Hook, Line & Sinker...

 

Here are my best five of six bass today from West Neck Creek. I don't recall the order in which I caught them, but the weights were as follows: two at 1-1, one at 1-7, one at 1-9, and one at 2-3. My first fish of the day, which came at 1015 (a half-hour after I launched), was a 12-inch keeper but only weighed 13 ozs.

Like Monday, all the fish fell for a Bill Norman Thin N. I found two colors that produced today. One was the chartreuse with dark back that I used Monday; the other had some chartreuse with a little brown and gold. I'm beginning to think there's a degree of truth in that Bassmaster article I recently read about using flat-sided crankbaits this time of year. They've certainly earned my trust these past two outings.

The ticket to success again today was an agonizingly slow retrieve. In fact, I was cranking the bait so slow a couple of times that the hits I got reminded me of what I often feel when a fish hits a plastic worm. I'd feel a tap-tap, then set the hook, and a fish would be there. I missed three fish today because I didn't react fast enough. The hits came throughout the day but seemed to come to a halt about 1 o'clock, which was an hour and 15 minutes before I quit.

Besides the six bass, I also boated one small striper. There wasn't the first sign of any baitfish today.

The water temp at the ramp when I launched this morning was 42.9 degrees. It had climbed to 48.5 when I came in this afternoon. If the night and daytime temps predicted for the next few days materialize, I have to believe the fishing is going to improve. I have every intention of finding out. Barring the unforseen, I plan to get out again both Monday and Tuesday.

Before I forget, let me update you about my friend Chris Fretard's day on the water this past Monday. He, too, was out again today and stopped by to let me know he caught a couple of nice ones that day, the biggest a 3.5 pounder, on a weighted fluke.

I talked to Dewey's wife, Jane, today before leaving the marina, and she told me that family members will be helping her get moved in with her one daughter this weekend. She told me that her plan is to be in her new quarters by Monday. In case any of you are interested, Jane is looking for someone to take a couple of her cats. If so, I urge you to try calling the store or house sometime tomorrow or Sunday. The numbers are 426-6735 (store) and 426-7890 (house).

There's still no word on who may be taking over the day-to-day operation of the marina. I understand the owners have talked to one couple interested, but that's all I know to date. I'll post an update once I have any new info.

Hook, Line & Sinker...

After watching all those bass being weighed at the Stateline Bass Anglers open tourney this past Saturday, I just had to see if I could find a few fish of my own today at West Neck. I began my search above the bridge but fished my way nearly to the S-turn without even a bump while using a spinnerbait, a couple of crankbaits, and a Rapala SubWalk. Because I didn't get started until 10 o'clock, I decided to run back to the other side of the bridge and see if I could get something going. Before making the run, though, I changed out some of my baits in hopes I'd also change my luck.

As I neared marker No. 7, I throttled back, shut down, and got on the trolling motor. I hadn't gone very far at all until I boated my first fish of the day--a 12-inch bass. The productive bait was a chartreuse with dark back Bill Norman Thin N--one of those baits I had tied on before running back through the bridge. I stayed with the same bait the rest of the day and managed to boat the two fish pictured here--a 1-9 in the top photo and a 1-3 in the bottom photo.

None of the fish slammed the Thin N. Instead, the bait just suddenly would stop, and I'd feel pressure. It wasn't until I set the hook that I got any action. All three fish put on some acrobatics, but the hooks stayed put in their mouths. The bait's rear hook caught the tongue of the 1-9, but I fortunately got the barb out without the blood bath that usually follows.

All three bass that I boated today came between 1 and 2 o'clock. However, I stayed with it until 2:45 and just had made what I knew was going to be my last cast of the day, when I looked into the water and watched my Thin N tracking back to the boat with a pickerel in hot pursuit. I actually tried to pull the bait away from the pickerel, but he kicked in his turbo and nailed the bait before I had a chance to do anything.
 

Here's a photo of him hanging over the side of my boat, with both hooks of the Thin N still firmly planted in his jaw. I snapped this picture then got out the pliers and set him free unharmed. I didn't try to weigh him but would guess he probably would have gone 2 or 2.5 lbs.

The water temp when I started this morning was 46.9 degrees. It had only risen to 50.5 when I tied everything down and headed to the ramp this afternoon.

When I arrived at West Neck this morning, there were a couple of trailers in the parking lot. They both were gone when I recovered my boat, but Chris Fretard's rig was there instead. I had seen him on the water and waved, but we didn't stop and compare notes.

All in all, it was a slow day but a very satisfying one, as far as I'm concerned. If I had stayed home, I would have had to listen to the washer and dryer running all day, and for some reason, those are about the most annoying things I have to listen to, besides my neighbor who, at least twice every day, takes the leaf blower to his yard. It's as though he can't stand the sight of a single leaf on his driveway or in his grass. Oh well, to each his own.

Nov. 24, 2012 Stateline Bass Anglers Open Tourney

If you had any doubts about how cold it was on the water today, you got a pretty good idea by taking a quick look at the rosy cheeks among the 17 anglers in 10 boats as they started returning to the dock at Bob's Fishing Hole for weigh-in. These fishermen weighed 34 bass with a combined weight of 59.20 lbs. Only three boats didn't weigh any fish. Here's a pictorial look at their eight-hour day.

In Hot Pursuit of Their Prey...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recovering Boats... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weigh-In...

 



 

 

Winners...

 

1st Place (11.32 lbs. total weight) & Big Fish (3.66 lbs.)
Sid Ryan (left) & "Woodie" (Richard Woods) (right)

2nd Place (10.28 lbs. total weight)
Chris Napier (left) & Eddie Sapp (right)

My Wish for One and All...

May this holiday not just be filled with good food but with an endless supply of health, happiness and good fortune.

"Your Roots Are Showing"

Tell a woman that, and you may get decked. But since I'm talking about West Neck Creek here, I don't reckon I have to worry about anything like that happening.

All kidding aside, the sad reality is that the creek again looks like someone hooked a giant vacuum to it. These persistent northeast winds have done it yet one more time.

I was scouring the boat ramp at West Neck today when my good buddy, Charlie Bruggemann, joined me with a couple of his cameras. We talked for a spell, and Charlie shot some stills and video of the dire scene in front of us (tried to email the video a little earlier to the whole tourney gang but noticed that it was too big a file for some of the mailboxes). While he was doing that, I went back to checking out the ramp for souvenirs and found a couple: a quarter and a ziplock bag full of sinkers. I also discovered an old wood screw--one with about a 3/8-inch diameter and probably about 1.25 inches long. I pocketed the quarter and dropped the other stuff in the nearest trash can.

Bottom line: If you're thinking about hitting the local water anytime soon--at least, while these northeast winds continue--I think your best choice, probably the only choice, is the ramp at Munden Point Park. And if it was me, I wouldn't even head there until I had called first. UPDATE: Forget trying Munden Point, too. As of this morning (Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012), I learned that a couple friends tried to get out there yesterday, and while they were able to launch, the water beyond the ramp was so shallow they had to put the boat back on the trailer and go home. The only other possible option you MAY have is Bob's Fishing Hole on the Northwest River. Again, though, I would encourage you to call first.

For your viewing pleasure, here are a couple more photos of the current water conditions (all courtesy of my friend, John Goodman, who also was at West Neck today).

 

Incidentally, I'm a confirmed believer now: The West Neck ramp really does end at that last post on each catwalk. The water was shallow enough today I clearly could see the tip of the concrete.

 

Epilog: I knew if a person could get out under these conditions, catching fish would be like shooting 'em in a barrel. Consider this report I just got at 3:25 p.m. today, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, from my kayaker buddy, Charlie: "Water was up about 6-8 inches today but still very low, just like I like it. Had a great day. Beat my record for the year with a 4-7. Total bass caught 17. They were hitting mostly shallow cranks but would take most anything. All fish were in the channel... just like we discussed yesterday." Enough said.

The Future of West Neck Marina

The family of the late-Dewey Mullins has decided they cannot continue management of the marina. For a few more days or perhaps a few more weeks, though, patrons may occasionally find some of them available to help you on a limited basis.

The owners have indicated to me that they have no plans to sell the marina. Instead, they are hoping to find a new manager. In the meantime, if you're like me and store your boat at the marina, you're encouraged to keep paying your monthly rentals by mailing them to the facility. The address is as follows: West Neck Marina, 3985 West Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.

On a final note, I have every hope of continuing what will be known as the "Dewey Mullins Memorial (vice Tribute) Bass Tourney Series" in 2013. Additional information on this matter will be forthcoming as we get closer to the February/March timeframe.

I hope this information helps answer some of the questions I've heard from different ones since Dewey's passing.

Epilog: As of 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, the marina owners told me that people can use the ramp at West Neck Marina, even when no one is around to accept their money. Always check first at the store, though, because the owners also told me they are taking steps to get this situation covered.

Up the Creek and Around the Next Bend

Up the creek and around the next bend,

Lies a honey hole, my friend;

It's filled with big bass,

Down deep in the grass--

It's well worth your time to spend.

 

Up the creek and around the next bend,

Is a submerged log without end;

Bubba lives there,

In his usual lair,

On that, you can depend.

 

Up the creek and around the next bend,

Oh how I pray for a little wind;

"It moves the water,

"But is no bother,"

My friend said, as he grinned.

 

Up the creek and around the next bend,

An old duck blind needs a mend;

It's seen better days,

In so many ways--

Or so I contend.

 

Up the creek and around the next bend,

Are many boats every weekeknd;

Their goal is one:

Catch fish and have fun,

That's why I always attend.

 

Up the creek and around the next bend,

A row of stumps mark a bank's deep end;

Gotta watch your prop,

Or it'll go plop,

And some cash you'll have to expend.

 

Up the creek and around the next bend,

Folks often lunch and talk friend-to-friend;

So don't be a turkey,

And go gettin' quirky,

Just take a break and blend in.

 

Up the creek and around the next bend,

On Granddad's old spot we descend;

Looking for a trophy,

The one he named Sophie,

To hang on the wall--I recommend.

 

I have no doubts that readers will recognize the fact that I built this poem after Lydia Maria Child's famous Thanksgiving poem, "Over the River and Through the Wood."

Are You Ready for the Next Stateline Open Tourney?

It's a week from tomorrow--Nov. 24, to be exact. That's the word from Mark Ingram, club president, who reminds everyone that fishing hours will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $25 per boat, plus a $5 ramp fee, and the launch site is Bob's Fishing Hole.

Anglers shouldn't have another "Hurricane Sandy" to deal with this month. Even with those conditions, 21 fishermen in 13 boats showed up to fish the October tourney. For anyone who doesn't remember, the first- and second-place winning weights were 11.05 and 10.90 lbs., respectively, and the big fish was 3.25 lbs.

Good luck to one and all.

'Twas the Day Before Christmas 2012

Dedicated in memory of my good friend, Dewey Mullins.

 

'Twas the day before Christmas in the year two thousand and twelve,

But nary a basser yet was ready to stow his gear and sit for a spell.

So what if the nights were getting so cold it made your old bones ache,

And God help you if you weren't extra careful when hitting a wake.

 

The stores were all crazy with last-minute shoppers galore,

Climbing o'er the top of one another and creating one heckuva roar.

Meanwhile, all we could think about was finding ol' bubba,

C'mon, fellas, what are we waiting for? Hubba-hubba!

 

Out of West Neck we in our bass boats did all fly,

Snugly bundled up under that dark threatening sky.

We knew it'd be a miracle if we didn't get wet this day,

That's why I reckon we first decided just to gather and pray.

 

Some turned north out of the creek, while others went south,

With one thing in common, though, and that was a closed mouth.

After all, none of us were looking to catch a death of cold,

Even if we perhaps were a bit foolishly bold.

 

From Cow Creek to Milldam and points much farther beyond,

We hit 'em with everything, but only dinks did respond.

And, then, just as frustration was beginning to sit in,

We felt that dreaded moisture start hitting our skin.

 

It started as a light mist, but soon changed to sleet,

Then came snowflakes--Oh, boy! I thought, now we're replete.

With that saying about the "worst day fishin'..." running all through my head,

I went digging through my tacklebox for something that had a little red.

 

Ahhh! Maybe this red-craw crankbait will do the trick,

So I hurriedly grabbed it and tied it on my St. Croix stick.

Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits and much more--

I'd tried 'em all but hadn't found a decent keeper heretofore.

 

Having just checked my watch, I realized that time was running short;

If I was gonna catch bubba, this crankbait likely would be my last resort.

Cast after cast, I rapidly fired toward the shoreline,

In my feverish effort to boat a big 'un before the approaching deadline.

 

Just as I was thinking all hope for the day certainly must be gone,

I caught glimpse of a swirl, indicating a sizable fish I just had happened upon.

Wheeling and casting in what luckily was one succinct motion,

The bait barely had landed when the water erupted like an ocean.

 

Running hither and yon, this fish definitely had a mind all of its own;

Nothing I did resulted in the slightest amount of slowin'.

Oh Roland, oh Bill, oh Denny, Jimmy and Woo,

What should I do to tame this ornery "Shamu"?

 

With dexterity, he darted from one stump to the next,

Testing my reel to see if it met all of its specs.

Then, in one wild, head-shakin' leap to gain its freedom,

I realized this fish wasn't going to gain me any stardom.

 

Bubba he was, but bass he definitely was not,

That mouth full of teeth told me why the battle was so hard-fought.

Call him bowfin or grindle--whatever you like,

The way I see it, he might as well have been a pike.

 

Unhooking the critter, I tied things down, then headed for the barn,

Where I knew I'd catch plenty of razzin' for this ridiculous yarn.

But what the hey? It was Christmas Eve, and all across the land,

People would be celebrating, 'cause another holiday was at hand.

 

Up North Landing River, I went at full bore,

I was gonna make weigh-in, even though I wouldn't score.

Eating sleet mixed with snowflakes all along the way,

I couldn't help feeling like it had been one mighty long day.

 

I just had throttled back, as I headed to the boat basin,

And was catching my breath, 'cause I knew I no longer had to hasten.

When over the low rumble of my trusty ol' Yamaha,

I thought I heard, "Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

 

As I turned an eye skyward and peered through all that gently falling blanket of snow,

I'd swear I saw a sleigh with 8 tiny reindeer and a fella in a red suit shouting, "Ho! Ho! Ho!"

All of a sudden, it no longer mattered what kind of razzin' I'd have to withstand,

'Cause what I'd just experienced was simply nothing short of grand.

 

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Tight Lines! to one and all,

Enjoy this beautiful season, and have yourself a ball.

In all things, though, please keep safety at the ready,

And whatever you do, don't let that bubbly go to your ol' "heady."

Hook, Line & Sinker...

 

With today being the predicted last nice day for a spell, Jim Bauer and I teamed up and hit the water in his boat about 9:30 this morning. We headed north up West Neck and kept moving in that direction all day before calling it quits about 2:30.

Jim started the day throwing a walk-the-dog topwater bait, but it didn't draw any attention, so he soon changed to a light-colored Bomber crankbait and stayed with it the rest of the day. He ended up with three bass, the biggest a 1-6, plus two pickerel and a white perch.

I tried a number of different crankbaits, which netted me only a small pickerel. I missed three other strikes, only one of which was decent, and it came this morning on a spinnerbait. About 30 minutes before we quit, I again picked up the spinnerbait and immediately had a couple of fish splash at it. I slowed it down, and that's all it took for the 2-15 in this photo to smack it. He put up a decent fight and likely would have been gone if the battle had lasted much longer. I say that because the hook fell out of his mouth as I lifted him from the net.

We talked to a couple other anglers who said they had caught a few bass and more than their share of pickerel today.

Water temps all day never reached 60 degrees, and, of course, we had duckweed to contend with off and on. However, there was no scum line to speak of on Jim's boat when he cleaned it up. All in all, it wasn't a bad day--just not one to write home about.

Celebration of Dewey Mullins' Life





Family and friends gathered at West Neck Marina today to honor the late-Dewey Mullins with a Celebration of Life.



Dewey's brother, Kermit, reads a passage of scripture and talks
about some childhood experiences he had with Dewey.

Dewey's daughter, Donna (with sunglasses atop her head) 
reads a poem.

Family and friends drink a toast to Dewey.

Dewey's wife, Jane (left, front), gathers her grandchildren for
a group shot.



You truly will always be missed, Dewey.