smokers

[Squidnation]

This is not an anti-smoking thread and I really have nothing against smokers. I will even enjoy one during a cocktail. But I keep replaying this scenario in my head and I fear the day it happens one day while I am on the boat. I have witnessed way too many times the mate or non-angler lighting up during a battle. First of all-their is an imediate break in concentration just by the act of doing something other then what they are suppose to be doing. Next they are flicking their ashes all over the place. Ash could go anywhere. Anglers eyes, captain or observers. Next when they are done with their vice they flick it in the ocean. Here is the instant microsecond that I have feared for years. One day that butt is gonna hit the line of a tournament winner. And poof (or puff in this case) goner. Chancers are it will never happen but why take the chance. But please folks be smart and concentrate, be prepared for anyting and keep your butts in your pocket until the fish is landed or released and the spread is Back in place.

[Jesse Lockowitz]

two years ago while fighting about an 80-90lb tarpon on the pier, a crowd of prlly 10 people, just the king anglers off the end , were all around me.

one fellow lit a cigarette, and was standing way to close to the line for comfort, and letting ashes fly everywhere. when i asked him to please not let that get so close to the line, he took a big puff, and blew smoke right in my face.


ark, i agree with you , i can definatly see how you could lose a big fish, even a big $$ fish. And worse then that, get ur eye burned lol


jesse

[Proheat]

Bill- I'd like to add one more thing! Maybe it isn't as dangerous on a diesel powered boat, but a gasoline powered boat can be catostrophic! All fuel tanks have vents and a lit cigarette near the vent will be a quick end for everyone on the boat!

[WAHOONBOX]

THERE IS A GOD. AND FINALLY ...SOMEONE HAS SPOKEN WHAT I HAVE FELT FOR SO LONG.........

YOU ALL KNOW ME...A BIT RESERVED AND QUITE TYPE.....AND I'VE WANTED TO RIGHT THE DITTO TO ARK BUT HAVE HELD BACK BECAUSE SO MANY OF MY FRIENDS DO JUST THE VERY THING ARK SPEAKS OF.....

I HAVE PUT DOWN MY CAMERA AND SACRIFICED THE FOOTAGE ON A NICE FISH BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT THE DANGLER IN THE PIC AND ALSO TO INFLUENCE THE JR'S WATCHING ...........

I GUESS ONE COULD SAY A DIET PEPPER IN HAND IS NO DIFFERENT....BUT I DROP THAT RASCAL INSTANTLY.....WHILE THE LUNG EATER GOES DIRECTTLY TO DA PIE HOLE

THANKS FOR BEING BRAVE .....AND TELLING IT LIKE IT IS

[JMS-ILM]

ive seen it happen....of course it wasnt with a bosco blue on the end of the line, just a red drum.....but it just proves how easy it could happen.

[Stripersniper]

Barry, that same thing happened about 20 years ago to my neighbor in Beach Haven. They were going out on their Gradywhite and the fumes were ignited by a cigeratte. Luckily no one was killed, just serious burns. The boat was a total loss. All over a smoke. It was a shame.

[Deep C]

Being that this isn't a smoke bashing thread, I won't bash it either. I do smoke. Will one day quit. Things need to be right. Almost had it licked then came Wilma and being stuck with my ol lady smoking in my face for days after with nowhere to run to got the fire back going full steam.
On my boat it has some value to it... The calming effect it has on my nerves keeps me from going off on some of the things that happen out there. In other words it keeps me out of the jail for assault with the intent to inject topsiders...
Another function it serves is that it draws far more attention when i bounce a butt off my mates head for screwing up than i would get from a piece of chewed gum...

Seriously. My intent is to quit during some dead time around hunting season. I do get hyper cranky and volitile when I'm trying to quit so minimizing pople contact will be important til I'm over the hump.

[Glenn W]

Bill, as a smoker I must agree with you on hitting a line and ashes everywhere. Don't remember ever doing it, but my guess is I have burnt a line. Every time I flick a butt I try to be aware of where the trolling lines are.
Most of my fishing buddies have more sense and don't smoke the nasty things.
I will now fess up to a dark secret. A friend of mine keeps an emaculate ship and is a non smoker. Last year we took the kids out and he is on the bridge all day with me down below. I flicked a butt over the transom but as I found out at the end of the day it never made it out and got stuck in a corner. Put a bad burn mark all the way in the gel coat. Felt as guilty as a drunk running over a school yard of kids There are no excuses for irresponsible actions like that.
As far as gas fumes and starting a fire or explosion--- that's plain ole anti smokers bunk--- Oh, I'm sure it has happened--- but it's bunk or a piece of shit boat it happened on. I know, I had alot of piece of shit boats in the early years and never blew up.
Deep, I quit for a year once, and you are wise enough to know you will only quit when you are ready to--- no sense in making a date

[BYRD]

I lost a nice shark off the end of Jeanette's pier in Nags head due to a cigarette ash. I looked at the guy just after the line snapped and said, "I hope you don't hook up with a big one cause my knife is going to accidently cut your line!" He was extremely apologetic, however my knife never got the chance to return the favor.

The hardest thing I think I ever did was quit smoking. Ya'll have seen the movies of the detox centers for bad drug addicts where they get cold sweats and shake in the bed. Well I lived that. The first four days were tolerable but that fifth day was mesirable! Cold sweats, shakes, no one could do anything right regardless of what it was. I was laying in bed shaking, and sweating, and probably crying and my wife looked at me and said "If you want to quit smoking quit, if you want to smoke, smoke but quit being a little ***** about it and get over yourself." I was shocked, at one of my lowest points that was the treatment I got. But it was exactly what I needed. She gave me the kick in the ass I needed to put me over the hump. Been smoke free for 4 years now. We look back and laugh about that now. Her calling me a little *****, that was funny.

[matey8941]

When im mating i hate people that smoke...first off the captain makes me clean the boat 1000 times to try and get all the ashes off then i have to clean the cabin another 1000 times to try and get rid of the ahses and the smoke smell.....i have never thought of a smoker hiting the line but i will keep my eyes out for that