It definitely seems like all the local migrations are happening earlier this year. The warm water temperatures are expediting the process and I, like most kayak fishermen, am not complaining. The magic of this time of year is more than welcome, as many of the popular sport fishing species enter our local waters and get our juices flowing.

Last weekend, I guided a friend to his personal best blue catfish. This weekend, I decided to play a little role reversal, and called local legend Forrest Short. Chain pickerel remained unchecked on the proverbial list, and Forrest's invitation to try his spots had stood for too long.

Friday night couldn't come soon enough – I was itching from anticipation. At 10:30 p.m., the first stop was HRBT, where I met up with Justin. I paddled out, keeping my eyes peeled for the welcome sight of a striper silhouette. I was paddling over a small one when a voice greeted me out of the darkness: "Dude, there's a big one right in front of you…"

Sometimes, my brother and I don't talk for a while. But when we finally do, we pick up right where we left off... joking around, talking sports, and generally reaffirming how awesome it is to be a Choi. But, one thing we haven't been on the same page about is fishing. So all year, I've been trying to get him out on the water. It finally happened on Black Friday.

Justin and I were tempted to try the infamous Hot Ditch area of the Elizabeth River. But part of me was also interested in trying some of the other areas on the E. Lucky for us, Matt Anderson was feeling generous and agreed to take us kayak fishing on one of his spots. It's not often that a speckled trout fisherman is willing to share.

As I rocked Miles back to sleep, I checked the wind forecast. Over night, it went from "just maybe borderline doable" to hell no you dun lost yo mind. So I called Justin to call off the kayak fishing trip to the CBBT first island and passed back out with a drooling baby on my chest.

Who's Awesome?!? My wife! That's who! She agreed to hold the fort down with both kids while I made the annual trip down for the TKAA tourney. I got permission to leave Thursday night and soon felt a good binge coming on. It was like being back in college and it was the first day of spring break. I smiled as I thought... I'm going to get crazy hammered on some fishing then hang out with all the cool kids at the biggest kayak fishing party in VA. WooHoo!!!

I got lucky. I was expecting to have to work with my dad at his shop while my mom got in on some quality time with her granddaughter. But my dad got it covered so he told me to just go kayak fishing. Bingo. Bango. Weather looked good and the tides were alright so I launched at one of my favorite summer time spots, the CBBT.

In the saltwater kayak fishing community of Virginia, no other kayak angler has achieved what Kayak Kevin has. Many avid non-kayak anglers find it very difficult to do, but he reached "expert angler" status in the Virginia Saltwater Tournament, not only once, but twice (2006 & 2007). Catching 6 citations (trophies) of different species in one year all from a kayak is no easy feat. But on Tuesday, July 5th, he brought yet another goal into realization and I was privileged and honored to be a part of it.

On Sunday Justin Mayer, Mark Rioux, and I went searching the vast openness of the Eastern Shore Fisherman's Island area for the big reds. After getting some tips from a great kayak angler and friend, we were lucky to find them. It was A LOT of paddling, but it was worth it.