Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Today, I fished with Capt. Tony Harding of Latitudes Charters on his 19' Pathfinder (115 HP). Tony fishes in VA, NC and FL (http://www.flyfishtidalva.com/) among other places. This is the 2nd time I have fished with him. Last February, I won an auction for a 1/2 day trip at the Falmouth Flats Fly Fishers Club event.

We met at the ramp on the East River (flows into Mobjack Bay which flows into Chesapeake Bay) at 0615 to fly fish for specs, puppy drum and stripers. As it happens often when I charter a trip, the conditions were less than ideal. While it was a beautiful day, it was a bit windy (up to 25 mph) and the tide was not moving. But, you have to fish when you have to fish.....so we went! By the way, we were only about 30 miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel down at VA Beach.

It was slow going at 1st but I finally managed a very nice croaker. They fight hard especially on the long rod (I was using a 7 wt with a Rio Lake sinking line). It was fun bringing this guy in!



As it got windier, it became apparent that fly fishing was not going to be very productive so I switched to spinning on light tackle (10 lb test). So we slipped into a creek mouth that was a bit tamer and tried our luck there.



After a bit, I got a great it and this nice looking striper got his picture taken before being released.



I asked Tony if there were any white perch in this part and he replied that he couldn't remember catching one in recent years. Obviously, he forgot who he was with. This feisty (almost 10") perch smacked the Bass Assassin!



I caught another one that was much bigger but, once again, I failed to properly bring him on board. That's 2 big perch in the last 2 weeks that I have not boated!!

Other species caught; a skate by Tony and a blue fish by me.

Only trouble with today was driving back (180 miles) with the Friday traffic!

Ernie