NightStalk July 27th, 2007

Crappie fishing by floating light and the stars had been planned all week and the weather had looked as if it would cooperate up until Friday. Throughout the day the forecast looked worse and worse and looked as if we may not be able to make it happen. 6pm We left for Jordan, made a few quick stops for bait, ice, food, and drinks. Still storming but we decide to drive to the ramp anyways and see what the weather is like when we arrive. 7:30 pm we arrive to the Ebenezer boat ramp, the weather looks as if it will cooperate with the rain stopped and thunder off in the distance so we drop the boat in. Our plan of attack was to tie off underneath the bridge which is just a couple hundred yards from the boat ramp. With the wind blowing fairly hard we make the short trip to the bridge, we make one pass through to try to get tied off but the weather had a different plan. Looking up and much to our surprise the thunder we had heard in the distance was not from the storm that had passed but from another one building. Across the lake, heading our way was a wall of rain that didn’t look friendly. Instead of tying off we made the short jog to the beach, tied off the boat, and made a mad dash to the truck. Before we could make it half way to the truck the flood gates opened and the Monsoon of 07′ was upon us. We waited out the storm, enjoyed each others company, and wondered if we would be able to attempt the night stalk we had anticipated. 9pm The monsoon had finally calmed to a dull roar. We decided that even with a light rain and fair wind it was time for some slab slappin fun! Finally tied off and set-up the next couple hours were slow and short coming only boating a total of four fish but boy was that going to change.  12:30 pm What a weather change!  Turned out to be an excellent night no wind and the lake as calm as glass.  Many boats were beginning to turn in for the night and little did they know the fun was just going to begin.  The bite went from nothing to a double right off the bat.  From there on the bite stayed pretty consistent with a four to five fish every 10-15 min.  Not a great night but all in all we left with no bait which is always a good sign.  Jordan Lake has a 10-inch limit so we caught 12 fish that were 10″plus out of the 70-80 total that we caught.  A nightstalk well worth the perfect storm we had to battle in my opinion.

Here’s a prayer I found floating around I thought was kinda neat! 

 God grant that I may live to fish,
until my dying day,
And when it comes to my last cast,
I then most humbly pray,
When in the Lord’s safe landing net,
I’m peacefully asleep,
That in his mercy I be judged,
As big enough to keep.