Birthday Fishing

Birthday Party Crashed by Trout

Years ago, I decided to celebrate my birthday by going fishing.  Of course, since I fish pretty much every day, fishing on my birthday is inevitable.  Therefore, every day is my birthday.  Well, that is what I tell myself.   

On Saturday, it really was my birthday.  So, I invited my brother Dave and his son-in-law Andrew to go fishing.  We launched about 7:30 AM.  The sky was overcast, the wind was calm, and the tide was just beginning rise.  Perfect conditions for deep hole shrimping.  Collectively, we decided to shrimp first and fish later. 

Upon arrival at Crab Bank, I began idling around the depth transition from 20 to 40 feet and looking for shrimp on my fish finder.  Once located, I stopped the boat and Dave cast his 12-foot deep hole net.  It took a minute or two for the net to hit the bottom (25-feet below).  Dave pulled the net back to the boat and it was loaded with Shrimp.  We cast the net one more time and had enough Shrimp for a big family dinner.  Shrimp baiting season opens in a few weeks.  Based upon our results on Saturday, I expect the season to be a good one. 

With shrimp in the cooler, it was time to go fishing.  Given the flat calm conditions, I decided to look around the harbor for Jacks.  Clearly, the Jacks forgot is was my birthday.  They failed to show up for the party.  That’s OK, I am used to Jacks hurting my feelings.  Trout, on the other hand, just love me and crashed the party in great numbers.  They were eating a Z-Man TRD Ned Rig like I eat birthday cake, fast and furious.  For the most part, every marsh point and oyster bar being swept by the incoming tide held hungry Trout.  Dave, Andrew and I would sometimes be fighting fish simultaneously.  Trout sure know how to throw a birthday party.  I hope they know; every day is my Birthday!

Epic Fail

Before I became obsessed with Jacks

Anglers can be very creative when explaining why they did not catch any fish.  After getting abused by a large Crevalle Jack last week, I dedicated this week to getting even.  Every moment on the water was spent looking for a school of Jacks upon which I could take my revenge.  Sadly, the Jacks once again got the better of me.  So, here are my excuses for not catching a Jack.

Excuse number one – Brody (the amazing fish finding and stock trading dog), opted out on my quest for Jack revenge.  He muttered something along the lines of “You put on a fur coat and stand in the blazing sun for hours; see how much fun you have”. 

Excuse number two – I put on a fur coat and stood in the blazing sun for hours and passed out from heat stroke.  Brody was right.  It was not much fun.  To make matters worse, I lost two days of fishing while recovering from heat stroke.

Excuse number three – Severe dehydration from wearing a fur coat in 92-degree temperatures reaggravated my back injury.  It is impossible to catch a Jack when you cannot stand up straight.   However, on the bright side, I am a finalist for the lead role in the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Excuse number four – Subconsciously, I do not want to catch a big Jack.  Thus, I unwittingly sabotage every opportunity to catch one.   I use tackle way to light for the job.  Hooks that are not strong enough.  Oh yeah, and fish in a fur coat.  Who does that?

Clearly, I am obsessed with targeting Jacks.  But, apparently not very good at it.  So, there will probably be even more creative excuses next week!