Yup, I am 49 yrs young and have never idolized any man until now.
I have personally fished with this person on two occations, and have had several dock side chats with this individual. This future icon has been hitting every dock from Cape May to Morehead City since this past winter--- he is constantly watching, listening, learning.--- no bragging, no BS stories, no jiving on what is and what isn't--- just taking it all in and evaluating every east coast offshore fishing style there is.
Who am I talking About???????
#1Gaffman (Shane) is who. That's right, the 19 year old that often plays the role of the innocent little prankster kid just having some fun. Oh, we are all so niave at this young man's cunning ways.
My man Shane entered SFC this past winter wanting to learn about Giant Bluefinning. So What did he do??-- He carried his little ass down to Morehead and looked, listened, learned. He bumed rides, he walked the docks, he cleaned boats, offered to help crews out in anyway in hopes of getting invites to commercial fish for some Giants. And the invites came, and Shane went fishing, and Shane learned.
Now summer is upon us and Billfish are on this young man's mind. He wants to learn everything about these fish and is determined that the best way to learn is not by hanging around tackle shops or internet fishing boards, but rather getting his ass out on the water and learning from some of the best there is. With no promises from anyone, no real connections in NC, he packed his shit up and drove down to Pirates Cove without so much as an idea on where he might find a bunk. Similar to this winter in MHC, Shane combed the docks at Pirates Cove. Introducing himself to the Captains and Mates. He walks the docks in the morning before the first man pulls into the PC parking lot and is on the docks after the last man leaves in the evening. This little ******* is like the stray puppy dog at the gas station that just won't leave.
I have learned that in a very short time, Shane has been invited to fish aboard and learn from some of the very best billfishing charter boats in the industry including the Outer Limits, Sushi, and Hog Wild.
His technique on getting on board with these greats is uncanny and almost unheard of these days. What is his secret?--- First, he is always present on the docks. He walks the docks, talks politly to the mates and Captains. Explains that he is a rookie with alot to learn and that is just what he wants to do--- LEARN. He explains that offshore fishing is his life and he wants to learn from the best and someday be among the best. What a novel idea--- no bullshit, no lies, no conceit--- just down to earth honesty. Now his secret weapon--- the subtle approach and cleverness of it all is amasing. He will tote a bucket of ice for a chance to strike up a conversation, run and errand to the booking office, ask if a mate or captain needs a hand poking out eyeballs, can he help scrub the Tuna blood out of the pit, can he help taking the garbage bag to the dumpster-----, on and on.
Da Gaffman is now getting some fill in and no show gigs of his own.
Oh, and BTW, the little shit got his first Billfish yesterday--- A pretty Saildog.
Grow Up!...........Heck Glenn, when I grow up I wanna be like you!! I want to be able to fish 300 out of the 365 days in a year!!
Seriously, I met Shane at Marty's rigging school in Cape May and when it came to the actual rigging of baits- Shane kept rigging and rigging and rigging just to perfect his skill. If he puts his passion into being a mate just like he did with rigging for perfection- Shane will be an asset to some captain in the future.
very cool post. i'm sure he's well on his way to much success in the world of offshore fishing. and doing it the old fashion way makes it that much sweeter!
Oh Glenn how he has got you fooled. This little ******* puts up the front of an innocent kid that wants to be the best. AND THEN BAM
Not an innocent little prank like a rotting ballyhoo under the front seat. Or maybe a little bunker oil on the salon door. NOPE - THIS LITTLE EVIL EDDY HASKEL AIN't GOT TIME FOR THE AMATURE HOUR. He goes for the jugular on the mother of all insults........ to his mentor no less! NOT ONE BUT 11 (E-L-E-V-E-N), like what comes after seven, thats right ELEVEN, not 10 BUT ELEVEN stinkin rotting Bananas on a boat. Not smack in the middle of the cockpit where the insult is in your face just to show he is unafraid. NOPE - this little Mar Moocher sneaks it up to the tower where it can bang and smack nananer juice all over the boat before anyone on board knows what hit em. Genius I tell ya, Pure yellow blooded, thick skinned genius this boy is!!
Go get em shane - hope you have a killer year and look me up if you are in OC. Your always welcome on my boat. But I will check your bags and pockets first
I met Shane for the first time at our Bluefish tournament 2 weeks ago and yes he has a karma about him that makes you want to take him under wing in a heart beat, I have heard of him and about him from our area for over 2 years and I look forward to getting him out sometime, problem is he basically has me outclassed for my partime needs of a mate and he will surely be booked when I would need him.
Shane will no doubt be a name heard in the future and it will be up in the ranks without doubt.
Keep Getten R Done Shane
Great post Glenn. Very true as well. I can't think of much I was passionate about at 19, other than chasing chicks. This kid has got it together. His focus and drive should be an example to the rest of us. And he does what he does with a positive attitude and a great smile. He WILL succeed.
I am already proud to know him.
As of yet I haven't met this young man, but I have heard quite a bit about him here on the docks. My fill in mate ,TunaTeaser has been letting him rest his head on his dads boat. He says he's up and going at 3:30 am......It takes a lot to make an impression here and I'm sure that he has! Wish there were more young men like that in this world of sex, drugs etc....... Sounds like he has some goals set for his life and I hope he exceeds everyone!
triple slam in Venezuela 1997 or 31 sails in a day Mexico 98
Occupation
Marine Surveyor and Charterboat Captain
I let Shane crash on my rig down in MHC one night when he needed a place. The young man is polite, folds his blanket, and does not fart nor snore, at least not too much or too loudly!!!
He wants to learn, and will go to the ends of the earth to do it. I have left him with a standing invite to come to my rig this summer and learn to stitch up Spanish's and whatever else he wants.
AS LONG AS HE HAS NO YELLOW FRUITS IN HIS POCKETS!!!!!
#1GM good going on the sail. You have started on a long and exciting journey. Good Luck.
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I want to be able to fish 300 out of the 365 days in a year!!
