Thread: Fathers Day Trip

Slept in all the way til 5:30 and got some breakfast and a cup of coffee. Hooked up last night so I was all ready to go. Got on the water just about 7 to find green algae everywhere. Don’t remember seeing this in the past so I’m no help in explaining or understanding it. I know it’s from the heat and nutrients but that’s about it. Kinda early for where I was as they seem to sleep late here too. I was using the TSS with 2lb Fireline and a 4 lb leader like usual. Made a pitch, no taker, and started my recovery to pitch again when the line stopped. Then took off like I’d hooked a submarine. A few years back I hooked a 10lb catfish and handed the rod to my SIL for the 10 plus minute fight to get hands on him. This was the same place so I figured I had another. When it decided to go, all I could do was hold on and watch the spool spin. I figured the smartest thing I could do was to get some open water and pray for a little luck. 50 yards out I started palming the spool and getting some line back, only for it to disappear again. Finally came to the surface and I said some unhappy words, it was a Gar over 3’ and bigger than my forearm in diameter. Not the biggest I’ve ever seen but the biggest I’ve ever had on a little rod. Took 3 tries but I got his long nose thru the mesh of the net and got him lifted into the boat, and the jig fell out. I didn’t want his big self thrashing around making a mess in the boat so after getting my jig out of the net he went back in the pool. Probably be a while before I get another fight like that, and I’m sure my line is twisted from the drag slipping. Good fun, now let’s see who’s next.

For the next couple of hours I found enough fish to have a real good time, and enough good ones that a meal would’ve been easy enough to keep, but everyone got a pass today. The gills were all of good size and gave a good fight so my smile will last a while. A couple of the crappie were knockin on a pound and were a welcome sight. Haven’t done well like in years past.all totaled I caught near 25 including the shorts. But anyway, here’s the pics and I hope to see you out soon. Til then……Skeet.