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I haven't personally met many of you guys but for those who do know me, know that catching a bull red on the ES of VA has become a wee bit of an obsession. Because of guys like KK and Rob Choi, I got into kayak fishing with the sole purpose of catching a bull red. I literally dream about that sh%t. I enjoy catching other species but that bull eluded me. It eluded me for approximately 10-12 trips to the ES, one god awful trip to Chicoteague, and another miserable mothership trip to Holland Island (bugs galore). That's an average of 15 miles of paddling per trip times....well, its a lot of freaking peddling.
Now on my last trip to VA (two weeks ago), my friend JC and I managed some quality rock. So when I departed from Salisbury for my latest 2 day VA trip, I was slightly more optimistic, but still not expecting to connect on Mr. Bull.
Day 1
I'll start by saying TIMING IS EVERYTHING. As I pulled up to the ramp, I see Rob Choi and Richey B. After a quick "what's up, how have you been?" , I was off. I headed off on my normal course. Upon arrival to my spot, immediately my small Calcutta started screaming. After a nice fight I had a beautiful 40 inch rock in my lap.
After the release, as I reeled in my other line, it gets hit hard. After two long runs she comes unbuttoned. 120 blind cast later resulted in nothing. Oh well. I met up with Rob and his pals as they paddled over. I had the pleasure of fishing with them for the remainder of the day. Along with KK and other VA and MD anglers. (Hemmingway was also there. Heck of a nice guy. Thanks for all of your help, Gary!) I watched one of them land the last of his four reds, but we were a few minutes late to the party. Several more hours of fishing resulted in nada. After a Sting Rays burger and a few beers I was asleep in my Kipto tent by 830.
Day 2
Awake at 2:00 AM because my air mattress had a hole in it. Didn't care. Reds on my mind. I met Hemmingway at the launch around 0600 and we were off. Our target depth was around 5 feet of water. It was two shades darker than topsoil with no visibility. Trolling was our only option. After a few minutes my new avet started screaming. Now, since its new I didn't have a quality rod leash on it. I made one the day before out of string. Awesome idea (insert sarcasm). As I started fighting the bull I've literally spent hundred of dollars and hours on, the makeshift leash gets wrapped around the handle and he shakes the hook. I wanted to puke, cry, and punch something all at the same time. Thankfully, after resetting my lines a rod goes down again. This time, I was ready and leash free. After the craziest kayak fight I've every had, I landed my first bull, at 44 inches. Truly insane feeling.
I was good to go. Could have went home, to a jewelry store with my fiance, or the MVA at that very moment and been completely happy. As I started again, I had my third takedown. When I reached back to grab the rod I saw the red breach the water like a tarpon. He was an easy 3 feet out of the water. After another sleigh ride I landed a 45 incher.
After pictures and thanking baby jesus a few hundred times, I put the lines back out. After resetting into the target depth, I had my fourth takedown and landed the biggest of the morning at 46.5 inches.
A few others showed up and fished hard until I left a couple hours later. As far as I know they fished the remained of the day with all receiving a skunk. Hemmingway fished beside me, with the exact same setup, through all of this without a hit. I point this out to illustrate my point that timing is everything on the ES. You can go over a dozen trips with nothing or land several your first time out. It all about putting in the time and learning....and luck. It's a trip I'll never forget.
(All photos taken by Hemmingway)
Now on my last trip to VA (two weeks ago), my friend JC and I managed some quality rock. So when I departed from Salisbury for my latest 2 day VA trip, I was slightly more optimistic, but still not expecting to connect on Mr. Bull.
Day 1
I'll start by saying TIMING IS EVERYTHING. As I pulled up to the ramp, I see Rob Choi and Richey B. After a quick "what's up, how have you been?" , I was off. I headed off on my normal course. Upon arrival to my spot, immediately my small Calcutta started screaming. After a nice fight I had a beautiful 40 inch rock in my lap.
After the release, as I reeled in my other line, it gets hit hard. After two long runs she comes unbuttoned. 120 blind cast later resulted in nothing. Oh well. I met up with Rob and his pals as they paddled over. I had the pleasure of fishing with them for the remainder of the day. Along with KK and other VA and MD anglers. (Hemmingway was also there. Heck of a nice guy. Thanks for all of your help, Gary!) I watched one of them land the last of his four reds, but we were a few minutes late to the party. Several more hours of fishing resulted in nada. After a Sting Rays burger and a few beers I was asleep in my Kipto tent by 830.
Day 2
Awake at 2:00 AM because my air mattress had a hole in it. Didn't care. Reds on my mind. I met Hemmingway at the launch around 0600 and we were off. Our target depth was around 5 feet of water. It was two shades darker than topsoil with no visibility. Trolling was our only option. After a few minutes my new avet started screaming. Now, since its new I didn't have a quality rod leash on it. I made one the day before out of string. Awesome idea (insert sarcasm). As I started fighting the bull I've literally spent hundred of dollars and hours on, the makeshift leash gets wrapped around the handle and he shakes the hook. I wanted to puke, cry, and punch something all at the same time. Thankfully, after resetting my lines a rod goes down again. This time, I was ready and leash free. After the craziest kayak fight I've every had, I landed my first bull, at 44 inches. Truly insane feeling.
I was good to go. Could have went home, to a jewelry store with my fiance, or the MVA at that very moment and been completely happy. As I started again, I had my third takedown. When I reached back to grab the rod I saw the red breach the water like a tarpon. He was an easy 3 feet out of the water. After another sleigh ride I landed a 45 incher.
After pictures and thanking baby jesus a few hundred times, I put the lines back out. After resetting into the target depth, I had my fourth takedown and landed the biggest of the morning at 46.5 inches.
A few others showed up and fished hard until I left a couple hours later. As far as I know they fished the remained of the day with all receiving a skunk. Hemmingway fished beside me, with the exact same setup, through all of this without a hit. I point this out to illustrate my point that timing is everything on the ES. You can go over a dozen trips with nothing or land several your first time out. It all about putting in the time and learning....and luck. It's a trip I'll never forget.
(All photos taken by Hemmingway)
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