Gearing up!!

  With the new company being launched we've also picked up some new sponsors that I'm very excited about! The first is a new pfd for us, the Astral Buoyancy Co. from N.C. Astral offers jackets for all the paddling industry from white water, day trippers and fishing. I will be wearing the V-8 model which is the first breathable pfd offering Airescape technology, keeping me cooler and safe on the water for those long hot summer days of catching fish! Visit their web site to find the personal life jacket for your style of kayaking.   http://www.astralbuoyancy.com/index.php

   Another first for us this year will be a fishing line and leader sponsor. All of our Daiwa reels will be spooled with Ohero microfiber braid. Ohero braid has the smallest braid to mono ratio on the market. It still carries the same strength, casting ability and abrasion resistant as other braids but has a smaller diameter, stays smoother and softer then all others. Ohero also carries a complete line of fluorocarbon leader material for all of our line to leader connections. Stop by the Ohero website and see all they have to offer.
 http://www.oherofishing.com/   

    Also coming with us this year is Werner Paddles. Werner also offers a complete line of paddles for all aspects of the kayaking community. Each of their lightweight and strong paddles available are made in the state of Washington. Offering several of their different models in both straight shaft and neutral bent shaft, which I prefer. For the complete line of Werner Paddles follow the link:
http://www.wernerpaddles.com/index.php

  I'm looking forward to working with these new companies and continuing our ongoing relationship with all of our other great products we use, Native Watercraft, Daiwa fishing equipment, Yak Attack and Marsh Works Inshore Tackle.

 http://www.1stlandingyakfish.com/     
 https://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Landing-Kayak-Fishing-Services/333650499996982

First Fishing trip of 2012

 This past weekend I had the chance to fish a place I had heard so much about, the Indian River in Titusille Fla. I joined Charles Levi, Chip Gibson and Chip's son Brad early Sunday morning in not to favorable Fla temps, a balmy 30 degrees. We put the kayaks in the water as the sun was rising and headed to our first targeted cove. Bait was popping and things looked "fishy". We all took our shots with no takers. As we paddled around we were all getting visual glimpses of Reds and trout but none were taking our offerings. We even had some shots at Black Drum with live shrimp, nada. Moving along we found another cove full of nervous bait, this time we stopped short and pursued our fish on foot. We waded this area throwing all we had to offer. I even had reds swimming right at my feet to no avail. Are you seeing a trend here? Enough of this we moved to a more protected area where Chuck almost immediately hooked into a nice Red. Then he caught a trout over 27 inches. All the time trout were swimming all around me, finally my line went tight and a managed a nice little red. From there we went back to dumping our tackle boxes at these fish all the while they swam around us like we didn't even exist. I managed one more spike trout and the non-catching trend began again. I have never been to an area before with so many fish, that wouldn't eat. As a true fisherman I have to justify the finicky fish on something and the cold front is my nemesis on this one. In the end I had a great time!! Saw a part of the country I have always wanted to visit. Finally got to meet Chuck, Chip and Brad aka the Clone. Shared some laughs and stories. That's really the enjoyment of this, the journey and the fun along the way.      

New Year New Adventure!

  Well another year in the record books and a new one has begun. This new year has gotten off to a fast start. I'm excited to announce that Kris and I have launched our new company, 1st Landing Kayak Fishing Services. A complete guided kayak fishing company offering inshore saltwater fishing trips!!! Having both Native Watercraft and Daiwa fishing equipment in our stable I believe we have some of the best products in the kayak fishing community to offer our clients. As if starting a new company wasn't enough Kris and I have been given our own slot on the Kayak Fishing Radio show. We will be doing our Double L broadcasts every Tues night!!
  It's really hard to believe all of this comes from just enjoying to fish. There are so many people who I would like to personally thank for getting me to this place in my life. First would have to be my wife Kris, family and friends. Your support and encouragement means so much to me. Next would be all of my sponsors, your support and great products make my job easier and my time on the water more enjoyable. I would totally be re missed if I did not take this time to thank Cory Routh and Ruthless Fishing for letting me cut my guiding teeth with you. It was an awesome experience and the best of times, Thank You!
  I will also be actively involved with TKAA once again and holding a V.P. position with the club. Beside for all of the above we plan to make many more trips with HOW in the Tidewater region. Of all the things we can do, giving back to our troops is something we try to be a part of as often as possible. So yes I'm looking forward to 2012, going to be busy but we wouldn't have any other way....

http://www.1stlandingyakfish.com/  (work in progress)    http://heroesonthewater.org/home
http://kayakfishingradio.com/live                                     http://kayakfishinggear.com/

Keeping it together!

   Sometimes I wonder what it is about this semi-pro fishing career that keeps me going? I say semi because I really don't make any money at it. At least not yet. This would fall in to one of those times when I hear how "good" I have it with endorsements and pro staff deals. Yes I do have a lot of wonderful sponsors and company's helping me support this habit. I just renewed my contract with Daiwa, things over at Native Watercraft are as good if not better and some other great people are feeding my addiction. Probably the best support I get is from my wife Kris, I don't think I could ever Keep All This Together with out her support and guidance. Plus she is the only who gives me a real reality slap in the face when I deserve it. Support is a great thing no matter how or when you get it. I know it is still 2011 but I'm really looking forward to 2012 and all the support from my great sponsors and my number one endorsement, my family. All of which are helping me Keep it together!

www.nativewatercraft.com  www.daiwa.com  www.marsh-works.com  www.hook1.com www.columbiaclothing.com  www.yakattack.us  more to come....

Somethings work out!

   This weekend I had the opportunity to fish the Irish Water Dogs Tournament. The focus of this event is to raise money to benefit the Cleft Palate Clinic of Jacksonville Fl. Coming to Florida to work I was unable to bring a kayak to fish from so when Jeff Suber told me he would bring an extra kayak and we could fish the event together I was all in. After work Friday I headed north to Jax to make the Capts. meeting and hook up with Chappy, who's house Jeff and I would be crashing at. We awoke Sat morn to find sunny warm Florida had changed to a balmy 45 degrees. Now I was really in the dark, fishing water I had never seen before, launching from a muddy dark bank and missing all my warm clothing back in Va. Jeff and I started our day throwing top water and having instant blow ups but couldn't get them to connect. We worked our way out of the creeks to a nice flat. Lots of bait and an outgoing tide kept us optimistic and soon we would both have a couple reds to show for that optimism. Neither of mine would make size but Jeff did have a nice 22" on top water. From there our day went a lot slower as the tide kept falling. All the while Jeff and I kept trying and caught up on a lot since last time we fished. Finally we gave in loaded the cars and went to the weigh in. Seems the morning was a lot better for other anglers as some nice fish were caught. All in all though I had a great time. Thanks to Jeff I got to fish a new place and enter another tournament. I also got to meet some people who I'm friends with on Face Book and share some stories and got to catch up with some old friends I haven't seen in awhile. The whole time I was helping a great cause that also helped me get on the water!! Somethings work out. Visit http://irishwaterdogsinvitational.com/ to learn more.

Proud moments!

  I've involved several years of my life into this thing called fishing. To most it is a hobby, a means to get away and relax and catch some fish, hopefully. For me it has become more than that. Yes I relax when I'm out there, some of the time. I've also been told I take it too seriously. In these past years I have had the great pleasure of sharing my "serious hobby" with others. Whether it is on the water with a client, an article I may have wrote or in a classroom type environment doing a seminar I enjoy spreading what I have learned. I occasionally here from people thanking me for that and even get them to share how that time helped them catch a fish or get them more involved in fishing. There has been no greater feeling for me of this then from my new wife Kris.
    In the beginning she wanted to just kayak no interest in fishing. So we would go on the water together. Her paddling her new kayak while I fished. Then one day she says she would like to try fishing a little. From there her interest grew. We were no longer just a couple with one half fishing the other paddling. We were fishing every chance we could. We fished in tournaments, we traveled to south Florida so she could enter a woman's only event. To the mountains fly fishing for trout, local ponds for blue gill and the occasionally bass. Even off a pier for some Croaker and what ever else we may find. Fast forward to present day, my job has taken me to Florida for a couple months. With an upcoming tournament at home my not yet but wife to be was pre-fishing every chance she got for the event.Listening to her tell me her plan of attacks, the lures she was using, how she fished a particular area, all those things she had developed. My kayaking partner has become my fishing wife. I'm so proud of her, she never stops amazing me! So next time someone ask you to take them fishing do it. Maybe it's a child or a co-worker or even your spouse it may just turn out to be the best "fishing partner" of your life.

Trying to catch up!!

     First I will start with a shameful apology for not tending this blog. I can go on and on about how busy I've been and all the other excuses that usually come along.... Well I have been and would like to use those excuses now. Busy is good and besides for the usual stuff, work, a lot of it has been fishing related. A good thing!! Besides for fishing my Marsh Works gig has been going really good. We have picked up more stores on the east coast. Currently working on finalizing a great deal with a major .com site to sell our tackle. (more to come) 
     Besides for my current Marsh Works sales job I also have recently been picked up the product line from Fish N Hunt  http://fishandhunt.com/. They offer some great wading belts and hunting bags! I'm really looking forward to bringing this great product from Texas to the east coast.
     The fishing scene has been hit or miss this summer for my usual favorite inshore catches. I have had some succesful trips for trout on the flats. Most of the bigger ladies have all been on top water but still pick up alot of "good " fish on my favorite Killa Squilla on a Bayou Thumper jighead.
      Hopefully this sures up the fact I'm still alive and still on the water. If you need any proof you will be able to find me there this whole three day weekend!! And I promise to pay more attention to this blog!! Have alot more coming up including the TKAA charity tournament!

26"er on Top Water

Get Out. Get Bit!

                                                                             Kris and I fishing HOW event