Giving Back...Just a Little

For the whole month of December, I have switched gears and gone from carp to crappies, and there is quite a size difference! It hasn't really gotten cold here back east and if it stays warm we will likely have little or no ice fishing this winter, which is OK with me. With that, we continue to catch crappies, both blacks and whites, by casting 1/32 ounce jigheads with Gulp Alive 1 " minnows in and around dying vegetation. The weeds are very close to rocky, riprap shorelines, which may draw fish as well. Late in the day, like after 3 PM, the bite picks up and the bulk of the fish are usually caught at that time. Here are a few pics from last weeks trips, including some released giants...

This big white crappie went 14 1/4 inches and was released...

This 14 inch black crappie was also put back.

As was this chubber white and...

This outstanding 15 3/4 inch white crappie I caught on December 12. Yes, people thought I was crazy to put back the biggest and the best fish I had caught during those cold, rainy outings. One angler was complaining about the size of the current crappie catch in the lake, saying " last year, we caught a lot of 13 to 15 inch fish. Wonder where they all went?"

Duuuhhhh!?!? I bet I can guess, with a fair degree of accuracy, where they all went. When I asked him if they released any big fish, he said.."of course not, we kept all the big ones." Now, it's all coming together for me. I could never understand why top-end crappies and bluegills never got the same respect of bass and trout. Put simply, if you want big fish, of any species, then you MUST practice catch and release angling to ensure future stocks and any chance of future trophy potential. Period. Sure, keep a trophy when you have that great fortune and a nice mess of mid-sized fish for the pan. But constant, continued removal of the top segment of any specie of fish in a given body of water will result in fishing them down and out of the system. Recovery may take years,or not at all, depending on the water.

If you look at the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, you will see that the Israelites took very seriously the command and concept of giving back to God with not just something or anything, but their very best. The lamb had to be without blemish, and the bull had to be without defect. How many times have we tossed back a smallish crappie or bluegill with a heave? Surely, the fish didn't know it was too small to satisfy us. In the same way, if I am going to give something back to the resource, back to the water, back to God, then it should be the best I personally have to offer. With that in mind, these 'first fruits', if you will, went back into the lake for future stocks and someone else to enjoy. I had caught enough small fish for a fine meal for my wife and I...why kill something special, like a trophy crappie?

So often, I have taken too much, and given too little, in return. Deut. 16:15 says..."For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." I had always wanted a trophy white crappie, so my joy was complete! Had I not caught a thing, my joy would still be complete. I had the grace and guidance of a loving Savior.I just figured it was time to start giving back a little, just a little.

                                                    HARVEST WISELY...  

A Man's Gotta' Eat...Right?

One of my favorite things in the whole world is the sight and sound, and smell, of a fry pan full of fresh caught panfish fillets, all sizzlin' and poppin', ready to eat! Throw in some mashed potatoes, shoe-peg corn, dinner rolls and a frosty iced tea and, well, I just think that's a meal fit for a king!

Nope, doesn't take much to make 'ol Gronaw happy...couple decent crappie fillets and add the trimmins'. But...there is a proper order of things...

First, you gotta' go fishin'...

Then, you gotta' catch some fish...then...

You gotta' clean 'em, and then cook those babies....!

And after that, it's pretty much all down hill from there on...eat, burp, scratch. maybe stretch. Eat, burp, and maybe do some other bodily function before taking a nap. The whole house smells like fresh fried fish...which is a good thing! The proper order, if you will. When I fished on Wednesday, it was raining heavy, but air temps were 50 degrees. Nobody wanted to fight the elements, so I had a local hotspot all to myself. I managed 41 crappies on a 1/32 oz jig tipped with a 1 inch Gulp Alive emerald shiner. They had to have it, and I should have caught over 60...lost some in the dying weed beds. Eight fish was more than enough for me and my wife, Linda. The rest went back. As much as I love fresh fillets, I love seeing a slab crappie swim away, released for another day.

You see, we tend to release larger crappie and bluegills and keep a few mid-sized fish for the occassional meal. That way, the gene pool stays good, and bigger fish remain in the system for a longer period. Of all species of fish, larger panfish are the most vulnerable to being 'fished down' from overharvest by anglers. Yet the tendency is for fishermen to keep only the biggest of these, and they always wonder why the 'big boys' are so scarce. Releasing big panfish just make the fishing better, and most of the guys I see carrying out buckets of fish could stand to miss a few meals, anyway.
In Phil. 4: 10 thru 13, Paul states that he has found the 'secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, in want or in abundance.' 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'
Wouldn't it be cool if this nation could turn away from it's self-centered goals and focus more on 'the secret' of contentment. Oh, to be satisfied with what we have, rather than to constantly chase after what we think will bring us happiness. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me and blessing me! Real food for thought!

News from the Carp Mafia

Despite the cold, we continue to catch carp, some of them big, from our favorite southern PA lake as the weather and waters chill out. Matt is shown with a fine fish he got on a pineapple chunk on November 12, a few weeks back. Later that day, he would lose a very, very big fish under the docks that just had the hook tear out of it's mouth. Other catches include carp like these here...

A nice 13 pounder...

Matt with his second fish of a cold day.
And on Nov 14, I slipped out after work for a couple of hours of carpin'...two fish that totaled about 45 pounds. Both took tutti-frutti corn on a hook, no hair rig. They did me a favor, and both of them ran AWAY from the docking cables. Still, long, powerful fights from these great gamefish. Check 'em out...

First fish of the day was this 20-plus pounder. Cool!

Second fish was this mile-long mule of a carp that fought long and hard. This was carp number 44 for me this year, out of 70 hook ups. I know, I know...some folks think they are ugly and detestable. But they, like both you and I are one of God's beautiful creations. In Romans 1:20, scripture says that "Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities...have been clearly seen." I put myself in that group of people, the multitudes, that way too often look past the beauty that God has placed right before our very eyes. Fish, the skies, the rushing waters...all things were created by God, and for His Glory.

Late Fall Crappies

Every fall, I look forward to doing some crappie fishing in November, even early December, as most of the biggest crappies I have ever caught were taken during that time frame. So, when my good friend George invited me out for a day of panfishing, I thought it wise to join on the fun and see what happens. He had been making some good catches of black and white crappies, with top-end fish going 12 to 14 1/4 inches...good fish just about anywhere.
Right off the bat, George went about a dozen fish up on me...we were casting small jigs in and around weedbeds in 4 to 8 feet of water. I was trying my aray of hairjigs while he tossed tubetails on a 1/16 ounce jig. Out of apparent pity, he said " you want a white and yellow tube?" "yup" was my immediate response.

Nothing complex about this fishing...work the edge of the weeds with jigs with a slow retrieve and hops and sense the bite on 2 pound test line. Water temps were around 50 F and clouds with occasional rain was the weather. As the day wore on, we caught a variety of panfish to include bluegills, white perch, yellow perch and a single largemouth bass. We tried numerous areas with weed concentrations. But most of the catch were black crappies that ran just shy of the 10 inch mark. Along the way, we picked up a few 11 inchers and we had several fish that approached the 13 inch class...not huge, but real nice crappie, especially for southern PA waters. Here are a few pics...

George is all smiles with a nice slab he caught earlier in the day.

Another nice fish that fell to the yellow and white tube...

Nice!

My best fish of the day was this nice looking white crappie that took the tube. Altogether we probably caught 65 fish...50 or so were crappies, along with the other panfish. I'd call it a good day! All fish were released, which might puzzle some panfishermen as to why we released even bigger crappies. In truth releasing big or trophy panfish is somewhat the 'final frontier' of catch and release fishing...almost unheard of in most parts of the country. But why kill something if you're not going to eat it? I have plenty of fillets in the freezer from previous trips, and my wife and I can only eat about a dozen crappie fillets at a sitting...depending on the size. I'm already overweight!
It kind of reminds me of what Agur said in Proverbs 30 when one of the two things he asked for was 'daily bread'. The other was to know God's truth. Wow, now isn't that a request for this day and age!?!

Cold Carpin'

I don't know about the rest of the country, but we have got some chilly weather the past two weeks. Had a 5 inch snow storm on Oct 30 th and we have had several upper 20 degree mornings. Some of the carp guys are calling it quits for the year. Last week my friend Bob and I hooked a total of 14 and landed 10 and had some nice fish to boot. By continuing to chum with corn, we are keeping the carp close within easy casting distance. Here are a couple pics from our latest ventures...

Bob hangs on as a nice one heads to deeper water from our chummed area. Sometimes, the fish get in and break off around the docking cables that are in the area. We try to bait away from such hazards, but it seems the fish, especially the bigger carp, know just where to go and break us off.

My best fish from last week was this upper teen weight fish on a blustery 48 degree day with high winds. I went 3 for 6, including a dinkish 3 pound class carp. We fished opposite days from each other because of our schedules. Warming spell should see some big fish this week. I also observed something cool this week...reminded me a litle bit of myself...

This leaf is obviously past it's prime, but still has a few remnants of youth and is holding it's form well. But it's just coasting along, drifting in comfort, you might say. Yeah, reminds me of me. Even in it's advance form of life, it still has some beauty to it. That's not the case with me, but I sometimes drift. If God's plan for me is to tell others about my incredible Savior, Jesus Christ, then I must not simply drift and get comfortable. I need to get out of the water and get rolling. Even if the risk is to lose friendships and family, I still want them to know there is a true, loving and almighty God who is pursueing them constantly, and loved them so much that He was willing to die for them, just to spend the rest of eternity in fellowship with them. In Psalm 40, the psalmist speaks of being rescued from the miry pit, and eventually singing a 'new song' for our God. My heart swells with joy every time I hear a new song for the Lord. His beauty comes in all forms, whether the lowly carp or a faded leaf. Beauty to Him is much different than through human eyes.

LATE FALL WITH THE GOLDEN FISH

People are looking at me funny when I tell them that I have been into the carp gig much of this year. As fall continues into the early winter transition, I find that the fish are getting bigger...and that's just fine with me! The picture above is my new personal best for the specie...a 37.5 inch fish that I caught on Oct. 24 at about 10:45 am. I didn't weigh her, but she's a fatty for sure!This photo was taken just prior to release. Like last week, I had one run today and it occurred when my wife gave me a call and I had to cut the conversation short due to a screaming bite alarm. Here's another look at this fish...don't know the weight, maybe 25?

Went today for a couple of hours after work and had 2 runs. While I was playing a fish, it just seemed to pop off when I had worked it in almost close enough to see it. As I was baiting up, the other alarm went off and I manage to stay buttoned up on that one. The picture above shows a long, lean male carp in the upper teens. This fish was hooked about 60 yards from shore, and likely ran 40 additional yards on it's initial run, making for a long and tense battle. It was one of the strongest I have taken this year, making me think it was much bigger. I went 1 for 2 today, and my yearly score is 33 fish on the bank for 55 runs that set the alarms off. I'd like to up those percentages. One way is to prebait an area with corn by using a spod and drawing and holding the carp in specific areas for days, even weeks, at a time...

 By filling the spod up half way, you can cast farther and distribute the corn in a fairly large area, even a few acres. But it takes time and effort. Kinda like taking time and effort to follow God's plan and commands for our lives. Like baiting and chumming for carp, God's plans take effort, time and dilegence. We can do it once in a while and think we're OK, but the truth is that it is a daily battle and a daily effort to follow His plan and read His word and to allow it to saturate us and guide our lives. Jesus said...'I have come that you might have  life, and have it abundantly'.  Lot's of bait, catching the rewards, enjoying the experience, abundant life. Not necessarily being rich, but having enough. The next time I am fortunate enough to release a big fish, I'll remember that 'abundant life' takes on many forms... God is good, all the time!

Fishing in the Bottom of the Ninth

The mountains declare Your majesty, the heavens declare Your Glory
All creation shouts out Your Name, and that's good enough for me! Even the rocks cry out!

I must admit...when God paints a picture, He doesn't mess around. Even in the midst of what was a harsh and windy day, He took the time to paint this spectacular skyscape right in front of my nose. It makes me wonder how many beautiful things have I missed in my lifetime, a lifetime of serving other things and false gods. I believe the greatest things God often puts right at our feet, right under our noses. Grace, forgiveness, eternal life, truth and abundant joy. Wow! Who needs a fish, anyway?

I managed to get out and carp it a few times last week. Didn't have a lot of time but made the most of it with my friends Bob and Joe. We've been chummin at some new areas and it has paid off well. Above you see Joe with a nice carp that he got past the heavy grass and put on the bank. Images of big, golden fish invade my sleepless nights, making me restless.

My hopes of bigger game continues. Bob and Joe have each gotten a twenty plus pounders the past week, while I had to settle for mid-teen fish. I even caught my smallest carp ever...a 2 pounder... on one of the recent sessions.

Another nice one gearing up for the release...I had a cool experience on Thurs, Oct 20. Got to fish for a few hours after work. Did a three hour gig with nary a strike. Then, as I was starting to gather up, one of the alarms screamed and I just let the rod load up with the circle hook. Fish on! She made two long runs and got me down in the weeds...but I managed to get her out, and it turned out to be my best of the year. Here's my walk-off twenty pounder that saved me in the bottom of the ninth...

One run, one fish...but it was the one that I wanted! Struggled with a few photos, but got the fish back in the water and she swam off looking good. Patience and optimism...I was happy, so I went on home. Water temps are right around 60, so the carp fishing will last about another month or so. Maybe a 25 before the end of the season? The lake has produced 'thirtys'. Will I ever be satisfied with what God provides me? In Proverbs 30, Agur requests just two things from God... to know the truth of God's word and to have daily bread. How often I have had more than daily bread, and yet seemed unsatisfied. He also knew that God's word was flawless, and not to be added to. Simple truths for simple living. I need to be thankful for whatever is provided me.

Fishing in the Rough

Just think about it...most anglers in America just about hate certain species considered 'bottom feeders'. Big catfish, carp, buffalo, suckers and other less worthy game. Yeah, they have their fans, but many look down their noses at the likes of these, and the likes of people that we think might be on the bottom as well. I am sure glad God doesn't harbor those thoughts on us who have fallen and can't seem to get up off the bottom, feeding on bad stuff. Kinda' like fishing for the 'rough' fish...some laugh and some make fun. But all fish are worthy, and all people are worthy of the love of God and His grace, even though we don't deserve it or can earn it.
Fishing in the Rough...and a few from recent trips...in the world of bottom feeders...

Caught in the net of life, and yet a beauty in it's own way...

I admire a modest sized carp from our October 10, 2011 outing where we have been after these fish throughout the summer. Very nice color and scale pattern.

Matt admires a decent chunker of about 14 pounds. I like the dynamics of this fish...short, but solid and heavy. And the gold coloration...wow! Artificial corn and maise does the trick at this local lake.

Mondays' big fish was Bob's 20 pounder. We went 5 for 11 runs as a group using European style carping tactics. In my first year on these fish I have learned to be patient and calm when a big boy hits. We lost three fish to breakoffs...I think an old cable or something is submerged in the area, causing the lost fish. A couple from earlier trips that made it to the bank...

My best looking carp of the year was this robust pre-spawn female in the high teens...a great fish!

Matt with one well over twenty on tutti-frutti corn and a long, tough battle. The only fish we got that day.

Me with a mile-long mule that might have pushed thirty if it was during the pre-spawn and she retained eggs. Hung me up twice in the weeds, but managed to put her on the bank. Remember what I said about beauty?

Other bottom feeders exist, and some like them and some don't. My brother in law Paul and I got to do the rough gig last weekend at a small lake near home that reportedly had big channel cats. We chummed with chicken livers and then just tossed out a few baits and hung on. Using the bite alarm system, we managed 5 hookups and landed three cats...all over 30 inches...and can't wait to go back for more. Here's a 31 incher, male channel cat with the cobalt blue head...

And this female went 33 inches...my new personal record for the species. We put them all back, all alive, all worthy, all fun. Yeah, some sportsman may laugh, but the big rough and tough fish are , to me, far more exciting than skipping a 2 pound bass accross the surface and then unceremoniously pitched back in the drink because it is too small, or maybe, not worthy enough.

I like the rough fishing thing...along with all the rest. Big fish attract me, and I think most anglers would rather catch a big fish than a small one. Til next time, I'm gunnin' for gold...