All about life and it's challenges on our little homestead built on a sand hill!
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Saturday, February 11, 2012
BIG Fish
Last Saturday was a perfect day for fishing. Me, the Marine, Papa Bear and Mom went down to our catfish pond to use our new pazebo and see if the fish was biting. I had just baited Marine Bears hook and put it in his hand when the biggest fish that's ever been caught in the pond hit. I reeled it in for the Marine ...what a fight this one gave. Papa Bear is holding the fish up so I could get a picture.
That bad boy weighed almost 5 pounds!I hate that I didn't have the camera when I reeled it in for the Marine. He was grinning from ear to ear for catching the biggest fish in the pond!
We caught a few more that were a nice size.
We also have Blue Gill in the pond. Papa Bear had to keep this one as it's gill was damaged and would not have lived if he had thrown it back. Papa Bear caught about 20 this size and smaller and threw them back. Either these fellows grow very slow or we haven't found where the big ones are in the pond.
We skint , cleaned and had a feast that evening. Some were fried and some were grilled. I had to have the grilled and it was my first time grilling catfish. I sprayed them with Pam,sprinkled on lemon pepper and cooked them over hot charcoal. They were good but I would have loved the fried ones but they are a no-no for me now.
What a difference from last Saturday to this Saturday. Our temps while fishing were around 72.....just perfect. Today the temps will drop all day and be in the 20's tonight. Most all of plants in my flower gardens have jumped from the ground, the banana trees are sprouting and blossoms are on the pear trees. I am going to cover what I can and try to save them. Such is life in the Twilight Zone....Have a great weekend everyone!
WoW! Now that's a nice fish! I just love me some fried catfish. I've tried grilling them too but I have to admit that, for me, fried is best. Yummy! I bet the look on Marine Bears face was priceless. I know how excited I get when I get even a little one on my line!! This IS some kind of weather isn't it. January here was way above normal and this weekend we had winter come rolling in HARD. My lilies and daffodils are "freaking out"
Come on over Sci and I will fry you up a mess of them catfish. Heck you can even fish some out yourself! Wait two days though....We will be back in the 70's again....crazy crazy weather!
PP...we do feed them floating catfish food and it is fun to see them rolling the top of the water. We stopped feeding them a few months last year to see if the bugs and such would sustain them but the fish we caught during that period looked like skeletons with a head...It was sad so we started feeding them again.
Beautiful catfish...wish I had a 'mess.' The bluegills are stunted, too many of them. Throw a few in the compost pile...or use them for bait for the catfish. Tell Papa Bear he has a nice beard.
Stephen...if you ever venture up here to NW Florida you are most welcome to come and fish. We'll fish and cook up a mess. I'll have to tell Papa Bear what you said about the Blue Gill...We just couldn't figure out why there are no big ones. We thought maybe the catfish were eating them before they could grow. They do look like a school of little piranhas when they come up to feed!
I like Papa Bears beard too. He shaved it off one time since we were married and I told him...Grow it Back!
Mama Bear,I am a catfish fanatic. Little bluegills are awesome cat bait.Hook the gills thru lips or under dorsal toss him out,you will find out how big your catfish are! Glad you and the Marine and family got and enjoyed the great weather sounds like ya had a blast!
Hey China...Long time no see!...We did catch a couple on some of the damaged Blue Gill. Guess since the pond may be over populated with them, we'll use them more often for bait. Thanks for coming by!
WoW! Now that's a nice fish! I just love me some fried catfish. I've tried grilling them too but I have to admit that, for me, fried is best. Yummy! I bet the look on Marine Bears face was priceless. I know how excited I get when I get even a little one on my line!!
ReplyDeleteThis IS some kind of weather isn't it. January here was way above normal and this weekend we had winter come rolling in HARD. My lilies and daffodils are "freaking out"
Come on over Sci and I will fry you up a mess of them catfish. Heck you can even fish some out yourself! Wait two days though....We will be back in the 70's again....crazy crazy weather!
DeleteDo you feed your catfish? I always like the rolling waters when they come up for food.
ReplyDeletePP...we do feed them floating catfish food and it is fun to see them rolling the top of the water. We stopped feeding them a few months last year to see if the bugs and such would sustain them but the fish we caught during that period looked like skeletons with a head...It was sad so we started feeding them again.
DeleteBeautiful catfish...wish I had a 'mess.' The bluegills are stunted, too many of them. Throw a few in the compost pile...or use them for bait for the catfish. Tell Papa Bear he has a nice beard.
ReplyDeleteStephen...if you ever venture up here to NW Florida you are most welcome to come and fish. We'll fish and cook up a mess. I'll have to tell Papa Bear what you said about the Blue Gill...We just couldn't figure out why there are no big ones. We thought maybe the catfish were eating them before they could grow. They do look like a school of little piranhas when they come up to feed!
ReplyDeleteI like Papa Bears beard too. He shaved it off one time since we were married and I told him...Grow it Back!
That does look like fun. I am not much of fisherman, but it is something I have wanted to take up.
ReplyDeleteHey Russell....it is just as much fun to catch themas it is to eat them!
DeleteMy mouth is watering just looking at them!
ReplyDeleteGS..them was some good eats!
DeleteMama Bear,I am a catfish fanatic. Little bluegills are awesome cat bait.Hook the gills thru lips or under dorsal toss him out,you will find out how big your catfish are! Glad you and the Marine and family got and enjoyed the great weather sounds like ya had a blast!
ReplyDeleteChina
III
Hey China...Long time no see!...We did catch a couple on some of the damaged Blue Gill. Guess since the pond may be over populated with them, we'll use them more often for bait. Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDelete