Thanks to the good heart of one of the great folks on this forum, who wishes not to be named, I was asked to take someone out on a guided trip on his behalf. So today I had the honor of spending the morning, with one of our nations finest, SSG randolf from the 1st Calvary Division on FT.Hood TX. Today was much more than a fishing trip, it was fellowship amongst two souls who have shared what it means to be a soldier and serve this great country the sacrifices this man has made, .. it can never be repayed. It was a beautiful , cool morning, and he caught his first crappie ever today. We culled thru lots of smaller fish, and ended with a decent mess of fish for him to eat. Having never ate crappie it will surely be a meal to remember.
SLAB BANDITS IN TEXAS TOAST, and small minnows worked best today. They are 8 to 24 feet, sitting right deep in the brush, many times the piles looked barren on sonar, bit this time of year, they like to hide deep in the brushpiles and u wont always see them, So if the depth is right, and u know its historically a good pile, fish it.
Heres a pic of the first crappie he ever caught.

no monsters today but a couple of the nice ones.

Thanks for sharing Steve.
Also I would like to send my deepest THANKS to SSG Randolf for his service to our great country...
Thanks Both!!!
Jigum

Good going Steve!

I second that!

+3

Thanks SSG Randolph for the sacrifices you made for me and my family personally. Thanks to the one who remains secret that paid for this. (That's God's way of doing it right there)Steve, thank you for taking this young man fishing. You are awesome!

Thanks SSG Randolf for your service. Way to go Steve !!!

a special thanks to both of you for serving our country! new memories made today. SSG Randolf will certainly have a fond memory once he bites into that crappie.Great gesture by the anonymous giver.very kind of Steve to take him out.

Steve, Thank you kindly for the trip, I really had a blast. Haven't had that much fun since Iraq. Huge thanks to the gentleman who donated the trip. We were definitely finding the fish. If anyone considers going out with Steve I highly recommend him as a guide. He knew where the fish were, how to catch them and has a great personality while fishing. Huge thanks to everyone. -SSG Randolph

It was like fishing with a lifelong friend today, and it was very enjoyable guiding you. let us know how those crappie fillets taste. and don't be a stranger on the forum, lots of good folks on here, and ive met and made some good friends here over the years.
call me next week and lets go put the smackdown on some doves!!

welcome to the forum! Enjoy those crappie.i know you had a great time w/steve,good people right there,and can catch'em too.Thanks for what you and Steve do and have done for our country! not go forth and enjoy those crappie!

Thanks for your effort Steve. I'm sure it will be a day long remembered.