FCC Tuneup

[Stump Bumper]

Well, it's that time of year again. The Apalachicola Flathead Tournament's is almost here. Now don't get me wrong, I truely do love getting on the river and fishing as many of the tournaments as I can....but....if the truth be known they are just a tuneup for the Florida Catfish Classic. I realize that if I keep at it, one of these days I'll catch that 50+ pound Flathead that I know is there. Notice I didn't say nothing about winning any tournament or even breaking any record. I also realize that by the time I catch that 50 pounder, the State Record will be in the 70's and that 50 pounder might get me an honorable mention at the tournament....but that's OK....even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then....and besides fishing for them monsters is just down right FUN!!!! If you don't believe that, then just ask that fella that won 3 years ago when he bought a 43 pounder to the scales. First time he ever Flathead fished in his life. So if you can make it down to fish this years FCC, just yell when you see me pull up. I'll be the guy with a good long story about the one that got away....but,,,,I won't be the guy that "got his rod yanked out of the boat by a big ole Flathead"....LOL.... That's another story....Ray:confused0068:

[Catbird]

Good Luck this season Ray. Wish I was a little closer so I could fish the whole series.

[wewasr]

I glad to see Ray has things to pass time thinking about.

Don

[Stump Bumper]

It's gonna be another great year. I talked to Robin, aka Catman-Fl, the other day and he plans on coming to all of the tournaments. Dang it, if I was retired I could too....Ray

[catman-fl]

good lord willin & the creek don't rise I am going to give it one [well] of a try. hope to see everyone in about 4 weeks.

robin

[catman-fl]

I fogot to say [eat your heart out ray] see you sat @ tc

robin

[Tee]

I just want to know how Ray cleans those fish he catches....... from the carport???? :confused0024:

[Stump Bumper]

That's funny right'err....ount care who ya are....LOL....Ray

[big country]

i'm just worried that he might invite me over to join in on one of those garage fishing trips one day....lol...

[capt.kirk]

Nancy will kill both of you for slingin that stink bait in the GARAGE:icon_razz:
Kirk

[wewasr]

Hey, My wife is very busy, she has been gathering Stump Bumpers bait. She says she is going to help him out this season. Sure does look funny--Shes wading flood water gathering acorns for him.

Don

[Timotha7]

Shes wading flood water gathering acorns for him.

HMMM I think that might be in reference to a post regarding 50lb flatheads?:happy0194:

Something I have personally only seen in pictures :confused0024:

[Stump Bumper]

Hummmm....acorns for catching garage catfish....LOL....Ray

[big country]

sounds like bait for bait...:innocent0009:

[Stump Bumper]

I told Don that this ole hog is gonna start carrying an acorn in his his pocket from now on for good luck....LOL....Ray

[Stump Bumper]

Well, once again, it was great to see all of our good friends up in Wewa and the 1st Dogwood Blossom Flathead Tournament was a big success. When we pulled in, they were just getting over a cold snap so the bait fishing had been off. By Wednesday and Thursday it had started heating back up and the bite was on. When Steve Collier and I were struggling to catch bait, everybody jumped right in to help. Don, Angie and Tee went to Florida River and did pretty good, Wayne and his son Charlie did pretty good in the Dead Lakes and Maurice and Lucy contacted Joe, a good friend of their's, and he let them and us go fish on his property, where we did real good. There were a few other's that were short on bait, but through everyone's efforts, everybody that needed bait had enough bait to fish the tournament. That's just one more example of how everyone helps out in a crunch. Now here's the story behind the story of our third place finish. The first night we were there, Angie gave me a bag of "Lucky Acorns", labeled "Ray's Fish Bait"....$20.00 Each. Me, being the ole blind hog that I am, I took them acorns and immediately put them in my boat. On tournament day I picked out a real nice one and put it in the snap pocket of my Bib Overalls. As Paul Harvey would say....Now you know....The rest of the story! Me and Steve wound up catching four Flatheads during the tournament, one 9 pounder, two 12 pounders, a 30 pounder and Steve caught a 6 pound Largemouth Bass on a 3/4 pound Shellcracker (go figure). So anyways, if'n any of ya'll wanted to get your hand's on one of them "Lucky Acorns", I just happen to have a limited supply that I would be willing to sell for $20.00 apiece....LOL....Ray

[Stump Bumper]

Post Script: Sure do wish I would have taken a picture of Donnie. If I would have passed him on the street, I wouldn't have known him from Adam's housecat. He has grown a beard since the last time we up that way and it had me and Steve fooled. When we first pulled in, I saw two people in the pontoon boat cruising around the boat dock. I kept asking Steve "who is that driving Don's boat and I wonder if he has permission?" What a surprise....Ray