Calm before the Storm

[up2specks]

With the forecasted Hurricane Elsa's path being Ground Zero for my saltwater fun, I knew the high probability of success was meteorologist proven. Another slow, casual startup, coupled with Holiday Monday water folk, had a Pontoon boat(8) already anchored on MY Ground Zero! I decided to exercise about 3/4 mile away, keeping an eye for an "easier" experience there. Had some fun there- but nothing to rip the shingles off the roof! I lasted about 3 hours in my other playgrounds until I decided to stick my toes in "THEIR spot"! Idling about 80 yards from them, the famous "hands in the air"(aka- Guns outta the holster) encounter was about to unfold. Easily hearing his "welcome" in the perfect 2-3 mph wind condition= Find your OWN SPOT! Specifically because of the 4 kids/2 women, I chose 100% friendly, normal tone of voice to maybe indicate I was NOT the enemy. Respectful, logical rationing played no buffer to help Captain Ahab come off his crow's nest. I positioned myself uptide from their downtide casts(Shrimp soakers), but could easily hear his blood pressure cuff read-out. The imminent, stereotypical, poison started by Captain A--- = He's got the WHOLE Gulf and he chose OUR SPOT, people JUST DON'T CARE! Now, you folks that are thinkin' just leave =Ain't worth it!(Easy fix). I gave that a brief thought...didn't help! I repositioned a few times(respectful flanking) while enjoying his "over the shoulder" MANY times for TWO hours. He eventually realized that I wasn't sent by Satan to sprinkle on his Corn Flakes and his vocals toward me zeroed. Now, realistically, this guy(50 ish) was an excellent tutor for his kid/lady crew. That being said, he hadn't a clue into the child lesson HE was implanting! MINE MINE MINE, MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY! Dangerous stuff in today's/tomorrow's society, significantly for the young people! The fishing day yielded well after my "day of endurement"! My Trophy trout was caught 5 minutes after uptide respectful positioning. The earth-trembling action occurred minutes after they left while still in sight(see pics) Fish= Trout, pompano, 3' black-tip(chewed through leader @net), Flounder(19.5"), Ladyfish, Snook(2- 32/24" -released out of season), catfish, Spanish mackerel, bluefish Lost a few "niceuns" including a fat 16" Flattie 2 " from net rim! Bait used 3/8 oz 3/0 sickle(homemade) alewive color, powder-painted head /ML 'lil John clear Gold/Red sparkle body(No VuDu shrimp on-board Tim) My message to all- Keep your guns in your holsters, observe/analyze the facts at hand, be courteous, be a role-model for young minds(show them that strangers aren't automatically ENEMIES). Guess what- just maybe your motor won't start...?? Thanks for sharing the trip 'til next time- Tight lines/bent rods/well-adjusted drags and MOST important "holstered minds"!