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Picou
Wall Hanger
Username: Picou

Post Number: 2653
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 3:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I’m sure we have all had those days on the water that we will never forget. Most of the time we revel in the memories of mass quantities of fish landed or that day might be a life lesson learned that will be forever etched in our memory. Well, Thursday was definitely one of those days. Get a bunch of Picou’s fishing together and the memories are there for the taking. I can dig way back in my historical database of past fishing trips with my brother Dean and the risks we have taken to box a mess of fish should qualify us for honors far beyond what we have received. When we set out on Thursday morning for a day of off-shore fishing we had hopes of a box full of fish but we had no idea that we would also be pushing the envelope of safety – other than venturing too far off-shore in a 23’ boat…

The morning started great with clear skies and a calm North East wind. We launched the boat and headed out to our first stop for some red snapper. It was Dean, his wife Susy, and myself celebrating Dean’s birthday out in the Gulf of Mexico. The plan was to box 6 snapper and then head for deeper water on a quest for big dorado outside of Texas waters. On the way back in we would attempt to finish off the snapper limit then head to the ramp. The closer we got to the first spot the darker the wall of rain appeared. There were no predictions for rain, it was to be one to two foot seas and a light wind all day long – perfect for a long run out. Well, fortunately for us the rain was further out than we needed to go for this first stop so we anchored up and almost immediately started working on the snapper.



Dean also tossed out a free-lined cigar minnow in hopes of a kingfish. When the big rod started singing it was my turn to take it so I worked in a nice king and he was granted a room in the ice box. In between the red snapper we were fighting small sharks and a few angle fish that in my opinion fought harder than the sharks and snapper. Susy hooked into a couple of spinner sharks that put on an acrobatic display of jumps and flips off the back of the boat before breaking off or coming unbuttoned. Dean had been fishing with a light setup that sported a Pfluger bait caster on a heavy action rod. While he was working on something else he handed the rod to Susy. She set the hook on a fish and it started it’s run for deeper water and there was no stopping it – zing, zing, zing… The fish pulled all of the line off that reel and snapped off at the spool. I was fishing with a ABU Garcia 5000 or something in that lineup and shortly after she was spooled I hooked into a fish that ran with a hard pull and there was nothing I could do to slow it down. As the line was being constantly removed from the reel and was getting down to the last ¼ of the spool I warned Dean that I was getting spooled. His response was, “You’re on your own, we are anchored.” I had no choice but to apply a small amount of pressure on the spool with my thumb and the instant I did the fish broke off. Again, another big run with nothing to show for it.

While all of this is going on, the storms began to build up around us and the original storm which was moving out had turned and began to come into us. We listened for thunder and decided that fishing in the rain was not too bad because the fish were on fire. We had already landed another kingfish and lost a few others. We had already passed on the idea of moving further offshore and had been boxing snapper trying to get to our 12 fish limit. With 11 snapper, 2 angle fish, 2 kingfish already in the boxand deteriorating weather conditions, we decided once the last snapper was boxed we would bail. We also agreed that it would have to be at least 16 inches. For the next half hour we were boating snapper left and right. Multiple times all three of us were hooked up at the same time but unfortunately they were all 13 – 14 inches. The rain had subsided and the water was calming so we felt the urgency to leave lifting and relaxed a slight bit. In the maylay of snapper lip ripping I was pulling up a snapper from the depths when I felt a thump on the end of the line and then the drag started singing. I hollered out, “I think I just got shark bit!” The battle did not last long and the line went limp. I reeled in the remains of my snapper and we admired the clean cut across the middle of the body in the distinct half moon shape of a shark’s jaws. On my next drop that familiar thump occurred again and this time he was hooked and the fight was on. Unfortunately, this shark had more power than the gear I was sporting and a constant peeling of drag led to a significantly skinny spool so again I lightly thumbed the spool and he abruptly snapped off.

This entire time we were fishing there were Spanish mackerel jumping all around us and occasionally we would hear larger fish jump as well but never could get an eye on them. Finally we caught a glimpse of the fish and it was huge kingfish coming completely out of the water. These monsters were maybe 20 yards from the boat and Dean quickly reeled in the king rod and cast towards them. In no time he was hooked up with one very pissed off kingfish that gave us several acrobatic displays. The fight was on and this fish was not tiring. Dean fought this fish for several minutes and during a long hard run the fish managed to come unhooked – yet one more big fish that got away.

This entire time Dean and I were commenting to each other that we should already have headed to shore because we no longer could see any of the well heads around us and any visibility of the distant shore was long gone. It was evident that we allowed ourselves to get deep into the storm 9 miles off-shore and as we boated the 12th keeper the thunder began to rumble around us. A 360 degree scan of the horizon proved that our earlier gut feel was correct and now we were surrounded by solid black walls of water with lightning and thunder rumbling in the clouds the direction we needed to head. Dean asked me what I thought we should do and I commented, “I don’t like running through lightning but I don’t like sitting still in lightning either.” We opted for the running approach considering the rain was beginning to pour down on us in our present location.

Five miles into our run back to the ramp we caught up to some nasty rain and we could see lightning and the thunder was booming. Dean stopped the boat and we contemplated our next move. Together we huddled and said a prayer asking the Lord to watch over us and get us to the ramp safely. To the South East we could faintly see a rig and decided that it was taller than us and would be the best place to ride out the storm. Dean headed that direction and as we approached the rig we spotted a large fishing boat headed inland and we could see the radar twirling above the cabin. Dean decided that this should be our ticket back considering this boat would be able to skirt the edge of the storm back to port. We pulled in behind the boat and rode his wash all the way in, only hitting mild rain the entire trip – thank you Jesus for answered prayers. We would have never seen that boat had we not made that detour.

Soaking wet, we loaded the boat and headed to the beach house to show off the morning catch and clean the fish under the beach house. We told the stories and enjoyed a cold beer while making short work of the fish. Of course, we proudly posed for a picture of our mornings catch.



Once the fish were cleaned we looked out over the Gulf and it sure appeared that the storms were passing so the decision was made to head back out for some afternoon action. My brother in law Buddy had never been off-shore fishing so we invited him to join us. We loaded the cooler back in the boat and hit the road to Freeport. As one would expect, the closer we got to Freeport the darker the skies grew. A light rain was falling on the windshield as we rode over the causeway bridge and once at the ramp we had yet another decision to make – go or stay. We asked Buddy if he minded getting wet and he quickly replied with a resounding “Nope!” We bought more bait, checked the radar on the television and headed out in hopes of letting Buddy catch his first limit of snapper.

The boat ride out was great with the seas less than 1 foot and the misting rain diminishing with each passing mile on the water. Nine miles out and we were once again dropping anchor. In no time, Susy landed the first snapper while I educated Buddy on the technique of deep water fishing for red snapper. It did not take him long to figure it out and soon he landed the biggest fish of his life to that point – a shark.



In the midst of all the snapper and shark catching, my sister in law Susy hooked into something that was giving her a hearty fight and with some harassment from Buddy she was laughing while attempting to maintain enough composure to land this fish.



She eventually won the battle and brought up her largest Angel Fish to date and she was very excited about the victory.



With all of the hustle to get the snapper lines moving Dean had forgotten to toss out the free line for a kingfish and got it rigged up and out. It took less than 5 minutes for the rod to light up and Dean took the first fight. The battle was short but constant and Dean brought a great kingfish to the side of the boat. Never having gaffed a fish before, I tried to act like a pro but almost lost the gaff when the fish thrashed. Fortunately I was able to get my paws around the pole and hoisted his kingfish into the boat.



We were catching a bunch of small snapper and sharks when the free-line took off again. This one was my turn and I must admit that there were very few moments during the duration of the fight that I had any control. This fish took me around the boat twice. I would make up ground and he would just take it back. Over and over the battle played the same tune of give and take and finally Dean was able to get the gaff into this beast and we hauled him into the boat. Undoubtedly the largest kingfish I had ever boated I was proud to have won that battle and we snapped some pictures before having to cut the fish in half to fit in the cooler.



The third time the big rod sounded off it was Buddy’s turn to take a run at the kingfish and I handed him the rod. With a little bit of coaching thru the techniques and methods for fighting these large masses of muscle Buddy handled the fish carefully and got him back to the boat. Dean did not want to keep any more kingfish so he grabbed the fish by the tail and hoisted him into the boat for some photos and a quick release back into the Gulf.



Somewhere in all of this fish fighting foray I managed to hook a small ling that hit my bait right off the side of the boat as I rinsed my hands and almost took the rod out from under my arm. We made several attempts to tail the fish but he eventually came unbuttoned. We fished a few more locations on the reef looking for bigger snapper and running from the triggerfish and as the sun set we headed back in to put the wraps on a tremendous day of fishing. Buddy did get his first limit of snapper, landed several sharks on this adventure, and broke his personal biggest fish 3 times.

It was undoubtedly a day of many firsts and one that I will always remember. It was an absolute treat to spend the day on the water with my older brother and his wife on his birthday and toss in the opportunity to extend this experience to my brother-in-law and it ranks this day on the top of the list for all of our coastal vacations. Thank you Dean & Susy for opening up your boat and making it happen.
Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish

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Bigun
Lunker
Username: Bigun

Post Number: 1471
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 5:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Awesome fishing trip Mike and Dean. Nothing like those Gulf storms for some pucker factor.
Quit being a mad, little bald man!


Charles
Moderator
Username: Charles

Post Number: 933
Registered: 7-2004

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Posted on Sunday, August 5, 2007 - 9:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Good times and excellent report.
Dean
Crappie
Username: Dean

Post Number: 542
Registered: 4-2004


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Posted on Sunday, August 5, 2007 - 10:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Great write up PQ! We had a blast too!

Too bad we didn't get more pictures though - but - we were having tooooooooooo much fun!!!

Susie and I agree - this is indeed one of the top 5 fishing trips of our lives! Memories that will last a lifetime!!! We are glad you and Buddy were able to be a part of it all!!

I can't wait to see what next year has in store for us... scarry thought huh... This trip will be tough to beat!!!!
All In A Days Fun!!!

Dean
Crappie
Username: Dean

Post Number: 543
Registered: 4-2004


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Posted on Sunday, August 5, 2007 - 11:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Susie and I reminisce -

:-) :-) :-) :-)

What a day!!

BTW - You forgot the big reason for following the fishing boat in - remember - I figured that if we get struck by lightning, at least some one will be there to wittness it... :-O
All In A Days Fun!!!

Dean
Crappie
Username: Dean

Post Number: 544
Registered: 4-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 6, 2007 - 12:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

OH - Rob, Bigun - I am in the market for some better fishing gear for this type activity. Light tackle let me down this time..... Fortunately I had enough bigger gear to sustain.

I'll be going with Penn 330 and the Ambasader ????. I am thinking if I have 4 of each that should be sufficient. Ya Think?
All In A Days Fun!!!

Wes
Moderator
Username: Wes

Post Number: 344
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 6, 2007 - 9:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Well done guys. Sounds like a great trip.
Simek
Bluegill
Username: Simek

Post Number: 169
Registered: 1-2005


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Posted on Monday, August 6, 2007 - 10:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Glad you guys made it out OK. The tough trips always make the best stories!
Hawlin_bass
Bluegill
Username: Hawlin_bass

Post Number: 258
Registered: 1-2005


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Posted on Monday, August 6, 2007 - 6:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

looks like good times by all and some nice fish to boot.
Atthewall
Bass
Username: Atthewall

Post Number: 703
Registered: 11-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 6, 2007 - 9:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Excellent PQ ACTION!!!! Congratulations guys and glad to see y'all get to run offshore.
Picou
Wall Hanger
Username: Picou

Post Number: 2656
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 - 11:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I can't wait to get back out there and do it all over again... :-)
Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish

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Texfisher
Bass
Username: Texfisher

Post Number: 704
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Friday, August 10, 2007 - 12:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Nice job guys. I get nervous when storms blow in on Texoma. I can't imagine what it's like on the big water. Glad you guys made it in alright.
If you're richer than me I think we're related. If you're poorer than me I know we're related.

My bass club webpage http://texbass.8m.com/

Picou
Wall Hanger
Username: Picou

Post Number: 2660
Registered: 8-2004


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Posted on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 5:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

We were nervous but my sister in law was just enjoying the adventure... :-)
Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish

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Tomc
Bluegill
Username: Tomc

Post Number: 101
Registered: 12-2006


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Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 7:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Super story, thanks for sharing.
Thanking Him, all day long

--- tomc

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