who is serious and wants to go cobia fishing

[JoshKaptur]

Alright, I can't take it any more. Who wants to go cobia fishing in VA? I have a standing offer from Chad from TKAA to get us out there. Here's what I'd like to do:

Take a day off from work to do it... don't want to be out in all the boat traffic. Drive down the night before with someone who can carry two yaks (mine and yours) on the roof. Split gas and hotel 50/50. Hit the water first thing in the morning rigged to the gills... chum, manhaden milk drip, cut bait, plan to catch some live bait.

I intend to cover some water to get where we need to go. No offense but if covering several miles (I've done more than 15 before) sounds like a bad day to you then you aren't the right parner for me on this trip. I plan to make this a hardcore, leave it all on the water kind of thing.

I figure this trip will take some serious planning and rigging, perhaps with some modifications made to crates specifically for this trip. I know I will need a better anchor, a longer rope, and a float to quicly toss anchor. Tinkering around in my head about how to set up the chum and milk drip, etc.

I plan to have a bottom bait, a top bait, and a "ready to cast to em" bait. I also will bring one lighter rod and appropriate tackle for targeting other species (including some live bait) while I wait for my clicker to go off.

I'd like to land a brown suit, but don't care if we give it our best and don't. I'm willing to stay on the water all day... and I'll be happy with 4 foot long sharks if I have to be.

This thread is merely trolling for a partner or two willing to make a commitment... as I don't want to find myself all alone at the last minute (I understand emergencies, but can tell you I'll be there short of one for sure). If it turns into a major expedition with lots of yaks, that's fine... but right now I'd settle for one person ready for the challenge.

Reply here or bmail me, and we can pick a date. I was thinking a tuesday, wednesday, or thursday later this month or early august.

Josh

[Capt.Nick]

You sound like Tred Barta.Did you ever read his book?If not,you'd like it.Best & Worst of Tred Barta.He would go over a 100 miles offshore in a 17ft.Boston Whaler for a few days to fish alone.He loaded his boat so heavy with gear & fuel he had to keep his engine tied to the poles with his engine in gear at full throttle to keep the boat from sinking.They'd cut the lines free so he could take off.He couldn't stop til he burnt off weight from fuel to stop.He'd fish all night,catch Big Eye Tuna & only ate peanutbutter & jelly sandwiches with chocolate milk.
Now that was a tough man.

[Juke]

You might want to hook up with Ric Burnley and Kayak Kevin. You will not get any more hardcore than those two and Chad Hoover. Ric and Kevin just recently double hooked up on a 49 and 33 inch Cobia.
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9237/cobialatimerkayak7106medium4qc.jpg

[JoshKaptur]

That is an awesome pic. I do hope to hook up with the locals down there, but hope as well that someone from the Baltimore/DC metro area is interested.

Is that CBBT in the background? That certainly looks like a doable trip.

I'm headed over to TKAA to do a little begging. Thanks for the references.

Josh

[fishooter]

I'd be equally comfortable diving off the yak and using a speargun instead of hook and line, but that's just me. I like hook and line fishing just fine and if you get me on the right track for cobia fishing gear it does sound like a blast. I've got some spinning and some fly fishing tackle as well as a Penn Senator 9/0. I have an OK Zest II and an OK Scupper Pro, neither rigged for fishing so far. I'm on your way to the ocean and have kayak racks, so a trip would be pretty easy to do. I typically spearfish at the outer breakwater off Cape Henelopen by kayak but this kayak fishing thing sounds fun. Check your bmail.

Mark

[JoshKaptur]

Mark got your bmail and will call you. Your scupper pro is a GREAT fishing platform IMHO.

I would love to get into free diving and spear fishing... though my first fish should probably not be a cobia.

I've posted at TKAA asking for some local assistance, and will keep everyone updated on the plans. Still looking for that person willing to step forward and say "I'M IN 100%" (if that is you, Mark, I apologize as I have not called yet to find out).

Josh

[JoshKaptur]

double post - sorry.

[fishooter]

I just need to know how much paddling you plan on doing. I'm good for some miles but am not sure about 15 of them. I might be able to do that, but I'm not as good as I once was. If you are 30, in great shape, etc., I would not want to hold you back.
Mark

[chesapeakeblend]

Josh I like your style! We need to get out and fish one day soon. I cannot make this month for Cobia. I can paddle 15 miles no question. I do not know anything about chumming and all that out of the yak - need some help there. I would like to be in on a second trip in the fall or something probably.

We should get out with "the old man" over to kent island for night fishing with the yaks in the near future.

mike

[skinny locke]

Josh,

I am probably not your 100% guy, based on my family situation; and the fact that you are looking for some logistical help. (I live 10 minutes from Sandbridge Beach)

However, I would love to join in, if I can get away, once you have the date. I stay pretty close to the local reports; with an eye out for cobia. I have yet to get one out of the yak and plan to stay focused until it happens. I will continue to post anything I hear about "the man in the brown suit".

Tight Lines!

[JoshKaptur]

Thanks for the interest guys!! I'm seriously encouraged.

I'm still waiting for Chad from TKAA to realize that even though he cancelled on the flats trip this past April, he promised at that time to help me out with cobia this summer. I've go the email documentation ;)

As far as the distance - that depends on the game plan, which I do not know how to put together without local expertise. If it is 3 miles that's fine with me... but if our best chance is to cover some distance, then I want to do it. I'm willing to pick up and move if we need to as well. Good news is that you'll get a workour, and then presumably you get to toss anchor and relax for a while, and (after we get some pullage hopefully) you'll get another workout. I know those guys down there are experts at timing their paddles with the tides.

As far as people not wanting to be the "host" or "sponsor" for this trip, but wanting to be on the trip - that is awsome. Please come. View this thread as multiple requests:

1) who wants to go hardcore cobia fishing?
2) who (presumably in the Norfolk area?) has enough experience to help us plan the trip?
3) who (presumably near me) wants to carpool and split the costs of gas/hotel.

And Mike, any time you wanna go fishing locally let me know - I'm game except for Sunday's usually.

Josh

[Fisherman]

Give me a call.

Ric
757-289-5136

[Salmo trutta]

Latimere (sp) shoal is a short trip from Kiptopeake ramp and even shorter from the former Best Western (forgot the name of the hotel now). You could launch at their beach and come back in for a beer at their bar that is right on the beach. But the shoal is enormous and finding that right spot is going to take a little while with a great deal of depth finder work. Anchor on an edge and chum away I guess. With a little luck, cobia will come straight to you because you are floating debris that doesn't make any noise. Cobia like to investigate floating stuff and a kayak that is bleeding chum just might be the ticket.

But cobia are no joke. They are the "greenest" nastiest fish for inshore waters. Getting one in the yak is not going to be easy.

[JoshKaptur]

Salmo, this may sound Tred Barta-ish of me, but I'm looking forward to beating the snot out of it with my pacifier stick nearly as much as I am catching it!

For those who asked for phone calls - I haven't forgotten you, just want to make them from home and I've been swamped all week.

Until I get an official sponsor, can anyone let me know how long the season lasts (i.e. if you don't get there by ___, don't bother)?

Josh

[fishooter]

Salmo,
My oldest son speared his first one on scuba when he was 16. He got a good horizontal shot on it right through its head. When he tried to stringer it, it knocked the mask off his face, the regulator out of his mouth, and beat him up in general. Then it ripped off the spear, swam off and died. I found it after a big bull shark had chomped off the back 1/3. I left it there, as the shark was still in the immediate area and was bigger than I was. You are not kidding when you say cobia are no joke.
Mark

[Salmo trutta]

The cobia should be aorund until at least mid September. I hear August is prime time. I have a boat down there right now, a 22'cc. I'd be willing to take the yaks and if that doesn't work we could use the boat. Or if the boat doesn't work (it hasn't been started in a month) than we have the yaks.

I'll be out of commission with a baby towards the end of August so I need to get my hardcore fishing in now. But I got to tell you, cobia might be a little too hardcore. I get nervous when a 10 pound pike follows my spinner bait to the kayak and I'm all alone. Can't imagine what I would do or how I would feel when an 8 foot bull shark or 5' cobia came to check out my chum bag that would be tied to my seat. Let me catch one from the boat first and then I'll let you know how "easy" it's going to be. I admire your enthusiasm and it all sounds very tempting.

Contact Fisherman from the kayak board. He's often posting pictures of large fish from the yak from down that way. He should know exactly what to do and how to do it without help from an old 1911, .45 cal.

[JoshKaptur]

Good news on the tkaa forum - chad responded and said that they are tergeting them regularly. I'm going to give him a call and pick a date, and will post back here.

Josh

[Chad]

Josh,
I gave you my number bro, and said give me a call anytime you wanted to come down, I even told you that you could stay at my house, Southern Hospitality Baby-The only thing more I could do is come pick you up. I would also like to say that Ric and Kevin are all over catching big fish from the yak. Reds, striper, cobia, etc. They were both there when I caught mine and Ric was the one that planned the trip. Now both of them have hammered out one, finally saw that post yesterday. Ric is in the know and has his finger on the big fish pulse. Odds are now that I have the family back in town and work is caught up I will be getting out with them a lot more.
Chad
757-348-2232

[JoshKaptur]

Thanks Chad... would you mind picking me up? [wink]

Didn't mean to sound ungracious - just wanted ya to extend your offer again since the spring flats trip never materialized. Consider above comments to be ribbing, not complaining.

Appreciate the southern hospitality... may just take you up on it. I'll give you a call this weekend.

Oh... and if I may make this official - this trip is a green light folks!!!! Details to follow.

Josh

[Chad]

Ribbing Aye- I was just bustin' your balls. I actually called you twice to let you know about a couple of trips we were doing and you couldn't make it....After that I gave the open ended invite and figured you would call when you could make it....SO, (standby-here comes some more ribbin') when you are ready, I will pick you up for approx 60 cents a mile, all you have to do is call 757-348-2232, can't promise you a cobe, but I can promise you we will give em' hell. If you don't see me on the boards a lot this time of year, IT'S BECAUSE I AM FISHING!!!!
Chad

[TH]

I'm heading out early in the AM.

Destination- Sandbridge
Target - Cobia, and big reds.

report to follow[excited]

Trevor

[Capt.Nick]

If you guys ever get this together,I'm sure it's gonna make a good story.The most exciting part will be when you pull up your first cobia and it's about a 6ft.shark.

[JoshKaptur]

Fine by me Nick! I suspect that between a half dozen yaks we can get quite a chum slick going [grin]

I for one would love to see a cobia or two or more caught, but I've never found a reason to complain while fishing, regardless of whether we are catching or not, and regardless of what we are catching.

This much I know, I'm bringing lots of hooks and leader material.

I fully expect my sponsor (now using the term like in AA) to keep me under control and not let me try to pull the 6 foot shark across my lap for a photo op... cuz I'll sure be tempted.

Josh

[TH]

I just got back from sandbridge. Skinny and I dropped live croaker into the slick, nothing. We trolled spoons and plugs up and down the slick, nothing. We trolled spoons and plugs up and down the beach, nothing. We trolled through a school of menhaden, nothing. It was a nice day though, and I got some practice surfing my adventure.

Trevor

[JoshKaptur]

Thanks for the report TH. I'm making my phone calls tomorrow, and then we'll have a date.

[JoshKaptur]

Okay - apologies for the delays. My boss is wringing me dry recently. This trip is still on as far as I'm concerned. I have not made my phone calls yet - again, apologies. Between vacations and business travel, August fishing is looking downright terrible for me... but I can think of no better way to fix that than to squeeze in this trip.

Here's a few dates I'm considering - August 8 or 9; August 30 or 31.

Just bringin this back to the top lest we forget it's happening. I like the later dates since it would give us foreigners time to plan our rigging, etc.

Looks like I'm buying an SUV tonight (my car died - hooray), so now instead of begging for someone else to take me down, I'm willing to take a partner with me.

[Hookin-Up]

You getting a Xterra Josh?

[jrocket567]

My vote would go twoards the earlier dates- aug 8/9- School starts Aug 21st, so I would definatley be out for the later dates.
Jay

[skinny locke]

My vote would be for Aug. 9th. What is the destination?

[Chad]

How about Aug 8th, 9th, 30th and 31st?
Chad

[JoshKaptur]

Chad - knew there was a reason I liked you. Sounds like I'm going to be feeling a bit under the weather on the 7th and 29th.

Hookin-up - putting a down payment on a pathfinder tonight.

[JoshKaptur]

Well as today is the 8th, I officially suck! Who is serious... apparently not me.

I owe everyone an apology after going on and on about how hardcore I wanted to be and then making it look like a fantasy.

I'm still game for the later trip, and just saw some nice Penn 330 combos on sale at Bass Pro... which might as well be a sign from God as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, bumping this to the top... again promising to call those who were promised phone calls. I've got kayak issues now, but expect them to be fixed as soon as I get a repair kit from my dealer (any day???).

Josh

[Cory ruthless Routh]

There is still time, guys are catching them right off of the beach in Sandbridge. A surfcaster even got one.

[TH]

Whats wrong with your adventure?

[Tanner Yak]

I have no clue how to fish for them but I can probably go Thursday. Sounds awesome to me. I probably dont have enough rod to do it but that can be solved with a trip to Bass Pro if someone will tell me what I need.

[TH]

Something similar to a TLD 20 should suffice. If you plan on letting it pull you around, I would use something like 20# test with a 80# shock leader. I suggest you find a partner.

[jrocket567]

ehhhh.... times running out for me- have to be in Blacksburg next Friday, but if yall go before then, let me know and Ill do my best to come
I'm going running and gunning for em Friday in a friend's stinkpot- will let you know how I do.
Jay
804-357-0986

[Capt.Nick]

And the Saga goes on.

[Fisherman]

Wild hair... anyone want to go Sunday? Just throwing it out there.

Ric
757-289-5136

Supplies:
12 eels
2 7 lb buckets of chum
2 - 3 heavy action rods.
8/0 Circle hooks on 80 pound leader fishfinder sleeves floats and beads.
Danforth or Bruce anchor 100 feet of rope anchor trolly float for anchor rope.

[Capt.Nick]

Ric The last time I fished VA beach was with your father & we caught a load of big Amberjack.

[Chad]

They caught several nice cobia off Avalon Pier yesterday. Anyone want to head south for cobes next weekend. One guy I talked to said he was kayaking out shark baits and saw about 15 cobia while he was paddling baits in and out.
Chad

[JoshKaptur]

I'm in Telluride fly fishing until the 26th. I would still like to make it out on the 30th and/or 31st. Good luck if you make it to NC. I'm willing to drive to where the fish are considering this is a once a year thing for me... what's an extra couple hours...

If I was yakkin out baits and saw a single cobia I'd be changing tactics... let alone those kinds of numbers. *drewl*

[Fisherman]

Spent the week on Avalon pier and saw 53 million cobia. I'll be spending the rest of the summer/eary fall chasing these brown bastages off the beach. Who's in? I'm going as many days this week as the weather allows. The 30 and 31 sound good, too. It's time to kill!

Ric
757-289-5136

[Chad]

I am definitely in. I will try to get a day off this week or just take off Friday and do a three day. Ric, where do you launch down there, from the beach, is it 4X4 only. What is the scoop? I would like to get a group together if possible and head down. Maybe camp out or get a room. Anyone else in?
757-348-2232
Chad

[Fisherman]

We'll probably drive down to NC that morning. Leave Va Beach at 4 AM and arrive around dawn. Not sure where to launch. I'd like to fish off the wreckage of Kitty Hawk pier - I've heard there is good bottom and not much pressure since the pier was lost in Isabelle. Can't drive on the beach so we'll have to commando launch over the dunes. I haven't investigated the area too much so we'll see when we get there. I'll call my contacts on Avalon and get an up-to-the minute report. Bust off Sandbridge on Tuesday. Caught a couple biters but didn't see any cobes. Just means we gotta to again, and again, and again...

R
757-289-5136

[JoshKaptur]

Guys back from vacation, and no time to post much now, but I have to bail on this one, for which I am deeply sorry. Let's just say that 'intermediate' mountain biking means two different things in Telluride and Maryland. Had me a real nasty fall and am in 2x a day bandage changing mode, not kayak fishing for green cobia mode. All in all I'm lucky I wasn't hurt more after my tumble down the mountain, but I doubt I could do much pedaling/paddling for two or more weeks, let alone land a cobe, let alone get my kayak on the roof of the car... you get the idea. Sorry again, and feel free to call me names when I meet most of you at the tkaa september tourney.

Josh

[Chunkalead]

Hope ya heal up right. NTKG nailed a 40#er on Friday.[wink]

[Capt.Nick]

Maybe you'll be healed by january.I caught a 40# Cobia in Key West during that month close enough to shore that you could see people toasting the sunset with cocktails.She had eggs so I released her.There's always next year.

[Capt.Nick]

How'd you in NC.. Ric?

[JoshKaptur]

Thanks - I hope you all make it out and post reports. Not much more hardcore that I can imagine from the yak in our home waters.