Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Ernie · Mar-12-25 8:07PM

The Day the Earth Stood Still

George and I were due to hike today but I needed to do a shake down cruise so we decided to hit the river. The last time I used my boat was on Oct. 9, 2024.

Anyway, we splashed the boat at 9:45a and all systems functioned properly. The motor started on the 1st turn!

We decided to fish close and see if anyone was home. All we got was two tics on our different jerk baits.

I wanted to run upriver and get rid of some of the old gas but first, we made a stop at a target. This is when I noticed hat I was almost on empty! How could this be? I could have sworn that I had at least 3/4 of a tank left which is what I leave it at for winter. I guess I thought I was gonna fish some more back in October (we had low water for a long time) or simply forgot to get gas the last time out but this mishap kept me from burning more gas so we just drifted the rest of the way.

Just below another target I declared that I had a nice fish on! George got the net and we landed this beast!

Well, it felt good! Skunk off!

We drifted some more and George mentioned that there was quite a lot of air traffic. Then he mentioned that there was no life out there. It was eerily quiet when the planes weren't flying. No movement of life whatsoever. Heck, we only counted the following: 1 squirrel, 1 kingfisher, 2 geese and 1 tern. What gives?

Well, time for lunch. George made a cold, German style Cuban sammie!

Yes, it was good! Well done Chef Jorge!

We drifted some more (and talked a bunch) but no bites.

As I was starting to put the TM remote away, George get hit on his jerk bait. A good fight ensued and this fat 16"er was landed!

The fish fought hard and was trying to get under the boat and cut off the line.

While we had a full moon today, we were supposed to have a Major while we were out there. Pffft! I did see a bunch of deer feeding after I left the park!

We called it at 1:45pm but it took a while for me to get the boat on the trailer. The ramp area is muddy and mucky and I sucked up a bunch of crap it which basically renders my motor useless. I had George back the limo way into the water and I was finally able to get the boat up on the trailer. What a PIA.

We were both glad to get out and catch a couple. Good day out there!

hookup · Mar-12-25 8:20PM

Great day to be on the water

I hiked the trails by the river yesterday and nature was alive. 100's of sea gulls, geese, wood peckers sounded like Buddy Rich, robins, cardinals, deer and even spotted my first fisher in VA. Called a buddy who claims to be a Jr mammalogist to confirm and although we both agreed they normal are north of us, he's seen one in MD and has no doubt they can travel to VA. Especially with the cold winter we had.

Like Ernie reported, it was like the Dead Sea out there. Nothing like the day before. When Ernie called it, I had to make one more last cast, and got slammed. No ifs and or buts about this one. Saw the fish and it was hooked in the corner of the mouth so played it a bit until the fish found a home in the net.

Was nice to feel a small mouth tug. Last fish I caught were in the Pacific Ocean and the ones before that were trout at 9,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies.

Life been busy with family the last six months. Son is now Dr. Thurston and I'm gonna be a GrandPa.

Life is good

Thank you again Ernie and glad you enjoyed my first attempt at a Cuban sandwich.

Ernie · Mar-12-25 8:32PM

hookup wrote:
d I'm gonna be a GrandPa.

Your life will change when that little critter is born!

drxfish · Mar-12-25 11:23PM

Congrats on catching 2025 smallies and the big news, Grandpa to be!

Bryan · Mar-13-25 12:05PM

Great report and congrats on the grandbaby hookup!

hookup · Mar-13-25 2:57PM

Thx to all

Ernie · Mar-13-25 4:22PM

A trio of unnamed characters fished up around the White's Ferry area yesterday and had a banner day. Lots of wildlife was seen too! Did we have a shield dome around us yesterday?

hookup · Mar-13-25 7:07PM

Hiked this morning around where we launched. No critters, but plenty of birds

Oubassman · Mar-15-25 2:37PM

That sandwich look like it made the trip worth it alone. At least you got the skunk off for 2025.

Some days you're the windshield and some days you're the bug hitting the windshield

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Mar-12-25 8:07PM

3-12-25, UP

#2 Mar-12-25 8:20PM

Re: 3-12-25, UP

#3 Mar-12-25 8:32PM

Re: 3-12-25, UP

hookup wrote:

#4 Mar-12-25 11:23PM

Re: 3-12-25, UP

#5 Mar-13-25 12:05PM

Re: 3-12-25, UP

#6 Mar-13-25 2:57PM

Re: 3-12-25, UP

#7 Mar-13-25 4:22PM

Re: 3-12-25, UP

#8 Mar-13-25 7:07PM

Re: 3-12-25, UP

#9 Mar-15-25 2:37PM

Re: 3-12-25, UP

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