could easily define today's Saltwater excursion. AXES:hatchet: = Pre-dawn, West coast, Sunny Florida temperatures were listed as low 40's and my pre-trip advisory to Slab was to dress appropriately. His early hour 45 minute due West drive to my driveway along with his self-expressed little sleep relay that was confirmed repeatedly by his noticably incessant YawningWhite Flag Icon Nasty temps, high, cold-front winds unfortunately forecasted by high-salaried specialists folks were easily >10 mph over the 10 -15 NE. Water temps started at a frigid 57 degrees only to slightly elevate to 59:banghead As a responsible host/guide, I always have Guest-goals in my personal "to do" list. Chose NOT to touch my rod/reel for the 1st 20 minutes after tying on Slab's "ticket" lure. I asked Slab to bring his personal rod/reels for reasons, especially obvious to me, with the Saltwater denizen of the deep scenario hazards. While witnessing/evaluating Ed's, decent enough for now, casting proficiency, he experienced the Braided-line Wind KNOT that was Second to NONE!!:yikes TEN pairs of non-Amputated hands couldn't help solve what a pair of Scissors eventually DID!:bash Shortly thereafter, Slab accomplished my 1st of many "guest to-do" list!:highfive = Undersized Snook:cheers2 Slab kept chiding me to pick up my rod to show me how it's done! I said I wasn't quite ready yet!(I was busy cutting/retying "stuff"):Rofl Moving to another high-potential spot, I again gave Slab the proper regard to instruct him of his casting parameters. I then started my day, and was excited with the "tick of excitement"! I told Slab that I would appreciate his help with the NET!! Even before the 2 minute drag-blistering, head-shaking runs, I knew top-slot Mr. SNOOK had been fooled with my artificial-only 'lil John. Multiple 30-40 yard runs, made me glad I decided to put on an Extra set ofundies!:Rofl Unfortunately, apparrently Mr. SNOOK had a slight psychological disorder with Social gatherings with strangers or possibly even a bit Camera-shy:dono You guessed it, he came unbuttoned with a violent head-shake @the surface about 10 yards from Slab's yet to be evaluated... netting skills!:banghead. Well the list of AXES continued to mount all throughout our day with ME missing some sizable keeper trout. My hooks, although religiously kept sharp, were offset by the soft, tentative bite(so far). As the lowering tide was exiting @Mario Andretti record speed aided by the NE/E wind direction, Slab(way NORTH(Illinois) native "I can't feel my fingers!:yikes I knew I should've brought my ICE fishing portable catalytic heater along!:deadhorse:Rofl Well, as if I had planned(prayed) for it...my "PLANits started to come into alignment and with it started to take the edge off of the AXE!:highfive Winds noticably reducing, water-temps bump, Slab now feeling his fingers, about an hour from Ebb tide, our Sleigh-ride was about to start receiving our well-deserved Presents! I already could start seeing the "signs" that Slab's newby status could afford him, so I audibly kept assuring him to "buckle up his helmet" = You ain't seen NUTTIN' YET! j
Just HOLD ON! ACES= Only minutes later was Slab's tick(knock @the door). I quickly assured him that I'll have the net!:highfive What unfolded couldn't have been scripted any better by DISNEY! I was hoping that Slab had done a double undies earlier this morning b4 leaving home. All's I can compare this fish's contempt with is the RUSH to the White House earlier this year!(sorry no political sway intended)+Cross+ Slab's open-eyed excitement easily exibited his "6 yr. old 1st box of Cracker Jack's "the prize"! Upper slot, wild-eyed, thick-shouldered, defeated Ed Moes' personal best Mr. REDFISH!!Attachment 413234 Oh yeah! Guess that's about it, guys...oh my gosh, almost forgot, there's more!. Shortly followed with my bigger, sorry Ed...it's bigger BROTHER? Sorry, hopefully maybe Slab could share some day's pics he snapped.:pray
Well, even notched another off my instructional wish list for Freshwater Guy to experience my reason I may exhibit some crabbiness!:Rofl Gotta admit, Slab was Excersized largely 2day!White Flag Icon
In closing, let me say(if needed), I typically try to refrain from overstating too much, but the day's variables(+-) that I/we both were handed = this is one for the BOOKS for me! Thanks Slab for fittin' this trip in...FINALLY, after all the STUFF you've encountered!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Thanks for Ridin', Reelin', Readin' along with us!
u2s
