Waste of gas

[jasonh]

So my buddy and I went fishing last week after planning the night 2 weeks' in advance. I filled up both gas tanks ($36), bought 3 dozen minnows ($15), and other miscellaneous items from Walmart so my expense so far is running over $60. We get to the ramp and a couple kids are fishing off the dock nearby. I chatted with them as I was waiting for my friend to park my truck and realized they were using shad caught with a cast net right there at the dock. I was impressed, as I have tried unsuccessfully to throw one before. Plus, these kids were maybe only 10 years old. My friend gets back and we take off for my "hot-spot". It was not hot. Neither was my back-up spot or any other place we tried. We traversed the lake trying every cove and underwater hump I could find and we literally caught nothing. After a few hours, I called it and we headed in.

The kids were still there and brightly asked how we did. Not so good was the reply, how about you kids? Catching what, perch? Maybe some little catfish? The kid gets up, unties a stringer, and pulls up an 8 LB LARGEMOUTH BASS he caught right there next to the ramp, in a grass bed I've seen a thousand times and never even had the thought to try. Along with the bass were 5-8 catfish, each at least a pound. This grinning kid could barely hold the stringer up and was without a doubt enjoyed our animated disbelief.

My buddy suggested we park the boat and walk back to the dock. Maybe ask those damn kids for some pointers.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Waste of gas

Just goes ta show ya, I guess. Actually, I've had really good luck fishing in the weeds and lily pads not far from the launch ramp at my favorite lake. Nobody, and I mean nobody ever fishes there. It's all in the no-wake zone in a little cove.

Sounds like those kids have it bagged.

 

[valkyr]

Re: Waste of gas

Was that at a marina by chance? Several of the locals here have figured out that you can fish around the marinas due to the bass tourneys. Once the tourney is over ,the bass get released from the marina. Funny to see about several people fishing from the banks and dock and 3 or 4 bass boats parked around the marina fishing as well.

 

[jasonh]

Re: Waste of gas

There was no tourneys that week on Lake Lewisville, but that is a darn good observation. I release fish at the ramp (not a marina, just a ramp & camping area) all the time and honestly never gave a second thought to where they all go. I'm giving the ramp another look next time. There's a hydrilla bed the extends 100 yards from the ramp down the shoreline and I never see anyone around it. The only drawback would be the traffic around the ramp and wakeboard boats cruising back and forth blaring rap and creating their 5ft swells.

I wish I had a portable EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) generator I could aim at certain boats. Fry their electronics and put an immediate stop to having to listen to some gangbanger rap about being a criminal.

Sorry, was that outloud?

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Waste of gas

I have a portable lead-pulse generator you could borrow if you want. I have one that generates a bright red light that burns stuff, too.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Waste of gas

You just never know where you are going to find them. I have to go under a railway bridge in the no wake area on my way out from my dock to the lake. Quite often the kids fishing from that have done better than us !!!