Fish in a Barrel, Take Two... With All Three Kids!

[ChileRelleno]

Mamma got a Valentines break from the kids today.
I asked here what she'd like better, a first class dinner in a fine restaurant with me or a day with no kids in the house?
I knew she'd take the latter, and I made good with 8hrs of peace & quiet for her.

So whats a Father to do with three kids for day and not go crazy?
That's right, take'em Catching.  

My eldest son, Ammon, started the day with a nice little 3-4# cat.
He wouldn't get near it for a pic, his autism kicked in and he retreated to the car a bit upset and muttering loudly.
He'd come out about once an hour to catch a fish when we'd holler at him, but for the most part was content to sit in the car and draw or wander down the banks just looking around.
I did manage a couple of pics of him, but not without protests, and took a pic of his first fish of the day.




My sweet baby girl Shannara, who is getting too big, too fast, caught little 1-2#rs one after the other and wasn't thrilled till she fought-n-caught a nice 5#r.



Nathaniel had none or the cranial rectal inversion he had last time, and thus his mojo was back and he caught the most fish.
Several nice 5-8#rs, never high sticked or jerked on them and only had a few come unbuttoned.



I tried targeting the big boys, they've a healthy population of cats in the 20-40#+ range.
So I put a Battle 5000 on a new Ugly Stick 7' Heavy, spooled it with 15# and tied on a Carolina Rig with 20# mono leader and 9/0 Gamakatsu Octopus, baited with big hunks of mullet.
Lots of taps and nibbles from all the smaller fish, but once in awhile that sucker would snap over and it was game on!
I released several over 20#, the biggest about 25#s.



Took home 38.5#s of fish, all in the 5-12# range, gonna be some good eats.
Will see if I can remember to take a cleaning table pic in the AM.

[coastal_dan]

Very nice, way to go out on a Father / Kids excursion.  I'm looking forward to these moments with our two.  Keep it up and thanks for sharing!

[Shark Hunter]

You are a good father John.
Glad to see Ammon. It takes a lot of patience and it seems like you have it brother.
With Dustin, when his Autism kicks in, Its a lot of name calling and what not.
I have learned to deal with it and try to turn it around.
I haven't had fresh catfish in many moons.
Be Good Buddy,
Daron

[DaBigOno]

Good on you John,

Looks like it was a day to remember for everybody

[Newell Nut]

Way to go. Those stocked catfish ponds are great family fun.