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It was another week of unseasonably cold weather by Florida standards. I did manage to fish Monday and Friday, but through the middle of the week, it was just too cold and blowin to fish. Here's how it went.
Monday, I had a delightful couple, Joe Sweeda and Kelly Scott, from Idaho. They showed up at the dock that morning in shorts and short sleeves. I was layered up in long johns, etc., and still worried about being warm enough. I warned them that they'd likely freeze once we were under way, but they assured me that they would be all right.
We headed up river for some easy ladyfish and jack action first. It was midday, and the tide was slowing, but the fish were there by the thousands, and we had a good time catching tons of ladyfish, 6 jacks, and a nice pompano. Kelly seemed to be having a blast with those fish, and was cute as she could be.
Once the action slowed, we headed out to the marker for bait. It took a couple of attempts to get anchored properly, but once I did, Kelly dropped a little chum. I told Kelly that sometimes you can catch more bait than you can use in one throw, and darned if that's not what happened. After only a couple of minutes of chumming, I threw the net, and could barely get it into the boat. Kelly was so excited to see all those fish, she was nearly beside herself. We poured maybe a third of what I had in the well, and dumped the rest back over the side. We were ready!
We headed up the Sound. I wasn't real hopeful of having much of a snook bite because of all the bad weather, and the wind was north at around 15. But, we were treated to a potpourri of fish; 3 snook, 3 trout to 18 inches, 3 nice gag grouper including one keeper, and a couple of catfish. So, Joe and Kel took home a nice grouper and a pompano, enough for a great fish dinner. What amazed me most was that Joe and Kel never once complained or admitted to being cold. Those Iowans are tough.
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After some really tough weather during the week, Paul Bastron and his fourteen year-old twins Phil and Pat, from Chicago, ventured out with me Friday morning in low 40 degree temps. Paul was primarily interested in getting the boys into some action. That meant up the river for ladyfish again. Neither of the boys had ever used open face spinning reels, so they had to have a quick course on the fine points of spin fishing. They caught on quickly, though, and were soon reeling in ladyfish one right after another!
The Bastrons had to be in early, and I didn't want to waste their fishing time catching bait, so I had shrimp on board. I planned to go after speckled trout after the jaunt up the river. The boys are used to catching rainbows back home. Actually, with the barometer at over 30.30, I was surprised that the ladyfish even ate. We visited some of my favorite, and very fertile winter trout holes, and the trout just weren't interested. We only managed to catch half dozen or so of the beautiful spotted seatrout. When the fish did start to bite pretty well, they would push our shrimp to the top of the water, and the birds came from everywhere to harass us, making it impossible to fish. We made the best of a cold day, and the boys had a good time.
This is, of course, the last report before the Christmas Holiday. I want to first thank everyone who has taken the time to send Christmas cards, and apologize for not responding in kind. A few years ago, I just had to quit sending cards, as my list grew to nearly 2000 customers and friends, and the whole idea became unmanageable. But, I want each and every one of you to know that you, my customers and friends, many veterans of many BarHopp'R trips, are the most important thing in the world to me. Without you, I would not be one of the busiest guides in southwest Florida. But, I want you all to know that more important than your loyalty as customers, is the value of your friendship. I have said many times that the best, most rewarding part of being a professional guide, is the wonderful friends I've made. That continues to be true, and remains the driving force behind my passion for the business. Please accept this report as my Christmas card to you.
I also want to once again thank all of you who offered your prayers and good wishes for Jean's recovery from breast cancer. Without all those prayers, things could have very well turned out differently. And, while we're on the ugly subject, I'd like to ask all of you who believe in the power of prayer, to offer a special Christmas prayer for Donald Hunter, brother of my good friend Texas Wader, Ron Hunter. Donald was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer, and has a long, difficult road ahead of him. Ron, is understandably feeling pretty helpless right now. Ron is a special guy. When we first fished together, I don't think he quite knew what to make of me. But, in the time that has followed, Ron has kind of turned into one of my biggest fans and a good friend, and I hate to see him anguish over his brother. So, let's try to get him well.
Here's wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, a wonderful holiday season, and a healthy, wealthy, and fishy New Year!
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