Diversions – Good and Bad

Diversion, as defined by the good folks at Webster’s, is an activity that diverts the mind from tedious or serious concerns; a recreation or pastime. If there was ever a time where a diversion was needed more than it has been over the past few weeks I can’t think of it nor do I want to.

Each and every day we are faced with all sorts of diversions; some good, some bad, and some are both. Take for instance the beautiful girl walking down the sidewalk, a classic diversion. The guy in traffic sees her just long enough to crash into the car in front of him. The man walking with his wife glances at a beautiful girl just about the time his wife scolds him for not paying attention to her while she is talking to him. The beautiful girl is nice to look at but in the end was the glance worth the repercussion? Like I said, some diversions can bring both good and bad.

Seldom before have I ever seen folks more anxious to get outside or get out on the water than they have been lately. In a typical year we see a lot of people afflicted with cabin fever as the spring season overtakes winter and pushes it aside. Pretty weather and warmer temperatures accelerate the desire to be outdoors and nobody can be blamed for answering that call, especially after being cooped up indoors for whatever reason.

Like a bear waking from winter hibernation, many fishermen stumbled out of the dark and felt that unmistakable urge to head for the water as the mercury began to climb and the trees started to bud. Many anglers realized it wouldn’t be quite as simple as they had to pay for the past sins and spend some time and money taking care of necessary boat maintenance that probably should have been done when they put their boat up for the winter. I’m sure some sort of diversion such as hunting or the holidays got in the way and kept them from taking care of those items at the time. Winter neglect just adds a little to the spring tune-up and doing some preventative maintenance before that first trip of the spring is always a smart play. Nothing in the world compares to the family disaster that comes with boat or motor problems at the launch on the first trip of the year. It’s a bad place to be.

With all of the maintenance issues behind us it’s time get down to actually chasing a fish. For many anglers the spring means different things and they all are worthy of our attention. Obviously for many folks the spring means chasing big speckled trout. From Baffin to Calcasieu there will be many long hours spent searching for that lifetime fish by some of the most dedicated fishermen to ever wade a flat. Fishermen who fall into this group basically have one thing on the brain and that’s big speckled trout and what it takes to find them – no matter what. Some of these fishermen just absolutely blow me away with their single-minded approach and determination, they are truly a breed apart. For these dedicated souls there is no drive too far, no mud too soft or deep, or no boat ride too long if it means a big trout. Rarely, if ever, do anglers in this category get diverted from their task but occasionally it happens to even the best of them.

Another faction of the fishing population that will be just as determined to pursue their favorite fish this month will be those in search of flounder as they return from the spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico to inhabit the shallower marshes and bays along the coast. Although this run of fish is not nearly as fast and furious as it may be during fall it is still one not to be overlooked. As I mentioned the group of big trout fishermen earlier, I can say from experience that active flounder pushed up in the grassy shorelines will tempt even the most seasoned big trout angler. The thought of a stringer full of flat fish and how well they taste when prepared just right is more often than not too hard to pass up. The combination of catching big trout as well as stringing a few flounder in the process is a virtual sensory overload that few will ever turn their noses up at if given the opportunity. Higher than normal tides will escort the flounder back into the bays and deposit them along the shorelines. Look for them chasing the big clouds of shad along the bank and cash in on a great program and even better table fare.

My own personal diversion from all things hectic comes in the form of thick-shouldered aggressive redfish that will begin to group up and prowl the marsh ponds and back lakes of just about all the venues on the Gulf Coast this month. The water temps will be perfect to incite these heavy feeders into a frenzy as they roam the shallow water and dine on a diet made up of crab, small brown shrimp, and the occasional mullet from time to time. Usually, I end up spending a lot of time riding and looking at water until I nail down a good pattern. Unpredictable winds and the absence of grass in many places really do a number on the water clarity so sight-fishing can be a tough proposition right now. “Search baits” like topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and small crankbaits are tailor made for exploring the murkier water when that’s your only option. If you can find some clear water, grass, or food like small crabs, you can go back to a more normal sight-fishing pattern. I will seldom be anywhere without a MirrOlure She Pup, Stanley Ribbit, or Marker 54 Jerk Shrimp at my disposal during spring. With this compliment of baits I feel like I have the entire spectrum covered and can make adjustments at a moment’s notice. Some of the most vicious strikes of the year will happen this month and I plan to see as many as I possibly can.

It's hard for me not to think about one more diversion that I enjoy as much as anything during the spring and that’s doing off-season work with my duck dog, Joli. In fact she actually has her own set of diversions she must navigate in hunt tests or field trials as we continue to chase a few more titles for her pedigree. Many of us hunt just as hard as we fish or vice-versa, so it’s understandable when we have to choose from time to time how we spend our days. Neither of the options is bad in my opinion and quite frankly I think they complement each other very well. Each sport, fishing and hunting, offers up a compliment to the other and comes with its own set of trials, tribulations, and pleasure. So by all means enjoy them both and let each be a welcome diversion during this time Covid-19 craziness when we so desperately need one.