Thread: At last

After retiring at the end of 2019 and moving back to where I grew up in Florida I have been eagerly trying to recapture the successes I experienced fishing here in the 60's,70's & 80's. Not to mention all of the times I had good luck upon returning to visit family during the 37 years in exile to a nearby state.

In years past I was almost always able to find a few decent size specks to make a meal of to appease my wife's cravings for these tasty morsels. However, I embarrassingly have to report that my endeavors to satisfy her cravings that past several months have been a disappointment to say the least. Living in Melbourne I have fished recently at Three Forks, Lake Washington, the St. John's River from Lake Helen Blazes to Lake Washington as well as Lake Harney. And while all of these places have all produced in the past at anytime of 5he year I have to admit that each recent trip only produced 1 or 2 small specks at best. And embarrassingly most trips the dreaded "SKUNK" was not removed from the boat.

Well I am happy to report that all changed yesterday when I arose early and headed to an area that I used to hunt before it was flooded to become the renowned Stick Marsh. While I had of course heard about the phenomenal reports coming from he new Headwaters impoundment it was not hard to pass it by especially seeing all the boats lined up circling the parking lot before sunrise. Thankfully upon arrival at the Stick Marsh I found only 2 other boats being launched.

Now to the fishing yesterday. I immediately went to where there used to be a small pond (large gator hole) before the Marsh was flooded, as it had in the past been the deepest part of the impoundment. Within 10 minutes of setting out 4 rods for trolling the 1st fish hit. It was a good 10" fish with some sizable shoulders. And after a short period later I had my 1st double of which 1 was released to grow and the other released to the live well. While the fish were sporadic and scattered the bite was often enough to keep me interested for 4 hours of finally having a somewhat productive day. At the end of the trip there were 10 specks in the live well. 5 specks and 1 catfish released for another day. And myself feeling vindicated to some degree that I could still satisfy my wife's cravings for these tasty gifts from God.

All fish were taken with a 1/8th oz jig, 6 specks with a smoke colored spring tail grub & 9 specks plus 1 catfish with a chartreuse & yellow spring tail grub.