I set this week aside as computer/web/photo week, and it turned out to be a pretty good week to be off the water, as we had a pretty good front come through and it got pretty cool and windy for a good part of the week. I was way behind on getting pictures out and on the website work, so it was time well spent.

I did sneak in one trip, though, which had been on the calendar for some time, with my friend Dave Latimer in St. Pete. I had tried to organize the trip with Rusty Holmes, my fishing car salesman, but he had changed dealerships, and was unable to get away at the last minute. So, it was Dave and me. We were going to explore around Wedon Island in Tampa Bay, and area Rusty knows pretty well. We'd have to do it on our own. We were going to call Rusty at around noon, and see if he could meet us, but I left the directions and phone numbers laying on the dash of my new van, and we weren't going to go all the way back for the number, so we were on our own.

We had planned to fish the deeper holes with shrimp and artificials for snook, but the snook had other ideas. We never saw a snook. So, we headed to the oyster bar with spoons tied on, and through the rest of the morning had an absolute blast catching redfish around the bars in the gin-clear water. We could often see the reds fall in behind the spoon and overtake it. Sometimes, they would follow until they became aware of the boat, then scurry off. I don't know how many close encounters we had that didn't materialize, but through the course of the morning we put 11 reds in the boat.

Now, I've got to tell you, I shiner fish for a living, and it's a great way to create action for your customers. But, I started out as a plug fisherman, and still love to do it. That's fishing. I like to fish, and don't have to catch a zillion fish to be happy. Actually, I don't have to catch any to be happy. Half the fun of plug fishing is making that perfect cast into that little nook in the mangroves, or skipping a spoon way back underneath an overhang. And, the other half is the anticipation of the strike that may well come after you've made that great cast.

The day was nearly a perfect 10, and I thank you, Dave. Can't wait to do it again.