Trial run

Picked up basic Betty from the doctor late Thursday and had to see ifn she’d run any better. Nope. I believe one of the check valves in the squeeze bulb is no longer one directional and lets the fuel drain from the bulb. Didn’t stop me from fishin though, and it was a pretty good day. In about 8 and just dropped the TM and got busy. The first fish took a bit but I caught myself smiling big when I realized it was a good gill.
Attachment 486628
He’d been beat up some, maybe just coming off the beds. Maybe some pinkish parasites too. Also caught a few small bass around there but I got the feeling it had been worked not long ago, maybe kinda hard yesterday. So I eased along to another bank and got a nice redbreast but not much else. Must’ve been too early for the crappie cuz the first stop for those only gave up some shorter versions of who I knew lived there. Still good fun though. I poked around another spot nearby and got a couple of decent fish but again, nothing stellar. Lots of folks around today and I caught a few watching what I was doing so everything was kept as low and quiet as I could. Talked with a couple of guys using grass shrimp and looking for gills but turning nothing down that was of any size. I wanted to tell em to leave my gills alone! I left them to it and went back where I’d just come from and they’d woke up. Got a few real nice crappie in a short time, even threw the Phenix in a few times and didn’t get broken off. I didn’t push my luck and went back to the mono.
Attachment 486629
Attachment 486630
Attachment 486631
Attachment 486632
Then this guy came around asking if I knew where Chaser was, said he wanted to be famous too. Just barely hooked on a tiny pice of skin.
Attachment 486640
A few casts later I knew this one was different. There was no pushing him around and I was lucky enough to get him away from the trash into some more open water. Pics ain’t great but I had no net today and didn’t want his slimy self in the boat. He was about three pounds and unhappy!
Attachment 486633
Attachment 486634
Enough of those and the prying eyes, I fired the outboard and went for a ride to see if she ran any better. About the same but I know what I’m trying next. This time I got a video of its misbehaving to show the doctor. That done I went by a place I sometimes find a few gills and this was one of those days. They were running a bit bigger than usual today but I still had eyes on me so I didn’t stay long. Here’s a few of the better ones.
Attachment 486635
Attachment 486636
Attachment 486637
Attachment 486638
Attachment 486639
Now it was hot and after noon so I packed up and eased towards the ramp. There was a lot of boat launch idiots around today for no more people than there was around. Just one of those days. My fuel line hose had been replaced but I think I’m just gonna replace the entire line and see what happens. If that doesn’t do it she’s got to go back for a carburetor dissection. Not my forte, he’s done hundreds, money well spent. Hope y’all get out soon and get a few like these that visited today. Til next time…..Skeet

Hope you get Betty sorted out soon !
Looks like you had a good morning.
Was that Mr bowfin that paid you a visit ?
The little green sunfish has some pretty stripes .
I still can’t get over those coppernose.
I’ve caught one in my life . One of the Public fishing areas lakes I fish has a few stocked in it , but I think they get caught out before they can spawn .
Nice crappie too !

Thanks Chaser. That was a feline whisker trout ( catfish). It was a good day, I’m still smiling!

Nice pics and write-up skeet! What is the pink line and what reel are you using? Great set-up.

Really good post and pics. Took us right along with you. Thanks for sharing the adventure.

MCG, the reel on the rod with the gold bands is a Presso 1025 in 1000 size. Ultraslab hooked me up with it and I sent him some jigs, lots of em, in return. The best reel I own. It rides on a Phenix Mirage 6’ ul that I built and makes those gills a lot of fun. The rod with the composite seat and a gold spool is a Soare Bb1000 and it rides a 6’ light action Fenwick build of mine. Both of them have Varivas braid and I’m not sure which one. I have several different ones that I use and have no complaints with any of them. The UL had .15 or .015, whichever it is, and its 4lb test pretty close. The Soare has the same style of braid and it 5.2 lb test. The only thing I have any issues with will never be changed and it goes for any braid really, and that’s abrasion resistance. I use a 4 lb clear leader and switch between mono, nylon, and flouro. The nylon and flouro are also Varivas. They work well for me and thanks for asking…..Tim

Nice mixed bag

very nice, thanks for sharing

Great day on the water and a mixed bag to boot! Thanks for sharing

You had a great trip, nice fish and variety as well. I'd be smiling too.

A fine catch, skeet! Thanks for the ride along!
Bob

nice fish bro ....:cheers2
But here in this part of the world
we consider a trial run a bit differently than over your way ....
it is quite typical to run from a trial ,when you are sure of the outcome and it ain't in your favor ...
so when we say trial run , we mean go really fast away from the trial on a new and different trail .....:Rofl:Rofl:crazy: