Lindsey says that many times storytellers don’t always tell the WHOLE story, leaving out some of the things that didn’t go quite right. On this particular day, crappie were caught but there were some not-so-fun trials and tribulations getting there.
The Reel Deal: That Day That Got Away
by Lindsey Lucas
It was a perfect Saturday afternoon – bright, sunny and a comfortable 80 degrees so the family decided to take a trip to the lake.
As Dad and I started to get the boat all loaded and packed, we noticed we had a tire that was looking a little low on air. Dad mentioned how it is an odd size so he had yet been able to find a spare. But he wasn’t too concerned because the tires were new.
Dad and I also had to fix our Garmin LiveScope because a huge hailstorm broke the unit’s rod and bracket. But a quick trip for some PVC plastic piping and glue and that was soon taken care of. We also got the low tire pumped up and off we went.
Windows down, country music blaring and all of us singing along probably sounded a little scary – or funny – to everyone else on the road. But we didn’t care. We were all excited since it has been too long since we’d hit the lake on such a beautiful day.
A loud “Pop,” deflated our enthusiasm as well as the questionable trailer tire, which popped off the rim catapulting us into what could have been a dangerous situation.
On the interstate with other cars zooming past at 75 miles per hour, Dad flipped on the blinker and began to carefully weave his way to the shoulder of the road.
It took three phone calls but he found someone who had the tire we needed, but they told us it would be a while because they were already on other calls.
We had already gotten a late start so after a two-hour wait, it was about 4 o’clock before help finally arrived, getting us back on the road. We finally arrived at the lake at 6 o’clock, two hours before sunset. But it was the best two hours for fishing so we refused to be deterred.
Dad and I knew there was only one way to get as many fish in the boat as possible and that was to cover as much water as fast as possible. We pulled out the good old reliable PICO crankbaits and started trolling them on B’n’M Diamond Series Jig Poles.
With only two hours to fish, we were a long way away from our six limits of crappie. But we still caught a bunch of dandies and had an amazing time. Things may not have gone exactly as planned, but we still had fun and made the time we had well worth it.
But on the way home, I told Dad, with a smile “The next time I see a funny-looking trailer tire, and no spare, I might be encouraging you to make ‘other arrangements’ before we hit the road.”
He smiled back and said, “Good advice.”
Lindsey Lucas, 16, is obsessed with all things outdoors. She dreams of becoming an accomplished outdoor media provider and influencer. She hopes the tips and experiences she shares will prove inspirational for other young men and women in her Gen Z age group.
