It was a full week with only Thanksgiving Day off. It was a week of kayaks only, as I sold the Talon on Saturday, the 20th. It broke my heart to sell it, but it had to be done. So, from now on I'll be yakin about yaks, and I hope you will all come join the fun when you're next here.
Sunday night my old friend Russ Hubbard and his son David came in from Wellington, Florida, for two days of decompressing and fun in the kayaks. I couldn't believe it had been six years since I'd seen Russ and David. David was fifteen then. Now, he's a grown man!
We went to bed early, and even though we didn't have to get a very early start because of the tide, we were up early and raring to go. It was not until we were getting ready to go that I learned that Russ has always had a terrible fear of the water and drowning. I had never known that, nor did I ever sense it in all the years we did lots of trips together before the economy began to come unglued. Russ was bound to conquer his fear!
We headed over the first span of the causeway to the first island, where we would launch on the beach to fish the area around Fishermen's and a couple of other keys. It took about half an hour to get the three boats into the water and be on our way. It was a beautiful morning. Once is four feet or so of water we put out jigs to troll along while we made our way to the first spot we were going to fish. We caught trout and ladyfish along the way. Russ quickly conquered his fear.
By the time we'd made our way to the second stop we'd caught about 13 trout, and a bunch of ladyfish. They're all fun in a kayak. But, the fun had yet to begin for us. As the water got higher toward the end of the tide, we got on a redfish bite. We ended the day with 14 redfish, but no keepers, and David had also gotten a beautiful 22 inch trout, which had to go back.
It was a great day with a dear old friend. We've made a lot of memories in the fifteen years or so we've known each other, and this day we added some new ones. We ended the day with dinner at Pincher's Crab Shack. The weather was glorious, so we sat out on the patio and indulged in oysters on the half shell, dinner, and margaritas. What a great end to a great day!
Tuesday morning we headed over to Sanibel to Castaways to launch with great anticipation about fishing the Buck Key area. Russ and I had experienced many a big redfish day in those waters in the good old days. This could be different, though. Man, there was no water. Most all of the flats were dry, and the little ramp at Castaways was slick and dangerous.
We found that out soon enough as David and I were hauling the first boat down the ramp, and I hit the slick stuff, and did everything but bust my butt. I guess having David on dry ground on the other end gave me something to hold on to and regain my footing. We got that boat in the water, and David discovered there was a hard, dry area along the left side of the ramp. But, with other things on my mind it wasn't long until I forgot and walked right down on the slick stuff carrying something, and my feet came right out from under me. I didn't got down, and don't know why. But, the next day I had a very sore right ankle and upper foot. I had aggravated an old motorcycle injury from my youth.
Finally we were in the water and on our way. With the water so low it looked like a completely different place. Once we were out in the open of Blind Pass, we realized we had a pretty stiff breeze and a good chop on the water. Finally, way out on the edge of the flats that were high and dry, David and I parked and got out and waded to some potholes, while Russ went on farther out Wulfurt Channel exploring.
I had lots of little stuff bumping me in those potholes, but couldn't get connected. But, I have fished them many times during the winter months from the Talon once there's enough water to float, and know how good they can be. By the time I'd waded a couple hundred yards and was at the third hole, I realized that the water was racing in with a vengeance. I knew it wouldn't be long before I could float over the skinniest of the water and get in to the holes. So, I headed back. As I crossed the barrier bar next to the channel, it was about an inch deep.
I grabbed the bow handle of the 14.5 Ultimate and slid it over the wet grass until I had about 3 inches of water. I got in and made my way to the next hole where I had left off. I was immediately on some fish. First, a flounder. Then, a beautiful keeper redfish. Some more redfish. Another flounder.
I could hear Russ and David several hundred yards behind me, and knew they were on some action, and from the sound of it, it was redfish. I was downwind from them and could here them well, but they couldn't hear me trying to whistle or shout to them. As I finished my pothole route, I paddled toward Russ and David. Turns out they were on redfish and trout, and Russ had let a monster get away from him in a pothole.
We had a late high tide, and it seemed to be delayed by the brisk east wind we had blowing all day. Russ and David had to leave at a reasonable hour to make the three hour crossing back to their side of the state. So, we missed a possible redfish bite on the last of the incoming tide. As it was, we bagged six redfish, two flounder, and a few trout and ladyfish. It had been a great two days with one of my oldest friends and customers. I can't wait for next time.
Wednesday was another first time kayak trip with another old friend, Chic Bruning. Chic is a kayaker, and has six boats. But, Chic had never fished from a fishing kayak, and was excited to do so. I brought the Ultimate 12 for him. We launched from the causeway as we had done on Monday. Our tide was even later in the day, and I wasn't sure just what to expect.
We began with trolling and fishing our way to each spot. We caught lots of trout and ladyfish along the way. And, almost from the start, every time Chic and I were close enough to talk, he told me how great the Ultimate was, and that he was going to have to buy one. He just loved that boat, as do I.
Eventually, as the water rose, we turned our attention to redfish. The fish were certainly there, and they routinely were bending the weed guard down on my spoon, but just weren't aggressive. We finished the day with three reds, including one keeper, lots of trout including several nice keepers we couldn't keep, and lots of ladyfish. And, Chic got to take some redfish home for dinner.
It's always fun to fish with Chic, and this day although different, was no exception. Chic tells me that every trip with me is a learning experience, and that's a nice compliment. I'm looking forward to going to Florida Paddle Sports kayak shopping with Chic soon.
Friday, I was back on the water with a great father and son team I fished with about this time last year, Bob Flanders and his son Matt. We caught a lot of snook from the Talon last year and had a great day. Although we had a very late tide, I thought that surely we'd get some help with the bite by the approaching front and the southerly wind. Boy, was I wrong.
After getting launched and under way, we did what is now the normal trolling routine to our first fishing spot. Usually, you can't get 100 yards without getting bit. We didn't get a bite over a half mile of distance. I knew that was a precursor of what was to come. But, I admit that I didn't see it coming.
The fifteen knot south wind had the water pretty chopped up. Along the way we did manage to catch a handful of ladyfish, but no trout, and nothing on the order of what we should have seen in the way of action.
We fished hard into the afternoon, and could buy a bite. I knew we were on fish, and the proof was that I had several spoons mangled by old leatherlipsus pullalotopus. They just didn't want to eat. It was getting late into the day, and I felt awful that Matt hadn't caught a fish. Bob had only caught a ladyfish or two.
Finally, as I made my way around to the east side of Fisherman's Key, it happened. I made a long cast back into this little cove, and BAM! What turned out to be a 27 inch redfish hammered that spoon just as I began to turn the handle. Redfish on. I shouted, "Fish on!" And, withing minutes Matt showed up. I was getting my butt kicked by that redfish at that time. Everything really does pull harder when you're hooked up in a kayak. What a blast. It must have taken me fifteen minutes to land that fish. I was thrilled to have gotten a redfish, but was sad that it hadn't been Bob or Matt that had caught it.
We fished for about another hour without another hit. The fish were a tough crowd. Finally, we tossed in the towel, and headed home. Bob was without a trolling motor on his 14.5 Manta Ray, but he was paddling as fast as Matt and I could go into the strong wind with our Watersnakes.
Bob and Matt assured me that they'd had a great time in spite of the poor catching, but I still hate when that situation happens. They did get to take redfish to the Lazy Flamingo, where Bob said they did a marvelous job of preparing it to perfection.
And, that was the week. All in all it was a great week with great folks, and that's what it's all about for me.