Stinky_Hooker
06-16-2008, 08:59 AM
Yesterday was one of my most memorable days both good and bad. Ill deliver the good part first.
Friday I arranged my crew with a couple phone calls. Justin and Danny were both pumped and ready to go. I readied the Hooker for her first departure in over 2 months and hit the sack early. We met at the east end ramp at Dauphin Island at around 2 am in an effort to beat the crowds and pull for bait early. We dropped her into the water and before departing bowed our heads for a quick prayer asking the Big Man to keep us safe.
The waters were slick as glass and the skys were bright and clear. We got to the location and I dropped the net for the first time. Danny took the wheel as I showed Justin the ropes on the bait net as he was eager to learn. We had good conversation as the smell of the two stroke hummed along in the dark and talked about how beautiful the night was. For some reason I felt it would be a great day...I just had a feeling things would go well and I think my boat mates did as well. The first pull put a couple dozen nice shrimp in the live well and then we decided to drop again. I directed Danny on a different course for this pull as I felt we could do better. The second pull came in and was heavy. I reloaded the net and swung the tail bag into the boat and dumped it out. We all looked at each other in amazement and started sorting as fast as we could. This pull put at least 200 nice shrimp and quite a few croakers into the tank so we were ready to go.
We made our way across the slick waters to our first spot. Here we put several big white trout and monster ground mullet in the box. High fives and woohoos all around. We moved on in hopes for the speckled trout we were after. Our next spot produced a few nice trout before we had to run for the island to get away from the lightning. We docked up and waited for it to pass and after a short time it did. We headed back out and fishing was slow for the next couple of hours. We fished hard and had a blast doing it. I decided to hit some deeper water since it was later in the day.
Upon arriving we pulled up, anchored and before the rope came tight Justin was bowed up. I was readying the net as a 5#+ trout came boat side and then pulled the slip on him. Too bad I told him, but lets get back to it! We did and things began to happen. We sat at this spot schooling everyone around us for about an hour. It seemed like we could do no wrong.
Here are a few pics.
Nice red that I caught and released:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614005.jpg
Justin with a couple
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614013.jpg
Danny smokin dat azz:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614004.jpg
Dannys fisherman's special...ham and cheese-its:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614011.jpg
Note the unfinished sandwhich in his mouth here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614012.jpg
Me with another:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614016.jpg
High fives and wooohooos rang across the boat...we were having a blast and loving every minute of it. In the midst of the action the phone rang with a shot from reality. It was my bar pilot buddy Pete calling to inform me of the incoming weather and he advised. I took his advice as I have overlooked it in the past and regretted it. We finished up there and hit one place on the way in for just a minute and boated a couple more decent fish. This location was worth the stop as Danny boated a nice ground mullet here that would later get him 2nd place in the Ineos Tourney for the day. We got the boat loaded up on the trailer shortly after and got a quick money shot of the day's haul.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/100_3180.jpg
We said our goodbye to Justin and then I followed Danny to the weigh in to help him carry his cooler and we weighed his fish.
After that I shook hands with my good friend and left to head on home. I got on the road and was clicking them off when someone in front of me FLEW into the oncoming lane and around the truck in front of him. As soon as he did I knew I was in trouble because there was a stainless outboard prop approaching faster than I could stop it. I locked up all wheels as my truck grill ate outboard. I pride myself in safe driving especially when towing my boat, but this was totally unavoidable. This was a time I wished so hard for trailer brakes, but I digress.
I pulled over and got out and checked on everyone....everyone was OK...thank you LORD!
I talked to the folks in the vehicle I hit towing the boat and the owner. All were really nice folks and understood. He told me the guy behind him had been riding his azz the whole time and as he put his blinker on to turn into the camp grounds (just north of jemisons) he flew from behind him and I was left with the results.
I pushed his boat slightly forward and into the tailgate. My truck was done....it took some large 4x6 bunks into the front end. The AC cooler, trans cooler and radiator are shot. No way to drive it. My boat slid forward slightly and bent the winch stand..no biggie there.
I called Danny and he made his way gladly to get my boat and towed it home for me. We then waited on the troopers in the hot sun for over 3 freakin hours! In the mean time I helped the owners of the boat I hit reposition it on the trailer and get it towable again. It didnt hurt his property much other than a tailgate to replace. I was amazed it didnt tear up his outboard a bit, but the way things worked out more of the damage was mine. Finally they did the paper work and we were done. My dad and I towed my truck home.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/100_3183.jpg
With the wife in school and working less and all this is NOT something I am at all in the finacial situation to deal with right now so Im pretty down in the dumps. I may not be on much, may be truck shopping, or working on the truck or bumming rides to work, etc....Really dont know which direction to head at this point. If you think about it say a little prayer for me guys and I would appreciate it.
I am just thankful as it could have been much worse.
Friday I arranged my crew with a couple phone calls. Justin and Danny were both pumped and ready to go. I readied the Hooker for her first departure in over 2 months and hit the sack early. We met at the east end ramp at Dauphin Island at around 2 am in an effort to beat the crowds and pull for bait early. We dropped her into the water and before departing bowed our heads for a quick prayer asking the Big Man to keep us safe.
The waters were slick as glass and the skys were bright and clear. We got to the location and I dropped the net for the first time. Danny took the wheel as I showed Justin the ropes on the bait net as he was eager to learn. We had good conversation as the smell of the two stroke hummed along in the dark and talked about how beautiful the night was. For some reason I felt it would be a great day...I just had a feeling things would go well and I think my boat mates did as well. The first pull put a couple dozen nice shrimp in the live well and then we decided to drop again. I directed Danny on a different course for this pull as I felt we could do better. The second pull came in and was heavy. I reloaded the net and swung the tail bag into the boat and dumped it out. We all looked at each other in amazement and started sorting as fast as we could. This pull put at least 200 nice shrimp and quite a few croakers into the tank so we were ready to go.
We made our way across the slick waters to our first spot. Here we put several big white trout and monster ground mullet in the box. High fives and woohoos all around. We moved on in hopes for the speckled trout we were after. Our next spot produced a few nice trout before we had to run for the island to get away from the lightning. We docked up and waited for it to pass and after a short time it did. We headed back out and fishing was slow for the next couple of hours. We fished hard and had a blast doing it. I decided to hit some deeper water since it was later in the day.
Upon arriving we pulled up, anchored and before the rope came tight Justin was bowed up. I was readying the net as a 5#+ trout came boat side and then pulled the slip on him. Too bad I told him, but lets get back to it! We did and things began to happen. We sat at this spot schooling everyone around us for about an hour. It seemed like we could do no wrong.
Here are a few pics.
Nice red that I caught and released:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614005.jpg
Justin with a couple
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614013.jpg
Danny smokin dat azz:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614004.jpg
Dannys fisherman's special...ham and cheese-its:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614011.jpg
Note the unfinished sandwhich in his mouth here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614012.jpg
Me with another:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/614016.jpg
High fives and wooohooos rang across the boat...we were having a blast and loving every minute of it. In the midst of the action the phone rang with a shot from reality. It was my bar pilot buddy Pete calling to inform me of the incoming weather and he advised. I took his advice as I have overlooked it in the past and regretted it. We finished up there and hit one place on the way in for just a minute and boated a couple more decent fish. This location was worth the stop as Danny boated a nice ground mullet here that would later get him 2nd place in the Ineos Tourney for the day. We got the boat loaded up on the trailer shortly after and got a quick money shot of the day's haul.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/100_3180.jpg
We said our goodbye to Justin and then I followed Danny to the weigh in to help him carry his cooler and we weighed his fish.
After that I shook hands with my good friend and left to head on home. I got on the road and was clicking them off when someone in front of me FLEW into the oncoming lane and around the truck in front of him. As soon as he did I knew I was in trouble because there was a stainless outboard prop approaching faster than I could stop it. I locked up all wheels as my truck grill ate outboard. I pride myself in safe driving especially when towing my boat, but this was totally unavoidable. This was a time I wished so hard for trailer brakes, but I digress.
I pulled over and got out and checked on everyone....everyone was OK...thank you LORD!
I talked to the folks in the vehicle I hit towing the boat and the owner. All were really nice folks and understood. He told me the guy behind him had been riding his azz the whole time and as he put his blinker on to turn into the camp grounds (just north of jemisons) he flew from behind him and I was left with the results.
I pushed his boat slightly forward and into the tailgate. My truck was done....it took some large 4x6 bunks into the front end. The AC cooler, trans cooler and radiator are shot. No way to drive it. My boat slid forward slightly and bent the winch stand..no biggie there.
I called Danny and he made his way gladly to get my boat and towed it home for me. We then waited on the troopers in the hot sun for over 3 freakin hours! In the mean time I helped the owners of the boat I hit reposition it on the trailer and get it towable again. It didnt hurt his property much other than a tailgate to replace. I was amazed it didnt tear up his outboard a bit, but the way things worked out more of the damage was mine. Finally they did the paper work and we were done. My dad and I towed my truck home.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Fishing/100_3183.jpg
With the wife in school and working less and all this is NOT something I am at all in the finacial situation to deal with right now so Im pretty down in the dumps. I may not be on much, may be truck shopping, or working on the truck or bumming rides to work, etc....Really dont know which direction to head at this point. If you think about it say a little prayer for me guys and I would appreciate it.
I am just thankful as it could have been much worse.