FOOL Moon is

my recent time-tested(Tu/Wed) way of spelling the HOT FULL Moon BG/SHELLCRACKER ravenous-bite!:deadhorse:hatchet::bash:juggle:dono To clarify, I did manage a few bruisers in 2 days, but paltry overall #'s. My typical tackle(ul/fl) was used on the Withlacoochee River both North/South sectors(Rousseau/Panasoffkee). Although in years past, I have fished both(Jan-April) with nice results(size & #'s), this time my eyes were opened!:yikes =The WEED-explosion/hyacinth "islands" proved 10th degree impenetrable! However, on the positive side, I got a chance to play with the features of my New Sled:Rofl In combination with my power Jack-plate/tilt-trim. tunnel-hull, hydraulic stick-steering, I was able to thwart ALL normally inpenetrable thorofare! Well the larger, denser hyacinth patches did allow me two free gym-membership workout sessions!:yikes:Rofl:Rofl Not nearly as SCOOTABLE as an Air boat, but I prefer the smaller-pitch prop/lower-decibel of my SUZI o/b!:highfive:biggrin Now, in years past, I have caught larger Shellies but did manage to fool MR NASTY of only 10"(HE thought he was 20):yikesAttachment 430072Attachment 430073 The sheer POWER of these guys is truly worth mentioning. For those that haven't experienced Shellcrackers, it brought to mind an analogy(+-) from the past = If you took a hook on each end of a 2 foot length-of-line, and then lip-hooked a SMALLMOUTH and LARGEMOUTH then lined 'em up tail-tail and said GO...the SMALLMOUTH would rip the skin off the LARGEMOUTH!!:Rofl Because I was able to catch similarly-sized BG/SHELLIES on this trip, the same fatal-skinning results would happen to Mr. BG! Attachment 430074Attachment 430075Attachment 430076Attachment 430077
Also noted yesterday on the Panny sector of the Cooch, in my efforts to hide from the ecsalated heat-index, was the similarity it shares with its Cypress- lined tributaries, to my Maryland homestate and fishing the POCOMOKE.
Sometimetimes the results from memory-lane can enhance our relatively low-number days. Now, I have more things to remember from these trips.:cheers2
Thanks for Readin'/Ridin'/Reelin' - 'til next time...can't know lest ya GO!

u2s

Some big fish there! Thanks for sharing

Very nice brutes

good to see that you are still getting out. The heat has put me on the side lines for now. Thanks for taking us along.

The dark stained water of Withlacoochee produces some great color on the fish. Thanks for taking us along.

Nice fish! The heat is brutal out there...

You did good in this heat. Great pics too, thanks for sharing.

Nice colorful fish Doug.

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Beautiful catches! Glad you stayed in the shade and didn't melt. :cheers2

Great looking fishDoug. Glad you got your full moon questions answered. I haven’t heard anything to get excited about over this way and the heat keeps most folks home or short, early trips. Boat ramps with a paltry few trailers. I might sneak out Sunday morning but it won’t be a long hot trip. The fly rod has been calling since you mentioned it.

I love to start my morning reading about your fishing adventures. I need to dust off my fly rod. Just moved to another home and for the life of me can't find my fly tying equipment. Guess I am going to have to break down and purchase some yellow spiders. Great pics almost. You know the drill by now. Coors lite is the breakfast of champions. :cheers2
Tight Lines,
JJ

Atta boi Doug. Pound for pound I think crackers are the hardest fighting fish in the world

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I hope to be able to get out there this and get on them with my fly rod. I loved doing that back in Tennessee/Mississippi.

nice trip Doug glad you got into some if not as many as you want. havn't gotten into Shellies too much mostly big bull BG's which are a blast. Havn't broken out the fly rod my BIL gave me when he stopped doing anything couple years ago. but truthfully don't have those BG bedded lakes and ponds like I used to have.