The Oceanic Bridge region of the Navesink River typically holds very large fluke as they come into the river every spring to spawn. As the days warm up fishing gets better and better. With its high cliffs and extravagant mansions overlooking it the area is a very unique place to fish. Arrived around 8 am to meet up with a fellow kayak fisherman. Reports for fluke in the river were strong the week before and we were searching for a good result. Dropped in on a small sandy beach at a local park in Rumson New Jersey. Started a drift fishing a small channel on the south east side of the bridge. Choice of rig was a 1 oz white Spro bucktail with a 6″ white gulp swimming mullet and a high dropper loop with a 5/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook tipped with a Power Team Lures Chartreuse Grub.
Fishing was slow all morning a few fish 16″ and under. In New Jersey 2014 Regs is 18″ and five fish. Soon after 9 AM there was a police boat that showed up and was boarding everyone. They actually didn’t bother me or even stop by. They boarded just about every boat checking their catch.   After about 8 hours of fishing was able to land a 19″er finally! Really glad I didn’t decide to give up for the day. At this point in time i was just tired of being rocked all day by boat traffic and the wind had become stronger. It was time to call it a day. It was great to get out and use my new Aqua-bound Spin drift Carbon Paddle. I was able to really put it to the test! The performance is amazing. Paddling the low angle style I have found causes less fatigue. Meaning longer days on the water fishing.

A few new modifications to the Torqeedo steering system.  First of all I purchased an aftermarket anodized aluminum steering bracket which is sold by The Kayak Fishing Store. It was fabricated to replace the stock plastic bracket. There has been issues with the stock bracket breaking when under stress of steering and torque from the motor. The aluminum bracket is much more rigid being made out of metal and most likely will last a life time if properly cared for.

The next upgrade is a stainless steel quick release 3/16″ closed eye spring clip for the steering cables that connect to the steering bracket. This clip enables the attach and detaching of the steering bracket in seconds instead of the previous setup using the pin and split ring.

This modification was easy. Simply take the existing cable ends off by removing the cotter pin and slide the cable out. You will now clamp down the foot brace track so it is aligned with the track (centered). Clip the new spring clip to the steering bracket on the Torqeedo. Slide a 3 inch piece of 1/4″ heat shrink tubing on the cable. Then feed the end of the cable through one side of the cable crimp. You will now feed the cable through the eye on the clip and back through the other side of the crimp. Center the motor and slide the crimp up so there is around 3/8″ – 1/2″ diameter loop. make sure the cable is tight going to the foot brace. Crimp with a pair of heavy duty pliers and repeat the same steps for the opposite side.

Once this step is completed it should look like Figure A below.

Figure B above illustrates the completed modification with the heat shrink tubing.

The links below will direct you to the parts.

Steering Bracket

Spring Clips

Quick Link

There will be other modifications in the future. Please check back to The Plastic Hull for mods and subscribe for instant emails on new posts.

The first event for the New Jersey Chapter of Heroes on the Water was held on May 10th 2014 at Picatinny Arsenal Army Base in Rockaway New Jersey.  There was 79 total attendees registered and others that made an appearance.

The morning started out foggy as volunteers arrived and begun setting up unloading gear kayaks rods and setting up breakfast. By 9:00 AM all of the attendees were present. There was a brief introduction and tank you to the base and Civic Duty Partners for providing and cooking lunch for all.  Rod & reel combos were raffled off and given away to a few participating vets.

Everyone then met up at the boat launch area and the group photo was taken then systematically everyone was divided into 2 groups. They were matched up with guides. Launching the vets and guides went smoothly. Before you knew it the entire lake was speckled with 40 or more bright colored plastic boats.

Fishing was phenomenal. I saw one lady veteran catch 3 pickerel in the matter of 10 minutes! It probably couldn’t get any better than that!

It seemed all of the veterans their family’s and the volunteers had a great day!. I don’t think anyone left without catching fish.

Around 12:30 the wind kicked up. everyone headed off the lake for lunch. The motor boat came and helped a few boats in. Lunch was excellent!  By this time i had to pack up and leave to attend a family obligation. It was a good time to go as the sky was clouding up due to incoming thunder storms.