November 23 Christmas Party at Snyder's office

November 7th, 2005.... MONDAY... Well folks, time to put the season to bed for another successful year has passed.  Now getting ready for some hand surgery this week that will effectively put me out of business for the following weeks, but have no fear, my son Captain Robert is still rocking and rolling and putting fish in the Boat!!!!!  I will try and post his reports for all to see and let you know what beautiful SENCland has going on.... if I can get my hand to work so I can type!  Thanks once again to one and all for your support and prayers these past few weeks.... Tight Lines and Strong Knots to one and all.  HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, UNTIL WE FISH AGAIN!!!!!!!

  November 2nd through the 6th, 2005..... Off to Buxton for the Cape Hatteras Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament with the “Cape Fear Anglers“.... and what a trip!!  This photo of Dr. Jim and Dr. Mike sorts of says it all....Fishing in the tourney Thursday and Friday was a blast as we stood in the ocean in bathing suits and T-shirts all day in beautiful 80 degree weather and caught Blues, Puppydrum, Grey trout, Speckled Trout, Mullet, Blowfish, Flounder and Mike Rallis had something on for about 5 minutes before losing it to who knows what!  He fought the big fish perfectly but something parted.... that's fishing.  Johnny A. caught a lot of fish and so did John Miller and Tom Bradshaw.  Snyder was the Bluefish King and the points racked up to a decent and respectful showing but we did not take First place.  We took First place in the “Eating” category with all the great seafood we had and the fine cooks on  the team once again outdid themselves.   Many thanks to our friend Jack for the bait he always provides..... Saturday and Sunday were spent at a “Secret Location” just fun fishing before all these fellows have to go back into the office   More fish of all types were added to the coolers at “Johnny's Island” and the new cuts in the OBX..... it was just too pretty weather with not enough short sleeved shirts to go around.  Go Figure.  Just look at the pictures and study the water in the background.... looks like Lake Atlantic...... See the Photo Gallery for more pics of the CREW.... What a way to end the season!!!!!

October 29th, 2005..... To all my friends and fellow fishermen who have emailed, written, called,  and contacted me personally this week, I give grateful thanks for your thoughts.  Losing a loved one is always tough, but you all have made my life much easier.  Thanks to one and all and the outpouring of love and support has been tremendously welcomed....

October 24th, 2005..... Blowing and Raining and Just Plain Awlful Weather unless you're a duck,.... speaking of which, hunting season will soon be here.  No Catch and Release here!!!!!  If you want to hunt, give a call and let's line up some wing action.  More when "Wilma" clears us later this week.  Best to all and get ready for some more great SENCland fishing this fall........

October 23rd, 2005.... Dave and Scott were my guests today and you know how I said we do not do it every day.... well, today was payback for yesterday.... Dangit!!!  The temps were down dramatically and the seas were very rough so my crew wanted to fish the Wrightsville Beach area and see some new spots so off we went.  A very slow day ensued but the felllows still had a ball and learned alot...  but it was not yesterday.  The cooler was not as full at the end of the day but Scott and Dave hung in there and we did our best.  Reliable reports from the area showed a marked slowdown from the day before, but when you're having fun, what's the difference?  Dave and Scott, go Sabres!!!!!!  More on that Later....Oh yes, we got "DOUBLE U BEEEEDDDD"!!!  The boys will tell you about that story.

October 22nd, 2005.... Tracy and Jennifer Hamby and their friends Jeff and Colleen Brittain joined me today for an all day fishing trip and we were blest with calm seas an beautiful SENC land weather... ABSOLUTELY PERFECT CONDITIONS!!!!!  is all you can say and boy, did the fish cooperate.  As we were running to our fishing hole, we spied birds working and we trolled for some nice Blues and Spanish which we were rewarded with.... then when we got to our destination and started bottom fishing.  The "Fearless Foursome" caught everything under the sun....  Grey Trout, Spanish Mackerals,
Croakers, Big Pigfish, Virginia Mullet, Flounder, and Jennifer even caught a small Shark!  This was just a great day with a cooler full of nice eating fish and some wonderful folks having wayyyyyy tooooo much funnnnnn!!!!!!  We even gave some fish away to our friends at the landing we had so many!!!!  These days do not happen everyday so I am glad I got to share it with the "Gang"  and this was Jennifer's first fishing trip... by the end of the day she was pro (even though you could still hear her yell for 5 miles!)  Colleen and Jeff and Tracy, I hope you have recovered from all Jennifer's
yelling and hollering..... I had a ball watching her catch fish and the rest of you too!!!!  Next year, same time and same place.....

October 17th-21st, 2005...... Buzz, Robbie, Ren, JG, my wife Betty and I got off to a flying start on this trip with a quick flight to the Marsh Harbor airport and quickly cleared customs and immigration in such record time that we were able to get in a half days fishing in the beautiful, clear, warm Bahamian waters and by supper time we had caught Wahoo and Tuna!!!!!... not a bad start to a wonderful trip.  Tuesday was a repeat with Tuna, Dolphin, and Wahoo and then an afternoon of bottom bumping for Grouper, but they just were not there.  We did catch Hinds, Yellowtails, and other species but just
no Grouper.  Wednesday, Dolphin and Wahoo in  the AM and bottom bumping in the PM.  Thursday, same thing..... starting to get boring.... yeah, right!  Friday AM was a nice Wahoo and a Dolphin trolling session, then back on the plane for a quick trip back to good ole' North Carolina before Wilma started acting up down south.  Sure hope it misses the Bahamas.  It is good to go away and try new tricks which you can bring back to the local scene with you when you see something working elsewhere.  A great trip with a bunch of great fishermen and gentlemen.  We will do it again soon..... Robbie, next time we will break some rods and melt some reels on the bottom fish....

OCTOBER 16TH, 2005.... Off on a trip for a few days to help with some grouper fishing in the islands.  Pictures and a report will follow... who knows, may even get to see Mr. Bonefish while I am gone.  Weather here in SENCland should be perfect so everyone go wet a line and smile a lot.  Best to all and more later.

 OCTOBER 15TH, 2005 AFTERNOON TRIP.... The Stameys, Dad Curtis and Son John, were my guest this afternoon and we followed my son Robert south for a great afternoon on the water.  Light Breezes and cool air temps made for a great trip to the fishing hole where we immediately caught Flounder, Black Drum, Grey Trout, Ringtails, Bluefish, Snappers, Grunts, and then one whopper of a Skate..... he must have weighed close to 100 pounds!!!!  John had fun with him for 20 minutes till we saw him and cut him loose, but he pulled like a freight train!  At the end of the day the Stamey's went home with a cooler and a 5-gallon bucket full of nice fish.  What a wonderful afternoon with a great father son team.

 OCTOBER 15TH, 2005 MORNING TRIP.... The Penny family, Randy, Randall, Joey, Tim and Jamey fished today with the TAC and did we slay the critters!!!!!  We caught Spot, Croakers, Ringtails, Flounder, Snappers, Grunts, and of course Pinfish till we were all tired.  Jamey, the youngest, also caught the first fish and so won the pool!  We ran through the shrimp and then started cutting up the smaller fish for strip baits and caught flounder and other species.  We tried for the big Drum, but it was just not our day.  Family fun in the sun and of course we caught the elusive Oyster Toads.... just a ball out fishing together. 

OCTOBER 14TH, 2005.... The “West End Boys“ from the Methodist Church outing joined Robert and myself today for a ten man fishing trip and what a blast... these fellows came prepared.  Down the River we ran and the fishing was fun and furious... Spots, Croakers, and even an ocean going Catfish rounded out the day and Boo-Boo helped run the boat to boot!!!  Once off Southport at the HotHole we caught fish and enjoyed a very nice calm spot in the warm Atlantic waters.... inside the river was still running hard from the Rains recently but the fishing was fun.  These fellows all said they would go and see Mr. Robert and Robbie at the tackle shop and give them a report.  More later.

OCTOBER 7th-9th, 2005.... The weekend's surf fishing trip to Johnny's Island (Just South of Sodom and just North of Gomora) had to be cancelled due to high winds, surf, and bad sea conditions.  Just a great time to hunker down and do some housework/boatwork.  Trip is rescheduled for a couple of weeks from now when the “deadmen” will hold the tent's down and you do not have to fish with cinder blocks to keep your lines in the water.  Just too rough to surf fish this trip fellows, but we will return (sort of a MacArthur thing!)  Friends on and near the Banx say it is really rough and that the winds today (Saturday) are in excess of 30 knots out of the south.... glad we listened to them.  Maybe the Carolina Beach Surf Fishing Tournament is doing well, but I doubt it.  More on that later.  Gary, I will have a batch of Betty's famous “Knock You Naked Brownies“ with me then.... bring a sweet tooth!!!  I think I see blue skies forming overhead... what a novel thought!

OCTOBER  6th, 2005.....  It is raining like the flood and blowing 25 knots out of the south..... just not a pretty day as the remnants of TS Tammy passes overhead.  No trips today and I wonder about tomorrow.... why does all the bad weather come over the weekend?  Any one figured this one out yet?  Oh Well, that's life!!!!  Once we get back in the water we will let you know what is happening... till then, clean your gear and get organized!  Tight lines and big smiles to one and all.  Later.

 OCTOBER 3rd, 2005.....HERE IS WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS, I REPEAT, ALWAYS USE THE PARKING BRAKE!!!!!!!!!  GLAD IT WAS NOT MY TRUCK!!!!!!!!  Where is this fellow's boat trailer.....Photo by Ray Peters at the Carolina Beach Wildlife Public Boat Ramp today.......

 OCTOBER 2, 2005 AFTERNOON TRIP..... Christain Vargo, her Mom Diane and boyfriend Horace Hogan fished this afternoon and a great trip with lots of fun.  Horace is pictured with a flounder but he was too small to keep.  Lots of trash in the waters and the fish just did not cooperate.  This group fished hard but it was just not our day.  Reports from other knowledgeable fishermen was slow all over, and the ocean was too ruff for the small boats.  Hey, great people who have a good time in the face of adversity know how to live well anyway.  The Vargo's and Hogan group are welcome back anytime.

OCTOBER 2, 2005 MORNING TRIP.....  Mike and Sue Jenkins and their son Alex (11) and daughter Oksana (9) fished on the "TAC" today and what a great fishing family.... they could do everything very well and all I had to do was keep the bait handy.  These 4 fishermen were PROS!!!!!  Oksana caught her first ever flounder (16 1/2 inches) and a huge SPOT!  It is almost that time of year.  Dad got the biggest fish of the day a nice 4 1/2 pound Flounder.  Alex caught some elusive Oyster Crackers and Mom had a ball just watching the rest of the crew catch the fish.  She also caught some fish herself and occasionally the anchor rope!!  We just had a ball in some beautiful Carolina Weather which was cool for a change.  Fall is here hopefully.  Lots of fun with a great family.... hope to see them again soon.  Notice Oksana's sweat shirt.... I know that felt good this cool Carolina Day!

 OCTOBER 1, 2005....  Jerry Happy and his crew were back in town today and we blasted off in search of many fish with great expectations ( you have to think positive, right?).  Well, Darrel and Zack Reichert and Dave Peters and Jerry fished as hard as any four men could fish. Zack, AKA the "Rock" caught the first money fish and won the pool and then went on to catch his namesakes!!!!  Everyone had fun picking on each other and throwing bait for the fishes.  Flounder were all we caught and everyone at the dock was complaining.... misery loves company sort of a day.  We will try it again later.  Good Luck in school Rock!!!!

 September 29th, 2005.....  Well, what a treat today.... Buzz, Robbie Robert and I head offshore with Capt. Carl Snow of the "Fish Witch 11" and had a ball in the gulf.... sort of a busman's holiday!  Wahoo, Tuna, Dolphin, Barracuda, and a hooked up billfish completed the trolling part of the day, then to the bottom fishing trying to tear up some new Shimano stuff for a field test for Robbie and his friends.  No big bottom fish though, but a great day with some wonderful individuals and fishermen at that!  Capt. Carl, Tommy, James Dean and Robert looked after us so well and the fun on the boat was just unheard of for Carolina Beach!!!!!    Buzz, mid October is ready to go and we will tear up some gear this time.  Later.  Robbie, I'll see you on the lakes back home sometime soon this fall.... get the Beaver ready for me!!!!!

 September 28th, 2005...... Today Denny Minnich, Don Minnich, Tony Mullins, and Danny “Skinny“ Searfass joined the fun and we rocked and rolled in the strong Noreast winds and East winds that blew for the better part of the day.  Lots of fun but slow action today but Tony the “Big Italian“ scored the largest fish (a nice 18 inch Flounder) to win the big pool for the trip!!!!  All the guys were great sports in some rather hard fishing conditions and the ocean water was milky and had a ton of seaweed in it.  Just one of those days but these were tough and hardy fishermen.... no wimps in the bunch.  I am sure they will be back in the future and I hope the rest of their vacation goes smoothly....  Travel safely my friends and look out for the Tideline....  Happy Birthday again Tony, I'm glad you won the pot.  Later.

 September 26th, 2005.... Well, the Pinehurst gang made it in again and what a ball.  Buzz and Robbie and Gary and my new friend Bertus Smit from South Africa joined the “TAC“ today and a glorious day it was.  Bertus (the newcomer) proved himself a most competent angler as he had a ball bouncing in the CB inlet along with the others and really got into the swing as the “Mate” on the boat for the day.  What a gentleman and barefoot at that ..my kind of Guy....  Gary proved the “Lucky Dog“ with the first keeper Red drum and a nice 23 incher at that!!!!  We continued to fish and after the final day's talley we had scored an INSHORE SLAM with 2 nice puppies, 2 really nice flounder and some Speckled Trout to boot!!!!  Gary was the man today..Just a great day on the water and I hope Bertus will come back again after the Senior Tour is over.  Robbie and Buzz had a blast just trying to keep up with the other characters, but I am sure more is to come...I missed JG also but he was somewhere else....Anyhow, a great day with some great guys.  And great fish to boot!!!!!  Let's see what happens next!!!!!!  Robbie and Buzz have some more fun planned this week trying to tear up some new Shimano Stuff to see how tuff it is..... we will find out later.....

September 24th, 2005..... Bob and Mary Ann Paiva and their two kids Marissa (a UNCW Freshman) and Mike were guest on the TAC today and what a beautiful day... low humidity, slight breeze from the north, clear skies and cool temps made for a wonderful day on the water.  Marissa caught her first flounder ever and it was a nice 17 incher at that!!!!  The rest of the family caught some nice seabass and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Lots of fun with a neat family.  Mike did a great job of running the boat and handled the electronics very nicely.  I was impressed with his abilities!!!!  Marissa got to handle the wheel also and brought the TAC through the inlet as neatly as anyone could have done.... and we surfed some nice waves too!!!  Lots of fun.... hopefully we will do this again.

 September 20-22nd, 2005....... Oh No, I Been Z'dddddddd........ What a great trip with my friend Johnny Hauser and Dr. Z on the outer banks surf fishing these past few days and Kyle, we have no USCG Grounding Incident Reports to file.... just beautiful weather with lots of nice Puppy Drum, Black Drum, Flounder and other smaller species to make the days fun... and Ophelia really tore up some new and interesting inlets.  Just South of Somewhere there are now three, count them, three new inlets, and  one is 14 feet deep at low tide.  This is gonna be a hot spot shortly after all the trash settles down and the fish find these new holes... just you wait and see.!  Anyhow, we had a blast and the waters provided.  The photos speak for themselves.  More later after the next trip up shortly.  Later

September 18th, 2005..... Not much to report yet as the water still is clearing up from the storm.  Lots of Beach Erosion and the surf fishing should turn on strong here in the next few days.  Heard from the old Coonfisher up on the outer banx and we have some new inlets just North of Cape Lookout for us to try here in the near future.  The Weekends are booking fast for Surf Fishing trips so do not get caught short.... book your trip early as the fishing should be fantastic this year.  Pray for northeasters and no more hurricanes.  Boat fishing today was slow at best due to a lot of trash in the water, but the temps keep falling and as soon as the trash clears up, the inshore and nearshore fishing should get better daily.  Bait is returning and the new holes are solidifying as we speak.  More later, but remember to keep smiling and fishing!!!!

September 15th, 2005.... Still blowing today, trip on for tomorrow.  Will get back to posting soon.  Best to all......

September 14th, 2005... Hurricane O is now on top of us but the TAC and Carolina Explorer are high and dry awaiting your arrival after the “O“ clears out.... more later....

September 13th, 2005.... Winds are up and the river is a mess.... no fishing today or tomorrow.  Check here for future reports.  Fixing rods and gear today inside the shop.  Later.

September 11th, 2005..... Still blowing and the storm does not know where to go yet.... taking down signs, getting the boat secure, moving the lawn furniture... here we go again.

September 10th, 2005..... Well, it is blowing even harder now.  No trip today but good day to fly a kite!!!!!  Everyone watch out for “O-Feel-Lee-Awh“ the new Hurricane.  More on fishing later.

September 8th, 2005..... Still blowing like heck.... interesting day on the water.  More later, nothing to report today.  Good day for yardwork.

September 7th, 2005.... High winds and raging seas have slowed us down somewhat, but the surf has been great!!!  Not good conditions but should improve by the weekend if Ohfeelleeya will not move northward.  Let's go fishing!!!!!  After this blow the surf fishing should be cranking up into high gear.... I will keep you posted and some island trips have already been scheduled.... more later.

September 4th, 2005..... Off the water for a day.  Winds expected to increase so may be a time to work on the new flats boat for the flyfishermen to use this fall down in the bay.  More to come on the “Schoonmaker Shantys” in the near future.... just so much going on near and on the water that it is not funny, just very busy.  Have a great Labor Day and remember our friends down south. 

 September 3rd, 2005 Afternoon Trip.... Well, old Ed Kirkland (AKA The Shriner) showed up in town and we had a surprise fishing trip waiting for him and it turned out well.  We saw a boy lose about a 10 pound Flounder (No Net) and we caught some Puppy Drum (and lost a few to boot!)  A great day out on the water.  Is Ed smiling?   See you in a week or two when you get caught up back in Virginia.

 September 3rd, 2005  Morning Trip.....My friends Jim Damask from Sanford and his pal Chris Press from Chicago, Il.  joined me today and what a wonderful day.... no humidity, light winds, cooler temps and sunshine made for a beautiful day and we enjoyed it all.  Caught Spanish and Blues just outside the inlet, caught bait galore in the River, then caught Flounder and tried for Red Drum in the ICW.  Flounder cooperated but no drum this trip.  Go figure.  Jim and Chris had a blast and I will see Jim again this fall.  Chris, come on down from Chicago.  We will fish again.

September 2nd, 2005.... A wonderful day on the water... went exploring with the canoe some haunts in Back Bay and looking for fish.... plenty of bait but the fish were slow.  Saw enough to come home late and just had a ball snooping around.  Tomorrow back in the boat for more SENCland fishing at it's best!!!!

September 1, 2005.... WOW!!!!  The boys at Yopp's Marina in Snead's Ferry,  NC got me going in less than a day!!! What a Great Crew of Men who take great pride in their work.  Many thanks in getting me ready quickly for my next day on the water.  Now just working on some tackle and cleaning up and retieing lines and making  lures....

August 31st, 2005.... Off to get the boat worked on and ready for the fall fishing season.  Call soon for open dates and availability.....  Tight lines and keep on smiling!!!

 August 30th, 2005..... Back in SENCland and a day of fishing with my buddy Owen... and did we have fun.  Four Flounder and one nice Puppy Drum made our trip special.  Lots of gabbing, business, and boating talk and getting ready for more.  Check out the photo soon.  As I stated last Saturday, let's keep our friends down south in our thoughts and prayers and open our wallets to the Salvation Army and American Red Cross.  I have seen these folks work here in SENCland and know what they do to help ease the pain the folks in the deep south are feeling now.  Pray for everyone there. This storm was just the beginning, not the end.   Later.

August 8th, 2005.... Wow, what a day.... out Masonboro Inlet and caught 1 (ONE) Spanish Mackeral and then due to winds and seas had to run back inside, catch bait and fish the interior waters today.... and it was slower than slow.... but my friends Don, Jarred and Nick fished as hard as any three fellows could go but it was just not our day.  Saw some of the other local guides at work and it was the same for them... Misery loves company.  My son Robert was down river and caught Zippo also.... go figure... and then the RAIN showed up in buckets... have you ever had one of those days when
you know you should have stayed in Bed?  We tried and tried hard but the river just was not of "Fire", it was flooded!!!!!  Maybe later.,

 August 7th, 2005....  Mike May and his son Adam and his son in law Paul Kirkland fished on the "TAC" today and we caught some beautiful Spanish Mackeral till high winds and building seas forced us to the inside where we had a great time learning some of the finer points of flounder fishing but we did not catch flounder on our rigs, but had two rather large red drum run us all over the place till they broke us off!!!!  Excitment  galore and a great time learning to use the '"secret bait" that we had and the fellows went home with many new ideas and techniques to use on their next trip down on their own.  It was a beautiful day with warm temps and a cool breeze to help keep us from being uncomfortable but overall the inside fishing was slow... but we made the best of it.  I am sure these fellows will be back.  Adam was all grins from his struggle with the Big Drum and will want to try again real soon I am sure.  Remember to keep smiling and hold the rod tip up and pray for strong knots and stronger line.......Adam, it just turned out to be a "Dang" fish.  More on that line later.

 August 6th, 2005.... The group from Chapel Hill made the venture today and what a group... they take no prisoners and I MEAN NO PRISONERS!!!!  The ethnic/racial/religious makeup of this group was enough to let you know you were in for trouble, but what a great group of fellows.  We had Andy Levin, AKA "Superpale" the Jewish banker, then Cory "Mac Attack" Jones the big Black guy, then Simon Hanley AKA "Overboard" the English Golfer and then Michael Palmer the big sweaty Puerto Rican and finally the main instigator of the group the little Asian guy Pong Shay who later became known as "Code Butt Ugly Green"... more on that later.  These guys were a hoot and we went offshore in search of the Spanish Mackerals and caught 31 Beautiful fish today.  Then we went shark fishing and caught and landed a big 55 to 65 pounder and I hope Andy will email me the photos of this Jaws... Mike got to fight this fish and he was on for around 30 minutes on our light test lines... and he had a ball... the other fellows cheered and jeered him on in the fight with a lot of encouragement if you would call it that but Mike remained focused and won the battle.  Pong turned very green with envy I think and made me take him back to the landing so he could pout about it.... So we went back and caught some more Spanish before we had to quit.  A great day with some great individuals... hope to see this group back soon.  Cory, I think, ended up with the most fish and was a great help and guide to the other fellows.  Way too much fun with these folks.  Later......


 August 5, 2005.......Afternoon Trip.... This was just one of those trips where you know everything is gonna be alright... and it was.....  I had Stephen Herring and his wife Rita fishing this afternoon and what a great pleasure to meet this fine couple.  They may have been related to my good friend Karlos Allon the designer from Buenas Aires, Argentina as they were complete characters themselves and were just a ball to be around...  Rita, you really do qualify as Doovers for next year... Stephen affectionately known as Grumpy Red proved his worth hauling in numerous Spanish Mackerals and fish of other kinds and Rita, not Marga, worked hard to outfish Stephen.  I think it was a tie at the end, but they went home with a big bag of filets for the folks in Wilson, NC....and don't worry about the snakes in the cut, they will be there next year.  Or was that Snags in the cut... Oh, well, we had way too much fun and I hope Stephen remembers to flip the cast net with his left hand as he throws it with his right hand... let me know how that works out.  Also, send me the photo we took as Carolina Beach State Park for the web...  and remember, if you call next year I am already booked!!!!!  HAHAHAHA...  You really just had to be on the boat that day....  keep the lines tight and remember to always have some fun.... Later.

 August 5th, 2005.... We were pleased to have Joel "AKA Jessie" Sherman with his fine friends Ron Barnello and his two sons Kyle and Josh Barnello for a fishing adventure and boy did these two fine youngsters get a great workout!!!  They had never been offshore before so they got to run the boat, set the lines, hook the fish, reel them in and put them in the cooler... they did everything but make sandwiches and sodas!!!!  And they caught some nice Spanish too boot!!!  At the end of the trip they had 36 BIG spanish mackerals, some sharks, and always we catch some of the elusive Lizzard fish... and what smiles on these youngsters faces... Grandpa Joel "AKA Jessie" and Dad Ron were just grinning from watching these boys work so hard catching fish... what a wonderful family adventure... At Ron's dock they learned to clean their own fish and as I left them, they wer having way too much fun... let me hear how the grilling turned out... see you soon Jessie, I mean Joel...  Let's do it again soon....

 July 22nd, 2005 Afternoon.....Junious Williams and his two kids Tyler (age 12) and Julie (age 9) went fishing with me this afternoon and what a day.  Julie had never been in the ocean and she was great!!!  After catching some minners for bait we headed out the inlet and Julie drove the boat most of the way and then brother Tyler helped drive and when we got out of the inlet before we could set the third rod out we had two fine Spanish Mackerals on the first two rods!!!!  It only got busier as we caught fish three at a time and finally had to go to two rods just so we could keep up with the kids.  Junious had a blast just helping his kids and there was laughter galore and giggles from Julie.... she is now hooked on fishing more than we hooked the Spanish!  After wearing out all the spanish we could stand, we moved inside for the flounder bite but it was not to be... nothing, nada, zero.... but we still had fun chunking minners and fishing anyway.  These three folks went home with a huge bag of fresh filets and some great memories.... what have you done with your kids lately?  Stop and think about it... Junious sure has some tales for the wife and family at home.  Julie and Tyler, sorry we did not see the gator, but maybe next time.  Later

 July 22nd, 2005.... This morning Scott Imbriale, Don Hopson, Greg Pruitt, and his son John Pruitt fished with the "TAC" and we had an absolutely great time!!!!  These four Outlaws (really they are Inlaws) fished hard and with such Gusto that it was just fun being around them and all their antics!  As we were catching minners at the pond for bait we found a 10 foot Alligator bobing along and it was neat to see him back this year.  Then  We went  trolling and caught some nice Spanish Mackerals and then headed to the ledges and artificial reefs for flounder and caught a total of 8 flounder, none of them big enough to keep!!!  Go Figure!!!  Big Don became know as the "Lizzard King" and wore the crown with a great sense of humor and Greg and Scott just kept the minners flying... John, the Black Sea Bass King just had a great day of picking on everyone.  What a Hoot!  Big Don, what a great tip on the knife sharpener.... many thanks and let's fish again soon!

July 21st, 2005.... Ed Lemmon and his two friends joined me this afternoon for what became a classic washout... Rain and some Horrendous Thunder Boomers came on us just as we were getting started so we ran back to the landing and nearly drowned in the sudden downpour but we safely arrived and we decided it best to try and reschedule the fishing trip if possible.  Just one of those things and Mother Nature is not always nice to us... today was the day for us to pay our dues... I like rain but the lightning is another matter.  Ed, hope we can fish later on but today was just not our day.... better to play cards or something than be on the water this afternoon.  It was such a bad rain I did not even get a chance to take a photo of the group... sorry....

July 21st, 2005..... My Alaska friends Bill Council and Fran Ulmer (the former Lt. Governor of the state of Alaska) and their two  adult children Amy and Louis were guest on the "TAC" today and what a beautiful day as it was an overcast and cooler than normal morning.  Glassy slick seas and warm water temps with slight SW winds made it just wonderful offshore trolling for Spanish and Blues but the fish just would not turn on.... we caught some but not the normal number.  After a nice troll we decided to move inside for flounder and drum and exploring Masonboro Island and seeing the Birdlife there.  Bill caught a nice 19 inch keeper flounder but that was about it.  Just a great slow day of fishing by one and all.  Still these folks had a great time together. Buzz called and he and Bill were college buddies and fraternity brothers so they had a nice visit..  They had a nice time on the phone together and will email and see each other soon I am sure.  Small world and getting smaller every day.  Back to the dock at noon and after farewells, I know I will see these folks next year on the their southern trek.... Keep cool in Alaska everyone!

 July 20th, 2005... Syd Roberts and Little Syd and their dog Rudder from Palm Beach were on the "TAC" today along with my youngest son Cooter and we had a ball off of Masonboro Island teasing the Spanish Mackeral and playing with the flounder.  Cooter caught the only keeper flounder of 18 and a half inches but we still had fun in the Carolina Sun.  Rudder proved to be a great small boat dog and just had fun laying in the shade of the T-Top.... what a Lab.  After a nice lunch we sent the Robert's clan off on their way and we will fish again in early September.  Warm air temps and water in the 80's.... clear skies and flat calm seas.... come on down and enjoy them with us this summer and fall.  Can't wait to fish on “Nokomis“ this winter with the new top....Later.


July 19th, 2005...  My good old buddy Woody Baker from Va. and his wife Jane and lovely daughters Mary Ashley, Jenny and Betsy joined me today for a great day on the water while they were staying at Bald Head Island.  We fished the Southport area and the lower Cape Fear River as hard as we could and we caught Flounder and Speckle Trout.... overall a slow day but a lovely one with the nice Southwesterly breeze and the warm water and air and clear skies.... just too pretty a day not to enjoy.  We caught up on old times and the outer banks and the Sandyatch and just had a ball fishing.  The girls had fun sunning, fishing, and swimming... and enjoying the sun.  A good time had by one and all and then a nice lunch back at the house... what a day.  Thanks Woody and Jane and all the family for the lovely lunch and shrimp ... See you this fall on the banx....


 July 18th, 2005... Today Megan Davis (age 8) and her dad Mike fished with me and it was Megan's first day of saltwater fishing and boy what a day she had!  Let' s see, she caught Spanish Mackerals, Lizzardfish,  Flounder, a 3 and half foot long SHARK, Ringtails, Oyster Toads, Pinfish, did I forget one of them Megan?  I think it was 8 or 9 different species of fish and did she have fun with the shark.  Dad is sending me a photo of the shark soon for the page so hang on till I get it.  Megan got to run the boat and set the lines and pull in all the fish named above... she had to hang on when that shark took off, but she beat him down finally...  talk about a grin on her face!  Once again, just too pretty a day on the water with SW breezes to keep us cool and beautiful sunshine to keep us warm.... just too much fun with some neat folks.  Megan is going to show all her friends and her teacher this website and her pictures.  See you this fall Megan!!!!!!



 July 17th, 2005...... Today Eddie Usilton, Ricardo Berian, and Robert Nipple from Fayetteville, NC fished and we caught 24 Spanish Mackerals and some Bluefish.  Beautiful day on the water offshore, so calm the fellows even went swimming to cool off from the SENC Heat that we have been having.  Light Breezes and just way too pretty a day.  We trolled and pulled clarkspoons and even tried some bottom fishing inside for a flounder but to no avail.... they just would not cooperate.  All the fellows had a ball and a relaxing day and then we cleaned fish for the fishfry to follow with the ladies.... nice fellows and a good day on the water... what more could you ask for!  Later.




 July 16th, 2005 Afternoon Trip....Ray Mercer and his two boys Brandon (age 10) and Bradley (age 7) fished this afternoon and we tried for flounder but to no avail... to continue we trolled for spanish and these two young fellows became skilled at running the rods and pulling the fish in and putting them in the cooler... what a treat to show youngsters a new way of fishing and catching them their first spanish mackerals.... and a nice King Mackeral to boot.  He was just an inch short of going in the cooler, but what the heck, the kids had fun pulling him in.  After a try at the ICW for flounder we called it a day and cleaned some fish for Grandma to fry... I hear she can do a great job on the fish!!!!  Brandon and Fradley, let me know how Grandma does with the filets!!!  See ya!



 July 16th, 2005.... Old Cuz Jeff Bunce and daughter Jesse fished today and no flounder, just some very nice spanish mackeral... what a beautiful day with calm seas, nice skies, warm weather, and just nice water to share with two very good old friends who have shared many fishing trips on the outer banks of NC....Jesse fished hard, pulled the lines and helped clean the fish.  A country girl can survive... I think Hank said that.  He must have known Jesse.  Jeff had fun just watching Jesse catch all the fish.  What a hoot.  Two nice folks who I get to see more often... Later









 July 15th, 2005.... Jimmy Lambert and his wife Susan and daughter Malinda were my guests today and boy was the heat on from the start.  Jimmy told me his daughter wanted to catch a flounder, not just that but a nice flounder.  Boy, did it get hot to start with.   After catching bait in the river and feeding Fred the Pelican some extras we started to the cut to see if I could produce her nice flounder.  Well, the cut provided Malinda's very first red drum and it was a nice one at 25 and one half inches.  It fought so well with the current running in the ICW that you could hear the hollaring all the way to WB!!!!!  No flounder and no more drum, but more on that later.  We bounced offshore and went to the Nash Johnson wreck and dropped some minners over and caught nothing for a while and then lo and behold the flounder appeared... all 8 of them!!! The largest was 25 and one half inches (same as the drum) and then some more nice fish.  When we were done we had three over 20 inches and some more nice un's to boot!!!!   What a day with the promise of a flounder in the boat. Malinda and Susan had a great day and Dad Jimmy got the award for the largest fish with his three foot Shark!  Way too much fun.  Malinda got her flounder.  Whew....and she got the drum's earstones to make into earrings or a pendant.  If you do not know about the earstones of a drum, you will have to come fishing with me so I can explain.... See you soon!

July 14th, 2005... Not a good day to be on the water anywhere, so I'm not!

July 4th, 2005.... SSSSSSSSSSSSBoooom!  Happy 4th of July everyone and God Bless America.

 July 3, 2005.... Gary Vacek from the Piedmont area of NC fished today and we had a wonderful start in calm seas and warm water with very light winds and limited out on Spanish and Blues and of course we trolled up the elusive Lizard Fish also... gotta take the good with the bad... but it was very comfortable fishing with the dry breeze we had from the North.  With 30 Spanish Mackeral in our cooler chillin' down we decided to fish North on a rock bottom and drown some minnows for the remainder of the day hoping to catch some nice flounder and lo and behold, we got four nice ones that day till the wind came howling up... two were nice enough to keep (one at about three and a half pounds) and then we headed inside for the rest of the day.  There was no boat traffic on the ICW and we later found out there had been a massive sewage spill in the Wrightsville Beach area and that Masonboro island (just to the north of Carolina Beach Inlet had been closed).  What a mess, but it is to our north and should not affect us here at CB.  Gary had a blast and we learned a lot together.... fishing is that way.


  JULY 2nd, 2005....Fished with the Ingold family today... Dennis the dad, Kathy the mom, Bryan the son, Kristin the daughter and Ricky the Son in law..... and what a day we had.  From the very start with Ricky catching the bait (and getting the right touch in throwing a cast net) to feeding Fred the Brown Pelican to tearing up the Spanish, Blues and Lizard fish (hahahaha) to Bryan's running the boat and doing a great job of it at that to just having a ball in some beautiful weather.  No one could have scripted a better day on the water than we had.  Then to the ledge where the girls showed up the fellows on flounder fishing (Mom Kathy had the Biggun')!!!!  Just a great day.  Does it sound like we had fun?  Just keep the lines tight and keep smiling.....see you all again soon.  Bryan and Ricky are planning to return later this summer with some of their friends and see if we can do it again!

 June 26th-30th, 2005.... Off to the islands with Buzz, JG, Gary, Robbie (AKA Lucky), and Mr. Robert (AKA StreakoLean) to catch some grouper... and what a trip!  We caught Wahoo and Cuda's till the cows came home and only one nice grouper.  Up the flats we had a blast teasing all the small aquarium fish but the winds were up so no boners....A wonderful time with a great group of fellows and I am sure we ruined StreakoLean as he had way too much fun for a first timer!!!  Everything is secure for the upcoming winter and our trip home was uneventful... now back to the boat and the fishing is great here in SENCland.


June 26th, 2005.... Off to the islands for a few days for grouper fishing and trolling the deep blue with some friends.  Photos later.  For current reports, go to Carolinaexplorer.com and see what my son Robert has been up to lately.  More later.


 June 25th, 2005.... Well today I had a birthday party on the boat and it was great... Yorlette, the chocolate cake in the rain with all the spots and croakers and sharks was just way too much fun.  Stephen, her husband not only caught his share of croakers, and spots, and sharks, but he also caught the largest flounder!  Happy Birthday Stephen.  Their two sons Steve and Andre had a ball catching all kinds of fish and Andre is now referred to as the "Sharkman".  Both of the young men got to drive the boat and the fun was watching Stephen's face when Andre made the tight turn (it was completely under control)!  Mom was in stiches laughing all day at all our crazy antics, and at the end of the day we caught small flounder in the hole as a demonstration of how to slow fish with strip baits for flounder.... Andre could not believe the stunt I pulled off with the minnow...  This family fished as hard as any in some bad weather today, but it was laughs and fun all the way.  They have a great time together and I hope I can share it with them again soon.  Happy Birthday Stephen.  Lets do it again.

 June 24th, 2005.... Joe Mauro and his friend Pam and their friends Charlie and Patt (with two T's) Barlow from Williamsport, Pa. fished with me today on the "TAC".  What great fun to have Joe back and all the others were a blast to have on board as newcomers.....They put the heat on me as Joe had told me beforehand they wanted to catch not only Flounder but also Red Drum!!!!  What pressure, but I was very lucky that day as we did catch flounder and puppydrum, just the right size for grilling!!!  Not only did Patt get two nice puppydrum filets for dinner, I also gave her the earstones to have mounted into earrings or a nice pendant.  It was a lovely afternoon on the water with four old friends who showed what a fishing trip could really be.... just a good time to be together and have fun and hope the fish cooperated.  Thanks be to the fish!!!!  See you all later.


 June 23rd, 2005....Got my old buddy Dean out of his shop for a few hours today and The Spanish Mackeral and Bluefish were once again all over the place.... trolled for a while till the cooler was covered and then headed to a ledge in fairly bumpy water to try for the elusive Flounder!!!  Well, I am glad to report we caught three nice flounder up to 18 inches (these were not doormats but it is a good start finally!) and other assorted bottom dwellers.  Seas appear to be building but the water temps and color of the ocean is improving...let's hope it holds for the weekend.  A great day with a great friend and wonderful fishing.... just keep the lines tight and having some fun.....Later...








 June 22nd, 2005 Afternoon trip......James and Randy Burk, their daughter Ellen, son James Albert, and Ellen's Friend James fished this afternoon with me and did I have fun trying to keep all the James' straight.  Just had to say "James!" and everyone jumped!!!  Too much fun again!  These folks from Kentucky just had a blast and we caught Spanish till we were all tired.  Bluefish were there also but we just put them back.... got tired of catching them.  A completely beautiful afternoon on the water and this family was most gracious to be with... I now have some Celery in my cooler on the boat for future emergencies and I want to personally thanks the Burk's for their help and aid.  James Albert got pretty good at cleaning Spanish and was a great sport.  Ellen actually handled fish and pulled the lines with the best of them!!!  James and mom Randy just had a ball watching the younguns' and I got them on the lines too!!!  It is wonderful to watch everyone having a good family time together and seeing Ellen's face on each fish was just way too cool!!!  She was the Fishing Fool of the day!!!! To all the family, many thanks and travel safely... I hope we can fish again soon.

June 22nd, 2005... This morning's trip was with Jake Jones and his dad Andy and his good friend Cody and the Blues and Spanish were our treat.  Slick calm water and light winds made for a great day in 79 degree water as the fish were all over the place.  Most of the fish were caught deep on planners and boy did these guys have fun pulling lines and fish into the boat.  No CPR today, they are having a serious fishfry later.  Great family having a great time together.  See you again soon!

June 21st, 2005.... My good firend Ray and I hit the Back Bay's of SENCland today and what a great day to be in the bays.... fish were jumping and the mullets were popping all over the place.  Lots of action near the walls of the Rocks and flounder were the hit of the day.  After a great morning of bumping about the flats, we tried to find some Redfish to harrass and just had a ball teasing them with our gear.... you just had to be there to see the crazy stunts we were pulling off!!!  We had way TOO MUCH fun!  Anyway, fishing is improving and the weather is settling down.  More later.  Sorry no photos on this trip.


June 19th, 2005.....Blowing like stink here in SENCland so off to see my dad.... Happy Father's Day everyone and I hope you catch all the fish you want!  More reports next week.

 June 18th, 2005....Arthur Dial, his brother Shawn, Ronnie Bowen and Britton Jones fished with me today for Sheephead and we had a hard day on the water. We fished many great structures but just could not find that sheephead with an attitude (or an appetite).  Just one of those days, but these fellows are tried and true fishermen who understood you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.  Shawn scored a nice Black Drum which you see pictured, but the reports from all the boys was a slow day.  Where
is Captain Coolerfull when you really need him!  Ronnie had the best thought for the day...." I'd rather be here on the water on a bad day of fishing instead of being in the best hospital in the world on a good day of fishing!"  Ronnie, that makes a lot of sense.






 June 17th, 2005.... Troy Henley from Virginia was my guest this afternoon and this young man had never been offshore in his life before... and what a day to get started offshore!!!!  As you can see in the photo he caught Spanish and Bluefish and just a real Blast!!!! n At times we had three fish on at a time and I became Captain Bligh ordering and encouraging Troy on and he took all my ribbing with his great sense of Humor... he was a lot of fun to pick on and he gave it back to me in Spades!!!!   What a great day out on
the water catching the heck out of the fish and boy, were we tired when we returned to the docks!!!  Troy and his wife enjoyed all the filets and the Four and a half pound Spanish he caught was a real thriller on our light tackle gear.... let's do it again soon.





June 16th, 2005....Well, summer is finally here.  Warm air temps and rising water temps have got the fish biting well nearshore but the flounder have not moved in on the nearshore ledges yet.  They are out deep at present (reported from some of my diving buddies) but with the bait coming inshore, they should move in soon.  There are some nice fish in the inlets and bays, and the bait is plentiful inshore (Bunker, Mullet minnows).  We just need the shrimp to show up in numbers and then as 'Captain Coolerfull' would say the "Fishing is ONFIRE!"  Every day is a great improvement and the Blues and Spanish and Kings are still the dominating force.  The river is producing some nice fish and the water quality is improving daily.  Reports from Central Carolina follows suit as there is an apparent lack of shrimp in their waters also.  Fresh local bait is sometimes hard to find, but there is some frozen bait from other states.  Everyday the situation improves and yesterday nice catches of  Puppydrum, mullets, spanish, blues, black drum, sheephead and croakers were seen on the docks and at the landings.  Offshore the boys were catching nice Kings and Dolphin and a few Wahoo are still around.

Plan a trip to our beautiful SENCland coast and come fish with us soon. 
Later......

 June 15th, 2005 PM Trip....Rick Meyer from St. Louis and Brice from ASU were my guests on the boat this afternoon and we shot offshore again to hunt the Spanish and Blues.  A little wind chop made for a wonderful cool ride on the water and kept the heat down dramatically.  A great afternoon of fishing followed with many Blues, 33 nice Spanish Mackerals, some of the elusive Lizardfish, Sharks, and undersize King Mackerals.... just wished the Kings had been larger and meaner!  These two fellows fished as hard as two fellows could fish and we had a ball... even got to do an "At Sea" rescue of some folks.... never a dull moment.  After a great nearshore day we ventured inside to try for some Flounder, but they just were not cooperative.  Still a great day of fishing and Rick and Brice had a cooler full of nice Filets with which to feed their large family group this week at the beach.



June 15th, 2005... This morning I had two fine West Virginians Ron Baker and his Dad Bob for a "Father's Day" fishing trip.  Dad Bob had never been offshore and the seas and wind were flat calm... the ocean looked like a tabletop!  We trolled the mouth of CB inlet and loaded up on Blues and Spanish and the two fellows had nonstop action all day long.... what a great day to break Bob in on nearshore trolling.  They both are accomplished Spanish/Bluefish trollers now and can handle a rod and planner with the best
of them.  Ron, hope you tell all our friends in Montana about this style of fishing and how much fun you two had!! Happy Father's Day Bob!!!  See you next trip!

June 13-14th, 2005....Plenty of Blues and Spanish nearshore and started picking up some nice Puppy Drum inside the ICW near Wrightsville Beach.... some too large to keep!!!!  Now that's a good problem to have right now!  North towards Scotts Hill has been very hot also.... more to come later.

June 12th, 2005.... Got to fish with Wooten party this morning out of Bald Head Island and what a beautiful day till the winds came up.... starting to sound like a broken record!  Dad Jimmy, Son Billy, and Nephew Allen all were good sports as we fished hard but the catching was slow.  Still had a great time as these Cival War Buffs were most interested in our sights on the river and they learned a lot to help with future Flounder fishing trips when the fish cooperate!  A lot of fun with a nice family and I wish them tight lines and come back to see me again.

June 11, 2005 PM trip......My good friend Johnny A. and his wife and friends fished this afternoon and how quickly things can change.... weather and fishing both headed south.  We still had a great time being out on the water together and enjoyed a nice afternoon on the water, but the fishing went very weak to say the least.  I just wish I had "Capt. Coolerfull" with me to give a great report, but I just can't do it!!!!  Johnny and I have fished many surf fishing tournaments together and seen good and bad, so this slow
day was just a great chance to relax and have some fun in the SENCland sun....  For our overnight river trip upcoming I am sure the fishing will improve and get better.

 June 11, 2005.... The Holcomb family (Charlie, Dianne, David and TAZ the wonder dog) fished with me today and we had a good day of trolling for Spanish and Blues and then some inshore activity with some nice flounder... how quickly things can change!!!  Water temp is up and the winds were light and variable, perfect conditions for a perfect day.  These folks I have fished with many times before on our NC barrier islands and they are excellent fishermen as well as great company.  Taz the dog was a hoot to have on the boat and he also was an interesting fisherdog!  Catching 6 nice flounders inside at the end of the trip made it even better for Dave!!!  Rub it in Dave!  See you on the banx soon.... Later






June 9-10th, 2005..... Slow fishing on the inside of the bar... but nearshore we have been pounding the Spanish and Blues!!!  Lots of action with these two fish but the other spots have been sporadic at best.  Inshore still slow.... may improve shortly.  Keep trying, you can't catch fish at the office!!!!!

 June 6th, 2005..... Brandon Hunziker and his dad Scott were on the boat today and we caught 20 or so fine Spanish Mackerals and some were of very good size.... lots of fun on the light tackle and even warm enough to try and catch some flounders on the offshore reefs and ledges... once again to no avail... Soon they will be there. Numerous bluefish were also caught but they were released to fight again.  Scott is coming back with Fred at the end of the month so by then the big flounder should be around...  Brandon and Scott were a lot of fun today and I am still laughing about some of the stunts and jokes we pulled on each other.  Brandon, it isn't that far from Arkansas to come back and fish again soon.  Scott, warn Fred about the upcoming trip... I can't wait!!!!