Who's going to MHC over thanksgiving????????

[o2bfishn]

A group of us, kooj, shakespears, and myself are going down the long weekend, is anyone else? Post and let us know , maybe we can all get up together for fishing, food and drinks. (My favorite things in life). 003 003 Well some of my favorite things, just thought of two more.


o2bfishn

[Shakespeare]

I'll be down mid-afternoon on Wed., koolj mid-day Friday, and o2 sounds like you're going to be there late afternoon on Thurs? I'm supposed to hook up with 1stSgtUSMCRet on Thursday to fish a bit. We probably need to chat on the phone to get this together. I've pm'd you guys.

I'll be monitoring ch16 & ch71 on the vhf and go by 'Shakespeare'.

MHC high tides are going to be fairly early;

Thurs - 5:06AM
Fri - 5:58AM
Sat - 6:50AM
Sun - 7:42AM

So, I'm planning on being in the water bright and early.

[o2bfishn]

shakespears,

Looking like I'll get be getting there early Thus. morning. I have PM you my phone # (Kooj too), Call anytime, maybe we can go out thus. morning together. ( I've never the area in a boat could- would like some help and or some pointers). 012

o2bfishn

[Shakespeare]

I'll be glad to show you around. I've been monitoring the fishing reports and the past several days it seems everybody is catching specks and gray trout. Knowing my luck, by the time we get there the bite will be off. LOL I'll give you a jingle and we'll make a plan.

Mike C.

[Shakespeare]

Some general info for anyone that's not familiar with NC saltwater fishing.

A coastal fishing license is required, with some exceptions for children and the disabled. This can usually be purchased at a B&T shop and online at the NCDMF. See http://www.ncfisheries.net/recreational/NCCRFL.htm

Here's a downloadable pdf of fishing size limits. This should be checked periodically for updates. Please note that this only covers fish that are regulated in NC. Non-regulated fish such as pompano, etc. aren't listed and there is no limit on those species.
http://www.ncfisheries.net/download/recguide.pdf

Here's a printable fish identification guide.
http://www.ncfisheries.net/download/FishFinder.pdf

Here's the DMF web site home page;
http://www.ncfisheries.net/index.html

Printed versions of this and other documentation is available at the DMF home office in Morehead City;

NC Division of Marine Fisheries
3441 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557

252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632

_________________________________________________

009

Here's a sportfishing guide, telling you what's biting and when, by month.
http://www.insiders.com/crystalcoast/sb-fishing.htm

[o2bfishn]

Great info thanks.

I'am hoping to leave pilot around 1-2am on thurs. morning, should put me in MHC at around 5-6am (?). what time do you leave the dock?


o2bfishn

[Shakespeare]

o2... Dang!!! So you're going to make the suicide run??? ;D Just FYI, when I'm pulling the boat it takes me no less than 5 hours to go the 250 miles from Winston, and that's with no diddling around other than getting some fuel in Kinston. You may do a lot better in the middle of night with light traffic and not getting caught in the bazillion traffic lights that you go through in the smaller towns. BTW, Kinston is a good place to fuel up if you're <= 1/4 tank 'cause there ain't much to choose from on the next stretch to New Bern, which takes about an hour.

My schedule is flexible. I was going to attempt to get out before high tide and I can still do that and fish a bit before you hit town. Do you know where you're putting in? I still got to get up with Sarge 'cause he wanted to go out also. He's coming in from Havelock and that may put the timing about the same time that you're getting in the water. We'll figure all that out in the next couple of days.

I'll be putting in on the AB side of Bogue Sound real darn close to Ft. Macon and within a few minutes ride to the big bridge (causeway) from MHC to AB.

[Harry]

Sounds like you guys have a plan !!!

Hope someone brings a camera, would be cool to get the first CSO group outing posted up here!!!!! 010

Catch'em up boys and even if the fish ain't bite'n it beats the hell outta working, Have fun !!

[Shakespeare]

Harry, we need an executive (that would be you) to hand out the awards and t-shirts. ;D

[Dave]

Sorry I didn’t jump in here earlier Shakespeare but I’ve been so busy I haven’t had much free time the past few days. The weather broke – it started breaking about 10 minutes after you left the area last Sunday - and I’ve had little time to do much more than fish, wash the boat, clean fish, eat, and sleep when I got the chance. Fortunately the weather worsened some, making for a short day on the water and giving me a chance to get back to work and hopefully providing me the opportunity to get a little more shut-eye – it’s been exhausting ;D Kidding aside, I'm really looking forward to meeting and makin’ some wake with you guys on Thanksgiving Day.

If you are so inclined, this may be a good (and maybe last) time to stock up on several pounds (cheaper by the 10 lbs) of NC shrimp for the return trip – the season is about over here. The larger shrimp are generally caught in good numbers in the late fall and the price drops accordingly. Tip- Make sure they are fresh-caught and brought in that day or the day before and not frozen-thawed. Buy them without the heads, ice them down well and keep the cooler drained as the ice melts, so as not to have them laying in water.

Currently effective lures:

Stingsilvers, color Chrome, weight 1-1/2 & 2 oz
Sea Striker Jig Fish, color Black/Silver, weight 1-1/2 & 2oz
Speck Rigs, colors White, Yellow, weight ¼ oz (will need 2 oz drop sinkers for these rigs)
Assortment of ¼ & 3/8 oz jig heads with grubs and curly tails, colors Green, White, Chartreuse
MirrOlures, Floating for around the marshes, Slow Sinking for deeper water. Colors Black/Orange, Green/Silver, Hot Pink, White w/Red Head.
Gulp Shrimp, Color New Penny, size 3” (#2 or 3 circle hook and ¼ oz split shot works well with these)
You can also use the same (Gulp bait) hooks and split shot with live shrimp – I like the # 2 hooks for these and run the hook through the tail. Get a couple 3 or 4” popping corks if you want to work live or gulp shrimp around the skinny water near the marshes.

You can generally count on catching Grays on the Stingsilvers, Jig Fish, or plastic tipped jigs. The first two are also excellent for long casting to bait busting Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, and False Albacore, should the occasion arise. The MirrOlures are all around good lures for many saltwater fish, including Bluefish, Spanish, Drum, Grays and Specks, among others. The floating variety can be excellent for Red Drum in skinny water. Everything eats live shrimp but the idea is to fish them when you expect to catch speckled trout or redfish, which will dine on these morsels even when nothing else seems to work. Having said all this, don’t spend a lot of money on a bunch of this tackle – if you have something similar, bring it and buy local if that’s what the fish want on that particular day.

See Ya,
Dave

[Shakespeare]

Dave, this is too creepy! :o You ain't going to believe this. I just got back from a run to ****'s Sporting Goods and another local B&T shop. Wanna guess what goodies I came back with???

Hmmm, let's see; Sea Striker Jigfish, 2 packs of Gulp 3" new penny shrimp, some 3/8oz Stingsilvers, and some other misc. hooks and whatnot. The only reason I didn't get any Mirrolures is because neither store had them. It's on my list for my intended stop at Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston. I already have some jigheads, popping corks, and white grubs and some spec rigs, so I'm good there. Oh... the other thing I bought was a whistle... so that I can call you "out of bounds" when you start catching more fish than the rest of us. 005

o2 and koolj... you now have the official shopping list, care of our friend, the Sarge ;D

[Harry]

Harry, we need an executive (that would be you) to hand out the awards and t-shirts. ;D
LOL,
You pick up the airfare and room and I'll get the tee shirts.... 011

[o2bfishn]

Harry,

My wife works for USAir, just how serious are you.

o2bfishn

[Shakespeare]

And Harry... I've got a 3br efficiency with one bed available.

How bad you wanna do a little NC fishing? 002

[koolj]

okay guys I am figuring between 7&8 Pm for me Thursday getting down If you guys are gonna grab a drink somewhere I will give you a call when I get close - hopefully we all can get a plan together by then sounds fun

[koolj]

I think I got most of that in the tackle box - but I always have to stop in at Neuse and then Reel Outdoors and then EJW and then Outerbanks Outfitters this is what I do when we can't fish

[Shakespeare]

okay guys I am figuring between 7&8 Pm for me Thursday getting down If you guys are gonna grab a drink somewhere I will give you a call when I get close - hopefully we all can get a plan together by then sounds fun


1st round is on me ;D Hopefully we'll have some tall fish tales to tell ya when you get down.

[koolj]

sounds good

[Dave]

Ya know, that doesn’t surprise me a bit :) But, if my past experience is any indicator of things to come, you can use that whistle to call me for holding, ‘cause I’m planning to tie a bowline knot to your outboard with a very short lead 012

Check your PM Shake.

[Harry]

WOW, That sounds cool !!! But I can't do it over the holiday weekend. Plus I'm helping coach our all-star football team and the games on Thanksgiving weekend.

However if something comes about after then, it's a Looong winter up here and I might be game....... 010

Keep me posted ..

[Dave]

Here’s the preliminary weather forecast for the Morehead City area for Thursday, next week: High 72 with SW winds 4 MPH. It’s still a week away and things can certainly change, but I’m thinking it should be a good day to start of the CSO rally. Here’s a shot of some Speckled and Gray Trout we caught earlier in the week. The Specks (foreground) represent a limit of 10, my portion of a 2-man limit while fishing an area close to Havelock with a friend on Tuesday. The Grays were caught on Monday near the Coast Guard Station near MHC and represent a limit of 12 for my wife and I (6 each). I smoked the fillets from the Grays and froze the Specks for the frying pan – except for a few we dined on last evening ;D

Dave

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc188/djerhart/GraySpecTrout1314Nov07002CropResize.jpg

[Shakespeare]

Dave... you're killing me, just absolutely killing me! 004 Here I am polishing this chair seat and you're out getting the boat all slimed up :'(

[Willie]

Hey Harry, sounds like they want you to go. Didn't you just get back from down there some where? Have you gotten out fishing at all? 010

[Shakespeare]

Willie... we got a spot open. You in?

[al_e._gator]

Y'all have fun and be safe out there. While your leaving the piedmont to go to the coast I'll be going to Salisbury to visit family. Maybe I can get my Dad to take me out on High Rock to find lakebiker and koolj's Secret (crappie) Fishing Spot. ;D

[Harry]

Maybe I can get my Dad to take me out on High Rock to find lakebiker and koolj's crappie hole. ;D

Um,,,,maybe you want to re-phrase that? 001............. ;D ;D

[Willie]

maybe you should rephrase that one......anyway


I wish, things are busy up here in PA.. my son got married 2 weeks ago and the whole new dang family will be in for turkey day....can't wait, then its deer season.........going get me a deer for sure this year........anybody got some deer jerkey recipes they want to share???? Have a great time you guys and catch m up.........willie 010

[al_e._gator]

Maybe I can get my Dad to take me out on High Rock to find lakebiker and koolj's crappie hole. ;D

Um,,,,maybe you want to re-phrase that? 001............. ;D ;D



You know, it didn't sound bad when I type it but now that you point it out.... 001

[koolj]

In this case crappie fishing is good....went Friday Morning and the wind blasted us.managed 25 but only a few keepers.......3 by our standards over 10" .........legal is 8".........it was plenty cold but it was good to fishing........but the hot spot has bben York Hill near the steam plant..water was between 48 and 51....fishing with tubes in aboy 9 to 14 ft of water on drop offs........if you get to go let me know and I will have my buddy in Granite Quarry give you a call and give some co-ordinates

[Shakespeare]

You know, it didn't sound bad when I type it but now that you point it out.... 001

Hey Al... don't pay any attention to those guys. They're always stirring up trouble. ;D 010

I did notice you uhhhh, edited your post. Anyhoo, I hope you and your dad have a good outing and a great Thanksgiving.

Mike C.

[koolj]

well made it back from NC's Crystal Coast today and even though the fishing was not great the socializing was great - 02BFishin and his son(Bob), Shakespere and myself met up Thanksgiving Night and shared some stories and had a couple of adult bevarages as Shakspere cooked a nice turkey dinner from the tailgate of his truck and shared with us - I was not hungry but did have a glass of wine but it looked and smelled great - well Friday the winds did not cooperate so surf fishing was what most of the fellers did with just so-so results - my Father-in-law and I went into Bouge Inlet and found a couple of spots to get shielded from the wind and managed about 6 trout with one good 19.5 incher - Saturday the weatherman said it was gonna be much better with the winds dropping 9 to 12 knots from the 20 to 25 on Friday - so Pop - in law and me hit the water at 0530 at the Beaufort Public Ramp - light winds and 36 degrees - we say to each other this is gonna be all right - we turn the corner in the open water headed to Cape Lookout rock jetty - and got slapped in the face - 4 to 6 foot seas - 25 to 30 knots winds - thank god for gortex - my normally dry riding skiff performed well for terrible conditions but could not keep all that water out - anyway we got there safely with no fish to talk about and we ran the ocean side back at full plane with no problems - Bob (02BFishin) managed a false albacore and a bunch of small trout that day - Shakespere, 02BFishin,Bob and yself met up that night at Texas Steak House for another good meal and lie telling, I mean story telling - I went out Sunday Morning in the rain in Bouge Inlet but milder winds and temps and got into some trout - 15 specs with about 6 good keepers that we ate Sunday Night - hope we all can get together again for some more socializing and fishing - I may go back the weekend after XMAS but will not be taking the boat but fishing with pop-in-law in his boat - did get to play with the new trolling motor but I got a lot to learn with it - works great just got to learn how to manuever with the wind and current - great for sneaking in to quietly set the anchor

[Dave]

Nice Speck koolj. Thanks for the report – I was wondering how ya’ll made out. From Cape Lookout Rock Jetty to Bogue Inlet - you must know you're way around here and you definitely put some miles on that skiff :) Very impressive, especially considering the wind and weather conditions. Fri and Sat, I like to froze to death, and I was in the woods, wrapped up and hunkered down waiting for a deer to appear.

Dave

[koolj]

Wish I knew better..father - in - law lives in Goosecreek Landing.he is my guide..I will try to to let you know when I will down during the week in the future - Shakespeare told me you don't fish on the weekends - I don't like to myself - pop-in-law only does when I am there - keep looking for the big ones so you cAN LET US KNOW WHEN WE GET THERE

[Dave]

Well, since I live right here, I’d rather fish on the weekdays if I can. Really depends on the season. From now till the fish leave, the weekdays are really light on the boat traffic, so the weekends are like weekdays – only the most dedicated and (usually) most experienced will still come down to fish the area – so I’ll fish when the fish are in and the weather cooperates. This fall the weather has been best during the week so I’ve chosen the best of both – weekdays and mild weather/wind. I would have fished over the Thanksgiving weekend, even in the wind and cold, because ya’ll were down but my son and his family came to town and I don’t get to see my son often. He also likes to hunt more than fish so we only got on the water Thanksgiving Day and the remainder of the time we hunted deer on Cherry Point. The evenings were taken up with the grandkids and all the standard family goins-on.

I think it was o2 that told me the Bluefin were in but I haven’t heard or seen anything else about it. I’m waiting for some really good sea conditions (air temp don’t matter) so I can get offshore after some large sea bass and maybe some grouper/snapper. Kings will be around where the water is 65-68 degrees and the biggest of them are usually caught in the late fall/early winter. My largest king was 46 lbs caught on 27Dec, near the 30 minute rock, air temp 70 degrees with glassed over water, pulling a large hoo with a half oz egg sinker, tucked into a red/white sea witch. I’ve caught many, many 20+ lb kings thru December in the same general area, between “D” wreck and the Atlas Tanker.

Definitely let me know when you'll be down and I'll try and get out with you. Will be going to Mississippi and Missouri to visit family over the Christmas/New Years holiday so may miss you this time.

Dave

[o2bfishn]

A few pics. of the first get together of the Piedmont Chapter of the Carolina Skiffs Owner.


my best catch of the weekend:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/o2bfishnobx/BobDadsFirstOceanTrip020.jpg



Shakespeare and his skiff:


http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/o2bfishnobx/BobDadsFirstOceanTrip073.jpg



# one son thinking he has caught something:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/o2bfishnobx/BobDadsFirstOceanTrip012.jpg



At the slip:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/o2bfishnobx/BobDadsFirstOceanTrip011.jpg


Koolj and 1stSgtUSMCRet were camera shy. We all had a swell time and are looking forward to the next trip. 012 012 012

o2bfishn

[Fillet1]

Thats awesome guys! 012

O2b - Its a tad bit breezy there with the albie. ;D How do you like the side rails on the boat?

[o2bfishn]

fillet1,


Love them, 1-5/16", alum. 6" tall, did not like the stock rails-to small looking for a 23' boat- Sam had them fabricated for me when I ordered my skiff. Wanted rails I could mount rod holders on, they worked out great.

Winds at 10 to 15 mph as per the local weather report, waves anywhere from smooth to 5-6' sometimes choppy, sometimes rolling, all depending on where you were.

Albies were all over the place as were the birds, just had a hard time finding out what they wanted to bite, bait fish all over too.

Never felt unsafe in the skiff, just like a cork on the water. 011




o2bfishn

[Dave]

Your boat is a killer of a fishing rig, o2. I liked everything about it, from the oversized rails – in just the right place, to the antenna mounts. Lots of room behind the rocket launcher – again, where it’s needed, and you have some seriously nice fishin’ spools & sticks to go after anything that’s not frightened off by the side decals. It’s clear you have put a lot of thought, planning, and work into one of the best rigged, tough lookin’ CS’s I’ve yet to lay eyeballs on.

I usually carry a diamond jig in a couple different sizes (lengths). It’s slimmer than a stingsilver and also casts like a bullet. The diamond jig is a very good match (in general proportion) to glass minnows, which is what the alberts are usually chasing. Remember too, that it’s hard to reel the lure too fast for alberts. Also, when they don’t seem to want anything that “matches the hatch”, try something completely different. For instance, I’ve caught them on 3/8 oz jigs with plastic curly tails – letting them drop a few feet then worked very fast, in a jerking manner, through the school.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you – if you wanna get a good shot of Shakespeare you’ll have to increase your shutter speed – he don’t stay in one place for long 010

Dave

[Fillet1]

The alberts love small clark spoons dragged behind the boat up here in NJ.

[Harry]

Dang, Looks like I missed a GREAT time. Thanks for sharing guys. And I love that " Piedmont Chapter of the Carolina Skiff Owner " Reference. It sounds like were big shots here at CSO or something.....LOL

[o2bfishn]

dave,

Thanks for the kind words about my skiff, your right I spent a long time thinking about how to rig it. Still not done yet, all its going to take is time and money both in great quantitys, oh well I'll get it done a little at a time.

Thanks for the tips on trying to hook up the albies they are great fun to catch, fight like a fish twice their size.

Shakespeare and Bob went out for a beer (or so), Pic. looked clear to them they said. ::)

Nice to meet you and your son, wish I had the saltwater fishing knowledge you two have, seems to be a life time worth of it. You keep teaching and I'll keep reading and learning, something I didn't do in school, (maybe I did learn something in school after all).

Anyway I'am looking foward to the next trip down in a few weeks, what you know about strippers, I mean stripers, they should be showing up soon, right. 006


012 O2bfishn 012

[Shakespeare]

ok guys, my turn. I'm pretty sure everyone had a really good time at MHC despite the big weather change. I arrived early afternoon on Wednesday and had the boat in the water by 3:00. I jetted over to Shackleford Banks and anchored for an hour or so looking to catch a trout or two near the little pier and rock jetty. Several boats were there but no one was producing as it was incoming high tide and the current was pretty swift. Since sundown is so early these days, I had to bug out of there around 4:30 or so with no fish. I met up with 1stSarge that evening to participate in the ritual of mass consumption at the local Chinese buffet. Good food and good company.

Thursday morning (Thanksgiving day) I was up bright and early and on the water around day break waiting for 1stSarge and o2b to arrive. I caught a couple of small blues at the edge of the turning basin and tossed them back. After all members of the party arrived, 1stSarge escorted us out to the end of Beaufort inlet at the breakwater. The birds were working the area and despite some stingsilver slinging, we couldn't come up with anything. I took a small breaker over the bow which sufficiently cleaned the deck and made me briefly feel like the salty old man of the sea. We headed back into the turning basin and parked at a little hole where 1stSarge and his son were bringing in the sea mullet. I caught one there but got a little impatient and went to the other side for a small sea mullet and big bunch of nothing. o2b and his son were tooling around the area and I think they caught a few. Later in the morning I decided to relocate near the Beaufort bridge and wasn't there two minutes before 1stSarge called to let me know that the trout were on the bite. This was to be my theme for the weekend. 1stSarge had to head it in early so o2b, his son, and I hung out near the bridge and drift fished for a while. I had to leave around 4:00 empty handed except for my one sea mullet, to get back to the motel to get the turkey breast on the grill. The evening's affair was well described by koolj.

Friday morning I walked down to the marina with gear in hand and immediately perfomed an "about face" back to the room. The wind was howling from the North and based on a previous experience I knew that it would not be a fun day on the boat. o2b and company met me down at Ft. Macon a little later for some surf fishing. Other than a couple of hours break for low tide and lunch, I stood on that rock jetty all day long, well until after sunset. Guys... this was just not to be my weekend for fishing. I had two boy scout aged kids on either side of me catching trout, blues, and sheapshead as hard as they could and I couldn't as much get a nibble. I went through the entire inventory in the tackle box to attempt to get the right combination and that didn't work. One guy snagged a false albie on a Mirrolure and another brought in a really nice sized black drum on a piece of shrimp. I couldn't catch seaweed if I tried. All I had to show for the day was one sheapshead snagged (not caught) on a jigfish. My fishing comrades out on the jetty felt sorry for me so they donated their throwbacks, blues and sheapshead, to my bucket. The wind was pretty fierce out there and I only saw a handful of boats go out that day. If you could make it to the south facing shore, then the water was fairly flat, but it was still windy. It really didn't matter to me whether I was catching fish or not, just being at the coast made it worth it, especially watching the sun set into the water and turning around to see a big old full moon on the other horizon at the same instant. koolj called me later that afternoon and we both resigned to the fact that we were so beat up from the day that getting together for refreshments would have to be put on hold.

Saturday was to be no better for me either. o2b got a head start on me and was out on the ocean side of Shackleford by the time I pulled out from the marina. The wind was still up, but from the northeast and a bit cold that morning. He called to let me know "fish on board" but I chose to hang around the usual spots in the inlet. I spent most of my time playing the part of anchor monkey, trying to position the boat where the fishfinder was lighting up, and getting the anchor set. This is kind of hard to do with the wind blowing, the current moving at a good clip, and with only the captain on board. After a couple of hours of non-productivity I decided to move to the Haystacks, which is a a marshy area north of the Beaufort bridge. It was low tide so I felt comfortable tooling around through the marshes. I messed around over there for a few hours, had lunch, threw some bait in the water, still came up empty handed. Later, I moved out towards the rock jetty at Ft. Macon to see what those guys were doing, then back to the breakwater where I caught back up with o2b. We moved to the inland side of Shackleford to the little pier/jetty area to finish out the day. O2b junior caught a small trout and then those guys headed back to load up the boat. I stayed until close to sundown then headed in... still no fish.

I had every intention of going out 1/2 day on Sunday, but as I poked my head out the door at 6:45AM it was starting to sprinkle. The weather channel showed a batch of rain heading my way, so I decided to load up and head home a little early.

And the sea brings to each man a new awakening. Despite the lack of success on my part, I'm ready to go back. I had a great time with the guys and hope that we can do it again some other time. Perhaps make this a yearly event. I would like to thank 1stSarge for taking the time from his holiday to show us around.

Mike C.

[koolj]

sounds like a plan as I always try to go Thanksgiving weekend - I will go ahead and put it on the calender

[Dave]

Fillet1, they love clark spoons here too. Clark spoons are (far and away) the favorite lure for trolling up Spanish Mackerel herebouts. For Spanish, the Clark spoon is attached to a light leader some 25-30 feet behind a suitable sized rubber core sinker or small Sea Striker planer and trolled at about 6 knots. Alberts will hit on just about anything trolled for Spanish, Kings, Dolphin, Wahoo, and the like, if they are in the area. But they are not usually welcome at those times, and few will set up a trolling spread just for alberts. Since alberts arrive first in the spring and are usually the last thing to leave in the fall/winter, it’s hard to resist them when the ocean is full of these footballs, cutting through baitfish and torpedoing over them with birds diving and calling us in. The thrill (for most) is casting lures into the marauding schools using light/medium spinning rods, and of course, the Clark spoons are feather light, making them unsuitable for casting, particularly since there are other lures designed especially for long casts.

Alberts have become the favorite target of fly fishermen, especially in the Cape Lookout area – the local guides developed that market some 15 or so years ago. If the fish are really busting bait hard, about anything you can cast in front of them, with light line and worked fast (in a darting, jigging motion) will usually get a strike. Least that’s the way I remember it – will let you know if anything has changed (from times past) after I take a friend to the cape tomorrow – he wants to catch one of ‘em and I’m going to do my best to help him succeed. Both of the fish in the images below were caught near the cape using a jig with a plastic lime green curly tail. My son’s first albert (circa 1999). We each caught one that day on our way to the rock jetty – just couldn’t resist the short delay. It’s hard to see, but that buoy on the left side (second image) sticking up from the water is the buoy that marks the end of the jetty.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc188/djerhart/DaveWithAlbert991008-01Crop-37x6.jpg


http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc188/djerhart/PopWithAlbert991008Crop-7x5.jpg


About the stripers – well, I’d say you’ve got about as much experience fishing for alberts (here at the cape) as I have in my lifetime of fishing for stripers, and you’re already one fish ahead of me. Ol’ tc took me out yesterday for some striper fishing and I proudly watched him bring to the boat a half dozen “Rocks” to my zero hits. I was using the same bait, using the same fishing techniques, throwing to the same structure - (hint, hint) and holding my mouth exactly like his and notta, nothing, not even a strike. Of the six caught, only one was a keeper at just over 19” (must be 18 to be legal). It was a fun morning however, and he did teach me something – if I’m going to catch a striper, I must first be in my boat, have a trolling motor on the bow, and then most importantly, take command of that trolling motor. Fortunately, tc must a felt sorry for the old 1stSgt and let me take the only fish he kept 012

Shakespeare, did I tell you I was a DI (way) back in the ‘70’s? Well….. I was, and dang it, I don’t (even) remember showing you how to get out on those rocks. Forget them rocks! If you gotta fish from shore, fish the sloughs and stay away from them rocks. If I wanted you to fish them “rocks” Idatoldya to fish them damn rocks. Next time I see (or even here of you) bein’ perched out on those rocks, you’ll be doing side-strattle-hops, midship, ‘till “I” get tired. You could git hurt ... we don't need nobody coming down here and gitten hurt, you got that! http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc188/djerhart/SDISSgtDJErhartPlt3022021978headsho.jpg

All joking aside Mike, you’re a hard corps SOB. Dammit boy, I hope I’ve got just half the spirit you have when I get to be your age. Climin’ out and balancing yourself on those slippery rocks in a blustery nordeaster, castin to “nothin” but whitecaps, the falling sun and rising moon….. and ya CAN’T WAIT to get back down here….. Wheeeeew, you’d a made one hell of a Marine, my friend. Can’t wait to see ya’ll again.

Dave

[koolj]

naturally the day after I leave all is just great - the father-in-law caught 30 more trout keeping his limit and culling 16 to 17" fish - mostly in Broad Creek - always been the story of my life - you shoulda been here yesterday or you should stay until tommarrow

[Shakespeare]

Shakespeare, did I tell you I was a DI (way) back in the ‘70’s?

1stSarge as mild mannered as you are, I can't believe you were a DI. You just don't impress me as the hollerin, screaming type. ;) But, I'll note that for future reference. ;D

Hey, about dem rocks... you always go back to what you know. Them rocks have been mighty good to me in the past.

[Harry]

I always think of the DI in Full metal jacket screaming " PLYE, IS THAT A JELLY F'ING DOUGHNUT"? !!!! ;D ;D

[Dave]

Yep, Mike, believe it or not, I was. But that was a long time ago, in a different place and time, but you know what they say: “Once a Marine, always a Marine”. I believe it’s true of most former DI’s, that when asked what they did in the Corps, the answer is “I was a Drill Instructor”. Even though it’s only a 2 years assignment, it was (easily) the most difficult and rewarding duty assignment I was fortunate enough to have been given in my 21 years of service. Though, you can’t walk around in civilian life in the personality of a Drill Instructor, the experience is life altering and one that has served me well in many situations, both before and after my retirement from the Corps.

Harry, there are so many classic lines in that movie. Here’s a couple that I believe realistic of the recruit training experience – in the late ‘60’s anyway.

“Were you born a fat, slimy, scumbag puke pieca ****, Pvt. Pyle, or did you have to work on it?”

“Oh that’s right Private Pyle, don’t make any F’ing effort to get to the top of the F’ing obstacle. If God would have wanted you up there he would have miracled you up there by now, wouldn’t He?

As a former DI, I can relate to most of them but I think my favorite is, and one that MC DI’s are ever mindful of while training recruits - “The dead know only one thing – it’s better to be alive”.

On another note: Yesterday, I took tcfisherman down to the MHC area and we had a decent day fishing for trout at the Cape and around area 10. Will be posting on the Fishing Forum soon as I get the pics from tc.

Dave

[samurai361]

I had the pleasure of doing my Basic Training at Parris Island from April to July of 1986. What I recall of the place itself was nice, but I've only been back once on a trip from Jacksonville FL, to Jacksonville NC to take photos of the yellow footprints. I wouldn't go back into the Marine Corps at the point of a bayonet, but the time I spent in (6 yrs active, 5 years reserves) did a lot to make me the person I am today.

My Senior DI told us on Training Day 1 that he had good news and bad news. The good news was that if we made it off there as Marines, we would never need to prove ourselves to be men again as long as we lived. We'd have done something 85% of the US population didn't even qualify to attempt. The bad news he said, was that we had to prove ourselves worthy to HIM.

I've been a police officer for the last 4 years. I train new officers, and I use some of what I learned there today. I try to make the training realistic, intense, useful, and just a bit more difficult than they think they can stand. Then when they want to quit, they realize they were capable of more than they had thought and when they finish, they're ready and feel as if they accomplished something.

If you guys find your way up near Virginia Beach in the fall and want to chase down some striper, let me know and I'll see what I can do to put you on fish.

[Dave]

Virginia Beach – now, I know where that is. I may take you up on that next fall samurai361 – thanks for the invite Leatherneck. Have known several former Marines that went into law enforcement after serving in the Corps. My son is a police officer and we talk almost daily about events and situations that both of us can relate to. You guys have my greatest respect and appreciation for what you do every day to protect the (often unappreciative) public. 012

Semper Fi,
Dave

[samurai361]

1st Sgt, Marines and cops have simple (not the same as easy) jobs. A Marine is told to locate, close with and destroy the enemy. He has at his disposal a number of things to aid in that end, and his training is geared toward being physically and mentally prepared to do that. Being a cop is simple also. Imagine the worst part of the city. I mean an alley or street that is so dark and scary you wouldn't go there for a million bucks. A cop will go there every shift for a lot less. You ride around with your windows down 2" so you can hear people scream or fight, or alarms. But you can't put it down on nice days because people do things like throw bottles at your car that can hit you in the head. You arrest them and take them to jail and they spit on you or pee in the floor of your car. They say things that would make a sailor blush, and then call you a racist liar in court. And you can't do anything about it. But once in a while you get a really dumb one who wants to fight. I almost feel bad for them, because I get issued a stick that I will use in half a heartbeat to WEAR HIS AZZ OUT!! I live for those moments. 013

[Dave]

“But once in a while you get a really dumb one who wants to fight. I almost feel bad for them, because I get issued a stick that I will use in half a heartbeat to WEAR HIS AZZ OUT!! I live for those moments.”

LMAO! My son, Dave worked the south side of Raleigh (by choice) for nearly his whole tour of 8 years. Raleigh has one-man patrols. He’d tell me stories of the many foot chases he had in the dark alleys deep in the projects. He was all of 160 pounds and his (required) gear weighed another 30 pounds. Rarely did he fail to catch up and apprehend the bad guy. I used to worry about him, because of his size and the unpredictability of those he chased, most outweighing him by a good margin, but he assured me that he took little risk in his pursuits. Asked him how that was and he said “Dad, first of all, the bad guys aren’t known for their high intelligence and they don’t train to keep in shape, and second, I make it a point not to catch up to them until they are worn out and totally exhausted. By that time, they have little desire or ability to put up much of a fight. I approach them carefully, weapon drawn, and by then usually backup is on the scene.”

If I had my will, I’d make it a mandatory 1 year in jail for any attempt to resist or flee apprehension and a mandatory minimum 10 years in jail for fleeing in a motor vehicle. That sentence would be handed down first, regardless, and in addition to any other charges associated with the incident. Used to be that people resisting arrest were nearly always doing so because of serious pending felony charges but nowadays, seems like every joker feels like he can run from the law any time, any place with the thought of “if” he gets caught, he’s no worse off than if he would have peaceably given himself up in the first place.

Be careful out there, my friend!

Semper Fi,
Dave