DVR made this day possible – my usual time off from work to watch 'hoops day 1' was replaced by casting. An old Ovid partner from years gone by joined me from 10-3:30 and we were met with 3' of vis & 50ish degree surface temps. My buddy reminded me that when we used to frequent the lake we averaged 8 boated per trip…I mentioned that 8 per year might be closer to the current state of expections on the puddle! Anyway, a healthy looking 42"er smoked my manta 2 hours in and we had 2 other 3' models show some mild interest…I left them both for the boat partner and he couldn't quite seal the deal, unfortunately. We also ran into a very dead 42-43" that gave up her ghost quite awhile ago – maybe last fall by CSI-ing the carcass. Other than that it was a good waterfowl show for those into such things (mergs, woodies, hoodies, ringnecks, buffleheads…and of course geese everywhere). All in all a fun day on the water that wrapped up a stellar late-2011 -to- 2012 pre-close season!