Tampa Bay, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater & St. Petersburg

Capt. Clay Eavenson
November 9, 2007
Tarpon Springs - Saltwater Fishing Report

Mission Accomplished

 



My

very important client arrived early this morning. Very early. We

were supposed to catch the last of the incoming high tide today

which would put us in the water around 11am. However, he tugged on

my bed sheets around 6am and quietly whispered, "Daddy, it's time to

go fishing." I assured him that the fish were still snoozing and

that he should climb into the bed with me and nap a little longer.

 

When we finally got ready to

hit the road, all my son Cade could do was tell Mommy and his little

sister that he and Daddy were going fishing and that he was going to

catch a big redfish. Cade has been on the boat before but not for a

fishing trip with just he and Daddy. He was excited to say the

least.

 



First

up on the agenda was to get some bait. Instead of trying to manage

the cast net and watch after him, I decided to stop at Hart's 1 Stop

in Tarpon springs and pick up a dozen pinfish and a dozen shrimp.

From there we headed to the boat ramp in New Port Richey.

 

Once in the water we worked

our way to one of the spots I mentioned in yesterday's report. On

our way there, Cade just had to play with the shrimp. He asked all

sorts of questions like, "Can the shrimp swim? Why do they have so

many legs?" and, "Can we eat these?". He kept me busy for the 10

minute idle out to the mouth of the river.

 



When

we rolled up to the first spot, I didn't see much in the way of

fish. Yesterday I could see reds everywhere. I may have been early

though as yesterday I hit this spot three hours later in the tide.

Oh well, I cut the first pinfish in half and chunked him out there.

I stuck the rod in a rod holder and resumed answering the deep

questions of a three year old little boy.

 

It wasn't 5 minutes before

the rod bent over and I handed it to Cade. He struggled to turn the

handle of the reel but I told him that he could do it all by

himself. He finally beat the fish and drew him up beside the boat. I

pulled the little 19" red out of the water and he grinned and said,

"I caught a big redfish!" I said, "You sure did son. Good job!" 

We took a quick photo and released the fish to fight another day.

 



We

didn't get another bite today. Mostly because we had done what we

had set out to do and Cade's mind was occupied with accomplishing

other goals. He wanted to drive the boat for one thing and he wanted

to make the boat go fast like the boats he saw leaving the river. I

granted both wishes and we called it a day.

 

What an awesome feeling to

take your son "real" fishing for the first time. We've spent

countless hours on the dock of our neighborhood pond catching bass

and bluegill, but taking him on the boat and seeing him get excited

about landing a fish that I am passionate about was a real joy. When

the day was over and I was putting him in the car seat, he looked at

me and with a childlike sincerity he said, "Thanks for going fishing

with me Dad. I had fun with you." The word "Awesome" is the only one

that comes to mind every time I remember that moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way to go fishing.

 

 

         

The ride home after fishing.  



  

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