Just another day fishing
I like to think that I’m wiser than I used to be. I’m sure there are people who would disagree with that, some might agree completely. How I see myself is rarely how others see me.
Some days I don’t seem very smart even to myself. We all have those days. Fishermen know what I mean. Those days where I can’t seem to catch anything. Those days are still better than good days at work. Unless fishing is your job, then I don’t know what to say.
I have noticed that when fish start biting, and I start catching I become less aware of what’s going on around me. I go into the zone. CATCH MODE, I call it.
“You can keep talking but I’m done listening.” I’m just trying to catch fish.
Normally this is a good thing. I love those times.
Usually.
There have been times that I should have noticed things happening around me. Those little things that turn a great day fishing into one of those you will never forget, for the wrong reasons.
Luckily, I can laugh at most of them, I laugh at myself more than anything else.
Finally found Fish
I used to fish in a little aluminum boat. Nothing nice. It had more dents in it than it did shiny parts. I had a cheap outboard motor on it that you had to sit next to steer and control the throttle.
I had to keep the cooler in the bow to keep it from flipping when I took off or when a breeze caught it just right. That’s a story for another time. I learn from doing usually from doing it wrong.
It was a good little boat though. It could go in inches of water or take in a good sea. It was a trooper. I mean it endured my learning the hard way, so it was one of a kind.
I used to go up to a spot, kill the engine and drift back down till I found the fish and then would anchor. I’d fish till they quit biting or moved and then I’d drift again.
There wasn’t anything fancy about it but it worked. I usually came in with a few and had a great time every time I went.
Usually.
I got up one morning in the fall to see if the weather was OK to go. I was going anyway but I wanted to see how cool it might be. I’ve never been that big on trusting weather people. I can walk outside by myself and it’s 100% accurate. If you are worried about it raining later on a sunny day, take a raincoat.
It wasn’t that bad. Low 50’s and not much wind. Perfect for fishing that morning.
I gathered my gear, loaded the boat and headed out.
I made a couple of trips up and down a few times before I found anything biting. But when I did, they were hungry.
The first one I landed was huge. I couldn’t believe it. If anybody else had been listening to me, my little spot would have become a marina in a matter of minutes.
Once my adrenaline leveled off and I calmed down I got out the anchor and made another cast.
WHAM!
Another one just as big nailed it.
My drag was screaming, my pole looked like it might break, and I probably had a bigger smile on my face than I ever had before.
“This is a great day!”
It went on like this for about half an hour.
Cast.
Set.
Fight.
Land.
Cast again.
Is there supposed to be that much water
After I got in the 3rd or 4th fish, I noticed there was a little bit of water in the boat. Well, a little more than I thought should be there and probably a lot more than I cared to admit to myself. It’s funny the way my mind works. I knew that much water shouldn’t be there, but I was in catching mode and decided it could wait.
I didn’t have a bilge pump or anything, just a scoop or I ran it fast with the plug out and the water drained out.
Boats are supposed to get wet, right?
I made another cast and sure enough. Wham! AGAIN!
Days like this don’t happen often and you have to make the most of an opportunity when it comes.
I probably caught another 2 or 3 when I looked at the water again.
It didn’t seem to look much worse. At the time.
So, I kept on fishing.
AGAIN!
WHAM!
And AGAIN!
And AGAIN!
What are you planning on bringing it in to
What I had not stopped to realize in CATCH MODE was that I was standing in the front of the boat. The weight was balanced. Unless I wanted to start the engine. Then all the weight would be in the back. So would most of the water. Enough for the sides to barely be above it.
I know this because I tried to go to the back.
Now I was in a predicament. I can’t get to the back to start the engine which means I can’t run all the water out. All I could do was try and scoop it out.
After a few minutes I realized I was not gaining any ground. If anything, I was just keeping it where it was.
Just to show the mentality I had; in the back of my mind, I was trying to figure out how I could keep catching fish before I completely sank but yet still somehow get back in.
I decided to make a cast till I could figure it out.
WHAM AGAIN!
UNBELIEVABLE!
It was at this moment the onlookers had all they could take.
All I heard was laughing and someone asked:
What are you going to reel it in to?
I had no real answer. I knew the boat was sinking, I couldn’t stop it, I decided to fish anyway.
I kept on fighting him.
Forget me, get the cooler
They eased up to me making sure they didn’t make a wake that would have ended everything and asked if I needed help.
Obviously, I did but in CATCH MODE all I could think to say was:
“Don’t worry about me, get the cooler!”
All I heard was laughing.
Till I started passing them the cooler.
Then they really laughed.
After they got my prize catch safe and secure, I threw them my bow line and told them to just tie it off and go really fast.
They looked a little shocked at first but realized I might have a plan, or they were just curious to see what would happen.
Plan might be a stretch, but I had an idea. I got the water out of the boat all the time by running it wide open with the plug out. I had never tried it being towed by someone else, but the theory seemed sound.
Off we went.
It took a little while, but the water was draining out. Eventually all of it was gone and there on the floor in the back, was the plug.
When I pulled up to this spot, I saw a fish hit and got excited.
I forgot I had been running the water out on my way there.
I made a cast before I put the plug back in.
One thing after another and I almost sank the boat. I’m pretty sure sinking means the whole thing goes under or at least doesn't float anymore. The boat wasn’t sunk, yet.
But I did have an amazing day fishing.
I don’t know who the people were that helped me but I’m sure that story comes up from time to time. I’m sure they are still laughing about that guy fighting a fish back to a sinking boat and smiling the whole time.
Yes, I’m THAT guy. Just a little smarter now.
In hindsight
I check the plug before I cast now.
I never put off draining water till the boat is sunk now.
I always know what I’m fighting a fish into now.
Was that the only boat I ever sank?
No.
Will it be the last?
Hopefully.
I’ll worry about it when it happens.
I’m learning as I go, and I still have a lot to learn.
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