03-04-2010, 10:00 AM
Down here in freezing Florida, I finally got two dates on Turkey and both days were ...challenging. emoEek <br /><br />When I got to the lake it was blowing 17&#43;. so I decided to fish the upper portion of the lake in case I ran out of battery. When we left the dock the warning about the wind was to call 911 because they couldn&#39;t safely set out a rescue boat to haul or tow us back.<br /><br />NO, I go downwind to the main lake where I have been cranking lipless, and to help out a father-son team from Minn.<br /><br />I had three small ones (14 in) when I caught up to them and warned them it might be hard to get back to the dock since the gusts were going over 20 to 25 and the 18 foot grizzly with the 12 volt trolling motor will be challenged to get there. Fishing time on these provided boats is from 6:30 to 11 AM. <br /><br />They took my advice and started to work their way back and fish some protected spots on the way back. emoThumbsup <br /><br />So, since I know the lake and I&#39;m so smart, I try some cranking out in the lower lake. Caught a few small fish and one 18 in.<br />I noticed that I couldn&#39;t hear the high speed hum from the motor so with concern, I headed back for the mile run back against the wind.<br /><br />So many times, I had to close the seat and kneel and crouch way down on the nose and tried to stay low in the wind so I could make inching progress in the lulls.<br />2 and a half hours later I was close enough to know I made it, but the Minn. boat was stuck in heavy grass. After a lot of paddling and what was left of the motor, we both got back in emoApplause <br /><br />Funny thing as I was creeping back I trailed a worm behind and had 3 fish jump on as I came in. The bad part was when cranking the fish in, it would pull on the boat and I would lose ground. I considered not fishing that worm after being pulled back, but NOOooo! I just had to try again and again emoAngler emoLaugh <br /><br />Then today I took my darlin&#39; who proceeded to put it on me with numbers and size. That happens as she is more patient than me.<br />We caught fish on a crank pattern using a small jerk bait, and then went to a popular bedding spot where she got a 20 in. that was close to 5 and a half and wide with eggs.<br />We had to don the ponchos as my luck with weather was still the same, wet and cold and windy with air temp of 37 when we started.<br /><br />We had a great time and I love it when I can put her on fish.<br /><br />Looking forward to my next trip as we will stay down here as long as I can stretch it out. Maybe tax day we will return to East Ridge.<br /><br />Here are too many pics.