Started the day very early compared to most folks. Passed the park where we held the Slabfest at 5:30. Went to the Seminole County side just because it was open. First on the scene there and launched without incident and headed out into the pitch black, no moon that I saw. The only lights were from the overpass. I was wanting to get up to where some stripers were said to be at absolute first light. Had I not had a home court advantage of knowing my way around and a GPS for reference I would never have started this early and waited for safe light. As it turned out I never saw a hint of them and could’ve had another cup of coffee. There was enough light from downtown Sanford and the interstate that I could see the unlit signs long before it would’ve been an issue. I had just throttled back close to where I wanted to be when I noticed the first warming of the eastern sky. Let the games begin, I hope.
Took a pic of the sunrise and thought about putting some rods out and discovered that my clear glasses were still in the truck. Guess I just got most of the details. Ice and gas and minnows bought the day before had made my morning pretty direct. So all I had were my shades with the cheaters in the bottom of the lens. Just getting rods separated wasn’t bad but it had its moments. Got a few rods out, short ones first from the way they were loaded, and didn’t finish long when a 6’er bent over. Now I was excited and not thinking about the 51* I had seen on the pickup when I launched. First fish of the day was a good 13” and I hoped he had lots of friends. Took a pic and put him on ice and started putting some minnows out, just barely able to see enough for that. No trolling motor today as I was going back to my roots of this kind of fishing. Boat drifting sideways at the mercy of the wind. Got that done and settled back to watch the show. The sun rising, the other boats showing up nearby, just life in general on the lake. Not having put on the bibs this morning wasn’t the smartest thing either. The light wind that made me drift just right was just enough to make the top of my thighs wish for some sunshine. Now the fish were there and I caught 4 in good time that all went in the box, no throwbacks yet. Reeled the rods in short and idled with the outboard to make another drift, this one with a slightly different track. Quite a few boats were out this morning, Slimjim among them. As I got towards the end of this drift I got a few smalls. Hollered at Jim that the bigger ones I had found were further west as I went by. Turns out this was the beginning of the end of the bite. The only quality fish I had on after this point I never saw but he fought better than any other this day. I hung around for one more pass in an area more west but to no avail. I gave them time, making a few phone calls wishing a happy to friends, but finally wrapped up the rods and headed in just after 12. 5 had made the ice bath, and I felt that though the take wasn’t as good as I had hoped I was satisfied
Takes a while to wrap up and stow all I had out. The good part of the planning was that the trip back was downwind. A much better ride in a flat bottom skiff. Most all of the boats I’d seen earlier had been gone for a while. I was looking forward to lunch with my queen at a barbecue place for some brisket, greens and black eye peas and cornbread. Got to the ramp and after I pulled I saw a boat I had seen several times on previous trips. I stopped him and asked how they had done, he said 4 was all they could find. Just couldn’t see both of us having almost enough for a good bunch and he took mine with a smile. Just a little cleanup and put away when I get home and I’m done, ready for work in the morning. It had been a good day with about 15 visitors. All the minnows got dumped before I headed back so I know there’s some happy crappie out there if they find them. The boat control doing this was much more stress free and the take not much different, a very good change of pace. Not sure how long before the minnow man gets to see me next but he doesn’t need to get his hopes up. Thanks for taking the ride with me, it was a good way to welcome the new year. Hope to see you on the water soon......Skeet
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