Got a wild hair yesterday and decided to go set a few limb lines and do some fishing at a local hole that I haven't done any good at since summer started. Picked up some chicken livers, a pack of panty hose and a six pack of Budweiser at Publix (that always attracts funny looks from the cashier). Went to my spot and got a catfish bait out and started bobber fishing for bluegill. Caught 2-3 small ones when a nice channel cat grabs my bait and makes a run. I got him hooked up and fought him for 30 seconds-1 minute but he broke off the hook at the weedline. I got a few good looks at him and I bet he woulda went 3-5 lbs.
Set 3-4 limblines and put the bluegill rod down cause I got tired of catching the little ones. Halfway through my beer a nice softshell turtle got hooked up on one of my limb lines. Got him up on the bank and removed his head. :death
Changed spots, set another limb line, and the gator that I've been watching grow for the last two years came for a visit. He isn't afraid of people at all. I bet he goes 8-8.5 ft. He likes to sit about ten yards off the bank and watch me fish. He and his buddy tried to eat my dog earlier this summer....he's awful lucky there are only 2 county tags for Hillsborough.
As it gets dark, I got a hit on my pantyhose-wrapped chicken liver on a bobber, reel it in, and remembering how I lost my last catfish, I turn my headlamp towards Mr. Gator and wade into the water a few feet. He starts coming towards me and as I put my hands on the fish I feel the hard, plate-like scales and realize its a stupid gar. Fish freaked out and broke the line anyways and I got the hell outta the water quick, fast, and in a hurry. The fish thrashing about scared the gator a bit and he backed up to about 15 yards away. The gar was a good sized one.
Off to check/pull my lines.
All of my hooks were straightened overnight. Looks like I need to man-up my gear a bit and try again. Didn't figure on having that big of fish to contend with.
Turtles and gar will straighten hooks out, too. I haven't targeted catfish in so long I don't remember how to do it. I've got to get my numbers on my jon boat and set up the trailer I bought for it, and start hitting the water on weekends I can't get out for hunting. I want to be ready when it gets cooler to hit a few spots for sheepshead, and maybe go over to Big O or Kissimmee and catch some specks.
Yeah, I think I'm going to do what I used to do up north and use 1/4 of a bike inner tube or a bungee cord at the stump to allow stretch and beef up my hooks a bit.
That's some good eating.
