Jul 12
31
Teresa Wham and the DSU research team just getting started for a long night. Kudos to you all.
So far we are a bust on sand tiger sharks. We decided, as I mentioned earlier, we will be doing all overnighters for these toothy units from the deep. I am about delirious from zero to little sleep, so bear with me if this seems a little “off”. I have completely reversed my days to nights. The past 2 days have felt like a week. I will sleep sound in 5 days and 25 sharks, some have not been able to make it, and that is okay. I know it is tough to come out on a weeknight, and those of you on vacation, did not come here to work. I understand that, and thank you wholeheartedly for your efforts. Since the sensor array is placed in a certain area, we have to fish Conquest or Coin Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park. I could have the sensors moved, but that will take time, and money. I am not willing to waste the school’s money, I am willing to waste my sanity. I promised to deliver on these sharks, that WILL happen, even if I have to drain the Atlantic pond, and drag them out. You can never catch what your targeting, when it is important, Mr. Murphy, you are not helping brother.
sunset on Coin Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park
I met the researchers team at Faithful Steward crossing (everyone calls this savages, that is the access for the bay, not the beach.) I try to educate folks on that fact. We had 4 researchers, myself, and Teresa Wham. She volunteered to help even though she said … “I have no clue how to catch a shark in the surf.” I needed more than just anglers, also needed camera people, and all kinds of help. Thank you Teresa for helping DSF out, again. You are a trooper for sure, and I am personally grateful. I know the team has been discouraged the last 48 hours (seems like days), but we will hopefully have a turn for the better with surf conditions, and new team to be announced later. There was no way I was going to allow anyone to kayak out baits last night. Just to clarify, the researchers are here to observe, study, and tag these beasts … nothing more. They are not allowed to fish, which was driving Greg nuts, he really wanted to get a line wet. I will ask, maybe we can put him on the bluefish crew, in the evening, before we hit the sand. I have friends catching bluefish for bait, and a few extra things were are going to try. I had some folks lined up for last night, but they ran into a snag, and had to bail. No worries, they would not have been able to place baits anyway. We casted out bunker chunks, and waited for the little rod tip lights to jump. I make my own, I hate cyalume light sticks, they are just chemicals encased in plastic, and not good for the environment. It was a nice night on the beach, regardless of the salt spray that was cooling everyone off. Thanks to the grill for giving the illusion of heat and dry air. I wonder if Greg smells like a fire today, he was in the path of the smoke, and loving it … we were amazed.
Greg studying for his Chem II exam. We made him a little study area with a good light I am product testing for overnighters. Solar powered and 7 lumen’s, it is a perfect amount of light.
Jason Snead dropped by with Ashlie, and brought coffee and a meatball sub, which I am eating right now, cold, and it is delicious. Probably the best I ever had, but eating once a day will make you appreciate food. He set us up with his other surf rod, and I accepted the offer, even though I was doubtful. The surf was too rough, and casting into a 10 mph wind out of the east is very hard, with a fish head. The distance was not much at all. Everyone has been chiming in on Facebook … get the bait cannon, projectile weapons are illegal from Delaware State Park Beaches. I have a friend that is working on a team right now, everyone involved knows whom they are, and will remain anonymous, until after we get this work done. I appreciate the enthusiasm from this latest crew, what ever you need gang, you will have, even if I have to rob a bank to do this. I want 25 sharks in the “bag” as it were, by Saturday night, that is very possible, if I get this crew. Thank you gentlemen and ladies, yup like that, the women are going to bring it to the table.
Mark and Skip of the 3R’s beach crew catching blue fish and representing DSF
Tonight, (OMG, it is only Tuesday!) may be a night of rest for the researchers, and that is fine. I want them “crispy” and ready to rock and roll. Myself, and my crazy angling friends, are used to this life. Everyday is a Saturday, as far as I am concerned these days. I have to fish, this is my job, and doesn’t matter when or where. If they call today, and say game on, I will abide, and post that fact. There have been blue fish in the surf on Cape Henlopen’s Herring Point Beach, as well as Conquest, and 3R’s beach in DSSP, mullet rigs, red is best color. Kingfish are producing on bloodworms, and fish bites blood worm alternative on all beaches, best color is green. Croakers are littering broadkill beach, and some trout. Mackerel have been caught at Roosevelt and Indian River Inlets. Bluefish and shad are thick at night at IRI (Indian River Inlet). Massey’s Landing was boiling with fish at 3:30 a.m. then it rained, and has been producing flounder, croakers, spot, and puppies again. The highlight of yesterday … a bluefin tuna was caught at B buoy, confirmed by Clark at Old Inlet. The real highlight of yesterday/today … at 2 a.m. John Lindsay sent me a barrage of excited text messages, which I will ” PG filter” … ”A whale breached IRI, came into the inlet, spouted water 10 feet, and made the craziest noise I have ever heard in my life. I am a little freaked out right now, there is no one else here.” … John what kind of whale? (Knowing the answer, I was just having fun with him) … (John) “REALLY?!?!? A big old honking whale!!” … today on DSF’s Facebook page when challenged … “This guy was completely sober! I was fishing from 11 pm til 5:30 am Caught 7 stripers until I saw this whale, after the whale, 0 hits, and 0 fish, all the blues left and so did the shad. Very, very, weird moment in my life! I can never describe what I saw, or the noise I heard.” …. I meant to hit IRI on my way home, but I had to get some rest. Not able to be everywhere at once, I rely on my friends. I called the Coast Guard for confirmation, and this is the first they have heard about a whale. I know it is not their job to track marine life. I just hoped their gear may have picked up something, they do have some high tech stuff there. I have to go clean the trooper now, regear for tonight, just in case, and then it is off to bed. Huge thanks to Rattle and Reel, for the gear they have provided for this endeavor. Jason Snead told me last night when he and Ashlie arrived … “I never knew the name of this beach crossing (Faithful Steward) until tonight.” See, it is working 
Fish On!!
Rich King
