Memorial Day..... Urgggg....

[Fish Chris]

First off, for what Memorial day represents, I want to send my most heart felt thank you, to all of the great Americans who have made freedom our reality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That said, it just freaking KILLS me, when a holiday lands on one of my normal days off   (like this Monday )

 

I mean, I would not even consider, fishing on a holiday. Are you kidding me ? This is typically even worse than fishing on a weekend !!!

 

So then, the fact that any lake I might consider, will have been beat to death, for the 3 days straight, before my second day off... Tues. That would be a pretty lousy situation too.

 

I'm going to try to switch my days off from Mon, to Fri. By then, things will have had a chance to settle back down.

 

Kind of cooler (read lousier) weather Mon-Tues, anyway. So let the Memorial day crowd just have it.

 

Guess I'll just have to wait until it warms back up, and everybody goes back to work.... and gets the heck out of my way LOL

 

Fish

 

 

[stkbassn]

Amen brother ! 

[Bladesmith,]

Since I retired I do not even consider fishing the lake on weekends or holidays. Before retirement I had no choice but fish weekends and battle the crowds, drunks, skiers, jet-ski's, loud music, and other aggravations. I typically fish on weekdays only and my enjoyment has increased immensely. I realize many are still caught up in that work-a-day world and they have my sincere sympathy. 

[Silas]

Since I retired I do not even consider fishing the lake on weekends or holidays. Before retirement I had no choice but fish weekends and battle the crowds, drunks, skiers, jet-ski's, loud music, and other aggravations. I typically fish on weekdays only and my enjoyment has increased immensely. I realize many are still caught up in that work-a-day world and they have my sincere sympathy. 

Me, too, brother!!   I leave the weekends to what I call "The Riders."   They ride up and down the rivers and muddy up all of the banks..

 

 And, the jet skis are out in force.  

 

I'm all for everyone enjoying the water.    MY time is during the week......solitude and peaceful. 

 

I understand how "work" can get in the way of our loves.

 

I substitute by heading out at 7 AM on weekend mornings for a 2 hour ride on my motorcycle through the twisty swamp roads.   Most people that aren't fishing,  are asleep then and I'll be back home before they wake up.

[Bluebasser86]

I hate fishing holidays but a few years ago Memorial day fell on my normal days off so we went anyways. My brother in law and I went out before dark and fished until 9 or 10 and just slayed them. Later in the day I'd had all of the party boats in the cove we were in so we trolled over to a nearby gravel bank I've done well on before and started tossing a crankbait. After only 30 minutes my wife and I had put several nice bass in the boat that were hiding in the mudline stirred up by all the boats and jet skis. Not that they weren't driving me crazy still but the fish still have to eat

[Fish Chris]

Thanks guys

 

For all of my jobs faults, at least I get my "weekdays" off Heck, from about 2002-2009, I only worked 4 days a week, with 3 consecutive days off. And I often fished 3 full days every week ! Now I have to work 5 days, to try to make as much $ as I did when I worked 4

Then, with all of my hill climbing / photography / workouts, etc, their is just not enough time left in a week.

 

But then I have to remind myself... I fished a lot more then, but I felt terrible all the time with Fibro / IBS, etc, Nowadays, although I don't get to fish near as much, in my new body, it feels freaking so awesome when I do Its the quality vs quantity thing I guess

 

Peace,

Fish

[Fish Chris]

I hate fishing holidays but a few years ago Memorial day fell on my normal days off so we went anyways. My brother in law and I went out before dark and fished until 9 or 10 and just slayed them. Later in the day I'd had all of the party boats in the cove we were in so we trolled over to a nearby gravel bank I've done well on before and started tossing a crankbait. After only 30 minutes my wife and I had put several nice bass in the boat that were hiding in the mudline stirred up by all the boats and jet skis. Not that they weren't driving me crazy still but the fish still have to eat

Blue, that's a cool story

 

Reminds me of one time, at my home lake Berryessa, it was a Saturday, about right now... Now like I say, I always work weekends, but this was during one of my epic 3 week vacations... and since fishing all day, Mon-Fri apparently was not enough, I just had to go give it a shot

As expected, it was ridiculous. On what would normally have been a flat calm day (not a breeze in the sky) the water looked like the ocean, with waves hitting, crossing, and colliding from every direction, all at once ! You couldn't even time them

 

So I tried to drift up onto one of my favorite points, wanting to make a cast or two from shallow, out to deep water. I fire the cast, but as I look back, I see that the waves are pushing my 14ft aluminum way too fast, and I either have to just let my swimbait sink to the bottom while I reposition the boat, or I'm going to be slamming my motor into this rocky point, before I finish my retrieve Urggg !

So I flip my bail open, set the pole down, and spin around to the t-motor controls, to get myself away from the rocks. Once a safe distance, I pick up my pole and start reeling in the slack, hoping I had not snagged up from any dragging of the lure (an 8" Hud), on the rocky bottom. As it tightens, it starts to feel heavy, and I think... ahh, that sucks, I bet I am sna..... womp, womp.... not hard, mind you, but obviously not the bottom So I swing, Fish On ! Ends up being an 11.2 lb'er

So yea, maybe the most screwed up PITA boat traffic I have ever experienced.... But I got a double digit bass for all of my efforts Was it worth it ?  Need you ask

 

Peace,

Fish

[Sam]

Once school is out in an area we have our lakes and rivers packed with idiots.

 

I discussed the situation regarding Virginia boaters and jet skiiers not having their Boating Safety Course license to try to get them off the water and the VDG&IF told me they have only 130 conservation officers and they do not have the man power to go to all of the ramps and marinas to enforce the law.

 

Best time to fish the Historic James River is from dawn to around 2PM when "they" come out and start doing dumb things on the water, putting themselves, you and others in peril.

 

Weekdays are not as bad as weekends so I can feel Chris' pain. Been there and done that!

[A-Jay]

Since I retired I do not even consider fishing the lake on weekends or holidays. Before retirement I had no choice but fish weekends and battle the crowds, drunks, skiers, jet-ski's, loud music, and other aggravations. I typically fish on weekdays only and my enjoyment has increased immensely. I realize many are still caught up in that work-a-day world and they have my sincere sympathy. 

 

X2 ~ Precisely ~ !

 

  This has been my Mantra for most every evolution including my fishing.

 

Since I have choice, I just give them their time on the water. 

 

No sense fighting for time & space.

 

The fish will still be there on weekdays (and at Night).

 

A-Jay

[SirSnookalot]

My next endeavor in life will be violin lessons..................  

[kadas]

Since I retired I do not even consider fishing the lake on weekends or holidays. Before retirement I had no choice but fish weekends and battle the crowds, drunks, skiers, jet-ski's, loud music, and other aggravations. I typically fish on weekdays only and my enjoyment has increased immensely. I realize many are still caught up in that work-a-day world and they have my sincere sympathy. 

X2

[Darren.]

Agreed, Fish. Weekends are when the flotillas hit the water. Vastly prefer hitting the water during the week if I can.

[slonezp]

Anybody going to grab some popcorn and watch the follies at the ramp this weekend? The ol' lady knows holiday weekends are for her and not for fishing. On the weekends, I'm normally off the water by the time the yahoo's show up. The water skiers are out early as well because once the traffic starts they're done too.

[A-Jay]

My next endeavor in life will be violin lessons..................  

 

Let us know how you make out . . . . . . . .

 

A-Jay

[Fish Chris]

Anybody going to grab some popcorn and watch the follies at the ramp this weekend? The ol' lady knows holiday weekends are for her and not for fishing. On the weekends, I'm normally off the water by the time the yahoo's show up. The water skiers are out early as well because once the traffic starts they're done too.

 

Ya' know, I was thinking about driving my truck to the lake tomorrow, just to check out the sights, most especially, hawt girls in 2 pc bikinis

And then I was thinking, I sure wish I had a GoPro ! I'd just about bet a paycheck, that drunken idiots (I still can't believe alcohol is legal... but don't get me started) will do plenty of things stupid enough, to be Youtube worthy LOL

 

Peace,

Fish

[fowlskies]

My next endeavor in life will be violin lessons..................  

 

LOL...I have three young children in my household, the NUMBER ONE rule is no whining or crying...especially over the small stuff.  Everyone is allowed to have their fun on the water, most boaters are not idiots and are respectful, you are judging them off the small % of negative ones.  

 

You don't want our sport judged by the small percentage of dumb hicks, and bucket fisherman that get grouped in with us...the main issue is overcrowding, and if you don't want the crowds you have to move off the popular waters.

 

I hunt quite a bit and there are always other hunters, hikers and mountain bikers...one of the big things is not just hunting my quarry but also hunting other hunters...by that I mean hunt off what the other hunters are doing and how they position the deer...we all want the pristine untouched land and water but in most cases its not a reality, you adapt to the current situation or move on.  But, the most important thing is to step back relax and have FUN, because thats why we are out there.

[Fish Chris]

Fowls > Everyone is allowed to have their fun on the water <

 

Well, I worked my 5 days, but at least for this week "I am NOT allowed" to have my fun on the water

 

Did I mention, 7 billion is WAAAY too freaking many

 

Fish

[Fish Chris]

Well hey, after all my whining

 

I did end up being able to do some schedule swapping (as long as the big boss is okay with it) so I could work tomorrow (Memorial day), and be off Friday The weather is supposed to get better every day through the weekend So, 4 days of no crowds + better weather, then it's my turn

 

Hope the crowd enjoys those high 60's and showers tomorrow. Because I know I'll enjoy mid 80's on a beautiful, calm, fish-filled lake this Friday

 

That's what they get for doing this whole thing on my day off ! They shoulda' checked with me first LOL

 

Peace,

Fish

 

PS, Will post pics

 

Oh BTW though.... lest anyone think I might get time and a half, for working on a holiday.... Ha ! Because of the nature of my job, and certain predictable aspects, I will likely lose $50-100 trading Monday for Fri But then the question arises... How bad do I want to go whack them on Clear Lk. again ? Answer; Bad enough to forfeit $50-100.... on top of the $60-70 gas costs (mostly in the truck)

[McAlpine]

I can feel your pain...or at least used to.  We moved from a lakefront house and live on the Ohio river now.  Traditionally on the holiday's when everyone goes to the lake...we LEFT and went to visit my wife's family.  Let the yahoo's go to the lake for the weekend and ruin it for everyone else.  No reason for us to stay around.  Now that we live on the river though I have learned that there is so much water that when the idiots are out I can go one of two ways.  Upriver or downriver.  Regardless; there will be a quiet place somewhere and the bloody thing is full of fish so it doesn't really matter where you are. 

 

So, here is my advice.  When the warm weather holiday's hit, stay off the lake and go find a good river.  Plenty  of water to get lost on.  Stay away from any town areas and you should have lots of quiet.  Good luck.

[Fish Chris]

Right in, Alpine Sounds like you have a workable plan there. 

 

We really don't have very much "river" fishing in these parts.... well, maybe the Sacramento River, which I al;ways hear mentioned, pertaining to Stripers and Sturgeon, and since I can go find great Striper and Sturgeon fishing, WAY closer to home, I've never even tried it....

 

On the other hand though, if it were only a few weeks later, their is this one little lake I go to for GIANT Red Ear Sunfish and Bluegills, and because it does not allow any bodily contact (drinking water) nor skiing, + has a 10 hp max for all boats, it really knocks down the crowds. On a busy weekend, you might have 5 small aluminums, and 6 or 8 kayaks And if any of these are fishing at all, its often for fake fish... Oh, I'm sorry, I meant, "hatchery trout" {otherwise known as, bass candy} Oh... its 600 acres.

 

Peace,

Fish

[bassmaster8100]

I work mon-fri so I mostly fish weekends but do get out a few evening during the week sometimes. I've fished the last 3 days and can tell a big difference between Saturday and today lake has been really beat up over the last 3 days.

[Fish Chris]

Bassmaster, I hear you. I guess if I had never been able to "get used to" fishing weekdays, I might not know any different....

 

But after 16 years of working weekends, and having weekdays off, if suddenly I found myself at a Mon-Fri job, I'd have to either look for a different job, or quit fishing altogether. No seriously. I fish for enjoyment. It would just be zero fun, to fight the crowds.

 

Oh but anyway, I worked 10 hours today (Memorial day, on a Monday... my normal day off) but I made some good $$$ As it turns out, I probably wouldn't have made as much on the Friday I traded for

So it worked out for the best, all the way around ! 

 

Whooo Hooo ! I am so stoked for Friday to get here ! 

 

Peace,

Fish