First Puppy of 2016 & Speck (Rudee, Apr 6, 2016)

[ComeOnFish]

My target species were puppy drum and flounder this time. Luckily, the wind was calm and didn't start blowing from mid day unlike the forecast the day before.

One of the yakers, I met, knew a lot about fishing speck and puppy drum. I learned a lot from him just watching how he fished. He kept 3 specks and caught a bunch of bluefish. He also caught a puppy drum. So I prepared the same jig + lure combo similar to his for puppy drum. And I caught a puppy drum using the combo.

I caught only 2 good sized specks and a bunch of bluefish. So flounder is the only remaining target species for me until May.

To me, Rudee was consider as a backup place for a windy day. But now I think Rudee is one of the primary fishing waters during spring.

Fishing log:

Joe

[Shady]

Nice fishing! So, I guess you don't like bluefish

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[ComeOnFish]

Nice fishing! So, I guess you don't like bluefish

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I like catching part. Later I kept bluefish because some kayakers wanted. I've been giving away specks to yakers I met there. It was weird that many fishermen got skunked when bluefish were everywhere.

Joe

[mytmouse]

Looks like a nice trip Joe! I've been wanting to head down to Rudee but I'm nervous about the high winds we've been having. How much protection from the wind do you get there and can you point me to the launch?

[ComeOnFish]

Looks like a nice trip Joe! I've been wanting to head down to Rudee but I'm nervous about the high winds we've been having. How much protection from the wind do you get there and can you point me to the launch?

You can fish there at 20 MPH wind because Rudee is a small area (Though I saw some kayakers struggleing to paddle against wind and the current at the same time. Current is mild usually) . The fish-able water is about 10 football field. Though casting light lure for Puppy (3/16 - 1/4 OZ jig + 3.5" soft lure) will be a challenge when Puppy are in 2-3' of water close to the marsh when the wind is strong. The good thing in Rudee is that the fish aren't resident fish, IMO. They move in with incoming tide (most of time) and leave when the water subsides most of time. This means fish will be replenished again and again in the spring and fall.

Fishing on a Hobie with Mirage drive makes a huge difference because trolling and casting can be done at the same time. Do you have a Hobie?

No parking fee, Friendly fishermen, no cart needed.
I will put my spots, lures, and some instructions over the weekend. I guess not many of us will fish this weekend due to the wind.

Joe

[Shady]

In my honest opinion a fresh, properly bled bluefish of that size is very good, but certainly behind drum and speck...

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[mytmouse]

Thanks for info Joe! I'll definitely try to get out there in the upcoming weekends. I moved to Richmond so I'm still working on my spots to hit down in the tidewater area that I haven't had the chance of exploring.

I don't have a Hobie. But I've been dealing with the pain of my paddle yak since I started yak fishing so I'm used to my shortcomings in high wind/high current situations. One day I'll take the plunge on a Hobie, but sadly it's not in the cards just yet.

[moc]

Thanks for the report Joe. You are always full of educational information. I have been sick for four weeks, so I was out of the fishing seen for a while. I had to live through other fishermen adventures, so your videos have been great. Thanks again for the report.

[ComeOnFish]

Thanks for the report Joe. You are always full of educational information. I have been sick for four weeks, so I was out of the fishing seen for a while. I had to live through other fishermen adventures, so your videos have been great. Thanks again for the report.

I am still thinking about building your crab rigs. That is on my list of things I must do.

Joe

[ComeOnFish]

Thanks for info Joe! I'll definitely try to get out there in the upcoming weekends. I moved to Richmond so I'm still working on my spots to hit down in the tidewater area that I haven't had the chance of exploring.

I don't have a Hobie. But I've been dealing with the pain of my paddle yak since I started yak fishing so I'm used to my shortcomings in high wind/high current situations. One day I'll take the plunge on a Hobie, but sadly it's not in the cards just yet.

Moved to Richmond? I guess we will meet often in Summer possibly. Tufnik, HokieDJ and I fish VA beach area often in May - December. We drive 3 + hours. We can show you where we fish if you want to drive 1.5-2 hours.

Joe

[mytmouse]

Oh for sure Joe! Sadly, I am relegated to the weekends for the time being. I know you guys get down a lot more than that! But definitely let me know when you'll be in the area on a Saturday and Sunday and I'll try to be there.

[Ken kayak]

That is nice