I thought the moon would be a lot brighter.....

   There's something about fishing at night on the water. Whether it's the solitude, the quiet, the calm, whatever. I decided I wanted to go kayak night fishing on a saltwater pond in Rhode Island. I chose Quonny Pond in Charlestown,RI (aka Quonchonotaug Pond) to do a little fishing out on the water. I did it once up in New Hampshire on a small pond near my Aunt's cabin.  But the black flies ruined any chance of catching something.

   The waters were calm, a slight breeze, high tide came in at 9pm, and the full moon was out to help light my way. I started out at the ramp and got situated in my kayak's seat. Once out on the water, I got my Eagle Cuda 350 FF/GPS set up, lighted my mast, and clicked on all 4 LED lights on my ball cap.

   It's amazing how easy it is to lose one's way around in total darkness and on the water no less! Now, granted the moon was out and was quite a nice sight out on the water, the incoming tide had set me adrift almost a a half a mile in a matter of minutes!  As big as the moon was, I really thought it would be a lot brighter!

   Not far from the launch ramp after setting out, I almost hit another kayak fisherman, who sat in total darkness WITHOUT a lighted beacon. There was at least 3 other fishermen that were fishing out of kayaks that night. I could barely see his yellow kayak sitting in the shadows. Next, as I was drifting into the larger portion of the pond itself, I narrowly missed a marker buoy that also wasn't lit up either!
 
    At one point, I paddled around closer to an outcropping of a raised grassy area and saw what looked like another unlighted beacon. As I approached closer to try and get my bearings straight, a man called out to ask if I caught anything yet. I won't lie here, but I nearly crapped myself when he spoke!!! Of course I said "no." to catching anything. I told him I was unfamiliar with the area. He said, "You'll get used to it the more you do it..."  I thought, used to what? Fishing in total darkness on a saltwater pond? Or, crapping myself in my kayak in the middle of the dark on the water? Seriously, what could be funnier than that???
 
   After paddling blindly for nearly an hour, I decided that this would be more fun if I just came out during the day so I can search for deeper waters without being spooked by other kayak anglers, fishermen, other oddities at night on unfamiliar ground.

   Going back there this afternoon to get a better feel for the area. Maybe I can can catch something other than a good scare!