At Long Last, a Light for the West Neck Marina Ramp

For all those of us who have skinned our shins, bruised our hands, and have uttered more than a few unprintable obscenities as the result of trying to launch our boats in the wee hours at West Neck Marina ramp, take heart. Those days should be a thing of the past--or, at least, greatly reduced--as the result of this 1,000-watt light, which I witnessed going into place today. And I've heard from Steve tonight that the light is completely installed and fully operational as I sit here at my keyboard, giving all of you the news.

From the reports I was getting from different fishermen who had been out on the water today, this light was the only "bright" spot in their whole day. I didn't talk to one angler who had put a fish in the boat. However, I did see some folks land a couple small ones while fishing from the bank. For the most part, the biggest point of discussion with those anglers I spoke to was the fact they found nothing but muddy water everywhere they went today. You'll see that for yourself if you check out the photo of the water-level gauge I posted a bit earlier.

This was the scene (see photo at left) that unfolded as I was making the rounds, talking to fishermen about where they had been and what kind of lures they had been using today. And before I left the premises this evening, Steve had broken out some tree-cutting and trimming gear, with a promise that we'll be seeing some changes.

I was led to believe that some trees will be taken down to the ground, while others just will get a "haircut." The gumball tree at right in this photo is one that's being taken down completely. That move will ensure nothing obstructs the new light from casting its giant beam out across the whole parking lot and ramp area.

Besides the activity surrounding the installation of this 1000-watt light, I saw electricians repairing other outdoor lights in the marina, too. From rigging our boats to launching them, and even to parking our vehicles, we should find much improved conditions. I look forward to seeing how everything looks next Saturday, April 6, when we launch our second event in the 2013 Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series. I hope you can join us.

"He Caught It at West Neck..."

That's what West Neck Marina manager, Steve Winfree, jokingly asked me to tell everyone. In reality, though, the young man (sorry, but I don't have his name) pictured here caught this big bass in a canal in the Kellam area of Virginia Beach. I also don't know the weight of the fish, but I'm guessing it's probably 6-plus pounds. In any event, it's a real beauty.

Steve told me this young angler says he has been catching lots of fish like this in recent days. They've been hitting a Booyah spinnerbait.

I don't know about everyone else, but I personally would love to hang a few fish like this one. Maybe with the warming days of spring, I'll have a chance. "Hope springs eternal," so the saying goes.

If I happen to get any amplifying information about the young man and/or fish in this photo, I'll post an update to this item. In the meantime, grab a napkin and wipe the saliva off your chins. :-)

Here's the latest info I just got from Steve Winfree as of 7:25 p.m., Saturday, March 30: This fish measured 24 inches and weighed 8 lbs. 3 ozs. Steve helped the young man fill out the paperwork to obtain his citation from the state.

Info Update

While I was at the marina today, I noticed a new sign on the front door to the store. It shows a revised pricing schedule for boat storage, which goes into effect April 1, 2013. On that date, here is what you'll pay:

For boats under 21 feet,  the price for dry storage will be $50 per month.

For boats over 21 feet, you'll have to consult with the manager for your dry-storage price.

For wet storage, the price will be $6 per foot, plus a minimum of $25 per month for electricity use.

 

You'll have to excuse me, but I forgot to take my camera with me today, so I can't replace the photo of the water-level gauge in the right column here on my blog. I did check the gauge, though, before leaving the premises, and it reads 2.8 feet, which still is plenty of water to launch most boats.

 

For more information about the changes in storage fees, you should call the manager, Steve Winfree, at 319-6829.

When You Snooze, You Lose...

I proved that axiom last Saturday, and I proved it again today, too. Fortunately, there was one very slight difference today: I managed to put one dink in the boat, whereas I came up empty-handed Saturday.

I started fishing in Pocaty mid-morning, and it was there that I boated the lone bass on my pineapple-colored Footloose. Given the muddy water in Pocaty, I only spent about an hour there before running back to West Neck, where the water looked pretty decent. It was here that I repeated my "snoozing" problem of Saturday. Again, I mistook a hit for only being the top of a stump and had to sit and watch the tell-tale swirl in the water as the fish bid me adieu.

Then, about quitting time, I was fishing along about half-asleep yet one more time, when a fish smacked my firetiger-colored Bomber Square A and tried to yank the rod out of my hand. He hit so hard he momentarily hooked himself but dislodged the bait a couple seconds later and was gone. I'll never know what it was because I never saw a thing. The fish had some weight to him, though--of that I'm sure.

In a nutshell, that's the way my day on the water went today. I'm still looking for my first "good" day of the year. I just hope it happens sooner, rather than later. 

How Many Ways Can You Say, "B-R-R! It Was a Cold One"?

When the 15 anglers in 10 boats moved out of the boat basin at West Neck Marina this morning at about 7 o'clock, the temperature was a "cool" 28 degrees. The only good thing about it was the fact the winds were light and variable. It's not often you see frost on the hulls and decks of our boats, but there was plenty to go around this morning, as we launched the inaugural event in our 2013 series.

The first-place prize winner today was Steve Bailey (right), who weighed in the only 5-fish bag of the day. It tipped the scales at 9.34 lbs. He also claimed big-fish honors with a bass that weighed 3.37 lbs.

To be honest, I'm not surprised Steve was the big money-winner today--for a couple of reasons. I saw him on the water Wednesday when he had boated 15 nice fish for his efforts. He said then that he hoped the pattern he'd discovered would hold together for today, and it's evident it did. In fact, I heard him say that he caught a total of 20 bass today, which far surpassed anyone else's best.

The other reason I wasn't surprised at Steve's showing today is the fact he finished at the top of the leaderboard in our first two tourneys last year, as well. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out that he's a good cold-water basser.

Here are the other participants in today's contest who walked away with a payday:

(From left) Kevin Mills and Josh Clark claimed 2nd place with 3 fish weighing 5.5 lbs.

Chris Carmell finished in 3rd place with 3 fish weighing 3.90 lbs.

(From left) Jon Malbon and Kevin Leeber ended up in 4th place with 2 fish weighing 3.15 lbs.








The only other anglers in today's field who weighed fish were Chris Fretard and Mike Miller, who fished as a team. They boated 1 bass weighing 3.01 lbs.

Those contestants who "blanked" today were the team of Gary Coderre and Jean Blanchard, the team of Al Lemieux and Noah Alford, and individuals Jim Bauer, John Goodman, and Ken Testorff.

The grand totals from today are as follows: 14 bass weighed in at a combined total weight of 24.95 lbs. Those figures translate into a 1.7-lb. average weight.

For planning purposes, our next tourney is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from safe light (approximately 6:30 a.m.) to 2:30 p.m.

Anyone with questions can email Ken Testorff at kenneth34@cox.net.

I must apologize for leaving out a couple pieces of important information about yesterday's tourney. First of all, I need to thank the marina owners, David and Teresa Winfree, for their generous incentive contribution of an additional $325 in prize money, which they plan to repeat for our next event, as well. Thanks to that money, we were able to pay two extra places and to sweeten the big-fish pot, too. Second, I need to thank the new marina manager, Steve Winfree, and Kim for making sure all of us anglers had access to all the hot biscuits and coffee we could handle yesterday morning in those 28-degree temperatures. None of your efforts went unnoticed--that I promise.

Skunk String Ends at Only 2

Having notched two consecutive skunks, I was concentrating hard when I hit the water at 10 o'clock this morning. I first ran upriver to check out an old haunt that usually produces fairly well in spring but only felt one bump on a Bandit Footloose, and that came as I just was working my way into the area. When I didn't see, hear or feel anything in the next hour, I decided to run back to West Neck.

Between about 11:15 and 2:45, I boated 4 bass, the best one this 2-3. The next best was a 1-6. I also had a 12-incher and 1 dink. Everything fell for the same Bandit I had the first hit with this morning. I also threw a Senko swim-tail, as well as a chatterbait and a Yo-Zuri SS Minnow, without even a smell.

I made the mistake of misjudging exactly how much water was in the creek today, and about 2 o'clock, I found myself sitting atop a stump field in West Neck. I knew the stumps were there; I just didn't think the water was so skinny I would ground the boat's stern on them. Fifteen frantic minutes with a paddle hadn't produced the first results, so after testing what was beneath the prop, I lowered the outboard just enough to get a little traction, and that act proved to be the magic I was so desperately looking for. Needless to say, I made a mental note for the next time I find myself in that area again.

The water temp today ranged from 50 when I started to 52 when I quit. Visbility was pretty decent in both locations I fished.

Steve Bailey launched ahead of me this morning and came roaring back into West Neck before I quit. He idled down when he saw me, and we compared notes. He had had an excellent day, with a total of 15 bass, 6 pickerel, plus a few others. "Just hope the pattern holds for the tourney Saturday," said Steve.

I also received an email today from Charlie Bruggemann, who spent yesterday in the Alton's Creek Oxbow. His tally for the day was 5 bass in the small-to-medium-size range. His best one was a 1-14 that he caught on a jig-and-pig.

I forgot one additional piece of information last night when I posted this note. Before coming home yesterday afternoon, I stopped by the marina store, where I ran into Jane Mullins. She told me that Steve has hired her to mind things there most Wednesdays for the foreseeable future. So if you've been wondering about her, here's your opportunity to renew your friendship and to catch up on all the chit-chat. I spent a very enjoyable half-hour or so yesterday afternoon with her and learned that she plans to be around this coming Saturday, March 23rd, for the kickoff of the 2013 Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series.

Remembering a Friend as a New Season Dawns

Dewey, the man we all came to know so well, is gone, but his memory will live on in this tourney series that he started and which, since last year, has borne his name as a token of our collective respect for him.

Here's hoping the groundswell of support evidenced last year by increased participation continues this season as we launch the 2013 tourney series on Saturday, March 23rd. Fishing hours for this event are safe light (approximately 7 a.m.) to 3 p.m.

I would remind everyone interested that, if you'd like an electronic copy of our schedule and/or rules and regulations, all you have to do is email a request to me. My address is kenneth34@cox.net. Or if you happen to be out at West Neck Marina, hard copies are available in a plastic holder on the counter located just inside the door to the marina store. Just ask the attendant if you don't see them.

At the same time, I'd like to let everyone know there's an American Cancer Society donation container on the counter, which will be there throughout the year. As labeled on the container, all donations will be made to the American Cancer Society in Dewey's name. We also will be donating a percentage of all tourney entry fees this year to the Society in his name.

Whether you've fished with us before or are planning to check us out for the first time this year, we extend a warm welcome and look forward to seeing you this coming Saturday as we launch the inaugural event of the 2013 series.

The Way West Neck Marina Looks Today

For the benefit of those who may not have visited this facility since Steve Winfree took the reins on March 1, here's a pictorial review of some of the changes that have been made.

Sand is being pushed over the tops of rocks along the shoreline where patrons bank fish.

The exterior of the store really hasn't changed much.

One new addition outside, though, is this wireless electronic device that Steve attached to the corner post of the dock.

That outdoor device feeds the weather-related information you see in this device mounted inside the store.













Steve is starting to resupply the pegboard wall with new tackle. Note the fresh paint here and throughout the store.

You can't help but notice the addition of pots on the back counter for serving BBQ and brisket. There's also a warming oven for breakfast biscuits and such.













         The photo board has been cleaned up, too.

This price list is one of two new signs that appear on the door going into the store.

This is the other new sign appearing on the door of the store.








Monday through Friday, you usually will find Billie taking care of business in the store. On the weekends, be looking for Steve and/or Kim, all of whom are ready, willing and happy to help you. As promised in the beginning, they're doing their best to promote a family-friendly atmosphere, so come and enjoy. I think you'll be glad you did.

This Man Is Good--What More Can I Say?

It doesn't matter where Charlie Bruggemann wets a line, he--plain and simple--knows how to catch fish. Why do you think I, here a few months ago, asked him if he'd like to partner up with me for this year's Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series? I'm no fool--I know a "winner" when I see one. Y'all can rest easy, though, because he turned me down. With all the projects he has going, along with his blog and such, he said he just doesn't have time to fish our tournaments.

All that explanation aside, with the rain that blew through this morning, Charlie decided to leave his kayak on the rack at home and just do a little bank fishing from the visitor contact station at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. "Turns out, though, the weather was beautiful, and I should have gone out (in the kayak)," he reflected afterward.

Given his totals from today, however, I don't know why he would have wanted to be loading/unloading and paddling that kayak around. After all, who wouldn't be happy to say they caught a 1-8, 2-2 and a 3-11 bass, as well as a small pickerel, even if it was all from shore? He caught the 1-8 and 2-2 on a jig-and-pig combo. Meanwhile, the 3-11 gobbled up a Johnson's Silver Minnow. He never felt any of the strikes--"the line just took off at right angles," he explained, "and I had to crank like crazy to get the slack in before I set the hook."

According to Charlie, it looks like "there is some preliminary action going on" in the beds. He also points out there is some other action going on, too. "The place was crawling with northern water snakes," he said. "I saw four in a 20-foot radius."

Don't know about y'all, but I'm like that old 1950s Brylcreem TV commercial--the one where it says "a little dab'll do ya." In this case, one snake is all it takes to send me looking for a new spot to fish. I don't see it as a matter of being wimpy; I see it as a matter of being smart.

Anyway, be looking for Charlie's blog post, including video, of today's fishin' trip. He said it should be up sometime tomorrow. Here's the link: http://vbfishguide.blogspot.com/. Enjoy.

A Little Dock Talk: Gives New Meaning to "Hitting the Boonies"

I know folks have to "hit the boonies" from time to time when nature calls, but most of us take time, no matter how bad the pressure gets, to first tie off our boat in a decent manner--with it in the water, that is. Not Mike Iaconelli, though.

We've all seen or heard about some of this angler's "bad boy" demonstrations of unsportsmanlike conduct. But his latest newsworthy event really, to Ike's credit, wasn't at all about his being bad. Rather, he seemingly was a victim of circumstances--unless an investigation proves otherwise.

A participant in the 2013 Elite Series Sabine River Challenge, Ike was running a tributary of the Naches River when he claims he hit something submerged that launched his bass rig, along with him and his observer onboard, and sent them flying into the woods. A nearby fellow angler has a slightly different opinion about what exactly led to the mishap (she thinks he swerved to miss a limb), but you can read the story for yourself and see all the pictures, too, by checking out the following two links: http://www.bassmaster.com/slideshow/ikes-crash-landing,
http://www.bassmaster.com/blogs/2013-sabine-river-challenge-live-blog/Ike-loses-control.

Fortunately, there don't appear to have been any injuries from this incident, and another boat was able to pull Ike's rig back into the water, so what more could you hope for? As Jim Bauer, the fella who brought this story to my attention in the first place, so aptly said, "Stay tuned" because you're probably going to hear more about this item in coming days.

The Other Fisherman Yesterday Heard From

That other fisherman I was talking about in yesterday's blog post is Chris Fretard. He just sent me his email report, along with an explanation of why he hadn't gotten back to me sooner.

It seems Chris had some of the same crappy luck that often visits me--to wit, he burnt out a trailer bearing on the way home from West Neck yesterday. He's at a loss to understand why the bearing went out because, as he noted, "I'm pretty diligent with boat and trailer maintenance." In any event, he's in the process of fixing the problem.

Thankfully, the report on how Chris did on the water yesterday was more positive. He ended the day with 5 bass--the biggest a 4-2, which he caught on a Rogue. The rest were small keepers that fell for a square-billed crankbait and a worm. As he explained, there was no pattern--"just chuckin' and windin'."

I'm not sure but think Chris probably caught his fish in West Neck.

Upper Stretches of West Neck "Heating" Up

Eddie Sapp did it Monday, and Charlie Bruggemann did it today--found some nice fish, that is, above the West Neck Creek Bridge.

Said Charlie, "The pig-n-jig and wake bait were the trick today." These baits netted him 6 bass and 1 white perch. His biggest 3 bass weighed in at 1-15, 2-14 and 4-3. The latter was his year-to-date best. "All 3 of these fish came within 20 minutes of each other, along a 50-yard stretch of water," explained my kayaker buddy.

The 4-3 fell for the jig-n-pig. Charlie said the jig initially landed on a log, and as he pulled it off, he let it fall on a slack line. The tell-tale bump came just as the jig reached the bottom, and he set the hook. There would have been one more bass in his totals today--about a 3-pounder--but that fish got away at the boat.

Don't forget to check out Charlie's blog--probably sometime tomorrow afternoon--for his own full report, including the usual video of his day's activities. In case you need it, here's the link: http://vbfishguide.blogspot.com/.

I saw one other friend launch his boat at West Neck today and have asked him to let me know how he did, too, but haven't heard a peep so far. If his report comes a little later, I'll add an "update" to this post.

You're 'da Man, Eddie!

 



One look at this mess of fish being held up by Eddie Sapp should explain why I used the above headline. He estimated these biggest 5 as weighing 13 or 14 lbs., and I'd have to agree.

This is just part of the story, though. Eddie boated between 15 and 20 bass today--all in West Neck, all above the bridge, and all on craw-pattern soft plastics fished in shallow water, mostly on wood. He had a limit before 11 o'clock--about an hour after he hit the water (I know because he launched right behind me)--and culled all afternoon. Furthermore, he lost two at the boat that he said probably would have weighed 5+ lbs.

"I had a pretty good day," said the ever-modest angler.

Meanwhile, I beat the water to death down in Albright's today--all for naught. Bottom line: I logged my second skunk for the year.

The "high point" of my day, if you could call it that, came while I was pouring myself a cup of coffee from my thermos about mid-morning. I just had wheeled a SwimSenko up into a cut on the left shoreline, then laid my rod down to pick up my thermos on the floor to my right. After pouring a cup, I was taking a drink when I glanced out the corner of my eye and saw my braid headed for the middle of the creek at breakneck speed. The line was moving so fast it was cutting a V in the water--no joke. The reward I got for spilling hot coffee while sitting down my cup, picking up my rod, taking up the slack, and making a half-a...d hookset was a giant swirl as the fish turned the worm loose.

As the day wore on, I had a couple more swings and misses on the SwimSenko and one on a Bandit Footloose.

Oh well...there'll be another day--or so I hope, anyway. Guess maybe I just need to start fishing soft plastics all day.

Again, congrats on your day's catch, Eddie. Job well done.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

In my post last night, I asked for a big-fish story, and just like clockwork, I got one. It came from the Stateline Bass Anglers, who launched their 2013 season yesterday with a tournament on the Northwest River out of Bob's Fishing Hole. The 32 anglers in 18 boats faced windy conditions, with 45-degree water that closely resembled chocolate milk.

(From left) Dave Hales and Robert Stamey hold up the 3 fish they weighed in at yesterday's competition. Robert is holding his 6.1-lb. toad.

While the day proved to be an uncomfortable exercise in futility for most anglers, a few managed to find fish. Leading the pack and capturing first place was the team of Robert Stamey and Dave Hales with 3 bass weighing 10.10 lbs. The high spot of their day came when Robert hooked what would prove to be the event's lunker prize--that "big 'un" I had wanted to see. It tipped the scales at 6.1 lbs. This is the second 6-pounder I know of that has been weighed at Bob's in as many weeks.

In 2nd place was the team of Kevin Mills and Rex Shell with 3 fish weighing 6.8 lbs. Third place went to the team of Dale Waggoner and Eddie Confer with a single bass weighing 1.3 lbs.

Not another participant brought a fish to the scales, but as the club president, Mark Ingram, joked, "If this had been a bowfin tournament, there would have been some big sacks brought in."

Mark's day ended on a Good Samaritan note. He had to go and tow a disabled boat back to the dock while the weigh-in was happening.

How Little I Know

If I had been a betting man, I might have wagered that you wouldn't find any bass-boat trailers in the West Neck Marina parking lot today--but I would have been wrong. At 5:30 today, there were two trailers in the parking lot. One was a tandem-axle Skeeter trailer, the other another full-size bass-boat trailer, the brand name of which I don't recall.

In any event, a couple anglers or pairs of anglers had launched in that skinny water today. I reckon they figured the worst they could do was just to stir up a little more mud than already is in the water and has been there for weeks now. I don't look for a fishing report from either because, quite frankly, I couldn't place either rig in the parking lot, so there's no better than a 50-50 chance they'll ever see this blog post and respond to it.

This much I do know: If they weren't doing any better than my friend Mark Ingram was earlier today when I called him, they likely won't have anything to brag about. Mark was fishing the first tourney of the year with his Stateline Bass Anglers club down at Bob's Fishing Hole. And when I called him around noon, the only thing he had to report was low, muddy water; a trolling-motor battery going dead on him; and an outboard that wasn't running right. Needless to say, I didn't take up much of his time, because I figured he already had enough on his plate.

If I get any "good news" reports from anyone later, be assured I'll post a new item with all the details. I've had about all these "bad news" reports I can stand. C'm'on, somebody catch a great big 'un and tell me all about it...complete with pictures.

If You Think It's Not Windy Outdoors...

Check out these wind-blown egrets that Charlie encountered when he was out to West Neck around noon today to check on the water level, which has dropped 2 feet since yesterday, thanks to the wind. If you don't have a canoe or kayak, you'll have to find some place else to launch for at least a while.

Results of 1st Event in New Tournament Series

Robert Stamey launched the inaugural Wounded Warrior Benefit Tournament out of Bob's Fishing Hole yesterday. This event saw 25 anglers in 14 boats go head-to-head in the challenging weather conditions for a payday. Here is how the participants finished on a day when there reportedly were very few bites, with most of them coming late in the contest.

First place and big fish went to the team of Luke Cooper and Brandon Muirbrook with two fish and a combined weight of 7.11 lbs. Their lunker tipped the scales at 6.26 lbs. Claiming second place was the team of Robert Stamey and Dave Hales with five fish that weighed a total of 5.69 lbs. Third place went to the team of Clint Vanmarter and Chris Pike with one fish that weighed 3.79 lbs.

The only other participants to weigh fish included Richie Ackers with two fish weighing 2.9 lbs. and the team of Greg Dick and Perry Zyzak with one fish weighing 2.06 lbs.

Those who didn't bring anything to the scales included the teams of Joel Breitsprecher and Mitch Portervint, Chris Carmel and Charlie Reed, Jim Sumrell and Cathy Brandt, Chris Vitovich and Richard Hall, Jason Sculzith and William Draughton, John Alphonse and Chris Alphonse, and Jared Allbritten and Chris Napier. Individual anglers who were empty-handed included Mark London and Al Napier.

The payout for this tournament amounted to $600 cash, with another $200 in Bob's gift certificates. The total donation to the Wounded Warrior Project from this event will be $395.

For additional details and to see pictures from yesterday's event, go to http://www.myreelator.com/Tournament-Results.

County Bassmasters of Virginia Tourney Results

Thanks to an email from Eddie Sapp, I'm happy to be able to post results of this club's first tournament of the season yesterday on the Northwest River out of Bob's Fishing Hole.

Participants who weighed fish were as follows:
Eddie Sapp, 5 fish, 6.57 lbs.; his boating partner, Paul Celentano, 2 fish, 3.47 lbs.
Jared Allbritten, 1 fish, 1.28 lbs.
Apollo Quiban, 1 fish, 1.07 lbs.

These participants didn't weigh any fish:
Chris Napier, Jobie Walker, Victor Spence, Mike Sims, and Mike Hollohan.

Big-fish weight for the day was 1.74 lbs.; both Eddie and Paul brought a fish to the scales weighing that much.

Eddie summed up the day like this: "Very muddy, but we managed to find clear water in a creek and ground it out with crankbaits and soft plastics. Water temp was 46-49 degrees."

The next regular club tournament is scheduled for March 24 at Lake Gaston. Participants will be fishing out of Stonehouse Timber Lodge.

Another Goody's Year in the Books Today

Eighteen anglers in 13 boats participated in the final Goody's 2012-13 Big Bass Tournament held today at Bob's Fishing Hole on the Northwest River.

Water conditions were muddy and falling. Variable northerly winds made for some cold, tough fishing conditions.

First place big bass went to Brian Skeens with a 1.73-lb. fish. Second went to Sterling Woolridge with a 1.32-lb. bass. The special cash awards for biggest bowfin (5.65 lbs.) and biggest pickerel (3.32 lbs.) today went to Brian Skeens and Chris Fretard, respectively. Meanwhile, Roger Armentrout's 5.49-lb. lunker from an earlier tournament held up as the largest fish of the season.

John Goodman congratulated all of today's winners and sent a special thanks to James at Bob's Fishing Hole. He also expressed his thanks to the special weighmaster, Ronnie McLaughlin, who, said John, "didn't look too pleased with the idea of handling bowfins and pickerel today."