A New Venture In Life

Last_Niught_in_RaritanOn 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!

First_LoadDa_CurbI 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.

Almost_There-Milton_DELeaving 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.

Paradise_IslandWe 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! Working_LewesThe 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!

Old-New_TruckJust 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.

Home-LongNeck_DEDelaware 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.16_Mile_BLues

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.

Wrap Up: 2015 MAKBF Series Championship Tournament

A Mid-Atlantic Kayak Bass Fishing free entry I had acquired in a charity raffle at the 2015 CBKA Tournament opened the door to the another side of kayak fishing. A side myself am not too familiar with. The freshwater kayak fishing Bass tournament series. As a primary saltwater angler my focus is always on the tournaments that focus on targeting saltwater species. Fishing freshwater lakes about 3-4 days a year this was to be a challenge. I wasn’t in any way a threat to anyone in the series but sometimes luck is just on your side!

DPS InvertedAfter a 3.5 hour drive from my home in New Jersey arriving at Delaware Paddlesports in Lewes Delaware to check in and receive the tournament unique Identifier. It had just become dark and the cool air was settling in. A few guys were hanging out near a nice warm fire in the back lot. Enjoying some brews talking kayak fishing and even kayak rigging this was my crowd! It was great to meet Matt Baden the tournament commissioner and see the guys Chris Alan and John! At this point the attempt was to maybe find a fishing buddy or get some intel of where to fish. It didn’t seem anyone was willing to give up locations being that it was the Championship round and was expected although as stated I was no threat.  It was around 9PM when I left DPS and was to stay with my parents for the night. They live a short distance away. Beats camping in the cold plus get the chance to spend some time with them.

IMG_3405Arriving at my parents home after enjoying a sandwich I resumed my prior research on where to fish. The pacific warriors kayak fishing TV show was on which I have mixed feelings on. Although it was good background noise. Previously at home I had scoured google maps on satellite mode looking for a pond that wasn’t incredibly weedy but had the potential for bass. Also was looking for a fishing location that was close to the tournament HQ. The conclusion was to fish Wagamonds pond in Milford DE.

The tournament venue was the entire state of Delaware. Any public fresh body of water was within the boundaries. A total of three bass was needed to qualify. The tournament is linked to the online TourneyX system as all KBF affiliated tournaments  do. This allows catch photos to be uploaded to the internet and submitted in real time via Cell Phone.

Arriving at Wagamonds Pond at 6:45 am after a WaWa breakfast wrap and a Signature Blend Coffee. The sun had risen but it was really cool morning in the high 30’s. There were bass boats in line to launch at the ramp. I figured this was a good sign! Talking to one of the anglers they apparently had never fished the pond but were hoping for the best. Rigging up my kayak as all of the other boats launched dropping in shortly after.

IMG_3440G0018447Paddling away form the boat anglers I went directly to a point that had pads and some vegetation. Ton of casts and changing up baits finally on a weightless texas rigged motor oil colored soft plastic worm strung on a Penetration hook a hit and ending up with a pickerel @ 21″.PickerelMAKBF
Kept casting that plastic and more of the same. It was great catching fish but I was looking to catch bass. Moving around on the Big Rig using my Aqua Bound Challenge SUP paddle. Several other kayak anglers showed up fishing the pond but none came close to me to say hello or anything. The wind had picked up around 9am and didn’t stop. Along with overcast that rolled in 15-20 steady with 25-30 gusts. Pond white caps is something different for most but the little wave action almost brought me back to home.

IMG_3442The 8′ Yak Attack Park n Pole saved the day for me. Able to paddle to a location then lance the Park N Pole stick into the lake bottom using my anchor trolley to stay put stand and cast. A much quicker system than anchoring with a traditional anchor. Luckily this pond wasn’t very deep in most areas!

Throughout the morning with overcast, cool temps, plus the wind that began around 8:30 am; it was actually pretty cold. At some point I had posted online to the event Facebook page hoping they had the fire going for when we got back.

 

Around 11:30 the clouds finally broke and let some sun warm up the body. The bite had died off. Another 2 hours of fishing and nothing. With the wind still howling decision to pack it in had been made. Only a half hour from DPS parking there around 3PM. The smell of burgers grilling and the sound of music playing was very inviting. It was soon to be awards time! Receiving a nice tournament bag packed with nice socks from Farm to Feet and other nice swag!

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The awards began. Being the championship there were many! The awards were given out for the day and the entire series. Most of the guys and gals whom fished the series were present to accept their prizes. There were over $8,000 worth in prizes and a total of $7,875 money distributed to winners in the entire series which consisted of a number of events that were hosted in multiple states such as Delaware Maryland Pennsylvania Virginia and West Virginia. The tournament also donated a total of $620 to the local chapters of Heroes on The Water! For Official Results Check out MAKBF.

If you are located within the area of this MAKBF Tournament series please do check it out! The official website is http://www.makbfseries.com/ and on facebook.

 

 

MAKBF 2015 Group

2015 MAKBF Final Results

Final Event Standings

1st Place: Louis Martinez 53.25″ – $330, Power-Pole Micro Anchor System, YakAttack Prize Pack
2nd Place: Aaron White 52″ – $198, Farm to Feet “Sock Drawer Makeover”
3rd Place: Danny Schanne 49.25″ 
– $132, Smallie Stix Rod
4th Place: Chris Rios 48.5″ – Astral Kayak Shoes,
5th Place: Noah Tomasik 48″ – $50 Butter It Baits Gift Card

6th Place :Julie Tomasik 48″ – PowerTeam Lures Kit
7th Place: Jedediah Plunkert 46.5″ – Bass Assassin Lures Prize Pack, Cablz Eyewear Retainers


Top 20 Angler of the Year

1. Jedediah Plunkert – 61*
2. CJ Espey – 51+
3. Matt Eikenberg – 36*
4. Peter Manthos – 33*
5. Michael Chaney – 32+
6. Matt Campbell – 28*
7. Josh Evans – 23*
8. Matt Yuschak – 23*
9. Dave Adlington – 21*
10. Joe Deisvaldi – 21*
11. Chris Watts – 21+
12. Jeff Little – 21@
13. Dave Thompson – 14*
14. Shane Clift – 11*
15. Louis Martinez – 10
16. Danny Schanne – 10
17. Aaron White – 9
18. Jeremy Savage – 9
19. Alberto Tabian – 9
20. AJ Morton – 9

*Qualified for KBF National Championship
+Previously Qualified for KBF National Championship
@Passed on qualification to next angler

 

 

Memorial Day Weekend was here and it was an even more special weekend because my new custom color Kraken was delivered at Delaware Paddlesports a week earlier! I don’t typically drive down south on holiday weekends due to the crazy traffic. This time was an exception! I also needed to help my dad get his boat ready. My buddy Dan met me at my house around 7:00 PM and we left an hour earlier. The normal 3.5 hour drive was actually smooth. We hit no traffic until off the freeway of route 1 in Delaware. We tracked around using back roads most of it but it saved us no time as we ended up behind a boat we passed on the main highway.

Arriving around 11:30 the trip took us 3.5 hours so that’s right around the same time it typically takes back roading it through jersey.

kraken on truck1The next morning Saturday Dan and I set out to go pick up my new kayak! Arriving at Delaware Paddle Sports Allen helped me out. The lime yellow and black colors really came out nice! The guy at the Jackson Kayak shipping department called it “Bad To The Bone! He was right!! Unfortunately there was a lot of work to do for the day and we were unable to stop by the demo that everyone else was working for the day.

Unfortunately due to that amount of work and becoming ill the day after I was unable to paddle the boat.

I hope to paddle it this Friday before installing an entire Sealect Designs rudder system on it. This way i can understand the difference in my review! I have already done a Lowrance install on it and will post an article on that entire process next!!

 

kraken

 

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