A “floater” can be many things… a transient worker that doesn’t have a home office or dedicated role, that annoying squiggle that glides across your eyeball, a layer of hard alcohol atop a cocktail, or, if you have a first grade sense of humor like me, a buoyant “number two.”
Yesterday, it was a dead largemouth bass slowly drifting along the surface of a local retention pond.
I spotted this bad boy while I was out for a morning walk. You have to go on neighborhood walks early in Florida, before the sun gets high in the sky. You’ll still sweat like a pig due to the suffocating humidity, but at least you won’t incinerate as you’re doing so.
I pass by many small bodies of water during my mostly futile attempts at exercise, and as any angler worth their weight in 4x tippet would do, sneak a peek in the water as I stroll by.
Even if you don’t have any fishing gear on your person, you simply have to look. It’s an involuntary reflex. I’m not even sure what I’m looking for, it’s not like I’m going to see a breaching tarpon or anything. But the same thing also applies while driving, except then you’re more prone to swerving off a bridge upon doing so.
Anyway, this poor chunk of a bass must have seen it’s last day somewhat recently. The fish didn’t look worse for wear. Besides the fact that it was dead of course. There was also a turtle circling it, (fucking turtles), but Donatello didn’t seem to be trying to eat at the carcass. It was more knocking it around with its head, like a half-shelled soccer player might train with a ball.
Makes one wonder how this fish met its final demise. Old age? A victim of a poorly executed catch & release? Mortal Kombat with another creature – be it underwater or from above? Aliens?
I don’t often see many dead fish just floating in the water. Typically, they’re attached to a stringer and it’s opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania. That special day is filled with all forms of carnal warfare and all bets are off. But yesterday? Beats me…
All I can say is rest in peace buddy.
But I’ll probably be back for your friends soon.