[Shawn Kimbro]

Ran down to Va Beach to fish with Francis this weekend. Launched out of Lynnhaven yesterday just after daylight. There was a chill in the air but the bigger problem was the unpredicted 15+ winds. We had to go slowly but eventually ran from one side of the bridge to the other finding fish almost everywhere we stopped. I'm certain we could've had a 100 fish morning if we wanted to stay with mid-20s fish, but we were trophy hunting. The boat was iced up pretty good due to the spray which slowed us down even more. I had difficulty with my line-guides freezing up and a bigger problem with the level-wind on my baitcasters. At times the eye would ice-up solid so I couldn't cast. I had to raise my reel up and blow on it to keep it free of ice. Once I got it too close and my lips got stuck! Advantage spinning reel. The wind lay as we ran back in to pick up Jon about 1:00 PM.

There is more people in Francis's fishing network than there is in a Verizon commercial. He got a call about a bite in the ocean off Fisherman's Island so we did some running but missed the action. We settled on a respectable piling bite between 2nd & 3rd with plenty of fish in the 30s but I don't think we ever broke 40. Tried jigging the light line after dark but I guess we didn't give it a fair shake because the wind came back up and we had to git. It's always fun fishing with Jon. His excitement is contagious. Had an issue with the bilge line freezing and breaking but made-do by replacing it with a long-nose fuel funnel.

We launched out of Rudee today and ran down to the Carolina Line and back but only saw a few gannets here and there working small bait pods. Decided to bounce back to the bridge for more C&R and found fish in the same area as yesterday. Birds started working bigger bait on the Bay side and we got on what was probably the best bite of the weekend. Nice fish but right away we started getting nailed by 3 and 4 footers and with ice pellets flying sideways. We had little choice but to pull off the fish and hug the shoreline back around the Cape. Oh well, still a fun weekend despite the conditions. Thanks to Francis who, as usual, was a great captain and fantastic guide and always made safety the first priority.

 

[trophypro]

Sounds brutal Shawn, but good job on getting into some fish. Thanks for the report.

 

[Roger T]

You know it's cold when your lip gets stuck to your reel,way to stick it out and catch um Shawn..thanks for the report.

 

[GradyBaby]

Shawn thank God for the Arctic Armor. I bet it came in handy this weekend. Great post!

 

[reeltor]

Sounds like an adventure! You had me thinking about the scene in Christmas Story when Ralphie gets his tongue to the pole. You guys are hardcore to fish in that weather.

 

[Hakuna Matata]

Sounds like an adventure! You had me thinking about the scene in Christmas Story when Ralphie gets his tongue to the pole. You guys are hardcore to fish in that weather.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, but wasn't that kids name Flick or something like that? He was the kid that talked a bunch of **** and got triple-dog-dared to put his tongue on the pole.

-JB

 

[Steve F]

Now that’s what I call “Hard Core” fisherman. Way to stick it out and catch some fish thanks for the report Shawn

 

[Capt.Nick]

I remember when I did stuff like that and called it fun.:fishing2:

 

[smells like fish]

Sounds like some rough conditions Shawn. At least you caught some quality fish. WTG!

 

[MIKE BURGESS]

Greay job guys ! Shawn where did you get your Arctic Armor Looking to find the best deal in town.

 

[Wild Bill]

Shawn-

Thanks for the report. Glad you got them.

Simon and I are planning on going down Wed night and fishing Thurs-Sat. Is Francis fishing today and tomorrow?

 

[Giant Tuna]

Shawn:

I don't think there is anything wrong with you and Frances that medication and good psychiatric counseling will not fix. ;-);-);-)

Good work.

GT

 

[EDGEWATER]

WTG - sounds like a good trip.

How much longer do the fish hang around the CBBT?

 

[Pop Z]

Wild Bill, Francis is fishing today. Not sure about tomorrow depending on this clipper coming through.

 

[one fish]

Thanks for the rpt.

 

[Wild Bill]

Thanks Pop Z. I will try to call him tonight after he is in. Trying to decide on Kipto or Rudee.

 

[Shawn Kimbro]

Mike -- I put the AA to the test this weekend. I was never cold. I ordered mine online but I think maybe someone on the list has a better deal.
Chris -- It was a bit airish, but certainly fishable. If the wind woud've behaved I'm sure we could've found bigger fish.
Roger -- I'm wondering if Reel Magic or something similar might prevent that problem. I'll have to check it out.
Hank -- I used my AA last year snowmobiling on Lake Huron in 15 below temps. I was warm then too. I did break a zipper this trip that will have to be repaired.
JB & Paul & Capt. Nick -- You're right, adventure is the biggest draw. It's pretty easy to jig up fish at the CBBT right now, but the fun comes from the challenges cold-weather produces. Nothing is really routine. That, and the attraction of a possible 50 incher. We were a couple feet shy of that goal, but the attraction is the hunt.
Steve F -- Thanks. We saw a skiff like yours going out as we were coming in. For a second I thought it might be you. I looked twice then laughed that I even considered it!
PoPZ -- Missed you this time. Hope we can fish again soon.
Wild Bill -- Our water temp guages are a little skewed, but it's close to the 30s on an outgoing at the bridge. Plenty of fish hanging in there though.
Ron -- Thanks, see you at our favorite spot soon.
Jimmie -- I think there might have been some fish in that school we hit right at the end in the same class as those you and Charlie found. It was really tough to leave them, but the right decision. They were still there when I drove across the bridge 90 minutes later.
Chuck -- You're absolutely right!

 

[hard ripples]

Nice report. I think Isaw you guys down by the NC line, You passed in front of my boat. You seemed to be hunting around and I saw your rods rigged up with some BKDs ready to be dropped. We had a rough time trolling. I think it felt colder Sunday over Sat. I wish I would have know that was you guys blasting down the shore line, I sould have saved you the run. My buddies saw a CC with no windshield busting thru the waves and I thought it might be Francis, never met him but have seen the pics of the boat...they were like Wow they gotta be cold. We were in a CC with a little windshield.

 

[Salmo trutta]

Well I want to thank Shawn and Francis. It was awesome. Even if I was only there for the afternoon trip, it was well worth it. We searched and searched but fell back on the old faithful, the bridge, and a few key spots within spots that Shawn knew well. First drop with the BUG and I'm hooked up. Next drift we are all hooked up. BKD's eventually out did the bug so I switched to the big rubba and it was on again. The fish were over 50 feet of water and suspended but usually didn't let your jig find bottom. You got to love a suspended bite. When you feel that thump half way between where the bottom should be, there's not much better.

Talk about two experienced hardcore fishermen. I have an awesome picture of Shawn and Francis with 35+" fish. Mine came unbuttoned. These fish were on the pilings and between the pilings letting us get a nice long drift and not have to worry too much about a piling. Although when they were messing with the frozen bilge hose, I had to react quickly to move the boat but no worries, problem solved and a funnel worked in place of a hose. Besides, aren't all 1971 whalers unsinkable anyway.

I'll try and post some pictures later but wow am I busy. But that still can't stop me from peaking on tidal fish and reminisce with some good fishing friends.

 

[Hillbilly Boater]

Shawn, Welcome to the world of ocean rock fishing. It can be a hero or zero sort of thing. Guess you found out about the zero part. Nice thing down there is that you have the bridge to save the day.