Use It or Lose It!

IT WAS LATE. Well, late for me is after nine p.m. I didn’t answer my cell on the first two call attempts, but did on the third attempt—all from the same number.

I was beaten down, bone tired, so upon answering I was thinking this better be about a nuclear attack or a tsunami heading our way, for why else would anyone call me at this hour?

Needless to say, my interpersonal skills were lacking. It was a client; I’ll call him John. He had fished with me for many years and decided a few months prior to buy his own boat.

“John,” I said, “are you broke down somewhere? If so take a Sominex and I’ll come get you in the morning!”

He laughed. I didn’t.

“It’s my boat,” he said, “I have to sell it.”

Silence on my end. “I have a boat already!”

“I know,” he said, “and I’m sorry for the hour, but it’s really bothering me.”

In the background my wife is whispering “BE NICE”. I took a deep breath.

He said, “It’s only four months old and in excellent shape.” “A 21-foot Kenner with a 150 Mercury on it,”

“You recommended it if you recall,” he said.

“How much do you think it’s worth?”

“That’s hard to say,” I replied, now feeling a bit guilty for being so aggravated at the call. “Why would you sell it? It’s a perfect boat for you.”

“It’s not the boat,” he said, “it’s me! I am just falling apart! My back hurts, my knees hurt, my feet hurt, and now I can’t hold a rod any longer, because my wrists and shoulders are killing me.”

“You were running around on my Haynie like a 20-year-old not more than six months ago,” I stated flatly. “What happened?”

“Well I retired, and I guess I’m just getting old. I went out last week with my son and after six hours was worn out. We were supposed to fish the next day, but I was hurting so bad I came home. Since I retired I picked up about 65 lbs.”

“You don’t need to sell that Kenner, you need to have your butt kicked or at least chewed out!” I blurted. I knew this guy well and considered him a friend.

Silence.

“Is your heart okay?” I continued.

“Yes, but I have borderline diabetes.”

“John, listen to me,” I told him “My passion is the outdoors, and for me to continue as an angler, a guide, and a hunter I have had to stay in shape. I work out five to six days a week and have been doing so for over 30 years.

“Although it guarantees nothing, the truth is, it’s hard to beat your genetics. It DOES improve your quality of life and allows you to continue to engage in those activities you love!

“Almost every day, I see neighbors and friends who are avid outdoorsmen/women walking or biking or swimming or at a gym lifting weights or cutting grass or chain-sawing wood or building a barn or painting or gardening.

“The point is, they are staying active. They know what you eat is just as important as how much. Coastal fishing is not bluegill fishing on a creek; one must be active and conditioned to enjoy fishing on our bays. Whether it’s from a boat, a kayak or wading, this is the real deal down here.

“You don’t have to trust me; look at the science. Those who engage in exercise from ages 50 to more than 80, and at least stay active, have a 70 percent happier life and extend their lives by 10 to 20 years.

“Here’s the math. for less than 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day, your odds of living a happier and longer life go up significantly. I’d say that’s time well spent. Get away from the electronic devices, get away from TV. Watch what you eat and stay active 30 to 45 minutes a day.

“Take back control of your life!

“For every pound you lose that’s four pounds off your joints. So, 65 pounds. is an additional 260 pounds on a single joint.

“John I’ll make you a deal: don’t sell that boat, instead spend the next eight weeks engaged in at least 30 minutes of activity a day that makes your heart pump and causes you to sweat. If at the end of that period you still want to sell the Kenner I’ll take you fishing for free. If you lose 30 or more pounds, that’s also a free trip.”

I never did take him fishing. A few months later I recognized his boat at a local bait stand, but he was nowhere to be seen. A trim, fit man walked up to me, stuck his hand out, and I realized it was John.

I did not recognize him. He had lost close to 75 pounds. and his goal was 85. He said “I was mad at you when you chewed me out over the phone, but it made me get up and get going. Thank you!

“I am fishing about 10 times a month now. Captain Mac, are you picking up a few pounds, I don’t recall you ever being that heavy?”

Well, I guess I had that coming.

“By the way, I think you owe me a fishing trip,” he said with a big grin on his face.

“After 75 pounds I do believe you are right!” I responded.

“You gotta lose it to use it!” he said laughing.

“Call me when you’re ready to fish,” I said, “but please NOT after 9 p.m.!

November is typically a game changer. Live bait has been used extensively for the past seven months. Although it is still a great go-to tool, the angler who breaks out his/her lures can be rewarded with some great rod-bending action.

•  •  •

Copano Bay: Some keeper reds may be found on Shellbank Reef using finger mullet on a light Carolina rig. If colder temperatures are in the area, the mouth of Mission Bay can be a good spot for black drum using fresh dead shrimp. Free-lined is best or a light Carolina rig.

St. Charles Bay: Drifts across Egg Point can produce some nice reds using sand eels in sapphire shine color. With a south wind, Little Sharp Point is a good spot for reds using cut mullet free-lined. Anchor out from the shoreline and fish just off the grass beds in this area.

Aransas Bay: Drifts down Traylor Island can produce some nice trout using free-lined croakers or sand eels in tequila gold CT color. The area around Paul’s Mott Reef is a good spot for reds and trout using free-lined live shrimp. This area is a good black drum hole as well.

Carlos Bay: Wades down Cape Carlos shoreline is a good tactic for reds and trout using live mud minnows free-lined. Berkley sand eels in silver mud color is a good choice. Cedar Reef is a good spot to fish with live shrimp under a silent cork. Reds, drum and trout hang in this area on warmer days.

Mesquite Bay: Drifts across Brays Cove still produce some keeper flounders using grubs on a medium jig head. Jig the grub off the bottom with a slow retrieve. With a north wind Third Chain Island is a good spot for black drums using live or fresh dead shrimp under a popping cork; with some sheepshead here as well.

Ayers Bay: Just off Ayers Island is a good spot for sheep head and keeper reds using live shrimp. Light Carolina rigs work well, but don’t reel in until you have a bite, as it’s easy to break off. Second Chain is holding some keeper reds using finger mullet on a free line.

 

 

Email Capt. Mac Gable at captmac@macattackguideservice.com 

 

 

< PREV Return to CONTENTS Page NEXT >