Messages

1

General Board / Re: 2024 Garden Thread

« on: Today at 01:51:46 PM »

Picked a broccoli yesterday.





That a green Head!

2

Freshwater Shore Fishing Reports / Blowing off Steam (5/15)

« on: Today at 01:50:03 PM »

After getting the news about my job, I decided to run down to the puddles amd soak some lines.  Plan was to see if there was any holdover trout, but half the lake is closed for construction.  All of my good spots are closed and it didn't help my mood.  Then Bass guy walks right up next to me and starts casting standing at my rod.  He could feel the tension....

Well, I got a new record... SEVEN Pond Chickens in one session!



Then I got a few real bites, but as you can see, it was quite the sprint to get to them so I ended up missing a few.  I finally got on the board with a 1.25# cat...  Not even enough for a hush puppy.  Well, no more puddles until construction is done.

3

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Kauai Part 3 - "Desperation"

« on: Today at 10:18:10 AM »

My chance of catching fish was diminishing and diminishing after every passing minute.  I only had small windows to get out and the weather and tides were not cooperating as well as all the local netters in the only fishable spot.  I looked on Google and saw a pier not far away in Ahukini Recreational Pier State Park.  It was an old sugar wharf from the old days of the sugar plantations and was in real disarray but looked like an absolute fish magnet!

I talked my wife into getting an Uber down to the pier for a few hours before heading out to lunch.



There were a few people fishing and I saw a few fish come up on the rickety dock.  That dock was sketchy as hell and I can't believe it wasn't condemned!  lol



I walked all of those rafters and dropped crack on every piling!









Great view..



Also had a few turtles swim up to the pier and check us out.







I was casting to a HUGE Houndfish (probably 4-5 feet) but all the lure did was scare it.  I even tried snagging it I was so desperate!  lol

My wife them saw some slender needlefish which wanted to play!  I hooked at least 6, but  trying to swing a wriggle slender needlefish that high onto the dock was infuraiating.  My wife almost grabbed the one, but it bit her and she was not happy about it since I said "Just grab it!".

I am considering it a catch and new species (Platybelone argalus) even though I couldn't get a picture of it. (Species #370 in order, but #375 in the grand scheme of things)

Well, the hours flew by and my wife wanted lunch so we called our Uber.



Next morning and I could feel that something wasn't right.  Not feeling great and the weather was not helping... but the wind was starting to die out finally.







Had some good bites but I couldn't get them to stick.  A local was telling me to use small white curly tail grubs and I happened to have a pack of 1" Gulp grubs!



Today we had the helicopter trip, so my fishing was at a minimum.  Those trips are EXPENSIVE as hell, but I heard I wouldn't regret it.  I bought a few seats for my wife's 50th birthday and she was excited and a little nervous about it.  Man, that was EXHILERATING!  A memory I defintely will not forget anytime soon.  Saw no less than 200 waterfalls and dropped into the crater.  I thought we were buzzing the cliff walls awfully close, but it was just amazing.





I took GoPro of the entire trip but need to edit the video.  Absolutely amazing.





When we got back to the resort, I started eying up the Koi and almost resorted to dropping a hair rig in their face! 



My wife was now getting in real bad shape and didn't leave the room.  I was feeling terrible, but not as terrible as I would if I didn't start catching fish!  I scaled down a lot and went on a full mission to catch something.  (I have a meeting now so will finish up in a half hour)



I'm back....





I went for a quick pre-dinner trip just to make a few casts and YES!  I never knew such a small fish could bring so much joy!  LOL Stocky Hawkfish! Cirrhitus pinnulatus (Species #371



I then realized I was on a nest of them, and my little Z-Man did what it was supposed to.  I'm not sure how big these things get, but they all were pretty small.  Caught 3 and lost another 3.



Then the bites stopped, and I went back to the room to check on the wife and get ready for dinner (even though I wasn't too hungry).

Last day before we leave and I arm myself with the tiny gear.  I take the little grubs and a small Kastmaster out.  I literally walk down and on my first cast, New Species!  Moi!
6-finger Threadfin, Polydactylus sexfilis.  (Species #372)





I then realize all of the fish out here run in schools.  I was really trying for a goatfish, but that apparently is more of a summer fish along with the Ulua.

I caught the magic number of 3 (1 sportsman's release) and looked like funny mullet.  I heard the locals would have mugged me for these fish, so thankfully didn't see me catch them.







I fished longer than usual since my wife was stuck in bed and started throwing the little irons.  I then felt a hit, but only in the slightest.  As I was reeling in I saw a school of them around what I hooked!  I thought it was a needlefish at first, but saw that tiny little upper lip!  New Species! Tropical half-beak!

Hemiramphus depauperatus (Species #373)





Then the locals starting coming in waves on the beach and started jumping in my little slough.  Oh well, I walked up to check on a little waterway I saw coming into the resort.  I thought I saw peac*ck bass, but never got positive ID.  I did see a TON of cichlids!  WTH, let's see....



Boom!  I couldn't get any big ones to bite, but caught a bunch of little tilapia!  Blackchin Tilapia!  (courtesy of Africa)

Sarotherodon melanotheron (Species #374)



These guys loved the crack!



I also had a catfish, but it made small work of my little size 10 baitholder.  Later I heard they were African cats... Grr... bummed I lost this one.  Looked more eel like.

I then saw something and tried for it!  Bam!  I thought it was a snakehead when realized it was a Sandwich Island sleeper! Endemic species to Hawaii

Eleotris sandwicensis (Species #375)







On the way back to the room, I noticed a ton of Placos in the ponds!  Lets just say security was not down with me trying to catch them though...





These were the lures that got most of the fish.



Well, pretty much the trip was over at this point since my wife couldn't even get out of bed.  I ended up going to dinner by myself since my wife couldn't muster the strength.  I brought her back a meal, so she was happy but it wasn't the way we hoped to end the trip.  In any case, it was all worth it!




...Oh, I forgot to mention that I got a Hawaiian Pizza in Hawaii.  I did this to tease my Italian friends back in NY who want me hung for putting fruit on pizza!  lol



Thanks for reading and until next tide!

4

Saltwater Boat Fishing Reports / Re: Inshore w/ Jared, Underwater Cam Debut 5/11

« on: Today at 08:39:09 AM »

Not much talent you have to get so many bites and land very few fish.

Damn, Arizona coming in HOT!

5

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Re: Same Sh Different Day 5/15

« on: Today at 08:38:23 AM »

Red Label is Southeastern redneck line.  lol

I totally get it, but it's good seeing someone else use the sickle hooks.  I was using 5/0 heavy bait hooks and they were quite heavy and thick gauge.  Mackerel didn't seem to care when I pinned them on, but the smaller baits didn't do well with them.

6

General Board / 1980's Gym Class Dodge Ball

« on: May 15, 2024, 01:32:15 PM »

I asked my boss about if I should be coming in with the "Rona" or not since all of the guidance from our company seemed to be out of date.  His response was "I'll set up a meeting for us about it" and I never got a meeting request.  I masked up and went in just to get shoveled out and told to go home.  I get home to get on my computer about the big company announcement... and.... They are shutting our TRD site down.  That means I only have 3 months, 6 months or possibly a year left.  I won't know until later this week.

I was going to put up a third and final post right now, but I may just go down to the puddles, grab a pint, and Blow the "Rona" out in the fresh air while waiting for a whisker Trout to bite.

I'll get up the finale later today.  The last 3 days have been 1980's Gym Class Dodge Ball...

7

Contest & Events / Re: SNBF-XVII

« on: May 13, 2024, 08:24:56 PM »

Well, I'm predicting the VC will pass up LA and OC and never look back.  It seems the "Bookend counties" rule the Southern Waters....

8

Hunting Board / Have-A-Heart Hunting

« on: May 13, 2024, 08:22:55 PM »

My game trail cam broke, but I suspect a Racoon or Possum wreaking havoc in my garden.  My wife wants no harm to come to it, so I have to get tricky with the trap in order to catch it.

I just finished taking my NyQuil because of the bug and was ready to hit the sack at 11:00.  I decided to check the trap before bed just in case since I didn't want to deal with a pissed nocturnal animal in the day.  Sure as hell, there it was....



Well, I wish the animal transfers went as well as this one.  Put him in the truck (covered).  Ran down to the campground and found a tree filled spot near the dumpsters and off he went.  Didn't even let out a screech at all, just walked right out after opening it and went right up the tree. 

I think the wife was bummed that I relocated "Slobber", but I have this feeling I might see him again i a month or so.  Just a hunch, but I hope I'm wrong.  lol

9

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Kauai Part 2 - "Morning Recons"

« on: May 13, 2024, 08:15:57 PM »

Next morning woke up to howling wind and lowering tides.  The bartender was telling me the reef goes out really far and fishing isn't too good, but I grabbed my rod and my wife after breakfast and went scouting the beach.



First off, the reef was wicked between the lava rock and the coral.  This is not like SoCal surf fishing. Another thing, no sea-weeds anywhere, but plenty of wood!  I mean WOOD!



All of it was moving with the waves so you couldn't stand too close if a set was coming in just in case it lifted a tree trunk and dropped it on your foot!  No Joke!

Finally came across someone set fishing but it was weird.  They were using the long rods, but you couldn't cast out too far, so they were lob casting it 50 feet.  They also set the rods up high on the beach and let the line slope down from the tip straight into the sand as they walked over it.  Multiple times I watched them dive in to free their gear from the reef which seemed even more weird with this outfit.





On the way back, my wife goes Look!  I turned to the last thing I thought I would ever see on a Hawaii beach....  Seal!  Monk Seal to be exact!  This is quite the rarity and the old zoo keeper in me got a kick of it wiggling up the beach to us.







Damn thing wasn't afraid of anything... Still a cool sight.

I had 4 swings and misses.  I was throwing a 1-1/2 oz metal jig but couldn't get any of them to stick.  I had to reel in fast since it was only 1-2 feet with the reef and the water was all turgid from the wind and waves.  I wound up losing both jigs, so called it for some more resort time with the wife.

Signs all over said Don't feed the wildlife... and here's my wife...





I guess to be fair, they were only wild chickens.... unless the Myna Birds, Doves, and other assorted random birds count.  lol

Next few mornings, I tried using the 2" gulp sand worm and smaller Kastmasters (3/4 to 1 oz) just to get on the board!





Two little nibbles.... Not what I was expecting.



Tried to go big with a 2oz Kastmaster also...  Only had some huge Trumpetfish chase it in, but would never commit.





Found some cool Beach Huts made by people with great taste!





Otherwise, I was just checking out reefs and reef critters since the reefs loved what I was offering as lures go.











There's 4 of these darters or gobies in this picture.  I found a ton of micro-life.



The beaches were filled with "Wood", but also a ton of "Hairy Nuts".



Everywhere I went, there was some c*ck staring at me.  I'm still astounded by all of the chickens here!



Everytime I came back to have breakfast with the wife, I'd check the private field.  It always had a few Nenes!  We had some Nenes at the Wild Animal Park and were the coolest geese.





Well, I'm done tonight.  I'm supposed to start work tomorrow, but I feel like I'm listening to things underwater and just having a rough time with the Rona.....  Oh well, Next installment tomorrow I suppose.  I have to catch a fish, right?

10

General Board / Re: Just got back with a Special Prize!

« on: May 13, 2024, 07:41:27 PM »

Also, this loss of my ability to smell anything sucks!  I whooped up a batch of heavy smoke trout filets today and couldn't even smell the smoker bellowing out smoke.   

11

General Board / Re: Just got back with a Special Prize!

« on: May 13, 2024, 07:33:02 PM »

My wife's birthday was on Saturday and Mother's Day on Sunday, so I wasn't sure how things were going to go with us having the Rona.  My wife was a little bummed after spending 1/4 of our trip sick and not being able to celebrate the birthday and MD.  My daughter decided to take it upon herself to cheer up my wife.

When she woke up on her birthday, my daughter made her a cool little birthday morning.



Then, since we usually go to this Mexican Brunch every year and couldn't this time, my daughter had an idea.  I ordered in Mexican food (delivered) and my daughter came out playing mariachi.  It really made my wife's weekend!



This all makes me happy too. 

12

General Board / Re: 2024 Garden Thread

« on: May 13, 2024, 07:25:53 PM »

What a difference 2 weeks make! 







Also, something's been digging int the garden and eating all my zucs and squash....  That and a few gophers found the yard apparently.

13

General Board / Re: Just got back with a Special Prize!

« on: May 13, 2024, 10:08:53 AM »

Bummer Tom, hell of a way to end a vacation.  We've been lucky, no one in our 'pod' has gotten Covid....................fingers crossed

It's a weird bug.  The worst thing for me is the loss of smell.  I didn't realize how much smell factors in tasting food and my just overall senses.  I'm ready to shake this thing...

14

General Board / Re: Just got back with a Special Prize!

« on: May 13, 2024, 10:05:43 AM »

Wife is finally feeling a little better, but I'm good one minute and in bad shape the next.  Pisses me off that 5 or 6 of the 14 days of vacation I used were spent resting/healing.  I'm going to try and get a day or two back and use as a sick day, but I'm not even sure I have a job anymore since I refuse to log into my work computer until tomorrow.  lol

15

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Re: Kauai Part 1 - "The Trip Over...."

« on: May 13, 2024, 09:56:37 AM »

Who the f@ck puts egg foam in a Mai tai?

The Mai Tai's at the bar were absolutely extraordinary!  The ones at the fancy restaurant were a little weird.