Flagler Beach Sunrises & Sunsets

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With all of the storms we have been having lately, the broken cloud cover fist thing in the morning and then again just before dark have made for some spectacular sights.

Here are a few pic.'s of the better ones over the last week.



Pretty incredible!
Larry S.

Fishing Report - Sheepshead- Mangrove Snapper 8-21-12

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Tide: Tail end of Out-going (almost low)
Time Fished: 8:30 am - 11:00m
M.F.-2:55 PM
Sunny
Wind: SW at 2-5 mph

Other Observations: The water still looks like tea from the tanic acid runoff from all the rain we have been having? tide was almost bottomed out when I started fishing and I had to fish through a slack tide so the timing was poor to say the least.

Catch:
-(4) Pinfish?
-(6) sheepshead, all just under legal size at 11".
-(4) small mangrove snapper, one just legal.

Again this morning I started off looking for pogy schools at the beach but came up empty so I headed to try some sheepshead.

The tide was real low so catching fiddler crabs was no problem.

However, it was right at the bottom of the tide and I had to fish through a slack tide hoping the bite would pick up after it changed. The fish never really fed very strong and I only ended up catching 6 sheepshead. that would have been great except they were all just a grunt under sized. They looked like they were all out of the same mold. Don't know where the big one were.

Also caught some small mangrove snappers but that was about it, nothing to get excited about.

It sure was a pretty morning on the water.....slick calm and no wind early. A fish striking some finger mullet along the rocks got me wishing I was plugging in the flats. It will be a few days before the tide is right for that.

Here's some pic.'s of the little scrappers!

Larry S.

Fishing Report - Sheepshead 8-19-12

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Tide: Tail end of incoming nearly full
Time Fished: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
M.F.-1:05 PM
Partly Cloudy
Wind: SSW at 10-12 mph

Other Observations: The water is very brown right now. I assume it it tanic acid runoff from all the rain we have been having? tide was so high I had trouble catching some crabs but did not seem to be very many? used up all my bait and quit.

Catch:
-(1) unknown mystery fish?
-(4) sheepshead on, lost two largest.
-(2) small mangrove snapper

I started out on the hunt for some bait schools at the beach this morning but after driving all the way North to Marineland without seeing a single pogy or any birds diving, I decided to hit one of my sheepshead spots where I could at least find something that would pull on my line.

Tide was real high when I arrived at marineland but I was able to catch a dozen or so fiddler crabs.
I almost did not put in due to the wind blowing right down the river but launched anyway.

The Sheepshead were biting when I arrived and I lost a real good one right off the bat that cut me off on a pile.

I lost a few baits and then hooked a fish that I don't think I have ever caught before. If anyone knows what this thing is, please post me a comment.

I also caught a couple small mangrove snappers that were under size.

Then I hooked up with a really good Sheepshead that was the strongest fish I had on all day. That one cut me off on a pile also. I was not as prepared for this trip as I should have been.

The smallest of the sheepshead was just a 1/2" short of the minimum so I tossed him and ended up with the one good keeper. That one should make a meal for me and my bride.

I feel like the fish are there! I just needed more bait and a better tide. It was close to topping out.

I will probably hit them again in a few days.

unknown fish, If anyone knows what this thing is, please post me a comment.

Look at that rod, That's what I like to see!!

Larry S.


P.S.,  I discovered the species of the mystery fish....it is a "Rock Sea Bass"! That's a first for me, maybe even a record, that's about as large as they get.

When Pelicans Attack!

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I put in at N 12th street in Flagler Beach yesterday morning about 7:30. There was plenty of pogy action and I set about snagging some for bait.

I had lost a pogy or two to sharks and even had one follow my pogy right to the boat, frantically trying to catch what was left of the bait.

Pelicans were everywhere! They were really feeding hard and even diving the school of pogies I was fishing. I felt they were crowding me just a little but what could I do.

I had just made a cast with my snag rod when out of no where a pelican dives the school out ahead of me in the general direction  of my cast. I started ripping the rod to snag a fresh bait. About my third sweep of the rod I snagged something! Next thing I know that something is ripping line off  my little spinning reel at an alarming rate. The fight was on!

About this time I notice the pelican leaving and my line is going in that general direction. All of the sudden, it hits me!! I'VE GOT THE PELICAN!

OH NO, I'M ABOUT TO BE SPOOLED BY A PELICAN!

Immediately I start wrenching down on the drag to halt the quickly departing bird. Once the line comes tight he splashes back down.

Apparently, 30# Power Pro is perfectly matched for large brown pelicans. Who knew?

Well, it's me against the pelican from there.....pump and wind, pump and wind!

Of course, he don't know I mean him no harm and I'm just trying to make things right. When I finally get him alongside the yak, he goes on the offensive and attacks!!

Luckily, my paddle took the worst of it. It was across my lap and most of his focus was on it. That allowed me just the distraction I needed and I was able to get the pelican free from his entrapment.

Personally, I faulted the pelican for his negligence, I told him so too! He argued I was the idiot and accused me of  fishing recklessly. He really made an ugly scene, actually.

After our argument and now freed, he floated away with a puzzled look of "what the %&$#!$ just happened?"

I paddled back his way to make sure he was o.k.. He finally flushed and was off into the wild blue.

I could be mistaken but I would have sworn he shot me a bird as he departed.

Pelicans!

Larry S.

Has This Ever Happened to You?

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If you like to hunt and fish like myself, I expect you may have fallen victim to a temporary lapse in judgement just as my friend Troy did today. The following may help you with your situation.


I fished my good friend Troy Kent this morning. We were chasing pogy schools, looking for Beach Tarpon in our kayaks off Flagler Beach.

We had made our plan late Friday night and Troy was to meet me at the beach by 8:00AM the next morning. The only stipulation to going was that he had to meet his wife by 12 o'clock noon!

You can probably see where this is going......a fishing trip planed with me, on a time table? HUH??

We weren't having much luck hooking up a tarpon but the sharks were keeping us on our toes.

Well, about 11:00 I called over to Troy....."how you doin' on time ?, You need to go?"  Troy pondered the question briefly and responded back...."I'm O.K.!"

So, we kept on fishing. Who am I to tell my friend he needs to stop fishing so he can go meet his wife?

In Troy's defense,  we had probably seen 40-50 aggressive tarpon strikes at this point and caught 6-7 nice sharks.

About 12:00 ol' Troy hooked up another shark from under the pogy school and after a volley of stripped line and a tug-a-war, Troy finally brought him alongside the yak. I was able to de-hook the toothy fish and I thought that might be a fitting end to the trip so I asked Troy if he wanted to call off the dogs and head for the hill?

Troy paused a moment and said "let's try em again!"  I replied, "O.K......, let's go hook one up!"
(Troy) "that's what I'm talkin' bout'! You might have to write me an excuse for my wife though."

So, we paddled back to catch up with the school.

After about a half an hour the Tarpon action had slowed and I looked over to see Troy reeling in a pogy he had just snagged. He paused for a minute and I could see he was thinking about something. I decided I had better offer to head in if he needed to. He replied "what the heck.....lets run through em again!"

You don't have to ask me twice!

After about another 30 minutes  Troy finally said, "Larry, you know, I had probably better get going"

"Yeah, let's call it and head in."

It was probably 1:00 by the time we beached the boats and by 1:30 PM we were loaded and ready to head for home.

Now I should mention Troy and his wife are school teachers so the "writing an excuse" comment was kind of a joke but when I got back to the office it came to me to do just that.

The following is the excuse I prepared for Troy and feel free to copy it if you should find yourself in a similar situation!

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Heather,

Please accept this note as evidence of Troy's where abouts for the period of time between 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM.,  this day, Aug. 11, 2012.  The Tarpon striking action lured us into the false sense that we might hook up with one of the beasts at any moment. Unfortunately, this clouded our good judgement and best intentions.  Though others of our fishing party departed in a timely manor, we willfully abandoned our commitments and obligations, pressing on with our efforts.

Troy and I are deeply regretful of our actions today and Troy fully understands the implications of his broken promise to meet you no later than noon, this day.  He has given me all assurance that he will make this up to you at an agreed upon time and in a manor of your choosing.

However, as regretful and embarrassed as we may be of our shortcomings, I fear that Troy may fall victim of this circumstance in the future and recommend that he make additional copies of this note, for use as the need may arise.

For these reasons and under these circumstances,  I choose to offer no assurances to anyone as to my where abouts at any given time, as this has not proven to work out well for those individuals in the past.

Furthermore, I am understanding of your situation as Troy was 37minutes late  in meeting me this very morning!

In closing, please excuse Troy's poor judgement and tardy arrival.

Thank You,
Larry Stephens,

Okuma Epixor EF 65A Spinning Reel!

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Well, It looks like I'm half way back in business!

The Saturday before last I was locked in a heated battle with a nice False Albacor when the brass shaft that holds the plastic tee part of the handle on, snapped off. Lucky for me the fish was almost out of steam at that point but it was still pretty awkward reclaiming all the line the Albi had stripped off.

The next day I was fishing with my backup reel, a Quantum Boca. I was trying to get back on the beach in one piece and got half rolled. I was able to bail out and catch the boat before it went bottom side up
but the reels all took a salt water bath.

If you let this go unchecked, your favorite reel will be a locked up hunk of corrosion on the inside in short order.

When I tore the Boca down, the clutch bearing was broken and put the Boca out of commission.

I needed to do something and do it quick! I got Okuma on the phone and related my story of the reel handle breaking to the customer service tech. His reply was to ask for my shipping address....."I'll have you one out in the mail today Mr. Stephens!"

Okuma sent a complete new replacement handle, all I had to do was pay $3.00 for shipping.

You can't ask for better service than that! I am not sure if this is standard practice for them but I can tell you I would not hesitate to buy another Okuma product after this experience.

The Boca is a story for another post and is an unresolved issue at this point.  

New handle installed!

Boy was I glad to see this thing back operational!

I have kayak fished with this reel for 3 tarpon seasons counting this year and caught some tarpon that would scare ya! Other than the handle, It has worked perfectly. This includes the drag system which is crucial when fishing for big fish from a kayak. I might add, it has taken more than its share of saltwater baths.
If you are looking for a reel in this class, I would highly recommend it. I don't think you can find a better reel for the money.

One more point to consider. I love quality equipment as much as the next guy but when fishing from a kayak there is always the chance that anything you bring aboard could end up on the bottom of the sea! Do you really want to spend $150+ for a reel that you might never see again?

Here's a link for more info on this reel, as usual, Amazon is really hard to beat on price.



Just a note, the difference between the EF 65A and 65B is the housing material. One is alum. and the other is nylon which may be a good choice around the saltwater.
See ya on the big water!

Larry S.

Massive Top Water Tarpon Strike in a Pogy School!

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If you are not in awe of this big tarpon strike into a school of pogies.....your not a fisherman!

This is the ultimate top water strike!

It was sure exciting to see!

Tight Lines, Larry S.