The "I dunno, I think its almost over" thread

[Flaptail]

Mike, you have a problem that you need to shake off. Maybe a witch doctor or voodoo priestess or something. I have had a fabulous fall so far. I have seen four forty pound fish caught in the last week, two by flyrodders one of which was just last night under the light of the silvery moon and two I managed to luck on to. You need to branch out, try some new locales and different approaches.

I have spent very little time at the canal this year, just not worth the effort.

One thing I will tell you is that eels ( and I am not being sarcastic here just fatcual) are not doing it the way needlefish and mambos have been.

While the biggest I scored last night was just over 20 pounds, there were a few in that class for me but that flyrod guy was as happy as a pig in sh!t!

They haven't even started to move yet as far as I am concerned, I would say it will probably bust wide open come the week of the 19th.

Your getting yourself into a funk and it will consume you. Beware.

[Jimmy Fee]

90% of the places I've been looking have had an alarming absence of bait and fish.

I hope you're right Steve that it hasn't really gotten going. I've been in the same boat as Back Beach, where I've been doing a lot of fishing for a few good fish, though I have seen a few very nice ones taken recently. I've got my fingers crossed that the next couple weeks will give up some big fish.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

I have had a fabulous fall so far.

Wait a minute here now… in the interest of full disclosure you’ve failed to mention a number of factors playing into your recent success. While its apparent there’s still a few fish to be had, you’ve stifled the competition by way of human obstruction. Why, that poor Numbskull looked like a beaten dog this past weekend…I know right well he’s been serving as your human shield, stumbling across the sand muttering “duh” while casting across other’s lines and rendering the competition idle…all the while you sit patiently waiting for the melee to ensue, your fearless companion is mired in sand, monofilament, treble hooks, and fists. When the moment is right you launch the offensive…unabated by other anglers it’s just you, and only you…

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Wait a minute here now… in the interest of full disclosure you’ve failed to mention a number of factors playing into your recent success. While its apparent there’s still a few fish to be had, you’ve stifled the competition by way of human obstruction. Why, that poor Numbskull looked like a beaten dog this past weekend…I know right well he’s been serving as your human shield, stumbling across the sand muttering “duh” while casting across other’s lines and rendering the competition idle…all the while you sit patiently waiting for the melee to ensue, your fearless companion is mired in sand, monofilament, treble hooks, and fists. When the moment is right you launch the offensive…unabated by other anglers it’s just you, and only you…

Very true, he's been my wingman. He keeps the bogeys off of my back and on his leaving me free to hammer the bass!

Also, him being a dwarf and all, it's given me more time on the bar before him and the rest of the "normal" sized humans can get out to where I am!

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

...One thing I will tell you is that eels ( and I am not being sarcastic here just fatcual) are not doing it the way needlefish and mambos have been...

I did better on rigged 9" Sluggos last night under a 100 watt moon than I have on eels all week...

For me, locally speaking, the meter on this Fall so far has wobbled between poor and not so good size- and numbers-wise

Looking at the calendar I've got the feeling that the 2 minute warning is about to sound and I feel like I'm down by ten - so what you do is hitch up your pants and give 'em hell

I was talking to Pt Jude Joe about it last night and he said it's gonna happen somewhere sometime and if it's gonna happen to someone, it might just as well be us - so go fish. You can't catch 'em from your couch

Besides, God hates a quitter...

Don't defeat yourself by losing the faith - fishing is driven by eternal optimism

The power of positive thinking keeps you pounding the trail - and all prognostications and theorizing aside, we won't know it's over 'til it's actually over

And I don't really think that time is now...

[Plum Crazy]

Originally Posted by Crafty Angler

Don't defeat yourself by losing the faith - fishing is driven by eternal optimism

I really like that Crafty!

I have a feeling things are gonna bust wide open any day now.

[FishermanTim]

Nah, the seaason's over. Might as well hang in up until spring.

Keep in mind just how slowly the season began, and since we haven't had much in the way of "traditional" fall storms that usually spur the fish to head south, they may be here for a few more weeks before the move really happens. The only exception would be if we get a strong storm/noreaster/tropical storm or hurricane that churns up the water and chases the fish out to sea.

I'm not planning on hanging up the gear until next month.