First borrow pit was very shallow. We paddled around a little bit casting here and there, chasing a trio of buffleheads from one end to the other. The whole thing was pretty shallow, which leads me to believe this one dries up from time to time. Water was clear, but didn't see any fish. Not even any small bream.
The second borrow pit was further off the road and there was still standing water in the woods here, so the first thing we did was find a route in. Then I had the little one wait about half-way back to the car while I shuttled all our stuff in. We got the canoe in the water and started fishing and looking. I've fished this one before, but a long time ago. The whole thing is nearly all grown over with weeds now. We found some pockets that look like this one never dries completely up, but we still didn't see any fish. Decided this was a lost cause and we shoud try the Wakulla. Shuttled all our stuff and the four year old back to the car, got loaded up and headed to the house for Papa to get into some dry clothes.
Get home and Mama is getting the yard work done, so in the time it takes me to change the little one decides she doesn't want to go to the river now, she wants to stay home and help Mama in the yard. Okay, unpack all her stuff out of the car and put in my shotgun, since it's opening day of the second phase of duck and coot season. Took the car since it was already loaded and put in at Lower Bridge. Picked up one small bass just down from the bridge. Shot two coots at the island down from the Olin Park. Picked up a few more small bass on the way down to Big Boggy. Shot another coot just up from Big Boggy and missed getting a shot on a spoonbill, should have been paying attention. Cast around up in Big Boggy, nothing happening. Crossed the river and shot my fourth, and last coot. Then started back up. Picked up a few more small bass on the way and made it to the long, deep hole below Lower Bridge about 6. Nearly dark by now, I picked up a four pounder off the rocky shoal, that one went in the cooler. Tried around the bridge pilings a little bit and called it a day.
Cooler Tally: 4 Coots
1 four lb. bass
While I was out there I kept thinking I should have used a bike instead of the car. Now I'm glad I drove. Got a pretty good upper body workout today.
