ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC

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Video 6
Well, I promised a full report about the Giant Redfish Trip with Extreme Measures Charters that I won in the contest sponsored by Sportsfishermen.com, and here it is.

I was announced as the contest winner on August 16th, and then it was just a matter of coordinating with Capt. Brian Harrington to find a time that fit our schedules - while the fish were still available! That date was settled for Sunday, 25 September. Cathy and I drove down from Norfolk to Morehead City on Saturday. It's a trip of just about 200 miles, and we had been there twice already this year for charters on RUN-OFF. We stayed with a friend on Saturday night.

We were supposed to meet Capt. Brian at 0830 at the marina in town where RUN-OFF is moored, but he called earlier to change the location. He had to "find bait" way up the river, so we drove to Sea Gate Marina off Hwy 101 to meet him. We were underway by 0830 on his 25 Contender with twin F150 Yamaha - sweet ride. It took us almost an hour to get to our first stop (pretty choppy in the river), anchored in about eight feet of water just upwind from a shoal area at "Drum Spot #1". Capt Brian had six lines out by 0940, all with fresh bait that he had gotten in the cast net that morning. First fish on in less than ten minutes, and second fish boated by a few minutes after 10am. Third "Big Red" followed shortly thereafter, then nothing but "critters" cleaning the hooks, so we got underway at 1050 and headed for "Drum Spot #2".

This was a shallow shoal area on the other side of the river, and it had been producing reds busting bait on the surface. We drifted this area for a while, but saw no surface action and no action on the lines in the water. So, back across to the west side of the river, anchoring in "Drum Spot #3" in 12-feet of water by 1230. No action at all, so shifted back to "Drum Spot #1" by 1300. First fish at 1315, just as Capt. Brian was filling his mouth with a big bite of pie! A beautiful fish, largest so far today. We hooked up with two more "Big Reds", and each seemed larger than the previous ones. All fish were handled gently and released the same way - to swim away for another fight, on another day.

By 1500 we had managed six big Redfish, and I thought we had a great day. Ready to call it, head for the barn, and then the drive back to Norfolk. Captain Brian's response was, "If you want me to take you back I will, but I really think you should stay out until sunset". Seemed that our Captain had two other agendas - one was to make us cry for mercy, and the other was to get his total Redfish release for the year to 700! He had started the day with 680, so we just needed 14 more! He promised we'd quit by 1930..

I took a moment to reflect on what had brought us to this point. I had written an essay, to enter a contest, to take my best friend, my fishing buddy, my wife, out on a Giant Redfish Trip with the best Captain available. How could I now end it "early", when the promise of more fish was just a few hours away, and I was only worried about driving back home? So I succumbed to the entreaties of the Captain and Cathy, and we slowly repositioned to "Drum Spot #5", to wait for the Sun to settle to "four fingers above the horizon". We managed an additional five (5) Big Reds here, enjoying a beautiful sunset. Each fish was a gift, a wonderful experience with a noble animal, and it was a joy to see them swim away after release. We didn't quite make it until 1930 - Cathy's foot really started to bother her so we called it a day at 1915 and headed back to Sea Gate.

We were off the boat at 2030, then headed home. With a couple of pit stops, a food stop and a fuel stop, it was 0045 when we arrived home in Norfolk. Another hour before unpacked, showered, and in the sack, then up early for work - at least for me. I left Cathy sleeping...

Some points to mention or emphasize:
1. Capt Brian almost never stops moving. He was constantly checking lines, rebaiting, recasting. I did some, but only a small fraction. The man is obsessed - but that is a good thing.
2. The fish were handled almost reverently. All had the hooks removed in the water, and some were released immediately. Those that were brought aboard for a "brownie moment" were back in the water, revived, and swimming away in short order. This precious resource was well-protected by Capt. Brian.
3. The 25 Contender is a great platform. Fast, dry, and great in the 2+ foot chop on the river. Easy to fish from, with lots of flat, open space.
4. Capt. Brian is happy to teach, to share information. He answered every question I asked in my endeavor to learn why we were doing certain things.
5. As always, our guest "videographer" - aka Wahoonbox - was great to have onboard. He didn't play "Mate" today, just concentrated on recording this fantastic experience for us. (He did have to haul the anchor a couple of times... )
6. Extreme Measures Charters is the "go-to guy" if you want to fish out of Morehead City. Whether it be the 25 Contender or RUN-OFF, Capt. Brian - and Marty - will take great care of you, and PUT YOU ON THE FISH.

I would like to thank Capt. Brian Harrington, Marty Hiatt, and our "ADMIN" John here on Sportfishermen.com for sponsoring this contest. Also Eppe four for selecting me as the winner.

I would like to thank my lovely wife for sharing her life with me, and for sharing her glorious smile and happiness here on SFC.com, for all of you to see.

I have included a few more pictures, and there will be a video link added soon.

Brian

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~Here is the story that won the trip ~

You've already seen my name in an entry above - I am the Brian that belongs to Cathy. Now for my side of the story...

Many of us can look back over our life and, perhaps, see a few things that we would have done differently. Some of us more than others. I can look back at the way I lived some aspects of my life, and know for certain that I did NOT deserve the wonderful opportunity for happiness that came my way when Cathy drifted into my life about six years ago. Yes, she was sick with the big "C", but she was not done fighting and only needed some help - and some love.

Cathy and I found each other and, as she relates above, we also found fishing. Both of us had fished earlier in our lives, but not the way we do now. We bought a small boat, then a bigger boat. We accumulated a lot of gear. Our experience and our knowledge increase each time we fish by ourselves, or bring a knowledgeable "HO" out with us, or crew on someone else's boat, or splurge on a charter. We have been fortunate to fish on RELEASE with Capt. Rom Whittaker three times, and on RUN-OFF with Capt Brian and Marty twice this past Spring.

While we have some "non-fishing" friends, fishing has become the centerpiece of our recreational and social life. More importantly, it has become the focus of Cathy's ongoing struggle to keep her spirits up, to fight through the lasting remnants of past chemo and radiation therapy - in short, to keep the monster at bay and to live and experience life to the fullest she can manage.

We all have our responsibilites, our tasks, our burdens, our role in life. My role, at this stage of my life, is no burden. It is my privilege and my honor to take care of, and provide for, this woman. Cathy doesn't ask me for expensive clothes, fancy perfume, or fine wines. No need for lavish restaurants, pricey cars, or fur coats. She is happy with modest living, fast-food, and cheap beer. She doesn't demand high-end vacations, beauty salon treatments, or symphony concerts.

BUT, Cathy does ask for GOLD reels, and top-shelf bait, and charters on the best boats. She needs a "fishing-fix" several times a week or becomes hard to live with. Right now she is recuperating from a foot injury, and I had to roll her down to our dock in our dockcart, so she could dangle a line in the water - and drink a beer. My best friend, my bride, my wife, is addicted to fishing... and I have to provide the "fix".

So, I REALLY NEED TO WIN this fantastic trip with Capt. Brian Harrington, as Cathy has set her cap for it. If I don't manage to win it and take her down to Morehead City to fish for red drum with Capt. Brian, then my life will not only be hell around here, but my actual well-being could be at risk. Save me from the wrath of this fishing fanatic - award me the trip with Capt. Brian, so I can take Cathy fishing...

But, you may well ask, why must it be this trip? Capt. Brian Harrington, "the Beast", is also THE BEST. He has clearly earned his reputation as a fishing magician, a man who can not only find the fish, but enjoys doing it, and loves to impart his knowledge to those who want to learn. So, if I am taking the BEST LADY I've ever known fishing, then it should be with the BEST CAPTAIN available.

Here she is, on our dock...
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Extreme Measures Charters

[WAHOONBOX]

YOU HAD TO OF BEEN THERE...WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE DETERMINATION CATHY DISPLAYED ON THIS BEAUTIFUL/WINDY DAY.

SHE HAS ENDURED UNFAIR & HARSH ILLNESS IN YEARS PAST AND STILL DEALS WITH IT TODAY....I LOVE HER AS A FRIEND AND PRAY FOR HER DAILY.....AND TO TOP IT OFF....SHE HAS BEEN HOBBLING AROUND WITH A BROKEN FOOT!! ....A BROKEN FOOT IN A NASTY HEADSEA-CHOP!! ........

FISHIN WITH THE BEAST IS GRUELING.....IT'S NOT FOR THE MEAK....NOSIREEE.......SHE TOOK THE PAIN!! NEVER COMPLAINING........

CATHOD...."I TIP MY RIGGERS"

[Sterling]

Awesome trip, even bettery story. Way to sieze the day Brian & Cathy!
And thanks to the SFC crowd that put it together. It was one of the best fishing trips I've seen, and I never left my desk.

[cathod]

I thank you Marty for being my friend! To me, you're one the greatest examples of unselfishess, fairness, patience and fisherman.... always willing to help out others and share your vast knowledge. It is an honor to call you "friend"!
Cathy

[teamtuna]

Great trip. Box some of your best work yet big fish and a little G n R. Beast showing he can produce inshore just like offshore, way to go.

[paul708]

thats a nice trip.way to go

[ocnslr]

And I am the fortunate guy who gets to share life with her...

Brian

[Grumpea]

Outstanding. Way to go. Keep up the good work.

[Streamweaver]

Its nice to see that the trip was given to someone who enjoys life to the fullest. Marty great video of the trip. The picture of her with red up against her cheek is priceless

[Miles Offshore]

Just got stoked watching that video. Great job Kathy - you put a hurtin on those spot tails fro sure !!! So many hundreds of red releases for the beast is truly spectackular and your boat looks sweet!!!! Is that an Owen Lupton rig you are using /(that you rigged no doubt). Great job on the camera too wahoo. That pic on vid 4 with Cathy hugging that fish ought to be blown up poster sized and framed and hung over your fireplace mantle brian!!!! Really happy to see you guys win the trip- great story, great charter, great pix and video- Sportfisherman.com--- class act!!!