Monday 10-8-18 Lake Monroe
I got up early this morning and headed down to the ramp. There were two boat just launching as I arrived. I staged the boat as they finished up and left the ramp. I back the boat down the ramp and the boat floats free of the trailer. I tie it off and head back to the truck to move it to the parking lot, and it starts to rain. I pull the truck into the parking lot and now it is really coming down. ( only a 30% chance of afternoon showers they said ) I sit in the truck for a minute to think about it. There is no lighting, and I am here. I lock the truck and head down to the boat.
It stops raining as I get on the dock. I find a dry rag in the boat and wipe things down, fire up the motor and head out. The two boats that were ahead of me are now going in the opposite direction than the one they started in. (???) With the wind out of the East I point the boat in that direction. I make it over to sign #1 , shut down the big motor and get set up. I see the other two boats just a little north of me.
The wind moves me a little father south than I wanted, I make the adjustment and the first fish of the day makes it into the boat. Skunk off ! But it is only an 8"er. She goes back. I work the area a little bit but keep working towards the old power plan. A couple more fish make it to the boat but get returned to the water. By now I have made it down to the power plant area and see two other boat.
I swing in closer and someone yells out my name. I pull up along side of Slab and Billybob. We talk for a bit then move away to give each other a little room. One of my rods goes off ! I lift the rod and it bends down into the water. I grab the net. On the third try, the fish makes it into the net and comes on board, just as it shakes free of the hook. She measured in at 12 1/2 ".
I swing by the other boat. It's Lone Hunter. We say Hi and chat a bit and move on. I make a pass or two and look up at the sky. The wind is giving me a hard time so decide to head in. I offer my fish to Slab ( I only had one in the box ) but he passes, I swing over to Lone Hunter and he accepts it. (good now I don't have to clean any fish this time) I head home.
I had 8 fish on my counter, had 1 keeper that I re-homed and was back on the trailer by 10:30. I get home, clean up the boat and back her into the garage and it starts to rain. Some one was watching over me today.
See ya all on the water next time....
Jim
