Introduction

NumenOn the Water

Addressing a personal resolution for 2015, please let me introduce this new companion blog to my existing blog, Numenon.  This (NumenOn the Water) will simply consist of a timely and complete log of my experiences on the water, each accompanied with a statement of lesson(s) learned from the day.  Meanwhile, Numenon will continue with other stuff; just not with the nuts and bolts of my angling endeavors.

In my frequent daydreams, I’ve just experienced the fishing trip of my life.  The dream is largely influenced by real, past experiences, but it’s augmented with the aspirations of “more” and “better.”  I think it’s attainable (which is probably what makes it so tantalizing.)  I just haven’t quite put all the pieces consistently together, yet.  The descriptions below are just primary suggestions; I’m willing to be flexible and accept other situations and details in realizing this particular dream of mine.

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• Date: Right now!  Any time!  Never!  Always!
• Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean, Marathon, Florida
• Boat: AmyBaby22!
• With: Any and all family member(s) and friends that will enjoy it
• Target: Warm saltwater pelagics!
• Time: Pre-dawn through whenever we’ve had enough; with more scheduled for the near future!
• Conditions: Clear, slight to moderate chop, 77 degrees

All was set to go as we gathered at the home-side dock.  Bait, ice, chum, gas, tackle, lunch; all were secured aboard AmyBaby22!  Aches and pains, worries, doubts and schedules were all left ashore.  A mild breath of warm air slightly ruffled the water’s surface as we progressed to the outlet in nautical dawn’s increasing light.

The original F/V AmyBaby22!

Some birds were already working the mixed schools of ballyhoo and blue runners at the shoal marker.  We were soon anchored, the chum line was quickly established, and we collectively started to make fun, quick work of filling the live-well with the day’s live bait.

The ballyhoo were visibly spraying; there were predators here!  One of the first ‘hoo captured was free-lined behind the boat.  Before long, there was an explosive hit on the surface and a sizzling run.  We came tight to just a halved ‘hoo.    This scenario repeated itself a few times; but between witnessing the occasional sky-rocketing strike and actually hooking (and every so often landing) a marauding mackerel or shark, and knowing that bait would not be scarce on this day, we could accept the missed opportunities.

A perfect bait!

Cero!

Sharpnose!

Bonnet Head!  What could be next on the flat line?

With the live-well blacked out, we made the short run to the outer reef shelf.  The water quickly transitioned to a familiar and welcome shade of deep purple.  The Gulf Stream was right up against the reef today, and so it was possible to encounter just about any species of pelagic fish on this day.  We set out a couple of flat lines with frisky live baits, accompanied by a third line with the bait presented deep with a large egg sinker.  A rigged live pitch bait, a speed jig and a long-range top-water lure were all at the ready and within easy, convenient reach.

For a pleasant few hours, a combination of drifting and power drifting produced a number and variety of fish, as well as many other opportunities.  I don’t dare enumerate what we actually landed; but that doesn’t matter so much as the fact that we were out there, and that I was prepared for almost whatever came along.  Tackle failures were minimized; success was expected; and something epic occurred.  On this perfect day, we fell just short of true perfection, and that allowed us to think that the next day could be even better.

Sail on!

King Mackerel plucked off the surface.

I marked some suspended fish in Hawk’s Channel on the way in, so we deployed a couple of deep-diving plugs.  Trolled at about 5 knots, these covered the water column down to 30 feet or so.  This action was fast enough, and the fish’s preferences obvious enough, for us to pattern the fish for the rest of our stay.  This pattern saved the day repeatedly when the wind picked up (as it inevitably did!) or when we couldn’t make bait.  Good action from nice-sized, hard-pulling game fish was almost assured; it was just a matter of getting out there!

A simple trolling spread to cover some ground...just one rod off each corner.

These fish don't have to be large to dump some line!

Returning home to the pool, air conditioning and an ice-cold beer or two, we found the channel a-froth with fish and bird activity.  Just about every cast with the top-water plug was met with multiple strikes, until the hooks found flesh and the fight began.  A mixed bag of jacks, ladyfish, blues and macks topped off our day on the water.  Each was my favorite at the time!

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What do I have to say about this?

Clearly, mastery* and autonomy* are important to me.  My purpose*?  Simply to share these passions with loved ones, especially in a setting where my biggest worry might be a knot or wire connection.  Just short of perfection; but still with a real hope for "better."  I’d like to spend as much time as possible “there.”  I’m glad to realize that I get to define this for myself.

*A Triad of Happiness that I am trying to analyze and adopt (or at least recognize) in various endeavors.