Confession Time
I have to be honest with you.
This is an epilogue to my last post (Is It Better To Ask For Permission Or Forgiveness?). In that post, I explored the pros and cons of fishing in unfamiliar waters without seeking permission. It’s a dilemma that every angler encounters at least once. In Florida, I find myself facing it more often than not. My most recent situation involved a pond along Route 75 that has just “opened up” because Lee County is constructing a road alongside the highway. I believe Lee County purchased the tract of land and cleared the brush around it. It looks incredibly inviting for fishing and has experienced little pressure for a long time. The temptation to fish there is strong. The issue is that I don’t know where to request permission to cast a line and try my luck.
Based on the feedback I got from that post and the persistent devil on my shoulder saying, “Go for it!” I succumbed to the temptation.
Do I feel bad about it? Yes. I can’t help feeling I did something wrong. Do I feel really, really bad? Absolutely not. I had the best day of fishing I’ve had in a long time.
To share the risk, I recruited two friends to join me on the adventure. They both are spin casters, which added a competitive edge to the outing. My anxiety about being the one who caught the fewest fish overshadowed my concerns about potential trespassing. Naturally, we chose High Noon for this excursion—the worst possible time of day for bass fishing. Bass are generally active in the early morning and late afternoon, preferring cooler water temperatures and lower light levels to feel safer from natural predators like birds. Fishing at noon tips the odds in favor of the bass, meaning you must fish deeper and work any vegetation you encounter more aggressively.
My friends decided to fish with a jig head and soft plastic. They discussed which color would work best in the bright, muddy water we encountered. My knowledge of spin casting is nearly nonexistent. I'm a fly fishing purist, and I even wrote a post about it. Still, I chimed in on the debate and suggested they choose the most natural color in their tackle boxes. That’s what I would do as a fly angler. As you might expect, that's exactly what they ultimately did.
My decisions were somewhat easier. I was fishing with my Orvis 6-weight Recon rod and a matched Hydros SL III reel. This rod is beautiful; it's lightweight and incredibly accurate when casting. I didn’t expect to catch a lunker, but last year's experience taught me always to be prepared. I wanted to avoid being underpowered, so I added a 1X tippet to my 2X leader, believing this setup would suffice for anything I might encounter. For fly selection, I opted to fish subsurface instead of topwater, as I figured getting a bass to rise in the day's heat would be tough. I tied a smaller Clouser in white and green colors, hoping it might bring me some luck. I used my favorite Palomar knot to attach the fly. The Palomar knot boasts a strength rating of over 95%, making it as strong as the line it’s tied to. The 1X tippet has a break strength of about 13.5 pounds, which provides enough strength to land a 12.8-pound Florida Largemouth bass. Generally, largemouth bass in Florida weigh between 4 and 6 pounds. With my setup, I felt confident that I wouldn’t encounter any problems unless I accidentally hooked an alligator.
As you should when fishing in any unfamiliar water, I first scout the shoreline. I discovered that the construction work had created some soft spots, making it important to pay attention to where you step. I didn’t see any alligators but noticed a couple of gar floating on the surface, basking in the sun. The only other activity I observed was baitfish and a few snapping turtles. Overall, it seemed like a pretty safe place to cast a line.
Beyond safety concerns, checking out a new fishing spot allows you to evaluate the conditions and potential for catching fish, including factors like water depth, structure, vegetation, current, and the presence of baitfish. These factors can greatly influence your success and help you choose the proper techniques and tackle for the specific location and species you are targeting. I believe it's a good habit to develop.
My buddies fished within 20 feet of each other while I strolled further down the shoreline. It’s not that I’m unsociable; I just wanted to ensure I had a clear spot for my back cast. Generally, fly fishermen tend to keep more distance than spin casters. I’ve noticed spin casters prefer to fish closer together than fly fishermen. I think fly fishermen tend to talk less and fish more. I remember when my wife asked what my fishing buddy and I discussed while wading in the water all day. I answered, "Talk?" I explained that we usually keep about 50 to 100 yards apart on the stream and don’t chat until we come off the water. I suppose spin casters are better communicators or have a greater need to converse. That might just be a hypothesis, but it feels right.
Once I reached my spot, I started casting parallel to the shoreline. My clouser sunk quickly so I had to strip at a good pace. I wanted to be within a foot from the bottom but had no idea how deep the water was. I noticed one of my buddies had hooked into a bass. He was casting straight out about 40 feet. With that new insight, I switched tactics and cast at a 45-degree angle between 40 and 50 feet. I wondered if my fly selection was right when suddenly - WHAM! There are few feelings better than the tug. The kiss of my wife, the hug of my grandchildren, the subtle taste of a good scotch, but the tug of a fish rates right up there.
This was the first of six fish I landed: four bass, one bluegill, and one cichlid. The first question of whether the pond held fish was answered. One of my buddies brought five bass in on his spinning gear. I admit I always feel good when more fish are caught on a fly rod than spin gear. It is a character flaw, but at least I recognize it.
We fished the water for about two hours and then called it quits. The sun was hot, and happy hour was only a few hours away. We needed time to get back, take care of the gear, and shower before drinks.
After my shower, I sat on the lanai watching our local anhinga fish for her supper. I sipped my single malt, reflecting on a great day. We found new water to fish, and it was productive. I am pretty confident we can fish that pond the rest of this season and into the next before the road construction is complete. I had read the water correctly, and a fly I tied actually worked to attract bass. Overall, it was a rewarding day.
Do I feel I made the right choice by listening to the devil on my shoulder and walking the path of asking for forgiveness? Given the day's success, it is an easily rationalized choice, although likely not the most morally upstanding choice. But, every time the angel whispers her displeasure in my ear, I remind her I caught six fish and promise her that in my nightly prayers, I will ask for forgiveness from the greatest fisherman of all (Luke 5:1-11). I know he will smile when I recount the day's stories for him.