Long time readers of this report will remember I had problems with the engine on my johnboat. I broke down and brought it to a local mechanic. I was tired of using the boat to collect fallen leaves. I was hot to get it back and picked it up before they had water tested it. Sunday found me running the little vessel on Lake Poinsett.

The engine stopped working and I had to pole back to the boat ramp, well over a mile. It was hot but otherwise beautiful weather. I took the entire escapade philosophically, and brought the boat back to the mechanic. A new fuel pump was installed, and the vessel awaits its next test. That will happen this morning on Lake Harney.

Oh, I got a couple nice bluegills on a sponge rubber spider.
On Tuesday Rodney Smith joined me for a Port Canaveral excursion. The sky was grey. The wind was 15-20 out of the north. The sea was real rough. We hid behind the north jetty, tossing pilchards on spin tackle. We got a ladyfish, a toadfish, a large stingray, a pinfish, and a dozen or so crevalle jacks. But we had the entire place to ourselves for a couple of glorious hours. We had a good time.

Friday Dr. George Yarko and his associate Dr. Ross joined me on the Mosquito Lagoon. It was partly cloudy, blowing 15 out of the east. My plan was to simply bait fish in wind-protected holes, although we did do a drift across the flat at Tiger Shoal. We did not see a single fish during that long drift, either.

The bait fishing in holes idea wasn’t great, but it did produce a pair of 30 inch redfish. They were the first of Dr. Ross's young life. Chunking also produced a bevy of catfish and a single ladyfish. Except for the wind it was a beautiful day, and again, we had a good time.
Yesterday was the MINWR Show and Tell. Ten participants joined me for an all day trip exploring the National Wildlife Refuge, discussing tactics, techniques, and locations for fishing for the various species of fish in the lagoon system. We finished at 430 PM. The participants thanked me for sharing so much information with them, and I thanked them for participating!

Upcoming Events

Mosquito Lagoon Show and Tell Seminar, November 7, with Capt. John Kumiski. http://www.spottedtail.com/shop/?cart=145129&cat=13