Short Fish, Rainstorms, And Defective Hats

[rps]

I fished this morning from dark until rainout. Started by bass fishing an area I troll for walleye. Lots of deep timber on a steep sloped bank. Caught two almost legal fish on top and had several other missed fish. Moved on to a classic flat point that runs out to the channel. Only a little activity showed and I only raised one short spotted bass. I motored on up to the devil's backbone and caught several more short fish off the reef. I switched to walleye hunting and fished the reef with passes at 15, 20, 25, and 30 feet deep. The deepest passes brought me a 17 inch walleye and a 9 inch crappie before I finally caught a solid white bass. I didn't keep it but at least I could have. Five species and one stinking keeper.

At that point the rain moved in; some thunder was mixed in and that caused me to head home. I love my new boat, but discovered a drawback today. If you hurry to get out of the rain, the rain drops really sting as they hit you in the face. There is no windscreen to save you on a tiller boat. I had my rain coat hood cinched down tight over my Ozark Anglers hat. Basically the only thing peeking out were my glasses, nose, and mustache. The rain was so intense I had to wipe my glasses. As I loosened the hood to ease my glasses out, the wind ripped it back and my hat flew off.

I cut the motor, turned and circled, looking for my hat, bare headed in the downpour. That sucker sank immediately. No chance for a save. I did not know Phil had purchased inferior hats with no flotation. Until now. I tried to cinch down the hood without the ball cap and go on home. Doesn't work nearly so well. The ball cap bill is what keeps the hood from sliding over your eyes. To be able to see, I had to leave the hood more loosely tied. Once you are on plane, the hood funnels the rain to the back of your neck.

Now don't get me wrong. I know that living on the lake and having most of the summer free to fish is the dream of many people. Still, this morning was not what I dreamed of before I moved here. Grumble, grumble.

Wish I had my hat back.

[Stump bumper]

2 points

1. I always keep an extra hat in the boat and truck.

2. Save face, they are over priced but great. I see no reason for smoked lens though, if I need it I need the clear lens.

Sounds like a good morning anyway.

[CaptainJoe]

My granddaughter and I were out, too. She decided that it was "NOT COOL" to wear a rain suit and a Save Phase helmet until the rain hit us hard. She learned fast. Caught only dinks and came in only after an hour of fishing. I agree, Phil needs to had some floatation material to the OA hat. Maybe a bobber on top of the hat.

[rps]

I have understood the need for the masks among the go very fast in Winter and early Spring group. 50 or 60 mph in 45 degrees equals ugly wind chill. I just thought that it would be preposterous for me to have one. My little rig, if it has a tail wind, might hit 35 mph. I also don't fish if it's ugly cold. But today, even at 30 mph, the rain drops stung.

Do I have to wear a death head, flames, or a dragon face? Can I get away with a solid color other than NASCAR red? Wait! I know! I'll have Tim Hughes paint it in Table Rock Shad.

Actually, they do make sense.

[mclothier1]

Wait! I know! I'll have Tim Hughes paint it in Table Rock Shad.

Actually, they do make sense.

HaHa... just dont fall in the lake, you'll get bit!!

[Stump bumper]

I have understood the need for the masks among the go very fast in Winter and early Spring group. 50 or 60 mph in 45 degrees equals ugly wind chill. I just thought that it would be preposterous for me to have one. My little rig, if it has a tail wind, might hit 35 mph. I also don't fish if it's ugly cold. But today, even at 30 mph, the rain drops stung.

Do I have to wear a death head, flames, or a dragon face? Can I get away with a solid color other than NASCAR red? Wait! I know! I'll have Tim Hughes paint it in Table Rock Shad.

Actually, they do make sense.

I have a soild blue one but you might want to look at the "Rebal Yell" to match the speed demon boat. lol

[powerdive]

rps, congratulations. Real men drive tillers. Rain and sleet pelting the face are a fact of life, a badge of courage, and help you live more intensely. How much more deeply did you appreciate your arrival at the dock than some person in a fufu windshield boat, wearing a goofy facemask with a NASCAR logo, would have? Rampant convenience will be the downfall of us all.

Just kidding. Yeah, it does kinda sting a bit.

[rps]

I gave up pain as proof of manhood some years ago. It hurt too much. Frankly, discomfort sucks too.

[Donna G]

I realize I'm a 'girl' so my endorsement of the face shields doesn't count for much, but it is one of my top three pieces of non-tackle equipment, as far as I'm concerned. It's easier to stow than a helmet and I can put it on and take it off in seconds over my cap. It helps if your cap's brim is not too large or too stiff, though. We fish all winter and besides protection from the rain, it allows me to go fishing in brutal cold. I'll admit my face is pretty sensitive and I probably wear my mask when no one else would, but my eyes also water badly first thing in the morning. I can't help Champ188 watch for hazards without my mask. Red was the only thing available when I bought mine. I'm not wearing silly flames.

I gave up worrying about looking goofy in my shield. In fact, I embrace the goofiness part now. Dad gum it, I OWN the goofiness. I AM the GOOFINESS.

Where the heck did I put my Prozac? Wait, think I stashed it in my shield.

[denjac]

I realize I'm a 'girl' so my endorsement of the face shields doesn't count for much, but it is one of my top three pieces of non-tackle equipment, as far as I'm concerned. It's easier to stow than a helmet and I can put it on and take it off in seconds over my cap. It helps if your cap's brim is not too large or too stiff, though. We fish all winter and besides protection from the rain, it allows me to go fishing in brutal cold. I'll admit my face is pretty sensitive and I probably wear my mask when no one else would, but my eyes also water badly first thing in the morning. I can't help Champ188 watch for hazards without my mask. Red was the only thing available when I bought mine. I'm not wearing silly flames.

I gave up worrying about looking goofy in my shield. In fact, I embrace the goofiness part now. Dad gum it, I OWN the goofiness. I AM the GOOFINESS.

Where the heck did I put my Prozac? Wait, think I stashed it in my shield.

I always wanted a sheild but never got around to buying one. Maybe for Christmas. James and I might need one Tuesday. Opps did I let the cat out of the bag?