My Favorite Fisherman

Of my top favorite fishermen in history George Washington has to rank at the top.  While he did not so much fish in the same manner that I do, he did turn fishing into quite an industry for himself and not only did the income spur on his fortune, the fish were used to benefit his farming operations.  There are not many men in history so well rounded as he.  George Washington has long been one of the historical figures I admire the most, and his full-frontal assault on life is nothing short of astounding.  He knew how to attack so many aspects of life in pursuit of being all he could possibly be that he rose in so many areas and so many ways through strategy and hard work and determination.  Not only did he achieve great things which can still be viewed today in his estate on the Potomac, he also was part of the founding of the greatest nation the world has ever known, and lead it into its birth as well as its infancy, setting it on the course that is still standing strong today.

                                                        Diversification 

While my interests vary slightly from his, I take quite a lot of my inspiration in their pursuit from learning about his life.  I have no desire to achieve the level of social standing nor fame he rose to, but his hustle has always been something that attracted my attention.  He made some strategic moves within his personal life, he made some moves with the connections that he maintained and he made some moves through his career choices, but his farm and the many facets that generated income around and through his farming operations was nothing short of impressive.  His crops, his distillery, his livestock, his mill, and his fishing operation all piece together his various streams of income.                                                                                          Washington was strategic and intelligent. 

Fish With Purpose

Since a very young age I always strived to broaden my pursuits and interests to levels where everything made a return, rather than simply being a wasted effort and even the waste from one operation flowed directly into productivity in another.  While farming has not been a feasible option for me on any real scale, I have tried to tailor my other work options in similar fashion.  Efficiency, productivity, and quality.  Even my fishing methods have taken on the same traits.  My kayaks do not require gas, oil, nor other electrical upkeep, nor do they currently require a yearly registration fee with the state, thus my overhead is low, also my fish I tend to only fish species I can and will consume, thus cutting back on my grocery bill as often as I can.  Someday I hope to achieve the sort of freedom George Washington enjoyed for brief stints between his duties to his country, but until then I will maintain as similar approach to his farming and fishing operations as I possibly can.  God truly blessed George Washington with many opportunities which he capitalized on more often than not and allowed him the insight to use his failures as learning experiences and stepping stones into the greatness he achieved.  May that be true of my own life and yours’ as well. 

Micah 4:4

(said to be Washington’s favorite verse)

Top 5 Reasons to Fish For Crappie

As fish go, there are not many I care to pursue in freshwater other than crappie.  Every other fish comes further down on my list.  While there are many reasons one should fish for crappie.  The top 5 reasons in my humble opinion are as follows: 

Almost Never Alone 

5.  They use the buddy system most of the time.  If you catch one fish, it was most likely not alone wherever you caught it.  Crappie tend to hang around in groups either big or small.  Most of the time I find they are with other fish of similar size.  Of course, as with anything this is not some set in stone rule, and the fish will always do what they do without asking the opinion of whoever is fishing for them. 

Minimal Equipment

4.  They do not require you to “load for bear”.  The largest fish can put up quite a fight when they turn in the water and can pull like mad when they are heated up in the warmer months, but even they do not require the heavy line, and heavy tackle and gear one would set up for bass or other larger fish.  This means one doesn’t have to necessarily spend the entire sum of the family fortune to successfully pursue them. Although there are certainly higher dollar options for fishing crappie, it seems that actually the cheaper my gear gets the more fish I put in my boat. 

Many Methods

3.  There are many different methods to be successful fishing for them.  Depending on what season certain methods work better than others, but quite often its “dealer’s choice” and several different methods may work at the same time depending on how you are set up to fish, or which way you prefer to fish.  In the spring time quite a few people troll for them, but dock shooting works well, as does jigging.  In the winter time long lining or slow trolling works well, but jigging may also be a key for connecting with fish.  In the summer night fishing under lights, or trolling crankbaits can both be deadly.  They bring something to the table for nearly every taste. 

Great For Anyone 

2.  They are great for all ages.  Kids and adults can both enjoy catching crappie.  The numbers allowed for limits in most places is pretty generous, and when the bite is on the cooler can be filled up quickly.  They can be fished as simply as putting a minnow on a hook and throwing it out under a bobber, or they can peak the interest of even the most seasoned veteran in some of the tougher times of year fishing with artificial baits. 

                                 Awesome Eating

1.  They are made of delicious and wonderful meat.  As far as fresh water dinner fare is concerned crappie are one of the top on the list.  Fried, smoked, baked...almost any way can be great.  Fish and grits, fish tacos, fried fish, fish stew, it’s tough to go wrong.  I can’t seem to cook it fast enough when my kids are eating fried fish, they almost inevitably end up asking me to hurry up and bring out some more. 

God made crappie to eat, and eating them is the main reason I pursue them.  The fun had catching them and the challenges they present also add to the allure of fishing for them.  I really can’t speak highly enough of them it seems.  I think God connected me to crappie and I hope to never have to break that connection. 

Matthew 4:18-21