I ran down to the puddles in the morning and went to a lake that hasn't been stocked in a while. It didn't take long before my strike indicator started bouncing! Pretty much the cookie cutter stocker for these parts at about 2-2.25#. Problem was soon as I was netting it a guy in a truck started driving by and parked right away setting up right next to me with his kid.
(https://i.imgur.com/3KMvH5x.jpeg)
The father and son were really impatient and after 30 minutes of not getting a nibble, they took off. Soon after a lady dropped off her old dad right next to me and he set up his snoopy rods close by while telling me how I need to fish. He had that terrible cast with two hands that went into a one hand "hold the bottom of the rod" at the end. It was tough to watch. He was so loud when he talked, I realized I wasn't going to get any P&Q so I packed up and moved to another lake while he said "Quitting already, huh? Quitters". I didn't have the heart to tell him it was all because I didn't have the patience to stay there another moment.
Funny thing was the next lake I was at and the Ranger pulled over to check my permit. I mean I had it, but I wasn't on even a lake that was stocked for the last month plus. I'm assuming the Rangers had a bet I was not buying my permit and was ready to get me. The Ranger actually looked relieved to see it was from today.
I decided to call it quits and get home. At this point it was "The Walking Dead-Santee edition" with all of the retirees and birders walking in herds around the lakes. I'll be back later though..
I went home and went on the job hunt. Not sh!t out there and it's getting really depressing.
I headed back to the Lakes with 2 hours until closing and went back to where I got the trout in the morning.
Two missed bites as I had to run to my rod, and running isn't what my body does anymore so of course they dropped the bait soon as I grabbed the rod.
As I was casting out, I saw a light colored fish coming straight up from the murky water. I realized it was a dead catfish and I think I saw the moment where the gasses reached the buoyancy point! I drug it over to shore and it was pretty nasty!
(https://i.imgur.com/ZDR1PoY.jpeg)
It was pretty nasty smelling, so I cast out and went back to the truck. The Ranger was driving around letting people know to start packing up when I saw my strike indicator head straight to the guide! That only means catfish!
It was a great fight compared to the trout and wow! Another Blue! I've been catching a bunch of them these last few months!
(https://i.imgur.com/6Ia8yHE.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Nu90kYy.jpeg)
That was it.... I headed home with my first two fish of 2026. Not exactly monsters, but not bad either.
Thanks for reading and until next tide!
Decent trip! I'm sure he wouldn't have minded if you called the old guy an intolerable raisin.
I suppose I should head to one of the better stocked lakes in north county to prove my skunks are a result of Mile Square Park and not skill.
I remember when you would tell me to run. Shoe's on the other foot now.
Run should be a 4 letter word ::) ;D
I'm surprised the Rangers don't know you by now ;D
2026 is starting off well for you as far as fishing goes, hopefully the Job Market improves as well !