Been doin' some fishing.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

My days at work are numbered and I'm burning some time I've saved up I plan on walking away from working on the road after 34 years on my birthday 11/8/21 ( Fingers crossed I can pull this off ). I'm just so over living out of a suitcase and lonely motel rooms . Been hooking up with my friend Gordon ( Lucky 13 ) and doing some catfishing all the fish was catch and release. The blue catfish is the largest species of North American catfish, reaching a length of (65 in) and a weight of  (150 lb). Guessing our biggest was well over 40 lb. we didn't weigh any of them.  Favorite bait for these is shad the bigger the better we use cutbait. First picture is us throwing a throw net in search of bait. We did two trips and caught 18 cats. The Tennessee state record is 112 lb. we didn't get close but the search is still on.  World record is 143 lb.

[robin]

Heck the one you caught is almost bigger than Gordan

[John Schmidt]

Years ago a cousin caught one about that size in a tributary of the Mississippi. He was holding it like Gordon and it made a desparate lunge, flipping that big tail and slapping him across the face really hard. He lost his hold on it and it ended up back in river...right next to where my cousin went in.    He didn't find it nearly as amusing as the rest of us in the boat.

[old2soon]

     Damn Joe!  I git the on the road lonely. Most of my off time was in the bedroom right behind the Drivers seat! I Did on the other hand make a decent living BUT the Family suffered. RIDE SAFE.

[vanavyman]

Great way to spend the day.  Sounds like there are many more days like this in your future.

[Jess from VA]

Man Joe, those babies are monsters. 

I'm glad you're having some fun.

The older we get, the harder fun can be to find.

My only advice on retirement is to buy any expensive toys you feel you need while you still have real money (not retirement money).    

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Man Joe, those babies are monsters. 

I'm glad you're having some fun.

The older we get, the harder fun can be to find.

My only advice on retirement is to buy any expensive toys you feel you need while you still have real money (not retirement money).    

I don't finance nothing if it's not in my pocket I can't have it.

[Serk]

Fishing? Looks to me more like you've been doing some catching!

[Valkorado]

Day-um!  Nice haul-ins!   

[Jess from VA]

Man Joe, those babies are monsters. 

I'm glad you're having some fun.

The older we get, the harder fun can be to find.

My only advice on retirement is to buy any expensive toys you feel you need while you still have real money (not retirement money).    

I don't finance nothing if it's not in my pocket I can't have it.

Me neither brother.  The last thing I financed (not counting a mortgage) was a used $5000 El Camino to ship overseas in 1985 (because my beater wasn't going to make it, and I was broke)  .  And my mortgage disappeared in 2012. 

[Patrick]

MMMmmmm, good !

Nothing like a good fish fry.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

MMMmmmm, good !

Nothing like a good fish fry.

Threw them back saving some for tomorrow.  On average gas for my truck and 100 % gas for the boat along with breakfast on the road and packing something for lunch I'm into these trips around a Benji but what the hell you can't take it with you and it ain't goin' do you no good dead.

[DIGGER]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8DCd-o6Ff4

[cookiedough]

that is some awesome good times for sure.  biggest fish not even close that was about a 10lb. carp is all, still fun to catch on 6lb. light action panfish rod....  glad you got out and had some major fun before retiring and soon to be many many more.  I use to love fishing every single weekend mostly panfish, but somehow lost time or interest or whatever over the past decade or more.  

ONE and ONLY time I had something bigger than those catfish on did not last too long stripped me of line in about 20 seconds one big run on the WI river either a 30-50 lb. on up paddlefish or sturgeon going after 2-3 lb. walleyes thought was a snag on bottom until it took off flying away from the boat.  wish I had it on my medium action rod 10lb. test vs. my panfish rod with 6lb. test I would stood a chance maybe?

Never had a need ever for more than 20lb. test on tipups for northern pike but all my summer gear is 6-12 lb. test line is all.  Takes an awful HUGE fish if teeth not break the line to break 10lb. test and if after northern/musky, I use a steel wire leader so not snap 10-12 lb. test.

If we ever go back down to TN,  you will have to show me how it is done.....

[Patrick]

You threw them back !  Well, thats good, but, they just go and tell their buddies all about it.

[Thunderbolt]

good for you and Gordon.  You probaby don't have to twist his arm too far to get him to go fishing.  Hope the retirement date works out.  I can't believe mine was 9 years ago this Dec.  I don't miss it.  Put a little extra in a Mason jar and bury it out by the chimney just in case.

[Wizzard]

That sure looks like a lot of fun 

[trout dude]

What's up you don't pay your Captain?

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

What's up you don't pay your Captain?