A Day of Catching

I came down Thursday to HO with Jeff and his crew.  I met up with them bright and early Thursday at DB ramp.  We set out for bait and managed just a handful of cutters at NT Pit.  A nice local gentleman cast netted a bunch of medium sized shad, perfect for fishing whole, and offered a bunch to us.  So we were set for the day.

First three spots we could barely beg a bite.  A few hours in we were still fishless.  The next spot was a different story.  Not long after dropping anchor, Jeff had a pole go down, and before I could get up to assist, a pole near me slammed down so I took it.  They got Jeff's fish in the boat and it went 32#. Excellent start to the day.  Mine was being stubborn and pulling lots of drag and running all over the place, but we finally got the 60# brute into the boat.

60# - 44" and 31.4# double:

Not long after that, another pole goes down and Jerry boats a nice 29#.   Ron the bass guy, Mr. "Run and Gun", is now on deck. Things just started to settle down again when a pole slams down and Ron boats a new PB blue cat of 58#!  I should add that the bass fisherman in Ron was on us to keep switching spots early in the day, but after he caught this fish I don't think we had enough money on the boat that could have convinced him to change spots!:

58# - 44":

Well Jeff is back on deck and another fish hits, and just like before, we have another double going. This one not as sweet as the first, but still a load of fun.

21# and 18# double:

Jerry finished up his day with a 19#.  We dropped Jerry and Ron off at the ramp, and me and Jeff headed back out for a few more hours. Before the cold finally ran us off, I got a 13# and 33#, and Jeff had a 20# and 44#:

43.7#:

32.5#:

We got weather reports that Roanoke (and likely Lynchburg) were gonna be slammed with snow Friday.  So we unfortunately cut our trip short so we could get back to our homes before the weather hit.  A day like we just had makes the decision alot easier to make!  Big thanks to Jeff for inviting me to go fishing on his boat!

Final tally for the day:  347#
Josh - 60#, 33#, 21#, 13#
Jeff - 44#, 32#, 20#, 18#
Ron - 58#
Jerry - 29#, 19#

Listen up, Knuckleheads!

If you're an avid fisherman, you are likely a few pounds overweight, not in the best physical shape, and/or stubborn as hell.  You're ripe for a quick death if you fall into the water without a PFD and a plan for survival.  I've gotten lazy about wearing my PFD, but no more.  I'm not gonna preach about the dangers of falling into the water in the winter, just do a quick Google search and you'll get all the info you need on what it does to the body and how little time you actually have to save yourself.

Many of us think we could easily swim the 50 feet to shore if we ever fell in.  To test this theory, go to your local swimming pool and see if you can swim ONE lap.  You couch potato fisherman are in for a big surprise.  Now imagine that water was 50 degrees, the current was ripping, and you had your layered winter clothing and boots weighing you down.  Still think it's gonna be easy?

Do you think you can lift yourself out of the water because your boat has low gunnels or a swim ladder big enough to fit a poodle on?  Honestly ask yourself, can I really lift myself out after being submerged in freezing cold water that has affected my ability to think clearly and the ability of my muscles to function? 

I don't want to see any of you guys doing that eternal fishing thing with the man upstairs just yet. So do us all a favor and wear your PFD, if not all the time, at least during the winter season.  Please do a quick Google search and read up on survival tips should you fall overboard as well as tips on preparing for a winter fishing trip. Thanks!

* Here's a great tip I read...if you fall in and can't get back into your boat, straddle your lower unit, and if your boat is so equipped, use the tilt button to raise you and your motor out of the water.  Can also be done if attempting to rescue someone but you can't lift them out of the water.
 
* A vast majority of recovered bodies (most not wearing a PFD, btw), have unzippered flys.  Hmmmm....wonder what they were doing when they fell in?  Hanging it over the side puts us in a compromised position and it doesn't take much to send you overboard.  Unless you have a fishing partner with you on the boat or have a rail you are holding onto with one hand, bring a pee cup or simpy piss on the deck of your boat and drain it through the scuppers.  No fish is worth your life, and no piss is worth your life either.