Teamwork At Its Best

Life is good in Louisiana!

Jimmy Marcantel and his best fishing buddy, Bryce, were enjoying a day at Lacassine Reserve. He and his stepson had been having a good old time catching some awesome blue-gill. The bream were up to 10 inches; fought like crazy; and looked mighty fine in a skillet.

The two were fishing from the bank. This trip was about to get real serious. A huge, toilet flush strike rocked Jimmy’s world, and this fight was on. Spooled with eight-pound test line, he set the hook as hard as he dared.

The fish made several power runs as Jimmy fumbled to loosen his drag. When the huge bass broke the surface, he realized this was no gar fish. He screamed for Bryce to get the net! The youngster sprinted for the net, and the old man hung on for dear life. This was teamwork at its best.

The bass flailed away, and at one point spit up an eight-inch bass that was still alive and kicking. Jimmy was knee-deep in water by now, and loving life in Louisiana.

Right on cue, Bryce showed up with the net although it turned out to be several sizes too small for this hawg. Jimmy went in thumb first and put the hammer down with vice-like pressure on the fish’s jaw. The bass shook hard, but Jimmy held on tight as a bulldog.

Bryce’s eyes were wide as Jimmy weighed the fish in at 10 pounds, 10 ounces. On closer inspection, it was discovered that the bass sported an identification tag near its dorsal fin. This was truly a trophy bass, and information on its tagging and a bit of its history is pending.

A group of fishermen motored in as Jimmy was trying to calm down and breathe normally. They had a good day registering one hawg over eight pounds. When Jimmy displayed his giant plus-10 pounder, you could have heard a pin drop.

“Where did you catch it?” they asked in unison. Jimmy simply replied, “Off the bank!”

Toledo Bend, the number one fishing lake in America, put up some impressive numbers this spring. Frank Courmier, senior and junior, were busy fishing hot areas that have been productive in the past. Frank, Jr., is a dedicated doctor whose fishing time is limited. Senior was just hoping his son would have something decent to stretch his line.

It was the right day for the fish to light it up, and both anglers scored beaucoup fish. The bass were in shallow water around five feet and keyed in on buck brush-covered flats. The ticket was free floating a worm, and the fish couldn’t stand it.

The old man kept Junior’s best bass of the day as a reminder of this great day in their fishing lives. We are talking mounted memories. This was just what the doctor ordered!

The fishing lately has been hit or miss in accordance with daily thunderstorms. Always err on the safe side if the storms are electrified with lightning. If it begins to rumble, shut it down and live to fish another day.

A huge pat on the back is in order for the Cowboys’ baseball and Cowgirls’ softball teams. Both had stellar seasons and successes against some of the best teams in the country. Both teams have earned a great helping of respect and laid the groundwork for future generations of winners!

Go McNeese!!