Monday was Memorial Day, and the last day of my four day weekend. I was ready for action Tuesday.

Mark Brown and Rex Walker, experienced wade fishermen from San Antonio, Texas, were ready to try their luck. I decided to stop at Picnic Island for bait, on the recommendation of a friend. The bait there was small and scarce. I didn't hang long, and headed for the flats at Chino Island. Once set up at Chino and chumming, we had a well full of beautiful shiners in two throws.

Our wind was about 15 from the northeast. I though the beach would be flat and we would be able to go catch a lot of snook, but the water was still slopped up, probably from weather during the night, and fishing outside quickly became a non-option. I turned around and headed back inside.

We found some snook and redfish action on the flats. Considering that the bulk of the snook population is outside, it wasn't bad. The funny thing was that the boys were really surprised at what a challenge the found this fishing to be. They're both experienced anglers, but commented that they didn't understand when reading my fishing reports how people could have such a hard time getting the hookset right, but now understood. It was like going back to school. They got into the groove, though, and before the morning was over they had boated a dozen or so snook, and 4 or 5 redfish. Mark and Rex were fun, and we had a good time. We ended a great day at the Waterfront Restaurant with a great lunch.

I had a last minute cancellation of my Wednesday trip, but it worked out OK. My friend Will O'Leary, scheduled for Thursday and Friday arrived early Wednesday. I invited him to stay at my fish camp instead of a local motel. It's always nice to have the company.

Thursday morning Will and I were at it early. Will was anxious to get in a day of rehearsal on the snook before our buddy Russ Hubbard and his son David joined us on Friday. We once again had a boat full of bait on two throws of the net at Chino. With the wind straight out of the east, we were headed to Stickbeach to try to catch a bunch of snook.

Once on the beach we found that the snook had moved much closer to the cover than on previous trips. We had plenty of hits, though, and Will broke off some big fish. He did boat some 12 to 15 snook, 2 nice trout, and a mackerel. Once the bite slowed on the beach we headed inside and caught another snook or two. Will had back surgery earlier this year, and his back was bothering him, so we called it quits early and headed to the Waterfront for lunch. Will wanted to make sure he could fish on Friday.

Friday morning we met Russ and his 11 year old son, David. It was David's birthday, and this trip was for him. It was the first day of the Caloosa Catch and Release tournament, and I knew that there would be many of the 100 entrants heading for the Stickbeach to try to rack up some big numbers. I wanted to be the first boat there, if possible, and get what has proven day after day to be the best spot on the beach.

We headed for Chino and bait. It took a little longer, but we got it quickly, and were on our way. I was surprised and relieved to see that we were the first to the beach as I cleared the jetty at Blind Pass. Not five minutes after we anchored into position, I looked up and saw what looked like an Armada of boat coming at us. It was the tournament boats. What I wasn't ready for was their total lack of manners or any consideration for us. We had boat parking all around us just as close as they could get. I guess when there's a tournament, all the rules of courtesy on the water are waived. Maybe there's a new tournament rule that gives all entrants the license to be buttheads. Anyone who knows me well, knows I'm more than willing to share a good hole, but that's at my invitation.

Well, I guess we had the last laugh. The fish were once again close to the cover, and I moved into casting distance straight off the wood. Will, Russ, and David caught 21 snook, 2 nice trout, and a mackerel while all the inconsiderates looked on, and I never saw any boat close to us catch the first fish. In fact, many began leaving, perhaps in disgust, within an hour after arriving. Most didn't even bother to try any other spots!

In closing, I want to pass along some mixed news regarding Blind Pass. My good friend and sometimes customer Kevin Shimp, who is close to the Blind Pass situation, informed me that the money for the opening is indeed appropriated and the project is presently be bid upon. That's the good news. The bad news is that the politicians involved, in their infinite and questionable wisdom, are going to have all the fallen Australian Pine trees removed from Bowman's Beach, and the sand from the Pass opening put in their place. They are trading one fishery for another, instead of trying to protect both. Yes, I'm thrilled that the Pass will be opened, and that tidal flow will be restored to the Sound in that area. That is a great thing. But to remove all those trees, which have been there to some degree or another for as long as I can remember, is inexcusable. That stretch of beach is fished heavily by shore anglers and boat anglers alike. Perhaps that's the rub! I just don't think the politicians want us fishing there at all.

Maybe we'll have to do what some of the offshore boys have had to do in some areas; start building our own reefs!

Note: Those of you who have trips booked in the future, or who may want to book, should note my new phone numbers. Home/office is 239-628-3522, and the new cell phone number is 239-633-5851.