Duff
04-27-2008, 08:00 PM
I am o-fish-ially back in the game after about 8 years of being boatless. I took the new boat out yesterday on a two-part trip...
On the way to the launch I stopped by West Marine for bait and a fishing license only to find they don't sell fishing licenses. The closest place was Walmart about 10 miles away and I knew the kids were getting impatient so I decided to let them do the fishing this time around and I'd be plenty content with the thrill of the boatride this first time out. And by the way, how about requiring that if a store is gonna sell bait and tackle, they should have to sell licenses too?!
So I took the kids out for some inshore fishing at Crystal River until late afternoon, then let them catch a ride home before I headed offshore about 40 miles last night. It really calmed down around midnight and I thoroughly enjoyed spending the night out there getting familiar with everything. They sure have come a LONG ways with sonar technology since the days of the first Humminbirds. This Lowrance is simply amazing to play with. And... my last boat was Loran-C so you can imagine what a joy it was to use GPS with all the nautical charts built in. And as another camparison - my old Merc 115 inline 6 vs this 4 stroke Johnson 140 on fuel economy - wow I think it makes gas rather than uses it! But then, that Mercury was a screamin demon when I opened it up - I'd say it had more cajones at 115 horses than the Johnson has at 140. But then, the Merc had been aftermarket loop charged which as I understand made it a 150. The top end on this thing is around 35mph. And man is she quiet!
After about 3 hours the anchor light had attracted a fantastic show of species. For someone who hasn't been out in a small boat at night in many years, the experience was amazing. But then, I'm easily amused... lol. There were white porpoises jumping out of the water all around me... I believe I was in the middle of a feeding school of little tuna for awhile, and then I drifted upon a large floating piece of fiberglass which had an assortment gathered under it. The water was very clear and my trusty 15 million candlepower spotlight damn near shown through to the bottom.
The moonrise as I was headed back to shore around 4am was as spectacular as the sunset was on my way out at 8pm. Next time I'll have some fish pictures to post.
http://www.greengrouper.com/duff/april2008_fishing/boat_day1.jpg
http://www.greengrouper.com/duff/april2008_fishing/ethan_catfish.jpg
http://www.greengrouper.com/duff/april2008_fishing/headed_out_sunset.jpg
On the way to the launch I stopped by West Marine for bait and a fishing license only to find they don't sell fishing licenses. The closest place was Walmart about 10 miles away and I knew the kids were getting impatient so I decided to let them do the fishing this time around and I'd be plenty content with the thrill of the boatride this first time out. And by the way, how about requiring that if a store is gonna sell bait and tackle, they should have to sell licenses too?!
So I took the kids out for some inshore fishing at Crystal River until late afternoon, then let them catch a ride home before I headed offshore about 40 miles last night. It really calmed down around midnight and I thoroughly enjoyed spending the night out there getting familiar with everything. They sure have come a LONG ways with sonar technology since the days of the first Humminbirds. This Lowrance is simply amazing to play with. And... my last boat was Loran-C so you can imagine what a joy it was to use GPS with all the nautical charts built in. And as another camparison - my old Merc 115 inline 6 vs this 4 stroke Johnson 140 on fuel economy - wow I think it makes gas rather than uses it! But then, that Mercury was a screamin demon when I opened it up - I'd say it had more cajones at 115 horses than the Johnson has at 140. But then, the Merc had been aftermarket loop charged which as I understand made it a 150. The top end on this thing is around 35mph. And man is she quiet!
After about 3 hours the anchor light had attracted a fantastic show of species. For someone who hasn't been out in a small boat at night in many years, the experience was amazing. But then, I'm easily amused... lol. There were white porpoises jumping out of the water all around me... I believe I was in the middle of a feeding school of little tuna for awhile, and then I drifted upon a large floating piece of fiberglass which had an assortment gathered under it. The water was very clear and my trusty 15 million candlepower spotlight damn near shown through to the bottom.
The moonrise as I was headed back to shore around 4am was as spectacular as the sunset was on my way out at 8pm. Next time I'll have some fish pictures to post.
http://www.greengrouper.com/duff/april2008_fishing/boat_day1.jpg
http://www.greengrouper.com/duff/april2008_fishing/ethan_catfish.jpg
http://www.greengrouper.com/duff/april2008_fishing/headed_out_sunset.jpg