Steinhatchee For My Birthday

[Capt Reggie]

Sorry for the very late report but after the birthday enjoyments "Da Bug" got me down until this weekend. On April 3rd, my oldest son (Bobby) & I fished with Capt. Rick Bouley out of Steinhatchee for my birthday present! The weather was grand, the seas calm, the tide out at an extreme low, and beginning to come in, as Capt. Rick eased us into a very shallow bay around the corner from the river channel about 7:30 a.m.

For hundreds of yards we could see at least a hundred tailing redfish with roving schools of mullet mixed in with them. I've seen a lot of redfish tailing in my life but never that many in one place at one time. I freaked! In fact, I was so taken aback by the sight that I just spent most of the time letting Capt. Rick pole my son around tossing a gold spoon into the tailers and getting hooked up. When it did come time for me to toss a spoon, top water lure, or fly at the reds, I missed every strike. I've been "snake bit" before, but never like this, and on my birthday. It is a good thing we call it fishing and not catching!

After the tide came in about three hours later (without me catching anything) and Bobby spanking me like never before on the spoon, Capt. Rick moved us into another area where good 'ole Bobby proceeded to kick my rear end by catching some fine flounder (yes, on that darn gold spoon, again). At least he was consistent? Not me. But, alas, at the end of the day, I accepted my fate quite well and we headed back to the room at the Sea Hag Marina to drown my sorrows in some good drinks while awaiting the arrival of my friend, Gene. Later that night we had some fine food and more drinks, staying up late and howling at the moon.

Dawn came early and with it about 25 MPH east winds as Gene, Bobby, & I headed out of the river channel and out towards Pepper Grass Keys. The "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" bashed me to pieces, but I tried to be tough. Actually, I'm not the "tough guy", I'm the fat guy. Anyway, we prceeded to set up a "fast" drift moving back towards the river channel in 3 foot of water casting our arms off. I finally caught a fish - oh no, it was a catfish on a top water lure! How do you do that? I didn't know catfish would hit a prop lure? Of course, Bobby is the ever prevelant "Mr. Flounder" catching those darn flatties with that nasty gold spoon. Does he know how to throw any other lure? Yes, but only the one that is currently catching fish, he replied!

Gene, of course, is catching fish - flounders & trout. And me - yeah, I'm still sanke bitten. Ah, at least I didn't catch one of those &*$%^#$ Lizard fish things, eh! Usually those lizard fish like to grab my flies and lures, but not today. So, at the end of the day we limped back into port where I again drowned my sorrows in some fine drinks and food. Saturday morning I stayed at the Sea Hag while Bobby & Gene went out in a 30 MPH gail to fish. When they returned, zero - nada- zip - no hits! We packed up and left.

Sunday I came down with the flu bug and stayed near death until about 48 hours ago. It is nice to be still living, but I doubt if I will ever live down the thrashing I recieved from my eldest son. Still, I loved the trip, learned a lot about thigs I didn't know from the guide, and took my butt beating in harmony with the spirit of things.

[caseycook]

Happy belated bday Reggie...sounds like it was a fun trip. Hope you're feeling better.

[bman]

Happy Bday Capt! Glad you got to spend time on the water and with family.
Sorry for the bad luck!

[Reel Cowboy]

Happy belated birthday Capt.
Glad you had a good time.