How This Whole Mess Got Started,

[seapower]

My grandfather Vin, was one of those guy's that "lived" to fish. He worked in a New England textile mill for as long as I can remember. Every year he would take a few trip's "deep sea" fishing. Cod and haddock were the target fish, we caught other's but we were always "cod fishing".

At the ripe old age of 12, I was asked if I wanted to go. Are you kidding me? He drove myself and my cousin to Niantic Conn and we got on the head boat "My Joy". I'd never been on the ocean before, so it was all new to me. I can remember as if it were yestrday, I stood as close to the bow as my body would let me. Staring dead over the bow stem and watching those sea's come up toward me with every rise and fall of the swell. I kept wishing that that wave would come up over the bow' like I'd seen on our black and white TV. Well it never did (a good thing I know, now many years later), but I was totally mesmerized. I knew right then at the ripe old age of 12, what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. FISH, especially "deep sea" fishing.

That day like the other's began and ended with lesson's on baiting, how to "pump" the fish up, not pull too hard, how to tie on hooks and sinkers, how to be respectful when we got tangled up with other fishermen (as we always did), how to take the hooks out, how to ID other fish................. The how "to's" just kept coming and being obsorbed. Man I couldn't get enough. My "Grampa Vin" never knew how much those trips impacted my life. He never "had" to take me, but he did.


I have since made good on the promise I made to myself on the bow of the "My Joy". I have spent thousands of days out there, either commercial fishing or rec fishing. I am currently in the process of getting my "last" boat together to end this ride like it started, "deep sea" fishing. I am sincerially hoping to be able to get others hooked on this passion of ours. I commercial fished, because I had a family to provide for. This fishing I do simply for the enjoyment it brings, for Captain and crew.

Grampa Vin thank you so much for starting this mess. I feel ya with me everytime I'm out there. Frank

[NY Bearhunter]

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR SAYING, MY GRANDPA, STARTED ME HUNTING AND STREAM FISHING...


HEY FRANK, LOOKS LIKE YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME YANKEE BLOOD RUNNNING IN THOSE VEINS UH ???

[seapower]

You would be correct, my entire family is from New England. Other than spending some summer's up there, I am a Southern Boy. Good folk's up there, just like here in my book. Frank

[NY Bearhunter]

NOTHING MORE PRETTY THAN NEW ENGLAND, IN THE FALL...

[Robja]

I should have known................Frank you really fooled me. All this time I thought you were a true blooded Southerner. Now I really have to wonder if Vinnie was named after your grandfateher as well. Do you have a wrecker by chance?

BTW nice read.......

[clt_capt]

Good stuff Frank - I got the bug from my Grandfather as well - He didn't fish much, but since my Grandmother wouldn't set foot on the boat, he spent a lot of time there...

[SharkJP]

Nice read Frank. I inherited the salt in my blood from my Grandfater too catching bluefish and stripers on the bay...this is why my boat is named "LEGASEA" A legacy I sure hope to pass onto my future children.