BigBendFishing.Net

Finally got the pictures back from my sister so I could get this report up. The entire family took a weeks vacation at St Teresa the week of July 13th. After getting settled into the house over the weekend we got the boat launched for the week on Monday, 7-13. Put in at Lanark and this was the view as we were leaving Headed to +/- 80 feet in the general vicinity of O Tower and took us a few spots to get some action. The first two spots were covered up with fish on the bottom machine but couldn't buy a bite beyond some bait, which was ok too.

After getting to the third spot, it all started happening. We immediately pulled in some nice keeper ARS on the first drift over the hole and decided it would be worth an anchor for sure. After getting anchored and in place we began filling our limit of ARS and a couple barely legal grouper. After we had most of the snapper in the ice, my father pulls up a 4-5' shark being followed by what we originally assumed to be a cobe. Started dropping anything we could and the fish wouldn't take it. As the shark comes up along side the boat the fish comes a little closer and turns out to be an AJ. After several more attempts to put a hook in his mouth, my brother says "The H@!! with this, give me the gaff!" We all said ok, whatever.

10 seconds later and a bent gaff hook, we are all scrambling to get a 20# AJ off the floor of the boat and into the box. Little bro made one swipe at the fish and nailed it, really surprised himself I think cuz I heard him holler "Oh $#!%, I got him, now what!" Finally get the fish in the ice slushy with no damage done. A couple of high fives and were back to fishing.

I put my line with a live grunt back on the bottom and make my two cranks back up and BAM! Fish on! Call my brother to come real in the flat line to get it out of my way because this fish is swimming, not just pulling for the bottom. He makes two cranks on the flat line and the drag starts screaming. As he is getting deep into the braid on the spinning reel, I get a 40+ inch cobe to the top. My other brother has the gaff and evidently he should have taken some lessons from my other brother a long time ago because it takes him several attempts then I finally try to tail him while holding the rod (not a wise idea) A little cussing and hollering I get the second gaff and make a swoop and he is safely in the boat. Now the king that has taken quite a bit of line and is making his slow return trip to the boat. He sees the boat and makes one more good run then he is in the boat. All within a 10 minute time period and this is the quick shot to show After that, a pair of dolphins rolled in and the bite slowed significantly. Had another couple of hookups on something super large and got broke off. After a bit we decided to head back in the general direction of St Teresa to troll for a bit over some bottom we wanted to scout. Found a few new spots and a couple more kings to add to the cooler. Stopped for a quick swim at DIR and realized that there was quite a storm rapidly approaching. Battoned down the hatches and started making headway to the hill. As the storm hit, we waited just outside to cruise into shore. Anchored up, got fish cleaned and had them cooking up before 6:00. Hard to beat a day like that.

Here's another pic with a few more fish

A day like this can warm a Dad's heart long into the dim future. As we fishermen know, any day on the water is good, even if the results are not. But a day on the water with your children is the most special of all! That last photo was taken by me, and a better crew cannot be found. The smiles all 'round bring a happy tear to my eyes even today!

VERY NICE VERY NICE
Good thing you took the one on the right with ya, that would have been a whole boat full of UGLY!

Awesome gaff work. Great day on the water