He pursuaded us that we should go see what's shakin on some body of water anywhere. I reminded him that no one had been catching fish but I was so honored that he had asked me - I had to accept.
Since it was on his way, I was going to meet him at the Southwood Publix parking lot. While I waited I walked over to the Gate store to get something to drink and said to myself, "It is kinda windy to go fishing".
When Sir Reel called he told me, "Whatever the wind is doing - we'll work around it".
We picked up a few shimp at Jerry's on the way to the fort in case the frozen conglomerate of squid, shrimp, one baby pinfish, secret weapon, etc. didn't do the trick.
There were a handful of trailers with their vehicles when we got to the fort so I figured that we weren't the only idio.. I mean.. idealists trying to close down the year going fishing.
Even so, I was excited about a cold weather, in the river, fishing trip since I still haven't caught my first Red. What better time and what better "pro" than SR to be with to "brake the ice"!
The secret honey hole down the river didn't pay off and the wind was rather brisk at times. This didn't look very good... but after all this WAS just an excursion.
The wind laid and SR said, "Let's head on down to East River, I think I can find it"
It was cold riding down the river but the wind seemed to be pretty slack when we got down there that he decided we should, "Go on out to some close numbers" - so off we went to the promised land!
The heading we took from the mouth of the river was precisely .. well southward anyway for a distance of exactly .. well about that far.. If you were out today, it was somewhere around the two barges waiting on the tide so they could come up the river.
When we arrived, SR put out the mighty stick and we went back and forth over the promised land. It broke its promise. So we decided to just stop and fish the bottom.
Ho Hum... Well it's just an excursion...
I think SR saw what I was thinking so he said while looking at the fishfinder, "There's fish all over below us, or this fishfinder must be screwy!"
"Yeah", I thought.. "the fish UNfinder"!Well, I put on the Secret Weapon everyone's been wondering about. I'm here to tell everyone who doesn't know what the Secret Weapon is, "No, I'm not going to tell!" All I can say is, "It has a hard, wet, shiny thing and you really need to use yours!."
As it turned out, the rock bass finally found us along with Sheepshead and some other bluntheaded fish. Bud's big black bass was 16.5"
I got to use my new filet knife I got from Santa:
Besides a little cold, it was a beautiful afternoon on the water - imagine the last day of the year! I had a great time and enjoyed Bud's wonderful company. A gracious man indeed!
Happy New Year and let me wish you a fantastic '05. Keep everything in perspective, count your blessings, love those important people in your life because it really is more than just an excursion...
.... now how can you ask for a better partner than that! Any of you folks who have never had a chance to spend some time on the water with David, need to. He makes a great partner, can be ready to go at the drop of a hat, and is a pleasure to be with. 
