Econfina 10/30/04
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
Econfina 10/30/04
Antisapation was high. Was first at the ramp. Still dark as we untrailered the boat on fast falling tide. Cranked her up and found the streeing to be froze up. Trailered back up and worked on problem for next hour. Got in line and untrailered again. Was on our way for a fantastic day. Got to the gulf and found our top speed was only going to be 10 mph at full throttle. Could only get up on plain by pushing in the key (choke) each second in session. Returned to ramp and trailer again. Went to store and got some carb cleaner. Back down the river to gulf, with no difference. Came to far to give up now so decided to go on out but stay in close. Checked the trolling moter for that, just in case need. Yep, battery dead as a doornail. Back to the ramp and the store. Right again, no batterys for sell there. Its 11:00 a.m., BEGINNING to get frustrated now. Back down the river to the gulf. Gonna go anyway and beat this thing that has overshadowed us, but first check heavens for any gatering storm clouds. Go out about a mile to the east. Loose three in a row, Large trout at boat side useing candy corn. Then it happens. Buddy gots a strike and starts loosing line. Was spooled before we realized it wasen't stopping. Got the boat cranked and turned in the nic of time. Thank God for line streach. 30 min. later was getting short glimpses as fish got to the boat then went off for another 100 yard run. Over & over. Large Cobia? Yes, no, yes, Then Oh, looks like large black drum. Finnaly, Huge bull Red! 30 lb. class. Put the gaff up and connected the net. After what seemed like an hour he was ready to be netted when I saw a hump in the water going by the boat. Grabbed my rod and readying the cast when the fin and tail broke surface. The shark was homing in on the red faster than we could think about it. It was all over with an explosion of water as the shart hit the red trashing and rolling. Quitness was all that could be heard as my buddy reeled in his limp line. But hey, was a great day to be on the water again. Loved every minute and ready to do all over again.
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dstockwell
- Posts: 4214
- Joined: March 5th, 2002, 8:00 pm
- Location: Valdosta, GA
I probably wouldn't have stuck it out with all those boat problems, but at least ya made it out. Too bad about los'in the big red, you probably won't ever forget the sight of the shark gett'in him. I never lost a red like that.
