April 2012 from Rob Dee on Vimeo.

We launched, paddled out to the spot, but the wind kicked up. We caught a few small trout, but no big ones, so we ducked behind some islands to get out of the wind.

Casting at the mangroves, I soon got connected to a 25 inch redfish, but my drag was set far too tight and the knot broke. A few casts later, I got into another….and another….and another….

As you know, we’re experiencing a warmer than average winter this year and I have to say, fishing has been pretty good so far. The trout bite has been insane on the flats as well as in the Bay and rivers. I can’t remember ever catching this many big trout over 20 inches…EVER! We also seem to find them in places where you wouldn’t expect a Spotted Seatrout to be. Look at this beast that I lost the day after New Years on the Anclote River!

Last weekend, Keith and I scouted a new spot at low tide. I should have been a bad day fishing as the tides and the solunars were off, but the previous week, it was the opposite and we caught bugger all…

Here is a short video from last weekend – A Mixed Bag  but be warned…I’m a complete nerd!

As I mentioned before, the previous week featured perfect conditions and great tides, but the water temp was around 60 degrees, so it’s my theory that it was just too cold for the fish. Here is a video that I made since I was feeling artistic – Chilled Paddling Day  to document this beautiful day on the water.

If you don’t know by now, The Chokoloskee Boondoggle  is a few weeks away and to say I’m excited about it is an understatement! Preliminary recon of the area has yielded some promising information and it appears as if we have a lot of good fishing ahead of us. I’ve been feverishly preparing my gear to get ready for this event…it’s not everyday that I get to fish with my good friends who live all over the country.

Dr. Aaron Adams will be a guest on Redfish Chuck’s Kayak Fishing Radio show Monday February 6th, 2012 at 8pmE. You want to tune in either live or via podcast because Dr Adams is the MAN! I’m sure that many of you have heard me preach about reading his books and how they’ll make you a better fisherman! Tune in and listen!
Kayak Fishing Radio 

Speaking of Dr. Adams, Bonefish Tarpon Trust is offering your chance to win a guided fly fishing trip to Ascension Bay for becoming a member. There is also a gear giveaway too. You can become a member for as little as $50! This is a great organization and a great cause focused on research and protection of these awesome gamefish!

If you want to follow my adventures via youtube, then subscribe to my Youtube Channel  - I probably post videos there more often than write things here….

Until Next time! Be sure to wear your PFD’s

Crossing that bridge....

I haven’t written anything for a while, so it’s time for a “State Of The Blog” address….

As many of you know, I’ve been a bit hard to find as of late. My blog has grown cobwebs, my Twitter page has been silent, and my radio show has stopped broadcasting….no, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth. (much to your chagrin) I’m still about, still fishing….but before you go on, thinking that this is some sort of cantankerous and petulant, Andy Rooney type of rant, please remember that it’s not intended as such….

There are a few reasons for my self imposed exile hiatus:

When I first started this blog several years ago, it was a wonderful creative outlet for me, since I’ve always loved reading and had a natural knack for writing. If anyone got anything out of what I’d written…a laugh or some bit of useful information, then that was a plus. I never intended to be considered an “expert” or set out to win some sort of writing awards. After all, I’m only a guy who loves to go fishing, and then maybe write a bit about it. I was able to reach even more folks by being on several pro staffs, hosting my own radio show, and doing seminars around the Bay Area. I’ve enjoyed my time doing these things. Receiving emails from folks with questions, or encouragement have been great. I’m glad that what I’d set out to do has been accomplished.

But with all these responsibilities come other issues.

I found myself not enjoying fishing anymore since I was always needing to think about writing an article, putting together a video, or what I was going to talk about on the radio show this week. If I had a bad outing, it would filter down into everything else, becoming a focal point of stress that I don’t want to deal with. I put quite a bit of pride in the things I do, and if they aren’t up to my standards, it causes me self-inflicted stress.
Also, I feel as if I was only writing the same four articles over and over again. It was always a gear review, a trip report, a how to, and a promo. I realize that those kinds of articles are necessary, but it was becoming dull, as was pretty obvious in my writing. I’d rather write nothing than write garbage.

I used to be part of a few online fishing communities, but I stopped a while ago due to the amount of negativity in those forums….but it seems it wasn’t enough, as the forum negativity followed me via email. I usually don’t pay attention to that sort of thing. Assholes will always cower behind a keyboard, no matter where you hang out online, but one DID get under my skin….and of course the emailer sent it anonymously….but I’m just amazed that someone would take the time to send me an article about the death of writing is due to bad writing and how I fit into that category….but for the record, positive messages have far outweighed the negative ones….and dickheads will always hide behind their keyboards

So,in an effort to start the new year off fresh and on the right foot, I’ve resigned all of my pro-staff appointments, cancelled my weekly broadcast, and postponed any of the upcoming seminars that I had scheduled.

I’ll still be around, fishing and turning up on the radio show (but someone else’s), and at Boondoggle events or even my You Tube Channel but more like the Third Eye Blind song, in “The Background”

Watch it here 

After another week of great fishing and horrible Go Pro footage, I decided to make something out of nothing.

This is my first attempt at a vlog or video blog.

The editing was much easier this time, but proves that I’m just as bad in front of the camera as I am behind it. Also, haven’t quite figured out where the audio controls are on iMovie yet, so I appologize for the low audio….you might have to turn up your speakers.