Fishing Log

April 12, 2003 - 16 in. yellow mouth trout taken at B/C Corner.

yellow mouth trout

April 17, 2003 - Kept a medium size spanish mackerel, same spot.  

spanish mackerel

April 18, 2003 (Good Friday) - 8 yellow mouth trout and 2 bluefish, all taken before work, between 06:00 and 06:20 at B/C Corner, using a chartreuse jig with a red head.

bluefish

April 19, 2003 - Still using a chartreuse metal flake jig with a .25 oz. red head, I caught a 20 in. 2.88 lb. yellow mouth trout at B/C Corner.  A nice fish, big enough to feed two people.

Wed. April 30, 2003 - Lost one (trout), tossed one (ladyfish), and kept three y.m. trout at B/C corner, between 6:00 and 6:25 AM.  All fish taken on a chartreuse twisty tail jig with a red .25 oz. head.  The trout I kept were between 13 and 17 inches long. The ladyfish was about 24 inches.  No fish caught during lunch break.

ladyfish

  

   

 

Fishing Log 

Some of my grandfather's old tackle.

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2023 - Caught and released a 13 inch yellow mouth trout at B/C Corner.

Monday, Feb. 24, 2023 - Landed a 13 or 14 in. trout on a jig after work at C-1-West, then hooked another on the second cast.  Got worried about the security patrol, released the fish and left.  The last unfenced section of the pier left is now between B/C Corner and C-1-West, a highly visible, high traffic spot; and security patrols have worsened.  

Tue. Feb. 25, 2023 - On my way back to lunch I stopped at B/C Corner just long enough to catch and release one small trout before Security moved in my direction (a 'hit & run').  I know there are fish there, but just can't get at them.

Thu. Feb. 27, 2023 - Just before lunch Security had a vehicle parked at C-1-W, blocking any fishing there.  I slipped down to B/C Corner and had two heavy bumps on as many casts, then moved on.  After lunch the security guy was gone.  I landed and kept 6 trout (15 to 16 in. each) and lost several more.  The cold water has, I believe, slowed down their metabolism, making them respond better to a slower presentation. Not a bad day, really.

Fri. Feb. 28, 2023 - Hooked and released another trout at B/C Corner just before dawn, but didn't hang around to collect any more.

This reel has an old leather thumb drag.

This reel has a star drag and thumb drag combo. 

Monday, March 10, 2003 - Made 3 casts at B/C Coroner and landed 3 medium sized trout, on a white jig with a pink tail.  Took them to my father's house.  He gave me some of my grandfather's old cane rods and reels from his days as a charter boat captain in Miami.

Friday, March 28, 2008 - Landed another 15 in. yellow mouth trout at B/C Corner. 

 
 

 

Fishing Log

Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003 - Caught a medium size croaker at C-1-W that I gave away, and kept another croaker and 3 yellow mouth trout (13 to 17 in.) all caught on jigs at B/C Corner.  This is the last unfenced area on the basin to fish from now.  The little pier and the rip-rap east of C-2 has also been closed.  I did manage to access the new tug basin near the end of Foxtrot.  I my have been the first person to fish it.

Tue. Jan. 21, 2003 - Caught a fat, 15 in. (y.m.) trout at B/C Corner on my first cast, a beautiful fish with deep gold colored sides.  I made two more unproductive casts, and decided to let the first fish go.  She hit the water and made a very quick, strong recovery.  GO GIRL!

Sun. Feb. 23, 2003 - Hooked and released a 13 in. yellow mouth trout at B/C corner.  The fishing has slowed as the water temp drops.

Mon. Feb. 24, 2003 - Landed a 13 or 14 in. trout, jigging at C-1-W after work, hooked a second fish and released both.  Base security patrols have become more bothersome.  I make two or three casts and move, which makes catching a mess of fish difficult.

Tue. Feb. 25, 2003 - landed and tossed a small trout at B/C corner during my lunch break. 

Thu.  Feb. 27, 2003 -  A security vehicle was blocking access to C-1-W, so I made a quick stop at B/C Corner where I got 2 good bumps on as many casts and left.  Returned later and landed 6 trout between 15 and 16 in. in short order.  Kept them.

Fri. morning, Feb. 28, 2003 - Returned to B/C Corner just before dawn, landed and tossed and a small trout on my first cast, but didn't linger.  That is a hot spot right now, but ...  

   

Fishing Log

Sat. Nov. 9, 2002 - Was called back to work Oct. 25, and am getting less fishing time in now.  Took a 19 inch, 3.31 lb. flounder at the C-2 seawall, east of the fence, on a live finger mullet, during the incoming tide.

Thu. Nov. 14, 2002 - High tide at the mid notch, between the B/C corner and C-1-W, I took 2 nice 16 inch yellow mouth trout and a medium croaker.  Lost about a 30 inch redfish for not having my landing net rigged up.  All fish hooked on a twisty tail jig.

Fri. Nov. 15, 2002 - Two more good sized yellow mouth trout, taken at the same spot as yesterday.

Sat. Nov. 30, 2002 - Fished with Ashley in his boat.  Bought a $14.00 saltwater fishing licence (hated that) and about $13.00's worth of Live fiddler crabs and mud minnows for a very slow day of fishing.  We caught one 15 inch speckled trout, a large male blue crab, and nothing else.  Too much wind and tide to fight.

sheepshead

Sunday Dec. 1, 2002 - Caught a 3 lb. sheepshead and Little Richard gave me another.  Both fish taken from  pier at the Navy's steam plant on the St. Johns River.

Mon. Dec. 2, 2002 - Took a 16 in. flounder on a twisty tail jig after work at B/C Corner.  With yesterday's catch it yielded a quart ziplock bag full of filets.

Wed. Dec. 4, 2002 - Picked up a 17 in. trout jigging at B/C corner, a very pretty fish.

Dec. 23 2002 - At the B/C corner: caught 2 medium size yellow mouth trout and a large croaker, all taken on jigs.  Gave the whole mess to a lagger (craftsman) I work with.

Fishing Log

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002 - Overcast day with a light cool breeze.  Took a 22 inch, 4.09 lb. flounder at the seawall near the little fishing dock at C-2-E, on a live finger mullet.

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 - Took an 18 inch, 2.5 lb yellow mouth trout at B/C Corner, by the tugs, just before lunch, and a 3 pound flounder at the same place at 4:30 PM.  Both fish taken on live finger mullet.  The Spanish Lady took a top of the slot redfish from the little fishing dock on the riprap, east of C-2.  I took several pictures of her with her fish with a little throwaway camera.  She was a bit shy about it at first, but I think she'll be happy with the pictures when I have them developed.

Saturday, Oct 19, 2002 - An 18 inch, 2 lb. flounder, taken at C-2-E seawall, outside the fence, on a live finger mullet.

gag grouper

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002 - Took another 18 inch flounder from same spot as above.  Also released a 12 to 13 inch flounder and a 15 or 16 inch gag grouper there.

  

Fishing Log

Tuesday, October 1, 2002 - Took a 17" flounder from the little pier on the riprap at the east end of C-2.  The tide was incoming, with an overcast sky and a stiff seabreeze.  Chop on the water made baitfish hard to spot.  The Spanish lady gave me some of her bait and a nice mangrove snapper.  She kept a 19" flounder which I was happy to help her land.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 -  I caught a 26.5 inch, 6.01 lb. redfish on a live finger mullet from the seawall at the east end of C-2, on an incoming tide.  The fish smoked the drag and made several strong runs through barnacle encrusted pilings and oil booms that really tested the line.  I was afraid I'd hooked a big jack or a stingray, but it turned out to be a beautiful fish with a gold coppertone color and 13 spots on each side.  I also had a medium sized flounder, already landed, that flopped off the seawall and back into the water.  Still a good day.  I already have some live bait stashed @ B/C corner and plan to get an early start tomorrow.

Friday, Oct. 4, 2002 - Managed to land a very big jack crevalle at B/C corner that strippred my spool almost down to bare metal.  Returned after lunch with more live bait.  Hooked up on my second bait and landed a 6.5 pound, 26 inch flounder.  I lifted her almost 2 ft. off the bottom before she kicked.  Also landed another 17 in. flounder with my last bait of the day.  Took one side of yesterday's redfish and today's smaller flounder by my dad's house, cooked the other half of the redfish for Kathy, and saved the big flounder for other meals.  We are heading down to St. Petersburg tomorrow, and will take a rod and an ice chest for the trip.  I love fishing in October.  

October 5, 2002, Saturday in St. Pete - Spent the night in the Anchor Motel on Treasure Island.  Ate a "Sundown Special" at Leverock's Restaurant at the south end of the island, then caught a 16 in. speckled sea trout on a live shrimp from the motel dock after dark.

stone crab

Tue. Oct. 8, 2002 - Caught a medium croaker, a stone crab, and a 16 in. flounder, just outside the fence at C-2-E.  Gave it all to Black Mary (who works at FTCYLANT) and fishes that spot every day during her lunch break.

Wed. Oct. 9, 2002 - SKUNKED at same location as above (C-2-E).

Thu. Oct. 10, 2002 - 16.5 in. flounder and a small red grouper also both taken at C-2-E on live mullet, just before high tide.

Fri. Oct. 11, 2002 - Caught a 14.5 inch flounder from the small fishing pier outside the fence at C-2-E, which I gave to Jimmy the security guard.  He caught his own 22-23 inch flounder a few minutes later.  Kathy took me out to dinner at Slider's Seafood Restaurant.

 

 Fishing Log

Sept. 16, 2002, Monday - Picked up an 18" to 19" flounder, just outside the fence at C-2-E, using a live mullet on the incoming tide.  Also released a smaller flounder at the same spot.  We plan to serve to Kathy's mother flounder Saturday, with lobster tail which she's never tasted.

Sept. 23, 2002 - Caught a 2.87 lb flounder from the seawall, just outside the fence, at the east end of C-2-E.  Returned after lunch and landed a 6.75 pound, 24 inch flounder at the same spot.  Had to play the fish with one hand and rig the landing net with the other.  Ice compliments of Earl Industries and North Florida Shipyards' ice machines.

Sept. 24, 2002, Tuesday - Overcast and rainy.  Picked up another 19 inch flounder at the same spot as above.  Took that fish to Mac and Helga.  Returned to the same place and caught another 4.77 lb. flounder, then moved down to B/C Corner where I caught 3 large yellow mouth trout, all between 16 and 19 inches long.  A great day.

Sept. 25, Wednesday, 2002 -  Gave Mac and Helga a trout, several mangrove snapper, and a small red grouper.  Lost an estimated 4 lb. flounder this morning at the riprap seawall at the end of C-2.  Upgraded the line on my reel from 14 to 24 lb. test, to compensate for the hangs and rough bottom.

Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 - Took a 17 or 18 inch flounder on a live mullet, just before high tide, from the seawall, just south of the C-2 fence line.  Watched Bobby Hogue clean an impressive catch of flounder (ten or so) he'd caught from the seawall at Foxtrot Cove, just before high tide.  All of his fish weighed between 2 and 5 pounds each.  I took a large flounder over to Jessica's house, and gave Bob Kirk the 4.77 lb. flounder I caught Tuesday.