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#1 Dec-09-12 9:37AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

After a very tough 36 hours (stomach bug) I finally mustered enough energy to have Debbie drive me over to Len Kay's house so we could get over to Arlington to meet up with John Nguyen for their maiden trip to the CBBT. Anticipation and expectation were two words used often on our easy drive down.

This time we stayed on the Lynnhaven side at the Virginia Resort Center which was very adequate.

We were fishing on Friday and Saturday with Capt. Brady Bounds.

Friday: weather was nice with light winds and temps in the mid fifties. The fishing? Not so good but that was not due to lack of trying from the crew (I may not have been at 100% though).

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/001-46.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/002-51.jpg

When you pull up to one of the islands, all your worries and stress flies out with the possibilities of this place. Especially with some of the past trips we have taken.

But as I mentioned in my last CBBT report (2010), things have changed; http://www.pacemakerfishing.com/forum/v … hp?id=2447

I missed last year due to my knee replacement.

OK, back to the fishing. We worked the pilings for a bit but it was slow. About 2 hours in, Len gets a strike and gets the skunk off the boat!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/004-48.jpg

So we kept at it. John was throwing a fly but conditions (lack of big slugs of fish) made it very difficult so he switched over to a spinning rod and promptly nailed his 1st CBBT striper!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/005-40.jpg

Now we have that out of the way so it's my turn which never materialized, although I did have one on at one time that got unbuttoned before we could see him. I would say it was a 30+ inch fish...at least it felt that way )remember, that I was not at 100% so it was probably a 17 incher).

A little later, John caught another one but Capt. Brady was giving me grief for taking a picture of the schoolie....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/006-46.jpg

That was it for the day....we talked to a few other folks, some did better and others did not. It was slow. There was no bait which meant there were no working birds. And gladly, I had an uneventful trip knowing that 48 hours prior, I thought I was going to die and that there was NO way I would be able to go fishing on Friday.

Back in we headed with calm seas and a the big boats waiting to go somewhere....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/007-37.jpg

Saturday: FOG, lots of it but milder temps and very little wind.

Capt. Brady is a  very seasoned Captain. He knows how to handle a boat and I was very glad to be on board with him at the helm as we left the inlet with about 100' of viability. When we got to the CBBT, we were the only boat there. Others showed up later when the fog was less dense.

This time it did not take us long for the skunk smell to get off the boat as John nailed a nice one!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/008-35.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/009-29.jpg

I finally had the energy to celebrate an did gave me great hope for the rest of the day, And it did not take me long to get my 1st one with this one....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/010-22.jpg

Len couldn't stand the thought of being left out so he followed suit.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/011-24.jpg

Now we have 3 fish and a lot of day left but......we could get another hit...for long time.

It was still foggy: http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/012-25.jpg

Then we ran into some good friends; Capt. Richie Gaines and his crew consisting of George Lenard, Rob Allen and Dave Gedra.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/014-18.jpg

They started firm Kiptopeke and were working down the bridge. We were doing the opposite. They had yet to strike a hit so we felt very fortunate with our 3 fish. We also ran into Capt. Gary Neitzy and they had caught a few on the fly but all less than 18".

So we kept moving along and then saw a cool sight...a seal.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/016-16.jpg

This was the best picture that came out unfortunately as there were 3 of them. We watched them frolic for a while.

We started working some more pilings and I was able to catch a nice and fat 22 incher.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/020-9.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/021-12.jpg

Maybe this was when our luck was going to change....or not! We went a lookin'.....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/023-5.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/024-7.jpg

Capt. Brady then decided to fish the tube between island #1 & #2. I had never done this before but using his LDS machine, we could see the structure and related to current breaks. He put in a butterfly jig and nailed on. Len got to bring it in and it was a surprise!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/026-3.jpg

It was just short of keeper size but a nice catch!

We also heard that Dave Gedra had caught a 21" tog on a jig. That must have been cool! I will post a picture once they get back as they are out again today.

Well, now it's time to end the trip. Fist some pictures and then some observations....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/027-3.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/028-3.jpg

This is classic, no comment: http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/031-4.jpg

This last one reminds me to always keep our troops in our prayers: http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/035-3.jpg

While the fishing is off, it is always great to fish down there.

Fishing with a good Capt. is MUCH less stressful that running your own boat which I did for many of the trips we took to the CBBT.

Fishing with a great crew is a must, I have always been blessed with that.

Not catching many fish reminds us that it's not always about the "catch". If you can't enjoy the folks around you and the surroundings, then why do it.

I think I want to go back for another shot but perhaps when the fishing improves.

Last year, they had a very good year bit it was not so in 2010 but if you don't go you won't know.


Time to go fishin' again!

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#2 Dec-09-12 4:35PM

Curly
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Mar-15-10
Posts: 5413

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

Too bad that your trip gave up so few rockfish.  I miss the good'ol days in your two other boats down at the CBBT........"Airborne Jimmy" lol, "Quaalude Carl" tongue, and "Bailing Curly" big_smile , just to name a few memorable trips!


Hell or High Water...........I'm Fishin!!   big_smile

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#3 Dec-09-12 5:34PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

Some of the guides are cancelling trips until things change.  The Rob/George/Dave crew only caught 2 all day today....ouch!

While I enjoyed being at the helm of my boat on those trips, I don't miss the financial price I paid due to the two mishaps. The cracked hull cost me that boat and the blown wheel bearings had that boat in prison for over 2 months while the guy "got to it". It got snowed on while out in the elements too.

Stepping off Capt. Brady's boat and on to John's car was a delight!


Time to go fishin' again!

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#4 Dec-10-12 4:52AM

Bryan
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Bealeton, VA
Registered: Mar-18-11
Posts: 1194

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

Great pics. Sorry there wasn't a little more action, but it sounds like a fun trip anyway.


tight lines

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#5 Dec-10-12 5:41AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

A fun trip it was....we are never guaranteed tons of fish every time we go but the possibility of the next big one (the hunt) always exists and it won't happen unless we go.


Time to go fishin' again!

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#6 Dec-10-12 9:30AM

captmikestarrett
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Potomac River
Registered: May-06-08
Posts: 2164
Website

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

I wish I could have slipped a little secret too you about the 1st island..
A buddy loaded up right there on the south side of #1 in a most odd way. Not convict bass but well worth the frying pan.

Capt Mike


Light Tackle Fishing Guide on the Potomac

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#7 Dec-10-12 11:48AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

Capt. Mike- if it was Togs, I saw many get 'em there but we were not prepared nor willing to do clams etc. One of our guys was working the long stick.


Time to go fishin' again!

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#8 Dec-10-12 12:07PM

ComeOnFish
Northern Snakehead
Registered: Sep-30-10
Posts: 199

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

Tog while jigging?
That's awesome.  I am waiting for the pic

Thanks,
Joe

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#9 Dec-10-12 1:25PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

OK....some more pics with some editorial.

The 1st two are of our boat and crew....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/IMG_1226.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/IMG_1227.jpg

The next two are of George Lenard and they "only" two fish they caught.....but nice ones!!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/IMG_1248.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/IMG_1243.jpg

Here is a pig that another friend, Carl Onesty, caught on an eel this weekend.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/CarlsStriper89Dec12-1.jpg

And now, the keeper tog caught by Dave Gedra with a jig!!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/IMG_1228.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/IMG_1229.jpg


Time to go fishin' again!

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#10 Dec-10-12 2:23PM

captmikestarrett
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Potomac River
Registered: May-06-08
Posts: 2164
Website

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

Pacemaker wrote:

Capt. Mike- if it was Togs, I saw many get 'em there but we were not prepared nor willing to do clams etc. One of our guys was working the long stick.

My buddy took a note from Bradys post about speed jigs., He used a crab color stingsilver 1-2 oz and an assist hook on top to plunk on the big rocks of 1st island.
Got many sea bass and tog.
The long stick would have been fun at the island edge breaks..bluefish..

Capt Mike


Light Tackle Fishing Guide on the Potomac

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#11 Dec-10-12 7:42PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

For your viewing pleasure, a few more pics of the tog + battle....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/2012069.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/2012072.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/Kiko13PB/New%20Kiko/2012077-1.jpg


Time to go fishin' again!

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#12 Dec-13-12 5:08AM

Bob B
Northern Snakehead
From: Vancouver, WA
Registered: Mar-21-08
Posts: 193

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

Great reporting and pictures.


Go Fish!

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#13 Dec-14-12 4:32PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15561

Re: Back to CBBT, 12-7/8-12

Fishing is still tough for LTJ at the CBBT. A friend reported; "Very tough fishing day at #Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. We caught 18 fish but that was daylight to dark and working hard. The crowds descend tomorrow. The biggest fish of the day was in mid 20's. "

The eelers are doing better but tons of boats catching a few cows....I wish they would leave those big fish alone to swim another day.


Time to go fishin' again!

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