Yesterday, I had the opportunity of heading out to a new spot with Stumpmaster. Stumpmaster is a great guy who has one of the best outlooks on life. I really enjoy the time out there when we get to go. I have not gotten out much lately so, I was really looking forward to it.
It was one of those days that started off with the auto coffee-grinder machine at 4am. I know some might not like it this early (my aging bones sure dont). I however look forward to hitting the road early, the quiet and stillness in the house as all my kids are still sound asleep. Heck, usually my dog will get up... Not this day. He just gave me the "what in the world are you thinking look" and went back to sleep on the bed.
I had a hour and 15 minute trip for the car pool location and then another 45 minutes. The night before I got everything ready and I was out the door, coffee in hand by 4:35. Heck it has been so long since my last early am trip I forgot how much I liked prepping the night before and thinking about what lures might be needed. Cap Mel had written a article about this very same feeling at some point. It really captured the experience well. Life is about enjoying the journey ... not necessarily the destination.
"Windshield time" on the way, with little to no traffic can be excellent "thinking time." For the most part the radio stays off and I enjoy the silence. This was one of those times. It was the kids last day of school. My daughter goes to middle school next year. Time was passing way too fast. Fishing however is timeless.
Stumpmaster and I got out to the ramp and went down stream and then back up stream. The area was beautiful. Lures of the day were: the F5 gold rapala, the F3 silver Rapala and the green beetle spin. Regardless of whatever else was tried. They consistently produced. Of course, mid trip the inevitable statement comes out. "If I am only using a handful of lures, why do I have a tackle box full of lures" One of my other friends, TampaJim constantly reminds me of that fact. LOL.
One of the highlights of the day was a VERY large gator that had decided not to let us pass her in the creek. end to end she was blocking the way. She also REFUSED to move. I had never seen this behavior before. We even got the "arched back" treatment. Seeing this, I knew something was wrong. Eventually, she swam off creating a MASSIVE wake. About 10 yards down the shoreline, we discovered why. Baby gators! We heard them first. There were about 6 or so that were calling for "big momma." We kept moving down the shoreline and put some distance between us and that area.
The haul for the day was a large number of bluegill and stumpknockers. I did bring once gar home and John held out on the bass until the trip back to the ramp. Thats when he proceeded to start pull out all the stops and show me who was the Rapala King.
Good times and good company.... Add in some reflection time in the morning AND some dinner...... That my friends is why I go fishing. It never had been about just catching the fish. Its the experience. Please keep in mind... Part of the experience is dinner. That will be part 2 of this report. 🙂
Tight lines everyone!
Fishindad
Nice little mess of fish. Do you regularly keep gar, or did you just want to try one?
Also, are you gonna leave us guessing or at least mention which river, or which direction from Valrico? LOL
Nice mess of fish. :toast
Nice little mess of fish. Do you regularly keep gar, or did you just want to try one?
Also, are you gonna leave us guessing or at least mention which river, or which direction from Valrico? LOL
Funny... It was Shell Creek in the Punta Gorda area. I have "hear" Gar are good if prepared right. From what I understand, fish patties is the way to go with them. I will let you know. I will try just about anything once.
Thats is some great looking scenary and I think you perfectly captured what it means to hit the water early in the morning.
