School

G’mornin. Just got a message from Nino, a friend who a couple of months ago had no idea what it was to fish for crappie and other panfish like we do. I have lit a fire by introducing him to this type of fishing that we all enjoy. He has the passion and the time so he applies himself at every opportunity. The first words of his message this morning was “ I went to school yesterday”. It pleases me to be able to show him some things to shorten the learning curve.

Yesterday it was my goal to show him how I use the two pound outfits and real light jigs, and the fish cooperated. No real giants but a couple of nice crappie made the trip home to his house. I put my favorite rods in his hands and showed him how to shoot under branches. The learning curve was short and he was dropping it inches from targets in no time. His first fish was a colored up redbreast that smacked the little jig like a much bigger fish.

With his accuracy showing promise, we moved to a place that’s a bit more challenging to get in and out of without hanging up. He dropped the jig a couple of inches from a bank I pointed out and it was hit instantly, and didn’t want to move. A good fight brought his first Warmouth to hand. On days I was having them for dinner, this one would have gotten the invitation.

Once again, the redbreast were caught the most this day. All totaled we caught seven species. Almost all of them came on the small jigs. Bluegill, redbreast, golden shiner, Warmouth, Gar, striper hybrid, and coppernose bluegill all came to visit. We finished the day with a couple of passes trolling where he had done well previously, which was where the striper came from. What a fight those give. Nino had bought a new rod he was using and got his first fish on it, with many more to follow in the future I’m sure. Clearly the biggest redbreast I’ve seen in a while, seven inches plus.

The temps started cool but had us peeling layers not long into the day. The wind became a factor as the day warmed. 15 or better by the time we wrapped up just after noon. I had a great day and I don’t think he ever stopped smiling all day. Lots of fun and a few firsts, he’ll be in front of my house in a couple of minutes going again today before the rain. Hope y’all enjoyed the writing as much as we did the fishing. Holler if you see me out, til then…..Skeet.