Off Topic - Too Hot To Shoot? Go Fishing
 

Couldn't face the thought of shooting this weekend. Too darn hot.

So my youngest son and I decided to hit the marsh for a little fishing in my little 16-foot aluminum boat.



After launching just South of New Orleans, we headed down a bayou to a group of islands we like to fish.

If you want to ride down a bayou in the boat on a gray overcast morning, go here for a one minute video. (Haven't figured out how to insert a clickable video yet.)

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/b...t=FishingB.mp4

This is what the marsh looks like.








There was zero tide running and we didn't expect much. They just don't bite much in slack water. We managed to catch a few but this is really bad for a morning of fishing in the marsh.



It turns out we went fishing, not catching. But had a fun time anyway.

I wanted to shoot really bad. So I broke out the T/C Black Diamond XR. I took round ball, 240 grain XTP 44 caliber, 300 grain XTP 45 caliber and some FPB Hornady 350 grain. I used 2f black powder and started at 50 yards.

The round ball with 70 grains did real good at 50 yards. Much better than I expected. But they shot three inches high. The 240 grain with 100 grains did exceptional. At both 50 yards and 75 yards. They also shot high. The 350 grain FPB grouped very good with 100 grains. All shots touching at 75 yards.

But by then the barrel was too hot to even touch. So I did not shoot the 300 grain XTP at all. I called it a day and went inside to cool down.

It was 86 degrees outdoors, no wind, and bright sun. Actually I should have went fishing.

Decent catch for a fish fry semi. Nice boat. I need to get one so I can go waterfowl hunting again. I haven't gone since I lost my chocolate lab and I don't have enough time to decently train a new lab puppy.I didn't do any shooting or fishing bacause of the heat. Last look at the thermometer showed 101* with an upward trend! Took a dip in the pool and a nap in the A/C.

Hey, down here in Texas it cooled DOWN to only 90 this morning, so I went and shot. High of only 96! Better than what it has been (over 100)

We have cooled down a bit here in Arkansas to, still bone dry though. If we dont get some rain soon were gonna be in a boat load of trouble. Most all fields are irrigated here but all the dry land crops are burning up.

What kind of fish are those semi?

The four on top are "Specs" (Speckled Trout/Spotted Sea Trout).
The three on the lower right are "Reds" (Redfish/Red Drum).
Lower left is a Sheepshead.
Above the Sheepshead is a Black Drum (cousin to the Redfish).

All are excellent eating. In fact, we're having grilled Redfish filets tonight.