Squidnation Report - Kids Classic

[Squidnation]

Well we had the repeat crew from last year for this years kids classic. one year older and a whole lot more experience for the two older kids, Nico 13 and Rachel 14 and I think Lil 6 yr old Wil was out for the first time since last yr's tournament. Let me just say that we sucked. It was two of the worst days of fishing in 3 yrs with the new boat. Quite frankly I left the marina pissed yesterday afternoon. Then I woke up this morning and downloaded in the pictures and realized I am an idiot. This one was for the three kids and the pics showed something I missed while I was driving the boat feeling sorry for myself for a poor showing. They didn't really care. Water fights in the cockpit, a genuine cookout 50 miles offshore, porpoises, sharks and even a missed blue marlin. Three happy kids and another great tournament for the books. Congrats OC Marlin Club for putting on another classic. On to the report.


The day started off Sat with a respectable dolphin hitting a B/W ilander in the washington. Wil did his best but the dolpin managed to spit the hook.



A little later the two-tones came in for a visit. They kept the crew occupied for a while.



We missed a big explosion on the right flat rasta bar. Made a circle back on the two-tones and this time it was came on for Rachel. The fish came back on the rasta bar on the right flat



The plan was to let the kids wire leader and gaff all day. Well this fish had some shoulders so we had to give Wil a job during the fight. So he took the wheel.



At boatside Nicholas sunk the gaff. Well, he sunk it twice actually. The first time he scalped the fish, the second shot was perfect.







Then it was grilling time. Maranited chicken breast and deer tenderloin was on the menu.



That was it for day 1. Once back at the dock we found out that my nephew Anthony had released his first blue Marlin and added a sailfish to boot. Anthony is a first year Mate on the Marlin magic with Capt Marty Moran. Congrats Anthony. Here is couple shots of his first billfish dunking. Turns out he released his second Blue marlin the next day. Congrats on a great weekend Marlin magic crew.






Day 2 brought Wils first dolphin.



All three of the kids got in on the triple



Typical of all wanna be mates. Wil decided that he no longer needs to crank in fish. So he donned the gloves and wired his first dolphin.







Thanks Nico, wil and rachel for a great time.

[#1Gaffman]

Nice pics bill, gald u guyz had a good weekend.

While eating dinner with Anthony yesterday i can only hope some of that dam Marlin MOJO rubbed off on me

[Proheat]

Bill- It's not always about the amount of fish that you catch, but sometimes it's more about the memories that you make and the smiles that you created!!......................but it still is great to load up the boat too!!!

[Tuna Taxi]

Wow, Bill. What a great set of pictures and a great report. The smiles on those faces are priceless and no number of fish is going to make that a better day, the way I se it. That's one heck of a scapling Nico put on that fish!

Way to go guys.

[Fish Biz]

Awesome: The picks say it all, Way to go guys. Tim

[Anngler]

That is awesome! We're planning on fishing the tournament next year and from the smiles on their faces, I hope I have half as much fun!

[homewrecker]

I wasnt fishing the tourny but was out on Sat and have to say that the radio chatter was great concerning the reports.One Capt deserves a big THANKS as he was on a bunch of triggerfish and was willing to give up the location to anyone fishing the kids tourny,not often that happens.Nice day and pics the kids smiles say it all.It makes you look at things a different way when you thought it was a bad day and the kids had the time of their life.

[sling]

It looks like the kids had a great time and you had some nice fish in the box as a bonus. If that's the worst day you've had in years, you're living well!

[OCcaptain]

Awsome tournment Bill. Can I borrow your crew for the Open? We had a great time too. Caught 34 dolphin on the balls on Saturday and ended up with 20 sea bass yesterday. We didn't win but we were in first and second in the Sea Bass catagory for a while until we got bumped. The kids had a blast. The Marlin Club had 321 kids fish the tournament this year Next year I'm sure we will have alot more. I don't belive there is anything like it anywhere else in the world. The folks that organized this did a fantastic job.

[gradywhite273]

Look at the smiles on those kids faces, way to go Bill, outstanding.