Hello to my readers and fans! My apologies as it has been quite some time since I have posted on www.theplastichull.net. Unfortunately work life got in the way of hobbies and fun and turned into work seven days a week. During the “pandemic” I worked more than ever within my drafting and design business along with working at Delaware Paddlesports part time. Although work is a part of life, I am eager to get back to kayak fishing, rigging and, posting articles. I have missed this over the past two and a half years.

I am fortunately still a pro staffer for Jackson Kayak. 2022 is my 11th year on the fishing team and I really enjoy being apart of their family! Also have continued to support Bending Branches, Torqeedo Fishing, and YakAttack over the years.

2020 A Tough Year

In the little spare time allotted I did attempt kayak fishing for a few hours and any chance I have a hour so I indulge in my Photography. 2020 wasn’t a fishing year at all. The Jackson Kayak Yupik was also introduced and I took the opportunity to get back on a sit on top from fishing a 2017 Kilory LT the past 3 years.

I did embark on a camping trip to Janes Island in Maryland however never had much luck with the fish cooperating there. It also rained most of the trip but still nice to get away for a weekend.

With most saltwater tournaments cancelled was only able to join my traveling fishing crew in October. What was once the Cape May Jamboree is now just a few guys that get together just to fish and have fun. Of course there’s always bragging rights and jokes!

2020 Photography

Participated in two Photography Contests and Placed in both! One was for the Delaware Estuary Partnership. I won Third Place. The other was my first attempt at a submission to Delaware Beach Life. A local prestigious life style and culture magazine. Surprisingly I placed 1st and 2nd in the Landscape Category out of 3 submissions!

2021 was a bit better

Took one of the longest trips with my kayak to Florida! Was able to enjoy kayak fishing the West Coast and to meet up with fellow anglers that had relocated to the area! Was able to manage some nice puppy drum and speckled trout while enjoying some beautiful weather in March! The trip didn’t end in Florida. Did some camping at Okefenokee Swamp. Exploring the swamp lead to some unique photograph opportunities! Although I didn’t fish the swamp the sheer size of the refuge was amazing. Only had one day on the water due to weather the next day. I highly recommend kayaking there. I will be planning a trip back sometime soon!

2021 was a bit better. Took one of the longest trips with my kayak to Florida! Was able to enjoy fishing the West Coast and to meet up with fellow anglers that had relocated to the area! Was able to manage some nice puppy drum and speckled trout while enjoying some beautiful weather in March! The trip didn’t end in Florida. Did some camping at Okefenokee Swamp. Exploring the swamp lead to some unique photograph opportunities! Although I didn’t fish the swamp the sheer size of the refuge was amazing. Only had one day on the water due to weather the next day. I highly recommend kayaking there. I will be planning a trip back sometime soon!

Traveling to the TBO Trifecta tournament which I took First Place catching the Largest Flounder (Fluke). Personally I don’t fish tournaments to win them. Rather enjoy the time on the water relaxing with my fishing buddies. So it was nice to place while not really trying to.

Also fished Cape May in October again. We had one of the most amazing October days ever! Flat calm in the ocean and in the 60’s air temp! Those days never last and the Saturday we were blown out by a gale that lasted into Sunday with rain. Still a great time was enjoyed by all.

Acquired a 2021 Jackson Kayak Bite which I rigged up with a Torqeedo 403 Ultralight and foot control steering. The kayak really flew but I sold it without the motor package. I really ended up missing the bite due to is light weight mobility. So I purchased a used Demo from Delaware Paddlesports in December. I will be re rigging that hull with the Torqeedo in 2022.

2021 Photography

On the photography side I did very well in 2022. With a 2nd Place and Honorable mention in Delaware Beach Life Magazine. Friends of Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge contest I Took 1st Place in Native Plants category, 2nd & 3rd places in The Beauty of Prime Hook Category, and 2nd Place in the Delmarva category! Very exciting!

2022 Is Here

Its February in Delaware and haven’t been able to catch a break with the weather or free time. Been hiking a bit to keep in shape. Registered my kayaks with the state and purchased my fishing license. Hoping for a good day to hit the water soon!

So please check back for future posts or follow The Plastic Hull on Facebook and @ThePlasticHull on Instagram for updates! Looking forward to seeing you out on the water, and answering questions you may have!

I’m pumped for the 2022 season!

The new Jackson Kayak 2019 Fishing Line Colors are in!! Available now! Take the poll and vote for your favorite color for 2019!

Available models with standard Jackson Kayak 2019 Fishing Line Colors are:

 Available in Battleship, Forest & Rockfish only:

• Big Rig
• Big Tuna
• Kilroy

Available in only Rec Colors:

(Lime-Stone, Fireball, Macaw, Granite)

• Bite
• Skipper

Retired Colors from 2018:

• Thunder Struck
• Mangrove
• Arctic

As always you may order a custom color for an up-charge and about 6 weeks wait time. Visit your local Jackson Kayak Dealer for more information. To find a dealer location near you please visit the www.jacksonkayak.com dealer locator.

Jamiaica Bay holds a place in the hearts of many kayak anglers of the north east. A stormy reunion at Jamaica Bay wasnt the plan but became a good time after all.  Joh Shein started the Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Classic somewhere about 15 years ago. This year however the tournament wasnt carried over so a small group of anglers decided to camp and fish the same date as the tournament was always held. The tournament would draw 350+ anglers every year and was the Hobie Qualifier. Chris of The Kayak Fishing Store set aside a small number of campsites for a few via word of mouth. It was set to be the first of the Jon Shein Memorial Jamboree.

Jamaica Bay Camping & Fishing

Typical Jamaica Bay weather was slated for the date unfortunately a nor’easter had it targeted to rain for 4 days accompanied with high winds.  Some participants decided to stay home. I was in no matter what. Over the years of fishing I have learned not to put a lot of trust into a weather forecast. Just go to the water and see how it is. My trek to Brooklyn New York begun. What used to be a 45 minute drive is now 4 hours from my home.

Upon arrival it was blowing 15-25 mph East. It continued throughout the day. So we rearranged and built a canopy shelter with tarps and the campers to block the wind. Also set it up for the forecasted rain. We were able to block most of the wind and with a patio heater keep it pretty warm within our camp. There were 7 of us camping in the spot. Charlie LaBar hooked me up with a pad in his camper since the crew i was bunking down with bailed. I cooked every one some skillet chicken thighs Friday evening which I over salted. Oops. It still earned me the Camp Chef title Replacing ‘Bob Mullet’ Miller whom didn’t make it to the event.

Waiting out the weather

The Maryland crew and Wolfpack were also camping J-Bay regulars. It was great to see all of them. Saturday most of the day was heavy East winds that really chopped the bay up with 2 – 3 foot waves. The rain had begun early in the morning and poured throughout the day. A few of the Maryland crew braved these conditions as they were leaving that afternoon. We kept pretty dry at camp and just relaxed with some good old stories and busting each others balls. I remember the days waiting on the weather before smart phones and wondered how we used to make it through!

A group of Kite surfers gathered to take advantage of the stiff winds. I was able to get some killer shots of them harnessing the wind cruising on plane and catching air. Some of the surfers were able to do multiple flips while in the air. One had a board with a hydro foil. It was pretty cool to see him plaining 4-5 feet above the water’s surface.

The rain and wind finally let up Saturday evening. We were able to get out and fish for a few hours. Chris landed a nice bluefish and Gene got a nice striper for dinner. I came up with a skunk unfortunately. Only one blue hit the Da Tube. We all gathered back at camp Gene brought the striper and filleted it. I cooked it along with some sautéed shrimps onion and mushrooms.

It was excellent.

Great weather before packing up

It was around 5 AM when I awoke. Charlie was up and it was the start of a beautiful morning.  Carlie and i were the first to get out on the water. We trolled around for about an hour in search of Stripers  or Blues. Again nothing on the troll. By this time some of the others were on the water and we made the decision to bounce some jigs for flattys. Picked up a nice Sea Robin close to shore then decided to go into deeper water. The tide had just turned around and was now incoming. A bluefish then hit my rig on the teaser and took the entire thing except 12 inches of leader. Not having any more teasers with me i decided to tie on a 1/2 oz spro and fish it with spearing I had. Since the gulp wasn’t producing  it was a good move to switch to bait. Next fish was an on the nose 19″ fluke. Then the next was a real nice 12.5″er! THe next was a real nice 26″er! All of these fish hit within a 30 minute time span which was excellent for the short amount of time we had.

The wind picked up and the bite turned off. We headed in to break down camp. Hopefully the permit can be obtained from the J-Bay tournament directors and the gathering will continue next year with the large attendance there was in the past!

My F150

Wind/Rain Barriar Camp

Hanging out

Striper and shrimp for dinner!

Some of the MD guys going out

Ready to rock!

Fluke on a good Sunday

Me holding my dinner!