Cockpit chaos with Boy Scouts w pics

[27 sailfish]

At least once or twice a week - my sanity gets questioned. Some times I get myself into real messes.

Take Saturday as an example. My son's Scout troop camped at Sandy Point so Saturday morning they wanted to go fishing.

We did not leave the dock until about 8:30 am - beautiful weather meant it was crowded. Ran a short distance towards Hacketts but stopped well north of it as finder lite up in 20 feet with bottom fish.

My son Tyler cut up some premium bloodworms from Marty's. These are expensive but looked like small snakes rather then the tooth pick worms I'm used to seeing. Even cutting them at 1/2 to 3/4 inch pieces - we got about 20 baits per worm.

Why I put five rods into the hands of new fishermen over these good marks - well , guess I'll plead insanity. The fish were biting well and soon Tyler and I were dodging incoming Perch and Croaker along with 2 oz weights. At any given time - there was at least two fish being flung from rod tips.

No matter how many times we explained to stop reeling so 3-4 feet of line was off the tip - the boys reeled tight to the swivel every time. We stopped baiting the upper hook to try and slow the craziness down. Boats were zooming by and wakes had the boat rolling a few times. We lost one Scout to sea sickness - I swear his puke drew in even more fish. His buddies kindly offered him water and did not kid him - at least not too much.











Heard a nasty snap - there went 2 inches off a rod tip. Oh well , to be expected. I had to laugh as the Scout reached for one of the St. Criox rods - Tyler shook his head no. Short while later - a bail was flipped wrong way and busted a spring. One by one - the boys gave up as the bottom fish wore them out. We lost count after 100 - it was a wide open bite. We ran back to Sandy Point for a lunch break and the second group of Scouts.

While they ate - I rerigged tangled leaders and replaced mangled hooks. Wish I had either rubber coated sinkers or my hard hat - took a few 2 ozs to the head.

Going back out at 1:00 on a Saturday for round two - just shoot me.

We decided to try anchoring in the shade of the bridge and it really helped keep us cool. The Perch bite was good but few big enough to keep.





Amazes me how close big boats will run to boats anchored - twice wakes had the boys sliding across the deck. The current began to slow about 4:00 and we called it a day and headed in.

I had to laugh at the two broken rods and three damaged reels - luckily it was older gear that has seen a lot of abuse.

The boys all caught fish and had a great time - that's what really mattered. I got home and my wife just handed me a drink without even asking how it went.

As crazy as it all was - I'd do it again any day - now that's insanity right there.

[Rick]

Skip you are a saint. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

[buckshotgumbo]

Funny stuff!
And a trip they'll never forget.. as you said, worth the price.

[gscaton1]

Good job Skip, we need more guys like you...

[CAGE RATTLER]

Good stuff Skip

I would imagine you got to hear quite a few whacks of 2 oz'ers bouncing off the gelcote as well

[RiverCat09]

Skip,

That was quite an adventure, and you're a heck of a stand up guy for passing along our love of fishing.

[Rocks and Rye]

That's an awesome story. Those kids will be talking about the day they were out on your boat bailing fish left and right for forever. You probably got a number of them hooked on fishing. Nice read.

[ontheflats]

Good story Skip. How old is that scout with the beard???

[swartj]

I was laughing as I read this because novice adults are no better. I had two non-fishing friends out Wednesday of last week. They insisted on reeling the line all the way up to swivel and kept grabbing the rod about a foot from the top. One of them even managed to unscrew the handle.

[crabby and son]

Want just a little more chaos...........bring a few girl scouts next time....................Gary