05-23-2011, 05:00 PM
Missed out on Saturday's fair weather, so made certain to hit the marsh for a while Sunday.
After a promisingly sunny morning, I arrived before noon as the skies darkened and the wind had picked up. Watched a pair of canoes skedaddle off the water (sensibly) as I prepped for launch (not so sensibly).
Just as I pushed off the drops started. Decided I'd best reload the boat, and see if it blows over. Fished from shore for a while shielded from the pelting rain by a tree. Not a titch. Cold, wet, wind - drove me home.
Of course a few hours later things had picked up. Sky cracked open a few clouds, and the sun came back to play. So - grabbed the cooler, and went for it again. It was probably 4:30 when I headed out. A few scattered clouds came to play, but the water was glass (after the earlier white-caps! Nice change). Dragged over to one of my spots, and it was quickly on. Bobbers disappearing, rod tips bouncing as line strips out.
Got a hookset into a lump. Determined not the be the "Fisherman who breaks lines" - I played the drag. Let him run, and he did - around the boat, changing directions, tried to keep him from going under. Spooked by the net - worked it till I got 'em landed! Was trying to get a second line in, as I got the hook out. Nice - right in the corner of the lip. Smile pretty - kiss-ably slimy! 22 inches and 5 pounds of chubby kitty.
Then another rod goes, and the game's on again. Smaller cat, but big fight! Had a number of pop-drops and missed a few takes, but my knots held! Plus after thumping and bumping around with some snags, I think I spooked out the spot. As it was getting onto dark, started heading back - pitched some reeds, but still can't get the crappie or bass to play ball.
After loading up - I'd put a rod in a holder while I packed. It was bobbing. Got to toying around with some mud-bellies. As the marsh birds sang and squawked, and the frog chorus was in full ruckus - I just sat and pulled in probably 20 of them mudders in the next hour. Nothing of size (4-8inchers), but fun hooksets. Hoping to meet up with that one last channel passing by, or the stray Walleye, alas. Fun tugs all the same.
After a promisingly sunny morning, I arrived before noon as the skies darkened and the wind had picked up. Watched a pair of canoes skedaddle off the water (sensibly) as I prepped for launch (not so sensibly).
Just as I pushed off the drops started. Decided I'd best reload the boat, and see if it blows over. Fished from shore for a while shielded from the pelting rain by a tree. Not a titch. Cold, wet, wind - drove me home.
Of course a few hours later things had picked up. Sky cracked open a few clouds, and the sun came back to play. So - grabbed the cooler, and went for it again. It was probably 4:30 when I headed out. A few scattered clouds came to play, but the water was glass (after the earlier white-caps! Nice change). Dragged over to one of my spots, and it was quickly on. Bobbers disappearing, rod tips bouncing as line strips out.
Got a hookset into a lump. Determined not the be the "Fisherman who breaks lines" - I played the drag. Let him run, and he did - around the boat, changing directions, tried to keep him from going under. Spooked by the net - worked it till I got 'em landed! Was trying to get a second line in, as I got the hook out. Nice - right in the corner of the lip. Smile pretty - kiss-ably slimy! 22 inches and 5 pounds of chubby kitty.
Then another rod goes, and the game's on again. Smaller cat, but big fight! Had a number of pop-drops and missed a few takes, but my knots held! Plus after thumping and bumping around with some snags, I think I spooked out the spot. As it was getting onto dark, started heading back - pitched some reeds, but still can't get the crappie or bass to play ball.
After loading up - I'd put a rod in a holder while I packed. It was bobbing. Got to toying around with some mud-bellies. As the marsh birds sang and squawked, and the frog chorus was in full ruckus - I just sat and pulled in probably 20 of them mudders in the next hour. Nothing of size (4-8inchers), but fun hooksets. Hoping to meet up with that one last channel passing by, or the stray Walleye, alas. Fun tugs all the same.
