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RedFish Chaser

Long story...

Well, I got everything packed up in my gas hog Suburban Friday evening to fish the Third Coast Fishing Tourney on Saturday. I loaded the back of my gas hog with everything, including the paddle for my yak. (I had forgotten one time and I had to drive about 30 minutes back home to get it. Bummer. Stupid. The excitement of fishing got me. Sad

)

Well, I woke up before the alarm clock that was set for 4:30 a.m. Turned on the TV to look for the news. The bright TV light and my tired body said, "What the hell am I doing up so early!" Managed to get my body out of bed and took care of my personal matters. The morning stuff. Jumped in the shower with semi-cold water to try wake up. If it wasn't for the large entry fee, I may have gotten back in bed. Laughing

Good thing that I was in shape from the 3 minute work out that I had the night before. (Just got a new Nordic Track treadmill. Worked out for 3 minutes. That counts as a work out, right? First time to do that in ages. Confused

)

Well, took care of the morning stuff. Loaded my LLBean Loon 16' yak on my Sub. Off I went. I got to my usual launching site at about 5:45. Still dark. Got everything in the yak and on the water and I was off at about 6:10. Yaked and yaked for about 4 miles out. Everything was so still at that time of the morning. The bugs were out because the winds were very tranquil. I didn't get bit and none got up my nose or in the mouth, and none bit me. They tried though! Laughing

I got to my favorite spot about 7ish. Loaded up my fast action 9' baitcaster with my favorite Norton eel on a High Tide jig head (1/8 oz). (Many people are wondering... crazy using a 9 footer. One of the rods that I favor on my trips is a 9' light for versatility and longer casting towards the Red as may be needed.) Paddled about 15 yds. and set anchor. Took my left hand and grabbed the bottom of my rod and placed the right hand on my slim profile Shimano baitcaster with the thumb in place. Oh yea, the THUMB... so important for not creating that dreaded NEST. I'm a pro at that some times. I performed a recon of the area like I really knew what I was doing, nah. I reached back over my right shoulder and fired away toward the semi-medium ripple that I saw in the shallow waters. The rest is history. First cast of the year and being out in open waters (well, it's been about 7 months or so), whammmmmmmmmmmmmm I WAS ON BABY!. I knew it was a RED! The color of my choice. I was still tired from waking up so early, and I was tired from yakking out so far of a distance without a rest. So, the full effect of being Locked On really didn't palpitate my heart... well, perhaps it was, but my brain was numb. (Oh yea, I was numb from the Heinekens my neighbor offered earlier Friday. Now and then, I'll gulp some of those before a work out. Normally, don't drink anymore. It takes away from spending on kids and fishing gear.) I didn't think much of it at first. It pulled me right side first and then towards the left like it was trying to fan me. I knew from my basic technique that I didn't want to pull it right in... that has been a loser for me once or twice on light tackle. Rolling Eyes

So, I tried tiring out the Red. I forgot how long I worked at it because I was numbed and tired. Eventually, I started to reel the baby in. It kept on taking me to the right and left. Sign of a good Red for me. Eventually, I got it near the yak. I fumbled holding onto the rod in my left hand and kneeling towards the bow of my yak reaching for the camera in my tackle bag. All the time worrying that I would lose the Red. But, but... had to get a picture, right? Yup, needed a pic. Snapped the Red in the water. Fumbled and got the camera in the bag. Again, I fumbled in the yak.... this time reaching for the hand net. It was snagged up in the crap that I had in the yak. It took several minutes, but I got it. By this time, the Red wasn't pissed anymore to take me left or right. It was tired out. I got the net eventually and tried reaching for the Red. Fumbled some more and then managed to net it. Fell back in my yak seat and took a breath. Managed to get the hook out and measured the Red. I thought it measured about 26"-27". I was exhausted still, yet numbly pumped that I caught my first fine REDFISH in open waters for the first time this year. You see, I'm priming for the CCA tourney. I thanked God for my blessings (my Twins) and being able to fish, and allowing me an opportunity to catch the fine Red. Man, what a morning! I continued to fish that morning in the same spot and the winds and clouds picked up. Fishing definitely was going to slow down. I yakked for another 1-2 miles out in another direction... didn't spot any Reds. Water was definitely more murky. Waded and baitcasted for couple of miles. The water was still light chocolate at best. Eventually, I went back to my spot and hooked up on another Red (23"-24") all the while seeing several other Reds in the area. It was getting to be about that time when I had to paddle back... the weigh-in was approaching (3 p.m.). I started at about 1:30ish. I yakked and yakked feverishly while the two Reds were on a stringer in the water. Man, it's almost like having a small anchor dragging in the water. But, I wanted to keep the Reds alive and to give me an upper shoulder work out. It's not too often that I get to work out in the water. Laughing

I got to my Sub at about 2:40, all puckered out. My arms were melting. My legs were locked from being in the yak for a while. I managed to off-load some of the stuff in my Sub. Took another pic of the big RedFish. Then I off-loaded the rest and into the Sub. I picked up my 69 lb yak. Hoisted it over my head and started an attempt to load it on top of my Sub. BUMMER. Forgot to put the back door hatch down. Blank ... blank words came out of my mouth... all the minute thinking how tired and stupid that I was feeling. Embarassed

Put the yak back in the water and closed the dawg gone hatch. Hoisted the yak up on top and proceeded to tie her down. It was about 2:53 at this time. I was thinking I still had few minutes left to make it to Marker 37 for the weigh-in. All the while thinking that I could place possibly in the tourney with the large Red. Got stuck behind bunch of slow moving Harley's on that crappy road behind Doc's. My heart was now pounding. I was saying to myself... come on, come on ... move it *&*#$ bikers. LOL. Finally, I pulled up into the Marker 37 parking lot. Got the fish bag containg water out of the truck. Rushed and found the weigh-in with 3-5 minutes to spare. Got it measured and weighed. To my surprise, the RedFish was 27.5". I believe it was the second biggest. The heaviest and biggest was at 28". It won $1,500. Mine weighed-in at 6.77 lbs. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Bummer! Those other Reds fished with live bait got the best of my fine RED! The weigh master/tourney crew told me that no one else caught anything on lures. Well, at least I caught something! I released both Reds into the marina waters. They were still alive for another DAY! Wink

Next time for a tourney that counts weight instead of length, I just may have to use live bait to give the Red some more weight at the weigh-in. Wink

Well for now, I'll be chasing for that RED using my lures.

_________________
Live To Fish Tomorrow... Fish To Live Today

Mr. C. (RedFish Chaser)
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Tailboard · Guest

Wow, awesome report. I almost feel like I caught that fish! I can't wait to hit the water again.

David Ivanhoe · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 2:34 pm Post subject:

too good ! congrats...I'm impressed...taking that pic in the water..
that is too cool!!
leave a few..be down in june
Dave

Big John · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:07 am Post subject:

Awesome Mr. C!

Can't wait to see the pic posted!
_________________
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.

Teach a man to fish, he'll be broke and hungry the rest of his life!

John Sullivan
Native Corpus Christian
Currently Displaced in San Antonio

cjlandry · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 8:52 am Post subject:

That was a fun read! Good job!

_________________
Chad Landry

"Whiskey for my men, and beer for my horses"

James · Guest

Nice fish, we had the same issue of trying to get into the weigh in. We were trying to get over the ferry and HOGs were all over. We were in the water at 6:15 in South Bay, Dad caught his limit of reds. 1 weighed 5 lbs and 12 ounces was 26 inches. We thought heck lets at least take it in, cause who knows how others did. We were loaded up in the truck by 2:20 and could not make it over the ferry and decided to turn around and go home by 2:45. Not sure if we will fish in the tournament again. This was my 3rd year. If we were not in the tournament we would have kept drifting thru HOG Island. The fishing was picking up when we decided to get out.

yakmaster · Guest

Hello,

I'm the chairman of the Third Coast Tourny. I read your story and am frustrated for you. Sounds and looks like a great fish.

The two guys that said they couldn't make it to the weigh in because of the HOGS, please call me.

Wade
549-4929

RedFish Chaser · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 6:38 am Post subject: Great Tourney!

Wade,

Great tournament! I like the idea that the fund raiser is to help kids. Smile

I would recommend the tournament to others for next year. The location was great for the round-up. The food was excellent (Miller BBQ) too. The weather was good. And the challenge was terrific. Amateur tournament anglers can't beat the prizes either.

I hope next year, the winning fish is by length first. In ties, let the weight determine.

Thanks.
_________________
Live To Fish Tomorrow... Fish To Live Today

Mr. C. (RedFish Chaser)
Over 1 MILLION eBurgers Served
www.CorpusPadreIsland.com
www.CorpusHomeBuyers.com
www.CorpusHomeSellers.com

DON'T CLOSE Our BEACHES!

Guest · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 6:50 am Post subject:

very interesting...

rabbit · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 9:16 am Post subject:

Very nice fish kim. Glad you had a good time. Very Happy

_________________
Fishing and Kayaking its a rough life but somebody has to do it. Smile

Lat22 · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 11:34 am Post subject:

That was a great read. My only advice would be to take care of the "morning stuff" only once. You'll be less tired! Wink

putawaywet · Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 7:48 am Post subject:

If you don't mind risking your finger tips you can stuff about a quart of live shrimp into his grinders before you box him.
This may add enough wieght to tip the scale at wiegh in. Rolling Eyes

_________________
"If you love something let it go.If it comes back to you gaff it and throw it in the icechest."

"Many men go fishing all they're lives without knowing it is not fish they are after."-Henry David Thoreu

RedFish Chaser · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 8:36 am Post subject: Hmmm

Next time I'll just sit on the RedFish after I put it on the scale. I won't take much space on the scale. Laughing

_________________
Live To Fish Tomorrow... Fish To Live Today

Mr. C. (RedFish Chaser)
Over 1 MILLION eBurgers Served
www.CorpusPadreIsland.com
www.CorpusHomeBuyers.com
www.CorpusHomeSellers.com

DON'T CLOSE Our BEACHES!

reelaxin' · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 12:24 pm Post subject: