Plan B- At the Creek Without A Paddle

 Took the kids today to try and catch some catfish.  Water was high and the plan was to paddle up the creek to a spot I like and drop lines to the bottom for Mr Wiskers.   Kids got up early, helped load the gear and we were off to Bobs fishing hole.

  We got there , paid our launch fee, bought some minnows and continued to set up the boats.  With everything almost  rigged up I go to grab the paddles and I notice a problem,  one set of paddles were two rights.  Because we left a boat home the kids grabbed some paddles, I didn't check before we left home so now we went to plan B.

  We set up at the end of one of the docks and tossed out some lines.  With the boat traffic around the area I am sure led to the lack of a bite we had this morning. 

  I allowed two of my boys to go try the other side of the water where I could still watch them but after a while they just came back to the dock where I was and fishing  with my daughter.

 
She had a great time just playing with the minnow bucket and by the time we were ready to go all the minnows were dead and still no fish.

  Even after not being able to go fishing the way we wanted and not catching anything the kids enjoyed themselves.  Plan B still worked and it was better than being up the creek without a paddle.  Lessons learned on this trip it to color code the paddles with there match.  This might keep this from happening again.  Hope the next trip down this way will be better for them.  Until our next trip tight lines.

Exploring The Virginia Beach Back Waters

 

  When you hear the City of Virginia Beach what do you think about.  The thing that first pops into my head is salt water fishing.  What you don't think about is the fresh water side.  I’ve been living in this area since 1999 and even though I knew it was here I never thought about fishing it, even though my roots were bass fishing.  This year I have taken a step back from the salt and put both feet into the fresh water fishing locations that I can find and I will tell you I am glad I did it.  The salt is fun yes but to explore remote areas that boat traffic cannot get to and still find fish with the added tranquility and relaxation away from everything.  This makes the back waters of Virginia Beach a still untapped getaway still with plenty of areas to fish around and find your  soul.



This year one of my best purchases so far I have to say is a book written by a fellow kayak fisherman Charlie Bruggemann.  I purchased this book from Wild River Outfitters off Rosemont Rd and Virginia Beach Blvd, and they always have a copy on hand for purchase.  Charlie is the author of The Fresh Water Fishing Guide to Virginia Beach and has been fishing these local waters for so long I see him as a local fishing icon that has much to teach to anyone that is willing to listen.  You can be sure to see Charlie almost weekly in his YouTube fishing reports Fishing With Charlie, where he will take you on a back water journey to areas in his book and map out the days route and show you the lures he was using.  Thank you for a great book.

  After reading the book and watching some reports I have now visited 3 different areas and have been amazed at what I have seen.  I was able to take my children out with me without having to worry about boat traffic or worry about them with fast currents and changing seas.  As they grow I will venture out to more with them but for now start them small.

 

  One of our recent trips was to a small creek off North Landing Rd past the Virginia Beach Court House.  Go down the road till you see a bridge that crosses the Inter Coastal Waterway and you will be there.  There is a nice guy by the name of Chuck that is building a home that lives there.  Knock on the door and give him $5.00 to use his property as a launch and you will be in the water in no time.

 

  This creek runs back about a mile and is loaded with a fish called Bowfin.  This is a fun and exciting fish to catch and if you got kids this would be the trip to take them on.  Just be careful, a must have to take with you would be a good set of Boga Grips or Fish Grips.  These fish have teeth and you don’t want to lip them.  The day I went we were using Pig & Jigs along with small diving crank baits.  I think some beetle spins lures would have worked better in this area.

 

  We landed one but it was great to watch my kids routinely hook up with a fighting 16 to 25 in fish that was aggressively splashing them with water was priceless.

 

   This is a trip to do again with them soon.  On the way back it was still a great time for the kids and they got to practice their boat skills and see some wonderful wildlife in this remote area.

  If you haven’t gotten out fishing these back waters here in Virginia Beach you are missing out.  Go out and buy the book and get yourself started. You will be happy you did.

Mattawoman Creek Trip Looking for Snakehead

 So some buddies and myself went to Mattawoman Creek and Mallows Bay in Md for 3 days to look for Snakeheads. Ended up as an epic bass trip.  We stayed at Smallwood State Park.  Its a great place so hope you can check it out if you go.  Here is the videos

Our last day was at Mallows Bay and we had a little fun on the kayak launch heading out there. We had a great 3 day trip and lots of fishing.  Keeping this short so enjoy.

DIY ROD REPAIR

Have you ever broke a good fishing rod.  I did.  If it isn't covered by a warranty then you have two choices,  shorten it or repair it.  For this I was able to repair this rod to use with a few things.

1- wire cutters
2- small steel rod cut to slide smoothly 3/4" on each side of break.
4- some braid line
5- two part epoxy adhesive

  Cut your rod and test fit into each side of break.
  Mix epoxy well and coat one half of metal rod and insert into one side of rod then the other to quickly coat both sections of the pole.
  After that is done apply some more then place in one of the sections.
  Apply some more epoxy to the other half of the metal rod and press both sections together and hold till set.  The epoxy I used allows 5 min work time so work fast.
  After that has set apply another coat of epoxy and then start a tight wrap with the braided line applying more epoxy as needed to coat the braid.  The braid will soak up the epoxy and act like a fiberglass reinforcement on the rod.

  After all was set for a day test your rod.  Mine was able to go to work again and saved my fishing pole to catch fish another  day.  Sorry for the bad pics but wasn't sure if it would work at first so I took pics at the end.

Sea Line E Case Waterproof Phone Case

Let me tell you about the Sea Line E Case by Cascade Designs. If you are in need of a phone case to keep your phone out of the elements and still be able to use it this is the case for you.
  I bought this from Wild River Outfitters in Virginia Beach for around $30.00.  The one I got was for an IPOD phone but it fit my phone perfectly. Also use it for my IPOD Classic to play some tunes if I'm on the water.
  Pair this with a clip to keep it accessable on you PFD and a set of waterproof speakers and you will be set for a day on the water without your device getting wet.
  Sea Line makes some great products that fit the need for kayak fishermen. Check them out.

Home Made Gaff

In process of an upcoming fishing trip to the Potomac River area in search of Northern Snakehead. An invasive fish that is on the wanted list that is threatening to possibly take over I have started making a few fishing tools to help with the kill process and landing of this monster.   A few items and you to can make one the same.
Stainless rod bent to shop with a point.
A hammer handle from the hardware store.
Marine Epoxy.  Drill Hole at end of handle insert rod with epoxy and let set.
PAINT.  Get creative.
550 Cord.  Look around on YouTube and you can learn any little weaving techniques to add to your gear.  Even to make your own leashes for your rods.
  With all this together you can now make your own gaff.  And the same above without the hook you will have a nice wacking stick to kill your snakehead monster .  Now get to work and make your own. Later.

Daiwa AIRD 4000SH Reel and Daiwa Procyon Fishing Rod Review

If you are in the market for a new fishing rod to target some inshore Reds, Specks or Flounder this could be something for you.

  I was in the market for a new rod after a car wreck I was in took out one of my Team Daiwa rods.  I stopped by Oceans East 2 to replace to broken one and saw the Procyon line of rods and made the purchase for a 7 ft medium heavy action rod.

   I paired this rod with a Daiwa AIRD 4000SH. An excellent reel with 9 ball bearing, 6-2-1 gear ratio and light weight.

  Over the last week I have been able to give them some good fish getting action in the morning and around lunch time to get a good feel for it and I wasn't disappointed. 

  With the features built into this rod like Minima black ring guides, a durable IM-7 graphite rod blank, micro pitch taping blank and Minima real seat with a woven carbon fiber hood this rods performance will speak for itself.

  While using this rod you will find the ability to make a long cast and with the sensitivity to feel the slightest of nibbles and strength to real in a trophy sized fish I feel this makes an excellent choice for a superior inshore rod.

  Together this rod and reel combo is light weight, comfortable in your hands and will help any angler land there catch in the boat.  You will be happy you got them.