Hello, folks. Tight Line Jr. here, and I’m hoping everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving and a fine weekend.
I know the tides have been running a little high lately, but I think by the middle of next week they will be looking better for some fishing.
I still would like it to cool down a little more because of the sand gnats. Well, you know what the old timers say: “When the gnats are biting, the fish are biting.”
I do have a couple of reports from around St. Simons and Harris Neck. My friend Mickey Parker and his party were fishing out of Harris Neck and caught the limit on spottail and even were able to keep a few trout.
Mickey also said they caught some small catch-and-release trout. It was enough for a fish fry, so it wasn’t a bad day.
Ed Russell was fishing a little south of us and caught five spottail bass, 10 sheepshead and a few whiting. Now throw in some fried shrimp and some fried new potatoes and that’s a good afternoon in the backyard watching the game.
I love this time of year when people and family are always getting together to cook and eat. Fishing is a fine sport to bring people together. The next time you go fishing, try to take a young person or someone with you who never has wet a hook. Whether or not you catch anything (and hopefully you will), it’s always a good day out on the river. It’s an experience they won’t soon forget.
If you need bait, here is where to go. Yellow Bluff Marina has live shrimp, minnow and fiddlers. It also has live crab for sale. Sunbury Crab Company and Marina have live shrimp, minnows and a variety of fresh frozen bait. Half Moon has live shrimp, and Big Rudy at Sunbury Country Store has worms, frozen shrimp, squid and finger mullet. Last but not least, the Midway Feed and Supply has a mixture of freshwater and saltwater bait.
Ol’ Tight Line always said, “If you do go fishing, remember to keep a tight line.”
I say, “Hit the docks, keep a sharp eye and watch that cork go down.”
 I would like to say thank you to the Cloyd family for the to-go plate and meal. Thank you to the Carter family for a generous portion of turkey and dressing and a few sweets. That is one thing about living at the coast — you always can find people who will welcome you into their home and feed you a warm meal.
At my house, I remember Mrs. Kitty would not let you leave without eating something, and it was always good. And that is how it was for me this Thanksgiving. 
God bless our troops and God bless all you good folks out there. Now get out there and wet a hook. It’s good for your soul.

Your buddy,
Tight Line Jr.