What a difference a day makes....

Here is the nice white sand we experienced on Friday:

http://home.centurytel.net/speeder/f...2012-15-08.JPG

Along with some nice, soft water that my kids experienced (remember we are from WI, so this water seemed "warm"):

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After driving for 17 hours back home to Wisconsin, This our white sand:

http://home.centurytel.net/speeder/f...2010-22-14.JPG


The above picture doesnt do our weather justice right now, cause there are 30-40 mph winds that are blowing the [s]snow[/s] sand around!

I had a great week down in gulf shores! I had fun with the family and I a grand total of 1 slot redfish, 1 battle with a Bonita, numerous bluefish, and 7 sheepies that will go in the fry daddy tomorrow! I also have 2# of large shrimp that is going on the grill today with some steaks to celebrate the New Year and to eat while we see our beloved Packers go 15-1!

I wanted to say a special "thanks" to the board for freely sharing information about their fishing. I am a member of a number of bass fishing and fishing boards. Of course those boards are much more guarded with their info. It was refreshing to stumble on your board and experience true help! Thanks to PurpleNGold, Viking Guy, and Finchaser for answering my PM's with a couple of specific questions.

God bless and happy New Year! :headbang:

Looks like the kids will go from foot prints in the sand to making snow angels ;-)

Speederx7, we hope you have a wonderful New Year's Day.

Shrimp and steak go great together!

It was a true honor sharing the railing and the rock with you a few times, and I hope you can make it back down again in the future.

I perceived you as a true fisherman--friendly, knowledgeable, and enjoying both the sport of it while having patience during times of waterbite.

I wish the Specks didn't have such lockjaw this past week. Feel free to send me your addy--I'll be glad to overnight a few to you next time I make a collection so you can at least try some.

Most of the time, anglers will keep secrets (sometimes greedily) so they can benefit from the harvest without competition from others. I personally enjoy sharing information that will be beneficial to others, because I see our human existance as a cooperative. I find it quite unfair to let others venture blindly into a useless pathway and observe from afar with judgmental eyes. My experiences have taught me that helping others will mean there will be others helping you when necessary.

As for the Sheepshead, since you have plenty to play with--let me offer a simple recipe for you.

Get a baking pan and place foil on it. Do not bother removing scales or skin. Simply remove the gills and entrails--leaving fish whole. Butterfly the fish halfway through. Do not use any seasons other than a fish rub--I prefer Emeril's due to its mild nature. Rub all the exposed meat with the fish rub. Then, cut up a lemon (Meyer's Lemons are hands down THE BEST for fish flavoring), and place some slices under the butterflied sections and in the cavaties of the fish.

Now, that's it. Bake it on middle oven rack at 400-415 degrees for about 25-35 minutes, and BAM. You will have a delightful Sheepshead meal where you get to taste the true quality of the fish. The skin and scales will harden upon one another so that you can simply peel them off in whole sheets once removed from the oven--and leaving them on keeps the moisture inside the meat--making the fish very moist and delicious.

I have a feeling you'll strongly prefer that method to frying once you get to taste it, and it is easier and much less mess involved than frying.

Anyhow, I am glad your trip went smoothly, and hopefully we'll see you again this year.

Good to know we gave you some helpful tips. As much as I hate the cold weather, I like the pic of y'all snow. Brings back memories of living in WA state. Take care and stay warm, thanks for visiting the Gulf Coast. Come see us soon!

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Glad to hear that you were able to use some of the info offered up. Turn up the heat and come back soon.
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