Mike L

Thank You! Mike

If you’re open to staying at other properties instead of just Roland’s place, there are motels and an historic hotel (which is where I stay for overnight tournaments) all up and down SR 27. I’m thinking of entering one of those tournaments in February you mentioned. If I do and you still decide to come, let me know. I’ll try to point you in the right direction as much as I can. If you want to try someplace else not on your list consider Lake Istokpoga. That time of the year anyplace you go down here can be worth it. Mike The North and East side of the lake are my favorites out of Driver that time of the year also. Certain areas up there is the best Carolina rig and frog water on the lake. Mike

As I agreed with earlier…. I’ll stay with what works while it’s working However, If I’m struggling to find what works, I still won’t ned, drop, shake or wack. I’ll find something else Mike

Ditto Mike

Everything…

Always felt the same way.. Some people take “call if you need me” literally. All I need to know is where you’re at, the why doesn’t matter. Mike

My Dad a member of the “Greatest Generation”, always had a problem telling anyone he loved them. Wife, kids, grandkids didn’t matter. He was the definition of “You know I do so why should I tell you” thought process. Some of that was passed on to me. As I’ve gotten older it comes much easier now than it ever has. Even giving another man a hug…. Why does it seem that when we greet another man with a cursory hug, we always pat each other on the back, but don’t when we hug a woman?? Maybe you don’t and it doesn’t happen to you, but it does by me and to me. Mike

Excellent rods! Buy with confidence Mike

Prayers sent for Dad and your family. Mike

Craw for on the bottom or a swim worm depending on the water. Mike

My first experience in tournament fishing was as a co angler in a local club in 2010. Some of the things I learned that first season I never knew and practice most today. After a few years I joined another whose schedule made it possible to fish them both every month. A year later I wanted even more. I started with the TBF, BFL and BASS Nations. During the next 8 years I won a BFL Florida State Championship, qualified for 3 Regional Championship’s and qualified for 9 consecutive Florida BASS Nations Championships, again all as a co angler. I’m my late 60’s, I competed in Opens and been invited to enter in the last 3 Toyota Series. I slowed down a lot because of 2 spinal fusions but still wasn’t ready to quit. Fir the past few years I decided to Marshal a few Elites tournaments which ended up being the greatest learning experiences I ever had in bass fishing. Mike

Ditto Always have that much in a money clip in my front pocket. Don’t like sitting a big wallet Mike

I really don’t know Don. Parts of Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda have been restored and into North Port. There are wide areas still completely cut off and impassable. Mike

So I’m sitting in my back porch (we call them lania’s) and see a guy with a safety vest walk by. He says “ hello sir, we’re finally here” Went to the front and saw 7 line trucks and a pole truck from Missouri and Texas coming down the street!! I almost cried! ? I ran down the driveway and offered them anything they wanted to drink and anything I had left in the fridge! They all smiled…I brushed a tear ? Mike

@Don51 I thought about you guys. Glad you left and have power. FPL set up a stand in Targets lot where they have each street designated fir restoration, they have us slated for Friday. They have to put up a new pole and run new lines. Power’s coming back a lot faster than anyone expected. After the last one I guess they rebuilt a lot instead of just repairing. Mike

Update… Still no power but it’s supposed to be working by next week. We’ll see. It took 9 days to get it after Charlie and this one was much much worse. Very low water pressure and now under a boil water notice. Curfew extended from 10:00 pm to 6:00am Portable showers and hand washing stations are being put up in parking lots. Sitting in a parking lot to send this as we still have very spotty cell and internet service Of Course no mail or trash pick up Me and my neighbors are getting texts and phone messages (when they get through) offering tree cutting/clearing, and roof repair services from all over the state. Don’t know how these people find our numbers!! Had 2 guys stop at the house On the positive side…, There are electrical line trucks all over. I’ve seen some from all over the South and North East. FEMA, National Guard, Army Corps of Eng, and Sheriff Dept Deputies from all over the state are doing what they can Red Cross and local church’s and organizations are setting up free water, food and MRE locations all over. Gas station lines are still backed up at all hours curfew or not. Nobody is bothering anybody. As the power comes on more stations will be opening which really help. There are portable commercial generators supplying most of critical care and shopping stores which remain open. Building supply and the larger hardware stores are open and finally flush with generators and other rebuilding type products. The crazy thing is Mrs Mike and I are scheduled to leave on a 8 day cruise to Bermuda Saturday morning! We keep going back and forth trying to decide if we should just go or not. I know there’s nothing to do, But….. As bad as it is here there are folks who have it worse. Cape Coral, Fort Myers, the barrier Islands especially Sanibel, in some cases are worse. I hope all the other members on here from all over Florida are safe. Thank You all again for your well wishes. Mike

Thanks Mike Been there for 35 yrs and Its the only house we’ve ever owned. It’s been through 2 direct hits of Cat 4 hurricanes and still standing! It’s my castle and I won’t leave it. Mike

Here’s some pictures of my home…..

Hey Fellas! I’ve been trying to access the internet and sign on since Thursday but we have extremely low internet signals. So I tried again and the site finally loaded after 1/2 hr Things are just a mess It came ashore 15 miles from me on Cayo Costa Island just outside of Charlotte Harbor. They say it hit with 155 mph winds which is 2mph short of a Cat 5! I heard today that some barrier islands are gone. I was in the eye wall for 10 solid hours! Charlie in 2004 had 140 mph winds but it came through quick and was much smaller. This thing was a monster and only moved at 8 mph. At this point you all know more than me. We have no power, internet, phone service and extremely low water pressure which I don’t trust. I assume we’re on a boil water notice but don’t know for sure. We are living on canned goods cooked on a 1 burner grill and bottled water for everything, propane is in very short supply. 2 of the 3 hospitals are taking patients but only for the worst cases. It's almost impossible to find gas to keep the generators running. If we find a station open, lines are literally mile long to get into one. I heard people are sleeping in thier vehicles to hold thier spot when the station closes or runs out and wait for the next tanker to show up. People are at intersections looking for pick up trucks with gas cans in the bed and offering 100.00 each for them!!! Our main road through the county (US 41) is closed in both directions across the Peace river!! I 75 is closed in both directions because a dam of the Myakka river broke and flooded the road!! Yes, the water is so high it flooded the interstate bridge over the river! I couldn't believe it. The Sanibel Island bridge collapsed! People are stranded on the island and can't get off. They are using armored cars to reach people because some the local residential streets are impassable and people are cut between intersections. There is debris and electrical lines down all over. The one servicing my street was laying across my driveway. The only places that has gas and stores opened is in Sarasota Co and points north. My son in law left at 3:00 am and still had to wait hours In Bradenton to get gas. They're saying no power to everyone for 2-4 weeks or more depending on where you live. Wednesday 91% of the county had no power, this morning it's down to 70% so they're making progress. There are trucks here from all over the SE and Texas so like most things it’ll just be a matter of time. A gas can is absolute gold here. IF you can find one they'll only sell 1 at a time. My neighbors and I are sharing what cans we have as we’re trying to keep everyone’s refrigerators on. We’re creating our own rolling blackouts just to have the basics. We’re trying to help each other as best we can. I went to Home Depot this morning st 6:00 and the line was around to the back and side of the store!! Cash only anywhere you go and some stores won’t give change! Which I know they have because they’re only receiving cash! My home is ok Thank God. I have (had) 2 huge heritage oaks on 2 sides of me that are almost blown clean. One branch of the biggest which is 5 ft wide snapped of the main trunk and blocked 2 streets. A part of someone’s roof is in a tree 30ft up. My daughters home is almost unlivable. Her’s is on the river 5 miles up. She had a 14ft storm surge that just took most things with it. One of her chairs is on her roof!!! I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back on but things will slowly start to get better. Everything in its own time. It’s gonna be long time before things get back to normal but as they say… Everything in it’s own time This too shall pass., When the signals come back I’ll post some aftermath photos and a few videos. Mrs Mike and I Thank You all so much for all your best wishes and prayers. They mean everything Mike

Winds picking up, expected landfall at 2:13 as high Category 4 low 5 Power and internet going off and on, gonna lose it soon. You guys down here take care of yourselves and your families, everything else can be replaced See you all on the flip side. Mike

Yep Sorry, I should have said that also. Mike

“Inches Per Turn” The amount of line in inches retrieved every time the handle makes one complete revolution Mike

Thanks Pal! Mike

Yep The eye went over my house. It was one of the most strangest things I’ve ever experienced. Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte we’re almost taken off the map. I had 140 mph winds at the house. If it doesn’t change this one seems to be on the exact track as it was supposed to land in Tampa but made a right turn and came up Charlotte Harbor into the Peace River and points north and east. Mike