The young and the old

[SeaBiscuit]

Lil' Biscuit wanted to get out on the water today and since the wind was not as strong as forecasted, we put Nick's Slip Slidin in the water in the early afternoon, caught some bait and picked him (Nick) up around 2 PM, when he got off work.

Flounder bite had started to pick up in the past few days, so hopes were running high we'd be able to find one or two for Jason to catch. We even joked about him catching a nice citation flounder, an accomplishment that has, so far, eluded him.

Started very, very slow on the last of the falling tide. Very slow! When I saw Jason struggling against a mighty bent on his light rod, I thought he had hung one of the rocks we like to fish around. Next thing I knew the line angle changed and his spinning reel went to singing
Little man did a great job taking what the obviously large fish would give him. Several runs and a couple of times around the boat later, we still did not know what he had. I was a nervous wreck until my boy looked at me and said "don't worry dad, it'll take a little longer, but I'll get him". First glimpse of the fish, I caught some brilliant bronze color and I thought it might be a nice blacktip. Next thing I know the fish rolled coming to the boat exposing a huge white underside. Slip was able to get the fish's head in the landing next and gingerly laid him on the boat deck.


Big fella was old and carried lots of scars (infection?) but was game and colored bright just like the old drum of the dark Pamlico sound waters. By far the largest nearshore Cape Fear drum I have ever seen. I remember a few years ago there was a run of old drum during the Carolina Beach surf fishing tournament. I saw a 33 and a 35 being weighed and released then. This fella was bigger.
Because of the long fight and all the scars on the fish, we figured to get him quickly back in the water and revive him. He was strong and swam down after just a few seconds of being held in the current. He left a scale behind on the boat. Jason will try to "age" the fish from the scale rings using a microscope.

Flounder fishing was slow, but we did not really care. We were blessed to watch a lucky young man get further hooked for life by an old, weary fish.

We got a couple of flatfish to eat.


Thanks for taking us fishing brother Slip.
SeaBiscuit

[clt_capt]

Some nice flatties there. Very nice drum - they have quite a tail on them and are a blast on light tackle.

[bobdu11]

that right there is a great day on the water...it's amazing how quickly our kids grow up.....Good job on the drum and the flounders !.....and congrats on a great day with you son....Bob

[HOLWACHAGOT]

That is what it's all about! Congrats Jason on a monster red on light tackle. I am proud of you! Congrats to you too dad...I have a feeling you are almost as proud of him as I am. The pic of you two and the drum is priceless. Thanks for letting us all be a part of it.
Holwachagot

[slip slidin]

What a stud drum and beautiful fight on lil biscuits light spinning outfit. Biscoto and I just got our lines out of the water and sat back and enjoyed the show. The ole drum gave LB his moneys worth and vice versa. Memorable day today. Here are a few shots that I was able to take.



Proud papa.





Congratulations Jason on a very special fish. Enjoyed it as always fellas. No complaints. Life is good. Slip.

[Squid]

Why do I have a feeling that we're going to see this picture on the front page of this week's Fisherman's Post?? Awesome, awesome deal! And a few flatties to eat sounds like one heck of a day! Glad to see those big redfish making an appearance---used to catch a few each year off of Ocean Isle when they would eat my pogies off the downrigger. Beautiful fish and congratulations to you all!

[gottaflylee]

Wow another great catch. Great job LB. He takes after some other person I know... I will venture to guess that fish whll weigh about how long it is...IE 38" fish will weigh about 38 pounds. When an old Red Drum gets about that inch size, they will only grow about 1/4" a year...
Now as for the scrapes, Guessing you caught her near some rocks or live bottom. Got the scars from either rooting in the rocks or coral to get fish or crabs or has been hiding in the rocks to escape from Sharks and Porpoise...

[BOTTOM DWELLER]

AWESOME! I dont know which is more impressive, the size of the Drum or father and son fishing together and having a great day on the water! Congrats to the entire crew, especially Lil' Biscuit.

[tunatamer4]

Now that's a beauty! Congrats LB and crew. Thanks for the report.

[shoefish]

"don't worry dad, it'll take a little longer, but I'll get him"

Now how cool is that! That young man obviously understands that patience and persistence pays off, especially on a big old bruiser like that. Very cool report guys!