It was a matter of patience and spring looked a lot closer every day. I was definitely feeling much better, until I woke up one morning and watch the thermometer sinking into the teens. I couldn't believe it. The weather dudes were even talking about the possibility of snow. Holy mackerel!! -- I stood up and decided I was not going to let this bother me. I called my fishing partner RT and rapidly packed up the "Otto B. Fishin' " and headed down to the coast to look for grouper.

We're launching my boat at the Lighthouse ramp (picture above), and we were surprised to see it was incredibly calm, but cold. As we go out the boat basin I thought I had seen lots of white lily pads floating ahead of us. I get closer and say: "this can't be white lily pads...???" -- and Randy said: "those aren't lily pads Otto, those are jelly fish" --- jelly fish in February?? --- Well, both of us were wrong. It was ice. Yes, ice floating at the end of the boat ramp. We proceeded carefully and as we get farther, we discovered ourselves surrounded by icebergs. I looked around thinking I was going to see the Channel 6 weather dudes on a helicopter, but there wasn't a soul to be found.

I was witnessing a once in a lifetime event in history: a glacial period in Apalachee Bay! I anchored near the St. Marks Reef and picked the nicest iceberg. I threw my lure and let it sink under the iceberg and reeled it back in slowly. To my surprised, I hooked a nice grouper. RT did the same and had the same luck. Oh My! Grouper hiding under the icebergs!!!! Never heard of it. I had the best fishing story of the decade. I was ready to make the front page of National Geographic, or at the very least, Jerry's website.

To make the long story short, too cold outside around the "big bergs" so we headed up the river. To our surprise, the river was also surrounded by icebergs and snow. After casting a few times, Randy caught a nice bass on a crankbait, again, this fish was hidden underneath an iceberg. Freezing, we decided to call it the day. It was more important to us to head back into town and get this news update to the tv stations and reporters so they too could witness this phenomenon...

From this point on everything was a little blurry in my mind... perhaps because I was exposed to the elements for a several hours. My phone is ringing loudly and as I reach to answer it, I discovered myself at home, waking up from the worst nightmare I've ever had: ice all over our bay! -- And that's my fishing story and I'm stickin' to it!
I didn't make National Geographic magazine, but hopefully, Scott will publish it in his website. Hurry up Spring! We're all waiting... Thanks, Otto Hough.