7/19/07 Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

7/19/07 Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report

Today we did a full day (8 hour) walk on (also known as “put together”) trip for 6 anglers including world famous deep dropper and spadefisher extraordinaire Mr. Ray “The Codfather” Brandi, our good friend Mr. Ric Hensley and his son Steve Hensley (fresh back from USMC duty - SEMPER FI!), and our new friends Mr. Ken Melton, and Mr. Phil Snow and guest. Runner up world champion Tiddlywinks master T.J. Reiber of Northern Virginia made a rare appearance as 1st Mate today.

We decided to try the tug next to the Chesapeake Light Tower in an effort to target some larger Spadefish. This area is a gamble because if you get out there and the fish aren’t biting, you’re a long ride on the slow boat from China away from the 4th island where we’ve been having some great success. Oh yeah, here’s Capt. Croakerhead violating the #1 rule of charter boat fishing - “Don’t Leave Fish To Find Fish” - and off we went to the Tug!

It was a nice day and there was only one other boat out there on the Tug that got there just as we did - so plenty of room (to start). But the fish WOULD NOT BITE!!! We anchored, we drifted, we did everything but they would not bite! Finally, after much moving around (and staring at Spadefish that wanted NONE of our clams) they slowly started to bite. Of course, as soon as they started to bite, the unwashed masses descended upon us from the Tower (where I assume they were NOT biting) and from all four corners of The Atlantic Ocean (which turned the bite off again) - ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH

Well, we kept on working, moving, changing sinkers, changing leaders, changing hooks - heck I would have changed wives at this point (just kidding) and, once again, they started biting. Luckily, most of the other boats had left when they quit biting. But guess what happened when they started biting again (you guessed it)? And this time they brought a divers boat with them equipped with gigs and spears and said vessel promptly anchored in the middle of our drift! FRUSTRATION was a very pleasant word for my feelings at this point.

I have to hand it to the crew that hung in there and struggled to get their limit of 24 portly Spadefish and even managed to land an additional 3 boat fish for my grill. But I gotta tell ya that was the toughest 27 Spadefish ever earned aboard the “Jil Carrie”. They we a much heftier class of Spadefish than what we have been catching at the 4th, so in that respect, it WAS worth it. HATS OFF TO THE CREW FOR THEIR “NEVER GIVE UP” ATTITUDE! As I returned to the wharf, I contemplated my transgressions and planned alternative and less frustrating courses of action for our next voyage.

[ pictures to follow ]

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

OH MY GAWD! I have no idea how that emoticon thingy got into my fishing report. I have never used them as I consider them unmanly. I apologize for it's appearance. i think Brandon may be behind this somehow...

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

Our first hard earned Spadefish of the day

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

Mr. Steve Hensley fresh back from his 3rd war deployment for the USMC relaxing with his Dad - Ric and catchin' Spadefish. SEMPER FI!

[captdavdavis01]

jim, was it a lynnhaven dive center boat, or just a rec. boat with divers?

if its the ldc boat, ill fix your problem....hes my neighbor, and a non boat driving somebody at that.


danny

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

No, Capt. Danny, thanks anyway it was a rec. boat with rec. divers. They were just having fun and weren't doing anything wrong. I was just in a bad way because we were struggling. Any other day, I would have enjoyed watching. I'm gettin' old and cranky, I guess! Next thing you know I'll be as bad as Darren.

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

Mr. Ric Hensley gives his "proud papa" acknowledgement with a big Spade of his own - and the big fish pot winner of the day at 8 pounds. YODA???

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

Hey, not a great big one, but at least they started bitin' again!

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

There's nothin' that fights quite like a Spadefish. And they're great on the grill, too!

[Capt. Jim Brincefield]

"The Codfather" gets in on the Spadefish act.