Got a little time near the water yesterday

[fastfish]

I have a boat but my emergency brake on my Ranger has been ailing. Trying to launch ,the truck would groan a little and move a few inches backwards...not a very good feeling!! I finally found a spring for it at a jy and went to test it yesterday taking the poles and a can of wigglers along just in case. Tested the truck sans boat but it held good on the ramp so I think it'll be ok. Then I headed out to a boat ramp just past Lorida on 98..No luck there..worms or artificials. Next was the locks on 721 ..nothing there either...Some folks were fishing for catfish and having some luck but I got no bites . Finally went to my sure fire spot where I always went with my daughter when she was little. We called the place "the tubes". There is an irrigation ditch that crosses over Hwy 70 and has three huge tubes in the water on either side of a bridge. Never fail to catch something there! On one side the tubes were covered because of risen water but I knew what the bottom looked like from when it was lower...very sandy and there were always signs of old fish beds there. Tossed out a worm at about three feet deep close to shore and caught four or five little bluegills. Then...something bobbles it a few times then just started running off with it never taking the bobber under. There were always lots of catfish there so I figured it was one of those. Nope....biggest shellcracker I had ever caught...1.5 on my scale and I ran to get phone to take a pic and had left it at home! arrgh! the one time I really wanted it! It was caught about a foot from the side of the tube and about 2 ft out from shore. That fish alone made the trip worth it. Obviously..I plan on visiting it more often even after I get the boat running again..will probably even take the boat out from the ramp there. Anytime spent on the water to me is good time! especially when you catch that unsuspected slab of a fish.....

[fastfish]

I have a boat but my emergency brake on my Ranger has been ailing. Trying to launch ,the truck would groan a little and move a few inches backwards...not a very good feeling!! I finally found a spring for it at a jy and went to test it yesterday taking the poles and a can of wigglers along just in case. Tested the truck sans boat but it held good on the ramp so I think it'll be ok. Then I headed out to a boat ramp just past Lorida on 98..No luck there..worms or artificials. Next was the locks on 721 ..nothing there either...Some folks were fishing for catfish and having some luck but I got no bites . Finally went to my sure fire spot where I always went with my daughter when she was little. We called the place "the tubes". There is an irrigation ditch that crosses over Hwy 70 and has three huge tubes in the water on either side of a bridge. Never fail to catch something there! On one side the tubes were covered because of risen water but I knew what the bottom looked like from when it was lower...very sandy and there were always signs of old fish beds there. Tossed out a worm at about three feet deep close to shore and caught four or five little bluegills. Then...something bobbles it a few times then just started running off with it never taking the bobber under. There were always lots of catfish there so I figured it was one of those. Nope....biggest shellcracker I had ever caught...1.5 on my scale and I ran to get phone to take a pic and had left it at home! arrgh! the one time I really wanted it! It was caught about a foot from the side of the tube and about 2 ft out from shore. That fish alone made the trip worth it. Obviously..I plan on visiting it more often even after I get the boat running again..will probably even take the boat out from the ramp there. Anytime spent on the water to me is good time! especially when you catch that unsuspected slab of a fish.....

oh yeah..guess I should mention I'm near sebring ,Fla......but there are probably holes like this in every state!

[huntinslabs]

Man thats a good cracker! I would be going back as well.

[Alphahawk]

Congrats!

Regards

[Crappie Pro Wannabe]

Good report.

[feeshrman]

Sounds like fun. I love catching those big shellcrackers. One bit of advice on the vehicle brake issue. invest in some chocks for your wheels. You never can trust emergency brakes, and it could save your vehicle from a watery death.

[Olegiller1]

Nice report! thank you .I jumped on Google Earth and WOW You have a LOT of prime water in your area. lol . Envious old yankee here.

[fastfish]

Nice report! thank you .I jumped on Google Earth and WOW You have a LOT of prime water in your area. lol . Envious old yankee here.

yeah..I am lucky..okeechobee within an hour....also lakeland lakes..Kissimmee river..lake Jackson and Jospehine..Arbuckle creek..all good fishin spots!

[fastfish]

I have a set of plastic chocks...always been afraid they would slide right along with the truck if it slid. Will they probably hold?

[Ketchn]

one whale makes my day on any trip ....sounds like a nice trip to me ....