A "great" fishing story !

[86er]

I grew up on the water, got my first boat for my 7th Birthday and come from a fishing family. I've always had at least one boat and as many as five and I've always lived on the water until I came to Texas. Luckily, we live within short distance of five lakes. My boys have been on boats siince they could stand and the oldest is an outstanding fisherman that can operate independently and usually out-fishes the adults. The youngest decided sometime last year that he does not like fishing or the boat. While that saddened me some I respect his individuality and support whatever he likes. Well imagine my surprise when yesterday out of nowhere he said "Dad I want to go out fishing on the boat - right now"! I had not gotten the boat or trailer ready, but there was no way I was going to miss this opportunity. Mom went looking for the new stickers and I got everything else set. Less than an hour later we were on our way. At the lake, I was worried he would change his mind but he became even more enthusiastic. I prayed the motor would behave and everything else was sound since the boat hadn't run since last year. Even if we putted around with the trolling motor, we were going. Well the boat ran like a top all day and everything worked as it should. First we just drove around real fast enjoying the ride. Then both boys started chanting "we want to fish". I relied on some intuition to guide me to the fish. We got into some sand bass and caught 3 limits of 25 each. Actually I only caught 3 that we kept since the boys constantly had a fish on and I was busy measuring, stringing and counting. We stayed on them for about 2 hours straight and threw back another limit worth. On the way in the Game Warden pulled us over on the boat. He checked the boat and my license. Then he looked at the fish. The legal size is 10" but I only kept those over 12" so he didnt even measure any or count them. However, he told me that the boys can have their own limit but only if they actually catch them. He counted fishing rods and then sort of interviewed the boys seperately. In response to "How many did you catch"? Brandon said, "uh, a lot, obviously" but Justin said "I guess about 8". Well I asked the Game Warden to ask them how many I caught and they both said "About three" so that settled that problem and we were on our way. Once we got the boat back out of the water we climbed in the car for the short ride home. Justin said, "Hey Dad, I really really love fishing - can we go again soon"? That's my boy!

Here's the fishermen with one stringer limit:

[Dave]

That is a great fishing story. Those are some happy looking boys

[kimwcook]

I know it's been said a number of times, but you're a great Dad Joe. Those boys should grow up to be some of the most knowledgeable and capable hunters and fishermen around.

[jeepnik]

Okay, days just do not get any better than this. I hope you have many more. Hmm, time to call the kids.

[chadbr]

Lucky man!

I love fishing, but my kids show very little interest... I need to find a better fishing hole.

Chad

[piller]

Very cool. Do you think they deserve any more cupcakes?

[Marvin S]

Nice. Those look like what we call a white bass.

[1894c]

didn't read the post--just took one look at that photo and i was hooked... :)

Edit: had to go back and read the post...great story..you're a GREAT DAD...
i bet your boys made the game wardens day too...he was doing his job, but
can't help to think that part of his job is seeing young men like yours having
a great time too... :)

[Ji in Hawaii]

WOW A chip (or 2) off the old block, congratulations on the save. My younger son also lost interest in boats and fishing years ago but he never came back.
What kind of fish are those White Bass, Striped Bass of Wipers?

[piller]

Almost everywhere but Texas, those are called White Bass. Note the unbroken line going to the tail. Stripers have broken lines, and Wipers (hybrid Striper-White bass) have the broken line, too. Sand Bass (White Bass) have a deeper body than Stripers, and Wipers are somewhere in between. Sand Bass taste great, and if you remove the red meat along the side, they are very mild flavored.

[wolfdog]

Sounds like a great day!!!

[Ji in Hawaii]

Almost everywhere but Texas, those are called White Bass. Note the unbroken line going to the tail. Stripers have broken lines, and Wipers (hybrid Striper-White bass) have the broken line, too. Sand Bass (White Bass) have a deeper body than Stripers, and Wipers are somewhere in between. Sand Bass taste great, and if you remove the red meat along the side, they are very mild flavored.

Aloha Brian, thanks fer the info. Are they wild or stocked?

[piller]

White or Sand Bass are native to Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and several other states. The Wipers are not as they come from the introduced Stripers and the native Sand Bass hybridized in a fish hachery. The Wipers fight asmost as hard as the Stripers. Ocean fish seem to be better fighters than freshwater fish.

[Blaine]

Lucky Kids......I wish my adult daughter liked to fish

[hfcable]

lucky boys to have such a great dad!

even luckier dad to have such great boys!!

made my day!

[Griff]

Joe... was that you on the south side of I30 around 6ish? Congrats... some of my best memories of spending time with my Dad was out on the Pacific in a variety of small boats... fishin'.

[bdhold]

you did great.
Don't expect kids to fish, and don't try teaching them to fish.
Take them places where they can fish if they choose, and facilitate their fishing.

[BenT]

Another great day!

[Canuck Bob]

Wonderful story. Those are some fine looking kids and those smiles say everything. I got an eye opener around here. I don't allow my girls video games, consoles or the web yet. My oldest recently said to me, "Dad, if we can't do that stuff shouldn't you spend more time with us".

Smart kid, I ramped up my involvement with them and I'm having a ton of fun. We are doing chores together, school assignments, reading, flying rockets, building models and changing a clutch. I used to send them off, the old seen not heard thing I grew up with.

My boat is a Prospector Canoe, a piece of Canadiana, and you have motivated me to get them on the river soon. Besides back paddling is a great skill in a marriage!

[GoatGuy]

Excellent story of a memorable day with your boys. Congratulations, it must have generated a sense of pride and accomplishment within you. Great looking kiddoes by the way!