The Tug Is The Drug

True Story

Some days, an irresistible urge arises to go fishing. Tuesday was one of those days for me. It had been weeks since my last fishing trip, and from the moment I woke up, I was driven to feel the tug. But, Tuesday’s calendar was also jammed with obligations I couldn’t escape.

I grabbed my coffee and settled into a chair in the lanai watching the ducks fishing in the pond seeking inspiration on how to “scratch my itch”. The morning temperature was already in the high 70s. The fog lifted as the sun rose in the sky suggesting the water temperature was warmer than the air. This was a good sign that the Florida largemouth bass might be biting today.

The decision to target bass was an easy one, but the decision on where to fish was harder. Our gated community prohibits fishing in the community ponds. It is a rule I have been trying to change for several years to no avail. The big concern is safety. The community’s Master Board worries about alligator attacks if fishing is allowed.

Unfortunately, misperceptions about the probability of an alligator attack in Florida are common. The reality is There have been only 401 reported unprovoked alligator attacks on humans in Florida between 1948 and 2021. Out of these 401 incidents, 25 led to fatal attacks. Most Florida alligator attacks occur near freshwater sources like lakes, ponds, and rivers. On average there are 7 unprovoked alligator attacks on humans per year in Florida. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the odds are 1 in 3.1 million probability of being seriously injured by an unprovoked alligator attack.

Like most political decisions, data rarely carries the day. So, wetting a line in the pond outside my condo, regardless of the fact I can see bass rising for bugs, is a non-starter. I need another solution.

One thought is to gear up and drive to a nearby canal to fish. This is a popular approach in South West Florida to target bass. Many of the canals are home to both Largemouth and Peacock bass. You might also hook up with a snook, snakehead, or cichlid. Most canals in Florida are pretty straight with some sweeping turns, they often have shelves that run up and down the shore, and they drop off quickly toward the center. The bass like to sit in the vegetation along the canal shoreline. When it comes to tackle, you need to go with something bright and obnoxious because canals are usually stained and pretty murky. Visibility is low so you need something that can reflect sunlight. Sub-surface I like a white or chartreuse clouser to attract a bite. But, most often I fish top surface with a popper.

The three major canal systems around the Fort Myers area are Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, and Golden Gate. I have had luck shorefishing canals when my casting is working well. You need a long cast to reach the grass line on the opposite bank. Many Guides will take you canal fishing. I have experienced guided excursions on the canal and it is generally a productive trip as long as the water temperature is warm (65 - 80 degrees).

As much as I would love to go canal fishing today, my calendar won’t allow it. But, I can go to the community across the street and fish their ponds. Their Master Board allows residents and guests to fish as long as they stay away from the fairways. I am fortunate enough to have a good friend living in that community and am on his permanent guest list. Time to finish my coffee, rig up, and head across the street.

When I arrive, the first thing I do is check out the water. Intake pipes are a popular bass hangout, so I check there first. Immediately I see three plecos resting underwater on the PVC pipe. Hypostomus Plecostomus (aka sucker mouth catfish) are an invasive species that can be found in a lot of South West Florida's freshwater. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this species was likely introduced by an aquarium release or escape from an aquaculture facility. These fish eat algae and are generally harmless. However, they like to affix themselves to manatees and there is concern the manatee can be harmed.

When fishing the Tenmile Canal in the John Yarbrough Linear Park. I often see people bow fishing plecos. The catfish profile is easy to see from the canal bank. The fish compete for food with other species and their burrowing behavior can erode the shoreline. The anglers I have seen bow fishing plecos have had really good aim. It looks like fun, but it isn’t my “bag of doughnuts.”

I decide to fish the spot despite the plecos, trusting my experience that largemouth like to hang around these pipes.

Today I selected my Orvis Recon 6 wt rod. I love the action of this rod and enjoy fishing with it whenever I can. Normally I would use my Reilly Rod Crafter 5/6 wt for pond fishing. It is my go-to rod for these types of days. Chris Reilly is the President of this rod-making company. Reilly Rod Crafter is a smaller manufacturer with a focus on building genuine customer relations. I remember ordering a second rod from them (a 7/8 wt). I completed the order form online, totally happy with my selection and the price. The next day, I received an email from Chris who said he noticed I was a previous customer and had earned a discount which he took the liberty of applying against my order. I am so impressed with Chris and his brother Matt I share this experience with every angler I can. They could have charged me the full price and I would have been happy. But, by proactively giving me the discount I they made me delighted and now I am a big fan.

The Recon feels good in my hand. I am using 5X tippet which should be enough for up to a 4-pound bass. I have heard golf course ponds can hold monster bass, but it is tough to separate the folklore from reality. I decide to tie on a size 4 blue popper. I wish I had the logic for why blue, but the truth is I had a few in my fly box and if I lost it I wouldn’t miss it.

I made a few casts near the pipe but didn’t get any action. The normal excuses for lack of success came to mind. It’s the wrong time of day, the bass are probably conserving energy and holding deep, The real action is probably on the other side of the pond, and so forth. Instead of succumbing to my insecurities, I decided to make a few longer casts.

On my second, I felt a small strike. The fish didn’t take the popper, but it was an encouraging sign. I placed my third cast a few feet behind my second so I could work the popper over the general area of the strike.

I was feeling pretty pleased with the placement of my cast. I started stripping the line with a steady cadence. POP, POP, POP, and then suddenly WHAM! The popper immediately disappeared. I set the hook and the game was ON! This felt like a decent bass and I immediately started worrying about my choice of 5X tippet. Simultaneously, the guidance of my favorite guide, Captain Debbie Hanson, came to mind - “Keep pressure on the fish.”

I had a nice bend in my rod and started to carefully strip the line to maintain that tension. The bass fought well. I’m not sure if it was instinct or experience, but I felt the fish run and then quickly change direction. When the fight is on, it is easy to lose concentration and try to “horse” the fish in. But, you will land more fish with patience and letting the rod tire the fish out. Line slack is the enemy when fighting a fish. Slack allows the fish to dislodge the hook, especially if it isn’t properly set. Staying calm and enjoying the struggle enhances the excitement of the experience.

Everyone says “The tug is the drug”. And it’s true, the need to feel the tug is what created my urge to fish today. I love feeling the tug. But, I also appreciate the dance of bringing a fish to hand. When you keep tension on the line, your fingers can feel what the fish is trying to do so you can better control the fight. Anticipating the fish’s next move and playing it without allowing it to break off is the challenge.

When we finished dancing, I was holding a strong 3-pound Florida Largemouth bass. It wasn’t the 6-pound monster of the tall tales, but that fish and I had shared a special moment. I gently removed the hook with my hemostat and took the obligatory picture to share with my wife. With one hand on the tail and the other cradling the belly I lowered the bass into the water and released it to play another day. My friends often kid me for the practice of catch and release. But, in my mind, it is a matter of appreciation. I appreciate that the fish decided to dance with me today, I appreciate how well it fought, and I appreciate the impact the fish will have on the pond ecosystem. Beyond that, I also want to afford other anglers a chance to feel the tug.

I caught a couple more bass and then looked at my watch. My time was up and my calendar obligations loomed large. I snipped off my popper, disassembled my rod, and started my walk back to the condo and the obligations of “real life.” I think one of the biggest mistakes we make in life is that we think we have time. As a result, we tend to put things off. On the walk back, I realized I don’t have an unlimited number of opportunities to feel the tug and I should treasure every one I have left. I committed myself to getting out of bed earlier and slapping the water again this week.