Thursday, November 8, 2007

Not over yet


Had not caught a keeper since my last post. It has been very windy and winter seems to be setting in. Tues night I worked the point from 4.30 till dark and picked up one 16 incher about halfway up the shoreline from the point pier. Not much of a fight, but at it least gave me hope.

Did not fish last night. Fished both sides of point tonight from 4.30 till dark. Hit the marina light on my way in and finally had a small blow up from decent sized 14 incher.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Goal Acheived



Went out early around 4.30 tonight. Worked the point with no action so I moved down to Al's spot. Tide was coming in so I drifted downriver working some new spots. A little after 5 I picked up a very nice White Perch on my stillwater. This is was a rarity in itself, but the next cast was even more rare. I have always believed that Largemouth Bass can be found in the South River, but had never caught one. Well that changed tonight. Small, but a LM non the less. On my next cast I had a huge Striper on, but lost it at the boat. Nearly had a SR Slam.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Great start to fall season



Monday night I went out at 5.30 and picked up a 24 at Al's spot around 5.45 pm. Got another 18 around 6.15 near the brick pile. Had several other slams that missed. The water has cleared up a great deal with a more normal fall evening calm.

Headed out tonight at 5.45 and worked Al's Spot. Only one swirl, so I moved to point as the tide was coming in fairly strong. At 6.15 I picked up a 24 ,that seemed longer, at the point dock. Made my way back to the brick pile and had a huge slam at 6.25. The fish ran off line quickly and then was gone. It did not make much of a splash, but was definitely a big fish. Oh well. Great night.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Tough Couple of Weeks




On Oct. 18th I was working the shoreline behind the old island and picked up a real nice 20 incher next to the dock with crab cage. This new Lake Riva spot will now be referred to as the "Crab Cage". Unfortunately, as I went to show the fish to the old timer on the pier, she shook and sunk the front treble hook deep into my thumb. WHEN WILL I LEARN? After waiting 10 minutes for fish to settle down, I began the 15 minute, very painful,process of rocking the hook free.

My luck went downhill after that. We had the annual Harbor Hills tourney on Sat. After a massive storm on Friday night, it was windy Sat., with too many leaves on water to work a plug. Only managed one 16 incher on a curly tail. Winds and rain continued for the entire next week. Was not even able to fish the 24-26th which should have been "prime time".

Oh well. I was well rewarded for my patience tonight when I picked up what appeared to be the biggest fish from the river this year. Picked her up at "Al's Spot" around 5 pm. Several nice jumps. Season starting late, buy should be good. Water temp is still 68 degrees versus 56 last year.

Monday, October 15, 2007

New Spot





Went out around 5 pm tonight. Worked the point for about 45 minutes with nothing. Moved to the Jetty and picked up a sub-legal 16. Wind was blowing upriver with tide, so I did one long drift along north shore for the last hour. At 6.24 had a huge blowup at the next dock from "Al's Spot". I have had several slams in this spot before, but never hooked up. Finally, I landed and very nice 22.
This past week has been fairly breezy. Spent most of the week fishing from the Marina Pier. Caught legal size fish every day except Monday. All fish were towards the parking lot end on pier in 2 to 3 feet of water. All times of day. Even picked up a 18 Sat. afternoon at 2.30 with high sun.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Pier fishing


Friday night I picked up a nice 20 across from the point near the bridge. Fished for about an hour mid day on Saturday. Hit several lake Riva spots with no action. Returned to the Marina around 6 PM. There was still a lot of boat traffic, so I decided to work the shallows of the east side of Marina Pier. After about 10 minutes had a nice slam from a barely legal 18. Sunday morning I worked the point from 7-8:30 with no action. Returned to marina around 1.30. Sun was high, breeze had picked up, 88 degrees and tons of boat traffic. Decided to work the shallows from pier once again. After about 15 minutes , caught a very healthy 20 incher in 1 foot of water. Fish jumped several times and put up quite a fight on my ultra lite Sirrus rod.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Lost Fish




Have done a lot of fishing since last post. Had a good size fish break off at osprey nest 2 sunday's ago. First lost fish of year. So I changed my line from 8 to 10 lb. Well this sent me into a slump that lasted over a week. several blowups, but no fish for 8 days. Finally on Monday (after switching back to 8 lb) things returned to normal. 2 fish Mon, Tues, and Weds all caught in Lake Riva.

Tonight I had my main fishing buddy in town from CA. As I was waiting for him at the Marina, I picked up a nice 18 on Stillwater near the beginning of pier in 1 foot of water. I have made thousands of cast from this spot over the years, usually just testing new line, and this was the first fish I have ever caught. We headed out to Thomas Point shoal around 6pm. It was a perfect topwater night. Flat, no breeze and only 1 other boat at rock pile. On my 3rd cast I had a massive fish slam. There was little doubt it was my biggest fish ever....BROKE OFF...arrg. Ok, so I switch back to 10LB and get a birds nest about halfway down line...Bam...another big fish slams and line breaks at the nest. Retied and finally landed a fat 6 lb fish. The biggest of year. Yay.

Had another first tonight. Since the bay was so flat, the wake of a passing tanker was making its way from the eastern shore as we plugged away. When they hit the shallows of the shoal we were swamped by 8 foot swells. You could have literally surfed the waves. The other boat nearly went under.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Nice turn of events




Was not feeling well all day, but figured the fresh air would do me some good, so I hit Lake Riva at and 6.10 pm. It was overcast and kind of gloomy when I left the dock. No boats on water and zero wind. Worked the river side for 1 drift and had 1 blow up that missed. Headed to Osprey nest and again had a nice slam that missed. Moved over to broad creek at about 5.45 pm. Made several casts and looked up just as bright sun burst out on the east shoreline. Took several pictures and then resumed fishing. First cast...BAM...a nice 20. Worked towards point and as I came around the sunset blew me away. Spent 15 minutes or so sitting right on point taking pictures. Once again I picked up my rod and tossed plud into setting sun. BAM. Another 20 who jumped 2 feet into air with sunset behind her. NICE.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Two Fer



Started the night at 5.30. A strong tide was coming in so I started my drift on river side of point. On my 5th cast I had blow up in 2 foot of water. Fish danced on top for 10 seconds or so. Quite a show that left me giggling. A fat 22 incher. Continued working downriver and picked up another 20 in. 10 minutes later at the first pier. Headed across the river and hit the osprey nest with no luck. Back to point for 1 more drift and had 2 slams that missed. Nice sunny evening with 2 fish in 1 hour. Sweet.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Lesson Learned



Headed out to point at 5 pm and started drift on river side. Breeze and tide was coming in so I was able to keep engine off and work the whole shoreline. At 6.15 I picked up a TCTC striper. Nice blowup and jump after hookup. Continued working shoreline down to beach at South Haven with no action. At 6 I headed downriver to a spot that a friend had mentioned having some success lately. I have plugged there many time with nary a swirl. Well this time was different. On the 3 cast I had a blowup that missed. I knew it was a good sized fish and threw back at the same spot several more times with 2 more blow ups and a big swirl. Finally I got her on about the 10th cast. A nice 24 inch fatty who gave a nice fight. Took my normal picture of her on my seat. As I was taking picture she managed to fall off of seat and down by engine. As I went to grab her she gave a big head shake and caught me with the other treble in my thumb. It was DEEP. Trying to get the hook out of fish with one hand stuck on hook and the other in the fishes mouth was comical. I was finally able to cut line and lift fish to where my pliers were and release her unharmed. After 10 minutes and a lot of blood the hook finally popped out of thumb and I headed home with a lesson learned...be careful.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Best Fight of 2007



Another beautiful night. After last nights shut out during the "sunny" hours, I waited till 6.10 to head out. At 6.24 I had a huge swirl. It almost looked like a big carp with its back out of water...a second later she turned and wam..fish on. She started out with good run and the headed straight under boat. Luckily, I was using my 10lb rod with Stillwater and was able to pull her back. Actually got the net for this girl. Once on board, I was a bit disappointed by length, but she was FAT. (over 2 pounds). Continued till 7.30 with only one small swirl. Just goes to show that Stripers will indeed still hit topwater when the sun is high.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Low light rules



Headed out early tonight to see how I would fare in the bright sunshine. Got to river side of point at 5.30 pm. Humidity was low, temp in the 78 range, light breeze , and no boats...perfect topwater night. Worked my way to broad creek side and then worked my way down the northern shoreline in the crystal clear sunshine. Took lots of pictures, but only had one small bump at the final "restoration" site. Headed back over to point around 7 and worked the river side again. At 7.30 I picked up a small blue and then on the next cast had a nice blowup and boated an 18 in Striper.

Monday, September 10, 2007


This past weekend was lousy as far as fishing. Windy Friday, hot sat. , and crowded on Sunday. Shut out all three days, although I did not fish much.

Tonight was more like it. Nobody on the water. Very humid, light breeze. Got out to point around 6Pm. Picked up a nice 20 at 6.15 on Stillwater,but that was only action. Back home by 7.30.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Quick Run

Got a late start tonight. Got to point just as the sun was setting. Immediately picked up a fat 19 in the same spot from yesterday. 3 casts later had another blowup and a 18. Moved over to braod creek and made 10 casts or so with no luck. Finished the night at the point where I picked up another 18 in 1 foot of water. Really made a splash. 3 keepers in 1/2 hour and home by 8...good night.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Double Duty




Woke at 7.15 AM to a crisp sunshine reflecting off the the river. I just had to go fishing. Within 10 minutes I was on my way to the point. Water was perfect and you could hear a pin drop. Things look so different in the morning light. Had several blow ups that missed. It took 4 casts to entice a fat 22 incher to finally take the plug. Back at dock and off to work by 9.

Hit the same spot tonight around 7 and immediately had 4 blowups that missed. The 5th cast netted what looked to be the same fish from the morning, doughtfull, but you never know.

Made my way over to Al's spot (fallen tree). and got a huge blow up. This time I got her on the first try. I knew it was a big fish and it was. A really fat 24 incher that fought like a champ.

Tried a few new spots, but only managed 1 dink that was slightly smaller than the Chug Bug. What was she thinking?

Monday, September 3, 2007

Got my river back



The typical Labor Day traffic jam on Lake Riva finally died down around 7 pm. I headed straight to the river side of point and had the river basically to myself. Gentle breeze, stillwater and a touch of fall in the air. First drift produced nada, so I moved to broad creek side and finally had a nice slam from 18 inch Striper. About 5 minutes later I had a huge blowup that missed. I hit the same spot with next cast and wham...missed again. Never did get her, but looked like a 26 in plus fish. Oh well, back to river side where I picked up another keeper up against the grass beds. Sorry to see the summer end, but it will be nice to have my river back.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Early Bird



Hit the point for a rare morning session. Nice Stillwater with no boats. First cast around 7.30 am picked up a nice 22 inch keeper near shoreline on river side. Picked up another 16 inch around 8 at Al's spot and headed in.

Tonight was beautiful, but I got shut out. Full moon, but a lot of boat traffic for some reason.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Full Moon Slam




Spent last week in folly beach SC. Did a bit of pier fishing...small croakers and 1 Fl Pompano. Back on bay last night. Hit the shoal around 7 and after 1/2 hour picked up a nice keeper on stillwater.

Tonight was about as good as it gets on lake Riva. Full moon, low humidity, and big slams. Hit the point at 7 pm and fished broad creek side of point with no blowups. Moved to shallows on river side around 7.30 and picked up a fat 22 incher in 2 foot of water. 15 minutes later caught the biggest fish of year in the river. Nice fat 26 incher right off the stump at point. 5 minute battle with lots of dancing. Its good to be home.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Lake Riva Review




Caught the last hour Monday night with my wife on board. She always brings me luck when aboard and this time was no exception. Set anchor on the broad creek side of point. After about 15 minutes of pluggin, I had a nice swirl. My wife was on front of boat playing with her camera and I told her to focus on that spot and I would hit it again. Right on que she smacked my Chug Bug again. Nice fat TCTC 18. Weds my youngest daughter joined me in the same spot, but luck was gone. Tonight I headed out to the River side of point and picked up another on trusty Chugbug.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Night to remember



Humidity and heat are finally gone. Left the dock around 6.30 pm and headed straight for Thomas Point Shoal. Water was not quite flat, but still excellent for topwater. I was just me and the Mako guy from fishing creek. First cast had a nice blowup that turned out to be a nice 17 inch bluefish. Next cast a barely legal 18 inch rock. I would not say it was non-stop, but very steady action the rest of the evening. 3 blues and 13 Stripers up to 24 inch. One of the 24's was so fat I actually netted her. Great sunset. Back at dock by 8.30.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Rough Night


Figured I would try and relive the magic of last night and headed out to the rock pile at 6.30. It was blowing hard against the incoming tide so breakers were 3 ft plus. Set the anchor anyway and tried some pluggin to no avail. Tossed a yellow curly tail on 1/4 lead head and immediatly started picking up undersize rock. After about 10, I headed into river looking for stillwater. Worked shoreline on river side all the way back to lake Riva..nada. Humidity has eased so it was a nice night.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Dog days of summer


Been fishing the river just about every day, except for 2nd week of July (vacation to Italy). It has been windy with a lot of boat traffic. Topwater action has been decent,but only the last 1/2 hour of light.

Tonight I finally made it out to Thomas Point. Nice flattish night with the typical July humidity hanging over water. Joined several other boats around 7.30 at the rock pile. Picked up 7 ot 8 undersized stripers on popper and then fianlly got a nice slam around 8 and boated first keeper. About 10 minutes later, I had a huge blow up that missed and within a blink of an eye had a second fish slam hard...a nice 20 inch fatty. Great night.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Been a while



Have fished everyday since my last post, mostly with family. A lot of fun but a bit disappointing since nobody experienced a blow-up. My 7 year old nephew stuck with topwater for a solid 1 1/2 hours. Not a peep out of him, must of made 100 casts with my Sirrus perch rod and Penn spincaster with 6lb test. We got out early on a Saturday, so there was no boat traffic. Did the Riva Lake circle... Point, 6 MPH sign, Oak tree, Riva Bridge, and Al's spot. Stillwater at all 5. He used a beat up Chug Bug that I was sure was the ticket. It would have been great, but not our day. The only thing better than a blowup is watching the reaction of someone seeing one for the first time.

Have done fairly well this week. Steady action on BA's at bridge and even caught 3 on top. All sub 16, but Top none the less.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Damn Ray


Thunderstorm came through around 6 pm and lasted until 7.30. Was able to make it out to point for the last hour. Hooked into something big around 7.45. She circled the boat for about 20 minutes with several good runs of line. Had to start boat and chase her for a while to avoid being spooled. If it was in the bay, I would have assumed it was a ray, and cut line...but not this far up the river. Well I was wrong. A damn ray. Fun dreaming of the big one though. Meandered my way back to Marina and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Bass Assasin



Yesterday was the first time this month I did not fish. Headed out to Thomas Point Shoal around 6.30 tonight. It was too choppy for Topwater, but a nice night. Tide was heading out and the humidity finally was gone. Caught my first Striper on a BA. Too close to call, but gut hooked so into the box she went. Picked up 1 WP and 4 more undersized stripers.

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