Florida Fishing Reports

February 15 - Snook - Hippy Shots - Redfish

Hey fishing dudes n' dudettes! It's time for a Hornetbear anglin' update. I've been fishing a good bit but damn, damn, damn meddling work has been impinging upon my reporting. As you may know, it takes a lot of time to upload this crap AND it doesn't pay very well. Actually, it just plain doesn't pay. Period. Who really cares about money? you can't eat money! (unless it buys food.) That's how the man keeps us down. Someday, we all know cars will run on pictures of redfish. Toyota is surely working on this as I type.

But, enough about that obvious source of alternative energy... A sweet report is afoot. Anglers, lurkers, and mildly curious spouses just sit back. Get really FOCUSED. Here comes a grip of sweet photos. Report follows.

Let's just kick this thing off with a hippy shot. Hippy shots are for our unwashed brethren who love pictures of birds, trees, lichen, other boring crap and Jack Johnson bootlegs.


Jacks are everywhere in beautiful Sarasota! They don't take traditional lures and you have to scoop them out of the water with a pitching wedge. A sand wedge puts too much backspin on them.


I gotta tell you, Ospreys are all over the area I fish.


A Flock Of Seagulls. That'd be a good name for a band...


This is my buddy Kris from SoCal... We were catching tons of trout until the canoe was struck by a drunken rental from CB's outfitters. I'll always remember his idiotic smile.


Eco-Avenger ALERT! Notice the plug stuck up in the mangroves next to that beautiful specimen of avian life. you will be happy to know I recovered this long, lost lure before it entangled that bird. Then I replaced the hooks and perforated many types of sea life with it. Sweet, sweet irony.


These chickens taste like crap.


This is a big redfish. I saw it streaking across a grass flat and I was like, "I'm gonna get you." This is why we go fishing here in Sarasota. It's exciting!


Paddlefishing Paradise.


Ok. Ok. TIME OUT. MIRROLURE MOMENT ... I mostly fish jigs. I love them. However, I sometimes fish Mirrolures because they work. Let's play a game... What can you catch on a mirrolure in a day... here we go...

Mirrolure Snook - no Brainer


Mirrolure MULLET?!


It's like nobody can escape! Mirrolure Needlefish!


You know how to unhook a stingray from your mirrolure? Shake vigoroulsy.


thats an amazing lure! Get into it!

OK so what's next? here's a hippy shot for the sailboat set...


Hippys rejoice...


Hornetbear and Redfish


And one final hippy shot for the unwashed masses!

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com

Last edited by Hornetbear on Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:38 am; edited 1 time in total

Oct 4 - Trout - Family Fishing - Artsy Hippy Shots

Greetings angling aficionados. I have been laid up for awhile (6 long weeks!) which has annoyingly cut into my fishing. I herniated a disk in my back and in addition to the mind numbing, life reevaluating pain it pretty much totally precludes a person from fishing. I've been lucky to get out of bed. Now that I'm better I have been fishing with my son a lot which is not prone to catching tons of fish but gives you a real chance to take some nice pictures while he drinks salt water, shrieks with glee and throws the rod into the bay. Report follows.

There's some crazy photos in this report

The waterproof Pentax Optio W20 takes a mean hippy shot. Really.

Awwwwwwwwwww!

Ohhhhhhhh!

When you're fishing buddy is a 3 year old, this is a 40 inch snook.

It's been raining some and I've been recovering all sorts of treasures washing out of the canals. These are like 6 bucks at Wal-Mart! Score.

Is this a legal PFD? I hope so cause that's what I've been taking out. Shoot, its only 4 feet deep here. Seriously, does anyone know?

This was caught on troll as I was screamed at to "paddle faster! paddle faster!". We were both pretty stoked.

Lightning hit our oak tree. It sent oak tree parts through the screen 100 ft away and melted the whole irrigation system and took out the cable. Stupid lightning.

How are the pods of bait everywhere? The fishing would probably be pretty good if mr. man would stop hammering the rod against the hull and screaming the spongebob squarepants song. Although you gotta love ol' spongebob. Hes a riot. "Yellow, absorbent and porous is he!" I love that part of the song.

This reel snapped in my hand during a tussle with a 16" trout. Really. This event is also the prelude into an Sarasota's Economy Tackle rant. I go in there (where I purchased this reel 6 mos. prior) and get the customer is ALWAYS wrong rap. Capt. Hungover tells me I must've dropped this and in his 20 years of making 9.50 an hour he's never seen anything like this. I'm like, "look, buddy, just please give me the address. I don't want to argue with you about the history of the reel." We stand there and finally he he gets a box for me and we literally are arguing over what happened to my reel. Jesus. What an oxygen thief. Economy Tackle is the lamest tackle shop in the history of time. What a tool shed. No fisherman should buy from those guys. I won't make that mistake again. I don't even really care about the reel. It's still sitting on my desk. It's the bad attitude those guys drop time and time again. When I was a kid it was the place to go but I'm done going there. They suck. Don't go there and definitely DO NOT BUY A KAYAK THERE. Seriously. Tell all your friends. I am.

With the exception of Economy Tackle, It's pretty nice living here.

I've been finding gear everywhere. This was in the tideline wrapped in some sticks and crap.

Yet another highly prized gamefish landed by the future 6x winner of the oberto redfish tour/nobel peace prize.

Want to keep a kid in a life jacket? Put it on like a straightjacket. Can't take off a backwards PFD.

Ohhhhhhh! Bill Dance topwater found in mangroves. This thing probably works insane. Bill would NEVER endorse a inferior product...

Dig this one, hippy

The tables have turned.

We caught some trout.

Interesting cloud formation #77231

I like how the cloud and the oyster bed are shaped the same. Clyde Butcher would totally dig that...

"Why would my father give me such a crappy reel? I think I'll throw it in the bay to express my displeasure..."

I told you there were a ton of hippy shots in this report.

The hits just keep on comin'

Hippies, rejoice.

Hornetbear.com - Sucking up bandwidth since 2005.

That's it! Sorry about the lack of actual fish photos but those all look the same anyhow.

July 17, 2007 - Night Snook - Trout Aplenty - Atmospheric Hippy Shots

People say that Florida is flat. This is because it is quite flat. However, when you take into account the massive thunderheads that form in the summer, you can get quite a range of visual topography. It rivals any mountain range in the world. I've been fishing and watching these massive storms boil on the horizon. It's amazing and constantly in flux.

The fishing has been status quo. Lots of snook at night. Lots of trout all day. Catfish, redifish, and ladyfish spread around the flats. It's hot by 10:00 am and you don't want to go back out there til' at least 6:00 pm unless it gets overcast. Nothing really amazing in terms of fishing, just nice steady action.

You hippies will be just pleased as punch about this report. It's more colorful than a tie-dye and has more nature and landscape shots than a Greenpeace brochure. So, tie back your dreadlocks, grab a handful of sprouts, throw on that Enya album and enjoy, dirtbag!

See? Every day it gets like this.


I've been watching these mangroves grow for like 10 years. It's not the fastest process, mangrove growth.


As you can see, I caught this redfish on a black and white clouser I tied myself. The pinnacle of angling achievement. I am awesome.


The anvil tops of thunderheads are from scraping against high winds as they expand upwards.


Hippy photography discussion: "Whoa." "Dude." "Whoa." "Dude." (repeat 10x)


I tried and tried to revive this fish. Finally, I just added it to my creel.


If you look closely you'll see the paragliders.


I like to fish lures until they're completely torn apart. A lure without a tail is just a shorter lure with less action. It's all about presentation!


This is a 280 lb. tarpon. I caught it with a purple and white deceiver I tied from my own hair. I used a fly rod I built out of bamboo. I grew the bamboo myself and watered it with tears. I spun the line out of lawn clippings and spider silk. This photo is actually a drawing so the fish would not be harmed in any way. I am such a tool.


Millions of these under the lights and out on the flats at night. I need to start bringing out a big rod with a circle hook. Ladyfish are incredible bait.


These were swarming through the lights and jumping in the boat from all over the place. I found one in my shirt pocket!


Artsy!


This snook was actually not under the lights but hanging out on a oyster bed in the dark.


Snappah!


Hippy shot 27411.


Hippy shot 27412.


Trout on strike king jerkbait with cloud reflection.


Oysters are sharp but quite tasty.


Abstract trippyness.


Nice cool blue sky. Ironically it's about 95 degrees out.


Ye ole' seatrout shot.


I love the fishing and weather in July. Amazing time to be anglin' in Sarasota.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

June 27 - Exotics - Pufferfish - Redfish - Bluefish - Copious Hippy Shots

This report has some really exotic stuff in it. Stuff you just don't see that much of here in Sarasota. Oh, there's the requisite hippy shots, redfish, seatrout and whatnot but you'll be shocked by some other downright freaky sealife. To summarize the fishing: it's been good, but not mind numbingly, jaw droppingly insane. There are certainly tons of trout, as always, but the summer pattern has really started and the heat of the day makes the fish take a siesta grande. if you can get out at night, sunset or sunrise the fishing is strong but those times of day are really intended for eating, drinking and sleeping, though I suppose drinking can certainly be performed while fishing... Anyhow, lets get to the photos...

Hornetbear's Aquarium Emporium could get started with a few more of these beauties...

Night fishing is heating up. Literally. It's like 84 degrees out. Shorts and tee shirt weather. And a massive viking hat. And Clown shoes. And Leg warmers. You know, the essentials.


If the hook travels through the water facing upwards, how did this pinfish manage this trick? I think he was doing an upside down flyby like Maverick in Top Gun. That's what you get for showing off, Mav.


As usual, I was only focusing my efforts on large trophy fish.


Eco-Boy recovered another great lure from the mangroves. The tide was pretty low...


Got out fishing with my friend Kris at a secret spot.


Gotta love a good hippy shot. This one is pretty freaky. Kick back. Play some Floyd.


It's considered a crime in Sarasota to have a really crappy boat like this one


This is a green topped specklebacked monkeyfish. Not to be confused with the blue or blue-green specklebacked monkeyfish.


If ospreys could talk, this one would probably say, "what choo lookin' at foo?" It just seems like the kind of osprey he'd be.


We were out in the Sarasota kelp beds catching these monsters. Note the natural tar seeps sticking to the boats, too. The people we rented these from were really pleased about that. Real happy to see us.


Snook. That's the whole caption. "Snook." No. Wait.
"Snook, there it is!" (rap music here) That's the caption. That's slightly funnier.


I said all kayaks were the same but I was wrong. This is an Ocean Kayak Drifter and boy did it ever suck. What a tremendous suckstorm. The wettest boat I've ever been in. And it filled up with tar. And it got covered in tar. And it was cold. And aluminium foil doesn't work as a scupper plug. The dolphin was pretty, though.


That's Sarasota Mountain in the background. Nice picture of it.


This dock light is one of the underwater ones and man does it hold the snook. Maybe you can just see them better from beneath. Cast well beyond it and bring the lure thru slowly. No fish can resist that presentation. It must look like a underwater reenactment of Shakespear's King Lear.


These two are my old college roommates. The one in the foreground is completely insane.


Check out this mountain estuary. Sarasota is the most beautiful place in Florida, hands down.


Check out this monster! It's called a smelt and I think this is a pretty big one.


This is one of the best eating fish there is.


This bluefish jumped like 3 feet in the air. It was pretty dark out and I was thinking "Tarpon!" but then I started thinking "bluefish" when I saw it was indeed a bluefish. Nice one though. These really put up a fight.


And a final shot for the hippies. Enjoy my unwashed brethren! Now go get some dental floss n' soap you dang filthy hippy! Jeez.

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

May 29 - Giant Trout - Sea Monsters - Hippy Shots - Night Snook

My buddy Randy from La Jolla was in town for the memorial day weekend and we managed to get in some fishing while he was here. I'd been chanting how much better the fishing is in Florida than in San Diego so the pressure was kind of on to put my friend into some fish or risk looking like a real idiot. We managed to catch a huge variety and number of fish which made me pretty happy. The species count while he was here included redfish, bluefish, snook, trout, ladyfish, lizardfish, mangrove snapper, and the wily sailcat. Randy totally outfished me but when you're guiding it's better to focus on your guest. In fact, some people claim that its HARDER to guide someone to fish than to actually catch fish. This must be the case because god knows I'm a much better fisherman than Randy. Report follows.

How's this trophy trout? The trout fishing was completely off the chain.


We were in fish right from the first cast which was a huge relief considering I'd mentioned how good the fishing would be like 400 times the night before.


You have to give this needlefish points for trying. How are the teeth on these things?


Sadly, at the end of the day, Randy was eaten by a huge lizardfish. That's what happens when you outfish the Hornetbear. Really bad stuff. Remember this at tournaments.


I styled this osprey with a hairdrier to get this shot. Notice how nice and poofy he looks.


I told randy this was a huge snook and to pose for a picture with it. Joke's on you buddy.


Action! Non Stop Action!


Pretty nice flounder! This flounder was lucky I didn't have a cooler or ice wih me. I think if you don't have ice to preserve the fish you're being a real putz by keeping it. keeping a dead fish on a stringer or cooking in the Florida sun is a great way to make them taste like crap. The secret to preserving fish is mix the ice with sea water. This makes a super cooled salt slurry which makes the fish preserve perfectly. Seriously. It's the best way to ice down a fish.


You just never know what you're gonna get out there...


Hippys love sunrises. They also love goofy hats. Therefore they love this photo.


Got out night fishing too. Didn't get anything huge but had some really big blowups. Actually, the night fishing was the toughest of all the  fishing we did. Night fishing is usually a total slam dunk but it was pretty tough going.


Another massive trophy fish for Randy. Well... He though it was.


Lots of mullet under the lights, too. Lights with lots of mullet don't seem to have that many snook.


Tons of bait everywhere but the snook just were not there yet. The tide was the last part of a incoming which just wasn't doing it. I think outgoing is better at night.


That was it for the fishing. I am going to say we pretty much scored. Super steady fishing and lots of variety. Now to dazzle you with some Jacques Costeau style stuff. read on!

the conditions were quite clear in this spot.


You hippys know you're all freaked out over this shot. You love it.


I felt pretty safe even though these were everywhere...


Sawfish! You never see those. What a tremendously skilled diver I am.


Jacks everywhere! What an incredible dive.


Whale Shark! Amazing! This is the dive of a lifetime!


Hey! What the hell are all these people doing standing around 50 feet under water? I've discovered Atlantis!

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

May 8 - Barracuda - Snook - Manatees - Trout

It's been a while since my last report. I've been in beautiful New York and San Diego for most of April. Went fishing in Mission Bay in San Diego and caught a sweet banded bay bass. She was about 13 inches long and freaking vicious. Like a 13 inch sea tiger, she was.

Anyhow, I'm back, and the trout fishing has been just wide open here in Sarasota. I've been using lures that were in goodie bags from tournaments and you know those things never work. I've STILL been able to catch tons of fish... When the free stuff is working you know the fishing is on. The fish have been mostly in about 4 feet of water usually with some mullet hanging out in shallower water nearby. Well. Lets get on with it.

Wow! Shocker. That's a barracuda! I never catch those. This one hit this Mann's Jerkbait about 2 feet away from the kayak. Theyre a strong fish. Some people like to eat these but I find them to be a little slimy and gamey.


A common sight in Sarasota these days.


I read that needlefish get so big in the South Pacific that people get speared by them when they jump out of the water. That would suck. That's why I wear Teflon body armor whenever I'm fishing. And a helmet. And blow a whistle continuously. Safety first!


People often talk about "matching the hatch" when fishing. This is directly counter to the funky chicken lure school of fishing which dictates "anger the fish with non-natural and annoying color." Here, the funky chicken school gets another vote. Or there was a hatch of hot pink and green minnows. I don't know but funky chickens sure work.


Ye ole funky chicken claims another victim.


Yet another trout falls for the ol' pink and green.


One nice thing about the state of Florida being on fire is the pretty sunrises...


Small pods of bait were all over the place. When the wind is calm you can really see what is going on. Also a hippy shot. Twofer!


I got into a HUGE group of manatees. I'd say there were 15 of them cruising around in a huge school of mullet. That's a lot of giant mammals to be next to in a kayak.


A manatee sneeze. They do this a lot. They also fart almost continuously. What you guys eating? Cabbage? Phew!


The heads are so little compared to the massive bodies. I noticed this when I was riding them around the bay like Aqua Man. I love riding manatees. Can't get enough of that.


This one was very good to eat. Ummm. Garlic manatee kabobs. Love em'.



This snook pulled me right into the mangroves with it. I caught it anyhow. You're going to have to do better than that to trick the Hornetbear, Mr. Snook.


This is a root beer colored 5 inch Manns Hardnose claiming a victim.


This is the first tailing redfish I've ever seen in Sarasota. They're really big, I guess.


It's pretty sad how beat up ALL the manatees I've ever seen in the wild are. Look at these prop scars. People need to stop running and gunning the flats and keep their 300hp bass boats in the fricking channel. It's just lame.


Thats it. Fishing is great.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

April 6 - Everglades - Big Redfish - Camping

Ahhh, camping on the beach in the Everglades. The steady pulse of the sea. The ebb and flow of the tide. The sound of a raccoon polishing off a bottle of Captain Morgan's...Nature. Sweet. We left from the shady and cool oyster bar headed out to Picnic Key to camp. We jumped a few tarpon and got a chance to hang out fireside with the Captain (Morgan) and his immediate superior the Admiral (Nelson).

The amazing, self bailing, HMS Terrapin.


Since we were looking for Tarpon and stinkpotting anyhow, elitist artificial lure talk was quickly thrown from the window. We went in search of finger mullet to drift through the passes. I ran the boat and Jamie threw the net from the bow. This was fun until we filled the net with 100 greenbacks which all fit perfectly into the mesh. After beheading all these baits and remarking how good the fishing would be in the massive kill zone we'd just created, we found some perfect mullet. I fired up the engine and we set out in a hunt of the white whale of the gulf coast, the mighty tarpon.

It's important to note the massive scale of this area. It's not a pass or a beach. It's hundreds of passes and sub passes and little micropasses and tons of current wildly pouring in then 5 hours later screaming out of these channels. There aren't that many grass flats or oyster beds just mile after square mile of mangroves and lime green water. You throw a bait or lure out and the feeling is not so much "I'm gonna get you fishy" but "I guess this is what you do out here..."

The wind whipped and the current marched gulfward. We fished, hard, In the saharan sun.The mullet struggled perfectly off the stern. We did this for the better part of an hour. I started in on a 7 minute rant about how mind numbingly boring tarpon fishing was aboard the HMS Terrapin. Suddenly, in karmic retribution for my bitching, Jamie's drag on his massive narwhal rod and reel setup started to scream and a serious tarpon did a half pike 50 yards off the stern. About 95 pounds of fish was going crazy in the pass and I found myself skeptically glancing towards my gear. Jamie was getting all "Ahab" as he laughed maniacally and stood in the calf deep water breaking over the stern. The fish continued its run, jumped again and finally landed on the garden hose Jamie was using for a leader, breaking like a twig. I was shocked and the whole scene was a little surreal. Tarpon jumped and rolled sporadically around the boat. Those were some big fish. I apologize for not having photos but, well, we only jumped tarpon and they craftily evaded a photo session. It was all pretty awesome.

Here, you are known as BAIT.


Good looking redfish there.


After a tremendous day of tarpon fishing Jamie reintroduces himself to the Admiral.


That evening, we rigged up the narwhal rod and soaked the remaining bait. We didn't have any wire leader and we broke quite a few off that were probably sharks. We caught some catfish which were then hooked up and thrown right back out. The night fishing was actually much more eventful than the day fishing and its pretty hysterical to sit around the fire until the the rod starts freaking out and screaming in the night. It was really cool. We eventually ran out of bait and in a display of true bait chucker resourcefulness caught a big sailcat on a chicken wing. It was sweet. Then we chucked THAT unlucky bugger back out and went back to swilling fireside. Good times.

Fly fishermen and their ilk may want to avert their eyes. Yep. I said a chicken wing. Raw. Not a problem. This is how we're doing it.


Things got a little foggy after that. There was discussion of an early morning assault on the tarpon and a more rambling discussion of how awesome we are at fishing. We also talked about the anchoring of the boat and how well planned out it was. The waves lapped the shore. There were no bugs to speak of. Nice.

The sun rose to a clear and windless morning. There was a falling tide and a 1750 lb. boat basically giving us the finger from dry land on the high tide line. Evidently the anchoring was NOT that well planned out. Jamie mentioned that there was no way this could have been avoided since the admiral AND the captain had made such a strong showing at the fire the night prior. We busted out the chairs and started watching the tide rise for the next 5 hours or so. The tarpon really lucked out this time.

Oh wait. It's supposed to be IN the water. That's the problem.


We were able to get back on the water by 11:30 and headed back to town and homeward.

Back in Sarasota, sportfishing capitol of the world.


ACTION! So much more fun than boring old tarpon fishing.


There have been tons of redfish around lately.


Hippy shot alert. Hippy shot alert. Grab your wind chimes, seashell necklaces and bongos.


Ok. I have officially won the smallest fish caught on hook and line contest. Nobody can touch this.


Hmmmm. Perhaps a boating safety course is in his foreseeable future.


I tipped the lure with the world's smallest hook and line fish and caught this beauty on the next cast. 29"


Thats it! Thanks to Jamie and Stacy for inviting me along on their Everglades trip.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

March 26, 2007 - Red - Snook - Trout - Howling East Winds

You know what would be awesome? Three weeks of steady 18 knot winds with no rain and no end in sight. That'd be really, really terrific from a fishing standpoint. Oh wait! Great news! there HAS been 3 weeks of wind and more in the forecast! Sweet! I hope you sailboat owners are enjoying this because I'm a little sick of it. They say March is the windiest month of the year in Florida and they appear to be 100% on target with that statement.

The fishing has been good and the nature photography has been swell too. The high pressure and whipping winds make for lots of cloudless skies (which all look kind of the same) but taking a camera out at sunset is basically a can't lose proposition for nice photos. Everything is better at sunset. Sunsets make fat people look tan and skinny. Small fish look bigger. Even a Yugo looks kinda nice at sunset. If you can't take nice pictures it's because you're not taking them at sunset. With that said, lets get on with this blustery fishing report.

Staying in the mangroves is a pleasant alternative to being beaten up in the ongoing maelstrom in the bay. I caught several jacks right in this very spot.


Once again, I have gotten the paddle into crystal clear focus but the actual subject of the photo is all whacked out. Nice one, Ansel.


The little black dots along the nose and face of the common snook are called meyopores and allow the snook to communicate with its kind and sense motion and mass in the water column around it. Just kidding. I don't know what the hell those things do.


Someday when you're older, like 6 or 7, you will start an Ebay store and support your old man.


This is the earmark of a truly great nature photographer. Note how I have quietly snuck up on the legendarily skittish great horned owl and captured this amazing photo. Lesser photographers will need a lot of patience and practice before they start achieving this kind of National Geographic quality result.


See? Sunset photo. Can't fail. You'd have to be a soulless monster or power drunk forum moderator to not like one of these.


Action! Dangerously close to that mangrove too!


Ye olde redfish hole produces another sweet fish.


It's funny that an animal that freaks and jumps all over the place when you catch it chooses to just hang out on your thumb until you shake it off. Perhaps, when snook are young, their mothers don't give them enough attention which makes them thumbsuckers. (Insert drum and cymbal sound HERE)


Ha! That channel marker has on a funny little party hat. I bet the other markers hate it when he goes to the cocktail parties...


Ok hippy, here you go. Show your girlfriend too. Now tell your dolphin story. Good.


It's blurry but its pretty cool.


I don't keep many fish but this one was gut hooked so badly that I decided to bring him home. I hate to waste them and trout are some of the best eating.


This is sweet snook/sunset/kayak fishing shot. Kind of sums it all up I think.


Thats it. Fishing remains steady. Enjoy the breeze!
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Last edited by Hornetbear on Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:29 pm; edited 1 time in total

March 13 - Trouts - Red - Nature Shots out the Wazoo

Phew. the fishing has been a little tough in the greater Sarasota metro. Caught a bunch of trout, ladyfish and some other fish but it hasn't been the wide open free-for-all that I experienced the last few months. Ironically when the fishing is not that good the photography gets really good. There's something about not catching hundreds of fish that really makes you look for nice photos. Ying and yang, i guess. Anyhow I have some nice looking artsy shots and enough fishing shots to keep it somewhat about the fishing.

I find myself really looking for new kinds of fishing shots. Underwater. In action. etc. Thats where its at. keeping it fresh. I like to document the fish caught but leaving them in the water is probably more interesting, long term. Thankfully, a hippy shot will never go out of style. Shoot, at the end of the day most people like the hippy shots BETTER than the fishing shots. What a crazy world. Who thought people like sunsets better than a picture of a 14 inch trout. Weird. Well, here's the report

I consider Little Sarasota Bay to be sort of a Walden Pond with million dollar homes, power boats and jet skis.


Yow. Not even a bird or plant in that thing. Totally abstract weirdness.


I was fishing when the world started to melt. It was freaky. Fortunately I had my fishing ruler and took some measurements and got everything back to normal.


Better throw some fish pictures in... This is the wily sea trout putting up a fight.


I'm starting to realize that fishing isn't really about fish. It's about the experience. Fish are just a small part of the overall package.


Had to get the ruler out again for this one.


I like the upside down bird reflection in this photo. I also like ice cream and Snoop Dogg records. Snoop rocks.


I'm sure you're thinking, where are the fish? Well it's my post and I'll show a fish when I'm good and ready. Now, just sit back and enjoy this cormorant.


Now, enjoy this cormorant... again.


Ok. Ok. It's supposed to be about fishing. Here's another fish.


Umm. Well. There might be some really small minnow type fish in the water under this bird.


I call this picture "stick"


Gamefish! Pretty color on this one as well.


Don't Forget: Limit you catch. Wear sunscreen. Don't be a complete tool. Pick up trash.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

March 1, 2007 - Nice Snook - Pompano - Reds - Trout

Finally found a canoe for the family to cruise around in. Thanks to Noles for making me a smoking deal. It's a 16 ft. Mad River kevlar and weighs much less than my kayak. He also hooked me up with the bent handled bending branches paddles and a seat. Thanks again dude. We had friends in town this weekend and we really got to use the canoe as a fishing machine. The fishing, while not electric red hot has been steady. The cold winds have driven the fish up near shore and we've been catching nice fish in canals and shallow shorelines. Check it out!

This is a classic family fishing shot.


Hippys, you're going to love this canal. Its real pretty.


The cold weather makes the water so clear. It's much harder to catch fish when its this crystal clear. They see everything.


Caught some of these sunning themselves on a shallow bank.


The wily Jack Crevalle made a cameo.


This is yours truly with the elusive pompano!


Attention FL hippies - nature shot and potential idea for a nice big tattoo - I think you should go for it, nature boy.


Best empty seawall picture ever.


That kid was born to angle and surf professionally and be a major investment banker. No pressure though.


I get the feeling this crab trap has been here a long, long time.


Trout fishing remains sick.


My buddy Kris, through some miracle of my guiding expertise, managed a snook in the slot with two two year olds in the boat. Amazing.

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

February 14 - Snook - Reds - Tons of Trout

Hola amigos. The fishing is great. I was in Washington DC, our capitol, where the fishing totally sucked.  I'm back and it's real nice again.

I've been getting out and enjoying some darn steady action. Trout, snook and even the elusive Sarasota redfish have made an appearance. The snook are in the canals and trout are in the deep potholes and redfish are kinda in-between those two places...

Anyhoooo... all I use is jerkbaits on a 1/8 leadhead. Spoon? Nope. Topwater? Nah. Texas rig, doa shrimp, live kitten? No, no, no. I've been just going with what works and its been killing it.

Just put a dab of peanut butter on your thumb to catch snook.


Ahh. The beautiful sea trout. These little guys are thick right now.


You catchy the reeedfeeesh then you don't. They are a wily breed.


This, friends, is a massive trophy lizardfish.



Small redfish are all over the bay these days.


This is the first pinfish I've caught in the last 2 years. Amazing. When I was growing up this is what I exclusively fished for.


Funky winter weather makes the clouds do this... Totally different than the thunderstorms of summer...


Catching fish from the dock rules. It's the minimalist in me. I call this photo "hobie, cat".


I think it's a little crazy to not touch the fish at all. Grab em' carefully but with authority. Get the hook out. release.
I love the XTOOLS unhooker. It's like a endoscopic surgery instrument for deep hooked fish.


The best hippy shots occur at sunset. Even a mostly cloudy one will fire up those crazy mothers...


When the fishing is really good you can catch em' on a bare jig.


Ahh. Canal fishin'. The fall leaves. The avian life. The grocery bags and plastic chairs caught in the trees.


Hornetbear's Anglin' Gear Corner: This little anchor is the best. It holds in all but a freakin' gale and you can knock it over the side with your elbow when you catch a fish drifting. I love it.


Hornetbear's Rigging Info: You cannot have a soft bait that spins around in the water. Make sure you drag it through the water at a good speed and watch the action of the lure. You want it to stand or wobble slightly when retrieved. If it's hooked badly it spins and just doesn't look like a fish swimming in the water column. Don't let your bait spin through the water. Fish like a natural presentation.


Fishing remains steady.

Note to Anglers Everywhere:
It's a fine line between knowledgeable fisherman and know it all jerk. Do the right thing. Be cool. Teach by example. Make friends.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

January 21, 2007 - Underwater Sea Trout Photos

The fishing remains quite strong around here. I have been fishing on bad tides, during howling winds and the fish have been everywhere, almost exclusively spotted trout.

All the top secret spots have been brimming with sea life.


as you can see, I've been mostly fly fishing with surface poppers.


Penn Reel Tribute Shot -- I guess these reels have been sold to Shakespeare -- I love the simplicity of these reels.


Hippy, bask in the tripped out glow of this shot...


You can see why fish flip around so much. Hunter S. Thompson fish eye view.


It's really hard to get a focused underwater shot.


Been fishing my buddy's Hobie kayak lately from his place. I think the boat is 12 feel long and has a very flat deck and low profile compared to my Tarpon 14. I like the handles that are built right into the kayak.


Trippy man.


One of those hippy/meat fisherman crossover shots.

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Jan 2, 2007 - Holiday Report - Big Trouts - Snook - Reds

If you have a dial up connection go and get some coffee now... and maybe a donut... and maybe read "War and Peace".

However, if you have a fast connection get ready for some pictures!

YO! Hippys! You're going to be pretty fired up on this report. There was a crapload of nature out there looking all beautiful and stuff...


Hmmmm. Perhaps a larger bait would be in order... The Barracuda were out there and they were pissed. I'd say a six footer hit this guy in about 18" of water. Yipes.


Look at the action on the surface! Call the discovery channel people!


Note teeth marks on this ladyfish. Lets go swimming! Fun!


Mr. Ladyfish, I suggest you swim as quickly as you can away from here. Really. I mean it. This is no place for a ladyfish today.


Hippy shot? Fishing Shot? Only the ladyfish knows for sure...


Hmmm. Does anyone smell incense?


It's peaceful on top of the water. Underneath its a totally different story.


Nature shot? A fishing shot? An abstract artsy shot? Or just the tail of another stupid trout?


No question here. This is a flag burnin' flashbackin' bare footed hacky sack kickin' tree huggin' hippy shot if I ever saw one.


There are so many trout and redfish around here right now.


These pelicans are huge. Why, just one fed my whole family for 2 weeks.


This photo probably makes you feel moody, pensive and yet strangely free. Or, it may make you feel like covering your french fries with your jacket. It just depends.


Hows the cormorant hovering in the background? What a lousy day this redfish is having. I hope my singing cheered him up.


This is not a good place to fish. No fish here. keep moving. next stop Ft. Meyers.


Sweet. Ansel Adams would totally dig this shot.


I call this shot "trout #74" for obvious reasons.


I call this shot "bob the 6 fingered monkeyfish" for less obvious reasons.


This was a 26" snook. I caught this fish 3 times and landed him the 3rd time. Same dock. Same bait. I'm almost sure of it.


This is how easy the fishing is here. You just reach in and grab them.


This fish exploded. It was pretty wierd.


Sweet hippy shot here. Even though this bird would claw your hippy eyes out given half a chance. Ospreys hate hippys.


Redfish and docks. Two great things that go great together.


This sweet trout measured 27". The big trout have been all over the place this winter.


Phew! That's it! The fishing has been just stupid lately. Get out there! Happy New Year!
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Dec 10, 2006 - Big Trout - Redfish - Wide Open Fishing

Fishing is amazing right now. Plain old awesome.

There has been just wide open trout, redfish, jacks, etc. Basically everything but the wily snook has made an appearance lately. Windy? Cold? Who cares!

I'm even getting a little paranoid about the backgrounds of my pictures because the fishing has been so hot. Is everyone catching fish like crazy?

Anyhoo, here's some pictures to check out. Enjoy!

Sweet trout pulled from the fishin' hole.


26" trout which is a little too big for the camera!


Strangely, Fish and Game did not come by. They were definitely checking boats...


This ladyfish is probably not having a great day based on present company...


Tons of redfish schooling...


Tons of trout.


Run for it! That cormorant is coming...


Jacks were up on the oyster beds.


Another sweet redfish.

_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Dec 2 2006 - Reds - Snuke - Trout - Night Shots - Hippy Shots

Greetings anglers of the Atlantic, Gulf and some hangers-on from the Pacific! I am thoroughly bummed to report that some of the finest pictures I've ever taken in my favorite month (October) I ran over with the lawnmower. That's right. The camera was waterproof but was NOT lawnmowerproof. I will definitely seek out that feature in my next camera. I had thrown the camera up into the grass after a late night of dock light fishing and I atomized it the next morning. There were some hippy shots on that thing which would've made Jerry Garcia tear up. But, alas, that's how it goes.

I can now report my new camera purchase is the new Pentax OPTIO W20. It's 7 mind warping megapixels and I got 2 batteries for extended trips into the everglades or outer space or whatever. The grand total with a 1 GIG memory card was $320.00  -- I did not buy the warranty because my experience with the OLD Optio was so good and the camera itself had improved so much in 1 year that I felt that the warranty didn't equate to the improvements in the camera and it's resolution. If it breaks I'm screwed. That's the devil may care kind of person I am.

The pictures I had included these highlights:

1. HUGE jacks under a dock light. The jacks had pulled me so close to the light that the photo was a illuminated with the light from the dock light instead of the flash. It was some Ansel Adams photography I was layin' down.

2. Big Ol' SLOT snooks. Really. Lots.

3. Snook everywhere. Just plain old everywhere.

4. Snappers, lizardfish, hippy scenery aplenty and other aquatic bric-a-brac.

5. The Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot and Paris Hilton totally sober watching CNN at 2 in the morning. It was HOT!

Oh Well.

This brings me to the belated November installment of the report. I have been travelling all over the place which has, annoyingly, cut into my fishing. Las Vegas has no fish except at the Mandalay and the Mirage and there is no access there to speak of. I heard about an easement but security is quite tough there... I finally managed to get out a few days and shoot enough pictures to make a decent report. The weather has been cold and windy but the fishing has been strangely awesome. When the air temp gets under 70 I usually assume a total skunking but, amazingly, the fishing was really good. The howling winds, wildly low tides and freezing temperatures really piled up the fish into deep channels. The wind also creates a pretty predictable current which, if you're all zen tuned in, you can pretty much ESP the exact location of the fish. Lets get on with it.

This is a 20 inch trout. I was fishing next to some guide with some clients who were getting skunked. He was all tucked out of the current and just not where the fish were. So I staked my kayak out and started fan casting like a psychopath to mark my terrain. I was catching tons of redfish and trout right here. Nothing huge but steady action...


This is a release shot. These are good for several reasons. 1. It means you actually released the fish an didn't kill it during a 30 minute photo shoot. 2. You can't show the same fish over and over being released. You basically know this is the only shot like it. 3. You just never know what you're going to get. Sometimes a artsy underwater shot. sometimes just your hand. Unpredictable! Adventure!


One thing a photo does a pretty bad job of doing is showing how cold and windy it is. Suffice it to say it was quite cold and windy.


Night fishing is just so easy. You just cruise over to the light and get to catching. I can catch fish in an hour and be back by 9:30. Sweet.


Kind of a hitchcockian hippy shot right here. Sometimes you take a photo that's a little disquieting to the typical hippy. That's the breaks, dirty hippy. Live with it. It's not all sunshine and moonbeams out there.


Caught tons of small to mid sized redfish. Schools of them would chase the unlucky winner to the boat. Really. I couldn't buy a redfish this time last year. What a difference a year makes. I bet in 2 more years ther'll be tons of nice fish hanging out in Sarasota.


Note the oysters beneath this here redfish. Right after this I cut my thumb wide open on an oyster I caught. I pulled it in like you do when you catch the wily shellfish. I was briefly excited, then denial, anger, and finally acceptance. I grabbed it like a real dummy and started bleeding copiously. You should have seen the blood. Final destination III blood. Video game blood. I tried to keep fishing but it was just too gnarly.  I was all casual in grabbing it and I swear it was razor sharp. I don't carry much in the way of first aid (read: none) with me and I was a little concerned to tell the truth. So I applied some pressure a gingerly paddled back to shore.


We debated the virtues of polarized amber glasses for awhile then Mr. Redfish mentioned that he was choking to death so I let him go. But I still think amber is the best color. I don't care what that stupid redfish said.


Tons of these. Man, I wish you could see the pictures I lost. Imagine this fish but part dinosaur, part cougar and part rabid ferret... that's a jackcougferrasaur! very dangerous... Borat like...


HIPPY! Up and atem! That's a blurry feeding osprey shot!


Dock light trout. Simple. Beautiful. Like a haiku.


Is this a mangrove snapper? It looks a little different? If there's a snapperologist out there please reply...


I've switched to light Penn gear for all my anglin' needs. This picture captures all the fishing gear I use except for a 25lb bag of fertilizer and a stun gun and a thermos and a big dip net and a 3wt fly rod spooled with phone cord. that is all I need. really.


This is a picture of my beautiful leg. Too bad that small snook got in the way. Otherwise, I bet Tyra from Americas Next Top Model would send me an email. You know she's on all these fishing forums. She's into legs... She's just too busy to post. Tyra! I know you're reading this. It's Steve! Text me...


And that friends is it except one final aside...

My website http://www.hornetbear.com is getting ready to expand it's boundaries. As you may or may not know traditional fishing forums discard your wildly valuable fishing reports. Seriously. I know. that's crazy talk but it's TRUE! So, if you're into it I would like to archive all the good fishing reports (cubs, prowler13, Minnow, DaveR, Monkey, Slowride, Slingshot, Texas Anglers, Anyone who is funny, ET AL!) I'd like to have a rough location, season and other info to store the photos. I  prefer funny reports but if you're humorously challenged, I understand. Big fish are awesome. As are super hot chicks, hippy shots and people sinking their boats at the ramp. I want to store, with permission, great reports. It's the coolest thing about fishing forums (except arguing over idiotic ethics, politics, and bait preference which is really cool and super smart) Please PM me or email me at steveschadt@gmail.com. brothers and sisters, fish on.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

AUG 4 AND 5 - DOCKLIGHTS - SNOOK - REDFISH

I finally got out to do a little night fishing. I left at sunset and at about an hour after dark, the sealife was unbelievable. Big shrimp were everywhere being chased airborne by ladyfish and snook. Amazingly, I had a shrimp jump into the kayak with me. Bait and mullet were all over the place getting pulverized.

Suffice it to say, the fishing was pretty good.


I started out in the middle of the bay fishing along a long oyster bar. This proved to be good only for ladyfish. The sunset was spectacular and the forecast rain had held off.

Hippies and meat fishermen alike will be pleased with this nature filled report


Moon Rise & sunset


Ladyfish and moon.


Caught a fish right here.


Sweet.


The size of the shrimp that were jumping all around…


I rigged the shrimp up on the jig I was using and caught this…


Hows this picture of a snook crushing a shrimp?


I caught a redfish and a bluefish after that. The snook really weren’t interested in the lures and that ladyfish got the shrimp. Had a few fish release next to the boat. I should’ve brought a dip net for the shrimp.

There were probably 15 snook hanging around.


Look at all the bait…


You know you love it.

Dock lights really draw fish in. I also find that the places with dock lights that are on at night tend to be good fishing during the day as well.

--- ADDENDUM --- THE NEXT EVENING ---

I had a little time to fish and I had to roll up right on the same spot. I had cased it pretty well the night before and I quietly slid up to the light. I really don't think those fish had any idea I was there.

I threw a gulp grub and got nothing. I slipped away pretty bummed. I fished some other lights holding fish and had a few shakeoffs. They might have been oysters... Anyhow, I came back to the light and threw a mirrolure and got a WAY better reaction. It was a suspending one and I watched it come through the light. I was fishing it pretty slow and finally was able to get something going!

Yes! This rules.


Mirrorlure glass minnow. The new one. Outperformed Gulps radically tonight.


I think the biggest difference tonight was stealth. Once you spook them, it doesn't matter what you throw. I was quiet and the wind was offshore, which pushes you away from the fish not into them. On the way back I was paddling over a shallow flat and, just to show how active the bay is right now, a mullet jumps into the kayak with me. Amazing.

Thats 2 suicide attempts! A shrimp (who actually succeeded) and this mullet trying to get into the smoker!


The hard bait really worked tonight. I almost didnt even try to use it. You never know.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Last edited by Hornetbear on Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

JULY 25 - TROUT - SNOOK - SNAPPER - STORMS

One really nice thing about bad weather is the spectacular show that surrounds it. Sunrises are red. Thunderheads turn the sky purple and black. Sunsets are gold. It’s unfortunate that you get electrocuted in lightning storms because up until that they’re kind of nice. The fish seem to really like weather too. You always seem to catch fish and play better golf around storms. That’s how it is. The fishing has been OK and the report follows.

Hey Moonflower! Put down your tambourine and get ready for some hippy shots!


That’s an osprey on the mast of the sailboat.


Your Indian name shall be “Setting Moon, the Trout.”


HeeeeeY! No poopin’ on the boat, pal.


Another SWEET looking catfish.


Later that day I planted some basil in this fish.


I think catching lots of different species of fish is really cool. You never know what you’re going to get. Well. You know you won’t catch a salmon....


Its been awhile since I’ve caught a snook in the mangroves.


Hmmmm. Maybe I should’ve set the hook a little sooner…


I braved the rain for this photo. Hope you like it.


Cormorants have an awesome lifestyle.


Anybody know how to eat sea grapes? I know you don’t eat them right off the tree…


Your Indian name shall be “Thunderhead Pinkyflip, the Snook”


Dude. That’s pretty tripped out.


Woah. Artsy. That’s a good one for the calendar.


I’m not sure these birds have any idea where to fish. This one was clearly grasping at straws and following me around.


Hippy, avert your eyes. I brought home some trout for dinner.


Final abstract hippy shot for you.


That’s that. A nice colorful report.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

JULY 4 REPORT - TROUT - BAIT - OPTICS - FISHING LITERATURE

Is it hot enough for you? Maybe throw on a sweater or a ski cap. That’ll definitely do it. However, fish really, really seem to like the sweltering saharan heat of the Florida summer. I’ve been catching fish at all sorts of weird times of day in the hot, hot, hot sun. Tide, wind and time non-withstanding, when you find the fish they’re there in spades. I haven’t really seen them under the mangroves or on the shallow flats; at least during the day. I think the really shallow water just heats up too much and it can’t hold any oxygen. Get into about 5 feet of water though and theres fish everywhere. It’s a free for all. Bait. Pinfish. Grunts. Clownfish. Penguins. Say goodbye to the tails of your lures because, well, theyre not gonna be there long. I’ve been reeling so fast I didn’t think anything could catch up except maybe a cheetah or a perigrine falcon. Trout, snapper and ladyfish have been rediculously, stupidly abundant. I straightened a hook on what was probably the biggest redfish in the world. Thing was probably 13 feet long and I think it had some kind of bionic laser jaw. Too bad I didn’t catch it cause’ that’d have been one sweet picture what with the world record redfish and the bionic parts and all... Life can be cruel that way. Report follows.

So… We’ll start off this report with a example of just how much bait is in the water.


It’s amazing you can even catch anything on a lure. I think sometimes they eat lures just because it’s different. Like ordering chicken at a steakhouse…


“Hey! Lets all go left for awhile! Then, we can go right. Then we’ll get eaten. Sound like a plan?”


Rainbow! You know you love it, Mr. Hippy. Take it in. Take it all in. Now go wash your feet.


This is really pretty right up until you get electrocuted. Sometimes, sitting in the middle of a giant bay with a 7 foot rod in your hand seems pretty darn stupid…


Trout are all over the place just itching to get caught. Theyre one of the best fish to eat. Waaaaaay better than a gamey ol’ redfish.


Everybody was enjoying the glass minnows.


Now this is a good fish to eat. I’ve been keping lots of fish lately for the smoker. Everything tastes good when its smoked. Sorry hippies. Fish have died.

   
This is my ultralight carbon fibre paddle I won in a tournament. I’m not that big a fan of ultralight paddles. Apologies to Bending Branches. I like the hat! Everybody who paddles boats says “oh I love that light paddle!” my experience has been that in a wind they blow all over the place. Theyre too light and are always trying to take wing. I kind of miss my unbreakable plastic Hobie paddle that stayed put. I don’t even think it’s that big a difference in terms of exertion. I mean that pulling the blade through water is the hard part… so what if it weighs 22 ounces or 48 ounces… I kind of like the heavy ones.


Everybody loves glass minnows. It must really suck at the bottom of the food chain…


So, I finally got really, really nice polarized glasses. Polarized glasses make a huge difference, epsecially when the sun is high in the sky. I got HABER sunglasses which are amazing. Theyre glass optics and coated on both sides. I like them better than Costas. They really change the way the flats look. I can see the contours of the flats now and sight fishing is totally different. It turns out there are LOTS of fish in the shallow water, Who knew?!  I’ve owned lots of polarized glasses and these are the best. Conversely, I just had a pair of Bill Dance polarized glasses and those mothers reeeeealllly suck. It’s like Bill Dance isn’t trying to put me on the fish like he said, and might be just trying to make a buck. Bill! Why you gotta play me like that? Polycarbonate polarized lenses just basically and completely suck. You might as well just look through shot glasses. Shoot. Go ahead and drink the shots first. But you gotta love that Bill Dance Fishing Bloopers video he does. That’s pretty funny so it’s ok to sell cheap sunglasses with your name on it. Why, I’d sell Hornetbear glasses and say they had x-ray polarization and shot lasers and made you smarter. So, I can hardly blame Bill. He’s pretty funny. But his glasses suck. Hard.

Wow! These really do work! Look at that definition of the flats and the oyster beds! I’m just a catfish but these are far and away the best polarized glasses I’ve ever worn. Now could you please return me to the water you sadistic monster?


Oh yeah... Pancho the catfish was right about these things. They really are the finest optics money can buy. Well I’m off to the smoker! See you on a Ritz cracker!


I love ladyfish. They’re beautiful and so fun to catch. Also fun to chop into bait! There are beautiful colors in this photo…


Textbook hippy shot.


RoboRedfish did this to my jig. Before you start with the “cheap jigs” line of discussion know this jig had caught literally hundreds of fish and had been bent back into shape a few times. My fault. Good gear is a good idea although really good gear never catches anything. It’s a fine line…


This is another aside and it’s a literary one. There is a rich and diverse history of writing devoted to fishing. Hemmingway. Steinbeck. Twain. There are many, many great writers that found parallels betwixt fishing and life. It’s all just a metaphor, really. With this in mind, have you guys ever seen the fly fishing blogs out there? I really, really wish I was into fly fishing because from a literary standpoint it’s heads and tails over spinning tackle. However it is critical to note that most of the heavily focused fly fishing prose is completely consumed with FRESHWATER fly fishing, where it really does present an advantage. Matching the hatch. Presenting a 1 milligram lure 50 feet away. Why, if  I lived next to a river in Montana I’d fly fish my brains out! These guys also argue like school girls over the ethics of catching a 6 inch brook trout! I said a 6 inch brook trout! It’s amazing but kind of compelling. The people who write the blogs are facinating and the writing is good and the fishing is pretty cool too. You need to check this out. It’s another world.

http://www.tatteredfly.com
http://www.troutunderground.com
http://moldychum.typepad.com/moldy_chum/
http://fishingjones.blogspot.com/

If I was flyfishing in Montana this would be a really big deal because it’s a spotted saltwater sea trout.


An intercostal runs through it. By H. Bear.


Sublime. Sublime. Sublime. Its an amazing ride, Hippies!


That’s it! Fin.
_________________
http://www.hornetbear.com
“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
- Jack Handy

Last edited by Hornetbear on Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:47 am; edited 1 time in total

JUNE 14 – SLAMS – SUNRISES – STINKPOTS – SAILCATS – STORMS

Greetings fellow fishermen! Fishing has been good this last week with the possible exception of the tropical storm that blew over the palm tree in my front yard and dumped 4 inches of rain and fertilizer into my fishing spots. I do, however, believe that fresh water infusion will eventually really help the fishing. The water just gets too clear inshore when there’s no rain. Also, brackish water is what the inshore fish of SW Florida really dig. So, the fishing is going to turn on in a big way, If the wind ever stops howling. Report forthcoming.

To preface this report, is spans a couple days though I plan to describe it like it all happened in like 90 minutes which makes me look like a really gifted fisherman. Read on friends.

Tropical storms make for some nice sunrises...


Surface action aplenty.


The Angriest Fish In The World!


You really shouldn’t ever stake a kayak out and walk away. No matter what when you get back it’s always just barely hanging in there. I almost set my kayak free to roam across Tampa Bay in a 20 knot wind one time. 5 Miles from the launch. Mucho stupido. It does make a rather peaceful picture though. Right up until it drifts away…


Ha! That’s a great Groucho Marx impression! You’re one funny redfish. You have amused me so I shall let you live.


Now THAT is a freaking catfish! Look at the size of that mother. Also I’m teaching “Catfish Handling 101” at the community college.


This is a sweet, top secret fishing hole. Just walk in bare feet down the sidewalk, catching snook. Simple.