Missed opportunity

[Splitshot]

Just before Christmas my friend Andy invited me to come down to Alabama and fish stripers with him. I have been working on a project and I just couldn't get away. Andy told me I was going to miss some great fishing. I almost went, but there was that project.

Well here is the results of thier trip.
My good friend Andy with a great striper.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/526/12-05_Andy_striper.jpg

Andy's lovely wife Margaret with a beauty. This is no fluke either, she does it every time. I made the mistake of talking trash to her one day and now she never lets me forget it. I wouldn't be surprised if she turns pro.:)
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/526/medium/12-05_Margaret_striper.jpg

This is Dickie. Has a pond on his property full of big bass and one lb. bluegills. In spite of that, he did good too. lol
Besides he almost looks like a fisherman too.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/526/medium/12-05_Dickie_striper.jpg

Mike is a quiet guy and a fast learner. He came up with Andy a couple of times and it didn't take him long before he was landing kings. I guess catching stripers this size was a step up. When you see Mike smiling like this, you know he is having fun.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/526/medium/12-05_Mike_stripers.jpg

Can you tell that the other guy in the picture is Mike's son. lol I've never met him, but it looks like he is taking after his dad.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/526/12-05_Mike_n_Son_stripers_.jpg

Great job guys. You can bet that I'll make it next time. If you notice they all had coats on. Temperature must have been below 70.

[jimbobway]

Them Rebs sure can fish , and take good pics too.

[Ole Spike]

Enjoyed the pictures. I used to live down there and used to catch 'em on live shad or trolling rapalas. Was that Smith Lake or Martin, couldn't really tell from the pictures? Good luck on making it down there the next time you get invited!

[Splitshot]

I believe it was Martin, but not real sure. Whatever lake it was I should have been there.

[Ole Spike]

I missed out also. I have a buddy who lives on Martin and I was down there with my family for Christmas and didn't get a chance to fish either. Hard to get schedules with friends to match up especially during the holidays. The weather was great too. I believe the stripers in the pictures were the pure saltwater strain that are stocked by the state. They also stock "hybrids", which are a cross of the saltwater stripers and freshwater white bass. The "salts" have bold, mostly unbroken lines and the hybrids' lines are broken and kind of wavy. The salts are longer also. They both fight good. If you get a chance to go down there during the summer or fall, the saltwater fishing on the coast is awesome!

[Splitshot]

Like any other mild fish. I have never eaten them, but Andy says they are very good.

Yes Old Spike I'm told they are the salt water type.

[Ranger Ray]

Ah, the old pass on fish trip and everyone does wonderful that went , been there done that. ;) Nice mess of fish and a bunch of big smiles, don't get much better than that. Thanks for the pics.

[Redfish]

Ray,
Thanks for all the kind words and for helping me to re-live some of this winter's great times fishing with Margaret, Dickie, Mike, and Greg. And, yes, Margaret will kick your butt on the water most days if you let her put a hook in the water.

The stripers (it is Lake Martin - 750 miles of shoreline-up to 400 feet deep in places, with some of the cleanest wasters to be found) are excellent table fare. Since they are a white meated salt water species and the water quality at Martin is so high, the size does not negatively affect their taste as it does in some species of fresh water fish, i.e. catfish. They are good on the grill, baked, or broiled, take a variety of marinades well; and of course, the traditional southern deep fried with a crispy crust is best.

The invitation is still open. The winter pattern (mostly top water, with some sub-surface activity) will still be good for six to eight weeks. Our biggest catch this winter - 30 lbs, but we are still hoping for a big one.

Come on down!
Andy

[Gone Fishing]

The invitation is still open. The winter pattern (mostly top water, with some sub-surface activity) will still be good for six to eight weeks. Our biggest catch this winter - 30 lbs, but we are still hoping for a big one.

Come on down!
Andy
OK Ray, sounds like you have a second chance! That sure looks like fun. Great pictures Ray and congrats to the anglers.:)

[Splitshot]

Believe me I will make it if I can. lol Acutally Andy took the pictures and sent them to me. Of course I can take a little credit for explaining some of the things I do when I take mine. That statement should get some of my detractors to make comments about holding the fish at arms length to make them look bigger than they actually are.

Not true, but who cares. Andy sent me this picture yesterday. It's a 30.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/Dsc00360.jpg