Panacea 12-31-15

[Red Dawg]

Loaded the kayaks Wednesday night based on the hourly weather report saying low rain percentage until noon. Got up at 6:45 to a light rain and a new forecast of rain all day! Around 10:00 it had stopped and looked not to threatening. Figured we'd try, but stay close to a landing in case we had to make a mad dash in. Got to the water and the sky's looked clearer than at the house by far. Still a little gun shy from the last "let's give it a try" when we had to paddle up into the reeds and take a 45 minute beating until we could even see the landing. It was pretty windy, but the sun popped out around 11:00 and made me dig out the sunblock. Never could seem to get set up right with the wind blowing one direction and the tide pulling the opposite. Managed one short red and another stupid ray that made me think I had a nice red. Called it quits around 2:30 with an empty cooler. As usual lately the boy paddles up with a fish in the cooler. At least he didn't have 2 this time!!! :- The second picture is from 12-24-15 when I brought in another goose egg!

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[DixieReb]

Gotta quit lett'in that boy beat you like that! I thought us old guys were supposed to show the young ones how it's done. Happy New Year and get back at them as soon as you can. Nice looking yaks in the picture.

[Red Dawg]

I never would have believed there was such a thing as a natural born fisherman, but I'm the only one he's ever really fished with and he's WAY past my abilities! I'm actually proud as I can be, but it would be nice to get a double at least once.

As for the kayaks, we are living proof that you do not have to have a Hobie or whatever other high dollar kayaks are out there to catch fish. Don't get me wrong I'd love to have one but we're doing fine with our $200-300 setups. He actually showed me how to make an anchor trolley for around $10 rather than paying $40 for one at a sporting good store. Added rod holder's and scupper plugs for my sit on top and started fishing. Definitely don't want to sound cocky but not to bad for only a year and a half of living here and our first kayaks.

P.S. He's looking for a job since my auto insurance policy went up $1000 after adding him, so if anybody wants to hire a part time deck hand he's available.

[DixieReb]

My Dad used to out-fish me all the time. He taught me most of what I know, but he could catch fish out of the same hole I was fishing, and I wouldn't get a bite. I think he knew how to make fish bite, sure hope I get that good one day. He's not with us now, but we sure had some great times together.

[Red Dawg]

I understand that Reb, my Granddaddy taught me and it was the same way. Hate your Dad and my Granddaddy aren't around now. Even the boy couldn't overcome the conditions today. Brutal trip. Wind was howling, it was 47 degrees, looked everywhere I know at this particular spot and never got a bite. Got soaked with my sit on top yak on the paddle in from whitecaps and the wind straight in my face. I was surprised he didn't have at least one. He usually finds them.

[DixieReb]

If it hasn't rained too much, this cold might have pushed them upriver. Might be a good place to look, above the fort.

[ertauber]

Anyone fishing the Ochlocknee near the park? In the past years this has always been good but with the warm December I didn't think the water would be cool enough.

[silverking]

Oh, it's cold enough. Launched over there Friday after finding cafe latte at Lanark. Water was 53 degrees in the river and 54 at one of the springs. Color of three-day-old tea with lots of sugar (too sweet). No luck whatsoever. Didn't mark any fish and only saw one jumping mullet and one rolling gar. The improved ramp at the state park is really nice though and it's always cool to run around on those scenic waterways. I've done well with trout and reds there in previous years, but not this time.