Needing to test my new video camera is as good a reason to go fishing as any, isn’t it?

I recently purchased one of the GoPro cameras and took it for it’s first real test today. It is going to take a little practice to get comfortable, but I see get possibilities. The first–and most important–thing I learned was to make sure you charge the camera before you head out. See, I charged it when it arrived a couple of weeks ago, but it sat on the self since. I managed to get a few pictures and video of the first snook, but unfortunately I did not get video of the giant tailing redfish.

On a sad note, my favorite fishing pole broke this afternoon. It was given to me by one of my best friends shortly before he passed away. That was 8 years and many many fish ago, so I knew it was getting time to replace it, but I was hoping to stretch one more summer out of it. It is a Crowder and I have to say it has certainly withstood the test of time . I absolutely have no complaints.

Now, I’m not usually much for product endorsements, but in addition to that long-lived pole, I found these PowerBait about a year ago and love them. They are durable and produce fish. I have caught as many as 7 redfish without changing the lure and for a soft bait, that’s not bad.

I ended the day with 2 fair snook and one baracuda. I also saw one large red (over 30″) tailing but could not get him to eat. All in all, I’ll take it for a couple of hours after work.

I spend a good portion of my free time doing historical research on various topics. I sometimes sit for hours prowling through the old photo collections at the Florida Archives. I was browsing this afternoon and found a fish related picture that made me laugh.

Courtesy Florida Memory Project

If you look closely at the photo, you will notice that is not a fishing pole the angler is holding in his left hand. I am somewhere between 99 and 100% certain that he shot the snook.

I am no gun expert, but it appears that the gun is a muzzle loader possibly pre-Civil War. The photo is labeled 1907 in Punta Razza, so I am guessing that the firearm is at least 50 years old when the picture was taken. No substitute for quality craftsmanship.

Here is a link to the original photo:

http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/7520

Bear Point is a special place for me. Not only have I caught many fish there, but it used to be a favorite stomping ground for one of my best friends and I. Together he and I covered about every inch of  the cove.

My friend past away a few years ago, but every trip to Bear Point brings back a memory. I’m pretty sure that people that see me think I might need a padded room-standing in the water alone and laughing out loud.

Life has conspired to keep me out of my beloved Indian River Lagoon for a couple of months, but I managed to sneak away for a couple of hours the other day. It was cold and the tide was wrong, but I didn’t care.

Here is a short video I made while there…no fish, but  you might see why I love that place.

I can’t remember when i have been happier to see a  year end. 2011 was trying to say the least, but 2012 is just starting. Let’s hope it holds the promise of new and better things.

My son and I licked off the year with our annual New Year’s fishing trip. We decided to hit the jetty for a couple of hours. I certain have no complaints about the weather. Temps in the 80′s and calm winds made it feel more like May than January.

We caught a couple of jacks and saw several snook milling around the rocks. Unfortunately, I forgot the memory card for the camera so I failed to get pictures.

Here’s wishing all of you have a great New Year.

When I was a kid, my favorite day wasn’t Christmas Day. Sure Christmas morning was filled with awe and wonder.  All the packages wrapped with different paper and shiny ribbons and bows, the anticipation was almost unbearable. However, soon after the early morning adrenaline rush, the reality of traveling to relatives houses, visiting with family and friends and lugging the loot to and from the car made Christmas Day long. Couple the early morning, with ridiculous amounts of food and the ups and downs of opening presents and I was always sound asleep long before we returned home.That is why, December 26th was always my favorite day. That is when my new toys and gadgets got put to use and the joy really set in.

As an adult, all the same processes occur but now I’m the grown-up. As any of you with kids know, Christmas Eve usually ends up being a very late night, followed by a very early morning, then it is off to see family and friends and another late night by the time you return home. For that reason, the day after Christmas is usually a drag.

This  year has been different though. You see I’m on vacation, so I got to sleep late and sit around watching the kids play new video games all morning and play with my new computer monitor. Then we had raw oysters and boiled shrimp for dinner.

The Day after Christmas South Florida style

I could really get used to living like this, unfortunately reality returns next week when I start my new job. I hope everyone had a great and safe holiday. Time to start the countdown to my annual New Year’s Fishing trip with my son.