choi, Jay Brooks and Lee Williams. Also, spend hours on the internet for red drum tips and tactics. That’s exactly what my buddy Richie Bekolay and I did a lot of this winter.

While it’s no secret that the Eastern Shore holds some monster bull reds, it takes hours and hours on the water to find these fish. Local kayak fishermen with years of knowledge and experience aren’t going to just give that information away. You’ve got to put some time on the water and earn it.

With that being said, my first trip is equivalent to a rookie MLB pitcher throwing a perfect game in his first major league start. It’s rare and unexpected, but it can happen.

From the research I had in hand I ventured out for my first Eastern Shore red drum weekend trip.  It was one for the books! In fact, it was 3 for the books!

This is such a huge area to fish, so “where to start” was the first thing that came to mind. This is where experience and time on the water would have played a big role into my decision process. Since this rookie didn’t have that, “instinct” or as some have called it “luck” was going to play a big role.

 I started out by standing and sight casting in my Hobie PA12 looking for any signs of reds. I had near perfect conditions with good water clarity and little winds (apparently a red fisherman’s dream). I saw my first bull red within the first 1 ½ hours. The fish was on the surface about 20 yards in front of me and turned quickly to my left and out of sight. I quickly grabbed my rod rigged with a swimbait and made my first cast.  I started the retrieve and within a few seconds I was hooked up! I almost had the rod jerked out of my hand from the sheer power of this fish. Remember I said I was a red drum rookie. Well, one thing I know how to do is fight a fish. The heads shakes on a bull red are the most violent of any fish I’ve ever fought. The power of these fish is almost indescribable.  The fish had spun me around multiple times and had dragged me around for a few minutes. It took me about 8 minutes (from the GoPro footage) to land my first ever 45” Bull Red.



45" Red Drum



I could see two kayakers a distance away when I started the fight. And by the time I landed my fish they were within pretty close talking distance. It was none other than Kayak Kevin (click name for link to Kevin’s report) and Lee Williams – aka - red slaying masters! I asked for help with some pictures and immediately Lee hooks up! Kevin comes over to help me out and while taking my pictures his rod buckles over. I got to watched two well respected kayak anglers battle bull reds – now that’s something not everyone gets to do!

Kayak Kevin Hooked Up

I didn’t want to be left out so I made another cast and SMASH! The fish made a quick run on the surface and it didn’t look like a red. Within a few minutes I landed my this 38” striper.

38" Striper

The action got slow for a little while until Lee hooks up again and this time it was a 49”er!

We started trolling around again looking for the school and my rod buckles over! I’m a quick learner and after a few questions to Kevin and Lee about my gear, Lee’s says to “crank down the drag” (those of you who know Lee know I’m paraphrasing, Haha). Before long I was holding my first Virginia Citation Red Drum at 47”. A few pics and she was back in the water.

47" Red Drum - Remember to clean your lense - water drops can spoil an othewise great photo!





I threw my line over and started to get another rod ready and Lee yells “JOE- YOUR ON!” Sure enough my rod is buckled over and I’m fighting my 3^rd bull red of the day! I just can’t believe my luck and neither can these guys. This fish took a little longer to land; it just wouldn’t come off the bottom. I was only using a 7’ Shimano Compre  med/heavy rod so I really didn’t know how much pressure I could put on this thing. For the record - you can put a lot pressure on this rod! Once I had this fish in my lap I knew it was a beast! Kevin quickly put the tape on it and said “fiddy” (with a big grin).  My third redfish and my second citation - 50” Bull red.



50" Red Drum - Photo Credit : Kayak Kevin Whitley



Having an obvious fishing high, I was eager to get out again quickly. Richie Bekolay and I decided to carpool down to save a little on the gas and tolls and parking fees. Within the first two hours I was on! I fight this fish for about 5 minutes, before I get a good look at her and all I could say was “WOW”. I finally got this fish in my lap and Richie helped me get a measurement. It’s another 50” Virginia Citation Bull Red and my 3^rd citation of the weekend!



50" Red Drum - Photo Credit: Richie Bekolay





50" Red Drum - Photo Credit: Richie Bekolay



I started off by saying that I was a rookie red fisherman. That’s a fact, even if the results don’t reflect it! I know guys that put in hundreds of fishing hours at the Eastern Shore to land just 1 in a season. Now that I’ve had a taste of the red addition I will certainly be putting more hours on the water if the potential is Giant Bull Reds!

I have three words that sum up my day - Humbled –Thankful –Blessed!

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