RICK GOINES
Weather has not been very cooperative lately, but Speckled Trout seem to be front and center in the fall fishing buffet going on now in your favorite “trout hole.”
Wayne “Trout” Harrell is tearing them up. Every week he catches trout. Most people chase fish. I think the trout chase Wayne. We might need to rename him “The Trout Slayer.” Wayne caught 40 plus fish in the Belhaven area Saturday using grubs, Gulp Baits, and Mirro Lures.
With the new 14” rule in effect, most people are doing a lot of catch and release. Everyone I have communicated with is pleased about the new rule, and predictions are that a few years down the road everyone will benefit from this conservation effort. Works for me!
Robert Underwood recently had an interesting meeting of the minds with a wildlife officer at a NCWRC boat ramp. The officer saw Robert’s 9mm loaded gun among his gear. Robert wasn’t real concerned because he has a permit for it. The wildlife officer informed Robert that his permit was no good at an NCWRC ramp. It is illegal to have a loaded weapon of any kind, permit or not, at an NCWRC boat ramp. Robert said the officer was nice about it, and gave him a warning ticket. I know several fishermen that keep a concealed weapon on their persons while out and about fishing, especially when they are out in the woods alone. One guy justified his weapon by saying he was too old to fight, and too old to run. That might be a good idea for my no-hearing hindquarters since I am so easy to sneak up on. I sold all my guns when I gave up hunting 15 years ago, but it’s got me thinking.
I see where Hurricane Rick (I’ve been called a lot of things, but never a hurricane) is headed for the Baja California Peninsula. It is a dangerous Category five storm sure to wreck plenty of havoc. Eight hundred sports fishermen are scheduled to kickoff a big time, high – dollar fishing tournament in Los Cabos, right smack- dab in the heart of this hurricane. Some less than intelligent folks want to try to go forward anyway with the tournament.
Are you kidding me? Those people can’t be serious! I equate it to an airline canceling my flight because of mechanical problems. I have seen people get really irate with the airline personnel. Excuse me, but I don’t want to fly in anything that is not A-OK. Believe me, I don’t complain, I thank them.
Hotspot of the Week – Weather has been a little iffy on the Crystal Coast, but flounder fishing has picked up, and some of those big flatties do look a lot like a doormat. Some people wait all year for the fall flounder run. Jumbo spot fans are still loading up the coolers, but it is a little more hit or miss. You might have to try several places before you find them. They are there, just spread out a little. Schooling blues will surprise you when they pop up. Anything shiny fools them. Watch those fingers when handling toothy bluefish. They find your fingers right tasty. I haven’t heard much from my Red Drum chasers in the Oriental-lower Neuse-Pamlico Sound. Are you guys catching any fish? Brag a little, please.
Rick’s Soapbox – Hopefully by the time most of you read this, I will be safe and sound visiting family in Florida. I am driving alone, so I am looking at it as an adventure. I drove alone across-country about 10 years ago, so this little thousand mile jaunt should be manageable. I am not much of a radio listening person these days because of my hearing issues, so I guess I will just have to sing my favorite soul tunes from the 60’s to entertain myself. Smokey Robinson need not worry about his job security. Can you see me trying to explain to some redneck state trooper why I am driving down the highway with my gums flapping, totally alone in the car? If you see me broken down on the side of the road on I-95 and can’t stop to help, at least roll down your window and toss me a cheeseburger as you zip by....
I will visit my son, Rich, in Tampa for 3-4 days. He has a fishing trip scheduled for us out of Ponce Inlet, near Daytona Beach. Then I will head southeast to Pompano Beach to visit my daughter, Candace, son-in-law, Robert, and my brilliant, beautiful, vivacious granddaughters, Riley, and Reese. (Pop-Pop might be a LITTLE prejudiced here.) The Hartsell girls are going to show me how to catch Puffer fish in their backyard canal.
I will be staying in my ex-wife’s family vacation condo in Boca Raton. How’s that for maintaining good relations? They are wonderful people, and I am proud and happy that we have a harmonious relationship. Life is too short to do otherwise. I value their friendship.
It is my intention to file several stories during my Florida trip. As most of you know, Florida has a fishing culture second to none. It should be fun and interesting,
Send us your stories, photos, tall tales, and passable lies to CarolinaAngler@Gmail.com
See you on the water, my friend!
