Feb 2019 Birthday trip to Homosassa Florida blessed me with a beauty of a SNOOKTHE RELEASING OF A BREEDER IS SO IMPORTANT.
Last June Lou & Lil Louie brought their new Nucanoe down to learn about saltwater kayak fishing and the bass played nice for them . I captured these awesome photo moments for them .
Saturday June 6th Glenn of West Creek Kayak and Canoe along with Eric Chamberlin from the F.B. page NJ Kayak and Canoe Paddlers, Fisherman and Fans hosted the store’s first annual Fluke Tournament . Everyone met at the store for a meet and greet , about 15 anglers participated and with a quick going over some simple rules off we went.
The plastic fleet drifting with the tide.Glenn got some float and fish time in.
The morning was cool with rain showers in the area , but, our spirits were high as we jigged the bottom of the creek for the summer flounder that we like to call Fluke here in the Jersey shore.
Shawn scored the first Fluke of the day , a nice 19 incher.Eric and his son Brandon.
John in his Ocean TridentPhil making his way down the creek.
The bites were few and far in between for that many guys so we decided to move across the bay. Looking out for the weekend boat traffic and paddling hard we made it and then the clouds opened up on us for just a few minutes, if you didn’t have a rain jacket you got a good soaking for sure, but hey the fish are already wet right . It didn’t take long before the bites started , a slow steady pick of shorts and keeper flounder found our baits and honored us with a hook up and fight . Then this Bad Boy Fluke crushed my teaser.
This guy was 24″ and 5lb 2oz and won the tournament . I liked him so much I brought him back to camp with me.Brandon , John and myself after a mile paddle back to the launch .
Back at the shop it was cook out time with dogs and burgers and beers for all . It was great meeting new kayak anglers from all over , I’m sure we will meet again soon . Thanks to all for a good time .
The guys talking about the fishing and the fluke we all missedThe participants of the tournament .weigh in at West Creek Bait & Tackle with owner Lenora.My buddy Harry tied up the teaser that fooled this bad boy.
We waited a long time this year as old man winter held his cold grip on the New Jersey coast and setting the spring run back a few weeks. I like to make sure the water temps are safe for the clients before we go off on a Kayak fishing adventure. Our first trip was set for Friday May 1st but the winds and a small coastal storm pushed us off till the next day .
Saturday May 2nd I had the pleasure of guiding Howard and Eva from Moorestown N.J. , they arrived at our meeting spot on time and were very excited as they fish fresh water all the time and waited for this day in the salt . I had all rods rigged and ready to go and after a brief safety check we launched into the bay. the winds were just starting for wake up as it was now 6.30 am , the lite breeze was coming from the north- east and at about 5kts , pushing the tide as it was coming in from the inlet. We had a perfect drift if we were fishing for Fluke , but it was Striped Bass and Blue Fish we were looking for . I rigged a large popper on my saltwater TFO med/heavy rod for Howard and a med rod for Eva and a light popper and suggested that they fan the area and told them if the Blues are here we will ring their breakfast bell , sure enough with in five minutes Howard had a blow up and then a nice hit and hook up he was off getting towed around the area for a few minutes till it came to net. Howard was happy and I was relieved . We took a few quick pictures and released the 30 plus inch Yellow Eyed Devil back into the salt. The fishing gods smiled on us that day for sure . Thank you Howard and Eva for coming out and fishing with me.
Howie caught so many we loss count.
Howie tickled the toothy one as he set him free.
Howard whooped his Blue Fish.Eva getting towed by a Narly Bluefish.
Eva loves the New Jersey Bluefish.Big NJ Blue ready to be released .Please watch your fingers Eva
Howard and me with Eva in the back ground.One for the grill.What a day on the salt water.