Heading out tomorrow on a long roundabout road trip adventure from Minnesota to SW Florida, via Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and Asheville, NC. 

Looking forward to catching sea trout and redfish in Charlotte Bay with MT!

prouboy

Sounds like a good trip with good companionship. Hope both of you have a great time.

Beautiful place with some great paddling opportunities and  fishing.
Has become a yearly pilgrimage for me.

Hmm, not bringing a canoe.   Will I regret not having one? 

prouboy

Just flew around it on Google Earth.  What a cool place!  Pics plz

Puckster wrote on Feb 15^th, 2012 at 10:44pm:

Heading out tomorrow on a long roundabout road trip adventure from Minnesota to SW Florida, via Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and Asheville, NC.  Looking forward to catching sea trout and redfish in Charlotte Bay with MT! prouboy

Geez.......the pressure is on, you mean we are actually going to have to catch some!! I thought we were just going fishin.......maybe we can stumble up on one that is blind in one eye and can't see out of the other  ;D

wally wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 1:36am:

Just flew around it on Google Earth.  What a cool place!  Pics plz

Plane or jet?

A kayak is probably the craft of choice. There are a couple of rentals in Matlacha as you cross onto Pine Island. If you are going to be there for a few days IM me and I can fill you in on some highlights.
Here is a link to some photos.
[url]https://picasaweb.google.com/jlstoneart
/CayoCosta2007January?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMK-toWe7LjSJQ&feat=directlink[/url]

Plenty of these around also   (You need to Login or Register

mastertangler wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 3:27am:

Puckster wrote on Feb 15th, 2012 at 10:44pm: Heading out tomorrow on a long roundabout road trip adventure from Minnesota to SW Florida, via Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and Asheville, NC.  Looking forward to catching sea trout and redfish in Charlotte Bay with MT! prouboy Geez.......the pressure is on, you mean we are actually going to have to catch some!! I thought we were just going fishin.......maybe we can stumble up on one that is blind in one eye and can't see out of the other  ;D

No pressure MT!  Just perfect water, perfect weather, and limits of redfish and trout.  I'm easy.

prouboy

chaga wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 1:28pm:

A kayak is probably the craft of choice. There are a couple of rentals in Matlacha as you cross onto Pine Island. If you are going to be there for a few days IM me and I can fill you in on some highlights. Here is a link to some photos. [url]   (You need to Login or Register /CayoCosta2007January?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMK-toWe7LjSJQ&feat=directlink[/url] Plenty of these around also   (You need to Login or Register

Thanks PaJ -- I'll be back in touch!  I'm en route....hanging out with my brother in Lake of the Ozarks.  LOTS of BIG boats in this neck of the woods!!


prouboy

Prouboy,
I must admit to some struggle within myself as to how best to make this overture and have decided to do it for all to observe as opposed to PM.........This was to insure there was no ambiguity.

If you have a secure storage facility at Bookelia and would take full responsibility for it I have an excellent Kayak for your use if you so desire it. While not a true Ocean kayak it is a sit inside about 15 long with rod holders and "paddle holder".........in other words it is set up very nicely for fishing.

You have but to retrieve it and return it when you are finished. I am about 1.5 hours from pine island. In any event, wether you come for the boat or are seeking a diversion, make time to come out for some dinner and perhaps a board game worthy of outdoor enthusiasts......"Worst Case Scenario Survival Game"......Yes even the ladies like it  ;)

MT

Hey MT -- WOW!  what a fantastic offer.  So very, very generous.  I will definitely take you up on it, and will be in touch. 

I'm sitting in Asheville, NC now, at a friends place.  I leave for Florida tomorrow at noon.  I'm ready!

prouboy

Prouboy,

I never did get to hear how the fish turned out. Did you not try them? Where they no good? I had expected to hear from you. Maybe they do things differently up north  ;).

MT

Hi MT! 

I thought I mentioned eating your fish over the phone, and thanked you, but if not my sincere apologies. 

The fish were FANTASTIC.  THANKS!!!  My dearest beloved and I, along with 2 friends, feasted on them, with all the trimmings. 

My success at catching fish this month has been just so-so, but I've enjoyed the eating, thanks in large part to your generosity, has been outstanding.  We've also sampled the local seafood restaurants regularly.

And thanks again for lending me the kayak, all your advice, and again, the outstanding meal of grouper, (and mackerel?) 

I hope you were able to get the leak in your boat fixed.  No fun worrying about water coming into the boat!

I can honestly say I could stay here another month.  I plan to return, next time with a boat, and I'll be happy to take you out!   You were a wonderful host: incredible lunch, great advice, generous offer of kayak... I hope to have the chance to do the same someday. 

Again, if you pass through the Twin cities, be sure to look me up.

Cheers,

prouboy

And furthermore...

MT, I was thinking more about our visit this month.  I don’t agree with your politics, and I think the focus on politics (and all the anger) in QJ’s BTC thread  made this website less appealing to me. 

But having the chance to meet you, and getting to know you (even a little), supports comments made by someone in a previous post when he wrote, “I like all of you better when I don’t know your politics.” 

Bottom line, you seem like a fine fellow.  We wisely avoided politics when we got together.  There are some things better left unsaid.  But your generosity to me should not be left unstated.  We share the love of fishing, and canoeing the northwoods.  Good enough for me!

prouboy 

Very kind comments........

Prouboy is just as he purports himself here on QJ.......friendly as can be. I had so looked forward to our day on the water.

My Dad has located the hole in the boat. About the size of a matchstick head but it looks to be weak around the edges. I am calling a welder today. When do you leave?

You may have commented on the fish and it slipped by or I forgot. I am in way over my head with to much work and am constantly running on "E". Plus I have all this unusual grey stuff appearing on top of my head......... By now you might have figured out I like to pick at those I like  ;).

I just might give you a call when in the twin cities by golly..........

MT