I bought my first boat a few months back and have been out exploring new areas mostly between Beach blvd and the jetties. It's been slow going trying to find new spots, but I'm sure that the consistent scouting will pay off soon enough.

Yesterday was an exciting day full of wildlife as you probably gathered from the title.

I made my first stop at the shipyard next to atlantic blvd to try to catch some sheepies, despite not having fiddlers. I caught one trout, but no sheep.

I moved to a nearby creek mouth that dumps into the ICW and caught two 19" reds right off the bat under a cajun thunder with a live shrimp. The bite stopped and right before I was about to pick up and go I noticed something swimming towards me about 50 yards away.

It looked up and I realized it was a huge snake. It was just as startled as I was, so it turned around at mach speed and shot up the bank into the grass. I've never seen anything move that quick, and it almost seemed like it was submerged when it was moving that quick. Maybe it happened so fast that it was a blur, or maybe it was the distance. i dunno.

What really struck me was how freaking fat this thing was, and it was about 6-8 ft long. Now I see why people carry guns with them. I'd hate to get into a tussle with one of those.

I moved on to the Wonderwood bridge, which I keep hearing holds a bunch of fish. I've yet to catch anything other than pesky little sea bass there.

I saw two manatees stemming the tide and having a good time.

I moved on to chicopit, which I've enjoyed learning by beaching myself on sand bars over the last couple of months. spent 2 hrs in there with not a single fish. (I still haven't caught a fish in here either)

Short story long, it was a great day on the water, especially for late January. I'm enjoying the boat, but I am ready to get back in my kayak soon.

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This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.

Dalai Lama

Welcome to Kakak adventure land. Getting close to natue is one of the best things about being on the water as an individual alone. You only see nature at its best when out on the water like that. Keep up the posts!

Yup a couple of friends of mine and I had a 3 foot rattlesnake board our jon boat. we looked back just as he was coming over the transom good thing we had a machete ill post a pic when i get off work.

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Heritage Redfish 12