Thread: Shakedown

I spent yesterday running errands and finishing up a couple of things. Hull numbers got put on and I was ready to go. Waited for the sun cuz the lights aren’t done yet and headed out. Planned to stay close just in case, but I think I could’ve gone anywhere I wanted to. Outboard ran good, trolling motor worked fine and is going to take some getting used to. Sucker is quiet and I’ve used a power drive for 15 years now. Best of all, the leak fix I did last Sunday didn’t leak a drop. I robbed one of the millenniums from the skiff so I could be comfy. The first thing I heard was the owls talking to me with their usual welcome I get every time. Then before I got the boat off the trailer, the turkeys started in and there was a bunch of em. Birds of prey were busy as I saw several hawks but no eagles today. Later in the day I bothered a few lizards that were trying to warm up some with one being large. Thankfully, none were extra large today. Then , with all the first run behind me and listening to all the locals, then the rods came out.

The first fish was a small Gill that made me go get the forceps to get the hook out. He wasn’t big but he thought he was. I moved down the bank, thinking about how long it had been since I had caught a good Warmouth this creek is known to hold. Ask and you will receive, another 50’ and here he was. Good fight, a quick pic and back he went.I took pics today so you get to meet my friends and I won’t give the play by play, fish by fish. I used the Lightning Rod with 2lb Nanofil today and had a couple of large fish give me what for and come unbuttoned. I’m convinced most were Gar as they were everywhere and hard to get a #8 to stick in. It was nice being closer to the water, unlike the skiff which has high sides. Getting the jig unstuck was simple today, and where I fish it’s just part of a normal day. Flat calm til 9:30 and the wind started to sneak in, then came with a vengeance. Fishing tiny tackle in 15mph gusts kinda takes the fun out of it and I went to hiding from it. Being light, boat control became an issue and I had a small anchor that I had to use to fish a couple of spots. About 11 I had enough and put the few things I had out away and headed back. I noticed the noise of the hull slap on the side of the aluminum. Grew up fishing in aluminum canoes and Jon’s and didn’t realize how much I missed it, kinda comforting. A good mixed bag had come to play today, some fought very well and I lost 2 crappie about 6’ from the boat. Both were pound plus and wanted no part of meeting me. Everyone got a pass today anyway. Here’s a few pics of today’s guests and one of the new ride. I still have the skiff but just don’t need something that big back here. The new boat was acquired on Black Friday, and so has been given the name Friday. You’ll see more of her in future posts. Thanks for coming with me today, I know I enjoyed the ride. Hope to see you out one day soon, wave a hand and say hello. Until then........Skeet