OK y'all,
SeaBiscuit here. I was born and raised in Greece, have been residing in Wilmington, NC since 1981 and love to fish.
Marty is my friend and has asked me to "share" of my heritage with you all. This is a fishing website and I want to keep my contributions on subject. Since fishing is a big part of my life, please understand that what I am sharing here with you is the story of the people and events that shaped me into the waterman I am.
Pictured below is captain Yannis (John) Galiatsos of Astakos, Greece next to his unofficial world record Mediterranean snapper. This fish was caught across the Astakos harbor, two years ago (Captain Galiatsos was about 80 at the time). The fish fell for a fresh dead mullet fished on a handline. It weighed 16.2 Kilos or about 36 lbs. Research by my brother and I indicates that there is no larger documented specimen of this species.
Captain Galiatsos, who is my uncle, has been one of the best fishermen in this quaint Ionian (West coast) town of 3,000 nestled in a cove accross from the island of Ithaca, hometown of Odysseus, hero of Homeric tales.
As good a fisherman as the man is, this fish is very, very special and more than anyone who devotes their life to the Sea can ever expect. I believe that the Sea gave this fish to this man in exchange for the youngest son of his She stole from him many years ago.
So, here's the photo (sorry for the poor quality of the scan). If you like this story and want to see and hear more of it here in Marty's world, please let me know.
Thanks,
Nick (SeaBiscuit)
Last edited by SeaBiscuit; 12-03-2007 at 02:39 PM.
WORLD CLASS! THE PIC IS AWESOME...THE SMILE OF GALIATSOS PRICELESS.....
NICK ...REMEMBER "MY WORLD IS YOUR WORLD....AND THERE IS NO SPECIFIC TOPIC OR TITLE NEEDED WHEN POSTING IN WELCOME TO "YOUR" WORLD!!!
ROCK ON DUDE! THE STORYLINE IS SO....SO FAMILY!!! JUST AS YOU AND YOURS ARE......
THIS MAY BE MY ONLY CHANCE TO VISIT GREECE.....SO MAY THE TOUR CONTINUE PLEASE
[QUOTE=SeaBiscuit]
Pictured below is captain Yannis (John) Galiatsos of Astakos, Greece QUOTE]
I took this picture in the summer of 1981.
I am not what one might call a "natural" doing anything mechanical, like fishing. My learning of new tasks typically requires thoughtful instruction and a ridiculous amount of repetition. As you can plainly see in the photo, my dear uncle did his part in instructing me and to this day I still work on the repetition bit.
After graduating high school in June of '81, I decided I was moving to the States to study Marine Science. That summer I spent in Astakos working for captain Galiatsos. I run the morning shift at his restaurant (a good morning shift ouzo story to follow) and mated on his commercial fishing boat. The reason I was even aloud to be on the man's boat was that I was good at the restaurant. I stunk at fishing!
That same summer, my brother Peter was working as a mate for captain Yannis' elder son Nick Galiatsos. Needless to say there was a bit of "good natured" fishing competition between the teams of the old man and the dufus (yours truly) and the studs, Nick Galiatsos and my brother Peter.
Speaking of studs, here's a picture of my cousin, captain Nick Galiatsos sticking a moray eel (notice how the fish is turning to strike). This wonderful picture was shot by my brother Peter during the late fall of 1981.
Gigging is a common fishing technique in Greece where the water is very clear. We mostly do it at night with lights, targeting octopus (even ole dufus can stick those!) and various fishes, mostly bass, mullets and sea breams. Snapper and grouper on a lucky day, I mean night.
Gigging during the day was the stuff of legend. Have to be quick, accurate and decisive. Nick is good. Captain Yannis used to be very good. He still does it some although he is legally blind. Dionisis (Dennis) Galiatsos, captain Yannis' youngest son was the best.
Good night for now,
SeaBiscuit
Last edited by SeaBiscuit; 12-03-2007 at 02:39 PM.
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