(02-14-2019 08:49 PM)Crebman Wrote:  When I was a kid, my dad loved fishing, so we had a small boat in a state park lake......fished for mostly bass but sometimes crappies as well.

We’d also go river fishing (river ran through my town). River fishing would be for rock bass and small mouths and night fishing for catfish with a Coleman lantern. We’d tie little bells on the rod tips that would jingle when you got a bite.

Had one trip up into Canada as an adult with one son, father in law and my dad. Caught some Walleye but mostly big Northerns, and quite a few were 40” or bigger. Fun as hell to catch.

My parents liked to fish. When they lived down in the Rio Grande Valley, they had a choice to buy some land cheap on S. Padre Island or buy a boat for about the same amount. They bought the boat.

I could never really get into it. No matter where we went, we never seemed to catch anything. Lake, fishing boat offshore, South Padre. We took one of those fishing tours with 30 people off Galveston and my younger sister was the only one to catch anything. And it was just barely legal. So if you want to drink beer while fishing, I might be a good companion. If you want to catch fish....

Worst experience was wade fishing off San Luis Pass. Its at the south end of Galveston Island where water is flowing between the Gulf and the Bay. Frequent drownings there from the current. There were tons of mullet, swimming around your legs and between your legs, but they weren't biting and there weren't any good fish. And the current kept changing directions. It would flow and be warm. Then it would switch direction and be cold. Then a mullet would swim against your leg. And you'd cast again and your shrimp would fall off the hook, so you'd have to get more bait and cast again. Between the temperature changes and the mullet, it was kind of maddening. But it was only a taste of what was to come as the sun went down. A cloud of famished mosquitos came thundering in. It didn't take me long to turn and run to shore. My Dad had already started. There was plenty of biting now, but it wasn't the fish. We got in the car as quick as possible and headed home. No fish, the bait gone and only bringing home mosquito bites.

Deep sea stuff is where a kid can get spoiled. Find the color change and catch dauphin all day long on light tackle. 2 to 35 pounds. All you want. Some of the most fun I ever had.

San Luis Pass has a terrible reputation. I lost a close friend and co-worker there, not to the current but struck by lightning.

(02-14-2019 09:27 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  San Luis Pass has a terrible reputation. I lost a close friend and co-worker there, not to the current but struck by lightning.

On a different trip I almost got caught by the current. I'd lost my last float and swam about 10 feet out to get it. Swam back and realized I was losing ground. Got on my back where I was a stronger swimmer and I was just holding my own. I had just called to a couple other fishermen when I decided to try to touch the bottom. Fortunately it was only a little over chest deep so I could wade back. I wasn't but 40 feet or so from the shore and 10 feet from 2 ft deep water and I could not beat that current.

this guy will be in the nest by march...

(02-14-2019 09:44 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  this guy will be in the nest by march...

Looks nice.

Only ocean fishing I've ever done was in Corpus Christi while in the Naval Reserve. On my two weeks training I took my ex-wife and younger son with me and we went fishing about a couple of days before Hurricane Allen hit. I caught a few sea cats and something else I can't remember. Someone told me sea cats weren't good eating but I wasn't planning on doing anyway, I just went to fish.

Bullet, you probably ran into a rip tide. Again while in the Reserve some buddies and I went swimming in the San Diego coast. I remember wading to just below my chest and before I knew it I couldn't touch bottom. That was a scary feeling knowing that I had to swim to shore where the people on shore look tiny. I never thought I'd make it but with God on my side and my swimming proficiency I finally made it to shore. It's funny now but when I was laying on the sand the lifeguards were driving around telling everyone to stay out of the water because of the rip tides. I only thought, thanks for nothing.

The first time I almost drowned was in Del Rio Texas when in the AF. A coworker and his wife (a beauty) went with me. The guy challenged me to a race from one pier to the next and we jumped in and I started to slow down. I found out that day never to go swimming with brand new Levi jeans on. I tired out and again thanks to the Holy Spirit that was watching over me and calming me because I started to panic from weariness. I started dog paddling to the cliff because that was closer. To my chagrin the area was infested with sea weed and made it hard to dog paddle but I didn't give up. Well, I made it and as I was clinging to the rock shelf I was praying that some people that were on the other pier would come to my rescue. Either they didn't see me or didn't care so I had no recourse but to wound my way to a safe place. My friend asked me what had happened and I just told him never to swim with new denim jeans. Today those small lakes are one big lake called Amistad Lake.

(02-14-2019 12:40 PM)gdunn Wrote:  Let’s take a break from beating each other over the head about politics and discuss a fun topic— fishing.

I grew up spinner fishing and running trout lines for catfish. I also fished for perch and brim growing up.

After I got older I turned focus to bass fishing.

Now I’m turning it to fly fishing and trying to rig up everything I need.

How about you guys? Anyone fish besides Stink and myself? Favorite fish to chase, bait to use, tricks of the trade?

I used to fish religiously, had the whole 9 yards, 21 foot Champion bass boat, 1 of about each of every Shimano bait caster they make, ugly sticks, depth finders and tackle boxes. I had an issue with tackle boxes. I'm down to just the one now.

My go to was a black or tequila sunrise plastic worm from Power Bait but for those mornings like Stinky mentioned the other day with the mist rising off the lake, lily pads just sitting there, toss a frog on one and wait for the action. Or a brojen back minnow from Rapala. Or a buzz bait. I never was much good with anything else except maybe a rattle trap occasionally but I sure loved that top water action.

Sadly, the boat went the way of the most recent ex-wife, along with my Harley, and I had a 6 inch titanium rod inserted in my left wrist that makes setting a hook difficult so now I just go when someone who still has all those things, because he never got married, invites me.

The biggest bass I ever caught was caught on a black worm in March in 40 degree weather at Dacus Lake just over the bridge to Arkansas from Memphis, she was just over 10 pounds.

(02-14-2019 01:20 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  as much as I love the hunt of salt life, nothing beats the mist rising from the top as the sun rises with a predator chasing that pop-r in the purity of silence....

bloop wiggle wiggle bloop bloop......there she ARE!

#blissfulviolence

Oh man, I forgot about the Pop-R, Bloop bloop wiggle wiggle, exactly! Nothing beats seeing a big old bass break the water going after one of those.

Man I wish I had back all the money I spent just on lures, rods and reels.

(02-14-2019 04:04 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 03:25 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 01:40 PM)SoMs Eagle Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 01:24 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 01:20 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  as much as I love the hunt of salt life, nothing beats the mist rising from the top as the sun rises with a predator chasing that pop-r in the purity of silence....

bloop wiggle wiggle bloop bloop......there she ARE!

#blissfulviolence

Nirvana for me is cutting the engines, turning off the ship to shore, and drifting with the gulf stream with the outriggers fixed and two more trolling lines set astern. Drift, sip something cold to drink and wait for the click alert to zing. I prefer King Mackerel and Wahoo. But on a slow day a Bonita is welcomed too!

Ah... smoker kings. A baloon, a big blue runner and a screaming 12t. Just heaven....

Yep, I'd cut 'em into steaks, wrap 'em in bacon, put an Orange slice over 'em, and put a strip of Colby cheese on top, wrap 'em in tin foil and put 'em on the grill to slow cook. The cheese did one thing. When it melted it put the oil on the top that held in the moisture.

Heaven is right! Wahoo was just as good with a lot more of it. Bonita we either let go or cut into strips for bait.

lemon, butter, bacon, and filet bass carved up squirming and cooked over charcoal on the tailgate.....

that's a slice of redneck yummy for the tummy....

it's akin to licking yellow fin off the knife....

I guess it's just me but nothing beats a pound and a half, two pound bass filleted and cooked up just about any way you like. The meat just seems cleaner and sweeter tasting to me but I've been told I'm crazy so...

(02-15-2019 08:26 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 04:04 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 03:25 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 01:40 PM)SoMs Eagle Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 01:24 PM)JRsec Wrote:  Nirvana for me is cutting the engines, turning off the ship to shore, and drifting with the gulf stream with the outriggers fixed and two more trolling lines set astern. Drift, sip something cold to drink and wait for the click alert to zing. I prefer King Mackerel and Wahoo. But on a slow day a Bonita is welcomed too!

Ah... smoker kings. A baloon, a big blue runner and a screaming 12t. Just heaven....

Yep, I'd cut 'em into steaks, wrap 'em in bacon, put an Orange slice over 'em, and put a strip of Colby cheese on top, wrap 'em in tin foil and put 'em on the grill to slow cook. The cheese did one thing. When it melted it put the oil on the top that held in the moisture.

Heaven is right! Wahoo was just as good with a lot more of it. Bonita we either let go or cut into strips for bait.

lemon, butter, bacon, and filet bass carved up squirming and cooked over charcoal on the tailgate.....

that's a slice of redneck yummy for the tummy....

it's akin to licking yellow fin off the knife....

I guess it's just me but nothing beats a pound and a half, two pound bass filleted and cooked up just about any way you like. The meat just seems cleaner and sweeter tasting to me but I've been told I'm crazy so...

Youve obviously never had pecan crusted speckled trout.

Bluegill, perch and walleye are my favorites for eating. EDIT - rainbow trout too but I just buy that at the store.

I went on a charter boat in Lake Michigan with a few brothers and a brother in law. Everybody except my brother in law felt sick as soon as the boat stopped at the fishing spot. It was pretty wavy that day for a not real big fishing boat. Otherwise it would have been fun. Did catch some coho salmon at least. So I don't think ocean fishing would work for me.

(02-15-2019 08:26 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 04:04 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 03:25 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 01:40 PM)SoMs Eagle Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 01:24 PM)JRsec Wrote:  Nirvana for me is cutting the engines, turning off the ship to shore, and drifting with the gulf stream with the outriggers fixed and two more trolling lines set astern. Drift, sip something cold to drink and wait for the click alert to zing. I prefer King Mackerel and Wahoo. But on a slow day a Bonita is welcomed too!

Ah... smoker kings. A baloon, a big blue runner and a screaming 12t. Just heaven....

Yep, I'd cut 'em into steaks, wrap 'em in bacon, put an Orange slice over 'em, and put a strip of Colby cheese on top, wrap 'em in tin foil and put 'em on the grill to slow cook. The cheese did one thing. When it melted it put the oil on the top that held in the moisture.

Heaven is right! Wahoo was just as good with a lot more of it. Bonita we either let go or cut into strips for bait.

lemon, butter, bacon, and filet bass carved up squirming and cooked over charcoal on the tailgate.....

that's a slice of redneck yummy for the tummy....

it's akin to licking yellow fin off the knife....

I guess it's just me but nothing beats a pound and a half, two pound bass filleted and cooked up just about any way you like. The meat just seems cleaner and sweeter tasting to me but I've been told I'm crazy so...

no bought adout [sic] it....it's a tasty meal....

I'm gonna wet a hook this weekend....

(02-15-2019 09:10 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(02-15-2019 08:26 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 04:04 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 03:25 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 01:40 PM)SoMs Eagle Wrote:  Ah... smoker kings. A baloon, a big blue runner and a screaming 12t. Just heaven....

Yep, I'd cut 'em into steaks, wrap 'em in bacon, put an Orange slice over 'em, and put a strip of Colby cheese on top, wrap 'em in tin foil and put 'em on the grill to slow cook. The cheese did one thing. When it melted it put the oil on the top that held in the moisture.

Heaven is right! Wahoo was just as good with a lot more of it. Bonita we either let go or cut into strips for bait.

lemon, butter, bacon, and filet bass carved up squirming and cooked over charcoal on the tailgate.....

that's a slice of redneck yummy for the tummy....

it's akin to licking yellow fin off the knife....

I guess it's just me but nothing beats a pound and a half, two pound bass filleted and cooked up just about any way you like. The meat just seems cleaner and sweeter tasting to me but I've been told I'm crazy so...

no bought adout [sic] it....it's a tasty meal....

I'm gonna wet a hook this weekend....

Making me jealous - it would have to be ice fishing for me, and I have no interest in that. Too cold.

(02-15-2019 09:15 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-15-2019 09:10 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(02-15-2019 08:26 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 04:04 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 03:25 PM)JRsec Wrote:  Yep, I'd cut 'em into steaks, wrap 'em in bacon, put an Orange slice over 'em, and put a strip of Colby cheese on top, wrap 'em in tin foil and put 'em on the grill to slow cook. The cheese did one thing. When it melted it put the oil on the top that held in the moisture.

Heaven is right! Wahoo was just as good with a lot more of it. Bonita we either let go or cut into strips for bait.

lemon, butter, bacon, and filet bass carved up squirming and cooked over charcoal on the tailgate.....

that's a slice of redneck yummy for the tummy....

it's akin to licking yellow fin off the knife....

I guess it's just me but nothing beats a pound and a half, two pound bass filleted and cooked up just about any way you like. The meat just seems cleaner and sweeter tasting to me but I've been told I'm crazy so...

no bought adout [sic] it....it's a tasty meal....

I'm gonna wet a hook this weekend....

Making me jealous - it would have to be ice fishing for me, and I have no interest in that. Too cold.

that's why I don't miss StL one single bit....

(02-15-2019 08:57 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  Bluegill, perch and walleye are my favorites for eating. EDIT - rainbow trout too but I just buy that at the store.

I went on a charter boat in Lake Michigan with a few brothers and a brother in law. Everybody except my brother in law felt sick as soon as the boat stopped at the fishing spot. It was pretty wavy that day for a not real big fishing boat. Otherwise it would have been fun. Did catch some coho salmon at least. So I don't think ocean fishing would work for me.

Scopolamine patches and double up with seabands for your pressure points.

I was on a diving trip in the Gulf to the Flower Gardens. It was so bad, one time I jumped off the front of the boat and was washed to the back of the boat before I could go down, so I had to grab the line and climb back aboard and try again. Anybody who ever gets sick, got sick on that trip. I was one of a handful who didn't. And I probably have a more than average inclination to motion sickness.

I’m breaking out the heaver and large spoons this weekend, hoping some bluefish or rock are running the troughs!

ETA 4:30-5 this afternoon.

I am considering fishing, too.

Golf, hiking, and fishing are activities and I am going to explore this year.

I have a Cabela's and LL Bean near my home. I am going to take a few classes and see it my interest grows.

I am looking for an outside activity where I can be social/around others.

(02-15-2019 09:38 AM)chess Wrote:  I am considering fishing, too.

Golf, hiking, and fishing are activities and I am going to explore this year.

I have a Cabela's and LL Bean near my home. I am going to take a few classes and see it my interest grows.

I am looking for an outside activity where I can be social/around others.

golf....that's my other passion...

I grew up on a golf course.....too many stories I have stored in the mem bank....

I highly recommend taking up that one first.....

(02-15-2019 09:38 AM)chess Wrote:  I am considering fishing, too.

Golf, hiking, and fishing are activities and I am going to explore this year.

I have a Cabela's and LL Bean near my home. I am going to take a few classes and see it my interest grows.

I am looking for an outside activity where I can be social/around others.

Fishermen are the friendliest people on earth. All you have to do is ask them this question: "Any luck?" Before you know it you'll have a friend for life. Even though you might disagree with some of them you will count them as friends, maybe not the ones you would hang around with but friends nonetheless.

(02-14-2019 09:37 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 09:27 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  San Luis Pass has a terrible reputation. I lost a close friend and co-worker there, not to the current but struck by lightning.

On a different trip I almost got caught by the current. I'd lost my last float and swam about 10 feet out to get it. Swam back and realized I was losing ground. Got on my back where I was a stronger swimmer and I was just holding my own. I had just called to a couple other fishermen when I decided to try to touch the bottom. Fortunately it was only a little over chest deep so I could wade back. I wasn't but 40 feet or so from the shore and 10 feet from 2 ft deep water and I could not beat that current.

If you get caught in a rip current you should always swim parallel to the shore in the direction of the nearest point of land. The currents are not usually very wide and once you swim out of it then you'll have little problem getting to shore. Plus in salt water bouyancy is in your favor. Backstroke is a solid stroke and more of a rest stroke.

If there are sharks around try not to look like a seal!