Fishing Cowgirl

I was bank fishing at East Lake Toho on a day that was too windy to take the boat out. So I was flipping some grass near the jettys. I'd caught a couple of decent fish, then I saw my line moving. I took up the slack....felt some good resistance...lowered the rod tip.... put one foot forward to get ready for a good hookset....and my foot ended up on an algea covered cement slab... whoosh!! Right leg forward..left leg back..doing splits like I hadn't done since High School a few decades back and slid all the way into the water with my rod held over head! The bad thing was, it was well witnessed by about 8 people taking a stroll down the jetty and the fish spit out the bait. I was VERY sore and bruised on my tail bone from hitting every slab before hitting water.

I always ask and never assume. If I see a boat coming to me while in my spot, I'll ask if they are in a tournament. Most times I troll to a different area and let them have it, but only if I am just out fishing for fun. If I am pre-fishing or in a tournament, I'll move on after I've worked it good. Most of what I worry about are the cruisers or family boaters literally coming at me top speed then finally "seeing me" and turning at the last second. I've been doused by their wake or nearly knocked off the boat by the wake.

I absolutely love my 7'MH XFast with 15 lb line and it's the only split grip I have. I can feel so much more with it and I am not missing the hooksets like before. I plan on getting another soon. I can use it all day and I don't get as "arm tired" as with the other rods I have.

"Good job of making lemonade out of lemons. " x2

<<< busy taking notes Seriously, THANK YOU very much for your tips. I used the Rage Lobster and caught most of my bigger fish on that lure during the Law Enforcement Firefighter Games Tournament last weekend.

FYI, a green Anaconda was caught this year at east lake Tohopekaliga . Green Anacondas can reach 30' in length. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/14/12-foot-anaconda-found-kissimmee-deputies/news-metro/

They sure do.

here are a few more photos from the tournament. (Ex CSI-got camera-got to take photos) One photo is from the second time I doubled up on a lure no bigger than my thumb. I guess these two were used to sharing their meal. ;D However, I am glad I stocked extra ice and "Please Release" for the livewell. It was super hot out and we alternated the livewell to recirc and added ice through out the day to keep the fish comfy. They were quite lively at weighin, for having been in there for nearly 9 hours.

Here are the final results. I was boat 9 and gar-tracker was boat 34 with the winning weight of 44.07.

Wow! Nice fish! Congrats again on your win and it was great meeting you. This weekend was the first time I fished it and never had so much fun catching fish. I was very happy with my 15th place finish, for not knowing the lake, catching my limit in the first 2 hours, doubling up on a lure not 2, but 3X. Third time the largest fish shook loose taking the rear teble hook with it. Plus I caught a 4lb catfish on a crank bait. So I had several firsts to take away as a great memory. 8-) Great times, great people and awesome lake. I'll be back!

It was great to meet gar tracker, my very first member to actually meet. Congrats again on your awesome win! This is a very great place for for information and to actually meet up with members is even better! I was very happy with our 15th place finish out of 36 boats, especially fishing lake Okeechobee for my first time. I caught about 50 fish in the first hour and half.. my arms were so tired but a good tired. Nothing of any great size (still haven't anything larger than a 3lber, but it will happen) but happy with the 22.06 two day total. I am looking forward to next year and meeting more members soon. It was a hot, but great time all around.

Yesterday I doubled up twice during the police/firefighter games tournament. First time I had a keeper 14.5" and a short 13', both on a crank bait no bigger than my thumb. When I got them to the surface, I saw one was swimming upside down. Fortunately the keeper unhooked itself in the net. That was my irst time ever doubling up on a lure. The second time was about an hour later, with two little dinks, but I told my husband to get a photo regardless of how little they were.

7lb mudfish on a wacky rigged senko.

I think thats the one. We weren't sure if the hurricanes took it out or not, Thank you very much.

Classic Patterns, Bill Dance and UMF

Scott Driver Jr boat ramp. Registration starts a 4 am. (Glad I've pre-registered and just need to check in) We will be in a red Stratos 294XL with a single powerpole.

Question: On the NE side of the lake, there used to be an area nick named "Radio Tower" because of a radio tower of shore. Does this area still exist after the hurricanes? I can't find it on the map and hubby hasn't been in the area for years beffore the hurricanes. We are checking in Thursday at the host hotel and try to get a little pre-fishing in on Friday.

Thanks, I will be sure to have a lipless crank on for the FLPG tournament this weekend. Congrats on the 2nd place finish. It's from safe light to 3 and I am kinda dreading about how hot it's going to be. <pulling out my big, floppy sun hat>

Super!! If only I can catch just one like that!

yes, But this time forgot to change some anglers up, was going to put KVD on for Tenn Triumph and saw "Rosters locked"..oh well I'm at #29 in our group so far.

Finding a local, small couples fishing club is always fun. Ours goes out once a month, the lakes are selected in advance, always spread out so no one couple always has to travel far. We fish from safe light till noon,(about $25) then all go out to eat. We have husband/wife teams, Mom/Son, BF/GF and dad and daughter teams. Lately it has been the 60+ Grandmom who has whupped everyone with big fish 7 to a 9lber each time) and we all get a hoot when they re-tell how it happened. I could hear one lady squalling: " Oh My!! Get the net! Get the Net! clear across the lake. It was great, she'd caught a 10.3lb bass. AND Yes, My husband said I now have more rods than he does, but didn't complain when I bought him a new flipping stick.

Congrats to Dianna Clark!

congrats!! I hope this is my year for a bass bigger than 3lb

LOL, I insisted on taking the bass boat with us for the honey moon!