So since I was 8 years old I never lost a rod. Well it almost happened today. I hooked what I thought was just a small fish, and took one hand off the reel. All of a sudden a 22" red darts off with the end of my line causing my shimano curado and carrot stick rod to catapult overboard. I watch in horror as the rod and reel start sinking to davey jones' locker and instinct kicked in. Now I must say I have watched diving in the olympics and these boys had nothing on me today. As I careened off the back of the boat, all I could think is, "there goes 300 bucks." I manage to go about two feet down flailing my arms in hopes to feel the rod and reel sinking. Now mind you, I was in 10 feet of water. Luck had it, i felt it and grabbed hold. As soon as i did, the red seemed to know it too and off it went sending my rod tip straight down. So as i try and resurface while reeling, im thinking "this better be a slot red." I manage to find my way back to the side of the boat and hear my buddy say, "give me the rod". At this point I almost opted handing it to him but the thought of by chance having a tagged redfish at the end of my line discouraged me from allowing my buddy to land the fish. So I have one hand on the side of my boat while fighting the fish, periodically letting go of the boat to reel. I ask my buddy to get the net in the center console. Now my buddy is a bass fisherman and is used to primarily bass boats. He starts rummaging through the front hatch. I have this fish doing donuts around me and he has no idea what the center console means. Finally, he realizes what center console is, when I shout..."Its the one with the steering wheel and window". So finally he nets the fish...a keeper. I crawl back on board and now have this great, mind you embarrassing, story to tell. And of course there was someone there courteous enough to snap a pic and send it to me.
I'll be heading back out tomorrow if anyone from the wallisville area wants to join me. I promise to stay in the boat this time.
