Arriving after an uneventful drive, I see the regulars already there and seated in Pow wow fashion. After preparing the Ranger I join in for some funny conversations with the "boys". (In 35 years of fishing guys don't change) Spoke with Caleb about last weeks incident (if you haven't seen the Bearded Bassin video, check it out below under WWN #4). Apparently, there have been multiple incidents at this Bridge. At least 5. If you've had an incident at the Honker Cut Bridge I'd PM Caleb and let him know when, where, date, time and any photos. Maybe even my friend KB could make a mention on Ultimate Bass for the locals that tune in.
Angels are fishermen too. As you know the incident soaked Calebs Canon camera. Even after drying it out, It has a lens error.(on multiple lenses). Well. while we're Pow Wowing, one of the fellow fishermen walks up to Caleb and hands him something. (see Fridays video that the Bearded one will post for the answer) What a offer of generosity.
OK onto fishing. Josh arrives and we're loaded and ready. One of the first 3 boats out the gate. First stop, rip rap bank(stripers Yikes!) and I boat a 3 at an island grass bed. Two spots and nothing, off to the prime spot. Josh has that spinnerbait and frog working like magic. Before long we've got 4, when I dump our 5th on a senko. The wind is howling and the water clear, but we have more weight now then we've had all pre season. The tension is heavy now that we have a chance to cash a check. Josh somehow gets hung up or looses his frog ( being old a feebleminded I can't remember which
) and I maneuver the boat in tight. I then cast the buzzbait parallel to the tules and a very subtle slurp takes place as my bait submerges. Josh gets the net as the fish dives under the boat. I keep the pressure on and Josh nets an almost 6 lbr. Finally......a kicker. Well sort of. We're now over 16, usually check territory if history is correct, yet somewhere in the back of my mind that doubt seed is sprouting. We continue down the bank but its like the bite shuts off. So we move to spot # 4 a deep water tule bank . I can't flip the senko because the wind is howling still and the outgoing water is moving pretty fast........so what to do??????. Obvious, a crankbait. red and black to be exact. Another 3 is in the boat, Josh says we have 17 and the dink bite starts to happen. Time to go. We should cash a check. I take a short cut through Mildred, when the alarm goes off after clearing the other side. WTH? Uh oh, no water pressure, this is not good. I glance around for that dark cloud that usually follows me around but the sky is clear. I notice that my Jack plate is down to the #1 position and it should be at #5. Ok reset Jack plate and reverse motor and alarm turns off. Water pressure back up. Good. Off to Ladds. Trailer boat and wait for weigh in. Word has it Phil and Aaron have 20, Christian has 24. hmm, how many boats were there? Our turn to weigh in. I weigh a big fish of 6.35 or something, I was too busy preparing the other 4 for Richard. Scale settles on 17.98. Could it swing to 18? NOOOO! you know that anxious feeling you get in your stomach when you are close but no cigar. That's how I felt when Josh told me there were several 20lb bags coming up. Come on 17 lbs doesn't cash a check. Well apparently everyone who had under 17.98 was disappointed as Josh and I come in 9th out of 61 boats. Top honors went to Christian and Mark (22.90) with Phil and Aaron close behind (20.89 and AJ and Landon (20.89) and Lemaj and Kent (20.61). That's 4 20+ bags. Yikes! Christian and his partner had a 7.86 kicker and Mike and Joey a 7.22.After collecting our winnings Josh informs me he can no longer commit to the tournaments.
He's unsure when he can so, I think: I showered, put on smelly stuff, (just kidding) It sounds temporary, but you never know. So it's solo for awhile I guess. Hmm! TL
FE
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