CaptMikeStarrett

You guys have to start a fund me for my licenses. However my freshwater and trout stamp is now 5 bucks a year in MD. But my PRFC Captains license to guide will cost 590.00 a year plus MD Guide License is 240.00 The Potomac is a hard place to figure out what license is needed. The PRFC license includes tidal recreational license. Recip for VA is free and DC is another 16 bucks. Capt Mike

Interesting that the raptors use battery when down. My Talon can be down all day and not drain the battery in tidal waters. This is good info. I was advised to put all scopes and network on a single battery. Starter battery is for Talons. And two agm for trolling motor. Capt Mike

I prefer swamps and tidal rivers. So along with my band of Adventures I plan to fish Tulls Bay on the Northwest and and also the Pasquotank in Elizabeth city. This would be the third year fishing out of Currituck NC. Capt Mike

I fished it for a week in the start of October. First day skunked. But after a little trial and error I got into some good ones. Last day I got 24 on a pop r . It is tough to fish since it has no tide. But the one thing that was constant, with three boats and 6 good fisherman was the grass. Find the grass and you find the fish. Most big bass where caught on little swim baits from Reaction Innovations. Blue gill color was the best. https://indianheadcharters.com/adventure-week-2023/ Capt Mike

I have found the South side of tidal creeks to be very good. Also the North side of tidal creeks to be very good. I feel it depends on water clarity first / and what the bottom of the creek is made of. Clear water and Black mud on the edge of pee gravel being the first area to find prespawn LGMouth. But if the creek is three creams in your coffee and pee gravel then the North side has the LGMouth. Tidal rivers are my favorite. Heck I spent 6 hours waiting for the tide at one lake.. Capt Mike

Same with me.. Just want to guide full time while healthy enough to do it again. 28 years ago I was full time and looking forward to doing it again. Oh and fish Caddo in 2021. Capt Mike

Ned rig.. hmmm OR Maybe the furbit frog will be the real killer this year. Capt Mike

Reminds me of herding cats. Junger will get his cigar/ fishing time in a couple weeks. Step one set a date and location. Step two show up regardless if any one else does. Step three smoke cigars and fish. Take lots of pictures and make those who did not show jealous. Capt Mike

Given a nice hard rain here in MD and then you can hear them in the gutters of your house...they are the best gamefish to have graced MD. We call them "Potomac Pike" But back to bowfin baits.. spinner baits and swim jig with a trailing blade. White and silver for both. Capt Mike

I guide for them and love them. Oh BTW we changed the name of snakehead to "Potomac Pike" years ago. Grinnel trips are some the best/funnest trips we do each year. Capt Dave who is on this board also guides for them. Capt Mike

At my full time job in DC we bid on the Classic several times to be considered for selection, but the DC Dept of Tourism would not sign in on the deal. Still we tried for a few years and no thought of holding it in DC was considered. I think with the date of the Classic it would be tough weather. Capt Mike

MOTV on your computer will cost less. Capt Mike

So as a scientific research trip my RUD - Capt Steve showed up with his bright new combo color selector he had to buy. He dropped in the water and at about 4 feet it said blue.. he used a blue ring worm. I went the other way and used a red ring worm. He caught and landed 3 to 1 my 6 bass. So we did it again four days later his device said black so went with tomato. I caught 12 and he only one. The final time he used it was two weeks later and green was indicated. I choose black and he caught over a dozen to my big zero. This is not about the device but rather about color can make a difference. But do not get all hung up about it. Instead just change colors till it works. This only applies to slow moving baits. Fast moving baits is all about the movement... Capt Mike Also need to change the tag line to 25 plus years...

I find this thread very interesting. My theory is, if looks like I could use it, I buy it and test it well, for the year. Then if it is not working for me or my customers then it becomes Fishing Flea Market fodder. Every now and then I find something in a lure or a reel that says quality and it works. Then I buy five more. Because I always have to have an even number.. OCD Capt Mike

Catch some fat alberts with my buddy Capt Dave.. That is it.. easy 2017 right. Capt Mike

A man with morals.. Capt Mike

They most likely have settled in for the long winter nap. But come next summer ( June-Sept) look up Dave or me and we will show you how its done. Capt Mike

His next trip with me will be fat alberts in Emerald Isle NC He thinks redfish pull hard well, this little 8 lb speedster will smoke his reel. Capt Mike

I prefer a different approach. A sharp hard hookset and let them bury in the pads/grass. Holding a little tension on the fish but not a lot. I push pole the boat over to the fish and dig him out. Also I let them swim a bit with light tension on the rod. If he comes up then haul him across the top and teach him to water ski. My rods are medium heavy 7 foot with salt water Cabo 40 reels with 20lb drag and 40lb braid line. I crank the drag all the way down. That is how I guide on the Potomac in the heavy stuff. Capt Mike

Fly fishing is easy on the arms if done right. At the end of the day your arm, shoulder and neck will be less stressed. Try throwing a spinner bait or an A rig all day. However you will catch less and on those rare times you will catch more than other fisherman. Try to go CODE an entire day and you will learn a lot. CODE is only fly gear all day. I am the guy Dave talks about. It is an art that over time becomes a passion ..then it becomes second nature to lay a loop out 30 yards on the head of a fish. Sadly most younger fisherman would not learn the art. It takes years to perfect that cast..then learn a new one and start over. Capt Mike

You have a bunch of options there. The pier at the Hotel is very good for pompano , blues and macks. Just need a few lures for the blues and macs. Pompano rigs and bait are available at the pier store. If you go to the Fort and fish the rip at the channel you can get reds. Gulp swimming mullet on a jig head will work early morning or just before dark. Tide rips so hard there that bottom fishing is difficult. At the park straight from the causeway before 9am you catch blues in the surf. Cut mullet works well. If you are adventurous. Take the ferry over to Topsail and hike the beach with a your fishing pole. Fish are in that surf all the time. Capt Mike

I see the Spaniard showed up to the party too. He makes a mean dip.. Capt Mike

The damage to habitat after a night of bowfishing is very noticeable. Whole root pods from the spaderdock floating and cut to pieces from props. A 8 foot wide swath of pad tops missing. That beaver floating with two arrows still in it. Bass caught with arrow slashes on the back of them. Oh and the floating dead gar / carp floating all about. They really stick out being all white and bloated in the pads.. Just an observation. Capt Mike

I am going to predict that snakehead will have a have 5 per person limit in the next two years.. I have two years before I am wrong. Capt Mike

Dave I love the way you said "it worked yesterday". Capt Mike