April 09 Slabfest at Lake Monroe

You guys are demanding! Since Danny was laid-up, one of us amateurs had to fill in and this picture thing isn't easy.

I'll try to get this right:
up2specks (Doug) had biggest (1 lb 12 oz) and most caught (20)
speckanator (Mike - fishing with his brother-in-law Don) had nine nice ones
flycaster (John) four fish
nickp (Nick - fishing with friends Charley and Eddie) three fish
chunky (Don and Trudy) one fish

Welcome Mike and Don to your first slabfest and appreciate the supplies provided - glad to hear you'll be back.
Nick's friend Eddie (from out-of-state) was a first time attendee and hope to see him again.

Doug, as usual, made a delicious cold slaw and cooked some of his world famous corn fritters.

A few fishing tips were passed around and all-in-all a great day with great weather, fine friends, both old and new, and looking forward to the next feast after a summer break.

Missed all our regulars - Danny get well.

Finally !
Thanks Don for the pics.
Sorry guys, I sure missed it ! I was going to fish with "The Man" !!
And, missed it.
Am feeling almost better this morning, just a twing of pressure left in my chest.
I'm sure it is connected to smoking, had quit for three months awhile back, then when I went through all that BS getting laid off for so long, just sank into rebellious depression, somethin like that, and started back smokin even worse than before, etc.
Anyway, ain't dead yet.
Glad ya'll had a good time.
Take care,
Danny

Thanks to everybody that made the effort and contributed their time, energy and financial support in making this another fine event for the Central Florida chapter of Crappie.com. I especially like to thank Don(Chunky) and wife Trudy in making this location in Sanford a very substantial and nice spot for future events. Paying in advance for the gazebo site and then not wanting any reimbursement from us was a typical example I have seen from both the Georgia guys and the Florida guys of the generosity and comraderie that seems commonplace here.
The actual fishing was very much similar to the challenge we experienced at the Lake Monroe Park gazebo site. We had electric outlets but no power to the outlets. After contacting the attendant, he unsuccessfully could not trouble shoot our impending dilemma. We had fish to clean, fish & corn puffs to fry w/electric appliances and filet knives etc. We switched to another gazebo and had everything doin' fine and then lost power. We switched to propane cookers and moved some stuff up to the wash house about 70 yards away and made it work!!:D
I mentioned the fishing challenge-well, the trolling pattern was very stingy after catching one dink so I went into the shoreline cover(downfalls etc.) and downsizing to 1/64 oz. micro jig in a silver sparkle on a #8 hook fished below a mini float. Caught 90% of the fish with this float & fly technique. Did lose some I think because of the smaller hook, but oh well!:confused:
We missed the regulars of course (snow birding etc.) but that's part of the Florida venue. Wish you could have made it Danny, the 6 lb 6 oz. stringer could only have been heavier with your expertise in the boat! Hope you cure up so we can do some Salt over your way.:eek::eek:
Doug
Maybe we can get some Georgia guys to try some more Southerly Florida waters with us!:cool:

Here are a few additional pictures with Don in them. This was my first slabfest and it was everything I expected and more. The food was great, the weather was perfect, and the friendship was overwhelming. I plan to attend many more and would like to see the crowd grow even larger. Thanks for inviting me.

Dad and I seen alot of you guys hammering away at those specks. I hope we can make it next time. FYI we are in the Black Tracker "Team Boggs" The bite was fair for us in the river and hope we can have a good showing at this weekends tourney. So, Will you guys tell what work best, What was the 7 heaviest fish, and any advice for the weekend tourney.

Tight Lines and Keep your bait wet

You guys are awsome. Wish I could have been there. I have been in IN and the weather is lousy. Got my boat repaired and going to KY lake (Benton area) the 18th - 25th. I'll post some pictures after the trip. Will be back in FL the middle of Sept. Looking forward to fish with you this fall and winter.

Doug, are you and your brother fishing Talquin this thanksgiving and xmas? I know TNT will probally be there.

Chuck