Moving to new site

So, we decided to move off of blogspot/blogger and onto our own site.  Hosting on the new site is provided by Fat Cow and we even have forums!

So, go stop by the new site, register for the forums, have fun!

The "new" CatchingDinner.com!

After Action Report: 2-6-11

Date: 2-6-11

Location: St. Marks River, Wakulla River, Shore

Specific Location: San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, Newport Bridge (Highway 98)

Went fishing on Sunday to relieve stress more than to catch fish, which is a good thing, cause I caught Jack and Shit...and Jack left town. Not much to report on, used the same tactics, bait, and locations (for the most part) as last week. But, unlike last week, I barely even got a bump on my lines and never even had the chance to lose a fish during the fight. Bummer.

Looking out from Old Fort across the St. Marks River

Since the fish were not biting at the State Park or the City Park just up the Wakulla River, I decided to go adventuring for future fishing locations. Details, and another picture from Old Fort, after the jump.

Must go fishing...

Thinking about going fishing tomorrow to get away from everything. Probably going down to St. Marks again to just fish from the State Park/Old Fort area. Going to attempt to make a chumming device to attract Sheepshead in close to where I will be. Need to find something like one of the cylindrical, narrow cricket cages that opens on both ends; they make outstanding small chum baskets for inshore waters. Fill that baby with some diced and crushed shrimp and throw it into the current to let the scent spread. Also might bring in some slot Redfish (18-27") to investigate the smells.

I could really go for some fried Sheepshead, so yummy, even though I've had people swear to me that Sheepshead are worthless to eat and are good for nothing but stealing bait.

The weather forecast for tomorrow in St. Marks is upper 50s/low 60s, partly cloudy with wind ESE @ 5 mph. Low tide is around 11 AM and high tide is around 5 PM, giving me a solid few of hours to fish the incoming tide.

Look for an After Action Report, chum basket write up, and a Gear page in the next few days. Further out you can expect how to videos, a singing ice machine and a Kayaking trip on the St. Marks River.

What do y'all think? Leave a comment!

The Standard F4F Bottom Rig

As promised in the earlier post, a simple description of our standard bottom rig. Can be used with cut bait or live bait. Yes, I did this in MS Paint, live with the awesomeness.

Crude drawings have more impact.

Hopefully this weekend or next, I can get with BGR and film a short segment about knot tying. Might even get my father in on the act since he taught me all the fishing knots I use and knows some that I still can't get right when I tie.

After Action Report: 1-30-11

Date: 1-30-11
Location: St. Marks River, shore (no boat)
Specific Location(s): San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park

So, I was sitting online thinking about going fishing this past weekend so I took a look at the weather for my winter fishing locations and noticed it would be near 70F on Sunday. HOLY CRAP? 70F IN JANUARY? Yes please to fishing!

More after the jump, click "Read more" to well...read more?

Welcome!

Welcome to (what I hope) will become a definitive site for those looking to catch their own food, read about fishing techniques, debate the pros/cons of fishing regulations, and good, simple seafood recipes. I intend to do this site on the cheap: low cost fishing, low cost cooking, no legal troubles, etc. I am doing this because I know that not everybody can afford to buy expensive market fish or, if you own a boat, unable to reach the offshore fishing grounds due to fuel, boat size, weather, etc.

A little about myself:

My name is Richard and I live in Tallahassee, Florida. I have been an avid fisherman my entire life; some of my earliest memories are of catching Pinfish at Dog Island, Florida, using tiny pieces of cut mullet or shrimp as bait.

I am currently enrolled at Florida State University majoring in Political Science and being a broke college student, I going fishing a lot to, well, be able to eat. Plus, there is nothing more satisfying than catching your own dinner, knowing you are able to provide food with a skill that can be used almost anywhere in the world.

That being said, its time to head off to class to take an exam in my Anthropology class. Posting about first trip of the year (2011) and some simple recipes in the next couple of days as well as examples of rigging I use when fishing in this area, this time of the year (winter).

Remember: Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.