I got up before the alarm this morning, My Lady was already up and making coffee for me. I went out to hook up the boat to the truck and there was ice on the windows of the truck. I turned on the heater and defroster and went back in to get my cup of coffee.
It took a little while but the windows on the truck cleared and I was able to get on my way. The dash in the truck showed 36 deg. ( this Florida boy is not used to temps like this ). I got to the lake and there was only one other trailer in the lot. I launched the boat and was parking the truck when Les pulled into the lot. It was hard to tell it was him from all the clothes he had on.
We loaded the boat and I turned the key. The motor turned over slowly as if giving out a grown before jumping to life. ( I think the motor was cold too. ). We headed out.
We had just set our rods when one of Les's rods takes a bend. I grab the net to get ready. Les lifts the rod and there is a deep bend in it. He brings it in only to see that he had snagged something. At first we think its a small log or a big branch, but wait, no, it's a fishing rod and reel. We land the rod and figure it's been in the water for awhile. I tell Les to adjust his depth a little. Not long after that one of my rods goes off. I bring a short on board but let him go to grow some more.
We work the area some more but nothing is happening. We pull the rods and make a run to a new area. This time there are a few other boats around. We pass close to one and ask how they are doing. "FREEZING". was the reply. We knew what they meant.
I checked the fish finder and it said that the water temp was 57 deg. Last week it was 78 deg. I point the boat toward shallower water wondering if they may have moved closer to shore. We are picking up a few fish here and there. A lot on the short side that get to fight another day and even a small striper got to bend a rod, but a few keepers made it into the box for the ride home.
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The sun had come out but the fish just did not want to play all that much. We point the bow toward the ramp and head back.
It may have been cold out but it was good to be on the water with a friend and we still were able to bend the rods some. I'll take that as a good day.
Until next time, tight lines and full nets to you
see you on the water.
Jim
