Dad slid the boat into the waters of Lake Lancaster. He took the oars and scooted us away from the shore. The feeling was eerie to this ten-year-old. To dad, it was just crappie “season”. Back then we didn’t realize crappie could be caught year-round. He just knew they were more active in Florida’s waters when it was cold.
He handed over a cane pole and said, “Sit on this”. Naturally, dad had to explain that the pole would be lost if I did not jam the handle between my leg and the metal seat. With four lines out, he began to row the boat. His system was a simple row, pause, and repeat. It was during these long pauses that we would get a strike. Those black crappies looked beautiful as he slid them down the yellow stringer.
Later, dad filleted the fish and stowed the boat as I hung the poles up in the barn. Dinner was special. Hushpuppies, coleslaw, and fried crappie adorned our table. It was December 31, 1968.
Happy New Year, -TJ Stallings
www.CrappieNow.com
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