West Neck Creek - 2; Gilbert - 0

It was with high expectations that I met Rob at the ramp at West Neck Marina about 1000. I also had higher hopes due to the fact that I finally installed my Lowrance fish finder last night. Since this was my first fish finder I knew my learning curve would be high.
I made it out onto the water first so that put me on Charlie's Point first. I figured out how to put my Lowrance into "fish ID" mode and began marking fish immediately. They were deeper than I thought they would be, though. They were suspending out in the middle of the channel. The water was kind of low as well. The deepest spot I hit was near the West Neck Road bridge at six feet. The water temperature when we started was 39 degrees. By the time I finished it had warmed up to 43 just below the bridge.

I finally decided to head in with zero fish in the boat. I was pretty cold even though I was wearing several layers. My waterproof gloves were a joke! My hands were wet and cold. Not a good combination on a cold windy day. Hopefully things will start to turn around for me. This is getting depressing.

West Neck Creek Round Two

Tomorrow is not going to be as nice as the weatherman said it was going to be just yesterday, but I am going fishing none the less. I am meeting my buddy Rob at the ramp so things should be fun and interesting.

Same set up, same lures. The only difference is that I finally got around to mounting my fish finder. I got a Lowrance Elite 4X for my birthday back in December. It has taken me this long to figure out just how I was going to mount it and get everything together to do so. It all came together just about how I imagined it would so I will see how it all works out tomorrow. Hopefully I won't "watch the show" and forget to fish!

What Was I Thinking?!

A few days ago the weatherman said that today was going to be somewhat chilly but doable. Then just yesterday the forecast had changed to chilly, but just about a gale was going to be blowing! However, with only a handful of days for fishing I decided to go anyway. BIG MISTAKE!

When I got up this morning the wind was blowing pretty hard. I got up and ate breakfast. I made the final decision and loaded up. I went to West Neck Creek Marina. When I pulled up at the ramp I knew I had made the wrong decision. But, since I was already there I figured that there was no since in wasting the $3 I paid to use the ramp.

The wind was HORRIBLE! There were white caps in the main channel at some points! What was I thinking?! I fought my way to Charlie's Point first. The wind was howling so hard that I could not even think about using my anchor pole so I just drifted down the bank. That is when I got my one and only productive "anything". I got a very solid double tap on the Mylar Minnow. That thing is a DREAM to fish with! I will cast a country mile and the action is solid. I know it will produce fish under better conditions!

The rest of the trip was an exercise in futility. Suffice it to say that I will not EVER make that mistake again! Hopefully the predicted weather for Monday holds as it is predicted. If so, I will be back at it again. Maybe this time I will even put a fish in the boat!

Not Looking All That Great

In my running around today I went down West Neck Road. I stopped at the bridge over the creek of that namesake to check on the conditions. I was not prepared for what I saw....

The water is rather low!

Looking across the creek just above the bridge.

The first cove on the right just above the bridge.

Christmas Tree point and the big fallen tree.

A panorama below the bridge.

The first cove on the right below the bridge.

The group of Cypress trees across the creek from Charlie's point.

It was also brutally cold! I know the next couple if days are going to be rough. As Charlie always says low water means good fishing. I just hope the last few weeks, coupled with this next winter blast, do less damage than my mind is conjuring up.

Things That Make You Go....

....Hmmm. I am absolutely giddy with excitement! I have a 96-hour liberty this weekend with Friday and Monday being my weekdays off. That meant that, after the winter that just will not end, I am going to go fishing!!! I checked the weather report and Friday is looking pretty nice. Then, on a whim, I checked the moon phase calendar. FRIDAY IS A FULL MOON!!! I have never had the chance to fish on a full moon. I cannot wait to get out on the water! Weather PLEASE do NOT mess this up!!!

Time For New Challenges

I have been inspired by my friend Charlie's lure painting. This past weekend my wife and I beat the cabin fever down, went to a local hobby store, and bought a small airbrush set up to begin our journey in lure customization. Also, ordered some new blank lure bodies from Dakota Lakes Tackle. I cannot wait for them to come in so we can start figuring out how to paint our own lures! I'll be sure to post photos of our progress so stay tuned!