April Fools in the Bayou

Took a trip out to take advantage of the incoming tide all day, was expecting to have 10-15mph winds and a chance of thunder storms but the weather man was apparently pulling an April fool’s joke as it was less than 5mph winds all day. It was very foggy and misting in the morning when we launched but eventually turned into sunny blue bird skies. Started throwing top water and had a few blow ups and eventually hooked up to a little red. Continued fishing and caught some nice trout. We moved over to an oyster bar that was just covered by the tide, immediately saw tailing fish, Cast, hooked up to a nice 31” spotless Redfish. Snapped some pictures and it was safely released. Moved deeper into the bayou and caught a fair share of reds and trout. We then cruised home to the wonderful scenery of the Saint Marks Wildlife refuge and the beautiful spring weather. Until next time, tight lines

Stoney Bayou Redfish and Trout

Ventured out after class, my usual fishing partners all had other engagements so this was a solo trip. Took the run to Stoney Bayou on a low incoming tide. Once I dodged all the rocks in the bayou and arrived at my spot I immediately hooked up throwing a D.O.A Cal Paddle Tail on a 1/4oz Jig head. Ended up boating a 32" Red after a drag screaming battle. During my fight the Gheenoe was dragged over the hole the Red was sitting in and about ten similarly sized reds took off. I later caught more reds from 23" to an average of 18". I managed to catch one 21" Trout out of a hole by an oyster bar formed on a limestone rock. Headed in when the wind picked up and had a wet ride in.

First Solo Trip in the Gheenoe

Hitch up the 'noe around 6am on Friday morning and headed to St. Marks. Stopped to get a coffee and let the sun rise a bit, then launch to another ultra low tide.

Motored out tossing a top water, and caught a couple of trout on the flats.

Poled around a long sand and oyster bar and only managed to spook some reds. Ended up catching a couple of flounder bouncing a jig head off the sand. Moved on and did a little photo shoot with the gheenoe.

Overall and nice relaxing solo trip at the lighthouse! As always Tight lines, and Happy Halloween- Dave

Gheenoe Refurbish Pt. 2 Floor & Topside paint.

Finally I have completed the Gheenoe Highsider. Since the last post I've sanded the whole boat, then painted the interior with Rustoleum Marine Topside paint. I primed the interior with rustolum primer before I added two coats of Rustoleum topside paint in semi gloss white. I then added a non skid addative in the final coat which is made out of a pumice type material. It came out surprisingly good, and is very scratch resistant.

 After painting the inside of the boat, it was just a waiting game untill i could flip the boat over and paint the hull. I put the 'noe on horses and sanded the whole hull. After sanding I applied a interlux primer.

 After sanding and appling more primer I final had enough base coat to apply the Interlux Brightside one part polyurethane in light blue color.

Waiting a full 24 hrs for the paint to dry, I completed the boat with two even coats of interlux brightside. After the paint was fully hardened I re assembled the boat, riveting the nose cap, rub rails, and trolling motor bracket back on. I had purchased a new trailer that fit the boat better as well as traded up from the 4hp Suzuki to a 9.8hp Tohatsu. With the new engine the boat will cruise at a brisk 20 mph, and top out at around 30mph. The gheenoe is finally complete and ready to get some fish slime on her maiden voyage.