Wednesday, July 9th
Levy Co. Park Launch / Yankeetown, Florida
Meet Up: 7:00 a.m.
Launch: 8:00 a.m.
Moon: Waxing Gibbous
Tide @ 8:00 a.m. - 2.35 ft. and rising to 3.90 ft by 11:30 a.m.
Weather: Scattered Thunderstorms
Wind: 3.0 mph
Air Temp: 86 degrees
Barometric Pressure: 30.1
Delores, Martha Ann and Sue met up at Levy. Co. Park at 7:00 a.m. and discussed the weather forecast. Weather radar didn't look too concerning but stepping out of the vehicles and getting a first-hand visual of the morning skies did bring concern. Unexpected lightning even more so. You could literally hear the rain coming toward the shoreline.
The Plan: Go ahead and unload the gear that a little rain wouldn't hurt. Maybe by the time kayaks were unloaded, the weather would clear out and the designated launch time of 8:00 would happen according to plan.....then again......maybe not.
An hour and a half later (8:30) it was still raining and lightning in the distance. Decided to take refuge under the picnic tables and wait the storm out. Our new friend, Dale, who was setting traps for mud minnows, asked if he could join us until the storm passed. He told us his life story in all of about 10 minutes. He also told us about a few marine landmarks near the launch site. A place called Hodges Island, a sunken shrimp boat called The Silver Lining, a waterway called Vassey Creek, and a nearby island with a deserted fish camp on it. Lots of places to research and paddle to one day in the near future.
Mean while - those three kayaks all prepped and ready to go were calling out "Let's Go Girls" And with the skies clearing up by 9:00 a.m., it was time to heed the call.
Time to part ways with Dale and bail out all of the water that accumulated in various spots on the yaks. There's nothing more uncomfortable for a woman than to sit in liquid of any kind....even water. The hunt was on for fish!
Clear skies, strong in-coming tide, and bait fish were everywhere. All systems were "GO"................
And in typical Florida fashion - the skies opened up fifteen minutes later and dumped more water.....
But....that didn't prevent a few fish from being hooked. Over the next few hours we just relaxed, paddled around and hoped for the weather to hold out just a little longer for us. Over the course of the morning Caught some Jacks and Trout and a random catfish from time to time. Martha Ann saw a number of black drum tailing and did her best to lure them with artificial crab to no avail. Neither were the reds going after spoons.
Martha Ann got an up-close and personal visit from a few dolphins that were taking advantage of the calm waters and abundant baitfish. Maybe they're the reason not many fish were caught on a line and hook! They really were everywhere you turned and a dolphin show comes a close second to catching fish. Dolphin Show video will be posted to the Nature Coast Lady Anglers Facebook page.
By 12:00 (high tide) another rainstorm chased everyone off the water. Kayaks and gear were loaded back up and a stop at the Shrimp Landing for crab-cake burgers before the drive back home. It wasn't a stellar day in regards to hooking up with fish but it was still good to get out on the water with friends!
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