Pick Six (not lottery related) Part:1

By: Ryan Clark


     Call me a copy cat, or a wannabe, but the way I see it is, "Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery."  "What am I copying?" you may ask.  Well, in short, Kayak Kevin and Rob Choi, both of whom I have met only a couple times between the two, but I know you are looking for specifics.  I am trying to be the third Virginia Saltwater Expert Angler solely from a kayak.  I know some of you just rolled your eyes or made some sound of disgust, but for those of you that didn't, "Thank You."

     Why am I doing this?  Because I want to.  It is not to prove anything to anyone other than a relative newcomer to the Chesapeake Bay can do what anyone else can do with the proper research, knowledge and the will and drive to do so.  I have had a kayak for 3 years now and spent all of last year honing my skills and learning the species that are available at certain times of the year.  I think this year I am ready to pursue this goal.

     So far this year, since I have decided to actually pursue this goal, I have caught my first citation species.  Two in the same trip actually. (which is a first for me)  I was stoked.  I am still stoked.  My first species was the Speckled Trout and one was just over 24" and the second was 24.5".  I recently made a video about that trip which should be just below this post, if you haven't seen it yet. I also want to thank Luke for keeping me positive after 50+ hours on the water and the loss of a monster at the boat. Since species number one is out of the way I am setting my sights on Tautog.

 

     The water seems to be hovering in between 41 and 44, but I am going to start now anyways.  I know I won't catch a citation now because of the temps, but I can use the time I have to learn the feel of the bite and the timing of the swing in preparation of the larger fish.  I have my rigs made up, I have my bait and I have my reels spooled with heavy braid.  Now I just wait for Mother Nature to calm the winds and the seas and let me have my window of opportunity.