Bass Fishing
by Larry Pullon

Have you ever woke up out of sync with the world? Like maybe you slipped a little in the time stream or something? Happened to me today.

I recently bought four trout boats at a surplus auction - just like the one I measured, only then I didn't know they were pretty common, in the right places. I guess an AuSable river boat is the same - some people in Michigan see them all the time, the rest of us say what the heck is that?

an AuSable river boat - some people in Michigan see them all the time, the rest of us say what the heck is that? click thumbnails to enlarge

Anyway, I kept the roughest of the boats and modified it a bit to make it legal for bass tournaments. Specifically for the Ford Big Bass Classic this weekend. I added an aerator to the livewell, lights, trolling motor, and a kill switch on the main motor - kind of neat, since the "main motor" is a mighty 9.9hp.

So, I have been on the Arkansas River a lot lately. Trying to relearn how to bass fish. I quit the habit five years ago - got rid of the bassboat and vowed no more water rockets for me! I did not allow that you could scale down and still fish for the fish of a thousand casts.

Was on the river all day yesterday. 5 am until about 4pm. It was 95 degrees and sunny, no wind - very pleasant if you like sweat, sunburn, and dehydration. I won't whine about it much out of respect for our countrymen trying to live in worse long enough to get back to what I am complaining about!

I recently bought four trout boats at a surplus auction - just like the one I measured, only then I didn't know they were pretty common, in the right places.

I went back out this morning but nothing seemed quit right. I missed the exit to the boat ramp and had to do a U turn and when I launched the boat I forgot to untie it from the trailer. Then I flooded the engine and pulled it many, many times until I gave up and headed out with the trolling motor.

No fish, muddy water from rains two days ago, and a Africa hot wind blowing the boat all over the place. I stuck with it until 11am or so, tried the motor 50 more pulls (Mercs hate to be flooded) and headed back with the electric motor.

About half way back I hit something with the trolling motor and broke the mounting clamp - they used to be metal but now they are plastic junk and will break with a surprisingly light bump. Buy an older MinKota 65 - stay away from the "new and improved" stuff.

So, now I am heading back to the dock against a strong current holding a trolling motoring in my hands, hot, sweaty, thirsty, half mad from the sun, and just plain fit to be tied!

I'm trying to relearn how to bass fish. I quit the habit five years ago - got rid of the bassboat and vowed no more water rockets for me!

I came across a shanty boat pulled up by the rocks. It was a factory boat with the transom cut way down to accommodate an old Johnson 9.5 (pumpkinhead) and some plastic for a tent. There were fuel cans tied to the sides - looked like they had been underway a while. It was flying a Jolly Roger, and the "pirates" waved as I drew near.

My arms were aching from casting a million times, trying to start the stupid Mercury, and then holding on to the cheap junk Minn Kota so I could get back home and to my proper location in time and space. So I pulled up a minute and chatted with them.

They were headed to New Orleans, been on the water ten days. Don't recall where they started - it did not occur to me to ask.

I asked them if I could take a photo for Duckworks, they said sure. So I did, only the camera slipped from my weak sweaty fingers and rattled around in the bottom of the boat a bit. The lens doesn't look like it used to!

They were headed to New Orleans, been on the water ten days. Don't recall where they started - it did not occur to me to ask.

All this time I am also holding the trolling motor over the side now and then and turning it on to keep my boat by theirs. I set the trolling motor down picked up the camera and took a digital photo. As you can see it is blurry. People in the wrong time and place do not react well with physical items in the other time - that is why stuff goes wrong and breaks.

I made it home somehow. Haven't looked yet to see what fell off, blew off, the boat on the way home. I am just happy to be back. Took a nap this afternoon - fan on high, two jugs of gator aid. I think I am lined back up, but am not completely sure. Does any of this make sense?

LP