First time fishing in almost a year due to many health issues and injuries. To be covered later in this post for those who are interested?
For today I went fishing with Morris on his 26' Skipjack "Jugular". It was a beautiful day, sunny and clear, little wind until noon, 3-4 foot seas early and reduced to 1 foot later, Wind rose to whitecap levels at about 11 am, yet very fishable. To say fishing was slow is an understatement. 55 degree water temps and the curse of fishing absolutely no current all morning.
I slammed the Bass all three of them, a 2 pound Sandy, a one pound Calico and a 1.5 pound Sandy. Morris caught a few Whitefish, but didn't fish much as he drove the boat looking for spots. All the ones he had marked were almost empty. We did find many more spots working the whole bank, metering tons of fish. However the fish had lockjaw.
We arrived at Izor's around 7:30 am, on the water at 7am. The highlight of the trip was myself hooking a 40-50 pound Black Seabass. I fought it for about five minutes and handed it off to Morris, explanation later. I started up the engine and we chased the fish all over the reef. Morris did a fantastic job fighting the fish. The rig had only 15 pound test and I apparently had set the drag properly. Every minute the fish took line I thought for sure we would break it off. The lure was a Tube bait by Hookup, ask me why I was using it and I don't know. They seldom catch fish for me? Although people rave about them.
After 30+ minutes the fish came to color. We pulled the hook and released it gently, had to push it down with the butt of the rod and down it went.
We called it at noon! I was so relieved I had no issues today.
Ok for those of you who don't want a story, you can exit now.
Health issues. Last year in March Morris and I ran to San Clemente Island for the opening of rockfish season. We made it to the island in calm conditions, yet very large swells. We had very decent fishing for several hours, then the winds came up. The ocean became a washing machine, with swells attacking us from multiple sides. Morris became seasick, he does not remember the last time that ever happened. I became extremely ill, no seasickness, but so light headed and could not standup. Our normal return to harbor of 2.5 to worst case 3 hours took over 5 hours. It was so rough and 20-25 know winds.
Morris had to hold me up to get to my truck, I could barely walk. I probably should not have been driving home, but I made it safely. I went to emergency services and it was determined I had nothing wrong with my heart or lungs. Although my A fib was bad. Both my cardiologist and pulmonary specialist assured me that my heart and lungs were good. Neither had input on A Fib.
Ok in April my wife Sheryl and I went on a 16 day Panama Canal cruise. The cruise was great, but I had many issues with shortness of breathe, walking up stairs or hills on tours, etc. My energy levels were bad!
In May we went down to Mexico to our timeshare in Puerto Penesco, some 175 miles below Yuma Arizona, a beautiful part of the Gulf of Mexico. On the second day I had a horrible slip and fall besides the pool. Turns out I tore my Hamstring tendons completely away from my tailbone. I used a walker for 3 months and limped for another month. No surgery as it is risky for folks my age.
So in August Morris asked if I wanted to chase the numerous Dorado biting locally, I'm in! We pull up to Nachos and he hands me a rope to hold the boat in place. I pull my other Hamstring, can't walk without pain and we return to the dock. I'm out for a month. The wife and I have a 45 day south pacific cruise coming up in early Oct. I decide that any form of doing anything strenuous is out! I become a couch potato.
The 45 day cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti. Samoa, Tonga. Figi and many other ports of call goes off smoothy. I even towards the end of the cruise start working out in the gym with no issues. Although my shortness of breath gets worse and worse. I am meeting with a specialist this Friday to discuss possible solutions, although I understand any procedure is at high risk.
At this time I cannot stand for much longer than 5 minutes, I get cramps and numbness in the legs. Which means sportboats are not in the equation. Even today I sat down most of the time. With little exertion I have severe shortness of breath. I can only pray a doctor can provide help.
God willing I will fish again. But maybe not, so be it. Sorry to bore you, it has been one hell of a tough year, except the vacations. I wanted so badly to get in on the Bluefin and Dorado bite, not to be this year. FYI I turn 76 soon and I know that is not old, but I sure feel like it is.
Ok my wife Sheryl and I celebrated our 53-anniversary last year and accepted being my Valentine for the 54th year.
All the best everyone.
We miss you Lal!
For today I went fishing with Morris on his 26' Skipjack "Jugular". It was a beautiful day, sunny and clear, little wind until noon, 3-4 foot seas early and reduced to 1 foot later, Wind rose to whitecap levels at about 11 am, yet very fishable. To say fishing was slow is an understatement. 55 degree water temps and the curse of fishing absolutely no current all morning.
I slammed the Bass all three of them, a 2 pound Sandy, a one pound Calico and a 1.5 pound Sandy. Morris caught a few Whitefish, but didn't fish much as he drove the boat looking for spots. All the ones he had marked were almost empty. We did find many more spots working the whole bank, metering tons of fish. However the fish had lockjaw.
We arrived at Izor's around 7:30 am, on the water at 7am. The highlight of the trip was myself hooking a 40-50 pound Black Seabass. I fought it for about five minutes and handed it off to Morris, explanation later. I started up the engine and we chased the fish all over the reef. Morris did a fantastic job fighting the fish. The rig had only 15 pound test and I apparently had set the drag properly. Every minute the fish took line I thought for sure we would break it off. The lure was a Tube bait by Hookup, ask me why I was using it and I don't know. They seldom catch fish for me? Although people rave about them.
After 30+ minutes the fish came to color. We pulled the hook and released it gently, had to push it down with the butt of the rod and down it went.
We called it at noon! I was so relieved I had no issues today.
Ok for those of you who don't want a story, you can exit now.
Health issues. Last year in March Morris and I ran to San Clemente Island for the opening of rockfish season. We made it to the island in calm conditions, yet very large swells. We had very decent fishing for several hours, then the winds came up. The ocean became a washing machine, with swells attacking us from multiple sides. Morris became seasick, he does not remember the last time that ever happened. I became extremely ill, no seasickness, but so light headed and could not standup. Our normal return to harbor of 2.5 to worst case 3 hours took over 5 hours. It was so rough and 20-25 know winds.
Morris had to hold me up to get to my truck, I could barely walk. I probably should not have been driving home, but I made it safely. I went to emergency services and it was determined I had nothing wrong with my heart or lungs. Although my A fib was bad. Both my cardiologist and pulmonary specialist assured me that my heart and lungs were good. Neither had input on A Fib.
Ok in April my wife Sheryl and I went on a 16 day Panama Canal cruise. The cruise was great, but I had many issues with shortness of breathe, walking up stairs or hills on tours, etc. My energy levels were bad!
In May we went down to Mexico to our timeshare in Puerto Penesco, some 175 miles below Yuma Arizona, a beautiful part of the Gulf of Mexico. On the second day I had a horrible slip and fall besides the pool. Turns out I tore my Hamstring tendons completely away from my tailbone. I used a walker for 3 months and limped for another month. No surgery as it is risky for folks my age.
So in August Morris asked if I wanted to chase the numerous Dorado biting locally, I'm in! We pull up to Nachos and he hands me a rope to hold the boat in place. I pull my other Hamstring, can't walk without pain and we return to the dock. I'm out for a month. The wife and I have a 45 day south pacific cruise coming up in early Oct. I decide that any form of doing anything strenuous is out! I become a couch potato.
The 45 day cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti. Samoa, Tonga. Figi and many other ports of call goes off smoothy. I even towards the end of the cruise start working out in the gym with no issues. Although my shortness of breath gets worse and worse. I am meeting with a specialist this Friday to discuss possible solutions, although I understand any procedure is at high risk.
At this time I cannot stand for much longer than 5 minutes, I get cramps and numbness in the legs. Which means sportboats are not in the equation. Even today I sat down most of the time. With little exertion I have severe shortness of breath. I can only pray a doctor can provide help.
God willing I will fish again. But maybe not, so be it. Sorry to bore you, it has been one hell of a tough year, except the vacations. I wanted so badly to get in on the Bluefin and Dorado bite, not to be this year. FYI I turn 76 soon and I know that is not old, but I sure feel like it is.
Ok my wife Sheryl and I celebrated our 53-anniversary last year and accepted being my Valentine for the 54th year.
All the best everyone.
We miss you Lal!
