TRIP OF A LIFE TIME - WOUNDED WARRIORS

[LuckyLady]

After a week of playing catch up I figured it would be a good idea to share some fishing stories and memories with you all.

Last Friday May 15th we geared up for the annual Manhattan Cup Tournament out of Chelsea Pier.

The Manhattan Cup is a special charity tournament of its own, but this year was ever more special to Chuck and I based on the crew we had on board.

A few weeks ago, we were informed that we would have a group of wounded warriors on board for the days event.

After spending a few days getting the gear and boat loaded up to be up in NY we were finally greeted by a bunch of smiling faces on the docks of Surfside 3 Marina.

The morning started off a bit crazy for me, after realizing on Thursday we were fishing both Friday and Saturday. Stupid me thought both the ASA and the Cup coincided on Sat. Much to my surprise, I was wrong so my laziness approach on Thursday turned in to a speedy day after all. I was loaded and ready to go, outside a trip to the tackle shop for some hooks and leader. 300.00 later I returned home to start tying up shiny hooks and fluro for them ever so pesky blues. After having 2 dozen rigs ready to go, one last organizational walk thru the truck ended me going to bed at 11pm and the 2am wake up time came super early.

We really didn't need to get up that early but all calls on Thursday pointed at bait being scarce, deep and scattered in all the normal locations which led me to believe it was going to be a super LONG morning finding bait.

Luckily when we launched out of seawarren we were greeted by some fellow fisherman picking at the bait. RJ Speaking jumped on board to throw the net a few times to give a helping hand.

Finally loaded and ready to roll we get to Chelsea Pier for the days events. Greeted by fellow fishermen and friends, a nice breakfast buffet, and crews waiting to board thier boats.

The 9 0'clock horn sounded the start of the day to load the boats with new faces and anglers.

Awaiting the shotgun start for the start of the day you can see the boys with the big toys lined up in the back to see who can make it to the bridge for the bragging rights. Great job Vezzosi. I had our crew eyes all on the ice blue 33t waiting and watching for the infamous Matador to take off and make its landing out in front of the pack.

Knowing the bite and bait had shut down pretty much for the past few days we decided to head up in to the LI sound to see what we could pull off for the day.

After a bit of a run we finally nestled in up around hempstead bay to soak some baits.

With 4 anglers on board running live bunker free lines was going to be a bit of a challenge in my mind but believe it or not for a group so new to fishing, it went flawlessly perfect other than 2 tangles

We had the livewell filled with pork chop bunkers, just waiting to be set free. Our crew were just happy with the size of the live bunker we had, and we happy just holding a rod with a bunker tugging on the other end.

Within minutes of setting up and out the 1st blue fish was too the boat, then a few more and here came the bass.

We tore them up pretty good, and the guys keep me on my toes with new baits, hooks and leaders all day long. They were super stoked all day, the smiles really told all. I never seen a crew so happy. We didn't get as many bass as we would of liked but we certainly had our fair share of fish to the boat.

After running the tide out there, we moved down to the Throgsneck Bridge as the bite had been pretty good there in the days past. With out a sniff for the rest of the day it was time to go in and the guys were more than happy with the day.

We made a stop off for a photo opp at the Statue of Liberty. Its so much better to see in person from the water.

Upon arrival to the dock we unloaded our crew, and thier new toys rod, rods, boots and other gear to take home. To end the day with Photographs and autographs from Wade Boggs. This was the icing on the cake for them, and me both.

It was truly an utterly amazing day that I was glad to be part of, the smiles and thank yous were endless. To hear someone say thru thick and thin of his entire life " This was the best day of my life ever" sent thrilling chills thru my spine and really hit home for Chuck, Contender and I.

Certainly glad and thankful everyone made this trip and event happen for these guys. We all certainly enjoyed it. We are anticipating on taking them ever year for an annual trip as well as maybe getting the same crew offshore.

These guys were awesome troopers with the trip and the unfortunately events of thier life. Incredible to see the drive and ambition these guys have, nothing is ever going to stop them. These guys take part in anything and everything running marathons and all

So Glad I could be part of this day and make plenty of special memories for all of us!

God bless our troops and our warriors that dedicate thier lives to protect thier own and ours. Truly remarkable!

Thank you to to all of you that have served, its dually noted and appreciated by many folks!

Thank you to Contender Boats, American Performance Marine, Chuck Speaking, FCA, John Luchka and everyone else that made this special day happen. Thank you very very much!

[LuckyLady]

Here are some pictures from the days events, again the smiles and priceless memories tell all!

[LuckyLady]

And the smiles really begin!!

[LuckyLady]

Pictures from other boats cameras and places!

[shoefish]

What an excellent read- it sounds like it must have been quite an experience Mary, and one that you probably won't forget anytime soon. That crew looks like they must have been a howl to fish with- I especially like that one guy's cup holder Thanks to you for sharing, and thanks to your crew for everything that they have done and continue to do for people that they've never met.

[LuckyLady]

What an excellent read- it sounds like it must have been quite an experience Mary, and one that you probably won't forget anytime soon. That crew looks like they must have been a howl to fish with- I especially like that one guy's cup holder Thanks to you for sharing, and thanks to your crew for everything that they have done and continue to do for people that they've never met.

With the cup holder that's actually a table, he caught me off guard there. I was getting something out of storage in the compartment he was sitting in front of. He said to me, you need a table, I just blew it off not knowing what he meant or was implying till he did it again.

I said the blues eat anything shiney so they were debating who's leg would go over 1st for bait when we ran out. It was a hoot! At 1st I was cautious and feeling bad because my clustsy self kicked the one in the leg twice then the table comments came out just as well as when I almost ate it on the deck the comment was there was almost 3 legs on the deck. It was by far the funniest shit show ever, we were holding ourselves laughing at day.

Even that white 31fa that we paired up with, said to us you guys looked like you all were having the time of your lives on the boat and we were

[Thin Blue Line]

Very cool, looks like an awesome day on the water. Nice story...thanks for sharing.

[LuckyLady]

Thanks guys! The trip was very special to me and by far the best ever for me too! Nice to give back!!

[clt_capt]

Some great pics and even better memories.

[LuckyLady]

Bump for great memories!