How to catch a Mullet

Great afternoon on the boat yesterday! Went on a Mullet hunt. With Sam at the ships wheel, we stalked and searched and Mark got out of the boat, and back in the boat several times before finally, just prior to "I give up, let's go drink beer", we saw what looked to be a small group of fish. Mark gingerly gets out of the boat, gets the net ready, and slooowwwwly works his way over to the "spot". Sam and I wait in the boat and watch, and then this is what we see:



If you click on the image above, it will be full screen and you can actually see the fish splashing right before the net falls on them! Not to brag on my uber photography skills, but that is no amature move there folks. So, please don't try this at home. It took years of practicing and following Mark around to get just the right shot. But, enough about me.

We head back to clean the fish and invite Sam, Suzanne & our Godson Taylor over to the Ranch for the catch of the day! Gives a whole new meaning to "fresh fish" not "fresh frozen a few days ago and shipped all over the world fish". Mark was anxious to try the pancake recipe on the newly departed Mullet. A little egg, a little pancake mix, some salt, pepper and fry them up. It was delicious. So mild and such a light coating that it was not greasy at all.
Suzanne made her famous Gasparilla Grabbers, aka corn fritters. They were sooooo good.

The funniest story from the night was after Mark finished the fish, we noticed the mosquitoes were arriving. The poor dogs would come in and be covered! Quick shut the door! Mark, Taylor and I ran around the kitchen and killed probably 50 of those little buggers! Slapping the floor, the walls, the ceiling. Leaving there bloody carcases all over the place. Thank goodness for Clorox Cleaner! While all this was going on, we left poor Sam and Suzanne outside to cook the corn fritters. I felt kind of bad, but I wasn't going out there! It was a swarm I tell you. Must have been a new hatch from the last rain we had. Mark would look out the door and make sure they weren't being carried away. I didn't get any pictures of the mosquitoes. Maybe next time.

Until then, Mullets out...........

My early birthday present!

Imagine my surprise when Mark unveiled the newest addition to our family!
"Wow, for me?" I exclaimed!
I have always wanted a boat named after me and I was, well, speechless.
"Really, for me?" I kept asking.
Possibly hoping that the answer would be no, but it was
"YES, all for you baby!"
Wow, um, great, I think.
Now, seriously. Mark made an excellent trade. He traded Lucretia Redwine for the Shari Marie. No money had to change hands, and our new craft came with a trailer! Bonus! Mark has always wanted an air boat hull and now he has one. He and Sam will fix it up and it will be stunning I have no doubt.
On sunny days or even cloudy days you will find us out on Coral Creek, or Bull Bay, or where ever else she takes us. For now, she will just be pulled behind the truck, maybe a parade or two. Even better, we could use her for a large beer cooler! Fill her full of ice and I'm telling you that would be a party!
That is all for now, just wanted to keep you all up to date on the latest going ons here at the Mullet Ranch. Always an adventure!

Mullets out...............

2009 Pioneer Days

A few weeks ago, my good friend and fellow photographer Suzanne asked me if I wanted to join her in participating in Englewoods annual "Pioneer Days". She was getting a booth to sell her photographs and thought I might like to add a few of my photos to see if they would sell. I definitely thought that was a good idea, and fun too! Hang out for the day, eat bad food, and possibly, maybe, sell some of my photographs. So, she picked me up today at 6:45am to head to the festival and "set up" the booth. Lots of work goes into this, but it is boring and so I won't go into details.

We get a primo spot and are in perfect view of the 9am, parade. I am not sure what to expect as growing up in Cedar, Mn we also had a Pioneer Days, but that my friends, is another blog.

The parade starts and within minutes I see a float that is the USS McMullet! I kid you not!! I take mental note, also a photograph to show Mark as he is still comfy in bed at the Mullet Ranch. A few floats go by throwing candy at my Godson Taylor, and squirting us with water. and low and behold another Mullet float! This time they are handing out the above card that describes the Mullet and it's historical value here in Englewood. This is hilarious to me and I cannot wait to show Mark! Two folks are walking in the parade with "Mullet" hand written on the front of their t-shirt! Are we not where we belong or what?

Suzanne and I both sold one photograph, but really the whole Mullet salute made the day worthwhile.

Mullets out....

all work and no play, well you know what that makes

Awoke early to get caffeinated and ready to fish! We had an 8am meeting time at the marina with a friend of a friend who was kind enough to take me and Mark out on the beautiful waters that are really just in our backyard. Sunscreen, check. Water, check. Camera, check. Gummy Bears, check. (never leave home without Haribo Gummy Bears, the best Gummy Bears in the world, imho)

We head out and and in true fisherman form, we first have to catch our bait. Growing up on Lake George, these "bait fish" would have been dinner! haha. We get about 30 bait fish, grunts and pin fish. Grunts are so named because they really grunt! I swear! I almost videotaped it just to prove that they grunt like little pigs! Bait fish caught we head over to the trestle, which I always want to call a trellis. They are not the same and should not be confused with one another! Mark baits my hook, casts it out there perfectly and hands me the pole. I wait........ I have clear instruction. Wait til you feel a thump, keep your pole up, as the line tightens, slowwwlllly drop your pole towards the water and then....BAM hook that sucker! Then reel, pull up, reel, pull up, reel, pull up. All the while Mark and Capt David Chapman are hollering!! It is exciting I can not tell a lie. I catch the first fish of the day, hahahaha. The snook you see pictured above was about 29" long. Perfect. Snook season just opened and the requirements are that they are between 28 and 33". I win! I'd like to thank the academy, and of course I just wouldn't be here holding this big fish without my rock, my world, ....oh wait. I don't get an award. Crap.

Let's talk dinner. On the advise of Capt David Chapman, we cut the filet's into strips, dip them into raw egg, and then roll them in dry pancake mix. They are then fried in peanut oil. We were sceptical at first. Pancake mix? Seems too sweet, but we are always willing to try things 3 or 4 times! It is fabulous. The fish is so mild, like butta! Really, it was a delicious dinner along with a salad. If you come and visit, we will make it for you!

Mullets out..........