Southern Command goes Fishing

[Kahi]

I'd like to tell a story, If I may? It's a bit long, but filled with good positive stuff and I want to share it with you guys.

To preface my story...

When I joined this site, I was little more than a newbie.....I met many of you at the Barta Tournament 2007 where I fished with Wahoonbox and a few others, including Hotshot and had the pleasure of getting Capt. by SeaDraggin. I knew how much I had to learn after that, and for the past two years have set out to absorb as much about offshore fishing as I could. I kept my mouth quiet and listened to every salt I could, signed up for lectures, washed other peoples boats and basically attempted to get every knot, techniques and tip I could from this site, books and the web. While I still have a lifetime of knowledge to learn for others, I feel this past weekend was a culmination of my efforts.

The Story....

This past sat, May 2nd, The Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club, of which I am a member sponsored a fun tournament. The tournament was to take as many members of the US Armed Forces stationed in Miami's Southern Command out to fish. I was eager to sign up to take a crew out on my boat, and see how I could compete against the big boats---the Vikings, Contenders and Sea Vee's that I see lined up against our docks.

Well, I took the boys out...only 2 of them due to the limited size of my boat, but we made the best of it. I set out to catch bait in the AM, tossing my cast net, the big one a 12 footer that I practiced throwing everyday for the past month using Capt. Johns method posted on this very site. Before that, the net sat in closet b/c I just couldn't get it to open. But after some practice, I loaded up just fine and headed to the fishing ground.

Well long story short, we did great. We had fun, I had confindnence and ran my vessel well. I was proud when I brought these guys home, safe and with smiles on their faces. It seems not much smiles for them these days, they just got home from Akddjfjfllhahshasdjhaosjk, or so it sounded. I was proud to be part of this event, our country and to be a fisherman for both sport and food. I was most proud when I slapped the biggest fish on the dock, a 51# Cobia and a solid catch of bull mahis and Kings....You boys should have seen the faces of the big boats when they brought home skunked boats, although their crews all had a great time

I thank all of you that answered my questions over the years, and those of you that take the time to post value on sf.com

Best Wishes....

[rarhomes]

Kahi,

Congrats,

Sounds like you got it going on, standin by for the whole story.

Is that the causeway by the Herald Building?

Capt Rick

[cblocal]

Great catch there. Thank you for taking the time to give back to the men and women that keep us safe. I like you were, am still in the learning stages of of the offshore game and I wouldn't know 1/10th of what I know now.

[clt_capt]

That is some pretty work.

Way to go!!!

[Sea Frog]

Great story and a great cause!

[F16TJ]

Thanks for taking care of the Bro's. 22 1/2 years in the Air Force, I appreciate you taking care of them!

[Sea Draggin]

Kahi,
Great job on the cobe!!!! I nabbed its twin back in Feb

Enjoyed meeting all you guys back at Barta. I'm looking forward to Chris bringing his boat up this year. It should be some good times.

[Kahi]

Kahi,

Is that the causeway by the Herald Building?

Capt Rick

If you look in the background, there is a series of larger industrial buildings....those sit just a mile south or so from the Herald building, but in the same area and direction. Its basically the same causeway. Good Call.

[gottaflylee]

Way to getherdone Kahi' great job on getting the smiles... Thats kicking butt and taking names...

[hotshot1]

nice one, Kahi especiaslly good cause