Lucky Gags (reprise)

[TriAngler]

Sorry for the late report boyz - the PC>iMac switch foiled my previous attempt. Never too late to share a good day on the water, though. Maybe the y'all can spice it up...

December 28th - [url]www.weatherwazzup.com is calling for it to fall out to a light NW with 1-3 offshore and less than 1ft nearshore and subsiding. I called up the Biscuit and asked him to wake up ILM-JMS and round up Slip-Slidin for mission number one - winter meat fishing - jigs and bottom digging style. Greeted by an enthusiastic - "Come get some!" - I packed the "MotherShip" and set the homing beacon for the home port, terminus of I-40 east, God's country.

At the crack of dawn - Nick punches in some magic numbers and gives me a knowing grin as the sleep clears from my eyes long enough to focus on the 60+ mile distance to waypoint numbers that appear on my Furuno. My heart quickens a little with the anticipation - glad that my arrival and the perfect forecast have inspired the crew to go big. Plus, I just love being out there. When you float above canyons full of warm water, there is just no telling what wonderful thing is going to emerge from the depths and make your whole week...

But alas - perfect forecasts only come true when you're not able to get there, and our long run was not meant to be. After clearing the normal inlet slop, we were met by a confused and very sloppy 4ft chop driven by a steady NE wind swell. So, while the Southport ate it up while keeping her occupants comfortable and dry - consensus found us looking at bottom structure in the 30 mile range.

As the big Verados eased to an imperceptable idle, Matt was quick on the jig and soon came tight with a nice Black Sea Bass. Shorter drops put multiple Beeliners in the livewell from both gunwhales and it was time to feed the gags. We carefully conspired to calculate the "just right" anchor course and after a dry run, dropped the hook and eased the boat back on the rode.... and more rode.....and there's the honey hole on the bottom machine lit up like a video slot machine, just long enough for us to drop lines, land a couple short reds....and then it was gone. We might as well be fishing in the parking lot at Wally World.

The mood on deck was solemn, no stories, no joking - just intense focus. This was supposed to be automatic - catching not fishing. The crew moved quietly through the motions. We repositioned and dropped again - this time with better results - and netted a couple small gags - ahh. The mood lightens but we are off the mark again....swinging widely on anchor as the NE windwaves argue with a strong 5+ kt offshore current. $150 hook, 10 feet of heavy chain, and 300ft of rode in 90ft of water - dropped by an experienced anchor team - and we are dragging the damned thing! Arggh.

We move 5 miles to see if we can lose the current but no cigar - same issues. Persistence put another keeper gag in the box along with a dozen nice bass. Several big boys were hooked but won the battle of the rocks...this time.

Stowing the gear - and never really finding the usual glee - we chalked one up to the day and punched in the waypoint called "Home". The intensity having surrendered to futility - we all settled in for the ride back in. I invited Slip to the wheel where he put the machine through its paces and despite a nasty following/quartering sea - made close to 40mph, enjoying the digital throttles and hydro-eletric power steering.

Sometimes you're good, sometimes you're lucky - when both come together the result is usually a slaughter. But mother nature has a not so subtle way of reminding us all just who is in charge - and we are all the more respectful from the humbling.

Later, now alone at the cleaning table in Slip's backyard view of paradise - I paused from cutting fish, and there in the peace of the moment I closed my eyes, slime covering my hands and the sweet stench of marsh mud in my nostrils - I imagined myself calling this home again - and in the warm embrace of the 75 degree December sun, thanked the Father for friends, fish, and good health.

[gottaflylee]

AH, well done and well said. Another great Grouper report from the WB crew! By the time I get back home there won't no more Groupers.

[flatbottom]

super nice write up. great pics to capture the day till the next adventure. you guys are good......thanks flat

CONGRATS

[SeaBiscuit]

Hello there big K. Where have you been?
Nice write up man. Glad the memories stuck with you.
Spring is just around the corner. Get your pretty Southport ready for the tuners, wahoos and mahis. The 60 mile bottom numbers will be on our way home!
SeaBiscuit

[Bite Me]

Great report there Kevin. Another addition to the Gag death squad spells doom for those critters.

[WAHOONBOX]

DEFINITELY A TOP TEN READ HERE ON SFC........

MAKING THE BOTTOM HOOK SET IN CORRECT GPS IS THE KEY AND YOU KNEW IT....VERY HARD MANUEVER

THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR WORLD DUDE!!!

[JMS-ILM]

better late than never!

great report Big K. your sled fishes like a dream....cant wait to do some tuna draggin' behind her soon. got your message the the other week about the sufix spools. sorry i missed your call....phone was in my pocket in my waders and i was too busy catching drums and trouts to answer....im sure you understand!

[knot for shore]

Nice read. Thanks. Where'd you get that yellow jacket? Is it waterproof and I suppose it's warm? I'm looking for good foul weather gear for fishing.

[TriAngler]

No problem Matt - I bought you spool anyway - but since I didn't get a call about the reds.....well I might have to keep it!

Knot for Shore - As for the yellow Jacket, not only is it warm - it's a float coat. I figure if I gotta wear a jacket for cold weather fishing - it might as well be a PFD at the same time. This is my third one - first time with the brand. Mustang Survival - coat is great but I was disappointed with the wimpy hood. I highly recommend float coats - Herter's makes a great one in camo. I wear a float coat for duck hunting, cold surf wading, and offshore. You can find them at all your retailer's or catalog stores like BPS, Cabela's and Herter's.

Thanks for all the good words fellas!

[slip slidin]

Great write-up Kevin. Damn, I almost had to hit rewind for that one. You understand about the short term memory thing don't you? Hope you're doing good up there in the triangle. I even had to do a double take with the beard thing. I almost mistook you for Biscoto. Hey Marty what is that eye doctor's name? On a serious note, Biscoto and I went by Boaters World earlier today and I ran into the fella who went overboard last year in the 31 Contender and he recapped the events for me. WOW is all I can say. Very lucky. I will leave it at that. The float coat is not a bad idea at all after listening to that. Especially in colder temps. Thanks for taking us fishing Triangler. Enjoyed it.