Even small lakes have idiots

Today, like so many days before, I found myself fishing my home lake in beautiful northern Alabama. It’s a small lake of around 450 acres, has a ten horsepower limit, and is usually a very peaceful place. Unfortunately, even small lakes have their share of idiots and disrespectful people. About five minutes after launching my kayak, I had made my way to my first stop. Another boat launched shortly after and flew up the bank right next to where I was fishing, almost dumping me over. Needless to say my day started with my blood pressure through the roof. Normally I have a 25+ crankbait tied on for just such occasions, but, today I didn’t. I would have most definitely slowed him down. 

The irony of this whole situation was, that right before I put my boat in the water I spent about ten minutes talking to the officer that patrols the lake. If the timing could have been just a little different, the guy would have been busted for an oversized motor and never been on the water at all.

Things like this didn’t used to bother me so much until I was involved in an accident of my own…on the same lake. I was fishing a night tournament a few years back when another competitor that wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing, ran over my boat. I was anchored off a point with all my lights on when the guy came out of a slew and just flat ran over me. I dove into the black water and swam hard for the bottom. I stayed down until he decided to turn his motor off, which felt like forever. He ruined the best season I had ever had on my home lake.

So, is there a point to this rant today, sure there is. Be careful on the water. The life you endanger by being disrespectful, obnoxious, or careless isn’t just your own. When you endanger mine I will take it personally. Word to the wise Mr. Grumman, when you run a motor that’s too big, you might not want to call attention to yourself. 

Cold Fronts Suck

My ride

Some days are just pain ole’ harder than other days when out on the water. Today, was one of those days. Here in Alabama we had a really strong cold front come through last night, even spawned a couple of tornados. What that left us fishermen with today, was bluebird skies, wind, and much cooler temperatures. Oh yeah, and really tough fishing. At least it was for me.

 

Just having entered the online fishing tournament known as Kayak Wars, I had high hopes of putting my first points on the board, it didn’t happen. The minimum length bass you can enter is sixteen inches long, and all I could grind out today were five dinks. The biggest of which was a whopping fourteen inches. What’s sad is for the past few weeks most of my trips have produced several bass over sixteen inches.

 

My day started by throwing my favorite big bass bait…a jig. After about an hour without a bite, I switched to a combo I knew would help me to not get skunked, a seven inch, Crème, Ribbon tail worm on a 3/0 Gamakatsu wide gap hook. Almost immediately I caught my first fish. This combo helped me put four more bass in the boat. Unfortunately, not one big fish bit today.

 

But, even after a tough day on the water, I am now more determined than ever. The leader in the southeastern division has only 110 points. Living here in north central Alabama I am surrounded by lakes and rivers that give up sixteen inch bass, on a regular basis. I am also encouraged as I look ahead at the weather forecast. Beginning next week, we are about to have several days in the low 70’s. I will then make up ground on the leaders.

 

You guys have a great day. I’ll see ya out on the water.