When the phone rang a few days ago and it was RJ Sr. calling from Sunny Florida I had a funny feeling I knew what had happened. My Uncle Mike and Pops spent a day out with guide Mike Jones out on Lake Okeechobee and he was calling to give me the rundown of the day. I had been out at the shack when he called and he left Birdee in suspense as well!
When we finally were able to connect on the phone my jaw hit the floor.
They arrived to meet their guide and boarded his fully rigged Ranger.
The ride out to the area the guide planned to fish was a wild one!
Their guide had informed them that the average size of Largemouth they’d tangle with would be about 7 pounds. Being skeptical Sr. took it in stride. When Mike set into the first fish that came in at 3 pounds my Pops thought “Oh boy, here we go”.
They were doing the traditional Florida guided trip by floating wild shiner under floats. Using 5 to 6 inch shiners they just knew it had to be a good fish when that float dropped.
Shortly after the first fish Mike’s float dropped again. This was an eye popper to the two Canucks. Just shy of 8 pounds!
That certainly peaked Sr.’s interest and he was up next as his float dipped. Sr. popped himself a goodun!
They had company throughout the day. Not something you really have to deal with in Canada!
While Okeechobee can produce Largies to 15 pounds RJ Sr. was happy to end his day with this big fella. Just awesome!
Now that’s a bucketmouth!
They ended the day just thrilled with the outcome, thanked their guide and Sr. just couldn’t wait to call home to tell me the news. Glad he did, though I am jealous as all be!
