08.31.26 RIP Charlie Shapiro and first cast, first fish, kinda...

     It was only a few weeks ago that I used an old picture of Charlie Shapiro fishing the pocket at Big Monmouth in a post about beach replenishment. Sadly, I have learned Charlie passed away a few days ago. I wasn't a part of Charlie's inner circle but I can tell you he was a true gentlemen, and always happy, at least when I saw him. 

     Charlie was a fixture on the fishing, especially fly fishing, scene around New Jersey. I remember first meeting him in the late 1990's at The Fly Hatch and then on the beach, always when the fish were around. He was great fly fishermen. He was also a part of the Jones Brothers gang from way back when. He was a great resource for me when I got my first, and then second 19'10 Cape Fishermen. 

     He split his time between Florida and I would see his fishing posts from time to time. He will surely be missed especially by the circle of friends he had here in New Jersey. If I found Charlie on the beach surely Jack and Hugh were within casting distance. On his Facebook page there's a bunch of photos of Charlie with fish he caught from the Catskills to the oceans from New Jersey to Florida and beyond. 

     But the one I liked, and remember him the most, is him with that big smile and a striped bass in hand while on the sand in New Jersey. RIP Captain Charlie. 

     So after two days of flood tide drama day three was going to happen without a bump. I started the morning running around with Theresa and that kind of put me behind the eight ball a bit. I came up with a late plan to find another flood tide spot, one that had more of a flat to walk and search for redfish. I arrived there with about 30 minutes before the top of the tide, which was a little late. 

    As I got dressed the rain started which wasn't all that bad. A few raindrops here and there wouldn't bother me and wouldn't get in the way of me seeing fish on the flats. Theresa asked me why I don't ask around for some intel but I told her there's nothing like finding your own fish. This is more about hunting than it is fishing.

     The spot I picked had already flooded in so I missed the water, and fish, covering the sand, mud, and grass. As each minute passed the rain picked up but that wasn't before I saw some fish waking, not tailing, around. I pulled out some fly line and had my fly draped over the fingers on my left hand. Within 5 minutes I saw a nice redfish coming at me. I started my cast and let the fly drop about 10 feet in front of it, waited, and then started a slow strip. He, or she, ate it, and I was tight.

     Once it realized it was hooked it was gone. It's all new to me so I enjoyed watching the fish go from left to right in a hurry with the leader and fly line being pulled across the grasses. I wasn't quite sure where it was heading an after applying a little pressure the fly popped. It was good. I was good. Then the thunder, and lightning started up. I didn't want to leave, but after seeing what happened to Rick Stanzyck last week, coupled with the way I've started out down here, I thought it would be best to chalk the quick session up to Mother Nature and the fish gods and head for safety.

     I was tempted to stay and wait it out but I knew the tide had turned and it was now on the ebb. I don't know if redfish stay and play on the dropping tide just yet? Do they turn tail and head out off the flats as soon as they feel the pull of the reversed water flow? These aren't the sandy flats of the Vineyard, these fish are back into the woods if you will and I would think could get caught if they wait too long. 

     Like the last few days this rain came quick, and hard. The other day it rained three inches in a little over an hour and that seems to be how it goes down here. It get super hot, then the storms come, then they pass and it gets cooler, before the blue skies and heat come back. 

    Not wanting the day to end I took a ride onto Hilton Head were the tide was still at slack. I spent some time watching, and learning, but didn't find any fish on patrol along the edges. One thing of note is I haven't seen anyone fishing. Not on foot or from a skiff or boat. Maybe I'm in the wrong spots. 

     As the moon phase is waning gibbous, at 86%, three days now past the full moon, the flood tides are a little less floody. Today I plan on getting to the flat early were I'll be able to meet the water, and the fish, on their way in. I just hope Mother Nature doesn't ruin my plan. I'm pretty much going out there with a rod and stripping basket as I haven't been able to find that bin, one of 100, that holds my stuff like my sling pack, which leaves me feeling naked. 

     I saw that after I left the river two days ago the search for the missing person continued. Well yesterday they not only found one deceased person but two. 

     I don't know the circumstances of these deaths but I can't remember learning about so many water related deaths in a single year as in 2026. From the Delaware River, to Barnegat Bay, the Jersey Shore, and now the Lowcountry, it just reaffirms the respect I have for the waters I fish. Things can always go sideways in a split second.

     As we continue to set up shop and get acquainted with our new life we're starting to realize all things that this move is providing for us. It's hard to imagine that after the storms pass we can just drive over to one of the pools, take a swim, pull up to the bar for a bite and a beer, and then sit by the fire as the sun sets.

      Everyone we have met has been welcoming and helpful. Yesterday while having at the poolside bar  we met a couple from New York who have a place hear but will move down permanently in December, and a couple from New Jersey who were waiting the arrival of their stuff from the same movers we used. For those that have done this already they all say they brought too much stuff with them and that it takes a long while to get set up and into the routine of a new life. That's not a bad thing to have to worry about. So far so good. 

08.30.26 Getting the most out of AAA...

     Maybe the Lowcountry fish gods are trying to send me a message. After yesterday's puddle debacle I made sure I was prepared, and cautious, when I got down to the water. I got all my stuff together, made sure I had a water with me, threw the keys in my dry bag, locked the truck, and shut the door. 

     I started to walk to the point where I would have to cross through a creek before the incoming tide filled it in. As I waked I felt like I forgot something, "Oh, the dry bag".

     So as I walked back I did a pat down of my body looking for my keys. Keys I always use to lock my truck and keys I always leave on the roof so I don't lose them, or lock them inside. Well yesterday morning I went old school and used the lock on the door, big mistake. I was locked out.

     But before that happened, when I first pulled in, I noticed I wasn't alone at this spot. I had come to learn the Beaufort County Sheriff's Marine Units were searching for a body reportedly missing from across the river at the boat ramp. That was bad mojo number 1.  

     I then had to figure out how to get into the truck. I hadn't put one of those hide-a-key things under my truck and there was no spare at home. So like yesterday, I walked around for about 30 minutes looking for a wedge shaped piece of wood and a hanger or some kind of wire. I was going to get in myself. Then I remembered that this isn't my first fishing-locked-out-rodeo. I had done this over the past few years on the road near the Delaware and Hackensack Rivers. I had tried to get in myself but eventually had to call AAA to save the day. 

     The guys above helped me out in New Jersey and got it in about five minutes after using a small air bag and wire rod to open the handle. I was hesitant, due to embarrassment, to call AAA again since I had used them the day before, and in the same location. But hey, that's what I'm paying for. But first I called the guy who came to pull me out yesterday. He had called me on his personal phone so I gave him a shot. Well, he explained after he helped me yesterday he went to his next job which was a side of the road tow. He got hit by a car, broke his arm, and will need surgery. Bad mojo number 2. 

      My new friends at United States Transport arrived within 10 minutes of my call to AAA. They were just as timely yesterday and had me back inside my truck within 10 minutes. After they pulled off I grabbed my gear and headed for the crossing. It was just about high tide and that 

probably meant the water would be nipple high if I tried to cross. The bottom is solid. I had a dry bag. What could happen? It was then I looked up and the Sheriff's boat was making another pass. I thought of the 1980's song by The Clash, "Should I stay or should I go", and with the way things were going the last few days I decided to just stay on the dry side. 

     There was still things to see and learn. I watched as the water filled the flat, and then paused at slack, before retreating back into the river. I didn't see any signs of life but that was okay. I took the chance to walk and get the feeling of the bottom in short grasses vs taller ones. 

     I was able to get home without any more drama but I had missed my shot at the moon flood tide at this spot. When I went through the pictures I had to shake my head. Look at that big goof above. Big belly, a stripping basket, which no one uses down here, red bathing suit, black Ocean State Job Lot socks, and cheap wading boots. If I thought I would blend in down here I guess I was wrong. 

08.29.26 Great first day of fishing and, well of course...

     I know you were just waiting for it. Most were wondering when I was going to show a bloody limb from an alligator attack. Well, sorry to disappoint. But we'll get to the ending near the ending of the post. 

     So I thought I had a good plan, and even as I write I was good with it after it was all said and done. Had high flood tide at 930 am and I got down there with two hours left on the incoming. My goal was to walk across the creek that was surely going to be a bouncing walk to get across if I waited until the top of the tide. 

     The wooden board marker that I had placed on the high side was gone and the only left was small mound of oyster shells that I had used as an anchor. Once across I started my search for wakes, tails, and moving grass. There was still hours until the high tide and I knew I had to wait until the water, and hopefully fish, moved in. 

     There were some birds flying around, some perched near the water waiting for baitfish, shrimp getting chased across the top, and mullet in v-patterns on the move. There were no blitzes or kurplunks although eery now and then there was a circular splash of something chasing something. 

     It took about 10 minutes until my eyes found a target where the water met the grass. While I was there to catch a fish it's wasn't the most important thing. I wanted to see. I wanted to watch. I wanted to learn. I didn't make a cast on this fish, because hell, this is going to get great. It was the only tailing redfish I saw all morning.

     I was there for two hours left on the incoming and two on the outgoing. One thing about a moon tide especially where you have creeks that empty into rivers which empty into sounds is that happens quickly. It was just about to the second for the high tide where the water came in, went slack, and then left. 

     At the flip the waters edge took on a new life. The water receded rather quickly and the creeks and points started to show strong current. There were some bigger fish chasing smaller fish and I let my fly go to see what was in the mix. 

     I caught a couple of chicken finger sized sea trout before moving along. I reached for my phone to take a picture and it was dead. The day before I went deeper into the water and it was in my pocket and since it's been acting a little wonky. So as far as pictures the day was over, and I was to, as the chance for tailing reds, at least here, wasn't going to happen. 

     I went back to my truck and put my gear away and started home. I had the place to myself except for three guys in the distance shrimping near a creek mouth. Their car was parked way up the dirt road that ran against a bridge. I thought that was weird because I had been back here a few times and besides a few large puddles.... and then BAM. 

     The first thing that almost happened was I almost disconnected my spine from my skull. Then I almost lost my front teeth to the steering wheel. "WTF just happened?". I spend the door and the water ran in but just into the corner. The truck was on and I wasn't shutting it down. I was all alone. I had no tools. The phone was dead. I have no friends around here. Since the truck was running I was able, in between getting in and trying to forward and reverse it out, to charge up my phone for a bit to send my life partner a text. Surely she would come and help me. 

     I texted her at 1220 and then went to work. I first tried to drain the swamp, well puddle that my truck was sitting in, to no avail. I found the jack and tried to jack the rear tires to get some rocks and stuff underneath it...forget that. A nice guy who comes down here on his lunch stopped and helped but couldn't. There was nothing left to do but to call AAA. An hour and a half later Theresa responded back. 

      I had worked out there in the rain for about two hours. At one point I heard all kinds of sirens coming towards my position. I thought, "Please don't let this be a false truck in the water 911 call", but it wound up being a motor vehicle stop that turned into a medical call. But the road was now blocked for the tow truck.

      After I called for service it literally took 20 minutes between the time I called and when my truck was back on the road. I called, the guy was sitting in a lot a mile or so away, he knew exactly where I was, he came, pulled me out and that was it. 

     Of course when I got back on the road my truck was below empty. I thought how embarrassing it would be to have to call AAA again for some gas. After filling up the heavens opened up which I

thought would be good for there truck but I knew underneath was covered in that think gray mud. I thought she deserved some better love and I headed to a do it yourself car wash and I'm glad I did. The tow truck driver said I was very lucky to have not swamped the truck which wouldn't have been good. 

     By the time the bath was done I was done. I hadn't eaten breakfast, didn't have much except a cold coffee to drink, and I was dirty and soaked. As I headed home a familiar sign caught my eye and I immediately made the traffic move to get into the lot.

     Believe it or not it was just what I needed. For a while there I felt alone. Truck stuck. Don't know where I am. Don't know nobody. Jersey Mike's brought me back to familiar territory. I knew what they tasted like no matter what state you get them from and the large picture of Point Pleasant on the wall made me feel like home. 

     I used to finish old blog posts with a picture of a white milk and an egg and cheese on bagel, scooped out and toasted of course. Today I post the most perfect lunch. If I want to repeat it I'll have to do it by Monday because Tuesday September 1st my new life begins, again.

     I learned lots of things today. The fish aren't tailing in every water even on the flood tide. Don't drive through puddles. Call AAA earlier. Theresa won't help me. Jersey Mikes is dam good. And lastly I need a four wheel drive pick up down here. Not only for situations like this but for work at The Guide House, that names back up in the air, and for towing the two boats around. The last thing I need is an Atlantic Highlands ramp repeat from December 4, 2020. If you don't know then you can see that HERE

     I've been looking on Facebook Marketplace for something better than a beater. I'd like a Chevy Silverado 4x4 in white, preferably years 2002-2004. Low miles and original owner would be a plus. 

     The above is a picture from Titusville back in April before I sold the pick up. I wish I still had her. If I did maybe I would have been exploring in her yesterday and could have popped her into four wheel drive and avoided the drama. Maybe I need to change the name from The Guide House to The Drama House. 

08.28.26 Two tide check....

     I know I have to learn the bait as well as the fish down here. We had a busy day planned house-wise but I just had to go out on a scout especially with the full flood tide moon today. High highs and low lows. What I'm learning is during the hot months it's all about the flood tide and during the cooler months the ebb. So I went and hit some spots.

     Hey, I know there's gators down here. Just about everywhere you go there's a sign to remind people of that. My guard is especially up when I walk Luke just before bed and before first light. I carry a mini-mag light to illuminate our walk, not that the flashlight would help if we were ambushed or anything. I cut my teeth fly fishing for striped bass pulling overnights in Asbury Park back in the day and then Trenton so scary people don't phase me, but alligators do.

    I drove around before settling in at a place that looked promising away from the bayou-alligator populated swamp. It was the top of the flood tide and it looked fishy, although I was limited to where I could go due to the many deep channels that cut the landscape off of the main river. 

     As you know I'm all about walking and wading, well to fish some spots I'll have to include swimming to get from point A to point B. You can tell from the above picture by the drop off it's not knee-deep water there. So I put this spot in for my plan for today.

     My flats shoes could be anywhere and after searching through the garage and The Guide House I realized they must be in my wader bag back in Cape May. I did a quick search on Amazon and found a suitable temporary replacement. For $50 they'll do just fine. 

     They arrived while we were out at the tile place looking for backsplash tile in the kitchen. The countertop folks broke the existing tiles during their install so we arrived to find that part of the home improvement project up in the air. Then we had to run home for the appliance delivery guys who were dropping off a new washer and dryer for Theresa. The house came with a set but they weren't up to T's liking so, "Happy wife, happy life".

     Of course they came sealed in a box and we were told to inspect them before they carried them into the house. During inspection we found a dent in each one and quickly got Home Depot on the phone. I felt bad for the delivery guys who stood there dripping in the 95 degree heat waiting for us to make the call. In the end they offered to take off 25% so shortly after that call they were inside. 

     I got back to the morning spot a few hours into the incoming. I was easily able to walk across those finger channels where the water had covered it on the earlier high tide. When you're learning a new spot it's exciting and starting from square one hits all of the senses. 

     The above flat is where I want to fish today. During my couple hour trek through the landscape yesterday I noticed a few things. There tall and short spartina grass. There's hard and soft, or muddy bottoms, and there's mud, and then leg swallowing pluff mud. Hermit crabs are everywhere and I would love to have seen Bob walking and watching the bait. Those crabs love the muddy bottoms, and can't be found around the taller, and sharper, oyster bed mounds. 

     My $50 flats boots served the purpose, although they were a tad loose. I purchased an 11, and if I were in a store I most likely would have went 10.5, but I put a pair of socks on to lessen the space between rubber and skin. 

     I'm sure I will beat the piss out of these in short order so my expectations are high. I didn't want to drop big cash on a "real" pair and didn't want to miss this weeks moon tides. They worked out great as I was able to walk the various bottoms of where the water will be when I return this morning. Even though deep, the bottom was firm, a combination of hard packed sand and oyster shells. So I did some pre-planning and some work. 

     I found a spot that had a gentle slope on both my entry and exit point. It would bother were I'll be swimming across to get to hopefully a place where at least one redfish is up hunting for fiddler crabs. 

     I marked the spot with a piece of wood that I considered using for the first The Guide House sign but it was just a piece of pressure treated lumber. So I planted it in the ground and surrounded it by oyster shells which will hopefully keep it upright through the last two tide cycles. 

     I marked my entry point with a line in the sand and a few chunks of oyster bed. As I sit here at 5am writing this it seems like a good plan. I'll be changing into my bathing suit and brining a towel and change of clothes. Hopefully the gators weren't watching me prepare last evening. 

     On my out I bounced along the bumpy dirt road which brought back memories of getting into Lake Tashmoo back in June. That trip seems like an eternity ago and I can't wait to go back next year. By then, hopefully, I would have learned a ton down here and maybe even caught a fish or two. There's tarpon around and the bull reds are just arriving, not some bad targets to have, if only I can find out where they are. I'm not asking anybody for intel, even if it takes me longer to get dialed in. 

     When I got home the storm clouds were building over the bubble. Theresa and I took a shot and ran over to the pool for a quick swim. While in the water we both shook our heads while saying how thankful and blessed we are. We were the only people there. 

     After our quick dip we saw that the pool side bar was still open, and there was still time to put it a food order. I'm sure this place gets busy at times but where can you take an after work dip and belly up to the bar in a complex of 10,000 people and only have a few others around? So far, well it's been only four days, we like everything, except those dam alligators. I just want to be that guy.