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.

Jackson Kayak Yupik

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!

Cape May Harbor Fishing Kayaks and Fishing Ships

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

Kayak Fishing Florida

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

Kayak Clamming on New Years Eve

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!

Living in Delaware we don’t typically see many Red Drum in our waters. Traveling for the opportunity to target these game fish is exciting. Fortunately its only a 140 mile drive south from my home! It’s only a little over 2 and a half hours to make it to the trip to Cape Charles Virginia. I’m spoiled since I have been driving maximum an hour to the water all my life and now it has become my backyard. This drive is worth it though. This is the story of A Fourteen Hour Fishing Trip.

In Delaware 10-10-2017

After Work Fishing

Midway through October 2017 and the days have been still warm. I have been getting out after work here and there for the evening Striped Bass bite close to my work. Some good fish but it’s still like summer. The size of the fish is still 30″ and below. Tuesday Oct 10th during an evening on the water I sent Joe H a text giving him a fishing report. He called soon after informing me that he was planning a trip to fish in Virginia for Sunday. The weather looked good so I decided to ask if it was cool if I met up with him there. The trip was on.

The Plan:

JK Kilroy LT - Red Drum - Matt Trucks

Photo by Joe Hosler

Meet up at 06:30 near the Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge Boat ramp Sunday. Then go fishing targeting reds. Simple enough!

The Chesapeake Bay can get rough in this area but I loaded my Jackson Kayak Kilroy as i feel it is the best suited for saltwater creek style fishing. The kayak has a Torqeedo Ultralight 403 installed for those days when you need to get back quick or against a river style current ripping tide. It comes in handy!

Sunday Fishing Day!

Out the door by 3:45 am on the road. It’s still raining and foggy. The misting and fog finally became intermittent around 2 hours in.  I can spot the deer peering into my headlights while passing through heavily wooded areas. Warm coffee and maximum concentration. Thinking to myself how much i love my 2016 Ford F150 over my old truck. Waze on the consul broadcasting the distance traveled and my ETA its 6: 30 to start but traffic light s and such made it more like 6:40.

Start of A fourteen hour fishing tripI arrived and everyone was there gearing up. It was just starting to become light. There was an eerie yellowish cloud as the sun hit it from below the horizon. We hit the water and fished a small creek. It was slow fishing only with a few small Speckled Trout.  So we crossed the channel and begun fishing that area. The tide was on its way out. A few more trout early. Paddling through the shallows I went as far back as I could. Oysters in VirginiaThere were oysters all over in the sod banks. Not sure if these are edible or if they are even legal to harvest. I found one laying on the bottom and picked it up to examine it. They were pretty small and flat but i put it back and went back to fishing.

There was no water only an inch or two. I circled back and figured id throw some casts at a drop off I saw on my way in.

First cast reeling slowly bump bump across the bottom and bang fish on! Great fight on my bull bay rod paired with the Abu Garcia Revo Inshore casting reel. Peeling drag running towards the kayak and back deep again. A great fight to land a 23 inch healthy Red Drum!

Released him and caught a few more on that drop until there was inches of water left. The clouds had finally broken away to sunshine. It was nice and warm now as everything begin to dry out. The tide slowed to a crawl so did the bite. Managing a bunch of Speckled trout a few more reds and small Striped Bass. At this point it was 12:30. We realized we were now landlocked. We fished for another half hour on a slow bite until finally dragging the yaks across the sand bar to return to the launch.

I took a detour to go take a few photos of a large chunk of drift wood that had washed up on the sandy part of the island. As an amateur photographer I spot these things and have to get there to grab a few photos. This particular piece of drift wood i spotted from a mile away in the morning on the way across the channel. After getting my shots using the Torqeedo I went back full throttle. 6.5 mph most of the way. A following sea made it a bit strange.

Fortunately the drive home wasn’t so bad. I was worried that id be exhausted as I have been in the past coming back from really long fishing days in the summer heat. Arriving home around 5 PM the concluded the fourteen hour fishing trip.  Will defiantly be doing this trip again in the future.

 

 

Building a portable power; water resistant; Charging Station; for 2-3 12aH wire parallel batteries:

The intent of this parallel portable power pack is for primitive camping areas. Having the ability to charge devices, power LED lighting and even run a small 12V fan in your tent can keep you very comfortable!

Materials needed:

  • Water Resistant Ammo Case
  • Volt Meter, 12V Receptacle, USB
  • (6) Female Spade Crimp On Connectors
  • (2) 18″ length – 14 AWG Copper stranded wire w/ insulation Red & Black
  • (2) Butt Connectors
  • Fuse Block or Inline Fuse
  • Parallel battery harnesses (previously made here)

Tools:

  • Wire strippers/crimps
  • Power Drill
  • Heat Gun
  • Hole Saw
  • Screwdrivers

Using an Ammo Crate I purchased from Amazon.com the portable power battery pack can be expanded to run from a total of one to three batteries this size. Using the box creates a water resistant seal for all the electronics. Also adding a latching switch along with a 12V receptacle, USB charging port, and a volt meter.

The combination of the 3 can be purchased on Amazon.com.

The ammo crate is not water proof but water resistant. It does however have a gasket in the lid. The primary use of this battery box is for charging things such as phones and other electronics while camping. It will also be set up for Running a 12V oscillating fan on hot tent nights.

For a kayak battery box with parallel batteries I would recommend a smaller box first of all and the PVC style LFP battery packs.

Installing the port plate:

Remove the USB, Volt Meter, and the Cigarette lighter receptacle from the plate. Locate where you would like to mount it. Remember the receptacles will protrude inside the box 3″ also require room for spade connectors to wire them. So install where there  be about 4″ if rear clearance. Score a center line for each hole to be drilled. Using a hole saw drill out the 3 holes. Reinsert the accessories into the plate. Recess them into the box. Silicone the plate (optional) then drill 4 holes for the corner screws.

Wire each accessory to the positive and negative sides. Wire int he switch and your battery box is complete.

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