This morning I had the opportunity to go fishing with my custom Gloucester Light Dory. I arrived at the launch ramp at 5:05 AM. No one was there. When I tried to unload my boat, I noticed that the axle of the boat dolly that I built was bent into a peculiar position. My boat dolly must have shifted when my utility trailer went over a massive hole in the dirt road leading to the boat ramp. So I did what every Azorean-American operating on one cup of coffee before sunrise would do: I pulled and pushed with all my weight until the wheel would rotate semi-radially and went fishing!
Having limited time, I targeted productive spots with proven frogs. After 90 minutes of fishing, I had several blow ups, but no hook ups. I decided to change my point of view. I pulled and rested my oars on the transom seat. I stood up and used a SUP paddle to reach my next stop. I put down the SUP paddle and made a long cast towards the bank at an angle only possible from a standing position. Without warning, wham! A nice chunky bass with shoulders inhaled my frog.
Having found a pattern, I paddled to my next spot. I fan casted the entire area. Without warning, wham! A chain pickerel full of vinegar devoured my frog with a vengeance! This fish pulled and fought like three bass!! I almost lost the fish at the boat while trying to negotiate a safe landing. Thankfully I had my Frabill Bear Claw Net deployed, which caught the fish at mid-dive.
My third catch was an unexpected by-catch. Thankfully I did not see the polluter! I am donating this by-catch to a non-profit organization in my town that recycles cans to raise cash for music instruments in schools.
After years of casting from a sitting position on my kayak, casting while standing up on my custom Gloucester Light Dory not only gave me a completely different point of view, but also doubled my casting spectrum from 180 degrees to 360 degrees, without having to reposition the boat. Fish beware!!!
