FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
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It has been a while since I posted but that will of course be changing as there is about to be a big stretch of fishing extravaganza coming. There were 2 reasons I checked out, first we were in Florida looking at potential retirement spots and having a big time. Second, my laptop crapped out as soon as I got there and I just let it all ride. Of course that means I have a ton of catching up to do, so if you have not heard from me I am catching up this morning.
While full retirement for her is a couple of years away, we were interested in what there was that could fit us both, her keeping active, and me with a fishing pole in my hand while maybe using a walker. And it was a great trip, and we actually found our spot. And along the way had a great time. We have been traveling there for almost 30 years and I have made numerous fishing trips there so we had an idea where to start.
Let’s start with the fishing. I waded the beach at Sanibel a couple of mornings and am now the world champion ladyfish catcher. They had a cool front and the water was cool, and while there was lots of bait on the beach, no gamefish for me. That was it for the trip, funny how when we are having fun fishing sometimes takes a back seat, which is how you know your wife just might be a keeper.
While visiting potential places we found the Fort Myers Boat Show, which was big and awesome. There were boats from a million to 10,000, and everywhere in between. Fishing boats, trawlers, yachts, offshore, you name it they have it. I talked to several folks about the difference in the bay boats, as a rule they do not have tunnels, it is just a different deal over there.
While we were there I met one of my hero’s, Ray Van Horn, he was a great guy and we had a couple of things in common. Ranger sponsors him and when I commented on Arkansas and my tourney partner being a manager at Ranger we got to talking. He even owned a Champion 16’8″ like I did, one of the real screamers back in the day. His show is one of my favorites, I love the big slide in camper and heading to different places, the perfect way to go. And he fishes both fresh and salt, he was a long time tournament fisherman, so we had a lot in common. He was telling me he was coming to Texas sometime this year with his crew to film so I wish him the best of luck. Check out his show, good stuff.
And to make it even more interesting as we walked the booths I saw a guy in a Wicked Pissah shirt from the TV show Wicked Tuna on Discovery. I thought strange shirt for south Florida, when the Boss said, no it is that guy, and sure enough it was. Paul was there haggling over some knives. Small world at times.
While there we looked at plenty of options, parks on the water, inland, fancy and cheap. We wanted to get a feel for where and what and it actually happened. To make a long story short the serious planning begins next year to make a move to an area called The Villages. We saved that stop for last as it has the most appeal from afar, and it was a home run for our lifestyle.
Online it looked a little high class for folks like us. With everything from manufactured homes in the low $100’s to million dollar homes it seemed like it might not be for us. Oh so wrong. This places is massive with almost 60,000 homes, it has top of the line health facilities, like 70 golf courses, a bunch of activity centers, swimming pools, trails, catch and release lakes, and other stuff to numerous to mention, it has it all. There are over 3,00o clubs with hundreds, and I do mean hundreds of things every day. No matter what you like there are folks doing it. There are 3 town squares, with another on the way, with places to eat and music every night of the year on all three squares. And what makes it cool, besides the people, you can live your whole life out of a golf cart. There are few things, and I can not think of one off hand, you can not get to. Really great.
But the best thing, the people. It would be hard for me to over emphasize how friendly folks were, we met and talked to tons of them, and they are great. We shared a couple with some Vietnam vets, and it was great fun. It was so interesting that there was no way to tell who had millions, and who did not. There were no “classes” of folks, and there were lots of folks our age and younger. And they all to a man, we love it here, not a single bad thing. Folks were great.
And as far as expensive, the first night we ate at World of Beer, burger for her, brat for me, with a couple of drinks, $16! Happy hour at almost everywhere (I have been known to attend a few.) to go along with the music in the square, $1 beers, 2 for ones, super meal deals, it was great. Cheaper than eating in Victoria and sorry to say a hell of a lot better. We checked out the grocery store, no real difference in prices.
You can tell how much we enjoyed it there, I could go on and on, and we will be returning occasionally. While full retirement is still a ways away it is nice to make a decision. Until then it is back to the fishing.
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I always like hearing from first time folks and got this from John
I have enjoyed reading your posts for some time, especially Fayette Lake and an area I would like to learn more about, POC. Have just retired so I can finally get out now more often and during the week with my grandchildren and wife. I will be happy to send you reports. Do I send them like this or post on your page. Another area we tried after reading your reports was Lavaca river. We waiting too long last year I think after a front and also had problems getting over to the river, due to shallows going out from the launch at Port Comfort. I would like to try the launch at 616 next time but I was interested in your opinion on how safe it is to leave vehicle there.
Sorry for the late reply. Anytime anyone wants to send me posts or pictures just drop a comment on the last post and I will contact you, or anyone else with email information. I love getting things from folks and really do not care if it is cool outdoor shots, animals, fishing, or anything else related. Coming out of Port Comfort or 6 Mile can be tough, I always put in on 616. As long as the fishing is going there are plenty of folks there and I have not had any problems. But I met a guy last year who lost his stereo out of the truck, so it can happen anywhere, but it is a good lot and ramp and it make fishing the river a heck of a lot easier. I appreciate your comments and to the rest of you, send me some stuff, we all like seeing it.
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I did not remember taking this picture with my flip phone, yes I still have one, but here is the good one I caught a couple of weeks ago.
This picture does not do her justice. A solid!
This girl smashed a buzzbait harder than I have ever had one hit. With these cools nights the fishing on the lake should heat up. It always cracks me up having the blog and then forgetting the camera, the beginnings of my old timers I guess.
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You can put all I really know about internet stuff on the tip of your finger. In the last week or 2 three of my friends sent me messages, but it was not them, they had all 3 been hacked. We also got 2 fake emails from Ebay and our bank which were also BS. While most of us can not do much to stop it, remember do not open squat if you are not sure. Delete it and then email or message them to see if they sent it. You can not be to cautious. Plus, I don’t need that $200,000,000,000,000 deposited in the Bank of Nigeria that my long lost great, great uncle left me when he died exploring deepest darkest Africa. Wondered where that old fart got to!
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Next on today’s agenda, contacting Dell to return the laptop. It is my second and I can honestly say there is not one thing to recommend them. So we shall see how they handle getting it fixed under warranty. Then it will be getting fishing organized, it is coming.
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The best I can say about the Cowboys last night, they suck. Really a disappointment this year and yesterday was particularly ugly. But being a life time Cub fan I can take it. There is always next year, or next decade.
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This does not fully catch me up. I have a report or two to follow, and while I was gone my skiff was still putting them in the boat. It is always great to be gone, and it is good to be home. As soon as I catch up on my life it will be back on the water for some serious fishing. I love this time of year and intend to take full advantage of it. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff. And I appreciate you hanging in there with me.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
