My shoulder is starting to really hurt and getting the boat out would be tough. I'm still looking for work, but need to get my fix in somehow.... enter Santee Lakes.
$10 and a half a mile away fit my current budget.
The Plan...
-Fish in the morning
-Run home to job hunt and meet with career coach
-Grab lunch
-Job hunt more
-Fish in the afternoon
I get to the Lakes at opening. Somehow there were people already fishing where I wanted to be, so I made a move to another decent spot. It wasn't long before the "bombs away" went off!
A Beautiful "Steelhead"! Biggest of the season for me so far.
(https://i.imgur.com/9tP1XmX.jpeg)
Just then, my second rod gets bit and I run over to only lose it since I was fumbling with my other fish. Well, that was it. They passed by and I had my 2 opportunities. I also had another one swimming along the shoreline trying to escape the cormorants, but he wouldn't go for my spinner. He was too freaked out from the birds trying to eat him.
I saw one other guy catch a decent trout on the other side of the lake, but that was it. Time to go home and get something accomplished.
PM Session
I move to my old go to spot since the lake is PACKED by this point! Confidence was low here since this lake only had 2 stockings the last 3 months. I was in my truck when I saw the strike indicator shoot straight up! That only means catfish, but I was trying to wish it to be a big trout!
Nope, Big Cat instead! Still super fun on the ultralight gear.
(https://i.imgur.com/pPV5NoO.jpeg)
I only have about 30 minutes left before they close when I get another big bendo! This one came up to the surface so I envisioned a big trout! Nope, but a big fat Cat! I could barely get my hands under its belly!
(https://i.imgur.com/BHiNcQJ.jpeg)
As I was trying to get the hook out and a picture so I could release him, I hear splashing! I look up to see a trout splashing around on my other rod! I drop the cat and run to fight the trout! I get it in half way and the hook pulls. I should have used a treble according to Dave....
I get the pics of the big cat and release it. Now I only have 10 minutes before I'm pushed out. I decided not to use the strike indicators but just watch the rods instead. As the Rangers came by on their final pass, I reel up to leave and notice my line was slack in the water! I reeled up almost all of my line before getting to the hook right at my feet! Friggin had one on the entire time and lost it because I didn't notice my strike indicator! Ugh! Damn trout!
Well, no worries. I'll try again soon. In the meantime, I'm taking the morning off fishing so I can update my resume and call the surgeon to work on my shoulder. I might try again this afternoon....
Looks like you and I are keeping the Surgeons busy....Oh, and Cheez just had surgery on his hand in Arizona, our Bat Fight is going to be a Crippled Competition this year :o
Nice Trout and Cats 8)