Life without fishing

[Squidnation]

Fishing has been as much a part of me as walking, eating and breathing for the better part of 35 years. Dad bought his first boat when I was 7 yrs old. We spent our summer fishing and skiing the potomac. One day dad said we are going to prepare for a mega journey. From downtown DC all the way to Point Lookout, Md. On our way we caught crabs, rockfish and tons of bluefish. It was one of the fondest memories I have of spending time with my brothers and parents. The boat stayed in Pt. Lookout for years. We would all pile in the station wagon on fridays and go to Claytons as a family and stay until Sunday. In 1980 my brother bought a 17ft anchor craft and took it to ocean City, Md. We borrowed the boat and went out three miles and dumped out baits overboard. We caught Croakers, trout, bluefish and SHARKS. The next year dad bought a boat and we trailered back in forth to OC and learned the offshore game- as a family. Mom loved to reel in sharks and my brothers and I loved to see how far out we could go in the single engine bayliner. We caught our first white marlin 15 miles off of Ocean city, trolling home from a shark trip. That same day mom caught a tiger shark and her girlfriends all caught dolphin. What an incredible day with the family.

After High School I got my first job as an offshore mate. what a great experience. I learned how to be responsible, do boat maintance and fish like a pro. The family boat got more use then ever as well. We all enjoyed spending time on the water and laughing as a family. Life didn't seem normal if we weren't on the boat.

Eventually I got married and had a son and bought my own boat. Now my son and I enjoy fishing in the same OC waters as I did with my dad.

So how could I live without fishing in my life. Its an unfathomable circumstance that I don't even want to consider. Sure we travel alot and fish in exotic ports and oceans but there is nothing like fishing in your own home waters with family and friends.

[OCcaptain]

Damn Bill well put!! What the hell would you do with all the rubber squids if we couldn't fish??

[tolmaz]

Well Said Bill...man..the fishing memories...Where do you start? Like you said...Its part of you.....Pop used to take us down to the "catfish hole" at night when I was 4-5...30 years later I have him hooked up with aYellowfin. on a boat I had My life savings in.....we used to drive for hours..sleep in the car so we could catch the mackeral on Bunting's boat...Its more than fishing..It's your Life~!!Now..50 years old ....I sit and think about the memories with pop, my kids, etc....I could write 3 books.....FISH ON!!!