Ol Captain
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Posts posted by Ol Captain
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Looks like we are Florida bound come H_____ or high water! One of our very own stated today "That the worse that can happen is we won't catch any fish". Sadly enough, this statement was made by the smartest one of the group.
All I can say is Stay Tuned!!
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Love your posts. Sorry about the hook though.
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Lorne:
They don't just automatically do the L&R. You have to show them how the 1st time
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When I told Maximus Relaximus that it was "Road Trip Week" he got really excited!! How excited did he get? Well, all I can say is he was so excited that he went in and packed his own bag!!
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Unfortunately the same thing happened to me few years ago 2 months of planning and plane ticket and driving just to find small gazebo under water only the roof was visible. Water was over 20 feet higher then normal and it dropped 4-5 feet per day during our 4 day trip. Everything got washed away from the dam and the only gator we saw was on last night.
We did get a few fish per day but lost all the tackle due to current.
But not to worry Captain and the crew there is a lake Talquin close to Tallahassee with cheap camping and 40+mirror and common carp waiting to be explored.
Alex: You have a PM
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We have been to Kingston several times and that is a possibility. There may be as many as 6 of us plus the hound so stay tuned & keep those ideas coming!!!
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I am not a spur of the moment type of guy. I am a planner and I like for things to go according to plan. But (change of direction) occasionally Mother Nature has other ideas.
The Crew and I have been planning a road trip now for several weeks to Chattahoochee, Fla to fish our beloved Apalachicola River. We even have a VIP CAG member flying in from Boston this Wed PM to join us for a 3 day tour. Our problem lies in the fact that the water level at our spot is extremely high due to record setting rainfall this July. To complicate things, a plane ticket has been purchased so now we need a Plan B.
It is approximately 250 miles from Powder Springs, Ga to our spot in Florida so using that as a standard we can travel north, south, east or west in search of Proper Pull-Downs. I want so badly to be a good host and I have a few ideas. But I am open to entertaining some new suggestions. Keep in mind, that if you had a spot and you have never met a real Carp Hound, a tall Ol Captain, or a very Bigbird this chance may appeal to you. Perhaps you’ve read about Cool Dad’s infamous “Plug of Perfection” or heard about the “Banquet Bait” often used by “Hatman” Hatter and would like to meet these guys in person this might be your chance! If you have a great suggestion and would like to meet this oversized group of aging Carp anglers this might be your opportunity of a lifetime!
Out time frame is from Thursday morning until early Saturday evening. Our guest will turn into a pumpkin at midnight Saturday evening and needs to catch a flight home on Sunday morning. So, there it is “The Ol Captain has a Problem……and needs some advice!!” Any suggestions out there??
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Well done! Great fish & pictures!!
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Wow! Great fish!!
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I dearly love “Carp Shark“ Carpin’ but sometimes the situation and allotted time doesn’t call for the canoe. It is those moments that the Ol Captain breaks out the “Carp Cart”, loads it up and then quietly rolls right into another adventure.
Two of my favorite things about Carp Angling are “Bank Talk” and the post sandwich nap. Bank talk is self explanatory. It is simply the conversation that goes on between guys on the bank who are awaiting a “Proper Pull Down”. Topics vary and most every time you leave with more information than you really know what to do with.The post sandwich nap is a thing of beauty. It usually occurs around 12:30-1:00 PM. It is that special time when your rods are baited and out, your belly is full and you drift off into a deep, dreamy sleep. Quite often, if you are awakened by another angler or a bite alarm you might not even know where you are!!I didn’t have to work yesterday so Max and I invited Randy “Cowboy” Crofts to join us as we fished the Outer Banks of Southern Allatoona Lake. Randy is a joy to be around and can raise the art of “Bank Talk” to a premium level.
I listened intently as “Cowboy” Crofts talked about his Military Career. He then shared stories about working with a local EMC as well. But (change of direction) what got my undivided attention was when he talked about the days when he was a real, sho nuff cowboy!!! Now folks, I grew up with Hoss, Little Joe and Ben. I cut my teeth on The Virginian Show and I chewed up John Wayne movies like a plug of Bull of the Woods tobacco. But I had my doubts about my guest being the real McCoy. However, I didn’t want to be rude so I listened to the bank talk until just about lunch time. After a few sandwiches and a side order of fruit and Vienna Sausages came the post sandwich nap.The Carp Hound was the first to go and there was no doubt on my mind as to what Maximus Relaximus was dreaming about.
The next one to go was the cowboy himself.
Although I vaguely remember it, I soon dosed off into a dream world all my own. As I slept I just couldn’t get my guest’s comments off my mind. As I dreamed I wondered. Could he be a real Cowboy?
Did he really ride the range and then shoot at the Bad Guys as they rode off with the Stagecoach Loot? (Or was I just dreaming?)
About that time I was awakened by splashing water and the sound of bite alarms!!! Before I could say “The Sons of Katie Elder” Cowboy Crofts was up to his knees in Carp and had already put three on the bank!!!
It was pretty amazing. One minute I’m in the middle of a make believe dream world and the next minute I’m back to reality! Folks, most any dream can come true when you are Carpin with the Captain. If you don’t believe it just try it for yourself and Come see us when you can! Until then I’ll just say “Happy Trails to you!”
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You two are an inspiration! Well done!
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Nice spot. Well done!
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Because it was Max’s Birthday I knew today was going to be very special. But little did I know when my big feet hit the floor at 5:00 AM this morning what all would unfold before we pulled back into the Captain’s Quarters around 8:00 PM this evening.Tim “Cool Dad” Gill and I had such a good time a few weeks at Carter’s Re-reg Lake we decided to return today! Not only did we bring the birthday boy with us but we also invited Jim “Hatman” Hatter to join us as well.Maximus Relaximus turned 7 years old today so I treated him to a new John Deere Collar and a dog tag bearing his name. You could tell by the way he carried himself today that he was obviously proud of his new hardware.
After a hardy breakfast in downtown White, Georgia we made our way north to the lake. In no time at all, Cool Dad was in his Carpin Kayak and “The Hatman”, the Hound and the Ol Captain were loaded up and on our way seeking a possible spot to pull up on in hopes of some Proper Pull Downs.
When I first obtained the Carp Shark this past winter I had no idea how much “stuff” she’d carry nor did I even begin to realize the beauty that she would help bring our way.
It amazes me that we can load 800-900lbs or so in her 17 foot frame and she still glides through the water with ease……
We finally launched and paddled along the bank seeking a suitable spot. Once we found one, we unloaded and got things set up and ready to go!
We usually look for a spot where the water seems right and where we can be comfortable and get around and occasionally stretch our legs.
As most of you know, one of the most important themes that we have is our “Come see us” campaign. While many anglers want to hide ideas and not share a thing we welcome guests and visitors with open arms. For instance, not long before we arrived at the lake this morning we happened upon Derrick who posts as “Etoncathunter” on our GON. We greeted Derrick, introduced him to The Carp Hound and soon he was on his way.
It is always nice to meet new people and make new friends. But (change of direction) we were in the middle of nowhere today. We were surprised and pleased to meet Derrick but we had no idea that anyone else could even find us, let alone come see us! But that’s the way it is when you are Carpin’ with the Ol Captain. One minute you’re sitting there in a world of your own and the next minute you hear a burly Vietnam Vet coming up in a boat saying “Did you guys order Take Out?” Folks, If I’m lying I’m dying! Phil “nkbigdog” Leiter from the GON Forum met Derrick when he was at the boat ramp. Phil asked if he’d seen anyone along the bank with a long blue canoe. After Derrick shared that he had he brought Phil wielding some of the finest BBQ sandwiches back down the lake just to see us!!! We had met Phil back in Ellijay in December and he decided to come our way today and even brought some food!! Folks, it was wonderful!!
Well by now you are probably saying “That is all mighty fine Captain, but did y’all catch any fish?” All I can say is I thought you’d never ask. Although Tim and I both caught fish on our last trip our rods were silent today. In fact, today was all about the Hatman!! Jim had never caught a “Buff” and that was one of his goals for this lake. Well, it is no longer a goal because today Jim’s wish became a reality! Here he is with his very first Small Mouth Buffalo!!
Not only did Jim get a Buff but he later connected on a beauty of a Common Carp that weighed somewhere between 4-49 lbs!!! Just for reference folks, Maximus Relaximus weighs 18 lbs!
Not only that but this fish’s lips alone would have weighed 2-3 lbs by themselves!!
It was a great day and after Max got his licks, the fish was released and we were soon back on board and on our way home.
It was a special day today. We had a Birthday, A Buff and BBQ too! Folks, please believe me when we say Come see us because we’d love to have you drift our way!Until next time,
The Ol Captain
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Nice job! It sure looks like that fish weighed "somewhere between four and forty-nine pounds" -- right, Cap'n?
Exactly!!
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Once again, Tim's Plug of Perfection "speaks for itself"
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Have a good one Max! Are you going to take him fishing, Horace?
You bet!
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This coming Friday marks a very special day here at the Captain’s Quarters. July 12 is set aside each year to recognize or most famous Crew member-Maximus Relaximus (The Ultimate Carp Hound). Max will be approximately 7 years old this time. Like the rest of the crew, his shape is not quite the same as it once was and the hair on his chin is beginning to turn white. But his passion, integrity, love of people and God’s beautiful outdoors is still intact!!
You may not realize it but folks have come from all over the globe to visit Max. We’ve had guests from as far away as Denmark, France, England and even parts of Alabama as well. Because of the internet, Max has a following pretty much all around the world!
It is hard to fathom the lives that Max has touched since Ramona and I brought this pitiful pooch home from the pound five years ago. This goes without saying, but Max is very dear to me.
Most of you know Max’s story but each year we have some newcomers that I feel need to hear “the rest of the story”. I wrote this piece several years ago. I think once you see it you will appreciate even more why this particular dog who is “Half a dog tall and a dog and a half long” is so special to all of us!………………………………………………….
Jailhouse to the Penthouse- The Life and Times of Maximus Relaximus
My story actually began almost 4 years ago. However, the first year and a half are just a blur. I can’t even remember why but back in January of 2008 I found myself incarcerated in the Douglas County Dog Pound. I’m not even sure why I was locked up or what I had done. All I remember is that I was very cold, very ill and very miserable. If you have ever spent a night behind bars you know what I mean. There I was, surrounded by barking, growling and slobbering stench by night and dead dogs walking by day. It was enough to make anyone sick.
Day after day I hoped for someone to spring me from this dungeon of dogs. One minute I was chilling and the next minute I was hot as fire. If I were not a Canine I would have sworn that I had a case of the Swine flu. Occasionally I noticed that some of my friends were being rescued. Once in a while the older guys would be taken out for a walk but for some reason or another I never saw them return. I knew I couldn’t give up but who in the world would rescue a very sick dog who was “half a dog tall and a dog and a half long?”
Finally a pleasant lady came in one day and after some paperwork and a monetary exchange she picked me up and took me to her husband’s truck. They seemed nice enough but they had no idea that I was very sick. In fact, I was sick as a dog. For the next several weeks I was either in the hospital or resting on the nice woman’s lap.
After about three weeks and $1700 in Vet bills I began to feel better. I soon got my short legs back and I was up to speed and running once again. So here I was, well again, less than two years old and in a new home. But (change of direction) after being through so much I couldn’t help but wonder. What did fate hold for me now? Would I just be a common cur or was there something special in my future? I enquired about my fate one day to the tall and pleasant old man that I first met in the truck. I said, “Sir, can you tell me what the cards have in store for me?” He simply replied….”I thought you’d never ask……..”
It all seemed to happen so fast! One minute I was in the jailhouse and the next minute I was in the penthouse!!! One day I’m resting on a cold & nasty wire floor and the next minute I’m sleeping in a King Sized Bed!!!! My original name was simply “Max”. I had never even been online until I met this tall grey haired man.
I knew absolutely nothing about High Speed Internet. This man that I mentioned soon began to take me on trips in his truck. Most of the trips centered on an activity that he called “Carpin”. He had some great friends who would slip me bacon from their breakfast and pieces of sandwich from their lunch from time to time. After a time I began to like the tall man who I found out later was a “Captain” of sorts. I also found out that we shared a passion for Honey Buns and occasionally he would pinch off a piece of his and slide it down to me with his large gentle hands.
Each time we would go Carpin’ I would rest. Occasionally when a fish was caught I’d get up to check it out. When I did these things he would take my picture. Soon I began to see the routine. Sleep until a fish is caught and then get up and investigate when one was brought to the landing mat. In almost no time I had this Carpin’ thing licked!!!!
I love this country! Only in America can a four legged low slung, good for nothing hound go from rags to riches!! It is indeed a Cinderella Story and I have enjoyed every chapter! I’ve had my ears scratched by some of the best in the business!! I have grown to love the Captain and the Crew and they have adopted me as their very own. I am no longer just plain “Max”. Through our adventures I have risen to worldwide fame. Hollywood fame often results in a Hollywood name. Because of my amazing experience I am now known from Sea to shining Sea as Maximus Relaximus…The Ultimate Carp Hound!
Every good story has a moral. Perhaps you find yourself locked up in a world of your own. You seem ill and defeated. Maybe you are lonely and in need of a friend to just scratch you ears with a word of kindness or encouragement. Now I “ain’t nothin’ but a Hound Dog” but I do know how my life was changed. You may not make it to the penthouse but I know something that will make you feel better. There is nothing quite like the sharing of food, fun and fellowship to teach an old dog new tricks. Want to know more? Then why not come see us sometime? Where will you find us? Quite often you will find us right here, in the Captain’s Corner.
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I'm almost certain that those weirdo carp you're catching are crucian carp a hybrid between carp and goldfish
We have heard that and thanks for sharing. There seems to be a ton of those at this particular venue!
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Thanks to all for the reading!
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I call it "Bustin' the water!"
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I’m not sure what you call it but here at the Ol Captain’s Quarters we call it “Wallerin’. “ We had wallered so much that we were getting sick of being inside.
I love to read but after a while, you can’t tell the good guys from the bad. The subjects begin to run into the predicates and if you aren’t careful you’ll be mislead by a preposition phrase. I knew when Max quit saying “turn the page” it was time for us to go Carpin’.
It has rained so much recently here in Atlanta that our grass is up past Max’s rudder and my grit bait was beginning to mold! I knew we had to get out of the house this morning regardless of the predicted weather to come.Having no idea that anyone would respond to go with us or even “come see us” the Ultimate Carp Hound and I loaded up last night to be ready for the predetermined departure time this morning.As we walked out the door around 6:30 AM we quickly saw Jim “Hatman” Hatter loading his kit into the truck to join us!!! So the stage was set. The Crew was established and we soon had our sails set for the Outer Banks of southern Lake Allatoona!Within just a short time things were set up and we were ready to go!
I really didn’t know what to expect but not too long after our arrival Jim caught one of our “Weirdo Carp” and I banked a small Common.
It was about that time that two of our all time favorite guests came by to see us!! Who would wander down from Woodstock on a woefully wet day just to see the Carp Hound? I thought you’d never ask! Our guests today were none other than Matt and Garin Holst!!
It is always good to see these two. While Dad and I had a chat young Garin got a lesson from “The Hatman” on how to strategically place a Range Cube in position using what we’d call a slingshot and our friends across the pond call a “Catapult”.
We had a good visit but soon it was time for our guests to leave. I’m not sure why or how but it seems like within an hour or so the water exploded with Carp! They seemed to be everywhere!!!
When the grits finally settled the Hatman and I both had banked four fish apiece! I accounted for a couple more of our “Weirdos” while Jim got a little more serious and put this Common on the bank weighing somewhere between four and forty nine pounds!!
I really don’t know if I should tell the part where the Ol Captain had a Great Ghost of Gold wrap him around a bush that was located just a bit off the coast. I suppose I could share that I waded out, soaked my shorts and submerged my reel in hopes of freeing the beast. I could give you all the details but for now, I think this story will come to an END.
Folks, thanks so much for the reading and come see us when you can!
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Well done!
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Well done!
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Thanks for the reading. We have four grandchildren ages 16, 15, almost 5 and 18 months. I love to see them come and I love to see them go
Three Days with Great Friends and Great Fish!
in Pictures, Stories & Video
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