Whoa! What the Heck Is This?

That statement from my tournament partner this morning, as we joined forces for a little pre-fishing, got my attention in a hurry. And for just a few moments, I didn't have a clue what Wayne was talking about, as he kept looking back over his right shoulder.

Finally, though, I saw what he saw. The problem: A fella who, evidently, had spent the night at the West Neck Marina ramp had line out from two rods anchored in the ground. Both lines were aimed such that anyone launching their boat would be in one or both lines in short order if they didn't see them stretched out in the distance. Considering it was about 5:45 at the time, there was some light, but if Wayne hadn't been watching closely where he was backing, he would have been in the lines in no time.

In short order, Wayne had shoved his Ranger's outboard into neutral and grabbed hold of the lines to get them out of his way. Because one line was hung up, he reached up and snipped the line. About the same time, the sleepy overnight fisherman stumbled out of his pickup, stood on the shoreline, and began apologizing for having his lines in Wayne's way. And Wayne then explained to the gent why he had cut the one line.

Wayne had had to crimp his way around the fella's pickup, as he made his way into the turn toward the ramp, 'cause the fella had left his truck parked partly in the roadway. As Wayne passed it, he made the comment, "I reckon he's asleep in the cab," and that, indeed, was what the fella admitted while he and Wayne subsequently were talking.

In any event, Wayne's careful attention to his helm duties this morning prevented what could have been a bigger problem than it ultimately was.

And so, now, I reckon everyone is looking for a fishing report. However, there really isn't much to be said for that. We checked out several different areas, finding off-colored water in most of them. And to make matters worse, the water is high...and getting higher. When we launched this morning, there was minimal water spilling over the sides of the ramp, but at recovery time, the spread was more than a little noticeable.

As for the "catching" today, the number stood at 2 when we called it a day...in other words, nothing to write home about. Can only hope there are better things to report come tournament day this Saturday, May 21st.