Flying by the Seat of Our Plans

We took the afternoons off from scouting the first few days.  One day, we headed to Playalinda Beach for some shore fishing and in hopes of catching a rocket launch.  Either I got the date wrong for the launch or it got scrubbed.  The beach was nice and we had it almost to ourselves.  We caught some small whiting, sheepshead, and bluefish and Micah caught a keeper seatrout in the surf.   Our second fishing trip was on the Sebastian River thanks to Mark McBride.  Mark and I met while trying to capture some ducks for a side-project in South Florida.  When I mentioned that we would be in the area, he suggested a tarpon and snook fishing trip.  It didn't take any urging for us to sign up.  I didn't take any pictures of the trip, but I believe that Micah got some that will show up in the next post. It was a great nature tour on which we saw all kinds of aquatic and bird life, many of which were first for Micah....

Backstory: In 2008, I was convinced to try turkey hunting.  I had always previously said that I had no interest in deer or turkey or any other "boring, sit-and-wait hunting".  I tagged along with Mikie and the 8th Street Gang on a hunt in south zone.  Didn't see much besides one turkey running across a private field.  Then I scouted at Three Lakes.  Solo camping and hunting trip fueled by mentoring from David Blood, Jim Neviaser, and the 8SG.  I found a bunch of tracks and strut sign way deep in the woods.  It was really cool to be out in the Florida woods.  Those were really my first trips into the Florida woods; I had always been in marshes and the ocean.  I enjoyed the new scenery and wildlife.  I had a plan to hunt a strut zone near a cypress head roost about two miles from the nearest access.  I planned to hunt with my uncle and cousin, but had to wait for spring break.  By the time we returned, the strut marks had be...

A student researcher that I have been working with was invited to speak at the Flyway Council meeting in Alabama and I also attended to learn about the Council.  When I saw that we'd be in Orange Beach, my gears started turning about fishing.  I watched some insightful videos from Bama Beach Bum  and geared up.  I decided that I didn't want to go all-in on the beach fishing in case we had no luck (or skill), so also brought the trusty ol' Clipper canoe. We had a long, stressful drive, but our luck turned when the hotel informed us that they had oversold street-view rooms and would have to move us to a top-floor ocean-view room.  Darn! Before each day's meetings began or after they adjourned, I sneaked out for an hour or so of fishing.  It was great just to be on the seashore again! The view from the balcony was helpful for reading the sandbars and troughs off the beach and picking out a good spot to fish. That g...