Toes in the Water ~ Fishin

Skiffin16
Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
edited August 2013 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Well, the week-end is here...

Time to relax, reflect, and get out of the office and on to the water....

Last week-end was a Banner Day.... I was on the water early, tide was looking good, perfect for my Flounder area... I was supposed to take someone, but he bailed on me, so I had to go it alone.., rough I know huh..., LOL.

Here are a few photos....

Gandy

Toes in the Water....

photo 47506fc0-2271-4eb0-a6df-65c9c83501cc_zps7480a678.jpg

 Big Flounder, 20" Flounder first fish of the day..., it's going to be good...

 

photo 50948b65-e785-44f7-a134-aa44b1854a5c_zps86a69d12.jpg

Folks, here's what a limit of Gulf Flounder looks like... Ten Flounder, 14 - 20"

 

I want you to each know that I am thankful, and that I think of all of you often... I think of those that I have known on here that are no longer. For those of you that are suffering, but someday will be doing the things you love again... I was one of those a few years ago....

The summer before I got Dx with cancer, I had just found this spot. It was awesome, it produced everytime that I fished it, and has since.

But that winter when I was Dx, and then going through Tx, I often wondered if I would be back out there fishing again... It seems kind of stupid to have cancer, and the possibility of dying, yet I'm worried that I found a great fishing spot and might not ever be able to fish it again, LOL...

Anyways...

Thoughts & Prayers,

John

 

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Comments

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    Nice Flatties!

    That's Awesome John! What do you use as bait down there for them? I used to fish the bays off NJ for flounder and we used squid and minnows on a feather dressed hook. We'd drift and use just enough weight to keep contact with the bottom. Man I miss fishing! I've yet to even wet a line this year. Seeing this makes me want to go get my license and hit the water! 

    I hear you about wondering. As I recover and the fog continues to clear, I realize just how true the saying "they almost kill you to make you better" is. While you're in the midst of treatment, it's almost surreal. And in fact, due to the meds, pain and treatment itself, in many ways it's like you're dying. There were times toward the end of treatment when I'd be awake most of the night while Marcia slept. I'd be in almost a dream state yet awake. Those types of thoughts were more common than I care to admit. 

    I'm glad to see your fishing spot is getting good use and is productive. I await the fish fry pics to follow ;)

    "T"

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    fish on

    John,

    In your abi-normal way you show a bit of wisdom.  I can’t begin to tell you how great it is to see the sunrise and wonder how close I came to my own sunset.

    One of these days it will be my toes hanging over the bow and taking turns cranking them in.  With that in mind, don’t catch them all.

    Future Florida Fisherman,

    Matt

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    Tasty Post

    Nice post John. I haven't fished since the 70's. Lost all my fishing gear in a bad car accident. I was lucky to survive so cancer could have a crack at me in 2009. Up here I use to do alot of stream and lake fishing. No boats for me, being a Teamster you don't give someone the opportunity to have you swim with the fishs. (LOL)

    I will be down your way 9/6 until 9/9 spoiling my newborn grandaughter 10 minutes from the Tampa airport. (by the pics I see you fish closeby) I'm buying at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.

    Life is good.......enjoy today it's your last crack at it until tomorrow

          Jeff

  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    a good day

    Looks like a great day on the water...thanks for sharing.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    john, no wonder u enjoy

    john, no wonder u enjoy fishing, u actually catch some!!...lol  my fishing time consist of sitting and holding my pole 

    :0(

    enjoy!

    dj

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    nice catch

    Jim has consistently caught a couple flounder every morning. He fishes from shore on the Intercoastal. This morning his first catch was a 22" flounder. I would post the picture but your instructions seemed pretty complicated and I am an idiot when it comes to computers. I leave that to my son the computer programmer. You will have to take my word for it, I wouldn't lie to you, after all I am a pastor. My problem is the ability to give away and eat all the fish he is catching because he can't eat them (PEG). Nice problem to have though :) Happy you were able to get a day away from the office and relax.

    Keep Fishin, Debbie

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    fishmanpa said:

    Nice Flatties!

    That's Awesome John! What do you use as bait down there for them? I used to fish the bays off NJ for flounder and we used squid and minnows on a feather dressed hook. We'd drift and use just enough weight to keep contact with the bottom. Man I miss fishing! I've yet to even wet a line this year. Seeing this makes me want to go get my license and hit the water! 

    I hear you about wondering. As I recover and the fog continues to clear, I realize just how true the saying "they almost kill you to make you better" is. While you're in the midst of treatment, it's almost surreal. And in fact, due to the meds, pain and treatment itself, in many ways it's like you're dying. There were times toward the end of treatment when I'd be awake most of the night while Marcia slept. I'd be in almost a dream state yet awake. Those types of thoughts were more common than I care to admit. 

    I'm glad to see your fishing spot is getting good use and is productive. I await the fish fry pics to follow ;)

    "T"

    a good day

    well a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work - so what can a good day of fishing equate to? mmm

  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    jim and i said:

    nice catch

    Jim has consistently caught a couple flounder every morning. He fishes from shore on the Intercoastal. This morning his first catch was a 22" flounder. I would post the picture but your instructions seemed pretty complicated and I am an idiot when it comes to computers. I leave that to my son the computer programmer. You will have to take my word for it, I wouldn't lie to you, after all I am a pastor. My problem is the ability to give away and eat all the fish he is catching because he can't eat them (PEG). Nice problem to have though :) Happy you were able to get a day away from the office and relax.

    Keep Fishin, Debbie

    Sweet!

    Nice catch Bro'!  And I'm stuck in the office this morning...............ya got me thinkin' - hmmmm, maybe some night fishing tonite.

    Keep your lines tight!

    Greg

     

  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    Summertime

    and the livin' is easy~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Cool

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Come on down....

    Thanks all...

    Looking forward to anyone whome might show up....

     

    Jeff, you're right...actually when you fly into Tampa, some routes take you directly over my fishing hole...., LOL...  think they line up with the bridges...

     

    We'll get together while you are here...

    JG

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member

    john, no wonder u enjoy

    john, no wonder u enjoy fishing, u actually catch some!!...lol  my fishing time consist of sitting and holding my pole 

    :0(

    enjoy!

    dj

    Patience

    Good things come to those who bait.

    "T"

     

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    fishy, fishy

    THAT looks like a great day out on the water!  I used to love to go fishing, but nowadays we don't really have anywhere to go!  So glad you got to get out there and enjoy the day :)  

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    I showed this to my wife, who said:

    photoshop is a wonderful thing.....   But she's just jealous.

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member

    I showed this to my wife, who said:

    photoshop is a wonderful thing.....   But she's just jealous.

    LOL...

    You know better....

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 726 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    LOL...

    You know better....

    A Day on the Water

    Thanks so much for posting those wonderful pics.  I've never eaten Flounder, but I can envision a fillet cooked lightly in my cast iron skillet with just a little bit of seasoning.  Dang, now I'm hungry.

     

    How do they taste, and what's the best way to cook them?

     

    And "T", that was a great re-phrase.  I may carve that into some wood and post it in my Colorado cabin.  That's me, a fresh water fishing dude, although I've been known to take any invitation to go fish the sea.

     

    Tommy

  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570
    HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME

    Hey John, great shots, and I must say, that's a great way to spend a summer day!  I'm glad that you got the limit fishing, but not the limit on having fun.  I think that keeping our eyes on the prize on the other side of the treatment tunnel is part of what helps us to get through it.  Fish on......  If you are ever in the Broward or Dade area, let me know, and the Star or Dunkin treats are my treat.

    PATRICK

  • Ron Silver
    Ron Silver Member Posts: 94
    patricke said:

    HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME

    Hey John, great shots, and I must say, that's a great way to spend a summer day!  I'm glad that you got the limit fishing, but not the limit on having fun.  I think that keeping our eyes on the prize on the other side of the treatment tunnel is part of what helps us to get through it.  Fish on......  If you are ever in the Broward or Dade area, let me know, and the Star or Dunkin treats are my treat.

    PATRICK

    Ever fish Tampa Bay around

    Ever fish Tampa Bay around Joe Island.  Great fishing.  Redfish the size of small submarines. 

     

    http://www.floridamoves.com/property/details/567595/MLS-U7526353/0-North-Joes-Island-Terra-Ceia-FL-34250.aspx

  • cureitall66
    cureitall66 Member Posts: 913
    Fish on......

    Glad you had a good day fishin'. Lots of dinners there! Kreg says the toes in the water pic looks like alligator bait. Cool

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member

    Ever fish Tampa Bay around

    Ever fish Tampa Bay around Joe Island.  Great fishing.  Redfish the size of small submarines. 

     

    http://www.floridamoves.com/property/details/567595/MLS-U7526353/0-North-Joes-Island-Terra-Ceia-FL-34250.aspx

    Close...

    I fish for Grouper under the Skyway... I have gathered clams on the other side of 275 right close to there also...

    I do fish for Redfish and Snook north of there also, Cockroach Bay, Little Manatee River...

    John

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member

    Fish on......

    Glad you had a good day fishin'. Lots of dinners there! Kreg says the toes in the water pic looks like alligator bait. Cool

    Alligators...LOL

    Salt.water silly.....

    Gators are primarily freshwater...., though they do have a few crocs down south.

    But yes there are plenty of toothy critters, but they don't wanna mess with my toes...ewww.

    JG