Fins and Fur: A Doubleheader !!!

[jonnnyboy]

Around this time of year, I get a little soul-weary and find that some time alone helps to get my head and heart reconnected.  Last year, I had been looking forward to some away time and planned to mix a little squirrel hunting in with my fishing.  Hunting squirrels from a boat is an old-timey way of enjoying the water and hunting here in Tennessee.  Unfortunately, the first night into my long-awaited trip was interupted with a phone call that cut my trip short.  I didn't get the chance to go back and so my dream of a squirrel-fishing trip had to be put on the backburner.

Skip to this year.  Again, I have been planning a little getaway and decided to take the new refurbed Titan out in the boat when I went fishing.  I had been shooting the new Titan for a few days and was pleased with how she was breaking in though the 4X32 scope left a lot to be desired.  Count me in with those who plan on ordering a new Tuna-Trigger as well.  Between a somewhat fuzzy sight and an exceedingly long and creepy trigger, a great group is virtually an impossibility for me.  Still the Titan was showing lots of promise!

Yesterday, dawned quietly with just a hint of a breeze from the west.  Temps were in the low 50's which would make for a light crispiness to the air.  I loaded the boat with some poles and my fishing box and finally put the Titan in the truck with me alongwith a tin of JSB ExtraHeavies.  Arriving at the lake, I found a light fog just lifting off the mirrored surface and the hint of promise hung heavy in the air.  I quickly launched the boat, loaded myself and the Titan and began to make my way across the water to a favorite bank where I knew ample fish swam as well as numerous squirrels liked to feed in the Beech and Oak trees that covered the slightly angled bank.  Working my jig-n-pig down the dropoff that lay just a couple of feet below the dimpled surface, I found myself watching the trees more than watching my line, so it was a surprise to feel the small bass that would be my first of four for the morning.  With a hesitant tug and snap, I set the hook in the jaw of the small fish and quickly landed him.  With an admiring glance, I tossed him back to grow into the monster I often envisioned in my dreams while being here in this enchanted place.

Before I could regain my piscatorial composure, the lazy morning stillness was shattered by a quickly shaking limb and rattle of falling nut cuttings as a squirrel boldly worked her way out to another hanging nut above my head.  I reached around behind me and quickly brought the Titan to bear and with a gentle squeeze on the too-long trigger, the gun fired and my first squirrel from this spot fell toward the bank below.  It wasn't a perfect shot and as she tried to scamper back up another sapling I quickly loaded the Titan again and took aim a second time.  This time she fell out more decisively and the final wiggles brought her to within 5 or 6 feet of the water.  It was no effort to pull up to the bank and reach out to retrieve my quarry.  

After a moment's  self-congratulations, I put the squirrel away and picked up my pole again.  Within just a few flips, something took that jig and decided to go to the next county over with it.  I almost didn't catch up quick enough to set the hook but my minimal fishing talent kicked in at the last moment and the hook was set.  The largemouth bass was right at 3.5 pounds and looked great next to a squirrel, airgun and my fishing pole.  It was not too easy to get all four together in a picture in the front of a rocking boat, but the effort was worth it.



joe

[SnoValley]

NICE !!!!
Good times, it always nice when some "me" time works out and you have a successful day. congrats!

[stilkikin]

Good shooting, especially from a rocking boat. I've tried it before and it's no easy task. Those blue and black jigs will work wonders at night.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

 Excellent job getting some "Fins and Fur". Nice bass you hauled in too!

[robert w]

now your on the 'right track' nothing better than a fish or 2 n coupla squirrels to boot but yes get a trigger from charlie its worth the money

[dk1677]

Nice day Joe!

[Rescue912]

Surf & turf ... gonna be eatin' good tonight !

[amb5500c]

Way to go Joe. Another well written story about some of my favorite things to do. I wish I could have been with you on that trip.
Richard

[Rico14]

good shooting. Looks like you had an enjoyable day on the lake.

[ezman604]

Excellent Joe. I'm really envious. 
Combing our two favorite sports/hobbies. You did tell me to take my gun with me out onto the lake. Will start putting it in the rod holder space from now on.

Thanks for sharing!!!!
Happy Shooting....and lip yankin'!!!!
Dave
 

[bradyman1]

Great shooting and that is a beautiful fish. I my hands on one of similar size Saturday morning before it managed to wriggle away. I almost cried!

[Atchman2]

Very nice trip! Thanks for sharing with us!  I'll bet you can't wait for that new trigger!  

Just something to think about, a 4 x scope is really pretty decent for squirrel hunting.  It is dirt cheap, but the Leapers 4x with mil dots and 35 yard parallax is less than $25 and is an excellent squirrel hunting scope. No AO to mess up your shots either and it is clear at close range as well.

My only issue with 4x scopes is it is hard to sight them in for me anyway. Once I get them dialed in though they are great for small game.  I put my 4x Leapers over on my RWS 320.  It works great on that gun since I probably wouldn't shoot anything at longer than 20 yards with it anyway.  

[jonnnyboy]

Thanks guys.  It was a great morning and I would recommend squirreling/fishing to everyone.  I regret not taking some pics of the beautiful water and the sunrise but I was too focused on getting on the water.  I did see two other squirrels.  One of them was going away from me when I spotted him and the other was on a bank right beside another couple who were anchored fishing.  I decided not to ask them to move so I could shoot the squirrel!!  LOL

joe

[Atchman2]

That would have been right nice of them to "mosey on" out of the way so you could get another squirrel.   I've never tried hunting out of my boat. I probably need to give it a go before it gets too much colder in the mornings. 

My biggest issue with the boat is the VOL NAVY is on the river right now and let me tell you the waves look and feel like the ocean!  On top of that I'm not sure they are sober!   

[jonnnyboy]

Randy, I felt the same way!  It would have just been neighborly to move but I decided to not ask them.  I don't think I would want to be on the river when the Vol Navy is coming to Neyland stadium.  

I like the 4X scopes but the one that came with the Titan is not as clear as I would like.  I wish I could find a 6X as that would be about perfect for me.

joe

[amb5500c]

Ha Ha, that "Navy" wasn't much help against the Tiger invasion.
Richard

[Lambchops]

Must be a pretty fuzzy scope and long trigger pull to hit it near it's hind legs... LOL.

Nice shooting & fishing and a great picture!

[aack73]

looks like you had a nice trip Joe

i dont think we can shoot from a boat in NC, at least legally. maybe i should move to TN.

[jonnnyboy]

Richard, yep, no help from the Navy.  There's a reason LSU is ranked so well.  They put it on us, bro.

Lamb, the low shot was the first shot.  I knew I didn't hit her well as soon as she fell.  The second shot was a good one though.  I was glad to get her.

joe

[jonnnyboy]

Chad, bring that new gun over and I'll take you out on the boat.  I think Richard wants to go, too.

joe