As you might imagine, I really haven't found much time to get out and go fishing yet since I landed in Florida. Work to go to, boxes to unpack, errands to run, St. Augustine grass to mow, oh, and of course rain...all that fun stuff has kept me pretty much off the water.
That said, I guess it was last Thursday...so a week ago, I thought I'd go out and explore one of the larger (reclaimed water) ponds in and around our community after work.
Oh, and since it wasn't really that far from my house, I *gasp* even broke out my 10 year old lead-weight P.O.S. mountain bike (that I've probably rode a dozen times total) and biked oh, all of 10 or 15 minutes to the spot. Yea for physical fitness!
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| Mongoose...much cooler in BMX flavor |
When I got there, the fishing was really slow to start. The water was much shallower than I thought and I wasn't really seeing many signs of life. But then the sun started to go down...and then the fish got active....
Bluegill, bass, bluegill, bass, bluegill...it went on like that for about 20 or 30 minutes, every other cast, until the mosquitoes figured out I was there, after I had sweated off the bug spray that had been protecting me to that point.
It was all downhill from there, and not liking "insect kisses," extremely prudent to pack it in and pedal my butt back to safety.
Those freakin' mosquitoes can bite me... Well...maybe that's the wrong insult to send their way...but you know what I mean...
That is way cool...maybe the wrong word there... Bass and bluegill are on my list to catch someday. Looks like a big; gnarly fly. What is it?
ReplyDeleteHave you never caught a bluegill? RD, that needs to change. It's actually a wetfly for trout. They love 'em.
DeleteI can remember times when I'd go out in the backyard and my arms would be covered with mosquito's. Unfortunately it's a fact of life in Florida. Now you just have to weigh the fishing vs fighting mosquito's.
ReplyDeleteI've actually got a 3 way battle going on...fishing vs. mosquitos vs. taking a nap. Florida makes me sleepy.
DeleteWindy days are your friend - it won't completely keep 'em away but it will help and hey - windy days are perfect for popper fishin'. :) Nice pics! Those are not small bluegills by any stretch. You're gonna make funcfish jealous. :)
ReplyDeleteI've got to try the popper fishing. A few Zazzy Pops did come down in the move!
DeleteI have heard that "Big Mosquito's" are the Florida State Bird! Anyway, really good job exploring the new to you pond. An evening catching fat Bluegill and chunky Bass is an evening to remember.
ReplyDeleteThe state bird...ha!
DeleteLooks like the "Bassrageous" era has officially begun. I can't say I have any good southern advice for dealing with mosquitoes. I avoid products with DEET and have found some really good all natural (plant oil based) insect repellents. When it's hot and humid and you're sweating profusely, I think it's a good idea to avoid the absorption of potential toxins into your bloodstream.
ReplyDeleteGood call. I'd rather drink my toxins.
DeleteNice trip. Love to enjoy this place.
ReplyDelete