Author: Butch Thurmond
Location: No specified region.
They had been at it for weeks. Cutting down little pieces of my live oak tree in my backyard! Some of the pieces they must have used for the nest resting in the top of the tree. Many others simply fell to the ground and had to be picked up before I mowed the yard. Not by them, of course! But now, they were felling acorns. As I sat on my patio, covered by a tin roof, sipping my afternoon beverage, the nuts fell-making loud ‘‘bangs’’ as they hit overhead. It was frustrating, to say the least, especially after about three beverages. I looked out at them sitting happily over the patio and gave them a piece of my mind. They made some barking noises, undoubtedly squirrel talks meaning to ‘‘screw you’’. And, they kept on dropping acorns. It was as if they were seeing how frustrated they could make me. And it was working! Later in the week, I was telling a friend...

Author: Sonny Schindler
Location: No specified region.
A few weeks ago I was running a trip and the weather was poor at best. The group was from north Mississippi and they wanted to go fishing. I told them the seas would be a little rough and that the trout were spotty. They still wanted to go, with the phrase, "We just want to bend a rod, Captain.” I anchored at one protected spot all day with 2 lbs. of dead shrimp. Minutes after the anchor caught, two rods were doubled over and the crew was yelling and cheering. The big fish was netted and held up for pictures followed by the question, "What in the hell is that?” Not knowing what they were in for, I simply replied, "It’s a sheepshead, very good eating.” For several hours we caught, kept, and released more sheepshead than I have ever seen. Some of the fish were close to 8 lbs. and they crew could not have been happier. They left me that day with full coolers and big smiles....
   

Author: Steve McNemar
Location: Offshore Venice
I have wanted to fish with Captain James Peters for a long, long time. He has been a huge part of the Venice offshore scene almost as long as I have fished out of Venice. He also has a condo at Venice Marina that still stands directly across from where the houseboat I used to own a part of was docked. His condo survived Katrina. The winch decided we didn’t need our houseboat any longer; but, while we enjoyed the camp, I often watched Capt. Peters come in with impressive catches. I knew he grew up fishing offshore Venice as a kid. He has owned and operated Osprey Charters for over 15 years. Even though he’s still a young man, probably in his late 30’s, 15 years as an offshore charter captain makes you an Old Salt! I can’t think of many professions that create more wear and tear on a person than being an offshore charter guide. The early mornings, daily poundings by...