N Florida Mike

Yeah.One of 3 in my life . The wierdest thing is that my oldest son caught his first bass on a bread ball. Ive actually caught bass on cut dead shiners while catfishing.

I swam for a fish once when I was 15. Was bream/ catfishing with a dough ball on the bottom when I saw the line moving out. Started pulling it in I saw it was a nice bass .It got hung up in a dead tree by the bank and without hesitation I took the plunge.It wasnt a big deal since I wade fished as much as I bank fished back then !My pb at the time! 4 pounds. Dont think Ive ever swum for one since !

Never been caught without it. Here in Florida you must get a freshwater license when you turn 16 I was a bit rebellious so I didnt get one until I was 21. And fished 2-3 times a week or more.Once a friend and me were fishing a local creek and came around a bend and " the man " came around a bend up the creek at the same time at idle. My friend said Oh crap ,and turned into a convenient smaller creek that was right there.When we got in there we took off and went way back.He didnt follow. That was the only close call I remember. When I was 21, we were going to fish Orange lake in N central Fl. I decided to get a license before we went.We go to the lake and were launching at marjorie rawlings park.I was standing on the dock and here comes the Alachua county " man " with those reflecting sunglasses and Dudley do right hat.He says " I need to see your license boy " and I started grinning,then chuckling.He did NOT like that. He asked me why I was laughing.I told him I had just got my license for the first time ever THAT DAY. He was not amused,but I did not get a ticket. Don't take this the wrong way.After that I became a stickler for obeying game and fish laws.Most of it I agree with anyway,as it helps preserve the resource.And I taught my son that too. I honestly believe I will not be blessed with fish and game if Im breaking the law. And its very likely I will be cursed if I dont. Tickets arent cheap here in Fl. And I dont want the government getting any more of my money than they already have to.!!! ?

Not sure.It was a gift.It is actually for hunting but it works great for me.The compartments are perfect for baits and whatnot.I dont carry a lot though.I keep my surplus baits in the truck.

I prefer my belt pack when bank fishing.It has several compartments for storing baits and accessories.I can cast easily with it on. With a backpack its annoying to me trying to cast with one on, and I move a lot so would continually have to keep picking it up and putting it down. But thats just me ! ? Its all good if your fishing.

• I use tackle boxes for storage. • I use clear snap boxes ( what I call them ) in a boat.4 of them fit in a carry box with a handle.The top is open.I can lean over and grab them with ease. • I have a belt pack for bank fishing.

Dont know up there but take precaution against sea- sickness.I took my whole family the first time and my wife,middle son and daughter all got sick.Only my oldest son and me didnt. Take dramamine the day BEFORE you go.

^^^ The winner of this thread ?

Last week my Grandaughter got her new trampoline.One that has a safety net wall.So I spent several hours putting it together over the weekend.She supervised.So we read the directions that it could get blown around by high winds.We havent had anything with high winds since Hurricane Matthew went by in October. So, 2 days after we put up the trampiline,we get a big storm.It woke me up around 3 this morning.Its the same one that hit Mississippi yesterday.So I get up and check the forecast.Fixing to get hit with 45-55 mph gusts.So I get my flashlight and go get some rope out of the truck and I start tying the tramp.to a tree.No problem.Then I tie another rope to the tramp. and run the other end around a small tree (or so I thought ).Now its 330 a.m,I dont have my contacts in , half asleep,its lightning and starting to rain harder.Im trying to hold my flashlight with my neck as Im untying knots in the rope.So I loop around the "tree" and pull the knot toward me to tighten it. And all of a sudden it falls over and konks me in the head.The " tree " turned out to be a 2× 8 that was leaning against the small clump of trees! It hurt like a mug for a few minutes. The things we do for love.....

Thanks for all the help.

One time my son and me were hunting in Nassau county Fl.We were way out in the woods.Went back to the truck and were eating lunch when we noticed something coming out of the woods.A great big ol squirrel walking straight toward us.My son asked if he could shoot it.I told him go ahead.As he raised up to shoot it turned slightly and I could see it was a FOX squirrel so I wouldn't let him shoot it. It had such a beautiful color ,black and creme color mostly.Used to see lots of them growing up but they are pretty rare now.I think they are a protected specie now in Fl. That one we saw that day was the last one Ive seen , and that was in the 90s.

Thanks.I realize Im going to get a little wet but with my weight (270) it pushes down,which pushes the water up and in,and from waist to knees I get soaked. mainly use it in the summer anyway when the water feels good and the lake gets real weedy. The holes are intentional ,so I hope theres a plug that will fit ,maybe west marine would have them,or a kayak outfitter. Or I was thinking maybe a cork would help. I honestly dont fish out of it that much,but for 80.00 I had to get it.

I have what may seem to be a stupud question to some of you.I have a 2 seater pelican kayak I bought for 80.00 from a nieghbor.Having never used a kayak before,I was suprised that I got wet pretty much from the waist down.Lost a cell phone full of pics in this way, even though I had it in a zip lock bag.There are some round holes that go all the way through,so At first I couldnt come up with a reason why ,then I came to the conclusion they were to be used wih poles ? to keep it in place .But they get me wet. My question: Is there a best way to plug the holes so I dont get wet? Drain plugs ? I fish small,calm water bodies dont need poles .Got a anchor anyway.

pit boss.

Good job !

Y'all ever watch that barnwood builders show? Theres a lot of history and techniques involved ,and they seem to enjoy doing it.

Nice one Dwight!

He commented on something the other day....

Got my 9.5 bass hunter for 100.00 from a friend.

I wish an eagle would come by and get the Chihuahua that lives in my house....

That's cool Lonnie.

i can probably put you on some fish. Send me a pm.

I love skipping.Its a strength for me with spinning. But I really am impressed with anyone who does it well with casting. He was exactly right about pontoons being the best.I have a couple in my lake.One of them always holds fish.It used to be so easy to skip under.But the owner turned it around and the only way to skip under it now is at the motor end and I have to do it backhanded. I love skipping up into brushpiles too . Its a subtle presentation that doesnt spook the fish either.

I hear about panther sightings occasionally in my area.One customer of mine said he saw one on the UNF nature trails when he was jogging.Same description. According to FWC there are none up here. Bears are more common, but they are coming from the south.Another customer n Northern st Johns buried her pet pig when it died.That night their dog was going crazy and was trying to get back to where the pig was buried but couldn't because he was on an invisible leash thingie. Next morning pig was dug up and gone.She said there was a track she didnt recognize but definitely not a hog track.She couldn't remember much about the description of it. I told her, not a hog- had to be a bear. They will dig to get whatever and they have a very keen sense of smell.

Yeah they do that around here too.We have ones called Eagle preserve , fox ridge , deer cove, panther hammock etc. There are some with more truthful names too,such as burning tree lane and bear run.