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
_Trout
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
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
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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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
AUGUST 27 – JACKS – SNAPPERS – TROUT – SNOOK – FISH APLENTY
Have been fishing in the early morning and late evening and it’s been pretty darn good. As long as you avoid getting electrocuted by the massive thunderstorms there’s a grip of fish out there. I’ve tuned into some hot spots and have caught a whole array of sea life. I even caught a black drum which I’d never even seen in my local waters prior to this encounter. From dock lights to aimless drifting, once you tune into where the fish are it’s non stop catching. Report forthcoming.
This is not actually a harbor in Maine like it says…In fact, it’s now a big pile of rubble in Sarasota…
They wily black drum. I’d never caught one of these before and was happy to add him to the species list. Now all I need is a whale shark, monkfish and a coelacanth and I can retire from fishing and move on to big game hunting in Africa. This probably will happen in September. That’s when the coelacanths are in the intercoastal…
The elusive Sarasota catfish. A rare and cagey breed highly desired by sportsmen around the globe. I bet you guys in Alaska are dying to come down here and catch some of these beauties. Beware! Their poison spines are second only to their laser vision and spitting venom in terms of anglin’ danger! Truly a fine catch. Accolades to me.
There are SO many trout around right now. They’re everywhere and up to about 18 inches.
Mangrove snappers are the finest eating fish in the sea, besides pompano and steak.
This lure really produced. It doesn’t have much “wiggle” but everything was chewing these up. I had to bite the top off to get the jig to sit in there properly which is pretty nasty but, hey, I’m fishing and therefore things that are normally unacceptably gross are suddenly ok. Like throwing a cast net full of 3 week old greenbacks. Like reaching your hand into a hot bag of gulps. Like running ladyfish slime through your hair and laughing like you’re insane and talking to the fish and… You DON’T do that? Oh. Ok. My bad. Anyhow…biting the tip off really does work.
I’m not sure why this heron was standing on one leg. Maybe he had worked out earlier and was sore. Perhaps some hippies can shed some light on this behavior… He stood there for quite awhile. Fricking goofball heron…
This heron is behaving in a more traditional manner. I really like this shot because its so peaceful. What you can’t see in this picture is the loud fart I’m about to crack. HA! Take that nature boy!
This is primo snook habitat! I’ve caught some really nice fish here.
Wide open jack fishing right now. The lure can barely touch the water before getting exploded on. That is a really fun kind of fishing. Jacks drag you all around the bay. I was fishing in front of a house throwing a cocktail party and you could tell that all the dudes were dying to get out there. It’s my favorite kind of fishing.
Jack at sunset. I was using the strike king jerkbaits in ivory. Those are the ultimate lures for catching tons of fish because they are indestructable. They never snap or lose a tail, they just get kind of fuzzy, which the fish really seem to like. I also think white is the best color, period, end of story, for all conditions. High visability but still looks like a fish, not some chernobyl refugee.
You can see the magic lure hanging out here
This is when the fishing gets really good. This is also about 25 minutes before they alert your next of kin how good the fishing must’ve been.
This is primo jack fishing, right here… Hippies also will have something to keep them busy. Everybody wins here.
Are you serious? This is one lucky fish.
So, this story needs to be told. I’m coming back after sunset and catching fish everywhere. I’m catching short snook after snook under the docklights and finally I get to the best docklight in history. I lightly cast out and finally hook a serious gill rattling big snook. We tussle and the hook pulls next to the boat. The lure flies by my ear and completely wraps itself around the other pole, and I mean completely. I’m having the best snook fishing in months and I’ve managed to incapaciate not one rod but both that I’d brought. I seriously had to cut both lines and start over. After I’d stopped crying and pouting I managed to catch a few more fish but the magic had passed. That’s how it’s done. You don’t want to catch em’ all. Conservation minded anglers know it’s important to tangle all your gear into a tight ball right when the fishing gets really good.
Ladyfish were running through the lights too. This is a pretty big ladyfish…
Here’s a snook. These were all over the place after sunset. I had to stay FAR out from the lights to avoid spooking them. It’s easy to ruin a good light by getting too close.
A final hippy shot for you, starbeam! Now go wash your feet. I mean it.
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“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
