Sunday Afternoon on the High Seas

T: In our continuing education on all things Florida, we took full advantage of our friends offer to spend the afternoon fishing for King Mackerel on Sunday. It was an absolutely beautiful day, so we headed to meet Howard and Jen late morning armed only with sunscreen, pretzels, and 24 ice cold Bud Lights. As per usual, they supplied everything including but not limited to the boat, equipment, coolers, fishing tackle, and hilarious company.

One interesting component of saltwater fishing is that you typically catch your own bait before heading out to fish. This can be accomplished in numerous ways, including the skillful use of a cast net (as pictured below/left)...or the substantially less skillful use of a sebinki (as pictured below/right). Suffice to say Howard's work with the next provided 100% of the fresh bait used during the course of the afternoon's fishing. The gentleman on the right did manage to snag one saltwater catfish, which is the freshwater (and culinary) equivalent of a Mississippi River bullhead...

We had an absolute blast patrolling the Gulf beaches for Kingfish, but ultimately came up empty handed. Certainly not the first time that's happened to me, and more than enough reason to recall my father's time tested words of wisdom: "That's why they call it fishing, not catching."

Still, it was an amazing experience...made all the better later that evening as Corrine and I cooked up the Pompano (not pictured) that Jen caught that afternoon. A truly delicious little critter, which I'm happy to report is available at one our favorite local restaurants should any Minnesotans have an interest when in town next week. (Ask us about "Pepin" if you want more information).

Hopefully we'll get out on the water again sometime very soon. I would like to catch a Kingfish, and any number of other big game saltwater fare. Perhaps then I can further impress Billy (pictured below/left) who enjoys two things over all else: i) Auburn football, and the discussion thereof....ii) referring to Corrine and I only as "Yankee". Good times, these...