Another Church Trip! Econfina 4/19/07

[Bonecracker]

I donated another flats fishing trip to our church to raise money for a mission trip. I was informed by the winners of the auction that April 19 was there day to fish. I did not know any of these guys but three grown men showed up at our perdetermined destination at 6:00 am to go fishing with me. I knew I was in trouble when one of the guys has a 4 foot fishing rod in his hands with a mini Zebco fishing reel. I actually think he was under powered for the moster pinfish at Ecofina!

Needless to say we made our way down to the Econfina ramp and put the boat in about 7:30 am. As we made our way out the mouth of the river it sure felt good to be going fishing on a work day. Next I made my way to our first fishing spot and began drifting as planned. While handing out spinnning rods and finding out what kind of fishermen were on board, I know one of my guys was going to be very challenged! After watching them attempt to cast a few times I gave some suggestions on how to better handle the spinning rod so they would enjoy there day fishing. One of the guys was having a tuff time working his Cajun Thunder correctly so I took his rod and gave him a quick lesson on what the cork was suppose to sound like. The thrid pop the line comes tight and the drag goes off like a Bank Alarm. I hand him the spinning rod and told him to reel in his big fish. After about 150 yards was gone from the spool, I cranked up the boat and we chased the fish down. 30/40 min later I gaffed a large Cobia in the 30/35lb range. Those guys were so excited after the big fish went into one of my storage hatches because he would not fit into any cooler! Remember, that was the first fish of the day and these guys did not know what to think!

We proceeded to catch and good amount of nice trout and ended up with 16 keepers by 3:00 in the afternoon. Most were caught on Gulp in a varity of ways. Some trout were caught on Catch 2000 twitch baits and live pinfish. Throw in a few spanish and 100+ pinfish and we had a fun day of fishing! Mr. Mini Zebco had fun catching lots of pinfish and I did not have the courage to stop him!

Now this is were the story gets good, so pay attention! The guy who earlier caught the big cobia is now throwing a spinning rod with 10lb mono. He is fishing with a CT with 1/4oz jig and Gulp 3" shrimp. He has his cork about 15 yards from the boat and I proceed to watch a very big cobia (60/70lb) come up and eat his lime green Cajun Thunder Cork. I cannot believe what I just saw! This big Cobia actually eats his cork and turns almost at the boat and spits out the cork. But he forgot something! In the process of eating the cork, he somehow got the jig hooked on the outside of his jaw, back around his gill slit. Again the reel goes off like an alarm and this fish was moving real fast. In the next 2 hours we get towed all over the ocean but my angler is determined to catch this very big fish. I actually got my gaff into him twice with very marginal results. The last time he almost pulled me out of the boat so I felt like he was still a little green even after fighting him for 2 hours. Long story short, my angler gets tired and gives his brother (Mr. Zebco) the spinning rod. It took him less than 5 min to end this battle by applying to much pressure on the outside of the spool and the line broke. In some ways I am happy for that big cobia but man were we close, SO CLOSE!

Got home to Thomasville around 6:30 and cleaned up the boat. Nobody had to rock me to sleep!

[RodBow]

LOL!!!!

Them church pew raffle players - you got to watch out for!

Maybe Zeb will realize that next time to come prepared. You should have them hooked now and the church will be adding on AND sending people on mission work for sure with all the proceeds when this story gets out.

That's some fine predicaments to be in - good job!

[SHOWBOAT]

sounds like a heck of trip. Congratuations.

What church is that you go to again...these guys must be doing something right.

[rx fisher]

Wow, what a great story. The Lord blessed you today

[wevans]

DANGGGGG, with a story like that, you may even get me in church That's one heck of a way ta catch a few more fishermen

[Reel Cowboy]

Swwweeeeeeettttt

[birddog]

16 keeper trout and 2 cobia hookups. Good Lawd.

Awesome trip. Those guys probably think its like that every trip.

[Chalk]

Sounds like a good day to me

[Reel Cowboy]

16 keeper trout and 2 cobia hookups. Good Lawd.

[NoleFear]

Good Stuff BoneCracker shoot me an email when the tarpon show up. I found a new place to catch them, almost as easy as lanark use to be before the crowds move in.

[AJ]

[MudDucker]

Man, great trip. Guess I need to donate one so I'll have a blessed day like that

[What a mess]

I can't believe I hadn't thought of that scam myself.

They auction off the fishing trip to raise money for charity.

I get an automatic kitchen pass.

I get what I want and look good while doing it?

You are the man any other great ideas?

Could you charge extra if the wife had slaw and grits ready when you got back?

[Bonecracker]

Yes, I paid for the gas $$$ but the auction winners paid for food and drinks!! This is my third flats fishing trip to be auctioned off at church, and everytime we have had really good limits of fish, thank you Lord, and happy fishermen! So you can see why I want to go fishing!

Went to Keaton on Sunday with wife, daughter, and Scarlet our 4 year old Lab! We were the first boat in the water at 6:30 but man was it cold. Ran West a few miles and (forze my assests off) started fishing. Bite was on right away with CT and Gulp. Dog jumped in twice to help land fish, only problem was we had to chase dog down to get back in the boat. I bet I took off over 100 fish total for everyone that day as the women did not want to get fishy. Got home around 6:00, cleaned boat and the fish. Wife cooked the fresh Trout for dinner. Man was I tired!!!!!!!!!!

[mjsigns]

Bonecracker-

When you are raising money for missions, God will surely bless you, your partners and your efforts, and your harvest will be in abundance.

Good Work!