Fishing that looks just like the Andy Griffith Show can make for a good day. Taking a boat out on the Gulf of Mexico for a saltwater catch is even better.
When most of us think of going fishing, we tend to picture a creek or a pond or fairly lazy, small river with a father and son sitting on a fallen log. Oddly, the vision is in black and white. The father and son bear a striking resemblance to Andy Griffith and Ron Howard. The scene evokes a kind of nostalgia for days gone by, even if you have never spent a day in the woods in your life.
The truth is, a great many people fish that way every weekend. There are families, girls and women included, who have their own traditions and favorite spots to drop a line. Some have camps near a lake or a bayou. Some go miles and miles from home to visit a well-loved spot once a year.
Whether or not you have ever spent an afternoon or, more accurately, very early morning hoping to catch dinner, you may only think of a freshwater feast at the end of a successful day. You may not ever have considered taking a boat out into open water in search of seafood that prefers saltwater to fresh.
The Gulf of Mexico is a rich source of seafood for the entire United States of America. The Gulf Coast supports multi-generational, family owned fishing businesses. It also offers spectacular opportunities for non-professional fishermen to spend a day at sea. Boat rentals and guides are available throughout coastal Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
Forget Moby Dick and Captain Ahab's elusive white whale. Forget Jaws and its impressive mechanical shark. A day on the gulf, relaxing on a boat, watching the gentle swell of the waves, and sipping on a cold drink is a great way to let the world and its stresses to float away.
Once a swimmer tries to sneak off with the bait at the end of your line, however, your get your adrenaline rush and exercise for the day. Depending on the size of the potential catch, you could be in for quite a workout. Brace yourself, take the advice of people who know more than you do about hauling in a big one, and enjoy the challenge. The harder you work for it, the more satisfying it will be. You might even get an epic battle of a fishing tale to tell.
Whether you cook your catch up for dinner, catch and release, or sell your surprise catch of bluefin tuna for an impressive sum, you will never forget the sense of triumph that comes when that fish first flashes in the sunlight as you haul it out of the water. It is not a bad way to spend a day. In fact, you might just find yourself looking forward to it again next year. It could be the start of a new tradition.
