It Wasn't a Bad Omen After All

When I went to West Neck yesterday to dump a little gas in my boat, there wasn't a single bank fisherman, no vehicles in the parking lot, and no one minding the store. I immediately figured that didn't bode well for my planned fishing trip today. My thought was that the bass perhaps had shut down completely, and everybody was just waiting for better days to return, rather than waste their time and gas just sitting out there baking their brains in the blazing sun.

When I launched at 7 o'clock this morning, nothing had changed from what I found yesterday, and I seriously was wondering if my original thought yesterday might be coming true. Nevertheless, I rigged my boat, dropped it in the water, and headed to the mouth of West Neck, with plans to work my way back toward the marina.

I built my plans for today around some things I had heard people talking about following this past Saturday's tournament, as well as some comments I had read online. Let's just say my plan was to start with a topwater bait and stay with it until the fish let me know they didn't want it anymore.

That plan paid off, as evidenced by this 1-10 that was one of five bass which I put in the boat today with my topwater bait. I also had a 1-1, a 1-4, and two dinks on the same bait. All the fish were caught between 7 and 11 o'clock, and that was it for the day, except for a nasty ol' grindle that snapped up my spinnerbait this afternoon while I was slow-rolling it.

Unlike my tourney partner, Rob, though, I got my spinnerbait back in decent shape, and I didn't even have to use the Boca grips. When he rolled up alongside the boat, I noticed he barely was hooked, so I kept tension on the line, and as he made his first leap, the lure came flying back over my shoulder.

Besides the topwater bait and the spinnerbait, I also fished a crankbait, Rapala Subwalk, and a soft plastic today, all to no avail. Couldn't buy a strike with any of them.

Likely won't get back on the water again this week, 'cause I have some things to do. Will shoot for a day next week, though, ahead of our next tourney on Saturday, Aug. 8th.

By the way, reckon I should explain that I wasn't the "lone ranger" after all today. Saw my buddies Joe and Tom pass me and turn south this morning. Also ran across a bream fisherman and a pleasure boat full of passengers before all was said and done.

A Day That Would Have Made Ol' Dewey Proud

Nice weather prompted the best turnout of the current season, as 30 anglers in 17 boats showed up to vie for top honors in today's tournament.

Standing tallest at day's end was the team of (from left) Rob Peppers and Don Carter, who weighed a five-fish limit totaling 16.82 lbs. Rob also garnered the day's lunker award with the 5.02-lb. bass you see here in his right hand.

Finishing in 2nd place was Tom Acree and his partner, Joe McDevitt (not pictured), who, despite some boat problems, weighed five bass with a total weight of 12.23 lbs. Their big fish weighed 4.90 lbs.

Claiming 3rd-place honors was the father-son team of Mark (not pictured) and Grayson Kinzel, who brought five bass to the scales. Their total weight was 9.86 lbs., anchored by a 2.30-lb. fish. It's evident Grayson here takes his fishing seriously because, as reported to me by another angler, he took control of his dad's bass boat with the trolling motor while the senior Kinzel went to retrieve the tow rig for recovering the boat. The eyewitness told me young Grayson handled the boat flawlessly. Well done! young man. Your dad must be awfully proud of you--for good reason.

In 4th place at day's end was Jim Wilder, with a five-fish limit totaling 9.14 lbs. after a 0.50 deduction for two dead fish. He didn't weigh a big fish.

Fifth-place money went to the team of Wayne Hayes and Jared Allbritten (not pictured), who wrapped up the day with five fish that tipped the scales at 8.29 lbs. Their big fish was a 2.29-lb. bass.

Rounding out the day's list of contestants who took home a money envelope was the team of Luke Cooper and Justin Gainey (not pictured). They won the mystery-weight drawing. Their total weight was 3.88 lbs., which was closest to the 3.95-lb. tab that was drawn.






Here is how all the other competitors finished the day:

     * Al Napier, five fish, 7.89 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Ronnie and Chandler McLaughlin, five fish, 7.37 lbs. total weight, 2.75-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Randy Conkle and Bob Glass, five fish, 6.29 lbs. total weight after a 0.25 deduction for one dead fish, no big fish.
     * The team of Gary Coderre and Lenny Hall, four fish, 6.03 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Paul Celentano and Sid Ryan, five fish, 5.56 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Chris Fretard and Mike Miller, three fish, 5.42 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The husband-wife team of Nathan and Marjorie Gottsch, three fish, 3.63 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Rob Chatham and Ken Testorff, three fish, 2.58 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * Jim Bauer, one fish, 1.72 lbs. total weight, no big fish.

The following participants didn't weigh any fish: the team of Duane and Donny Kessel, and Skip Schaible.

Overall, the anglers today weighed a total of 62 bass for a total weight of 107.21 lbs. The average weight was 1.72 lbs.

In addition, three more competitors became Classic-qualified as a result of today's participation. We now have a total of 21 anglers eligible to fish our two-day season-ending event in October.

Congrats to all of today's winners, and thanks to all those who came out today.

For planning purposes, our next tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8th. Hours will be safe light (probably about 5:45 or 5:50 a.m.) to weigh-in at 2 p.m.

Rob and I fished a new game plan for us today. We both caught some largemouth but all on the small side. We also found some decent-sized fish but of the wrong species. Rob tied into a big grindle this afternoon that destroyed one of his homemade spinnerbaits, and I hooked a couple of stripers today--one on a spinnerbait and the other on a crankbait.

In all honesty, I can't say I was surprised at our lackluster day, given the dismal reports I've been getting from different ones for most of about two weeks now. There's no way of knowing if or when it'll get any better.

One can hope, though, that a change for the better isn't too far into the future. I can't remember the last time I found things as tough as they are at the moment. What I wouldn't give to be able to sit down and pick ol' Dewey's brain about this current dilemma.

'Twas Everything I Had Heard It to Be

Different ones have been encouraging me to visit the all-new Oceans East Bait and Tackle store ever since it first reopened. I finally got there yesterday and truthfully can say I wasn't disappointed by what I found. My friends indeed had represented the store accurately to me.

It's a bit mind-blowing to see everything this new store has to offer when you realize the establishment began in 1982 as a tackle shop no bigger than a two-car garage. Since then, it has become a popular attraction for fishermen, hunters and sportsmen alike, boasting more than 14,000 square feet of floor space.

The latest growth to Oceans East came in the summer of 2014, when it added a hunting division to the inshore and offshore, freshwater and saltwater fishing merchandise and apparel. This hunting division includes multiple lines of bows, crossbows and muzzleloaders.

Coupled with a knowledgeable staff always on hand to answer your questions, Oceans East is equipped with everything needed to make your next fishing or hunting trip successful.

And for all you fly rodders, I urge you to take a look at Charlie's blog. I was up there earlier today and noticed he has posted an item about a new store that has opened at Hilltop to fill all your long-pole needs. Here's the link to Charlie's blog: http://vbfishguide.blogspot.com/.

North Landing Continues To Be Stingy

That appears to be the consensus of the majority of anglers I'm hearing from, and I'm in total agreement after spending today on the water. Having worked my way through a series of crankbaits, spinnerbaits and soft plastics, all I had to show for my efforts was one 12-inch bass and a big grindle that I was lucky enough to give a quick release to without ever having to touch him.

There were a few bass as well that worked their way into early releases, and it wasn't just one bait they were hitting. The lone fish I managed to put in the boat came on a Rapala Scatter Rap. This lure has been my "bail out" bait more than once when I've been staring at a skunk, as I was until 1 o'clock today.

Jim Bauer also was on the water and told me he put three largemouth in the boat, but his best fish of the day was this 2.2-lb., 20-inch striper. He caught it at the West Neck Bridge while fishing for crappie with an 8-wt. fly rod and 8-lb. leader. Said Jim, "It gave me quite a ride for a bit."

He wasn't the only angler with a fly rod in his hand today. While working a stretch of shoreline in the oxbow down at Pungo Ferry, I ran across Ray Scott, who just had come out of Albright's.

I asked what kind of day he was having, and Ray responded that he had "caught a bunch of bream on his fly rod." I watched him continue his "bream-catching ways" there in the oxbow. Every time I glanced over my shoulder in his direction for the next 20 minutes or so, he was busy taking another fish off the hook. I don't own a fly rod, nor do I have a clue how to use one, or I very well might have grabbed it today.

I can only hope the bass fishing picks up a little bit before our next tourney scheduled for July 25th.

UPDATE

I received an email today (7/21/2015) from my friend, Doc, who definitely seconds the suggestion that North Landing is being extremely stingy right now. He said today marks his third consecutive trip without a single fish. The only sign he had today that any fish even still are alive was three bumps on soft plastic.

Winning a Tournament "in a Big Way"

Lots of guys win bass tournaments, but few do it the way Chad Johnson did in the Confederate Bassmasters tournament held July 11th on the Chickahominy River. In case you're wondering, the fish on the left went a hefty 9-3, and the one on the right weighed in at 5-7.

These two fish alone would have won the tournament for Chad, but he went on to catch a total of four bass weighing 16.8 lbs. The nearest competitor was James Funk, who had five fish with a total weight of 11.8 lbs. Finishing in third place was Red Bruun, with a five-fish sack weighing 10 lbs. even.

Here is how all the other participants finished:

Mike McCluskey, five fish, 9.9 lbs.; Al Napier, five fish, 8.8 lbs.; Matthew Funk, five fish, 7.7 lbs.; Brian Stump, four fish, 6.5 lbs.; Jimmy Carter, one fish, 4.4. lbs.; Marty Carey, three fish, 3.6 lbs.; Luke Cooper, two fish, 3.0 lbs.; Justin Gainey, one fish, 2.8 lbs.; Phil Glennon, two fish, 2.2 lbs.; Tom Lang, two fish, 0.9 lbs.

Anglers Rob Chatham, Vic Hofer and Randy Garmon didn't weigh any fish.

A hearty Well Done! to all these anglers.

Another Wet Ending to the Day

That's two in a row for my friend, Tom, who also fished this past Saturday's tournament. In both cases, the clouds rolled in and the raindrops started falling about the same time. There was one distinct difference, though: Today's episode didn't include all the lightning and thunder that accompanied Saturday's deluge.

Just the same, Tom didn't take any chances. He quit and got off the water when the cloud bank appeared. There was just one problem: He waited about 10 minutes too long.

Today's trip took Tom to a couple of areas north that he hadn't fished this year. But given the results, I have to believe he'll be headed back that way again real soon. He boated a total of six bass, all on soft plastics. His best fish came in at about 3 lbs., which, if it had been last Saturday, would have been good enough to lay claim to the lunker award.

Also had an email from my friend, Charlie, who had gone down to the oxbow at Pungo Ferry today. He ended up with three bass for his efforts.

Both of these anglers indicated they plan to be back on the water again this week. Tom is going to try and go tomorrow, if the weather forecast is right, and Charlie said he is looking toward another trip Friday. That's the day when I hope to get in a few licks of my own again.

Restoration of a Skeeter SX-170 Rig - Stage 1

When I sold my Skeeter SX-170 a couple of months ago, I knew the buyer, Jean- (pronounced "zhahn") David, or JD as he's usually called, was going to give it a complete make-over. And, as you easily can tell in the accompanying photos, that process is well underway.

The trailer, as you see it here, is being rebuilt with all new hardware and parts. Said JD, "I spent four days getting it to this state of readiness."

He went on to explain that he "put the trailer up on saw horses and just cut everything off the frame and started over." He didn't really have much choice, given the ravages on the under-carriage from years of fishing brackish water. Then came 1.5 days of sandblasting, followed by priming, painting, new bunks, new axle--"heck, new everything," said JD.

When the trailer is done, he plans to start on the boat. "I already have a new trolling motor, Lowrance depth finder/GPS, and a bunch of other new parts," he noted in his email.

What does he think? "I love it!" he exclaimed. "It's my baby."

The only regret JD has is knowing he must share time on his restoration project with his full-time job as an American contractor working in Korea. The accomplishments you see in the accompanying photos occurred during a visit home in Newport News earlier this month.

JD told me he plans to pick up where he left off when he returns home again at Christmastime, if not sooner. And he has promised to keep me updated on all the progress for posting on my blog... so stay tuned. You'll see the project all the way to the finished product along with me.

UPDATE

In an email I received 7/21/2015, JD included this photo of the SX-170 tucked away in its new temporary home while he's back on the job in Korea...

      ...hooked behind his tow vehicle.

A "Good Samaritan" Boater's Responsibility--What Is It?

Shortly after I published "Right Place at the Right Time" the other day, Jerry emailed me with a suggestion to do a follow-up article about the "requirement" to help distressed boaters.

That's right, folks--it isn't just a moral obligation to help out someone who's having problems on the water. Granted, that very well may be the thought pattern of a person who stops and renders assistance to another boater. However, as outlined in Federal Law 46 USC 2304, "A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the master's or individual's vessel or individuals on board."

The "law of the sea," as it's commonly known, goes on to specify that those who fail to do so can be fined up to $1,000 and imprisoned up to two years. When a maritime law says "shall," it means must. In other words, you don't have a choice.

The term "at sea" doesn't always evoke the idea of rivers or coves where so much boating goes on--or does it? Centuries of practice would argue that they are part of the seas, and, in fact, the USCG Rules of Navigation (the COLREGS) embody, in Rule 1, the connectedness of our waters: "These rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels."

The Congress and Admiralty Courts have addressed this little "at sea" loophole via the Good Samaritan regulations. Federal Law 46 USC 2303(c) states that the master or individual involved in rendering assistance "is not liable for damages as a result of rendering assistance or for an act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment, or other assistance when the individual acts as an ordinary, reasonable and prudent individual would have acted under the circumstances."

In legalese, this creates a high legal hurdle to prove a case against a Good Samaritan. The Admiralty Courts always have considered the chilling effect that a decision against a Good Samaritan would have upon centuries of lifesaving practice. Even if the Good Samaritan made the situation worse, the Court has only ruled against the "Good Sam" if he/she was grossly negligent or exhibited "reckless or wanton conduct" in attempting the rescue.

This doesn't mean that the rescuer even has to succeed--not all rescues do. The Court recognizes that, "under the bright light cast by hindsight," a rescuer might have done something differently, and, thus, outcomes might have been different.

"A rescue attempt must be considered in the light of the circumstances that faced the rescuers when they acted and not with the wisdom of an 'armchair admiral' after the fact." (Korpi v. the United States, 961 F. Supp. 1335)

The tough part for you--the skipper--is deciding whether he or she is "standing into danger" that is beyond the capabilities of the crew or the vessel. However, when you see some vessel alongside the rocks near an inlet, most skippers will try--and the courts will applaud you, even if you have to back away.

Most of the information for this article came from an item authored by Capt. Vincent Pica who, at the time, was district commodore for the First District Southern Region, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

For more information, check out this link: http://blog.boattrader.com/2014/02/10-tips-on-how-to-tow-a-disabled-boat.html.

Finding a Way to Bridge the Color Gap Between Hardbaits and Soft-Plastics

A typical hardbait color chart

Have you ever noticed that soft-plastics manufacturers seem to be playing with a whole different set of colors than hard-baits manufacturers? There are a few the same or similar, but by and large, the color charts are about as far apart as north is from south.

I'm not the only one who has noticed the difference, either. For example, I recently read an item by Russ Bassdozer titled "Mind Your Greens and Browns." He was pointing out that "only soft plastics have shades of green and brown," but that "these colors hardly exist in all other lure types." If you'd like to read the whole Bassdozer article for yourself, go to http://www.bassdozer.com/articles/greens-browns.shtml.

I also stumbled across this online forum: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/156949-why-is-it-that-hardbaits-are-not-common-in-the-most-popular-soft-bait-colors/, which addresses the same subject matter.

A typical softbait color chart

Because I had a couple of soft plastics in colors I'd like to see in a crankbait, I pulled up the Tim Hughes Custom Baits website, filled out an order form, and mailed my two crankbaits and the two sample soft plastics. I first contacted Tim and asked if he could do what I wanted, and he assured me he can.

My package arrived at Tim's place this past Thursday, so in 4 to 6 weeks, or maybe a little less, depending on the workload, I should see the finished products. Given the superb workmanship I've gotten from Tim in the past, I have no reason to be concerned this time. I'm certain his crew will match the colors to a T.

Will my hair-brained idea work? There's no way of knowing until I have a chance to run the acid test. If it doesn't, I'll only be out a few bucks, and at least, I will have put one unanswered question to this point in time to rest.

If, on the other hand, my idea does work, I'll probably be out some more bucks, because I'll need spares to replace the ones I lose in hang-ups. I always like to have extras of my proven fish-catcher baits. After all, nothing will wipe the smile off the face of a fisherman who's just hit the mother lode faster than breaking off on a big fish and realizing he doesn't have another lure like the one he lost.

Nice Weather Continues to Come at a Premium This Tourney Season

If my recollection is on track, we've had a grand total of one tournament this year in which the weather cooperated with us for the whole day. The rest of the time, it has been cold, rain, thunderstorms--you name it, we've had it, for at least part of the day, and today's event was no exception for the 13 boats and 19 anglers who showed up this morning at West Neck Marina.

Just like the last tournament, the dark clouds, thunder and lightning moved in about an hour before the scheduled weigh-in, and some of the anglers got wet before all was said and done.

At the top of today's leaderboard was the team of (from left) Mike Miller and Chris Fretard, who weighed a limit of five bass, with a total weight of 9.64 lbs. They didn't have a kicker fish.

Finishing in 2nd place was Rob Peppers. His five-fish limit tipped the scales at 9.54 lbs., also without a kicker fish.

Taking 3rd place was Gary Coderre, whose five bass weighed in at 8.48 lbs. His big fish and today's lunker weighed 2.21 lbs.

Walking away as today's mystery-weight winners was the team of Mitch Portervint and Skip Schaible (not pictured). Their total weight for five fish was 5.11 lbs. (no big fish). The weight drawn was 5.25.








Here is how all the other contestants finished:

     * The team of Randy Conkle and Bob Glass, five fish, 7.92 lbs. total weight after a 0.25 deduction for one dead fish, 1.73-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Jared Allbritten and Travis Daniels, five fish, 7.25 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Tom Acree and Joe McDevitt, five fish, 6.98 lbs. total weight, 2.08-lb. big fish.
     * The following anglers didn't weigh any fish, even though most of them reported having keepers: Steve Bailey, Jim Bauer, Duane Kessel, the team of John Matyiko and Mark Cable, Jake Milligan, and Ken Testorff.

Overall, the anglers today weighed a total of 35 bass for a total weight of 54.92 lbs. The average weight was 1.56 lbs.

Three more anglers attained status as "Classic-qualified" today. Those three are: Jim Bauer, Rob Peppers and Jake Milligan. We now have 18 who can fish the two-day season-ender.

For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, from safe light (about 5:30 a.m.) to weigh-in at 2 p.m.

The "highlight" (and this is a big stretch of the imagination) of my day was sinking a lure's hooks into about a 10-lb. stump. For a precious few seconds, I just knew I finally had found Bubba, but, alas, it was not to be. With the help of 40-lb. braid, I worked the stump to the side of the boat, where I managed to release it to a new home in deeper water. And, yes, you're right, if you seem to remember that a similar incident happened to me recently.

Later this afternoon, I learned I wasn't the only one who got hold of a "heavyweight" today. One of my friends told me the story of how he hooked a giant turtle, which, when he reached the surface, had his giant claws extended, ready to do battle with by buddy as he tried to get the hook out of his throat. As it turned out, though, the risk outweighed any gain to be had from fighting those claws to get the hook back, so my friend reached down and snipped the line instead.

I would be less than honest if I didn't say I struggled all day--with short strikes, wind knots, globs of moss and grass, and a host of other little annoyances that made me wish I just had rolled over, shut off the alarm, and gone back to sleep this morning. I didn't put the first fish in the boat until about 12:30--a 12-inch bass. Moments later, I hooked a small yellow perch. Both fish hit my spinnerbait.

By and large, though, I just worked out my arm and shoulder today with a mix of topwaters, crankbaits, chatterbaits, and soft plastics--all to no avail. If I had been a betting man, I would have bet you I was going to suffer my first skunk of the current season. As it was, I felt totally sorry for that 12-inch bass, 'cause his mouth really was bruised and bleeding, apparently from having been hooked earlier and released.

So, my pursuit of a "winning" day continues. All I have to do is wait for the law of averages to finally catch up with me--just hope I live long enough to see that happen.

Right Place at the Right Time



Jerry

The day started off to be just another fishing trip on the Northwest River for my friend, Jerry, and his buddy, Eddie. And for about 5-and-a-half-hours this morning, that's all it was.

"The fishing was slow, to say the least," explained Jerry. "Between us, we boated 6 bass and a yellow perch. Four of the 6 bass were 12 inches or longer, and all the fish were caught on soft plastics."

While working along the south bank of the river, very near the Virginia-North Carolina border, this duo came across a boater on the opposite bank who yelled that he needed help. His inboard motor wouldn't start.

Eddie

"For the next 50 minutes," said Jerry, "we tried our best to tow this possibly 24-foot pleasure craft to the Shingle Point ramp in Moyock Creek. My 16-foot jon boat with 25-hp motor was dwarfed by this craft, but we finally got it to the mouth of the creek."

Their adventure was only beginning at this point, though. Now they had to maneuver the much bigger boat up narrow Moyock Creek--not an easy task, considering that Jerry's towing points are a cleat on either side of the transom, rather than a central point.

"Either my boat or the towed craft constantly were veering toward the bank," said Jerry. "Thankfully, about halfway up the creek, the boater got his inboard to fire. Eddie and I then followed the boat to the ramp, just in case it quit again. Overall, I think we had a decent morning of fishing," Jerry added, before concluding, "and God put us in the right place at the right time to help a fellow boater."

Good Advice for All

"Nothing in life is guaranteed. You can't predict how many more days you'll have on this Earth, how many more sunsets you'll be here to see. I want you to make me a promise. Always watch the sunset, baby girl."
--Jessica Prince, Scattered Colors

Photo courtesy Skip Schaible

Went to Play Today in the High Water

Satisfied that most folks would have returned to work after the long holiday weekend, I decided to hit the water for a few hours today, even though I knew it was going to be high. The level nearly was all the way up to the very top of the concrete, so I got my tootsies wet getting the boat in the water. That was OK, though, given how warm it was.

My watch showed about 7 a.m. when I shoved off from the West Neck ramp and headed for Albright's. I couldn't resist another chance to fish that 100-yard stretch Tom and I have been hitting for a couple of weeks now. Today, however, the fish seemed to have either relocated or had learned the value of being tight-lipped. I did get hooked up with about a 2- or 3-pounder pretty quickly on a topwater bait, but one flying leap was all it took for him to spit the bait back at me, and he refused to come back and give me another chance on a Senko. As it turned out, that would be the only action I would see all day in that 100-yard stretch of grassy shoreline.

I started working different stretches, en route to the mouth of the creek, but quickly figured out it was going to be a mighty slow day. Bait fish were present, but there wasn't a single thing bothering any of them. I spent a few minutes with all four of the baits I had tied on this morning without stirring up the first fish, then decided to stay with the spinnerbait, which has been fairly good to me for a spell now.

I was slowly moving down a section of shoreline where big gar notoriously hang out this time of year, and today was no exception. I just had seen a big one roll on top when I felt a pretty solid thump on my spinnerbait and only half-heartedly set the hook.

Immediately, the fish started taking a little drag, and it stayed down, so I was convinced I had hooked the gar I had seen. That being the case, I made no effort to land it right away. I wanted to wear it out a little bit, so it hopefully wouldn't be so aggressive while I unhooked him.

Imagine the surprised look on my face when I finally saw the fish above roll up beside the boat with my spinnerbait lodged in his jaw. Needless to say, I shifted gears and quickly brought him over the side. My scales registered his weight at 4-3.

Not too long afterward, I boated about a 10-inch bass on the same spinnerbait, but that was the extent of my action for today.

By 12:30, it was really getting warm, so I wrapped up and headed for West Neck. Once I had cleaned up the boat, flushed the outboard, and put it all away, I decided to go get some gas and top off the tank, so it'll be ready for Saturday's tournament. Left all my tackle locked up in the boat, except for the rods, so it'll be a simple matter to get everything ready Saturday morning.

I won't be getting back on the water before then, because there are some errands I have to run in the next few days. Given the temps I saw forecast this evening, it doesn't look like I'll be missing much, other than for a little sunburn, and I got plenty of that today.

A Really Bad Day

We're always hearing about those things that annoy and cause bass fishermen to have a bad day, e.g., like having a flat tire on your trailer en route to the local fishing hole, fighting 20-30-mph winds with higher gusts all day, breaking your favorite rod, losing a big fish at the boat, or being one minute late for weigh-in when you're sitting on a winning limit.

Granted, all those things will cause any red-, white-, and blue-blooded fisherman to have what otherwise is known as a bad day, but let me ask you something. How about the fish? Have you ever considered that they, too, might have a bad day--and, further, that their one bad day might very well be their last?

I mean, how would you like to have all this expanse of water, like a lake or river, to run around in, and just as you stop to grab yourself a bite of something (albeit "fake" food at that) to eat, get snatched from your luxury surroundings and stuffed inside a hole, maybe alongside three or four others that made the same mistake? As if that isn't enough of an insult, you then get bounced around all over the place the rest of the day until you (hopefully) get tossed into a basket at day's end--along with all your "buds," and have your collective weight taken, before finally being returned to the same expanse of water you so rudely were plucked from hours earlier.

And all that's only if you're among the "lucky ones." Maybe your luck ain't so hot. I recently heard a story about one such unlucky bass.

My friend, Rob (right), told me that he had made a trip to the Chickahominy this past week with another fella. They were pre-fishing for a club tournament next weekend.

Rob dubbed the day's fishing as "tough," and given the fact they boated about 10 bass, without a single keeper in the bunch, I'd have to agree with his take on the day. However, there was one brighter moment--for Rob, that is.

According to his account, he had tossed a frog to the shoreline. A bass subsequently c-r-u-s-h-e-d the bait and put a terrific bend in Rob's rod, akin to what you'd expect from a big fish. He responded by burying the hook, and once he had the fish alongside the boat, glanced over to find it wasn't nearly as large as it had felt. Worse yet, the fish was bleeding profusely, from the frog hook lodged squarely in its throat.

Being conscientious, Rob reached over the side of the boat, so he could keep the fish partly in the water, and quickly but carefully removed the hook and released the fish. He noted that the bass appeared to be having some trouble taking off but looked like he would be OK.

Rob then turned his attention to his now-dilapidated bait. The fish had hit the frog so hard he had completely separated the hooks from the body cavity, which, as Rob explained, was spinning freely on the line in the wind.

Faced with no choice but to rip off the frog body, that's what Rob was doing when he suddenly heard a huge splash nearby and turned around just in time to witness an egret snatching what looked like Rob's hapless fish from just below the surface.

"Now that's what I call 'really having a bad day,'" said Rob, and I couldn't agree more. After all, how would we fishermen feel if, after suffering through a bad day on the water, we ended up having something a lot bigger than us swoop down from above and snatch our "wounded pride" carcass away for dinner?

Now there's something you can ponder a little bit this 4th of July holiday weekend as you enjoy a cookout, have a cool beverage, and/or just celebrate the event with family and friends. Have a safe one, folks!

Incidentally, Rob always is dropping little stories or ideas for them on me, then asking me not to post them on my blog. I listened very closely when he shared this one with me earlier today, and he never once asked me not to publish it, so guess what? I just gotta rib my tourney partner once in a while.