albilicious

Slick calm all day in the ocean, really amazing conditions.   Without the wind, the fish were a bit finicky and sometimes tough to get on, but we had several doubles and shots at breaking fish pretty much all day.   I made a bold move late in the day and left an acre of finicky fish, about 15 miles away I found a decent sized bait ball from which we plucked 5 albies, all double digit sized fish with 2 of them over 15 pounds.   That is a big frigging albie on the fly.   Good stuff.

George feeding crocs in Costa Rica

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0wkRUAR-6w&feature=youtube_gdata

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPcuecLQ6Rw&feature=youtube_gdata

I caught fish today

Got some squid and dead frozen menhaden from Matt at Capt. Joe Shute's Bait and Tackle, add a dozen bluefish caught on speck rigs in the inlet, 30 minutes later, begin converting into catch and release American Red Snappers.....nice 'uns, could just taste those filets swimming back down to the bottom, handful of gags, some of which went the same as the snappers, some made a trip to the grease, along with a few limits of sea bass and a couple of triggers, plenty of pulledge from the aj's.

Fancy Footwork

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/53394307

Groundhod Day on the Run Off

Wahoos, wahoos, wahoos......and an occasional tuna and billfish

another picture

of my blue marlin :)

Captain of the Year Nomination

The InTheBite Captain of the Year award was initiated in 2003 as a way of recognizing the achievements of the top captains in sportfishing. Since that time it’s become one of the most prestigious awards in the world for the professional sportfishing captain and the past Captains of the Year read more like a sportfishing Hall of Fame than anything else. Just receiving a nomination for this prestigious award is a tremendous accomplishment, one that represents years of hard work, dedication and personal sacrifice, so please join us in congratulating the 2013 group of nominees WHICH INCLUDES CAPT. JAMES SMITH of the Dragin Fly.

InTheBite Captain of the Year award recognizes excellence among the world’s professional sportfishing captains. Those unfamiliar with the job see only the bright spots—exotic destinations, big shiny boats, the adrenaline rush of a hot teaser bite—but those who’ve put in their time at the helm understand that it’s not all Mai Tais and Yahtzee out here. Being a true professional demands a tremendous amount of both dedication and commitment. There’s always some sacrifice too, especially when it comes to a family.

So what does it take to be InTheBite’s Captain of the Year? The first step is to earn a nomination. Captains are nominated based on their tournament performance during the season. Captain of the Year is not a popularity contest: the nominees are voted upon by the past Captains of the Year, with the general public casting a tie-breaking vote only if necessary. The award is based on the merits of the individual, and that’s why InTheBite’s Captain of the Year has become the industry’s most prestigious award for the professional captain.

We continue to be impressed and proud of our crew and we are so happy to see Capt James be recognized in this manner. All of have fished with him recognize this would be a well-deserved honor. We will keep you posted as details become available.

Down East Guide Service has new t-shirts

http://www.downeastguideservice.com/tshirt.html

A custom Mark Ray design commemorating the lighthouses of the Neuse River/Pamlico Sound and some favorite target species.    One of these lighthouses was located off of Lower Broad Creek and some of it's pilings are still visible today.

Costa Rica pics

How I lost my Go Pro, tarpon fishing at Silver King Lodge

Striped marlin during the Green season.   Yes we got rained on for about 20 minutes in 3 1/2 days of fishing. 

  

 

 Cleared up a bit in the afternoon and the sailfish bite fired off with a quadruple header.......in the Green Season.

Day 2 on the Pacific side.   Did I mention that this was the Green Season?  

 We were up on the bow when my blue marlin came in the spread.   When she stopped running, I put the heat on her ass.

 After a couple of great shows, I got down and dirty with this one........

 ......and put the leader in Berto's hand.

stripers with Capt. Mitch

"Capt George, 

19-24 inchers, some 25's and 26's ....... 2 at a time.....up to triple digit days..... and did I mention that it's keeper season!" -----Capt. Mitch Blake

That's right, everybody gets fired up about the striper keeper season in the spring, but the fishing is just as good in the fall and the season is open right now!!!!   Also specks, pups and more.
Give us a ring to get out there.

George

Gigging with Capt. Ronnie

Another great trip with Capt. Ronnie out of Harker's Island.   Nothing like being under the lights at night.....as long as you're the one holding the gig. 

Capt. Ray Massengill Report

"Hey bro.its on fire here. Spent a couple days down at harkers: kings,cores, flounder, trout and drums and bottom fishing it's all going off right now.  Ill get ya some pics soon. Take care" ---- Ray

Capt. Joe Ward Report

  "From albies on the fly to triple limits of nice speckled trout inshore the fishing has been as good as it gets ! Call George or Anna to book your trip today !"---Capt. Joe Ward. 

And Joe has demonstrated that he can get it done on all fronts.....all year long.  I first met Joe before I started Down East Guide Service, we were in the same bass club and fished tournaments against each other.   It's nice that we're now on the same team!!!!

Something to keep an eye on.......

http://towndock.net/guest-columnist/lower-neuse-river-watershed-being-destroyed

Excellent Fishing on All Fronts

A barrage of reports are to follow, including pics from Costa Rica.   We've had some "technical difficulties" lately.   More to follow,   George

Got my blue marlin

First fish of the day yesterday, followed by a dozen sails.  No meat fish today, but good billfishing, pics to follow.

 John,

 

Many thanks for the note, we think a lot of Greg also.   I appreciate the kind words.

 

Drop us a line anytime we can help get you out on the water.

 

George

 

---

From: john.
Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2013 12:46 PM
To: info@pamlicoguide.com
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Drum/flounder follow up.

George,

Hope all is well.

Had good day yesterday. Limit on drum, couple of trout and keeper flounders. Rain held off until on our way home. My granddaughter caught "tri slam" which made trip especially good. My son had great time and learned a bunch.

Greg was a gentleman and displayed an excellent knowledge of fishing-tackle-bait-and lures. He was very good about sharing information/tips, etc. All around thought things went well. Would certainly fish with greg again if opportunity arises. We were at docks at 7 and Greg was there ready to go.  

Thanks for your help/assistance. Hope to fish with you soon. Hope all is well in Costa Rica

Pics from yesterday, here and up there

 Yeah I've been smashing the kings and had 2 cobes yesterday.  Seems the king bite is spread out. Normal spots south and east have been producing. Nwp, 555, east rk ect. South and ar 285, 30min ect. East.  Best place to cross other than slot is just past shark is. .5 to 1 mile...8-10' all the way across. Pics enclosed

Chris

 -------- Original message --------
From: info@pamlicoguide.com
Date: 10/19/2013 8:42 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: "Chris Kimrey
Subject: FW: Question

From my good friend Phil Ambler, he’s in his 70’s and can still get it done on all fronts.   Any assistance would be appreciated, I don’t ask often J

Any king insight?

George

From: Phil
Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2013 10:52 AM
To: info@pamlicoguide.com
Subject: Question

George,

I’m thinking about going after some kings next week and may have to fish on the east side. Is the outer

end of shark island the best place to cross over?  

Two good days.

Glad you got 'em, we had: 

1 striped marlin, 5 sailfish, including a quad, 2 dorado and a 30 # yellowfin on a popper, small black or blue marlin gave us a look.

George

From: Greg Voliva
Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2013 5:18 PM
To: info@pamlicoguide.com
Subject: Re: RE: RE: RE: Drum/flounder follow up.

Hey, we had a decent day on the water. 11 drum ,2 trout and 6 flounder.

They had a good bag of meat for the ride home. 

                      Greg

Go Pro Gone

Posting a couple more videos from yesterday, but I will not be posting the ones from today......not unless that tarpon who got the close up shot this afternoon coughs up my Go Pro.   I guess that's where it went after knocking it out of my hand.   I bet it would have been awesome to see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSLBFOpE0K8&feature=youtube_gdata

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fTNsqEtozE

Fondly giving Anna a little rubbing in these videos.......

little live action tarpon video for you......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYWgojOzHBc

Tarpon are tarpon everywhere

.....and sometimes they just won't bite......but when they do.... we were 3 for 4 over a couple hours of the bite time this morning. No little ones.

 

All day top water, come join me.....

.....Capt. Mitch Blake

 Get tired of catching stripers on tops, we can pound some specks"

Sounds like Mitch is in the action a little closer to home.   Even though we're in Costa Rica this week, there is some great NC fishing and we will be happy to get you connected.   Shoot me an e mail and tell me when you want to go!

First drift this afternoon with Anna and Never Enough and we hook a double header, she jumps hers off, I catch mine…..can you believe this shit?   My first fish is a frigging sting ray, they are following me around!

Things slowed and we charged out to the deep, found the sardines balled up by the tarpon.   Simply amazing.  First cast and I hooked……and lost…..4 tarpon.   That’s right, 4 jump offs on one cast!!!!    I settled down and started bowing to the king, caught one out of two on the next cast.   That’s right, 6 bites on two casts!!!!!  I now know how Henry caught 28 yesterday, although he’s caught some monsters this week, there is a huge mass of 30-40 pounders that are very hungry.  

 

notice Anna’s hook up in the sky where the tarpon left it.   She was a bit frustrated at 0 for 6 before landing her next two in a row. 

Jim seemed to be getting the bigger bites........good for him, I'll take the little guys

 Anna and Jim doubled up again

28 tarpon in a day

The most tarpon that I've ever heard of being confirmed landed in a day in NC was 14 tarpon releases by one boat in one day.   Henry "Big Dipper" doubled that yesterday in Costa Rica, landing 28 for 36 tarpon in a day.......that's a really good year for NC

Silver and Blue

Seriously?   5 for 12 blue marlin yesterday?   I don't like the hook up ratio, but I sure like the odds of getting a bite.   ON my way down for some silver, then hopefully some blue.  

Costa Rica Report

.......what is waiting for me I hope......our radar has been down and I just got it up and running for a few upcoming trips......including a couple of days for me:

From Capt. James:

"Welcome back radar!  Boy it sure nice to have the right tools again.  Catch three  yellowfin one about 25 lbs  the other two about 160 Lbs & 200 Lbs plus.  Hooked them about 10 45 am catch them about  2 30 pm nice fish we also was 1 for 4 on blue marlin, broke one off,  jumped one off and missed one but we did catch one." 

albie report

From Capt. Brian Horsley: 

"It was as good as it gets until Sunday night. (then the blow started)

Sarah fished (yesterday, it was) rough but fish around Beaufort inlet,  good water and lots of bait. 

Need wind go more northerly. " ----B

Cabin Fever?

Tell me about it.  How about those sand people who are being kept off the islands by the government shut down?

I've had some friends that have been barred from the island, even heard rumor that a Boy Scout troop was ticketed for trespassing at Cape Lookout because they were there for a scheduled Clean-Up and overlooked that the park was closed due to the shut down.   Geeeezzzzzze.  

Not much for fishing reports,  I did hear of another rumor ....an epic topwater trout bite during the gale, wonder which rumor was more accurrate.

I appreciate you guys and gals checking in on my blog, maybe I'll have some stories from Costa Rica soon enough.   For now, I'm almost caught up in the office, cleaned up the garage, got in the yard today to pick up sticks and I am almost booked up for next year, ready for some sunshine and some tarpon in the air.   I'll keep you posted, keep checking in.
George

Named Nor'easter?

It is blowing a gail and raining side ways.  You've really got to want to go fishing in this stuff......my guys were not that sporty and I'm glad of it.     Getting some things done in the office, also working on next year's calendar.   From mid April through May (stripers/cobia) and mid-August through September (prime time giant red drum), availability with our most requested guides is EXTREMELY limited.   I would recommend putting your request in for next year pretty quickly.......

Although the Dragin Fly is booked for January and February, there are some other great boats available, including the legend, Capt. Bubba Carter who we are proudly booking.  Dragin Fly still has some openings in Dec and April through June.   We may have an opportunities for singles to join on trips over the first two weeks of January.

Argentina dates are coming together for next July, the group that I am hosting is going down around July 3-10.  

Drop me a line anytime for the details......and if you feel sporty, I'm sure that there are some Down East Guides who will suit up, put on the cape and charge out there to make a great day of fishing for you.   Bring it on.

Still a few around......

"While fishing Sunday on a spot that Captain Brian told us puppy drum were at , my son Jason caught and released this Old Drum on a trout rod using a MR 17 lure !! .    No place on earth has better fishing or fishing guides that will help out customers when not on board their boat ! " ----Johnny M