Fishing Report: Wilmington NC 3/26-3/27

[MixedGreyBeard]

Knockoff Ray-Bans, is about the most interesting thing that I caught this trip, but it doesn't mean that the day and the experience wasn't one of my best

Merv went for broke and jigged ferociously on the retreive. So hard in fact his sunglasses flew off and into the great abyss. "20 bucks, that's all they cost me, 20 bucks" he shouted as we all tried to console him for losing what looked like a pretty good pair of shades. Minutes later as I tugged in tightly there were the 20 buck shades tangled in my own newly strung 100lb braid dangling back and forth. But just as I reached over the bow to gaffe them into the boat, down again they went, just like a fish that got away. The current was so strong Saturday that they quickly sank down through the waves like they were made of seven ounces of lead themselves. Well I guess Old Neptune himself needed a spiffy new pair of specs to start this spring off right, and all at my new friend Merv's expense

Not too much fish to report on this one as I'd brought only one False Albi' in the boat and hooked up with another one on a Roscoe about an hour later. But trips like this one really stess the fact that fishing is all about the mates you go out with even more than what you may have caught during the day. Sure and consistent did everything he could to bring home the bacon as well. He hooked up with a mid-sized AJ that gave him a tremendous bend in his new Custom Masterpiece that Enoch built for him. I don't believe the resin was even dried on it as the fish made it flex way over much to everyone elses shagrin. We were all cheering the action. Mr Speed Jigging Enoch picked up some early work as well with quite a few bites on a 400g Nagamasa jig that looked longer and more slender that he is. Really great to finally fish with him, as we'd all been trying to get him down to ILM for several years now.

But as is in most cases the trip was made by the new guy Olu. Huge man with an even bigger smile he was. He pinned the nicest AJ that we hooked up with all day as if he were a WWE PayPerView Champ taking on his latest victim. As he virtually stuck his arm two feed deep to bring the fish up by its gills, you could see the excitement, intrigue, and that no other feeling in the worl joy of a man doing something that he's always dreamed of, just like he dreamed it! Olu said that he was ready to dive into the water before he was ready to give up that fish, and the whole crew was ready to go in right behind him to ensure that he got the joy of first "real" fish. I don't think the normal Sea Bass will do it for him anymore. I think we've made a new 360er this weekend, and I can't wait to send him another congratulatory pm.

Lastly I want to thank Captain John Mallette for taking us out and having the good sea sense to get us back in before the big nasty began to happen out there on the water. Captain John has a GREAT Contender 31' with two massive 300s hanging off the back of the boat that make a wake so big you can see it a mile off. John was gracious enogh to fill in for us as Captain Chip had a previous engagement. Captain John took us out on short notice and immediately put on us the fish. One helluva a speed jigger as well as he hooked the AJ that Olu brought in. So knowledgeable, so trusting and he knows the waters down there like the back of his hand. I believe that the Wilmington Jigging Scenes just found a new Captain as sure and steady at the wheel as our other beloved Masters of the Deep. John, I'd go out with you any day of the week and will try and fit in a May trip to shop at some of those Grouper Super Markets that you spoke so highly of.

All and all I want to thank all of you who went out with me to make this another awesome trip, Merv, Olu, Enoch, Ty and Captain John, the day that we all get together again can't come soon enough!!!!!


Also want to thank Budha and Andrew who helped to make the Coconut Cake even better at dinner Saturday night at Mikeys. Man I wish I could order delivery service to up here in DC.

Such a great weekend

[silver335]

It was great seeing and meeting all you guys, wish the fishing was a little better for you guys but hey thats why its called fishing and not catching Merv Thanks for the Proto lures, I hope to get to swim them very soon As they look SICK!!! Hope you guys enjoyed your dinner and hope to see you all again sooner than later!

[ty2philly]

Thanks Frenchi for starting the report thread.

I will work on posting my comments as well with some gear review.

Also need to go through the photos and video to see what we can post.

All in all... had a great time Saturday. Unfortunately the weather turned to crap on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Most importly its the people you are spending time with on the water that matters the most and I must say I thouroughly enjoyed my time fishing with everyone and the captain did an excellent job putting us on fish.


Ty

[Enoch]

Frenchi, thank you for writing up the report and being so loquacious with the descriptions from fight to finish. Thank you as well for putting the trip plans together and getting us down to the dock with all our gear safely.

Without a doubt my experience in NC was one that just left me hooked enough to ask "when do I get down there again?"

Captian John had my attention from the beginning as I know he's one of the local guys down there that has a plethora of info on where/when/how every species in the NC waters will bite. It's not uncommon to find a captain with a nice boat and twin four-stroke verado 300's but one with the right numbers and commercial fishing expertise that can relay into a well executed gameplan is what Captain John is.

I'll have to report on a few instances on when and what gear gave me bites. I know a few of my setups were passed around so I hope every had a chance to feel out everyone else top notch gear.

I feel that if Ty signed up for a 12 hour trip, he'd be jigging for 12 hours. If it was a 24 hour trip, he would jig somehow find a way to jig for 25 hours.

Merv, one word: Sleep and P90X

[ty2philly]

I feel that if Ty signed up for a 12 hour trip, he'd be jigging for 12 hours. If it was a 24 hour trip, he would jig somehow find a way to jig for 25 hours.

Enoch,

Thanks. When I am on the water I feel I am in my element and just jig non-stop. Must be my Piscean side.

Ty

[MixedGreyBeard]

Frenchi, thank you for writing up the report and being so loquacious with the descriptions from fight to finish. Thank you as well for putting the trip plans together and getting us down to the dock with all our gear safely.

No prob. I bought that big bus to do exactly what it did this Saturday. Picked up the overhead box just the day before. We'll try and squeeze ten anglers in next time. I got about 10,000lbs of towing capacity as well so hope to be pulling a Contender or Regulator behind us soon

Merv, one word: Sleep and P90X

I think that's two words

[Buddha]

It was great meeting you guys at Terrazzo.

Look forward to fishing with you guys in the future.

-Jimmy

[Capt_John]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I had a great time and can't wait for you guys to come again. BTW Enoch, I got the new Yamaha 4.2L V-6 300's. I wouldn't have a verado...lol. Frenchi got the knot tying merit badge, Ty broke in a new rainsuit, and my beanbags got one hell of a workout. If the fishing would've been better for us, it would've been perfect. But I'm ready for the next trip.

[Enoch]

Oh yes, I was wrong. After looking at the photos is see it now

BTW Enoch, I got the new Yamaha 4.2L V-6 300's. I wouldn't have a verado...lol

[ty2philly]

I had excellent time fishing with new friends and old. The captain did an excellent job putting us on fish and making sure we had a good time on the water. He is highly recommended for future jigging trips.

One of the many highlights of the trip was sharing the experience of new anglers to the NC jigging scene. Everyone got tight on AJs throughout the day; however the average size of the AJs were smaller than I have seen in the past but still fun to catch.

At one point I was locked up with what we thought was a tuna due to the very strong pull and head shaking circles. It turns out to have been a nice big AJ trying to outrun a shark. Needless to say the shark won, as demonstrated by the beach ball sized twitching head of an AJ that I ended up with.

The trip was cut in half due to the weather conditions, so Sunday gave everyone the chance to sleep in later and recover our achy bones.

A few notable products that stood out for me during this trip:

Under Armour Men's Full Throttle Parka
Under Armour Men's Full Throttle Bibs
HPA Jig King Bag
Hots Split Rings
Smitty's Spyder Harness

Shimano Saragosa 10K
JigStar Kojak special 250g and 350g Spinning Rods

Daiwa 2010 Saltiga two-speed level drag LD35 reel
Spinal Rods 300g custom rod "Piscean Sword" built by Brice of Beach Time Sportfishing.


I would like to start off the product comments with a few words about outerwear and raingear. Being highly active in sports such as karate and competing in men's gymnastics in high school and college; wearing a special uniform for competition is expected. I approach jigging as if I am about to compete in a gymnastics meet or kick some ass in a martial arts tournament.

So for me finding a great set of comfortable outwear and raingear for fishing has been a quest of mine the last two years. This fishing trip I decided to try the Under Armour Full Throttle Raingear. I am very impressed with the lightweight and form fitting design. I did not feel constricted in my movement while jigging during the day and was kept dry during the ride out. Also the breathable material helped maintain a good body temperature during a full day of jigging. There was an incident during the ride out in the morning where we hit a big wave and I got tossed in the air about a foot, the flexibility of the raingear allowed me to quickly regain my footing as I was leaning against the captain's chair. I feel things could have been worse if I had on bulky heavy outerwear.

The ride back I got pounded by spray and rain nearly non stop even with the curtains up. That most certainly pushed the Full Throttle Gear to the limits. I was completely dry for the first hour of the trip back, the last 20 to 30 minutes or so I did get some water soaking through… but that was during the heaviest portion of the rain and high wind.

The HPA product line is very popular and for good reason. They are built to last and do an excellent job. I am very pleased with my HPA Jig King bag. I was able to stuff it full with many different jigs of various shapes and lengths without any problems. The removable jig inserts are very well made and held the super long jigs needed to entice the Amerjacks. The zipper case design allowed me to toss jigs inside and not worry about loosing anything.


The Smitty's Spyder Harness was matched with the Jigging Master plate. Capt John asked are you here to fish or go rock climbing. Point well taken… next time I will just use the plate and belt and only put on the harness when there are a lot of monster fish in the area. Also, was just taking precaution just in case my back would give me trouble. The Spyder Harness is a nice harness that you can wear all day jigging.

The Hots split rings. When I was at Kilsongs shop two weeks ago picking up some items for this trip I was going to get the JiggingMaster split rings, but Kilsong suggested the Hots instead. I am glad he did. I have used other rings in the past that come with jigs and many of them just do not retain their shape after opening them a couple times. I did not have that problem with the Hot's Split Rings.

The just released Shimano Saragosa 10K spinning reel was matched to my JigStar Kojak 250g Spinning Rod and they made a nice combo. One modification I made to this set up was to use the longer handle from the Saragosa 18K plus the T-bar Handle Knob. This modification to the Saragosa 10K made it a nice light jigging reel with an offset great for speed jigging. The Saragosa 10K had plenty of drag needed to fight the AJs we encountered. And the JigStar Kojak 250g spinning rod with its short parabolic action was such a pleasure to use! I primarily let Olu use this setup since he was new to jigging and felt this would be a good matchup for him. The ergonomic handle on the Saragosa and the finger cutouts on the foregrip of the JigStar Kojak rod made it an ideal setup for a newbie to jigging. It was fun to watch the excitement on his face as he did battle with his first AJ.

My primary jigging combo was a custom Spinal Rods 300g radical acid wrap rod I affectionately named the "Piscean Sword". Many thanks to Brice of Beachtime Sport Fishing for building this rod exactly as I described it. His passion for rod building and dedication to the sport we all enjoy so much is absolutely top notch. And I would also like to thank Travis of Spinal Rods for making available such and incredible line of premium jigging rods at a reasonable price point.

The action of the rod is best described as a soft tip with a beefy midsection while still maintaining a parabolic bend when fully loaded. The double trigger Alps reel seat was a perfect match for the Daiwa Saltiga LD35 and provided additional stability because it gave my fingers a secure location to rest while speed jigging.


One minor issue I had with the Saltiga LD35 two speed reel prior to using it was a very slight play in the handle when engaging the anti-reverse system. However, when in actual use I am pleased to report it's not an issue at all, and just a characteristic of two-speed level wind reels. I mostly kept the reel in high-speed mode while jigging, and switch to low gear when it came time to fight one of the Reef Donkeys.

Not gear related but something I found helpful on this trip: Clementines. The wonderful bite size orange that provided a much needed source of sugar, vitamins and thirst quencher after many long stretches of non stop jigging action. I had three bags of them and would pop two or three of them at a time after each jigging session. They keep better during the day than Bananas, and would not cause a ruckus over the banana onboard taboo.

I am glad there is such a diversity of product available to help meet the wide range of skill set, financial ability, and personal preference for many to enjoy this dynamic and challenging sport.

In closing the most important part above and beyond any talk of gear or chest thumping over a great catch is demonstrating excellent sportsmanship and respect for your fellow angler and the fish we are targeting.

Ty