Keaton Beach 3-27-04

[CSMarine]

Not a lot to report. Left the ramp at 7:15am. Water temp was 64 degrees. Highest temp was at 3:00pm and was 67 degrees. Wind was up enough to get my wife and I good and wet for the 3 mile ride to the place we caught them last week. My daghter followed with her 19 foot Aquasport Osprey. Fished same places, same baits, as last week and caught many shorts and only one keeper, a 22 inch trout.
Decided to try to salvage the day for my daughter and her family so went out to 6-8 foot and trolled for Spanish Macks. Did very well. Started catching right away. Kept a few for the grill, and same for my daughter. Plenty spanish out there. Also caught a fine Flounder trolling. Had a fine time with the family, and a good fish supper back at the camper Sat. night. Don't get any better.

My good fortune shined coming home Sunday night. Just as I pulled into my drive, I looked in the mirror and noticed a trailer tire going flat (fast).
Got the trailer backed up, got out of the truck, and noticed the same side rear truck tire going flat. Trailer tire had too many nails to repair, the truck tire had one ten penny nail and a finishing nail it. The good fortune was that it happened on my street, instead of two hours from home.

[JimR]

CS... glad you were able to salvage the day. My wife and I didn't fair much better. Same places, bait and tactics as last weekend. 2 keeper trout Saturday, 2 on Sunday. Didn't try for the mack's though. You trolling spoons ?

[dstockwell]

Good report CS, glad you made it back just in time for the tire. Guess you did not have your lucky Chalk with you this round..

[CSMarine]

Jim, I was trolling Mackeral trees. (four small silver and gold tensil covered hooks with a gold clarks spoon as a terminal lure.) I had a plug on the other pole. Hung something large that I never turned with the plug, but all the spanish came on the mack trees.

Tried to raise you on the radio, couldn't get you.

[JimR]

Thanks. I just posted a new topic about trolling. Never done it before. Any suggestions on rigging, speed, distance behind the boat ? . I have one or two mackeral trees and small clark spoons. Should I get the larger spoons ? How do you get the trees down into the water ? Sorry I missed you on the radio, had it on all day. may have been running when you called.

[CSMarine]

Jim like any style of fishing, it varies with each person. If fishing for Spanish, I use a pen 310 reel with 30-40lb mono. I troll mostly between 4-5 mph. The spoon or a 1/2oz marabo jig will sink o:k. Of coure it will sink better the smaller dia line you use. Vary your speed to the conditions and depth.

[JimR]

Thanks. Think I'll try it next time out.

[Chalk]

Guess you did not have your lucky Chalk with you this round..

Everything I do is planned out to the T, maybe a little luck . Like Keaton last week, ask CSMarine, I started working on that bad boy two months ago....We chose four spots to fish, alloted times at each area and set the plan in motion. We pretty much stuck to the plan; we did swap locations but followed the plan. Guess you would call me an object oriented fisherman

[CSMarine]

Another lesson here young Chalk. When I was young, (about your age) I got head over heals into Bass tournaments. I was teased some about being so detail orintated. Studing maps, weather, presentation, color, PH, temp and any other details I could think of that would give me an edge.
Even down to the Ranger boat, four packed tackleboxes, and twelve top of the line baitcasters on every trip. Had every stop of the day plannned to the minute.
After 4-5 years of that. Got what's called "Tournament Burnout" Dreaded the next tournament. Began to seem like a job. I finally quit. I didn't even want to go bass fishing for about six months. Sold all my gear and went back to a 12 foot jon boat with a 6hp Johnson, fishing for crappie, bream, and catfish. Had to work my way back to where I started when I was a kid. Fishing because of the enjoyment I recieved from it. The mental rest and relaxation. Also the enjoyment of a fresh fish dinner for a change, instead of weighing and releasing everything I caught.
You were wound up all day at the tournament the other day. You almost had me caught up in it by the end of the day. That's the way you have to be to compete.
One day when your fifty-something, mental rest and relaxtion, and a good fresh fish dinner, will take on a whole different meaning.

[Sir reel]

Absolutely No Offense intended towards Chalk cause he's sure helped me out from time to time and I'd fish with him any time ..... But I sure have to amen what CS said

[Tidedancer]

CSMarine. You almost wrote what my fishing experences have been through my life. Bass Clubs, tournaments, 13 different bass boats. Hell I even had a local TV fishin' show. Then one day I said "I quit" It was not fun anymore. I took up retriever hunt tests and bird hunting. Did not fish for years untill a couple of years ago I took a vacation on SGI and the saltwater bug got to me. Now I only fish for fun and I eat what I keep. Life is good again. Even mama loves to go now. So I know how you feel. And it feels good.
Thanks for reminding me why I fish.

[CSMarine]

[Chalk]

Okay, I won't elaborate on my techniques anymore, since they stress you guys out

[tin can]

I'm still in a Bass club, and love to tournament fish. When people express an interest, and an intent to try tournament fishing, I'm quick to tell them it isn't for everyone. I've been tournament fishing for 30 years. I don't see myself quitting any time soon. However, I, also, got bit by the saltwater bug about 5 years ago. I saltwater fish for the pleasure. I fish the saltwater club tournaments, with the intent to win. But, if I don't, it's no big deal. In essence, when I feel real competetive I fish a bass tournament. When I want to have fun, I saltwater fish.

You gotta wanna be a serious tournament fisherman.