I’ve been really sick the last couple days, likely as a result of running myself dry during my recent vacation to Tybee Island, Georgia. I brought my poles with, as I couldn’t pass the opportunity to do some surf and inshore fishing for the first time. The fishing was less than spectacular during my trip, with high winds hampering much of the surf fishing. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting a 22 year old recent transplant from Naperville, who had just gotten married and moved to the island. Josh was able to put me on some surf action for whiting, where we were able to connect with 4 respectable fish. While fishing, Josh told me he had a tandem Ocean Kayak that he wanted me and my girl to borrow the next day; I couldn’t help but take him up on the offer. Later that night, I landed the best catch of my life, when I asked my girlfriend of almost 3 years to marry me. She said yes.



We spent the next day out on the kayak in the inshore waterways of the Georgia coast. I was not able to connect with any redfish or speckled trout as I had planned, however, I was content as could be with my future wife.



Which brings us to today of course. I had been in contact with my buddy Chris Loveless this past weekend, who told me he had some success targeting smallies on the Fox recently. I ended up staying home from class today because I felt like absolute crap, hut the beautiful weather outside pulled me out of the apartment for a couple hours on the river. I had been noticing the higher water levels, so I headed over to one of my favorite little spots close to home. Within the first ten casts I hooked up with something that felt big, only for it to come unbuttoned after a few short runs. I continued to toss mu 1/8oz jig and 3″ jerkbait upstream of the boulders I knew were deep under the surface. Not 10 more minutes before I connected with my first bass of the year.



After a short while, and no more strikes, I switched my presentation to a chrome Rapala trap to work a little higher in the water column. Within a few casts, I hooked up with a large walleye that showed herself on the surface before spitting the lure in my face. I never did get a good hookset. Next bump took of running and peeling drag, and a few moments later I pulled in another respectable bass in the 16″ class.



I continued to work the lipless crank throughout the area, playing with different retrieves and cadences. I switched to a yo-yo type presentation when I noticed the predatory swirl of a fish chasing baitfish, and threw a couple casts in the direction of the commotion. I was quickly rewarded with a nice 20″+ walleye, that is also my personal best walleye from the lower Fox River.



Not bad for a couple hours I should have been in bed! Let’s hope I feel better soon as the fishing is turning on all over the place! Tight Lines!

Not gonna spend a whole lot of time explaining these, went for the smallies and eyes, got two good carpazoids. First one was the cleanest of the year, second was the biggest. Gotta love a 10 minute fight with drag-screaming runs, no matter what the species. First was on a Creme Spoiler Shad (awesome little bait), the big girl with the shoulders came on a 3″ Gulp and white Roadrunner head. Both on 4lb line and light gear.