Thread: Never

In my fishing life I’ve had a lot of different rods and reels. Starting out the reels that I had utilized a one piece wire bail. The rod was a two piece solid glass medium action with a metal ferrule. I learned the basics of doing everything with one rod. Nowadays I wouldn’t consider doing everything with one rod but if punch came to shove I could get it done but might need an extra spool or two. Technology and availability has drastically changed what I fish with. I couldn’t hazard a guess as to how many I’ve had, but I can today, right now, make this statement with complete confidence. I’ve never owned a rod and reel combo that makes me happier than the Finetail Banshee 6’ and the Presso 1000s loaded with .15 Varivas braid. Today I picked it up and had to tell myself to use the others in the boat. I brought 6 and used 4 of them. None of the others compare for casting, sensitivity, overall function. It takes minimum effort to cast like the others I own that I have to work at. Lightweight and effortless to use.

But on to the trip this morning. Started from the house just before first light and for me , it was cool. The sweatshirt barely kept up and wasn’t enough when the wind picked up. My queen had bought me a frog togs raincoat a couple of years back and it usually just rides the storage box, but today it was just the ticket and I was glad to have it. Eventually the sun came out and it warmed up a little but the wind still had a bite.

The fish were kinda non plus today. If you dragged it across their nose they would eat but I don’t think chasing was in their things to do today. First fish was a 10” or so Crappie with no shoulders. Second was smaller than that but the third would’ve kept. I kissed him on the nose and flipped him back. Several places I worked through in the next 45 minutes only gave up a couple of tiny gills and the Crappie was gone. Disappointed I laid the rods down and stowed the electric and fixed the outboard for the first time today. There’s been an island in my mind for a few weeks now and I went to go see who was home. Second cast the line came tight and the rod bent serious. This fella had come to meet me.

Two casts later I got a serious smack and then my line started going everywhere. Very respectable.
Not long down the bank I wasn’t getting much interest til this one sucked up my curl tail and really gave me a fun time. Rod tip in the water a few times and wanted no part of the net.

And of course, no trip around here is complete without the pretty boys showing up. I got a few of these but this was the star. Made the drag speak a couple of times.

It was about 10:30 and I had promised to be home early so I picked up and ran back to where I began to see about another crappie before calling it a day. And I found just one, but he was a good one. He rode the box for a few minutes but with no friends to join him I cut him loose.

The temps had risen and the crazy people were showing up so I was happy to call it done. I’m hoping that some of y’all’s weather is giving you a break and letting you get out some. Be careful when you go and tell us all about it when you’re done. Been a good one so far and it’s not done yet. Til next time……Skeet

Sure beats sitting at home on the couch. Glad you got out and had that Frog Togg jacket on board. Thanks for posting