"Ann start the motors!" I leaned up from the side of the boat (where I happened to be puking), saw my dad holding our TLD 25, and watching the line scream off the rod. "This is going to be fun!" I thought to myself. In less than a minute, we were already half spooled. "This could take a while!" my dad said between strokes. I jumped up, started the engines, and then joined Sydney in clearing the rods. The fish ran like there was no tomorrow, and the fight was on!
"Turn left! Hard right! Nuetral! Reverse!" I don't know how many times I heard these come out of my dad's mouth, but it was worth it! The first time I saw the leader my heart skipped a beat. I saw the shark, a majestic fish in itself, and my heart skipped a few beats. You can't describe the feeling. It's hard to say whether it's fear, adrenaline, excitement, or just pure joy. But whatever I felt when I saw that fish was a feeling I hope to feel again.
After several times seeing the leader, the tail, and the shark itself; after 2 hours of driving, steering, moving stuff around, and watching my dad fight the fish, the time had come: time to slay this slob! My dad handed the rod to me, I backed off the drag, and I handed him the shotgun. BOOM! The first shot was in and the shark was dead. Three seconds later the flying gaff was in his gills. BANG! The second shot was in its head. Dead as a doornail!
Now, what to do with this fish!
We got two tail ropes on him and put two gaffs in him. A little discussion, and we decided to try and get him in the boat (or at least as much as possible). We walked him around the back and managed to get the tail in the boat, but he wasn't going to make it through the door. Realizing that we were going to have to drag him home, we tied him off, and began our slow ride in.
When we pulled into the marina, Chuck and Charles helped us haul the fish onto the scales. We were shocked to see that our fish weighed in at 373.5 lbs! Thanks to everyone at the marina for all of your help. Mary - Thanks for the pics!
To all you nonbelievers, you don't need the mega macho man team to slay a big fish. All it takes is teamwork, communication, and cooperation. Sydney (7 yrs. old), myself (12 yrs. old), and my dad make quite a team, if you ask me! We may not have all the skill in the world, but we're a family team and that's all that matters!
The site is saying that my pics are too big for the program!
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Top notch anglers and family indeed!
Sorry to hear you were sick, I bet you forgot all about it when that rod lit up and the excitement was on!
It makes me smile so much to see and family so together as you and your family are! Your entire family are awesome and its been such a pleasure watching and working with you guys on the boat and seeing all your accomplishments so far in life and you are only 12 years old!
I share your photos and stories around the office and down to Contender because I think its so neat what you and you guys do as a family team and I am very proud to have you guys as friends, pro-staff and customers!
Congrat's Ann, Sydney and Matt!
Life doesn't get any better than this, It's just awesome!
May there be many more! Can't wait to see you guys in the billfish action!
Ann what a axcellent report! I felt like I was in the boat watching you all.
That is a great feet and you all should be very proud that you got it all together and hung the shark.
I have a feeling we will be seeing the Mob Squad owning the marina board this year. Watch out timmy
Anngler,
this is a fine report. Exceptional writing. Your spirit and love for family and the sport come through loud and clear.
Once again congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment. Thanks for sharing it with all of us and, last but not least, keep writing!
SeaBiscuit
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373.5 LBS. THRESHER
My dad handed the rod to me, I backed off the drag, and I handed him the shotgun. BOOM! The first shot was in and the shark was dead. Three seconds later the flying gaff was in his gills. BANG! The second shot was in its head. Dead as a doornail!
Thanks to everyone at the marina for all of your help. Mary - Thanks for the pics!
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