I met Les at the ramp nice and early. Our goal was to catch some bait the head over to our secret spot fo some early ( before the sun comes up early ) action.
Les was waiting at the ramp when I got there. First one in the parking lot. I launched the boat and Les loaded his gear. We were off to a good start. Our fist cast for bait was in the spot that I had good luck at last week. We came up empty. The next 10 cast of the net only got us one or two here and there. Not much to work with. But I had a back up plan just for days like this. With just a few bait in the tank, we headed to our spot.
We had the river to ourselves as we motored up river. We got to our spot and anchored up. Les was the first to get a line in the water. But it didn't make any difference, it just sat there. And so did mine. I picked up the casting rod and started to work that. Les yells out " fish on". I grab the net and wait as he fights a nice size cat to the boat. Then it's back to casting and waiting. That was our only action for our hot spot. Time to move.
We set up at the new location and start to work the area. We keep getting some light hits on our bottom baits but we just can't seem to hook up. Les does manage to boat anther cat and a small gar. Me, I'm getting some practice in on netting Les' fish.
It's slow. The winds are starting to pick up and the sky is turning dark. We start to stow some of our gear incase we need to make a run for it.
Then it happens. Now mind you that I have been fishing this part of the St Johns for the last 10 years, and have been fishing Lake Monroe for almost 20 years. I have heard stories about this, but I have never seen any myself.
My bottom line started to move. I reach down and lifted the rod tip. Yep, something was there. I raise the rod and start to real in. there is resistance, and a little fight. Then a strong pull with some side to side motion. Les clears the other lines and grabs the net. As I get it closer to the boat it keeps diving deeper. I can't see what it is. Then I get it close to the surface. Les lets out a yell and moves the net into position. But he wants no part of that net and takes a dive. Three times we play this game with him before we could slide that net under him. We bring him onto the boat. I can't believe my eyes. This is not only a first for me, it's also a personal best.
Attachment 401453
A big beautiful 8" male blue crab out of the St Johns River in Central Florida. I've got blue crabs before (at the coast) but not this big.
Now I know what was stealing our bait.
Oh, I did pick up a 4# cat right after this. The skies got dark so we headed in.
It was a fun day on the water with a friend and we got to bend our rods.
Until next time,
Tight lines and full nets.
see you on the water
Jim
