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The morning started out with a bad sign. Little Bit's pet goldfish was dead when I woke up. So, after a quick burial service, we're off to the ramp.

We get to Shield's and launch. I look back and notice that the boat has an unusual lean. Oh no! I forgot the drain plug. I "Bo and Luke Duke" slide across the boat, grab the drain plug and install it (submerged), before sinking. Pull the boat out as a precaution, let it drain for three minutes and head off to fish.

Everyone knows the wind was way up, so we bounce out to the bird rack and Little Bit has the swimming area to herself. She was more than pleased that the water was only hip deep.

We headed out to fish and enjoyed hours of catch and release. We even spotted some small bivalves, but they are in water too deep to snorkel to (at least for any extended time).

Finally head home right before 5, water is way up. We're running at about 75% of WOT and THWACK!! . I nipped a rock with the skeg. It clipped the bottom edge off of the skeg and bent the prop up a little.

Luckily, it was relatively minor damage, so we head back to Shields. The ramps were in use, so I tie up and unload. I decide to clean the one fish we brought home, and the Wife volunteers to retrieve the trailer. Several minutes later she returns visibly upset. She had hit a truck parked in the street pulling out of the overflow trailer lot.

So, I've got a semi-busted boat (in the water), a trailer with a crushed fender, and a scared wife, a guy with a scratched front bumper (although he DID have an Auburn tag on it, serves him right), and FHP on the way

We made some hasty repairs, and I have some more I'm still going to have to make. After it's all said and done, I ask myself "Should I have stayed home today"?



I still had a great day fishing with my Wife and Daughter. Should I have stayed home today? Heck no!

Bet your daughter had fun

Those are the days that build character...but then...who needs that much character

It happens and everybody made it home safe. Look at it this way it will be better next time.

My dad has always said:

You either have a good time or a good story. Sometimes both.

Sounds like a NORMAL fishing trip to me.

Can't beat the odds if you stay home!

Still better than working even w/ all the troubles

Thanks for sharing your day with us. Its refreshing to read someone's post who's not afraid to tell about a day that most all of us have had at one time or another. Way to hang in there

That stuff happens. Kid looks like she had fun.

I've had some bad days, but reading your post has me counting my blessings. Whoever said that the worst day of fishing is better than the best day at work needs to take notice.

You're daughter looks like she was having a good time, and that's what it's all about anyway. Better trip next time.

Gotta take the bad with the good.

been there, broken that. those days make for the best stories...after the fact. i now can finally smile about the time me and my friend completely sank his dad's truck, boat and trailer at the launch in merrit island- though i doubt he can.

good times

jay

You seem to have a pretty good attitude for a "GATOR". ..Better luck next trip. (at least it was a Tiger's truck...good shot wife)

suwanneesail wrote: i now can finally smile about the time me and my friend completely sank his dad's truck, boat and trailer at the launch in merrit island

Now THAT is a rough day.