Report - Sunday 6 Jan 08 Got a new toy for Christmas, a high definition video camera, Canon HV-20, won camcorder of the year. Fish Sunday with Tom Kidwell, his brother George, friend Rob, and MattD. Had 10 eels in my minnow bucket in my slip but they were gone in the am. Not sure if the bait theif if human (scum) or animal (otter). I have seen otters open a minnow bucket. Started at False Cape north of the state line as we all didn't have our NC licenses. Then my Raymarine C120 goes out with my ability to see the fishfinder. Trolling in the blind with the help of some friends like Rock Crusher and West Blow. Picked up one 34 incher. Trolled, trolled, and trolled, had some pulled fish. Ran to Sandbridge, nada, and ended the day at CH with about 500 of my friends were we released a 25. Seems some had success and others not so much. Headed back early as Tom and crew had to drive back. Weather wise, the day got better as the day went on so would not want to do anything else. Mailing my C120 in for repair Monday (got 2 months of warranty left so need to take advantage). Took a little footage with the camera. I don't have the settings right and I'm sure I didn't render it right as it seems a little jerky. Kind of complicated to get it all put together but here is a little test shot. I'll get it figured out later. Seaduction Boat Ride Video in HD I'll play with the camera settings and how to render next time.   Skunk Report - Saturday 12 Jan 08 Fished Saturday with Steve (Dixie). Had 2 others bail on me so just the 2 of us. Started at 4a and work North and South a bit, nada. Worked 2c to the green can, some good bait and some fish marks but nada. Kinda rolly out there but manageable. Went to the CBBT and did some schoolie C&R just to get some pullage. Talked with Brian (C-Time), Tony (Reelax), Duane (Ms Ginny), Lucian (Fishin Fool), and Evan/Joe (Miller Time) who were also not having much luck except some who did C&R at the CBBT. Hope the guys for the shootout had better luck.

Report - Friday Slow but No Skunk 18 Jan 08 Fished on Friday with Bobby (N2Striper), Archie, and Bobby (Bobby's World). Left the docks at about 8 am and the winds were still blowing a good 15 but it was west as predicted so we surfed our way to CH and as soon as turn the corner, no chop and the sun came out. Ran to Sandbridge where we had very good schools of bunker and some fish marks around them. Problem was a netter was deploying his nets around the best marks so we had to troll with extreme caution almost getting ourselves boxed in a few times but no hang ups. Fishing for only 15 minutes Bobby pulls a nice 37 on the umbrella way back. We think it's going to be a great day. Work the marks over and an hour later, a double for the other Bobby and Archie. Keep working that area until noon but no more hits. Heard about a bite off the Ramada so we decide the finish off the day there since it's on the way home. Get there and work the 3 mile line. At least 20 boats are working over 4 miles out and a CG cutter comes over and starts boarding folks. Heard about a great bite 8 miles out over the radio. One guy even hailed the CG and asked if it's OK to C&R out there at 8 miles. The CG response was as long as you released the fish as soon as caught, they would not write a ticket because they can only enforce possession in the EEZ. We stayed inside 3 miles and had a nice fish pull off but nothing for us around Ramada. Here is a pic of the crew. Notice how things laid out nice in the afternoon with blue skies. Beautiful day to be on the water....beats driving my cubicle. Talked with Tony (tonydivefish), Carson on C-Note, Doug on Karlista, Havana Banana (STX) and Big Jim. Hope you guys had great day too.

Report - Way South Corolla Light, NC Saturday 26 Jan 08

Video Report - Corolla Light.

Saw a great weekend forecast so I decide I would move the boat from Hampton to Rudee for the whole weekend.  Dr. Ike helped me move the boat Friday afternoon after the winds laid down.  Since we had loads bait just outside Rudee on Monday, I had this crazy idea.  I thought we would try to find some bait and some fish Friday afternoon before the sun goes down.  The plan was to come back to the bait at night, drop my swordlight on top of the school of bunker, anchor, then put an eel spread out.  I know bunker are attracted to light and probably would hold at the light.  So my plan was to hopefully get some fish to hold there feeding on the bunker in my light and then my eels.  Well Ike and I did an exploratory run Friday from Cape Henry all the way to False Cape and didn't mark a thing or see any birds working.  So my plan didn't work out but I still think it could.  Just have to find the bait. 

So off to Rudee Inlet Station Marina were we met up with Lanie and Ike's wife, Kathy to eat dinner at Rudee's on the Inlet.  Ike and I discuss if it's a good idea to go ahead and buy NC licenses and we agree, we could end up there.  So we go ahead and inform the crew to go ahead and buy them.  Good call.

Met up with our crew Saturday morning, me, Dr. Ike, Steve (Dixie), Toby, (Tober), and Jackie from my office who wanted to catch her first striper.  Left at 7:30 to flat calm seas and ran south.  Damneck, Sandbridge, False Cape....no bait, no birds.  Cross the VA/NC line nothing.  Get just past Corolla Light and see some boats fishing so we decide this is enough gas burned and drop lines.  Didn't burn them up but did manage 5 fish from 30 up to 40 inches.

Jackie was first up.

Dr. Ike is next.

Steve cranks in our big fish for the day, a nice fat 40 incher and his personal best.

Toby gets a nice 35.

My turn is next....27 inches....back he goes. 

Fish are still being caught but we can't buy another fish.  I planned to overnight again Saturday night at Rudee, then fish Sunday but after checking Sunday's update, North 20 knots...I think not so we pull lines early so I can drop my passengers off at Rudee, then run home to Hampton. 

Good friend, good weather and fish in the box. 

Until next time.