Arriving in the dark it was a warm morning however it was tournament day and there was a lot more activity at the drop in areas that access the bridge tunnel shoreline. Tournament participants were readying their gear and launching for a shot at the big redfish. Soon after launching the sun emerged a huge red globe emanating a warm hue of light. Beginning with another calm morning but just missing the slack tide by 30 min or so. We were in for a famous 4 knot tide day. Holding place at the bridge was near impossible. Every snag to retie cost about a mile paddle back to the bridge.  Not sure if it was just the amount of kayaks anglers pressuring the fish or the fish were just not there catching was slim. The same boat was there as the prior day and only saw them hook and land 1 fish. Fishing was dead and the winds were starting to blow. I decided to call it a day and move to another launch in behind Lynn Haven inlet. The paddle back was shaky as there were easily 3 – 4 foot waves and a following sea. We went to the drop in and it was un-land able up to the wall there. So we had to paddle back west to the beach that was rapidly disappearing. A text book surf landing was in store as the waves were rolling and crashing.

Kelly and I arrived at the launch soon after to fish the backwaters of Lynn Haven. It was nice to be back here as it had been four years. Everyone i talked to said fishing wasn’t great. I threw a spoon at first then swtiche to a DOA jig with a paddle tale. It took about an hour and by now the wind was way worse. I lost Kelly due to the shallow water. Her pedal drive just wasn’t working in the area. She eventually caught up and jsut as she did i had a fish in. The only red of the trip.

a 17″ Red Drum or Redfish

Fishing unfamiliar places is always a challenge. Managed a total of 4 more reds in the 14-16 inch range then called it a day too late to even make it back for the weigh in. We loaded up and were headed back to the hotel where the event HQ was. The food was great and hanging out with the jersey guys was awesome also. The tournament raised over 15,000 for charities in 2016 which made it possible to donate 14,000 to the Tidewater Chapter of Heroes on The water and 1,000 to the Portsmouth chapter of Project Healing Waters.  Over the past 9 years of the tournaments existence has raised over 100,000 for charity which is amazing.

Wrap Up 5th Annual CBKA Tournament September 10th 2016

Another Chesapeake Bay Fishing Tournament in the books. For me it was great to be out on the water with my kayak after two and a half months due to relocating and my truck having mechanical issues. Living now in South Eastern Delaware it was a pleasure to have half the driving distance to the venue on Kent Island Maryland. This was my third year to be present at this beautiful venue.

Preparation:

It was the first kayak haul for my new 2016 F150. I took the Friday off from work which worked out as I was able to get my new truck bed cap installed at the ARE Dealer, Trick Trucks in Millsboro DE. Previously had removed the Thule rack in anticipation of installing it on the new cap asap. It took me around an hour to drill and bolt on the rack to my new cap. It was now pretty set for kayak hauling. I loaded up and let around 3:50 PM to arrive at the venue around 6:00 PM.

Arrival:

Upon my arrival meeting up with Joe Hostler. Checked in and received my captains bag stocked with goodies. Then awaited the captains meeting. After sitting trough that went to the field to set up my tent. The day was a scorcher at 95 degrees and high humidity. As the sun set during the potluck dinner which I provided some tuna mac with crab salad. All of the potluck food brought by others was excellent as always. Joe’s mac salad was amazing along with various other items such as jalapeno poppers, chicken wings, and a crab mac & cheese dish.

As the evening set in the temperature leveled at about 86 degrees as the humidity shot through the roof. The conditions were not the best to be camping but made the best of it. Sat in the truck air conditioning for a bit. Finally going to the tent around 12:00 am. Some of the guys were still up hanging out and apparently were until around 3 am.

Tournament Day:

The morning came fast. Sounds of alarms and others waking from camp. It was still dark but not for long. I went over and met Joe at his cabin grabbed some coffee and rigged up a few rods. We were probably the last to launch but it worked out because driving to the drop in was simple. Rather than loading up the kayaks and walking then there on kayak carts. Hitting the water we immediately started fishing for bait. In these areas Spot are an excellent source of bass bait. Spot can be gathered using a small 1/0 Octopus hook a small bit of weight and a fish bite or small piece of blood worm.

After about a dozen or so spot and catching small white perch at the same time we trolled over to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in search of solid fish marks on the chart plotter. By this time the wind had kicked up from the southeast and it was rocking and rolling out there. Live lining for bass was non eventful after a few hours. The stripers just didn’t seem to cooperate on the live bait.

Attempted trolling for hours catching one small striper around 17″. We went back at catching perch with an attempt to place in that category but could only manage fish up to 8″. We fished the entire time and missed the weigh in but were sure we had nothing that qualified for placing in the tournament anyway. It was a great day to be out on the water doing what I love the most.

The awards ceremony commenced and as always is very well put together. A representative from the make a wish foundation was present and spoke a little bit about the charity followed by a tear jerking video of a boys wish to take a trip on a US aircraft carrier. They really do amazing things for these kids whom unfortunately endure a lot of pain and suffering. This is what we do it for!

If you have never attended the Chesapeake Bay Kayak Anglers tournament come next year and check it out. Hang with a bunch of friendly kayak anglers.

A New Venture In Life

On June 28th 2016 I embarked on a new venture in life. Like many others said goodbye to New Jersey for a more relaxed and affordable way of life. Moving to South Eastern Delaware is a dream that has come true finally. Although I will always be from Jersey I’m happy not to be living there any longer. Setting it straight Jersey has much to offer. In the burbs mostly a safe place to live. New Jersey has a lot to offer from its sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and its inner bays to its vast forest land and lakes. However the middle class is running away and have every reason to. From stupid laws for stupid people that kill freedom to its harsh unreasonable firearms laws the state has become a tough place for outdoorsmen to enjoy the freedoms that they are their god given right.

Some of you may have noticed that posts on The Plastic Hull have slowed. This was due to my big move in June – July. It took most of June to pack up and sift through everything acquired over the past 14 years living there. Able to purge enough to only make 2 trips with a 12 x 6 box trailer that Chris Parson of The Kayak Fishing Store graciously let me borrow. IT however was a giant billboard!

I quit my job giving myself about a month to move and unpack comfortably prior to starting a new job lined up prior to moving in Lewes Delaware the second week of July. The moving process was painful. At the 2 weeks away point, feeling way ahead of where I thought turned out to be an illusion. There was so much more to do and to the bitter end.  Thanks to my friends and family for all of the help. Especially my buddies Leonard and Dan. Without their help I would still be living in NJ.

I thought there would have been time to do other things especially a bit of fishing but the time just slipped away. I was able to accomplish a few bucket list things prior to leaving. Mainly visiting brewery’s in NJ and the surrounding area.One final Heroes on the Water event in Wildwood and with a good friend showing me around the Philly area which previously had never experienced. Good times and cherished every minute as the deadline was set.

Leaving a place after living and working locally for 14 years was in a way hard but in another a huge relief. A new start is welcomed! Departing wasn’t hard. It was funny because i stopped to get gas and a bite to eat at a Quick Check and for the first time saw Chris Christie the NJ governor in person just getting a drink. I had to do a double take. What a great way to leave. I plotted a route to take the Scutters Falls bridge out of NJ so I didn’t have to pay a toll to leave. How gratifying is that! It was an excellent cool night to make the last drive with the trailer and the bed of my truck fully loaded.

We arrived just before midnight and the next day it was unloading time. Leonard stayed a few days although the weather wasn’t all that great. Dan arrived and we had a good time hanging out at Paradise Grill a local beach resort style bar/club on the bay. I could get used to the beach life! The following Monday I started the first week at the new job. This was the day I felt how laid back it is here. Working in Historic Lewes its loaded with tourists during the day. The first town in Delaware it includes historic homes and buildings. Located on the Delaware bay its is an old port town. Setters traveled by sailing wood vessels in to live in the USA. There is alot of History and unique architecture in Lewes which makes it a great town to work. Along with its unique shops and restaurants. I’m hoping there is ghost tours around Halloween!

Just when its all going well my truck decides its going to break. After the big move it seemed I needed just about a new everything else. Mechanic tried to fix the problem but it ended up being worse. It was time for a newer vehicle anyway i was just hoping for a few more months. SO after weeks of my mom helping me out by carpooling her to work using her Honda Pilot then me driving the rest of the way with my dad picking her up everyday was getting old a week in. 3 weeks later finding a used truck I liked but the salesman selling it to someone else for $500 above my offer i decided to buy new. Now sitting my driveway is a beautiful 2016 Ford F150. I don’t typically brag but its a beautiful truck!

I haven’t been kayak fishing since that HOW outing at Wildwood in June. I severely miss it. Although having to been able to get out paddling to keep me sane. Once my new kayak hauler is set up I will be fishing as much as possible to close out the summer and into the fall. This is one advantage of living more south. A longer fall season.

Delaware has much to offer. There isn’t really much of a “rush hour” as a matter of fact everyone that lives here are not in a rush. This is a good and bad thing. The worst part about it is while driving you could be the only vehicle on the entire road. A majority of people here will pull out right in front of you. Then proceed to drive 10 miles per hour below the speed limit. If your not in a rush then wait to pull out when the car with no one behind them passes. Other than that great beer is minutes away at both 16 Mile Brewing Company or Dogfish Head, My dad has been taking me to 16 Mile for the past 5 years now.

Fishing is in my backyard now. Within minutes to the bay 20 min tot he ocean and 15 minutes to the closest pond its the best of both worlds. Delaware Paddlesports is right around the corner so i plan on doing more with then as soon as i am set up with my truck.

Future plans are to be present at the CBKA tournament on Kent Island MD and then the TKAA Tournament at Norfolk VA. Hoping my kayak hauler is all set by then! On to making some local friends and fishing buddy’s. I will still see everyone that I love in Jerzy soon. I will fish Raritan Bay again in the future as that is the one place among a few others I will whole heatedly miss.