Gotta love it!

[SeaBiscuit]

Sitting at another hotel room, somewhere in the great white north, I find myself thinking about the bluewater. It's been a couple of weeks since Slip and I last slipped out. Two weeks too long! Checking out the site is as close as I'll get to that water for at least a few more days.
As much as I love the game, I come to realize that there are others who love it more.

Captain Mark, captain Lee, captain Brian, the Box, Frankie, captain Jon, captain Shane & the Block. Many others, who just like them are already in bed by now. They are up early in the morning. Every single morning. Dark, cold, rough. It doesn't matter. They gotta go! There's ghosts to chase. Big, steel blue tuners.

These men will go days without a bite. Trolling cold green water. Eating boat food. Listening to the vhf. Looking...

Why do they do it? It can't be the money. It's not enough, no matter how much it is. It can't be the glory. There's no dockside pictures. No world records. No pretty girls.

The boats have to be prepped every day. Before and after work. The tackle has to be right. The paperwork in place.

Every thing seems to conspire so as to make a man quit. Give up. Get a "real" job. Yet they're still at it. Day after day. Year after year. Come hell and high water.

Men, like the ones I'm talking about, used to be many. There's fewer around with each passing day and each dying ghost.

I am lucky to know some of these men and hope there are still some around for my children to get to know when they grow up.

SeaBiscuit

[#1Gaffman]

I here every word your sayn man. AMEN AMEN AMEN.


I think every true hardcore sportfisherman does it becuase he or she just loves it, plain and simple loves it.


Good post biscut.

[flatbottom]

hi nick ! you do not have to sit alone

When is your next trip for grouper

[Proheat]

Hi Nick- We are stuck here on land too. I know how you feel dude!!!

What part of the country are you stuck in now??

[Crazy Eyes]

Some of the best words I've seen typed on any site to date SeaBiscuit. RESPECT to all of these men and you for putting it into words.

The salt that runs through the blood of these men mentioned might weather them a little more but also runs strong enough to let them live longer than most. Thanks Biscuit.

[tolmaz]

Good post!! And you are so right...but I think anyone who has ever been out there can answer that question..Its really nothing else like it. Its a passion..Its in your blood...Most of us started out very early with someone who took the time to introduce us to the sport. It starts with catfish, perch, croaker...then you want a boat


The boat will get you out to the BIG fish right?? then you get the boat...Bluefish, trout, stripers Now we are getting the hang of it!! Then someone invites you on an offshore trip...You catch your first tuna!!!! MAN....What a rush!!! I could do this for a living......Then the wheels start spinning in your head...Next thing you know it happens

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Exceptional post there Nick. I too and fond of the "Salts". I respect them dearly. You put the words down well! Five stars from me.

HOLWACHAGOT

[Going Deep]

Great read!

[ice cream man]

Nick....I can't sleep if I going fishing the next day - the anticipation of hooking a fish, regardless of it's size or species is just too much for most for most to understand. Will be needing an Fishing Intervention Soon!....ICM

[Honey Hole]

When hauling a menhaden net with my cousin on the Eastern Shore, fish slime dripping off my bent elbows, the glitter of menhaden scales shining on my face, standing knee-deep in fish, my cousin turns to me pointing to the slime dripping off my elbows and says, "you're bleeding". This happened ~20 years ago, and it still sticks with me... and explains a lot.

My hat's off to everyone who works the water. The sea is rewarding and unforgiving ALL THE TIME.