Thanksgiving Weekend Trips

Mate in Training Grant

I had two really good trips over the Thanksgiving Day weekend.  On Saturday, the weather was absolutely beautiful and the fishing was fast.  We headed out to the bay early and found the fish quickly.   Once we found the school of fish that we were looking for, we got our lines out & trolled through twice & picked up the majority of our limit within 20 minutes.

For the next couple hours we trolled around picking up a fish or two sporadically.

 

Once the tide changed, the fish came up on top, and we managed to catch the rest of our fish casting. 

Sunday's weather wasn't quite as good as Saturday, but the fishing was still good.  We left the dock this morning in the rain & fog and ran out using radar to find our location and also birds working on bait.  

After running out in the bay, we found fish close to where we left them on Saturday, but unfortunately they were mostly below the minimum size limit, so we continued north into Maryland waters where we managed to catch a good number of bass.

When this school of fish settled out, we finished the day casting into large groups of "schoolie" size fish. 

If you, or someone that you know would like to make a trip into the Chesapeake Bay to take advantage of the good fishing that we have now, I still have several weekend dates open before December 31st.  Give me a call at 804-436-3241, or email me at southerntideguideservice@gmail.com to book your date.

Great Weekend of Fishing

I had the chance to fish with my best customer Michael Moreland and his group last weekend.  Saturday's weather forecast was for plenty of sun, mid 60's and plenty of wind, but when we got out into the bay it was beautiful.

We ran across the shipping channel & found the birds working pretty quickly.  My Mate, Joe Lucas got our trolling rig out and we started catching fish pretty quickly, but unfortunately as the sun got higher in the sky the North West wind picked up steadily.  We caught a good number of fish pretty quickly, but the seas picked up along with the wind and pretty soon a member of the group (who will remain nameless) said "uncle" he had seen enough .  Unfortunately, the motion of the Bay took its toll on several in the group so I took mercy on them & ran into the river to get out of the tough  conditions. 
The next morning was another beautiful day and the wind report was much better than the day before.

We ran across to the same spot that we had left the fish the day before, and luckily they were there waiting for us.

Luckily, as soon as we got the lines out, it was game on!  We had plenty of action catching Striped Bass the entire time that we were out

Recently, the larger fish have started to show up more and more every day and we limited out pretty quickly.  We caught and released a large number of fish before we headed in. 

Currently, our long range forecast is for temperate conditions for the next few weeks which should hold these fish and bait in the bay rather than sending them into the ocean in search of warmer water and bait offshore.   So far, it has been a great fall season & I still have a few days open for you to come get in on this action.  Give me a call at 804-436-3241 or email me at southerntideguideservice@gmail.com to book your date soon.

Fishing is really GOOD right now!

So far, this Fall fishing has been great! 

Yesterday, my mate Johnny & I fished with a good group of guys that had been regular customers of my Father for years.  Over the time that they fished with Dad, they all developed a great friendship with him and I am glad that they have decided to continue fishing with me. 

Saturday's fishing trip couldn't have been better.  The morning was great as we headed out into the bay. 

As we left the river, I turned on the radar & found birds working right away.  Johnny & I got our lines out as fast as we could, and before we got all of rods set, we had fish on!  Luckily, that kind of action lasted nearly all day (with the exception of a couple lulls).

As you can see, the weather couldn't have been better.  By the end of the day, we had caught and released well over 100 fish, and managed to keep a good number to for the guys to take home for dinner. 

Luckily, the middle bay is full of bait and striped bass right now, and as the water temperature  continues to drop, fish will begin to make their way into the Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic  Ocean.  When these fish do make their way up the bay, the fishing will be even better!  Give me a call at 804-436-3241 or email me at southerntideguideservice@gmail.com to reserve your fishing trip.
Thanks again to the "Wood Yard" group for fishing with us yesterday!  You were right when you said that my Dad would have been proud of the day that we had.  I can't wait to do it again soon.  

Striped bass are in town!

I had a great weekend running trips on both Saturday & Sunday.  Luckily the fish cooperated on both days.
On Saturday, we couldn't have asked for a better day!  Due to a recent injury, I took 2 mates with me, and when the fish turned on I sure was glad that I had an extra set of hands.
Peter Hedlund and his group from Charlottesville and D.C. made their way to Reedville for a really fun day of fishing.

We headed out across the shipping channel and started looking for birds and fish on top.  Things started out pretty slow at first, but after we got rid of the "bad luck" banana that was smuggled onto the boat that morning it was like someone turned on the fish switch. As soon as we got our trolling rigs right, we had fish on continuously, and multiple fish on the same rod pretty often. At one point, I was able to turn on the auto pilot and maintain speed for over 2 miles and we managed to stay in the fish the entire time. 

 Unfortunately, this year it was determined that the minimum size for striped bass was increased, and we had to release so many fish that would have been more than legal to keep just 12 months ago.  None the less, this is a great sign for the population of striped bass in the future, and as the water temperature continues to drop, more & larger fish are certain show up consistently.

 As I said earlier, Saturday was an exceptional day with awesome fishing, beautiful weather & a great group of guys.

GOOD TIMES FOR SURE!

Thanks again Peter & gang for fishing with us.  I can't wait to do it again!  (Thank you Peter for allowing me to use your photos)

On Sunday, we fished with Trey Smith and his group from Romney, West Virginia.  Unfortunately, the weather conditions were not quite as good as on Saturday, but we still managed to have a great day of fishing.  Once we finally found the fish is was game on!  We managed to catch a good number of fish and even had some great top water fishing close to the boat.  Thanks again for fishing with us guys I hope that you make the trip east again soon!

With as much bait and striped bass as there are in the area this early in the fall, I am looking forward to an exceptional fall and winter season, and you still have opportunity to get in on the action.  Do yourself a favor and don't let this fishing season pass you by without getting out on the Chesapeake Bay for a great day of fishing.  We still have some prime weekend dates available during November and December.  With our large enclosed cabin, you and your group can be assured that you will have a warm & comfortable trip without being crowded when you are not out on deck reeling in fish.  Give me a call 804-436-3241, or email me at southerntideguideservice@gmail.com to reserve your date soon.

Fall Fishing is Here

With temperatures dropping it wont be long before we see images like these!

Without a doubt, the fall is my favorite time to fish, and the best opportunity to have lot of action catching rock fish in the bay.
Every evening, I'm busy tying rigs and getting the rods and reels in shape to catch a bunch of fish.
We still have some weekend dates available during November and early December which is "PRIME TIME" to have a great day out on the Chesapeake Bay.  If you are considering taking a charter fishing trip this fall be sure to call soon 804/436-3241 and reserve your weekend date.
 As always, we have great accommodations available for you and your group to spend the night before your trip.  Our bunk house sleeps 6, has1.5 bathrooms, full kitchen and a living room with satellite TV for only $100 per night.  All you have to do in the morning is wake up, walk down to the dock & jump on the boat.    
Lets go fishing!

Stayacation 2015

I had someone ask me last week what a fishing guide did on vacation since my job is pretty laid back and easy going.  Well, this year we stayed home so that I could begin to knock down my mounting "Honey Do" list, and we went fishing of course.
On Thursday evening, I took my Wife, three boys & Mom out on the bay hoping to find an evening bite.

 That evening, the bay was like a sheet of steel it was so calm.  You could hardly tell where the sky stopped and the water started

We ran across the bay and set our lines in the spot that we have been having good luck at over the past couple weeks, and before I had the 3rd line out we had a fish on. 

We trolled around for around an hour and caught a good number of fish, and managed to hook a BIG red drum that Will got to fight for a while before it broke off. 

Once we had enough fish for dinner the next night, my mom said that it would be nice to get back to Tangier again before the summer was over.  Seeing as we were half way there already,I figured that there was no time like the present, so we pulled up our lines and headed east. 

Within 20 minutes we were backing into a slip at Parks' Marina.

and then went up the street to our favorite spot, Lorraine's Seafood Restaurant. Unfortunately, since it was getting late and we hadn't made plans to spend the night, we didn't get to catch up with many of our friends on the island. 

 After filling up on the best crab soup, soft crab sandwich and crab cakes on the bay we headed back to Reedville.
Living on the Northern Neck of Virginia (aka Gods Country) has it's advantages, and being able to take spur of the moment trips like this certainly is one.