MyOBX Fishing Report

If you read the prior post you would know that I spent a week down the Outer Banks, more specifically Nags Head. Now I guess you can go there lay next to the pool or by the ocean and drink eat and be merry. However any angler worth his salt would just not be satisfied with being that close to amazing fishing and not get a line wet. And after arriving on the 3rd of September and suffering next to the pool for a few days of the blow. The weather finally cleared enough to launch my plastic yacht and see what was catching.

I was up on Tuesday well before sunrise, shaking off the previous evening libations and ready to kick start the morning. A short drive put me behind Oregon Inlet fishing center where I dropped the yak and headed  north into a stiff breeze. Plan on day one was to catch some flounder for dinner then poke around for reds and sea trout. The flounder Came early and often but not with much size. Truth be known I probably missed more than I caught, flounder fishing is a lot more subtle than the stripers I chase back home so I was getting excited at every nibble and snatching the lure away before my flat friends were ready to commit. I chased a keeper all day but the recently stirred and shaken water was only giving shorts.

The great thing about OBX is the variety. Along with flounder I caught weakfish, blues, small sea trout, lizard fish, and a few other species I did not recognize. I had intended to fish until dark but I noticed my kayak wasn't feeling right about evening so I pulled in some shallow water hoped out and open my front hatch. It was full, I don't even know how the kayak stayed so stable. This was about the time I made a bad decision with my phone. I used an old gulp pail and my sponge and emptied the water from the haul. I figured I would fish back to the launch and would be fine The deepest water I had come across was 6 foot deep so walking back was a option and I didn't want to miss fishing time for a pesky leak.

Dont know what this guy is

I had snapped some awesome pictures of the storm on the way down and of fish I had caught to this point along with my full haul. Knowing my kayak could become unstable if full and I could turtle. I stuck my iphone in a dry bag and put it in the kayak, Wrong decision long story short bag leaked phone took a 3 hour swim and so yeah, you can guess the rest. Now a true fisherman would swear that the picture of the big one was on the phone but I won't go there this time got to stick to my "Pictures or it didn't happen" speil.

first small flatty

Bonner Bridge Oregon Inlet

More Dinks

Head boat heading in

small weak fish

Off Shore fleet Oregon Inlet

construction cranes for new bridge Oregon Inlet

I decided not to take the yak out on Wednesday instead opting to toss lures into an angry surf and try and figure out my leak. The surf turned up small blues but not much else though I could see the commercial fleet just off shore tearing into spanish macks. It was tempting to launch the yak through the surf and try my hand but with a mystery leak and no paddle company. I used my rarely used better judgement.

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With no obvious hole I launch back out of Oregon Inlet on Thursday this time in search of redfish and seatrout specifically. Water was still stained and with my lack of knowledge in either fishery I knew it would be a long shot, but hey its fishing. I was met with my first skunk of the week after about 6 hours of paddling and only a picture of the scenery for my trouble. That and a kayak full of water and a now obvious crack at the scupper in the seat. The crack was right at the flex zone where my boat was strapped to the car on my trip down and I guess loading and unloading finally made it visible. This would end the float trips for the week with one day left as I had nothing to repair it with and was frankly to sore from paddling a fully loaded yak around. I spent the rest of vaction soaking up the hot tub and self medicating with awesome local brew.

The outer banks is one of my favorite places in the world. Something about living on a sandbar just lets you see how fleeting life is and make you want to get the most out of it. Keep Living The Dream

End Of Summer Road Trip OBX

        Its been a couple of years since the wife and I took a vacation and 10 since we went on vacation alone. So we loaded up the Xterra  strapped the Kayak to the top,put the dog in the back and headed south into tropical storm Hermine.  I watch the weather for 3 days to make sure I took the right route and left at the right time. We didn't want to drive through the storm but we also didn't want to miss a minute of beach time. The plan was to skirt the storm and drive in behind it as it cleared Virginia beach area then head on down to our destination in South Nags Head OBX. The plan work out well and we skirted the storm only having to change paths for 2 flooded roads and one accident. I took some awesome pictures of the angry James river going through Hampton Roads and down trees and power lines closer to the banks. Those photo's are lost for ever because my work I phone doesn't swim as well as I do.All was well, we stopped and got the requisite pulled pork BBQ for lunch and made great time with not many people on the road. Then we hit Wright Memorial Bridge, We could tell on the way down that some high winds had passed through (see trees and poles down). However the tree line was blocking the true force mother nature had in store. As we pulled onto the bridge ole ma nature did her best to rip my 14 foot kayak off the truck. Another picture lost was of the drive of a neighboring car's look of horror as my kayak turned sideway's and buffeted up and down.We did eventually make it across stopping in a wally mart parking lot to tighten straps and take white knuckles off the steering wheel (hers not mine). The rest of the trip to the realtors office was not as eventful even with the transformer blowing outside and power going out. I will give Sun Realty some props for being prepared they had back up power and didn't miss a beat.
     Our how was nice though everything in the area had blown into the pool and because of the wind I couldn't even pull the kayak off the car until Sunday. First night in the house was a little rough, you had to get your sea legs on. If you have never been to the outer banks everything is built on stilts and when it blows so does your house my pup was freaked the whole night. Once pass the excitement we settled in for a relaxing week.

Hatteras light house

Frogs were everywhere every time we opened front door 2 would hop in

putting the dunes back on pea island

White marlin release flags flying at Oregon Inlet

Sunset over park viewed from our balconyx

Bodie Island Light

Sand on the road in Avon

Mind you this guy was like this in a steady 30 mph wind

Puppy found this little guy

If you have never been to the Outer Banks its worth the trip even if you don't like the beach. Plenty of history nature and did i mention great fishing though that' s a later post. Yup, I am still Livin the Dream.

Just Livin

         Started this week off at another ballgame. Different company this time and not out of my pocket which suits me fine. Work had a team building get together so about twenty of us headed to the O's game Monday night. Boss bought us all appetizers and drinks before the game and my my partner in crime Benjamin and I took full advantage. It was a great night with good folks.

Dos Amigo's

Some of us might of drank a little to much but who's counting. Spent the rest of the week trying to get things caught up at work and home. I have an upcoming vacation and it been way to long since my last. Want to have my ducks in a row before I leave. I hate when people go on vacation and leave loose ends so I don't like to leave my guy's like that if I can help it.

        Had to tame my feral garden, it's been producing well but I have neglected it this year.

Bell Flower planted it for my Korean mama Ms Jean 

Notice the cantaloupe growing up the house

Second of my 2 cantaloupes first that I have been successful with here

Don,t know what flower this is my neighbor has one in her yard and now I do, pretty though.

Earlier in the week I tweaked my ankle so besides a evening paddle I been pretty much chilling out this week end. I managed to get my hunting gear together get some pictures off my fishing camera that has not been working right. Sometimes living the dream is slowing down propping up a bum foot, sipping a cold one and reading a book or two. Here are some random fishing pics and some from my evening paddle. Also an awesome water spout shot near my house.

Old marina and someones sunken dream

me cheesing, sent this to the wife when she ask how fishing was going

toothy critters

don't be skeered thumb him

gear for vacation

Anniversary Ballgame and GSD!

Its been a busy and awesome weekend and I didn't even go fishing. Gave my honey an early anniversary gift and took her to watch her favorite baseball team.It was her favorite player bobble head give away and I  know she gets excited by little things like that so I scored a couple of tickets and surprised her. She also got her a 2017 Orioles calendar that benefits BARC's animal rescue, so she was one happy girl. Can't believe we have been together for 13 years and will be married 10 on the 25th of  August. Still never thought a women would put up with my ass that long.

Our first date and now. She still pretty and I'm still big and bald. Love this woman!

Don't see whats so special about this dude not nearly as good looking as the one above

wife spotted this on the street.

Not my kinda bike but love the paint

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Game wasn't until the evening so I decided to get the old truck running. The last time I drove it the tranny wasn't shifting right. I made it home but the starter went up and I got pissed and bought another car refusing at the time to put another dollar into it. I found a starter dirt cheap on rock auto so I snagged it against my better judgement. I installed it added some fluid and repaired some wires and she fired right up and drove like a champ. I'm still not gonna keep her though. So I cleaned her up took pictures and posted to craigslist. I need a fullsize truck and this one been nothing but a head ache since I bought it from my little cousin, guess that's what I get for being nice. I did make my day to breath life into that which I thought was dead.

Buy Now limited time they are going quick

Yup that was me

No reason for this one just tickled me

Today woke up cooked a big ass breakfast shampooed the carpets to get the dog smell out then went and knocked out a side job. Came home grilled some dinner and baked cookies from scratch. Hmm maybe there is a reason she keeps me around.

Though I hate going to the city when I'm off of work I enjoy going to a ball game. Its relaxing to watch a game and have a beer or three (as long as you don't think about how much they cost). And Camden Yards is a pretty nice park to do it in. The O's got their asses whooped but Chris Davis hit a homer and made the wife's day. 

Of Jumbo Crabs and Sailfish

Spent the weekend away from tv and the web, caught up after work today and it looks like I should of stayed away longer. Anyhow it was a great weekend, went kayak crabbing on Stoney Creek Saturday. Got up before sun up with plans to be done by noon with the heat index being 110 plus. Crabbing was slow and being on the water taking a dip every now and then seemed the best place to be. We crabbed until 5 netting 3/4 of a bushel and ill say they made up in size for what they lacked in numbers.

9" stoney creek monster

That's probably the second biggest blue crab I have caught in my life and just about every other measured 7+ with a few 8 incher's. 

our crabs have attitude

I think we interrupted this guys party. I like how he rolls. Got back online this evening and checked the White Marlin Open results. Had a couple of friends in the tournament and was hoping they would place well. For those that don't know its the largest billfish tournament in the world and is held in Ocean City Md. I used to watch them weight the fish in when I was young with my pop and dream of being in it one day. I have had a few invites but never the money to play. The record payout this year was 4.3 million in prize money. The winning white marlin netted 2.8 million. My friends didn't place in the money. 

WMO sailfish

 They did land some nice dolphin and a rare sailfish for this far north. This tournament is definitely on my bucket list. I can dream:)

I was told I have one of these shirts coming can't wait, apparently they have caused quite and uproar. Don't know why catch an release marlin fishing is the way to go.

Claire's moved

Claire Wolfe has moved, Go visit, donate www.clairewolfe.com/blog. I found here book 101 Things to do Til the Revolution back around I think 2000. She opened my eyes to liberty.Thanks Claire.