A Sunday in the Off-season

It is still winter, but we are getting through the worst part. Yes, this is a fishing blog, but; it isn't fishing season and I don't wanna leave this site empty, so during the wait for fishing, I'll talk about some other interests until the water thaws.

It was Sunday morning, and I was in Marshalltown to kill time. An odd hobby of mine is walking down to the railroad. I've always loved trains, so I fleeted down 12th Ave and watched a few trains pass by the city. It was an oddly warm January day so I was out for quite awhile, and saw a total of 8 trains (did not get pics, but I do have pics on my laptop from the past I can share). After "railfanning" for a couple hours I got hungry, and had a couple dollars in the wallet. Haley's market located on Swayze Street was the spot for an afternoon meal. My grandfather lived in that area when I was young and I was at the store a lot in my early years, even before I knew how to fish or play basketball! I prefer the chicken legs, mashed potatoes and gravy, with a side of green beans and a dinner roll, so I went with that. After the enjoyment of my lunch I walked back to my Grandmother's house, to visit a little. I turned on the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls game, I enjoy watching Derrick Rose play, but in a hard battle, they lost 93-97. The sun was setting after that, and I was picked up to go to my home, in Green Mountain. It was an enjoyable day, but it was not something new, its pretty much a routine for me in the colder stage of the year, when I can't fish, and need to improvise to keep 'entertained'.

Hope you enjoyed this non-fishing article, and found out a little more about me, off the water and when the poles and boat are in storage, I plan to do this routine till March or so until its fishing again, I will also post other stories about my basketball season, music, and other hobbies until fishing arrives to keep this site active.

A picture of a UP train in Marshalltown, in 2011, one of many i've seen.

Getting to know me.

Hello, you have reached Jer Ridout's fishing blog. This is a site where I will talk about fishing of course, some tips, my stories, and pictures!

I grew up in Marshalltown Iowa, my father was a good angler himself, fishing tournaments in the 80's and 90's. I started out honestly with a passion for the game of basketball, but that soon faded. I got hooked into fishing when I got my first keeper bass, at age 8. Although it was luck, I was interested in it deeply. I started fishing for panfish for starts, casual bobber, sinker and a nightcrawler, at a local pond. As I grew older, I got into more challenging stuff, BASS FISHING! I wasn't the best at the start, but as the years went by, I learned. I knew that I really wanted to persuit this in just a way of recreation, in effect; I bought my own boat at age 16. A 10 foot Basshound Boat was enough to keep me satisfied, no; it does not work well on big lakes at all, but on no wake lakes it is great. Even though I love Bass fishing, Crappie, Bluegill, and other panfish are sought by me. I don't eat Bass, I do eat Bluegills, Crappies Ect, however. Last of all, I would like to share some of my favorite gear used on the water. My favorite pole would have to be the Berkley AMP. Lure would be Producto Tournament worms or a Hot Rod Baits tube. Line would be a 12 pound test, and any of the lines are fine with me; Stren, Spiderwire, Trilene, Ect. Now on to the good stuff!

It is a new year! Another year of getting up, watching a beautiful sunrise, putting your boat on the lake, and  most of all, CATCHING SOME FISH! Last year was a great year, buying a boat, meeting some fantastic people associated in fishing, and catching some memorable fish. Making it as far as Brushy Creek Lake (located in northwest Iowa, near Fort Dodge) and just fishing in some city ponds. My best largemouth last year was a 3.6 pounder from a Marshalltown city pond. My best Smallmouth, was 4 pounds out of the Iowa River! With the success of last year, I am hoping and expecting the same or even better in 2012, and feel free to look at my posts as the year goes on!

Pic of two 3 lb IA River Smallies in 2011. My favorite pic!