Johnsfolly

I had requested a few vacation days from work. We were originally going to head up to Vermont to visit a friend, then fish Vermont, New Hampshire, and a charter out of Portland Maine. Those plans fell through. I had to suffer through another cancelled charter for the year. Through the coaxing of my Betterhalf last Weds, I tired again to book a local party boat trip out of Ocean City Maryland. I saw that they had evening trips and found out that they had spots for that night. I quickly booked the trip and with Bonine in hand the Follys headed to Ocean City. No bad weather forecasted, actually we could not have had better weather. We were full of anticipation as we headed out to fish some wrecks for sea bass and flounder. The water was calm for the whole trip. We fished 8 oz weights and tandem rigs. We used clams and silverside minnows as bait. I hooked the first keeper of the evening, a nice summer flounder or fluke. (picture taken at the dock). Livie caught the next fish, a small sea bass - another new life list fish for her. ONE to GO! My Betterhalf caught a scup or porgy, but we did not get a photo before the mate released the fish . Then Livie caught one as well - this was another new life list fish and her 40th different species of 2018!! She was able to meet her goal for the year. She immediately stated that she wanted to go for 42 species. As the sun set, we headed closer to shore to try for Atlantic croakers. Still amazed at how nice of a night it had been. I was the first to catch a croaker (added to my life list!). Livie and my Betterhalf had trouble getting the feel of the bite to set the hook on these fish. Lost of lost baits with no hook-ups. Livie did catch a few croakers - now here 41st different fish and again another life list fish. She would squeal with delight as they croaked while she held them. It was a great night and I was proud that she was able to achieve her goal. She still wants to catch two new species of sculpin, which will be a challenge, but we have time to get that done.

One more night at the Choptank river and another storm ran us off before we were able to find a toadfish for Livie. She did catch a spot, white perch, and a couple of different catfish. Another channel catfish that got a bit hard to hold ! Then she hooked a new life list species - a white catfish! No spots, only 22 anal fins rays (I can hear @Ham rolling his eyes on that comment), not a deeply forked tail, and best of all not biting the crap out of her thumb ! Even with the rain pushing us off the pier only TWO fish to go!!!! Will have to wait for a chance in the ocean!

It's a bit thinner than I am. Thanks anyway glad that you guys are at least thinking about us Folly's. Catching one of those guys would require my snorkel and Barbie fishing pole . Need to be able to target the right fish or else would have to fight off the hundred other fish to get a bait to one. I did have Livie trying for one of these guys, an Atlantic Needlefish that I caught yesterday morning on a white/chartreuse (looks like crap) trout magnet body on a straight hook. It was my 19th new life list species for the year! (I'll get around to posting others later today - BH has seen a few of them) All she caught was a baby striper.

Great looking smallie! Saying that you have figured out the big girls over 20" is not a surprise statement. You have put your time in year after year to be able to get on those type of fish that most of us dream about. Congrats!

Dang that looks better with more squirrels. Tell the Mrs. that she got a great meal. She did eat some? I couldn't tell since I didn't see her respond to you post !

Kimchi can be mild to fairly hot. Also it can be an acquired taste will tend to be somewhat aromatic (or stink up the house )!

Beautiful country and photos of the tigers! Great job guys! Do you have any of those hoppers that you showed me before you left?

Would be a blast with a 12 wt fly rod.

Don't have the gear...YET😌! Got to finish this move before I commit to the stuff needed to land sharks in the surf. For now take 'em from the boat.

Thanks for posting your tutorial. Can't wait to see some fish photos.

You also know that we Follys have been chasing our own natives but in a very different way. Fishing baits in the brine😁.

As always Marty we love coming along on these western trips! Great reporting and photos! I have to catch some of these guys. Don't know if we will try to catch them all like you two. Once we catch the first one or two species that thought may change😁.

I bet those non-native brookies would be good served like pickled herring😁.

After you got one Gila to hand the task is completed! Time to reset the goals😁. Livie caught her 40th different species last night and reset to catch a couple more! Which she did succeed in catching another but that is a post in the making once I download photos.

Again Congrats to you both on persisting and getting into some beautiful fish! Hope you gave the Gila biologist a good report. Did you see other fish in those creeks? Can't wait for the next install. You guys covered some territory on this trip so far. Always cool to see what's out there.

Congrats to you both for completing you're Colorado Cutt Slam! Prety jealous but don't currently have a vehicle to reapeat the sand dune adventure. Randy sounds lkke a great guy. Love to meet him sometime. Still look at these stream photos and think that there has to be some microfishing being missed while chasing those trout😝.

Dan Most likely the kill is due to DO issues. The issues in Florida IisI beleive are mostly due to heavy fertilizer run off from the water coming from the farm lands below Lake Okeechobee. Most of the water that would flush out the everglades has been diverted from going into the Everglades and may be creating the issues in Fort Meyers and Port St Lucie.Those nutrients feed the algae creating those green and red tides. That algae blocks the light going to the sea grass causing the grass to die off leading to low DO values. Then the tides themselves die off contunuing to drive down the oxygen. If the dead zone is karge enough the fish have nowhere to go.

Great sunrise indeed! So many people miss moments like that. Thanks!

Gotta have variety. The spice of life. Seems like you had a good day!

Congrats on taking out the little one. Glad that she had fun. When out with kids a few fish helps, but as long as they are having fun that is the best that you could hope for.

Great trip report Marty! love the elk and deer as much as the fish photos! Miss not being able to get back out west to see those sites and get into animals that we don't see out this way. Would love to see a couple of OAFers hitching their way back to Missouri after being left at a gas station in Oregon next summer as you guys are going for the coastal cutthroat!

No photos but a reprise of my last swordfish dinner except for three. Golden potatoes and salad with balsamic dressing. Happy bellies and empty plates😁.

I like the Chuck Wagon for shrooms 😁. Do my own mix for fish. I'll eat what I catch no problem there. Will have to supply 500 darters to provide a meal. I Better get started catching them 😌.

I've got a fry mix that would make a boot taste good or for that matter white bass😂!

Smallest or the most species in a given time period. I'm in😁!!