Keep On Casting
It was a great and most memorable send-off for a Louisiana native son. No. 1 son, Cory Snead, had made his parents proud by setting goals and achieving them. After graduating from Louisiana Tech with a degree in engineering, he aligned himself with a solid company. Soon he’ll hit the ground running in Monroe, La.
His mom and dad wanted to show him a great time before he made the giant step into the work force. The fishing gods were smiling down and ready to cooperate.
Many factors can influence saltwater fishing conditions. For the Gulf waters to get right on the beaches, Mother Nature comes into play. The wind must be just right in velocity and direction. The tides influence the movement of fish, and can make or break you. The solunar tables must be aligned just right, and if there isn’t an abundance of bait, the fish vacate the premises.
But on this special day, all the variables lined up just right for a bonus trip. Captain Charlie Snead, who headed up the fish-gutting department; first mate Cindy (first aid emergency nurse); and honored guest, Cory, started their day at the close rigs off the beach.
Chalk one up for Mom after going toe-to-toe with a bull red.
Bull redfish started out their day just for a warm-up. These were the giant variety. Cindy had her hands full with a giant drag-stripping red-of-the-day topping 30 pounds.
Next on the agenda was big speckled trout that were busting a plethora of bait right up to the beach. As the trip progressed, the size of the trout actually increased, and it was pick your favorite lure day. It was “on” and a day angler’s dream. The fishing Sneads had a great family day of it, and their timing couldn’t have been better.
Cory was leaving the nest, and when Mom asked if he would visit, he assured her he couldn’t catch specks or reds around Monroe. Cindy and the Captain were all smiles.
What is a hard-core bow hunter to do when hunting seasons are closed? Please, refer to the picture in the photo corner. That’s Kevin Reed with a giant feral hog that hadn’t been missing many meals.
The fruit of Kevin Reed’s archery skills.
Kevin and partner Juan Mestas never met a wild hog they wouldn’t gladly drive an arrow into. They’ve taken the task of thinning the herd very seriously. Night or day, they’re doing their part trying to help control the population explosion these beasts can produce. It’s just about impossible to stem the hog tide. But both archers are doing their part. The numbers of DOA (dead on arrival) hogs the two hunters have put up attest to the hog’s ability to reproduce. Keep up the good shooting, and it may just be time for a cochon de lait. Chef Juan knows just how to cook them tender, complete with an apple in their mouth. Aiieeee!
Summertime and the living is easy. The summers Louisiana is famous for are full-blown with temperatures topping the 90s, made all the more uncomfortable with high humidity. Find some shade and hydrate with fluids. But keep on casting.
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