Florida Fish-In Day 2

In by email from Dave:

Most started the day by meeting for breakfast at the Kingfish Cafe, then it was decided to fish the same Lemon Bay flats from the previous day. After an agreed quick stop at Publix for various items, Les was still loading his minivan while Gil & I talked about fishing from kayaks. After we all went the 2 blocks to the grocery, Gil had misplaced his cell phone, so back to the hotel.

Finally on the way to Manasota Key. Flats Dude had most of the others following he and Ed and were in the water first. Supposedly there was a tailing redfish on the low tide about 125 yards out, so by the time Gary had waded into casting range, the red stopped tailing. The sea fog made the weather a bit different from the previous afternoon, but it was in the low 70's and comfortable for wet wading.

Got to try a kayak for the first time since water safety instructor class 30 years ago in college, which was a sit in kayak that was provided for the student to flip over and turn themselves right side up. The new sit on top kayaks are a fairly comfortable method of fishing, as in the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 a 50 foot cast is accomplished sitting down.

Managed to forget to set the hook on a snook, just like in the summer time snookin' on the beach; but did manage to set the hook on a mangrove snapper a few casts later. Seems it would be the only fish caught today, unless those that went midnight snookin on the intercoastal waterway caught some fish this evening.

The afternoon was sunny and the front went thru around 1 pm Spent most of the day in FL ski bums' kayaks, even after Gary, Ed and a few others went to lunch, got lost & called for directions. Even as Old Geezer Phil and Michelle kept fishing out of a Hobie kayak and canoe respectively while Les tried some kayak fishing as the finger mullet were getting nervous from all the jack crevalles attacking them on the flats just like the previous afternoon. So much bait and so few fish actually caught. Seems there were a few strikes, but no more hookups.

The afternoon was sunny and the front went thru around 1 pm. Gil had to go check in at his Placida accomodations. Kept on fishing as did Les until the old geezer and Mrs decided to call it a day. Waited for Gil to return by fishing some more, then headed up to Casey Key Anglers for a 5 pm get together for a decision about where to eat. Met Harold and Sue, who had called earlier while getting ready to eat lunch at the Kingfish Cafe. After a few fishing stories, some 12 weight fly rod casting, where Gary got a car to stop and had a drunk get out give him a fly casting casting lesson by hollering " slow down the cast !"

Presented Harold with a pirate bandana for originating the Fish-In Florida tradition. Managed to get dinner reservations at Captain Eddie's for 12 in half an hour, so after a litttle more conversation, we all sat down to eat various seafood dinners; which were praised as being quality of the best in seafood! Seems everyone was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the restaurant. Guess we'll do it again tomorrow, starting with breakfast.

Gil & the geezers are kayaking at Placida, I'll have to wait till morning to see if snap, krackle and pop have any cousins visiting overnight when the feet start to touch the floor after waking. dave
saltydancindave@earthlink.net

Thanks for the update, Dave - and for posting it LF. The next best thing for those of us that would like to be there.....

Happy that you're enjoying the exploits of the pirates !