Jr. Angler and a gut punch

[BYRD]

With the wind dropping out this evening I asked my little one (aka the FUTURE) if she wanted to go fishing and try to finish out her junior angler award for this year. Of course she said yes. Took 4 rods and off we went armed with a few squid and my milk crate full of lures. She had a flounder, red drum (pup), speck and bluefish, so I was planning on a croaker and a spot, with maybe a shot at a rock. First stop was an old stone pile. Second cast and she has number 5 with a 19 inch rockfish. Caught on a chartreuse grub. Move from there to my guaranteed croaker hole and nothing. First time I have never caught a croaker there. Went to another area that is a popular speck hole and starting casting a jig head tipped with squid. (You may ask, Why are you at a speck hole if she doesn't need a speck?) Well the speck hole is also a blowfish and pig fish hole. immediately start catching pig fish. That is number 6. Jr.angler complete. Well like any other angler, she doesn't want to quit. So between baiting hooks I start throwing a mirrolure. Caught three spikes. The little one is steady catching and losing pigfish. After my third speck, she says she wants to try a lure. Oh Boy! I reluctantly agree and pull out the tray and let her pick the one she wants to throw.

She picked pink. I asked her why and she said I like pink. Good enough reason I suppose. I'm a little weary because at 5 years old we haven't exactly gotten casting "down" just yet. (5 year old, three treble hooks, cant cast yeah thats a great idea!!) She makes a few casts and then really gets a hold of one. Great cast I thought, twice as far as any of the others. Then it happened.

Her rod doubles over. I figure great maybe another rock or a bluefish the way it is fighting. Nope. Dead pull, drag zinging, rod bent double she's screaming for help an I just keep saying no you can do it, you can do it. The fish turns and heads for the boat and as she is reeling to keep up it jumps.

Know those of you who know me, know that I would rather speck fish than breathe. I have caught several big fish and have been on the boat when 12 pounders where caught. When that fish jumped I about Sh*& my pants. That fish was 8lbs if he was an ounce! And my youngest was about to catch it.

Well I got excited and started coaching her a little more than I was. She did a great job. She gets the fish boat side and I reach for the net. Son of a *****! No net. Fish circles around again and makes another run. This time as she brings it up I try to grab the fish but I guess he saw my hand and dove. Not a problem usually. As he dives the line gets caught on my watch and before I realize it, the fish runs and the line breaks!!!!

My heart dropped. I looked up at my daughter with a disappointed look on my face and said I'm sorry baby. She said what happened. I told her the line broke. And here's the gut punch. She smiled and said, well, dad I saw another pink lure in their, just tie it on and I'll get that fish on again. I wanted to cry. She didn't realize what she had just lost. I didn't say anything to her, just great job and how good she did as I was tying on the other pink mirrolure. I watched her with much pride as she casted a few more times before we headed in.

When I told her it was time to go she said this was a great day. I'll remember it forever. I said well what did you like the best. She said catching the pigfish for my junior angler award. I just laughed. So we accomplished our goal of getting the Jr. Angler award and I still feel like throwing up over that monster speck. If any of ya'll catch a 8lb pounder with a pink mirrolure in it's mouth, can I get the lure back?

[clt_capt]

That's one heck of a catch report. Congrats on the Jr Angler - I think you may have accomplished much more - She will love fishing her whole life.

There will be other big trout and other lost pink lures - but neither of you will forget today.

[FLATLINER]

WOW! Now thats a story! Great going for your littlin. Hopefully just one of the many fish stories that she has throughout her lifetime.

Just trying to help out here, but from the description, that fish was leadered and considered caught. Isn't that a citation down there in VA? If so, it needs to be on her wall!!!

Kevin

[Deep C]

Days like that are irreplacable... Savor it man...

My memory of Mini at five was a day not unlike yours... Great daddy daughter quality time. I was supposed to take her to the movies, instead waited for Missus to back out the drive, dressed her nice and warm and off we went.
A pod of bottlenose surrounded us just outside the inelet. Its amazing how they know who's the innocent one and make themselves available for petting when they would nver let an adult human near... We started down a weedline and started picking school mahi... She loved the pretty flopping fish... Then her eyes wandered...
"Bloons daddy!"
I scanned down line and there was a bunch of ballons floating.. "Oh we'll get em in a minute"
"Big tears formed. We got to get em now before a turtle eats em daddy!"
I motored over to them and brought them aboard... She was pleased but wanted to get back to fishing... The rigger we had out went down and she picked up the spin outfit. I figured it was a rat mahi so I let her do it herself... Ten feet from the boat an enormous bluefish stuck its head out and shook... Two more cranks and I gaffed it for her... Junior girls record to this day...

[BYRD]

Just trying to help out here, but from the description, that fish was leadered and considered caught. Isn't that a citation down there in VA? If so, it needs to be on her wall!!!

Kevin

Now that's funny. I'm not sure if the line running into my watch counts as leadering, but thanks for the thought. The fish would have to have been measured to get a release citation in VA. The leader and release only counts on pelagics as far as I know. Her time will come. I hope she loves fishing as much as I do and I hope she will rewrite the record books!

[weekender]

awesome read, congrats to both ya!!!!!!

[gottaflylee]

Great story Bird, you got a keeper. I feel your pain with loseing the fish, but down here, I don't leave the dock with out a couple of pink MirrOlures...

[FLATLINER]

Now that's funny. I'm not sure if the line running into my watch counts as leadering, but thanks for the thought. The fish would have to have been measured to get a release citation in VA. The leader and release only counts on pelagics as far as I know. Her time will come. I hope she loves fishing as much as I do and I hope she will rewrite the record books!

I know, I know. Just trying to find a Silver lining in the situation.

I feel for ya Byrd! Still a great memory for ya. You will never look at the pink lures the same way again.

Kevin

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I think it was more like 10 pounds...Excellent story!
I remember vividly giving in to my four year old and letting him sling a mirror lure...
A little tip...mash the barbs on anything the Future is throwing...you will avoid any trips to the doc in the box.
Thanks for sharing the story Byrd. You won't have many memories better than these your making now.
Holwachagot

[shoefish]

What a great way to start the day, thank you Byrd for sharing such a great story. You have to love such a simple statement..."Well tie another one on and I'll go get it again!" Love it. Thanks again for starting the day off with a smile