NFGFC Keaton Beach 3-7-09

[Reel Cowboy]

Christy and I went to the meeting Thursday night and afterwards headed to Keaton to do a little prefishing Friday morning. We got jerk baits that Capt. Pat brought and my contest winnings from the GAFF forum. Hit up the ABC for a case of cold drinks and headed to Taylor County.The drive over wasn't much to write home about other than the 15-20 deer we saw all over the place.
I woke up Friday morning at whatever time the Greens got to their boat (our caper was right in front of it and dem boys is loud). Talked to BD and Hunter and Warren a little and wished 'em luck. I got Christy up shortly after that, launched the boat and headed to the awaiting Gulf. I think Christy had on everything she owned and could barely move her arms but she was a trooper.
We made it to the area between Yates and Spring Warrior where we saw reds and trout at the redfish tournament last month. Fish everywhere no matter what we threw they just weren't interested. Just easing along, not real spooky but dang sure not hungry. That went on for a few hours and my buddy Justin called and said he was waiting on us so we went back to get him. Christy needed to run to town for hush puppy mix and Justin and I headed back out. Just a little north of that area we set up a drift around some bars and the fish were doing 2 things, still swimming and still not eating.
We made a move to some shoreline in search of some dark bottom and hungry fish. We found fish again but the boat still smelled of skunk. Mullet jumping everywhere, baitfish hanging around but still nothing. Saw Casey and his partner idling over and Justin nails a pig. 24" and close to 3# of trout. I asked him he wanted to keep it or put it in the crab trap for tomorrow. Since it was his biggest saltwater fish we iced him down. That made my weekend or so I thought.
We called it a day and headed in to start what turned out to be a night full of fish stories, good friends and a few cold beers.
I woke up at 3:38 and laid there looking at the ceiling, checked to make sure my boat was still there and laid back down. I was so pumped for the day that laid ahead of us. We got signed in and chewed the fat for a little while and at 6:30 started trying to figure out how we were gonna get the boat unstuck. Luckily BB and CT were in the same situation and after some thought they borrowed a push pole and freed themselves. We followed suit and off we went.
Same area again and saw fish right off the bat. We moved every 20 minutes or so to no avail. We started easing towards some nice looking bars and 2 jack legs cut us off not once but twice. Sure enough the boat number started with "FL".
We moved a good bit and around 12:30 decided that it just wasn't meant to be. Christy was feeling puny but again the trooper came out and she wouldn't let me take her back in.
We moved 1 last time to a creek mouth and started fishing at 1:00. We started catching fish on the first cast. Justin lands a 16" trout on a jerk bait and my micro guide rod. That was cool. I followed up with another keeper on a mullet colored Mirrolure. Christy was still feeling a little under the weather but managed to start fishing. We fished this area for an hour and caught 15-20 trout. No big fish, they were all 15 1/4" -16" but we had 5 keepers for the weigh-in and that was priority #4. We made run back in got tied up and drank a beverage or 2.
Justin caught most of the fish and it made my day again when he weighed them in.
All of our fish where caught on jerk baits, suspending and even top water. All rods used were my very own creations, you can't beat catching fish on something you made.
I had a great time at the fish fry, tournament day and the weigh in. Got up this morning and headed back to the house for some chores.
Got to see some good friends, got some good eats and plenty of conversation.
Thanks for reading (I know it's a long one) and thanks to everyone involved for a great time.

[birddog]

Good write up RC. But, you gotta get a camera dude.

[Reel Cowboy]

The photo processor finally took it.



Biggest fish he's ever caught and I was dang proud for it to happen on my boat.

[birddog]

Sweet!

[Eerman]

Nice report and good to see you guys. Wipe your feet, your wife is tired of sweeping up after you:D

[Reel Cowboy]

Wipe your feet, your wife is tired of sweeping up after you:D

I heard all about that this morning on the ride home. Trouble is I don't think I could get the lady that cleans our house to Keaton to clean the camper.

[Tom Keels]

Good report RC, Tell Christy she has been nominated to be the new hushpuppy maker for all future NFGFC and BBF events. They were some of the best I've ever had.

[Flint River Pirate]

Nice job RC!

[Chalk]

Good report RC

[tin can]

Nice writeup, RC. Justin's big fish, and doin it with something you made yourself is sweet.

[Bow'd Up]

Good report RC Good seeing ya'll again

[whitebc]

[SHOWBOAT]

nice report RC. Nice speaking with you at the meeting Thursday.

[caseycook]

Great day bud. Enjoyed talking with y'all.

[BayGator]

Good report Matthew!