N Florida Mike

I don’t listen to music much when I’m in the boat fishing. But when I do , I listen to bluegrass. On the dock it’s more bluegrass, and sometimes some traditional Cajun music or Traditional country.

Those are some nice fish dorado. We call em Specks in Florida. My PB was 1 3/4 pounds- caught it on a white roostertail. I haven’t fished for them in years. When I did, I primarily used live minnows. I used 6 pound test , which was perfect for the specks. The problem was that catfish like minnows too. I once had a huge catfish eat a minnow intended for specks on that rig. The catfish did whatever he wanted until he went around the anchor rope and broke off. I haven’t caught any in years in my home lake. I’ve only caught a few in there and they were around a pound each. Anyway, nice catch and you made me want to go catch some for myself!

I don’t have a whole lot to steal but if someone was outside stealing something I wouldn’t shoot them but I wouldn’t mind hurting them a little.? I have more trouble with relatives that steal though than random theifs off the street.

I got out for a few hours today. Windy !! Stuck with the jerkbait and got a few . I got the feeling today would have been tough even with plastics.

I’ve fished with them before but never have done well. Soft plastics are hard to compete with around here.

I’m on to something with this jerk bait. Every fish I catch gets bigger. I lost one that was 4 + a little while ago. Getting excited about putting a few hours into it tomorrow.

I grew up in N Florida all my life and have seen numerous moccasins, a few diamondbacks , and a copperhead. Many of the moccasins were in the st Johns river system and most of the rest in lakes. Seems like anywhere with cypress trees around. Diamondbacks relate the most to palmettos. You also have to watch for big hornet nests on trees along creeks and rivers.

I probably will in the afternoon.

Tying to do better with jerkbaits. Especially this time of year when my weedy home lake is clearer of weeds. This is the 2nd fish I’ve caught since a friend gave me the bait last week. The bait is the mystery minnow, by knockout bait company. I caught both fish on a slow, steady retrieve with breaks in between.

I have a 12 foot JB and a 8 foot 2 seater bass hunter. I have a 40 lb thrust minnkota tm. with a 12 volt battery . It powers both boats well enough. Both boats have their pros and cons. I tend to prefer the JB, especially if I’m fishing with someone. A 14 footer has plenty of room . A 12 is big enough. The bass hunter type boat is fine for 1 but small for 2 imo. It can be done though. The bass hunter type boat will spin around If you mount the TM in back . It does better if you mount it in front. It also handles weeds better if it’s in front. I can also load the JB in the bed of my truck a lot easier than trying to load the hunter. The JB is longer, but the hunter seems heavier- being shorter it seems that you have less leverage to pick it up and into the bed. The hunter is more open air and is cooler in summer. You also sit higher than the bench seats on a stock JB. To me, the JB is more versatile because you could always add a small outboard later .

Lots of bream and catfish too, besides largemouths. Be careful with mudfish( bowfin) or gars . Toothy critters! You might try the saltwater fishing too if you’re near the gulf.

If there was an animal hell otters would all be there. They killed and ate all the large catfish in my lake. I don’t even want to see another one. As far as my eternal destiny, that’s secure. I had tried to trap him and just couldn’t after many attempts. Finally layed low for him with my 410 and along he came. Had him , was fixing to pull down on him, and my wife had come up behind me and hollered “ Don’t shoot him “ The otter went under and did not come back up there. So I actually resorted to prayer about it and never saw him again. Otters are cute, like the girl you wanted in high school. The one that was pretty, but had a black heart. I know they are just doing what they were created to do , but when it’s between them and the fish , I’m taking the fish every time!!!

Use a totally different bait. Try live bait. Try slowing the presentation. If that all fails, then let it rest.

I have never had a bite on a jig. I have only caught a few on wacky rigged senkos ( although I slay them on a T rig. ) I have stated that on several other threads. A deep dark secret?? ? ?? I eat bass( no , not all of them) I use live bait sometimes. I fish bass beds( I do throw them all back ) Now That Ive offended half the people on the forum, I’ll quit.

Ive been around alligator snappers most of my life. I don’t fool with trying to get a hook out of their mouth. I don’t pick them up . ( anymore) And I don’t ever wade fish with fish on a stringer in waters that have them. They will find you! Other than that, you’ll be fine.

That’s it! I’m hoping to go 2-3 times. Hey are you coming down to see the vols play ?. I could put you on some fish too!

No thanks. Not touching that...

I fish all sizes of worms . I fish the 4 inch lucky strike curly tail worms and the zoom speed worms a lot. The small sized trick worms work well too, but are hard to find at stores. I T rig them with a small split shot right above the hook. The speed worms are my favorite at the moment. Not sure of the length but Probably 5-6 inch.

When I was young I went several times a week and would fish all day most Saturdays. I mean sun up to sun down. Now my back won’t let me do that anymore. It’s taken the edge off the addiction. I still go more than most. I have friends that look surprised when I tell them I only went once in the last 2 weeks, like that’s still a lot. Not for me it isn’t. I don’t do many of the things I did when I was younger , due to marriage , kids , grandkids ,volunteer work, work, financial shortcomings . But fishing has survived it all!!