tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46088576138077738072024-03-13T00:56:24.050-04:00Angling AddictRob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-84888192505880694162018-07-08T23:30:00.000-04:002018-07-09T14:39:41.443-04:00Airborne Snakehead<span style="font-size: large;">Immediately after hookset, this snakehead flies out of the water right at me. Glad I had the camera rolling for this one.</span><br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_gQQYs2QDoI" width="640"></iframe>Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-62930367449413993992018-07-08T22:30:00.000-04:002018-07-09T10:02:55.040-04:00"Guiding"Been helping good friends get on fish the last three trips. Took KayakKevin aka DrumJesus aka WhitewaterWhitley aka Kevin Whitley
to one of my favorite tidal creeks. Lent him some tackle and he
quickly put them to good use. Got his first snakehead, a bunch of
bass, and a 30” VA citation bowfin.<br />
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Another good friend Michael Beck
got him a nice snakehead that he had been after for two years. His
first encounter left him with an inverted hollow body frog, water
everywhere and a broken rod tip. His stoke was infection.<br />
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Lastly, an
old buddy Brian Welteroth
reminded me it had been 9 years since I took him out on the river so we
picked up a few bream and brews and set up above the old catfish hole.
Little blue cats gobbled up most of the baits but the last one ended up
being a nice 39.5” flathead.<br />
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-8852692424163468452018-06-27T20:00:00.000-04:002018-06-28T11:36:05.877-04:00Unruly Snakehead Tidal creek in Northern Virginia. Lots of pads and vegetation. Teckel frog or other fast paced surface lure that makes a good ruckus acts as a search bait. If I get a reaction but no hook up, I'll run a smaller surface lure with buzzbait type feel to the same spot. I like the Ragetail Rage Shad on a 5/0 Gamkatsu. If I still don't get the bite, I'll switch to a hollowbody frog with a cupped face. I leave it in the area where I got the first reaction and twitch.<br />
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Jeff Lockhart and I had a blast. He caught 2 up to 30" off of fry and I lucked out with two without sight casting up to 29".<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfx8tQI4vkU/WzT-_JcinZI/AAAAAAAAEl8/pUc-27o5RnItZSExyyFLmKt7DafM6P1KwCEwYBhgL/s1600/36033414_10155311202962167_321486917809995776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfx8tQI4vkU/WzT-_JcinZI/AAAAAAAAEl8/pUc-27o5RnItZSExyyFLmKt7DafM6P1KwCEwYBhgL/s320/36033414_10155311202962167_321486917809995776_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KeC1nY1MaE4" width="640"></iframe>Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-3895719989983448332018-06-22T18:00:00.000-04:002018-06-28T10:58:22.464-04:00Do What You Love<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BstWJ0VO5d8/WzT3aWqZb3I/AAAAAAAAElg/ESRrHNIvDNc9Ux1HQXoZ54eUSQhHrwnMQCLcBGAs/s1600/35853423_10155305207632167_6099768225145290752_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1080" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BstWJ0VO5d8/WzT3aWqZb3I/AAAAAAAAElg/ESRrHNIvDNc9Ux1HQXoZ54eUSQhHrwnMQCLcBGAs/s640/35853423_10155305207632167_6099768225145290752_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">It all comes down to enjoying the experience on the water. For some
people it’s purely about fishing. I get it. But I’ve always enjoyed
paddling. It allows me to connect a little more with the water and I’m
fortunate to have a kayak company and paddle company support me with
what I feel are the best products available. With that said, if I had
to pick one over the other, I would drop the kayak company before my
Werner paddles. Again, it’s about the enjoyment of the expe<span class="text_exposed_show">rience
and connecting with the water. No matter what I’m sitting on, I just
don’t think I would enjoy it as much if the direct connection from my
hands to the water didn’t give me the feeling that my favorite paddles
do. Anyway, hope you all have a great Friday and enjoy your time this
weekend doing what you love. </span></span><br />
Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-43102689512901981642018-06-10T10:55:00.000-04:002018-06-28T10:56:09.224-04:00Quick After Work Session<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A.W.S. - After Work Session - </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because sometimes you just need that midweek fix.</span><br /><br />And sometimes you hook a nice one in the mix.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Had three others around 15" that took the ned rig. The bigger on ate a spinnerbait.</div>
Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-10041396056023681052018-05-27T10:43:00.000-04:002018-06-28T10:43:47.024-04:00Them Big Reds...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Got 9 big red drum this spring on the Eastern Shore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One more piece of news but I'm saving that until it's confirmed. Update coming when I hear back.</span></div>
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-83381295454287172552018-05-20T10:38:00.000-04:002018-06-28T10:39:17.560-04:00Feisty Blues<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></b>he feistiest bluefish I’ve ever caught. Right after hookset it
cleared the water by at least a couple of feet. After splashing down it
immediately tail walked twice then suddenly changed direction and came
straight at me. As I’m scrambling to gather line this near three foot
saltwater forked tail piranha shoots out of the water half an arms
length next to me and bounces off my shoulder. Pucker factor at 11 and
expletives pouring out my mouth, it nearly yanks the rod<span class="text_exposed_show">
out of my hands after it lands. It immediately tail walks, goes on an
impressive run then tail walks again. It slowly loses steam after that
and a minute or two later I grabbed the leader. It tries to jump in the
kayak at that point as I reach for my boga grip. I kicked it back in
the water since I wasn’t ready yet and perhaps it wasn’t quite ready yet
to be in the kayak with me. But it tuckered out after that and with
boga firmly securing the choppers I pulled it up. Just shy of citation
but easily a fight I won’t ever forget.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> A couple of weeks later, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCay9_VGBzEtcSy-QuN8yyrQ">Robert Field</a> came to town and wanted in on the action. Jay Brooks, Meghan Lorraine, Willy Rags and I got together to put Mr. Field on some blues. But first...</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show">... festivities.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show">I showed up late the next morning, but quickly got on fish. I actually lucked out with the biggest of the day which went right at 36". Citation when I'm not even trying for one.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Photo credit: Robert Field<br /><br />The episode on Robert's youtube channel should be out soon.</span></span></div>
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-60668912031304165452018-05-05T10:30:00.000-04:002018-06-28T10:31:15.499-04:00First Grass Carp on Fly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>fter getting frustrated with these last year, I finally got a grass
carp to eat. Actually, I had three take the fly but only landed this
one. One of the ones I lost was a 40+” that made the skinny water
explode then broke me off in the pads. </span></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIcPTh3EIo4/WzTw2oT3V2I/AAAAAAAAEkU/PhbTmH_xufcyOLHHfbSlAvM6A1GI16vMQCLcBGAs/s1600/31773099_10155201031382167_3280763128995905536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="960" height="474" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIcPTh3EIo4/WzTw2oT3V2I/AAAAAAAAEkU/PhbTmH_xufcyOLHHfbSlAvM6A1GI16vMQCLcBGAs/s640/31773099_10155201031382167_3280763128995905536_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I got plans for these guys in the future. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-22521551733902861172018-04-22T10:26:00.000-04:002018-06-28T10:28:38.568-04:00Slacker's Photo Dump<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been hard to find the time to keep up with this site. For those of you who have been following along, my apologies. </div>
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Winter went by with below average stripers for me. </div>
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I found one day for yellow perch and crappie up to 14" </div>
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Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries put me on the cover of their annual freshwater fishing and boating magazine. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VER0Ld81ixo/WzTvQfruw1I/AAAAAAAAEjw/--v4eZduFEQJo0cqvgNOLFHR3veEY4QLACLcBGAs/s1600/tenor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVsOo7nCsUU/WzTuu2-FtbI/AAAAAAAAEjk/NfbpfkNPpqcNLc-V6ZNGQ-wEaICpXzYxwCLcBGAs/s320/30265107_2088798664697865_5495457388771147776_o.jpg" width="238" /></a> </div>
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<i><span class="ILfuVd yZ8quc">"I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."</span></i></div>
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<span class="ILfuVd yZ8quc"> </span>Got good numbers of shad in the spring as well as a few catfish and small smallmouth. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijpulzHndpE/WzTv1xgqyxI/AAAAAAAAEj4/m4QIW5aL5rwUXjV3fOhCMgzvjirb-CUeQCLcBGAs/s1600/29683175_10155139500992167_1554224005819847155_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijpulzHndpE/WzTv1xgqyxI/AAAAAAAAEj4/m4QIW5aL5rwUXjV3fOhCMgzvjirb-CUeQCLcBGAs/s320/29683175_10155139500992167_1554224005819847155_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="256" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iV9GRDB_zqo/WzTv-DQZUhI/AAAAAAAAEj8/oo-fS7gI7to7zKIc9GAhvJn3wcGQY6G6ACLcBGAs/s1600/30726223_10155169626357167_6644522339163701248_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="960" height="231" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iV9GRDB_zqo/WzTv-DQZUhI/AAAAAAAAEj8/oo-fS7gI7to7zKIc9GAhvJn3wcGQY6G6ACLcBGAs/s320/30726223_10155169626357167_6644522339163701248_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Had one good day for tautog with lots of fat females released including a 22"er. </div>
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-59130459905072168292017-12-11T21:10:00.003-05:002017-12-11T21:10:48.789-05:00"Stress-Free" Muskie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iLRwAO29j74/Wi83QI8DAeI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/yd4XB8C6Q5QzyZbU4YVJQUGQEorA29meACLcBGAs/s1600/Dome%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1191" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iLRwAO29j74/Wi83QI8DAeI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/yd4XB8C6Q5QzyZbU4YVJQUGQEorA29meACLcBGAs/s640/Dome%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">N</span><span style="font-size: large;">ormally if I have a day off I'm all about getting to the spot stupid early, but this time I sort of just got up when I normally head to work and started loading the car. The boss lady and I spent some well deserved down time on the couch the night before and I mentioned how I'd like to just have a stress free, easy going fishing trip on my day off. Previous trips, like the vast majority of my outings, had the weight of a goal attached to them. If it wasn't about checking off a new trophy specie, or bringing home groceries, it was about acquiring that right size fish for prints and artwork. When I told her that I just want to go and cast around she looked at me funny. "That's not like you." I told her it's not good to get hopes up for musky fishing anyway. She rolled her eyes.<br /><br />I launched late. It was almost lunch time. The plan was to drift around and cast the same area I was fishing last year then perhaps explore a different section. If I got lucky, then perhaps I'd see one or two, maybe get one to follow the lure, and it would be an alright day. Well within the first 30 minutes I drift directly over one. So of course, I stayed in the same area and kept casting. Half an hour later...</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPx1G-pfGb4/Wi8uqo759NI/AAAAAAAAEY4/UX5ssRFvwqsYZpUq_ealvw4yLOheY4r_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Musky%2Bhold%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1024" height="508" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPx1G-pfGb4/Wi8uqo759NI/AAAAAAAAEY4/UX5ssRFvwqsYZpUq_ealvw4yLOheY4r_QCLcBGAs/s640/Musky%2Bhold%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fat 36" Musky</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An hour in and I would have been happy if that was the end of my trip. But of course, I wasn't leaving yet. I decided to make one more drift before trying somewhere else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thing is, when you drift right over another one it makes darn near impossible to move to another area. Over the next few hours I saw a total of 4, two of which were nice sized. I tried a few other lures but I eventually went back to the one I had most confidence in, the big glide bait. Not long after, a big headed beast followed but veered away before just before I could try to circle the lure around at the yak. I suspect the wind pushing my kayak into its path didn't help. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few casts later my line came tight abruptly and the water erupted. I got all giddy again and she was pretty with that green iridescence on her back, streaking up and down the river. I kept yelling "oh you so beautiful!" but she was forever pissed. When she calmed down, I nervously put the boga lip grip on her and quickly slid my hand up the attached rope. As suspected, the signature tornado of teeth and giant trebles ensued. After the final tantrum, I slid her over the side and there was no doubt that I had a new personal best.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQS_-CktWVc/Wi82LyUFOFI/AAAAAAAAEZI/Wa-GfZ_HGUkDRHcAFyWzUVS8qLSsMhQDQCLcBGAs/s1600/Musky%2Bhold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1098" height="468" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQS_-CktWVc/Wi82LyUFOFI/AAAAAAAAEZI/Wa-GfZ_HGUkDRHcAFyWzUVS8qLSsMhQDQCLcBGAs/s640/Musky%2Bhold.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She measured out at 43" for a Virginia Citation (trophy)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As good as it was, I figured I would try a little longer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An hour later, with the wind really starting to bother me, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I packed it up... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More than content with my "stress-free" musky trip.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6futD59Vsk/Wi86nz52OtI/AAAAAAAAEZc/qCSybZQzK30gbqfe-brVCxY3xrGolR2uQCLcBGAs/s1600/Dome%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1189" height="436" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6futD59Vsk/Wi86nz52OtI/AAAAAAAAEZc/qCSybZQzK30gbqfe-brVCxY3xrGolR2uQCLcBGAs/s640/Dome%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-51461496791940930632017-12-05T09:20:00.000-05:002017-12-11T09:24:26.667-05:00Specks, Stripers, Togs, the Usual.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Fall might be my favorite season to fish.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7flTHr1kgk/Wi6NrmDiFKI/AAAAAAAAEYA/MTP6alT0AeEoLs9RRGwN5mOYRB1rsz4CQCLcBGAs/s1600/24231975_10154856318932167_9160453074337928033_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="960" height="560" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7flTHr1kgk/Wi6NrmDiFKI/AAAAAAAAEYA/MTP6alT0AeEoLs9RRGwN5mOYRB1rsz4CQCLcBGAs/s640/24231975_10154856318932167_9160453074337928033_n.jpg" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;">Lots of specks this year. Nothing huge for me but tons of fun.<br />Various soft plastics on quarter ounce jigheads as well as mirrolures tossed in and around salty creeks got the job done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally got out for togs too. Love these things.<br />Crabs on dropper loops in structure.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bJ39mhk-PA/Wi6O9xmJnyI/AAAAAAAAEYM/IuecYrzt8AAG1QUaYCNMRTzh8N0sQNYjACLcBGAs/s1600/23844534_10154834490947167_6372543622935497348_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bJ39mhk-PA/Wi6O9xmJnyI/AAAAAAAAEYM/IuecYrzt8AAG1QUaYCNMRTzh8N0sQNYjACLcBGAs/s640/23844534_10154834490947167_6372543622935497348_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Also been getting into a good number of schoolie stripers along bridge light lines at night.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HWGcEEVZpCE/Wi6PWarIFTI/AAAAAAAAEYY/G37nmNKW6K0UaukTSosDAputGC-Mz8K9wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HWGcEEVZpCE/Wi6PWarIFTI/AAAAAAAAEYY/G37nmNKW6K0UaukTSosDAputGC-Mz8K9wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2677.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Been busy with artwork as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hit me up if you're interested. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They make great gifts :)</span></div>
Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-31012902433231509332017-11-05T16:13:00.000-05:002017-11-06T16:21:29.630-05:00I'll Take Luck Any Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VOPx0hJ9eqQ/WgDHC7oML1I/AAAAAAAAEV8/REDoMTO8CRA-bNaO9sQys9k7XGx8e7YWgCLcBGAs/s1600/Photo%2BNov%2B05%252C%2B8%2B34%2B53%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1600" height="608" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VOPx0hJ9eqQ/WgDHC7oML1I/AAAAAAAAEV8/REDoMTO8CRA-bNaO9sQys9k7XGx8e7YWgCLcBGAs/s640/Photo%2BNov%2B05%252C%2B8%2B34%2B53%2BPM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My friend mentioned to me that some people think I'm getting soft. And in some ways, perhaps I am. Long hours with clients were followed by a myriad of never ending chores, kiddo piano lessons, nerf gun battles, and making sure to create lasting birthday party memories. With timing being what it is, I've been playing make believe fishing in Lego land with my youngins more often than I was actually casting lines in the water. And that's ok. The richness in my life doesn't feel diminished in the least. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I also haven't felt the need to keep this site updated as much and even thought about shutting it down. With social media being what it is now, I wasn't sure it was needed anymore. Then I went back and read some of my old posts. I used to tell stories and really had a nice following. I suspect not many will keep coming back but I don't think I can just delete such great memories. I decided to keep updating from time to time more for my own sake than sharing with others.<br /><br />On that note, yes I finally had a chance to have a productive fishing session. As in years past, I went on a fall marathon. Time of departure, 9:30pm. First stop, good ol' HRBT. It took a while but I cruised the light line and found the the schoolie stripers chompin. Along with them were a gazillion baby bluefish and grey trout. I had to work the dark paddletail deeper and very close to the pilings to get the stripers to eat it before the blues. I iced two at 22" and took a nap in the car.<br /><br />A few hours later, I met my good friend and fellow Werner Paddles and Kokatat Team member, Drew Camp. I've been wanting to check out his local lake for some time and the standing invitation had been there a while. After all this time, I can't seem to pull myself away from the trophy/citation hunt. It was a good lake for big channel catfish I was hoping to check that off the list. While catching bait, I suddenly found myself in a familiar mode saying "Get in the boat. Get in the boat!". I went from catching 6-7 inch bream to hooking into what I thought was a nice crappie.... until I realized it was a massive dinner plate size sunfish. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwR8KW_yO8o/WgDHjfqQ1lI/AAAAAAAAEWE/X4svc-vKRL8ejqQxSDmI66kAabfSRdr_wCLcBGAs/s1600/paper%2Bsunfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1393" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwR8KW_yO8o/WgDHjfqQ1lI/AAAAAAAAEWE/X4svc-vKRL8ejqQxSDmI66kAabfSRdr_wCLcBGAs/s640/paper%2Bsunfish.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Citation starts at 11" for a Virginia sunfish so needless to say, I was a ecstatic.<br /><span id="goog_951628143"></span><span id="goog_951628144"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Drew was tearing up the bass as usual...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IlMT7lD8Bc/WgDIqb7MlzI/AAAAAAAAEWU/sLqcVKIbns8LJir9xhaptQdfjulDccLGwCLcBGAs/s1600/PB020370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1600" height="572" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IlMT7lD8Bc/WgDIqb7MlzI/AAAAAAAAEWU/sLqcVKIbns8LJir9xhaptQdfjulDccLGwCLcBGAs/s640/PB020370.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21.5" bass caught on a tiny blade bait vertical jigging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Drew went on to mention how he's caught tons of the sunfish in that area but never anything that big. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I said I'll take luck any day.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just then I noticed a grasshopper sitting on the very tip of my bow. Thought it was pretty cool and perhaps lucky. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I went back to fishing and not long after hooked into a really nice channel cat an inch shy of citation on the same tiny ultra light rig with night crawlers that I was catching sunfish on. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> That drag was SINGING!<br /><br />I went on to catch several more in the 28-29" range on normal medium heavy catfish gear but kept coming up shy of that 30" mark needed for trophy. <br /><br />A few hours went by and I was thinking of calling it a day since I already checked a new trophy specie off the list. On the proverbial "last cast" I hooked into one that pulled me along. I've caught tons of much bigger blue cats and flatheads as well as smaller channel cats. I have to say, I was impressed by the citation class channel cats' strength. They put up a good fight for their size. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaaTy93_t1k/WgDNxN4sOiI/AAAAAAAAEWk/VzMVYlVxP6IPufNYe3qC3kHoj-_gIqw4gCLcBGAs/s1600/PB020376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaaTy93_t1k/WgDNxN4sOiI/AAAAAAAAEWk/VzMVYlVxP6IPufNYe3qC3kHoj-_gIqw4gCLcBGAs/s640/PB020376.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And yes, it turned out to be the trophy I was looking for. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> And no, I didn't get a grip and grin, like a dummy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />On my way back to the launch I paddled by a downed tree </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and my lucky cricket jumped ship.<br />I smiled and thanked it for the luck. <br />And on a more serious note, messaged Drew about how much I appreciated him showing me around his spot. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As timing gets tougher and tougher, it's really hard to fully express how amazing it is to have friends willing to help out someone getting "soft". <br /><br />Like a proper marathon though, on the way back home I stopped at the HRBT again and took my newbie kayak fishing friend Mike. He did better than last time (last year) and hooked several schoolies while managing his kayak better in the current/structure. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I ended up scoring a fat 23"er and one just shy of 28". </span><br />
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<a class="OAVLIQC-mc-a" href="javascript:void(0);" kind="click"> <span class="OAVLIQC-mc-c OAVLIQC-ab-a"></span><br /> </a></div>
<a class="OAVLIQC-mc-a" href="javascript:void(0);" kind="click"> </a></div>
Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-64149337336049637822017-10-08T08:43:00.000-04:002017-11-06T08:43:38.521-05:00Tarpon Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFb5REmCOT4/WgBmYRyMOlI/AAAAAAAAEVk/WTUxVVpec206H_VnQcLr9GAzLyplHpXqACLcBGAs/s1600/A1E37213-31BF-4727-B6C0-3CA949E90215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFb5REmCOT4/WgBmYRyMOlI/AAAAAAAAEVk/WTUxVVpec206H_VnQcLr9GAzLyplHpXqACLcBGAs/s640/A1E37213-31BF-4727-B6C0-3CA949E90215.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pu0bQjwOGqQ/WgBmYRis1yI/AAAAAAAAEVo/df5DgjFeU9IBAmtrzSDqGLdOn5wVEL83wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="1600" height="558" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pu0bQjwOGqQ/WgBmYRis1yI/AAAAAAAAEVo/df5DgjFeU9IBAmtrzSDqGLdOn5wVEL83wCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3918.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1Q40QS_waE/WgBh0Enu6jI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/VXTilGkagW0nd70WCDU4AhQX2B2ywWk7gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="1600" height="556" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1Q40QS_waE/WgBh0Enu6jI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/VXTilGkagW0nd70WCDU4AhQX2B2ywWk7gCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_4077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tarpon Portrait</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Oil paint on Wood panel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Original not for sale</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Limited Edition reproductions (25 signed & numbered) available. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Message with inquiries.</span></div>
Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-61505390914592700802017-10-06T08:36:00.000-04:002017-11-06T08:40:20.695-05:00Things I've Neglected to Post Earlier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTE1eGRYJvw/WgBh0OrGORI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/LxEeO0Dl9iUn9BYhvCW4pbtcrfdMQibxwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="934" height="600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTE1eGRYJvw/WgBh0OrGORI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/LxEeO0Dl9iUn9BYhvCW4pbtcrfdMQibxwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3961.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Citation Sheepshead back in August</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTE1eGRYJvw/WgBh0OrGORI/AAAAAAAAEUg/QmL99YoCjRMDc5Uu6um9TsYeII0KQu3egCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="934" height="600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTE1eGRYJvw/WgBh0OrGORI/AAAAAAAAEUg/QmL99YoCjRMDc5Uu6um9TsYeII0KQu3egCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3961.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIuJwuv3UzA/WgBh2KlrVbI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/TQeDGcQOKB8qSz6JeEDGPo_kOTnleLE6ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-17%2Bat%2B8.01.48%2BAM.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIuJwuv3UzA/WgBh2KlrVbI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/TQeDGcQOKB8qSz6JeEDGPo_kOTnleLE6ACEwYBhgL/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-17%2Bat%2B8.01.48%2BAM.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GGktHGd_ck8/WgBh2nu0eYI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/pld8gsATOY84HADG2wDC1hi-qR-1X00ugCEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-17%2Bat%2B8.05.04%2BAM.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GGktHGd_ck8/WgBh2nu0eYI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/pld8gsATOY84HADG2wDC1hi-qR-1X00ugCEwYBhgL/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-17%2Bat%2B8.05.04%2BAM.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only Cobia I caught on the kayak this summer was 37"</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqz1qE8WlWk/WgBh0IZ02SI/AAAAAAAAEUk/q7fQDSDrm8cbVLGsPYzAgO9sFXuOwoAGQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1015" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqz1qE8WlWk/WgBh0IZ02SI/AAAAAAAAEUk/q7fQDSDrm8cbVLGsPYzAgO9sFXuOwoAGQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Billfish (White Marlin) on Jay Brook's Boat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYuGfIPUFP4/WgBh1NLxWxI/AAAAAAAAEU4/9hegxtzqHBodjOVO5JOPYOFNUIoXIrsDwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYuGfIPUFP4/WgBh1NLxWxI/AAAAAAAAEU4/9hegxtzqHBodjOVO5JOPYOFNUIoXIrsDwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueline Tilefish from same trip</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you hook into what you think is a really nice smallmouth but during the fight you realize that's not the case</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJNxyq0gDII/WgBh1vKToEI/AAAAAAAAEU8/Oq4Z3VIdjnMTv1hLCKXNoXXXga5WamtBQCLcBGAs/s1600/P7290347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1277" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJNxyq0gDII/WgBh1vKToEI/AAAAAAAAEU8/Oq4Z3VIdjnMTv1hLCKXNoXXXga5WamtBQCLcBGAs/s640/P7290347.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18" Smallmouth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lOuy8HPk4Jo/WgBmJkXMvhI/AAAAAAAAEVc/XYWwxQknh-Ic3WF4ErsFOXfrMHznEBqmQCLcBGAs/s1600/20768218_10154592404317167_5320084347543658599_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="960" height="632" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lOuy8HPk4Jo/WgBmJkXMvhI/AAAAAAAAEVc/XYWwxQknh-Ic3WF4ErsFOXfrMHznEBqmQCLcBGAs/s640/20768218_10154592404317167_5320084347543658599_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flathead on the James</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSXvZoQwYsQ/WgBmJvzf6FI/AAAAAAAAEVg/kfJUpqgcMds64_JXlwnqWYWaNHnGvvHmgCLcBGAs/s1600/21151461_10154625660507167_6754669773084113473_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="960" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSXvZoQwYsQ/WgBmJvzf6FI/AAAAAAAAEVg/kfJUpqgcMds64_JXlwnqWYWaNHnGvvHmgCLcBGAs/s640/21151461_10154625660507167_6754669773084113473_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowfin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QForPEryj8/WgBh0w-B49I/AAAAAAAAEU0/tYNC1E0FZI4NSFZju17IGB9pD7LCXim-ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1600" height="548" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QForPEryj8/WgBh0w-B49I/AAAAAAAAEU0/tYNC1E0FZI4NSFZju17IGB9pD7LCXim-ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puppy Drum prefixing the TKAA tournament</td></tr>
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<br />Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-38085518672882164282017-07-16T09:29:00.000-04:002017-07-31T14:02:27.619-04:00Sharky waters<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Had a few live spot and croaker in the flow troll...</span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/854sLVg9VTM" width="640"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Decided to leave it out of the water after shooting this video.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Later on I hooked into a 10+' lemon shark.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It eventually bit through the 100lb leader. I went back and anchored up in the same spot and had another that was even bigger. Same result.</span></div>
Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-79981203501228631662017-06-09T16:18:00.001-04:002017-06-09T16:18:10.067-04:00Sharing the Love<span style="font-size: large;">I tell ya, sometimes I just feel like a goofy, giddy little kid when I'm out on the water; stupid grin and all. Is goobery a word? Either way, that's me. Happy and goobery. Especially lately as I've been falling in love with the near by lake. After work on a Thursday, I decided to invite a few friends to share the love. Lockhart, Beck, and Britland joined me on what turned out to be a gorgeous evening out on the water.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex Britland enjoying the pedal drive on the new Old Town PDL</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I quickly picked up two bass on a texas rigged Cut-R Worm and that aforementioned grin was clearly visible to all. I shared with my buddies what I used and how I was fishing it to pick up the 16.5" and 18.25" fish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> "You should feel the rocks there. Once you get passed them, there's a drop off. Make sure to let it get all the way to the bottom." Then I switched up to see if the swim-jig would produce similar results. A few casts into it I got a solid thump. Immediately after setting the hook that smile went away. I went into oh-please-get-in-the-boat mode especially after it thrashed on the surface for us to see that it was close to that 22" citation mark. Not long after, I landed it and the grin came back. And when I laid it on the board I smiled a little more...</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJyHfnU3L9E/WTr_vaMAu9I/AAAAAAAAEOs/zzh_Aq49W7kNx3_NpDybMjUnUsLXFI5uwCLcB/s1600/22.5%2522%2BLMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJyHfnU3L9E/WTr_vaMAu9I/AAAAAAAAEOs/zzh_Aq49W7kNx3_NpDybMjUnUsLXFI5uwCLcB/s640/22.5%2522%2BLMB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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22.5" Citation Largemouth Bass</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0uL9U4CLUOI/WTsAPlLrW6I/AAAAAAAAEOw/9lfD5GjHMJ0_VJu92iw5_5Fr8VfeM59hwCLcB/s1600/22.5%2Bholding%2BLMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1516" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0uL9U4CLUOI/WTsAPlLrW6I/AAAAAAAAEOw/9lfD5GjHMJ0_VJu92iw5_5Fr8VfeM59hwCLcB/s640/22.5%2Bholding%2BLMB.jpg" width="606" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not too long after, Mike Beck landed a 23.5" Pickerel (half inch shy of citation). And Alex Britland landed a respectable 19" Bass. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aueyK6whQPY/WTsAfzUxUOI/AAAAAAAAEO0/9zQ4X9oyC9cXY4rGa4PFE2fDVVSyJGdrgCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aueyK6whQPY/WTsAfzUxUOI/AAAAAAAAEO0/9zQ4X9oyC9cXY4rGa4PFE2fDVVSyJGdrgCLcB/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yL_RZq73ESQ/WTsAlnEUMmI/AAAAAAAAEO4/y2qUSCo4imk3uGZTv3D0junFuBRPIaKoQCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1600" height="618" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yL_RZq73ESQ/WTsAlnEUMmI/AAAAAAAAEO4/y2qUSCo4imk3uGZTv3D0junFuBRPIaKoQCLcB/s640/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mike also scored a 19.5" bass toward the end of the night. Jeff Lockhart had the only topwater bite of the evening with a 16"er. He also had the misfortune of being the only one who got crapped on by a bird. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guess it can't always be smiles and pretty sunsets for everybody. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there's always next time.</span></div>
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-2015017326571944472017-05-29T23:00:00.000-04:002017-05-30T14:30:08.379-04:00Trophy Bass from the Neighborhood Lake<span style="font-size: large;">We decided to take a family paddle around a neighborhood lake on Memorial day. On the way, crossing a bridge named after a fallen veteran was a poignant reminder of what so many had sacrificed for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today. As my family and I drove up to the launch area, I made sure my kiddos knew why we had the day off, and reminded them why we should not take it for granted.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTGDOtP-NE8/WS2H4OPb9RI/AAAAAAAAENY/unCInvpRMkgdq5tCFcdqS21fhfieAUWfwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="941" height="434" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTGDOtP-NE8/WS2H4OPb9RI/AAAAAAAAENY/unCInvpRMkgdq5tCFcdqS21fhfieAUWfwCLcB/s640/IMG_3502.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaMInuAme3Y/WS2H4dMg8FI/AAAAAAAAENg/xB5TnsawiH4vToOSNNACr8EBs-sBIWqkACEw/s1600/IMG_3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaMInuAme3Y/WS2H4dMg8FI/AAAAAAAAENg/xB5TnsawiH4vToOSNNACr8EBs-sBIWqkACEw/s640/IMG_3499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After ninja-ing our way up close, we got a pretty good look at a heron before it flew off. The kids also enjoyed a dunk in the lake to cool off. We then did an exploratory excursion into some hard to get to areas and my fishy senses began tingling. However, as with most outing with the stinkers, their patience ran low and all that swimming made them hungry. Plus with the sun still blazing it was a good decision to head in and not to get too crispy. After dinner though, my wife noticed my wheels turning and smiled. "Go ahead". </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oddly enough, top water lures were not getting the attention I had hoped for. I switched over to a spinnerbait and casted along the edges of the pads. In no time, I connected with two 15"-16" fish. Then a few minutes later, I set the hook into one much heavier. Turned out to be my new personal best and my first largemouth citation (trophy). </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0fxkq416iiw/WS2MDBe-brI/AAAAAAAAENs/0AILBnI2ykcpDZZ8zWBVpekEXGjf8gBfQCLcB/s1600/LMB%2Bmeasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0fxkq416iiw/WS2MDBe-brI/AAAAAAAAENs/0AILBnI2ykcpDZZ8zWBVpekEXGjf8gBfQCLcB/s640/LMB%2Bmeasure.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the salt and obviously spend a lot more time there, but I suspect with fish like this near by, there will be more quick trips to my neighborhood spot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend too!</span><br />
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<br />Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-88978576190060926432017-05-24T21:30:00.000-04:002017-05-25T11:49:03.728-04:00One thing I Don't Skip in Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh9AtEsT9tk/WSb3epsHZ1I/AAAAAAAAEMk/EsE-2-kHEbwU1edGcI2YO6ZVyWWca9bngCLcB/s1600/Big%2BRed%2BLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="1212" height="219" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh9AtEsT9tk/WSb3epsHZ1I/AAAAAAAAEMk/EsE-2-kHEbwU1edGcI2YO6ZVyWWca9bngCLcB/s640/Big%2BRed%2BLogo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So many fish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So little time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The reoccurring theme of this site has become how daddy-life and office-life pretty much kick my ass on the daily. I keep saying how I want to chase certain fish during certain seasons. But, winter catfish got skipped, yellow perch got skipped, crappie, bedding bass, and so on. One of my favorites is spring tautog and unfortunately that got skipped too. Well, I made sure to make time to look for one of my other spring favorites, <br /> </span><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3COYXuVIak/WSb6Js4B9cI/AAAAAAAAEM0/SJVhGwJKE1E3iIO2VX6l8VflYgEQXMUVgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1078" height="313" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3COYXuVIak/WSb6Js4B9cI/AAAAAAAAEM0/SJVhGwJKE1E3iIO2VX6l8VflYgEQXMUVgCLcB/s320/IMG_3238.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">And it was worth it. As in years past, my buddies and I paddled and searched until we found them. Willy Rags, Wayne Tu, Doug Greiner, Gary from MD, and myself all hooked up. Big swimbaits with stout hooks, 50lb braid, and 65lb leader lead to signature headshakes, mean runs and awesome sleigh rides. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9o84kIgNE2w/WSb7JlbFdDI/AAAAAAAAEM8/gTFCmo1J_mIFZRl6pwDZWQla1dSWWKB-gCLcB/s1600/Big%2BRed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9o84kIgNE2w/WSb7JlbFdDI/AAAAAAAAEM8/gTFCmo1J_mIFZRl6pwDZWQla1dSWWKB-gCLcB/s640/Big%2BRed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: William Ragulsky</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Huge thanks to Ragulsky for his camera work. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately I couldn't return the favor. He had a thick 50+" red slip out of his lap before I could get a photo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Greiner and Gary went on to have an amazing season. I didn't get as many chances to chase them as I would have liked, but I'm very grateful for the opportunites I did get.</span><br />
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<br />Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-45415544589136737772017-05-08T16:31:00.001-04:002017-05-15T15:49:44.219-04:00Big Blue RedemptionIt was the first trip out for them this year. Tide was just starting to drop and the sun began dipping behind the trees. As with most trips I smiled after my first few paddle strokes and gratitude filled for the opportunity to spend some time on the water. I slow trolled two rods, one with a big crankbait and one with a live bait, hoping to find a good school. It took a little longer than I expected, but eventually hooked into a good one.<br />
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This is my fifth year chasing trophy bluefish in Old Dominion. Virginia's release citation length for the yellow eyed demon is 36" and every year I've come up just a tiny bit short. Thing is, weeding through a ton of upper 20" and lower 30" fish to hook up with a paper contender is no easy task. <br />
The last couple of years, I decided to just let it happen when it happens, enjoy the fights even if it's not a trophy, and not get so bent out of shape like I did in the early years. 2017 was no different. Heck, as busy as I've been, just finding the time to get out was a joy in itself. <br />
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This one got my heart rate up though. It was <i>strong. </i>Streaking away, more line peeled off of the tight drag than I expected. It came to the surface and thrashed but I couldn't get a good look at it from that distance and low light. It tucked it's head back under, went on another impressive run and all of a sudden, the line went slack. The treble pulled and my heart sank. But I didn't dwell on it. It wasn't the first time that's happened and I know it won't be the last. Plus, there's never just one bluefish. Where there's one, there's a bunch. I quickly got set back up and just like I thought, it wasn't long before I had another rod bent over. This one wasn't nearly as strong. And neither were the next 7 or 8. Eventually the action slowed and I decided to call it. I had a good time, it was getting late, and the citation will happen when it happens.<br />
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However, trolling my way out of the area got a mean take down. Line peeled quickly but it came unbuttoned before I could pick up the rod. And you know what that means. I couldn't leave on that note. I was on my second pass trolling back and forth when I got another hook up. The strength impressed me again like the first one but I was able to get it to the boat fairly quickly. I turned on my head lamp and that's when it decided to put on a show. I held on tight as it spun the kayak furiously. Then with gills all flared out, like tarpon in one of those fishporn clips, it tail walked several feet before going on another drag peeling run. All the while, as I'm enjoying the fight, in a strange way I just assumed it wasn't going to be a trophy. I guess all the others over the years that felt similar but kept coming up short conditioned me not to get my hopes up. That was until I got the lip grip on it and had it laying in my footwell. It was bigger than I thought it would be. To be sure of the measurement I went to shore and laid it out.<br />
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Of course, I didn't bring a decent camera so a phone selfie is all I got.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally. </span></div>
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-23957512194422932332017-03-20T10:12:00.002-04:002017-03-20T10:12:40.693-04:00RUCKUS<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_kEyT5i44rw" width="640"></iframe>Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-73637298930695265262016-12-10T10:31:00.002-05:002016-12-10T10:35:52.815-05:00Letter to Sir Esox Masquinongy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Sir Esox, Monsieur Muskellunge, if I may just call you Musky,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Without question your reputation precedes you. Many anglers consider you The Don of the freshwater sport fishing world and your "fish of 10,000 casts" moniker seems well deserved. General consensus is that you're a bad futhamucka and I have admired you for many years without realizing how close you actually were. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year I went looking for you on the New River and only caught several glimpses as you followed my lure. You reminded me of my friend the Cobia. You're both very curious and willing to follow my offerings but sometimes you just lose interest. And don't take this the wrong way but you guys act just like cats. Not catfish; not trying to insult you; I mean cats. You guys will show interest in something, slowly follow it, stalk it, get ready to pounce and attack, but then if it doesn't get scared or try to get away you don't care anymore. I guess it's just not fun for you if they're just sitting there. For example, there is a cat toy that is a feather on a string attached to short wand. If you put that feather in front of a cat, it'll just roll it's eyes at you. But if you twitch it right and make it act as if it's trying the get away, it gets destroyed. Yeah, that's you. It's like you take pleasure in scaring the crap out of the little fish, making it freak out, swim for it's life, all the while knowing you're just going to come with a burst of speed like a goddamn tiger and chomp down on it's sorry ass. You're a sadistic predator and I know you give zerofux. Ain't no shame in your game and that's one of the reasons I was so delighted to make your acquaintance last week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I found out that I could find you in the upper James River I went all stage-five-clinger mode and google earth'd the ever loving satellite view out of your neighborhood. I'm not afraid to admit it. I <a href="https://youtu.be/CqFNzRaOEvE?t=3m1s" target="_blank">stalked the shit out of you</a>. It put me an hour closer to home than the New River and there's something special about the fact that the same water from the upper James leads to Richmond, my home town, and hundreds of miles later, down to the Chesapeake where I chase all my favorite saltwater species. It kinda of brings you and Cobia a little closer in my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's different about you though, is that it's much more of a mental game. Throwing huge lures all day is no joke. Cast after cast after cast, while making sure the lure is doing what it's supposed to, it's easy to start second guessing yourself. There were creeks dumping into the river, nice rocky drop offs and all the other things you like to hang around, but I started to wonder if you're even in the area. The wind was pushing me down the river way too fast, the sandwich from earlier wasn't cutting it, I was dreading the 2.5 hour drive back home, the cold was punishing my feet, but still I kept casting. And casting. And casting. I tried to maintain focus but it did become dreadfully monotonous. Until the moment came. On my 6th trip (2nd to the James), you surprised the hell out of me and I fooled you into chomping on my 10" glidebait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BEzjskamebU/WEsLcK8q7XI/AAAAAAAAEEY/hStVMldk4PQCy1mozv29MMAtRlS-ussEgCLcB/s1600/Lifting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BEzjskamebU/WEsLcK8q7XI/AAAAAAAAEEY/hStVMldk4PQCy1mozv29MMAtRlS-ussEgCLcB/s640/Lifting.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sudden shock of your weight on the line, the head shakes, the streaking side to side, spinning me around a bit, your violent thrashing near the kayak, I thank you for the thrill I was hoping for. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tyNZkVjXyf4/WEsMcz4Bv-I/AAAAAAAAEEg/1Z1XuhxV8eAcurdt03QyZ6wQPCw9Zy0vgCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tyNZkVjXyf4/WEsMcz4Bv-I/AAAAAAAAEEg/1Z1XuhxV8eAcurdt03QyZ6wQPCw9Zy0vgCLcB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All 41" of you, with that emerald iridescence on your back (that doesn't show up well in photos), the attitude, them teeth, I couldn't have asked for a finer specimen for my 1st musky and the experience was definitely an affirmation of your reputation.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOuC5Laeq-8/WEsMyWUAOII/AAAAAAAAEEo/ZkC2nAept8UPjI1lq4ty4JlfQBPfIymkgCLcB/s1600/Business%2Bend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOuC5Laeq-8/WEsMyWUAOII/AAAAAAAAEEo/ZkC2nAept8UPjI1lq4ty4JlfQBPfIymkgCLcB/s640/Business%2Bend.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a side note, you've obviously been eating pretty damn good. You had quite the dunlap going. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lr1thoer8aY/WEsMySC73gI/AAAAAAAAEEk/vvYxGysZRr0v0fn-vu5Jl3GQpLyo_OO1QCLcB/s1600/Musky%2Bgrin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lr1thoer8aY/WEsMySC73gI/AAAAAAAAEEk/vvYxGysZRr0v0fn-vu5Jl3GQpLyo_OO1QCLcB/s640/Musky%2Bgrin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Your belly dun lap over my fingers </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I plan to be back in your neighborhood in the near future.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't be shy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-RMFC</span><br />
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-68183406300337136672016-11-16T13:54:00.002-05:002016-11-16T13:54:31.242-05:00The New Tridents are Here!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WEF8GKPy1qY" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having been a part of the design counsel for the new 2017 versions, I am very proud to announce the arrival of the revamped Ocean Kayak Trident Series. The legendary hull remains the same but the topside has some major upgrades.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.icontact-archive.com/jjiXoF3Cf8NfV-NNtAkNpUu8soULwvkJ?w=4" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">More info here... </span></a></span></div>
Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-79779211558693487912016-09-30T11:26:00.000-04:002016-09-30T11:26:17.981-04:00How to Revive and Release Big Reds (VIDEO)<span style="font-size: large;">The crew has been on the big red drum this fall at the CBBT. Jay Brooks got a 47"er that won the red drum division of the 12th Annual TKAA charity tournament. And of course Drum Jesus, Kayak Kevin, has been on 'em. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNakXRLJLl4/V-6CRORZ8TI/AAAAAAAAEA0/Ec6oPnOd6HQB4QHP2lyqrOpOHE2d3u0GQCLcB/s1600/14492567_10108894598849484_720666501780747897_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNakXRLJLl4/V-6CRORZ8TI/AAAAAAAAEA0/Ec6oPnOd6HQB4QHP2lyqrOpOHE2d3u0GQCLcB/s640/14492567_10108894598849484_720666501780747897_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHHSQdeR9nQ/V-6CRA-e2LI/AAAAAAAAEAw/VHIJnCrx0gQSU-FpSHUtZ9vRXJPubDYawCLcB/s1600/14500585_10108900218762134_5045191558053780979_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHHSQdeR9nQ/V-6CRA-e2LI/AAAAAAAAEAw/VHIJnCrx0gQSU-FpSHUtZ9vRXJPubDYawCLcB/s640/14500585_10108900218762134_5045191558053780979_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Vjl3lTLIgM/V-6CXYlx-xI/AAAAAAAAEA4/Kx8emCkZBOY270OwkzKyBtFzVkRKalY5ACLcB/s1600/14344925_10208914549719847_6576298814940018358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Vjl3lTLIgM/V-6CXYlx-xI/AAAAAAAAEA4/Kx8emCkZBOY270OwkzKyBtFzVkRKalY5ACLcB/s640/14344925_10208914549719847_6576298814940018358_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ6nHMVAw3k/V-6CXWXbVBI/AAAAAAAAEA8/qniGV4wci80_gIzOYFhe82FLaAiDXRHIACLcB/s1600/14370242_10153694376942167_5697228522910096705_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ6nHMVAw3k/V-6CXWXbVBI/AAAAAAAAEA8/qniGV4wci80_gIzOYFhe82FLaAiDXRHIACLcB/s640/14370242_10153694376942167_5697228522910096705_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We've noticed a disturbing trend though. Many people haven't been reviving the fish correctly before releasing them. They are old fish that are protected by law and deserve our respect so watch this video before going after them. Let's do it right, homies.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T21lqAcnv40" width="640"></iframe><br />Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-37676541550120099612016-09-21T00:00:00.000-04:002016-09-21T16:10:23.303-04:00Skinny Sweetwater Sightfishing (Video)<span style="font-size: large;">After chasing an open water salt specie for a while, I decided to switch it up and check out some skinny sweetwater areas.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">My ninja, Wayne Tu stuck a nice bass on a frog and I managed to sight cast to a decent bowfin.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCi_xcFMNp8/V-Khqa1ATvI/AAAAAAAAEAA/kBihD9ZLCIYcQ4PUl34HQRPdQWe7tKLLACLcB/s1600/Wayne%2BTu%2Bbass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCi_xcFMNp8/V-Khqa1ATvI/AAAAAAAAEAA/kBihD9ZLCIYcQ4PUl34HQRPdQWe7tKLLACLcB/s640/Wayne%2BTu%2Bbass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dl4_0ANaSLw/V-KhvTlgwnI/AAAAAAAAEAE/7q5MbS4iehwp5wxCNYqg7nTjTuwqk57xQCLcB/s1600/Bowfin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dl4_0ANaSLw/V-KhvTlgwnI/AAAAAAAAEAE/7q5MbS4iehwp5wxCNYqg7nTjTuwqk57xQCLcB/s640/Bowfin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As fun as it was, I suspect it will be time to go back and play with our bigger brinier friends soon. Hope to see you all out there.</span></div>
Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608857613807773807.post-43040528278996373612016-09-03T08:56:00.002-04:002016-09-21T11:09:28.431-04:00Consolation Citation Cobia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Njc6K3tiNV0/V8nr49QvrGI/AAAAAAAAD9g/I1wUv6vjs5kOQxqS8rULtxlKwqk9HtTlwCLcB/s1600/P8200185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Njc6K3tiNV0/V8nr49QvrGI/AAAAAAAAD9g/I1wUv6vjs5kOQxqS8rULtxlKwqk9HtTlwCLcB/s640/P8200185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After 3 months of major adulting, I was finally able to get away. The combination of buying a new house, trying to sell the old one, office life, and of course daddy life kept me off the water for what felt like an eternity. However the window of opportunity came just in time for me to look for cobia before the season closed. <br />
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Machine gun fire from the near by military base set the tone for the day as I launched the <a href="http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/angler_kayaks/Trident_Ultra_4.7/" target="_blank">Ultra 4.7</a> into glassy conditions under the <a href="http://www.cbbt.com/" target="_blank">CBBT</a>. It felt like a search and destroy mission since it was the last chance I was going to have to bring home a keeper cobia before the season closes. Plus it was my third trip in less than 3 weeks so I was feeling a little vindictive. The first trip involved a ridiculous amount of paddling, not seeing a single fish, and a sour Asian. On the 2nd trip I did manage a mid 30"er (minimum is 40" to keep). I knew it would be short but I casted anyway. It was fun regardless, especially since I hadn't fought a fish in so long. And as WillyRags says, "It's still a VA kayak cobia."<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_xVWtpCC4c/V8njUBX8qPI/AAAAAAAAD9I/H34AlSIbY4MKQDzJbRBJmqovtAoAkecCACLcB/s1600/Cobia%2Bsplash%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_xVWtpCC4c/V8njUBX8qPI/AAAAAAAAD9I/H34AlSIbY4MKQDzJbRBJmqovtAoAkecCACLcB/s640/Cobia%2Bsplash%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WE7Kh60zsV0/V8njphc7DpI/AAAAAAAAD9M/9A4p_yvWU30UL6cRny2T29dd9EWTQA3rwCLcB/s1600/Cobia%2Bsplash%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WE7Kh60zsV0/V8njphc7DpI/AAAAAAAAD9M/9A4p_yvWU30UL6cRny2T29dd9EWTQA3rwCLcB/s640/Cobia%2Bsplash%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Huge thanks to William Ragulsky for the kickass action photos<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--klTxOvguHk/V8ohSFlrZaI/AAAAAAAAD90/dhJU3o5xEy80gEf0NwUzv5jtWPQ8B_zNACLcB/s1600/Small-Cobe-Release.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--klTxOvguHk/V8ohSFlrZaI/AAAAAAAAD90/dhJU3o5xEy80gEf0NwUzv5jtWPQ8B_zNACLcB/s400/Small-Cobe-Release.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Later that same day, I had a mid 40" cobia thrash on an eel but not take it all the way. I circled back around and it came straight to the stern of my kayak then streaked off to grab my eel. Splashing on the surface, the cobia ripped the eel right off the hook before I could put it into free spool and let him get it all the way in its mouth.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmGtw5eE2oQ" width="640"></iframe>Big thanks to <a href="https://livelivegear.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">Action Hat</a>. At least I got some cool footage.</div>
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I saw 4 others that day but they either got stung earlier or just weren't hungry. It gave me hope for the third trip though having seen good numbers. Again I paddled a lot and covered a lot of water while watching charter captains hook up over and over again in their towers. I saw 5-6 fish, messed up casts on a couple and just simply got rejected on the others. Third time wasn't the charm.</div>
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Johnson Outdoors (mother company of Ocean Kayak and Old Town) sent me a new Predator PDL pedal drive kayak and two days later I had an opportunity to get out of work. So naturally, still having brown on my mind, I took the new plastic down to the beach. It took a bit to get used to pedaling instead of paddling, and also took a bit to find the first pair of cobes circling a piling. The live eel got inhaled and I was immediately grateful that I could pull the brute away from the piling while back pedaling and reversing out. Then after a short sleigh ride going side to side and spinning, it became a vertical tug of war. <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onOw_FISgN8/V8omp2goauI/AAAAAAAAD-E/20A5VcUpaHAtfg4ez_NyjqOvciGoQt_0gCLcB/s1600/Bent%2Brod%2Bsmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onOw_FISgN8/V8omp2goauI/AAAAAAAAD-E/20A5VcUpaHAtfg4ez_NyjqOvciGoQt_0gCLcB/s1600/Bent%2Brod%2Bsmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onOw_FISgN8/V8omp2goauI/AAAAAAAAD-E/20A5VcUpaHAtfg4ez_NyjqOvciGoQt_0gCLcB/s1600/Bent%2Brod%2Bsmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onOw_FISgN8/V8omp2goauI/AAAAAAAAD-E/20A5VcUpaHAtfg4ez_NyjqOvciGoQt_0gCLcB/s640/Bent%2Brod%2Bsmile.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="348" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdYnEoam5TY/V8onsbD4ehI/AAAAAAAAD-I/e3nl1h9-_Fc2za8vuM0Y4rdYKl4y94-FwCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-01%2Bat%2B4.55.13%2BPM.png" width="640" /></div>
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With it being a day after season closed, I had the opportunity to test out an in-water measuring technique I've been wanting to try on cobia. After grabbing the leader, I tail looped it then lip gripped it. I had a tape measure attached to the mouth end of the lip gripper that also had a rope coming off the handle. I passed the rope around the YakAttack screwball / dogbone camera mount toward the bow to pull the head of the fish toward that direction. I then stretched the measuring tape toward the tail that I was able to pull to the surface with the tail-loop. If I couldn't put the hammer to it, I was glad it went an inch over the 50" minimum for a release citation. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cucL6r6lvy8/V8ooAtGeM_I/AAAAAAAAD-g/T0RPwgGZlsoKOr5tgdA-7lWSdI6osqxHACEw/s1600/Cobia%2Bpull%2Bup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cucL6r6lvy8/V8ooAtGeM_I/AAAAAAAAD-g/T0RPwgGZlsoKOr5tgdA-7lWSdI6osqxHACEw/s640/Cobia%2Bpull%2Bup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JW1bvEa9CiI/V8oo5mkt49I/AAAAAAAAD-o/cKrKJn25PDwiYpwHbK7OfRFqouXG465zQCEw/s1600/Cobia%2Bhold%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JW1bvEa9CiI/V8oo5mkt49I/AAAAAAAAD-o/cKrKJn25PDwiYpwHbK7OfRFqouXG465zQCEw/s640/Cobia%2Bhold%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">After getting the measurement, I took the tail loop off and pulled it up to get a better look at it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVHZrWCcNqc/V8oo5shqSHI/AAAAAAAAD-o/VIgMUcJraXkUeJE6Q0rQf9yvxhfMmGLtQCEw/s1600/Cobia%2Bhold%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVHZrWCcNqc/V8oo5shqSHI/AAAAAAAAD-o/VIgMUcJraXkUeJE6Q0rQf9yvxhfMmGLtQCEw/s640/Cobia%2Bhold%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After releasing it, I found another to give me that adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, about 7-8 minutes into the fight, after bringing it yak side 3 or 4 times, he made another run, twisted, and spit the hook. </div>
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But that was ok. </div>
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Well maybe I screamed a bad word several times </div>
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but since it wasn't any bigger than the one before,</div>
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at least I don't think anyway,</div>
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I got over it pretty quick. </div>
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Didn't see another the rest of the day,</div>
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still wishing I had some for the grill,</div>
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but I'm all smiles about a Virginia release citation cobia.</div>
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Review of the Predator PDL,</div>
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specifically from a paddler's perspective</div>
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coming in the near future</div>
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unless I decide to try to upgrade my personal best cobia. </div>
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Priorities. </div>
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Rob Choihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13350102500253781187noreply@blogger.com2