These fish were in groups of 10-200 in 12-18 inches of clear water. If you could get a DOA shrimp near them, it was nearly a guaranteed hookup. What they lacked in size, they made up for in quantity.

By the middle of the week, clouds and wind began to move in. I had Dean on board, who is an excellent caster. We went looking for the tailing fish only to find most of them had moved on. We did find several pods and a few singles and Dean ended up catching 5 reds, a few trout, and a nice flounder on DOA shrimp and CAL tails.

Yesterday, the wind was blowing at dawn and was topping 20mph by mid morning. Mike and his son Brian were on their first trip to Mosquito Lagoon. The clouds and wind hampered any chance of sight fishing so we blind cast likely areas. Dean landed the first redfish on a DOA 5.5 inch CAL tail in Arkansas Glow. We used a Woodies Rattle inside the bait to make it easier for the fish to find it in the cloudy water.

Brian also landed his first redfish yesterday.

The recent high winds have stirred up the bottom making the few clean flats cloudy. Recent fluctuations in the water level have the fish on the move as well. The good news is, when you find the fish, they are more than willing to eat. Bad new is, they are not always where you want them to be. Some days will take a lot more searching than others. If you can spot fish, stick to the DOA shrimp or black redfish worm fly. If you are blind casting, use a weedless rigged CAL tail and target areas with a mix of grass and sand holes.

Capt Chris Myers

Orlando Fishing Guide 

On the flats, the shallow running Baitbuster is my go to redfish lure during the warmer months. In the summer, floating grass can be a real problem when trying to fish topwater lures. I do much of my fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon and  any treble hooked plug will quickly become fouled. With the hook on top, the Baitbuster rides over most of the grass and can be used to draw some exiting surface strikes. Work the lure with a steady retrieve just fast enough to keep in on the surface. Use it for sight casting to redfish off all sizes, or blind cast around mullet schools for a variety of species.

Redfish love the shallow running Baitbuster

Don't be surprized if a trout grabs your cast meant for a redfish

Around the bridges and inlets, the Baitbuster is also effective for large snook, redfish, grouper, and more. I prefer the trolling model which has a beefy hook and a 1 ounce weight to quickly reach the bottom. Work the lure by bouncing it along the bottom.

The trolling model Baitbuster is also my favorite lure to cast at medium to large tarpon. Throw several feet in front of rolling fish, let it sink for a couple seconds and begin a slow steady retrieve. Set the hook using multiple short strikes. Unlike, most plugs, which have multiple treble hooks, the single hook on the trolling model Baitbuster will not straighten even under extreme pressure from big fish. It is also much safer when removing the hook at boatside.

A tarpon tries to dislodge a Baitbuster

My personal favorite colors are the pearl/green/red and the gold glitter/black back. For redfish on the flats, I use it with 10 pound braided line and a 20 pound leader. For bridge and inlet fishing, step up to 20 pound braid and a 40-50 pound leader. For large tarpon, use 20-30 pound braid and a 60-80 pound leader. For the best reults, make the bait easy for the fish to eat. for casting applications, a slow, steady retrieve will usually work better than trying to give the bait too much action.

Capt. Chris Myers

Mosquito Lagon Fishing Guide

Native has you covered for both. They have choices in fish bags and soft-sided coolers that are perfect for kayak anglers, even if you do not own one of their boats. From oversized fish bags to their smaller “made to fit” coolers, these are items that can be a much better choice than other ways of keeping items cool. With conveniently designed handles for easy carrying and adequate insulation, these are ice-preserving cooler bags that are pliable for fitting into a variety of storage locations.

The medium fish bag

Back to the topic of storing a harvested fish: Some of you will say, “I just use a stringer for that.” Are you sure you want to tow a fish along with you? There are some very compelling reasons to put your catch on ice that relate to the quality of your fish to eat and safety. See the article reference below.

There are numerous options for the fish bags and also the coolers in the Native/Watertrail accessory line. There are “crossover” uses for these, a fish bag being just fine to ice down a lot of beverages and, conversely, the coolers can also be used for both food, beverages and fish storage. Obviously for the larger fish, the fish bag will be more useful. The cooler options that have dual compartments can actually be a “two for one” where food and drinks can be kept “un-fishy” while your dinner fish have a compartment of their own.

The Ultimate "Stern Bag"

They are all built to the same high standards of other Native accessories and with heavy use of over two years; my fish bags still look the same. What I thought may be a “weak point”; the zippers on these bags are as smooth as they were when they were new. Comparison to other “fish bags” I have utilized in the past, the bottom line comes down to the durability. My other fish bags deteriorated in a relatively short period of time. They also suffered from a very obvious “stench factor”. The Native fish bags and cooler I use to store fish clean out nicely with a blast of the hose and left open to air dry.

Custom fitted for Native Watercraft


You have some options. There are cooler bags and fish bags that are perfectly designed to fit in the bow and stern sections of various Native watercraft. There are stern and bow bag options for the Ultimate and some versatility when it comes to outfitting a Manta Ray or Redfish. With the Ultimate, the cooler bags easily fit inside the craft. With the Manta Ray or Redfish, these bags will fit in the tankwell area aft or can easily be strapped down to the bow of the boat. Don’t forget the Fishing Buddy, which has a six rod holder feature but the middle is an insulated cooler and also the “Behind Seat Cooler”, great for storing a lot of drinks, food or your catch.

The bag behind seat cooler.

Not just for kayaks
Acquaintances of mine who saw my Coolers/Bags have bought them for use on their powerboats, camping, family picnics and for whatever outdoor use they wish to keep things cold. Evidence of the versatility and appeal of these great soft-sided bags came from a client who showed up with two Watertrail products: One fish bag and one of the double-sided coolers. When I asked him about it, he said, “I’m also buying these as gifts”.

If you are a part-time outdoor adventurer or get out all the time, the Native “Watertrail” bags are a great investment. To review the options visit the Native web site:   Watertrail Fish Bag Accessories

Why utilize a fish bag? Take a look at “The Case Against Stringers”.

Also, be sure to call in as Bluewater Fishing Supply in Tampa will give away a Daiwa Spinning reel to one lucky caller.

Take advantage each week of their combined 32 years of full time guiding experience as we cover tips, techniques, reports and everything you could want to know about inshore fishing in the Tampa Bay area; everywhere from Hudson all the way down to Bradenton and everywhere in between!

Depending on who takes me steelhead fishing in PA, I’ll either see a frozen sunset or sunrise.

A few years ago, I wrote an article for Pennsylvania Angler and Boater about “Guy”, who takes me steelhead fishing in tributaries of Lake Erie whenever I make the trek from Oklahoma to visit my in-laws. But that is only half of the story. If I’m not fishing in PA with “Guy”, I’m fishing with my wife’s cousin, Jeremy.

Each fisherman offers a unique experience. Retired school teacher, Guy’s fishing trips usually include 3:00 a.m. departures, lures, Elk Creek, King’s Restaurant hash, and raiding a Wal-Mart Hot-Wheels bin. Leaving directly after his construction job, Jeremy’s trips usually include 3:00 a.m. returns, bait, Walnut Creek, and a couple of gas station hotdogs. Each was surprised to learn that I fished with the other. A little bit of a competition has developed with each determined that I would have a more successful fishing trip with them. This has worked out very well for me.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that “Guy” use to be Jeremy’s teacher back when swats were still allowed?

Jeremy is a big guy with a neck seemingly shortened from years of weight-lifting, whereas I’m about 1/3 neck. I had only seen him a couple of times, amounting to little more than a burly handshake at several family functions and knew little about him except that he had served in the military in Desert Storm. Late afternoon one frigid December day, I met Jeremy at a truck stop on I-80, threw my gear in the back of his truck, and hopped in, taking advantage of his generous offer to take me on my first steelhead fishing trip.

One story I heard before fishing with him involved him fishing with a friend and the friend’s young son. They had been fishing for a while when another fisherman arrived and waded in just upstream, crowding the boy as if he wasn’t there. Soon their lines tangled and Jeremy assisted with untangling but didn’t say anything. The second time the fisherman’s line drifted down and tangled with the boy’s line, Jeremy warned the fisherman and suggested he try his luck elsewhere. On the 3rd entanglement, Jeremy said nothing but reached out and cut the fisherman’s line. When the fisherman retied, failed to stop crowding the boy and began to fish again, not altering his methods, Jeremy, who once weighed 300 pounds, in a refreshing dose of stream-side justice, physically removed the man from the stream and said simply, “You’re done.”

It was 20 degrees and flat dark when we finally reached the creek. We rigged and tried skein and live minnows by the boat ramp first. When this failed to produce a bump, he decided we should try closer to the mouth, grabbed all his gear, and started to hike. In my haste to keep up with the swinging lantern now rapidly disappearing in the trees, I quickly reeled in and, not knowing how far we were going, draped the tiny treble hook over one pole-clutching frozen finger and grabbed the minnow bucket with the remaining fingers of one hand; the rest of my tackle, camera, and flashlight with the other.

The trail was steep, slick, and muddy, and with a flashlight that seemed to require a good jostle or two every few steps, I had to concentrate on my footing. Roots threatened to trip my feet and branches did their best to ensnare my rod and line. Jeremy seemed immune to these issues. He was agile, sure-footed, and breezed up the greasy trail. It wasn’t long up this hill before I realized that I had no way of knowing if the hook was now embedded in a numb finger. No time to stop for an emergency hook-ectomy. I feared falling too far behind on this strange trail in the woods at night. Or worse, tripping with Jeremy’s minnow bucket. So I just tighten my grip and tried to keep up. The lantern eventually came to rest near the shore of Erie and I was greatly relieved that the treble hook and finger proved not to be connected.

Fishing that night would produce only two steelhead smolts, which we quickly returned. But this was one of those fishing trips where actually catching seemed of less importance. Shivering for hours, I learned to retie a hook with trembling fingers using only the light from a flashlight wedged between my chin and neck. Then there was the trick of staying awake in the warm truck at 1:00 a.m. on the 2 hour drive back, watching for deer. I also got to know and admire my guide who imparted such knowledge as fishing with fish eggs and dipping chewing tobacco with the same fingers, does not make the best pairing.

(Thanks Jeremy for all of the great fishing trips! Looking forward to you and your sister’s safe return from overseas!)

I took a look at our 10 day forecast before I began writing this report. I am very happy to say the weather looks great for the next 10 days with temperatures in the high 60’s and mid 70’s. What a way to start 2011!
Some more good news is that Spotted Sea Trout season opens today. This will allow anglers a chance to take home some very tasty fish. Redfish are always on the menu and in the past month we have been putting a few slot sized fish in the boat. Flounder are still around and with our bay waters now being a bit cooler the silver trout bite is on.

We have been fishing deep in the creeks and canals and it has been common on the warmer days to catch upwards of a hundred fish on half day charters.

“Free,” “Fishing,” and “Weekend.”

Three incredible words arranged together.  It has been suggested that the only word missing might be the word “Fried.” The National Fishing and Boating Week begins June 5, coordinated with many states’ free fishing days.  This is a chance for the public to fish without a license.  You, however, are reading this on a fishing related web site, so you’ve already invested in a license… but I’ll bet you know a family that doesn’t get to fish.  This is your chance to amaze them with your fishing expertise; or amuse with your lack thereof.  There is nothing more exciting, fun, and wholesome than fishing and this weekend’s free pass is a great opportunity.  For more information, please visit:

http://www.takemefishing.org/community/events-and-attractions/national-celebrations/national-fishing-and-boating-week

And check out this article with some tips on taking kids fishing:

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?id=4237286

The real winner for me lately has been those Spanish mackerel.  My charters have done very good in the last few trips, with catches of twenty or more Spanish in a half day.  Most of the Spanish are biting Clark spoons trolled behind #1 planner’s.  The Clark spoons that are working the best for us are sizes; 00 and 0 in silver and pink flash.  I really like the pink flash series, these spoons have worked very well for my charters.  If you would like to go lighter; you can pull small deep diving lures as well.

When the Spanish are on top feeding and jumping, Maria jig spoons have been the trick.  The colors that seem to be working are pink, green and blue in sizes seven & fourteen gram. (Hint): keep it to smaller lures when the weather gets hot!  We also caught a few Bonita’s mixed in with the Spanish.

There has also been plenty of blue fish up and down the beach as well.  Trolling or casting small deep divers has produced lots of bluefish around the inlets.  We have also caught a hand full of chopper blues too.  These choppers are running in the six to over fifth teen pound range.  The choppers are biting big poppers and mid water stick baits.  Color really does not seem to matter to those big blues, just a lot of action from the lure!

Bottom fishing just off the beach has produced some nice Black bass, grunts and small Grouper, of course on the lighter wind days!  Jigs and squid are the trick, fishing the squid on simple two hook bottom rigs.  Jig fishing using two to five once jigs in colors pink, green and red/white.  We are fishing mostly hard and live bottom areas, in the one to ten mile range for the bottom fish.  There has been some small and keeper Gray trout showing up on hard bottoms closer to the beach.

The flounder bite is picking up some too; we are starting to see a few fish inshore as well on the near shore reefs and wrecks.  Most of the flounder inshore are mixed in size, but the fish in the ocean are a little better in size.  Live bait and grubs are the best bet.  Carolina rigs for the live bait and heavy jig heads for the grubs.  I prefer bright grubs; Berkley Powerbait jerk shad and Saltwater Assassin’s sea shads in colors chart/diamond and silver mullet work very well.

Red fish have been hit or miss for me lately, some days we get a few some days we don’t.  This should change when more live bait shows up in the creeks and channels.  What Reds we are getting are hitting fresh bait and Berkley Gulp shrimp and peeler crabs (2”) size; on Carolina rigs and jig heads.  We are starting to see a few Reds on the Flats, when we are fishing shallow waters for Reds we use Rattling corks.  Rigging the Rattling corks with a Berkley Gulp 3” Shrimp, really seems to get there attention.

Fishing Gear we use:

Reels Penn Conquer and Sargus spinning in sizes 2000 and 4000. Spiderwire Ultra-cast braid in 10 and 15#.  Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy and the All Star ASR spinning rod ASR844S and ASR845S.

In Other Fishing News:

June 5-6, 2010 “In the Water Fishing School” I, Capt. Rick Bennett and four other of the best local guides are putting on this school on.  This school will be real-time hands on fishing experience!  There will be one day of hands on classroom instruction and the next day on the water, real-time fishing experience.  The school is limited to the first 24 participants!  If you want to learn from the best local guides and see how we do it, take the time to check it out; http://www.rodmancharters.com/inthewater-fishing-school.htm *We only have a few spots left for this School!!!  I’m really looking forward to being part of this school!

Thanks for reading this report, if you would like to go fishing drop me a line. Book now for this coming summer fishing season and don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens
Ranger Boats Pro Staff
PENN Reels Elite Staff
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139

Redfish has been the main shot lately for my trips.  On some of the warmer days, the bite has been good to even great!  The main tips I can give you is get out there and look, lately we’ve hit four to six spots and have not got a bite.  The next spot we check, boom cast after cast; Redfish.  You have got to cover area to find winter inshore Redfish.

Lure’s that seem to do the trick have been, Saltwater Assassin grubs in colors 10w40 & lime-tail, Chicken on a chain and copperhead.  In Berkley Power baits; 5” jerkshad in colors new penny and pearl white have worked well.  We rig the grubs on ¼ Red jig heads with Stren’s 20# tinted fluorocarbon in tint “tannic”.  When the fish are spooky this floro is the trick!  When we rig the Berkley jerkshads, we rig them Texas style, with a bass worm hook and a bullet weight.

The Redfish are schooling in the surf and we are always looking for a nice day to get out and chase them.  They are pretty easy to catch; you just got to find them. That part can be a bit harder, trust me! A sunny, light wind day and good polarized sunglasses are the keys to catching these Reds.  Grubs seem to be the easy go to bait for surf Reds.  Lures we are using are SWA 10w40/ Lime-tail and Berkley Powerbait’s Ripple shad in colors New penny and Smelt.  You need to use heavier jigs heads, 3/8 and ½ oz plus for casting.  Hold on tight, they fight great even in cold water!

There are still a few Cape Fear River stripers biting. The water has really cooled down.  Most of the fish are in the four to twelve pound range, with a few bigger ones mixed in as well.  We are catching the stripers on hard and soft baits.  In the hard bait range; X-raps and mid-water crank baits are working well.  As far as soft baits; Berkley Powerbait jerkshads in Pearl color and Saltwater Assassin (Blurp) jerk shads in colors pearl and electric chicken.  We are rigging the jerkshads Texas style, with a large bass worm hook.

Speckled trout fishing has been more miss than hit lately but, it should get better with the warmer weather we have coming.  The best bet for the trout this time of year is mud minnows and working artificial baits very slow.  MirrOlure’s 17MR and 52M are a good bet this time of year.  I like the colors 11, 51, CFPR and EC.  SWA grubs in colors chicken on a chain, chart-diamond and silver-ph & chart tail.  I use twenty pound Stren tinted fluorocarbon leader; I prefer gun smoke tint for clear water applications.

Fishing Gear we use:

Reels Penn Conquer and Sargus spinning in sizes 2000 and 4000. Fire line crystal braid in 10 and 20#.  Rods: Ugly stick lites 6’6” and 7’ Med & Med-Heavy and the All Star ASR spinning rod ASR844S and ASR845S.

In Other Fishing News:

The second annual Cape Fear River Watch Striped Bass Tournament was held Saturday Jan 16th.  This Tournament is an effort to raise awareness of the declining number of striped bass and other fish native to the Cape Fear River and to tag CFR Stripers for fishier studies on rebuilding the stocks of native fish.

Winners of this year’s tournament were:  Capt. Jamie Rushing, along with fishermen Robert Bungard, and Kevin Bloom caught 10 Stripers winning most tag fish award.  The largest fish of the day was a 27.5-inch striped bass caught by Capt. Jot Owens and fisherman Duane Auman, followed closely by a 26-inch striped bass wrangled in by Capt. Owens and fisherman Todd Byrd. First aggregate honors (meaning total length of collected fish) went to Capt. Owens, Auman and Byrd with a collected length of 53.5 inches. Second aggregate went to Capt. Stu Caulder and fishermen Phil Metz and Bruce McGunahan, with a collected length of 50 inches.

Don’t forget; there are some great boat and fishing expos coming to North Carolina.  If you like fishing and boats you don’t want to miss these shows and fishing seminars!  Here are the one’s that myself as well as other Ranger boats pro staff members will be at this winter.
February 12-14, 2010 – Raleigh Convention Center Boat Show – Raleigh, NC. www.raleighconvention.com/boatshow/ This is a great show with lots of the “top of the line” boats form around the world.  I’ll be there with other Ranger Pro’s to show you all the great benefits to the Ranger Saltwater line of boats.

February 20, 2010-Cape Fear Christian Sportsman Fish Fest.
http://www.capefearsportsmen.org/Events/FishFest10Registration/tabid/719/Default.aspx  I will be speaking on Shallow water Redfishing and working MirrOlure’s.  For all the info on this day of seminars, take a look at this link.
Thanks for reading this report, if you would like to go fishing drop me a line.   Don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

Good Luck,

Captain Jot Owens
Ranger Boats and
Pure Fishing Pro Staff
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139