??? from a non-yaker!

[freeflow_23]

I enjoy reading all the posts from the yakers in here.
Was wondering if you wouldn't mind me asking a few questions here? I DIDN'T THINK SO! [smile]

First I must say I'm quite jealous that you guys get out fishing way tooo often and till late at night. You must have jobs that don't require getting up early or you just don't care! :)
Do you clean your fish after you get home that night? I'd imagine you guys have some pretty late nights if that's the case.

Although I don't have a yak, I do have a 12' alumn. boat with a 5hp motor. I can pretty much launch my boat anywhere that I can get my trailer close to. I'm pretty sure you guys would know of some secret (shhh, I won't tell) spots that are good for launching small boats. For example, where do you launch at the HRBT and would this be boat friendly?

Thanks,
Brian

[Chad]

Okay,
I'll field this one. I am a Naval Maintenance Officer and do care about my job and I am at work at 0545. I spend quite a few late nights out fishing (more than most, probably less than some) and still function just fine when I get to work. Scientists recently discovered this stuff called caffeine and they have started putting it in stuff like coffee, soda and even chocolate. My guess would be that many of the people on this board would be more than happy to tell (or show) you some great spots. However, the best way to get the information flowing is not to start off by saying guys don't care about their jobs. It's all about PASSION brother!!!!
Chad

On behalf of Ric,
"You can sleep when you are dead".

[Jay Beeler]

Brian, no secrets here, read any of the HRBT threads on this board. We typically launch from the marina ramp and they charge a $ 5.00 fee for Yaks. It worth it to us because the next closest is the city ramp up the way near 14th St. and requires a lot more paddling to get to and from. You may be alright with that one with your motor.

Can't do it any day with a 12' boat (mine's plastic[grin]) so pick your good weather days. Last night was about all I'd want, as a matter fact that's one reason we left the wind got up right as it got dark and the current started rolling out.

The inshore end of the bridge out to Island is covered with good holes, I prefer drifting and covering them all to find the fish, again no secrets there.

Good luck when you go and look forward to seeing you out there. Just say high to the Yakers and cut us a break with the wake. People think were crazy which is probably true for some but most of us are pretty friendly and don't mind showing other boaters what we're doing, even if your boat does have a motor.[shy][grin]

Adding to what Chad said, I'm in the Ship Repair business (all kinds, Navy included) and put in 10 hrs. a day 5-8 days a week. I fish before and after work depending on conditions, work, I'm also in process of the child rearing stage of my life with 2 teenage boys and spend as much time as possible with my lovely wife. I also agree with Ric, you can sleep all you want when you die but you can only spend so much time on this big round rock we call home so I'm going to do as much of it possible FISHING. [wink]

[naked goby]

A small jon boat si about the worst thing you can be in out there. However there are people out there in them and I even saw a couple of guys out there the other night that didn't even have a motor. Scary.
But yeah, like they others said, there is no secret how to get there. Launch your boat at either the pay or free ramp and go.
As far as work goes, most days I'm at work by 6:30, others as early as 3am depending on what I'm doing that day. I have never missed a day of work because I was out fishing all night.

[wpvboat]

I read an article recently where scientists have found that you live longer with less sleep than more. I feel like crap if I get to much sleep.
Maybe when I retire I can fish all day but until then my schedule is crammed full of work, community activities, baby watching and time with my wife. I'm not about to give up/put on hold my boating or fishing activities so if that means I have to do it late at night or early in the morning then so be it.

Take your jon boat to HRBT. Everyone else does. Just wear a life jacket if you are by yourself or the water is cold.

Have fun, we do!

[rick c.]

Sell the Jon and get a Yak. I have a 14' jon with a pile of motors,5-18hp and 3 trolling motors, all gathering dust and will continue to do so until I sell it all. Just not worth the trouble to access the same water I can in the Yak and not as enjoyable fishing out of.I also am in the ship repair business and hours can get long and crazy so fishing is done whenever and however. More than 5 hours of sleep makes me lazy anyway. After a late night run, gear usually gets a quick rinse and the fish go on ice for next afternoon cleaning.

[Linstad]

Now i have a question....
when you put fish on ice, it that whole fish or do you gut em? Back home we would fish for deer (with bow and arrow), and get home, if sucessful, very, very late. I wouldnt skin and bone the deer that night, but i would gut them in the field... to keep toxins from the meat, (and to cool faster) (ohhhh and they are waaaaaaaay lighter to drag to truck...lol) do my "deer fishing" tactics hold true for sea fish? is there a danger/advantage to gutting a fish before putting it on ice. Do large commercial fishermen gut fish before they throw them into the ice? (large commercial outfits, not actual "large fisherman"..lol) Do my ramblings seem scattered and incoherant.....that is from lack of sleep. I guess i havent gotten my quota of caffine..... speaking of wich, do you know they make caffinated soap, like you take a shower and absorb caffine through your skin....lol[grin]
http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/accessories/5a65/
Well, i gotta go lift heavy hummers up above head on undersized hoists, using dangerous air power tools whilst simultaneously sipping mountain dew trying to stay awake....[shy]yawn....lol

[wpvboat]

Chris,

I have heard all kinds of bleeding and gut removal tecniques for sharks. What I get from that is get all you can out and get it on ice fast if you want the meet to taste good. Other than that I don't think it matters. Alot of times it is 24 hours before I touch the fish to clean it.

Tom