KBTV

The Big One!

On Monday, I mentioned that I had quickly learned that there is at least one common denominator when it comes to avid fishermen "EVERYONE HAS A FISHING STORY." And when a gang of Anglers gets together each fish is bigger than the next.

I also mentioned that now, I, too, have a fishing story … and it’s called Beginner’s Luck.

OK. It all began just before 8 a.m. We pushed off the dock and headed down the intracoastal to the Hillsboro Inlet out to the ocean. All said – about two miles.

Before we pushed off I happened to ask Captain Eddie, Captain Mike’s partner if we were going to catch anything that day:

So, now we’re drifting, the sun is shining, the guys had set up the rods with goggle eyes and released the kites to keep the bait on the ocean’s surface – the anticipation began to build.

Because I had never fished before, I didn’t understand why the guys on the boat were so quiet and seemed so uptight. I thought fishing was supposed to be fun.

Then I noticed the intensity of Captain Mike’s gaze on the horizon, he, Steve, Captain Eddie and the rest were peering at the movement of the water in the distance looking for – what I realize now – would be the catch of the day.

Suddenly, Captain Mike hollered out: “Katie … your rod’s got some action.” I scampered to the bow of the boat and he handed me my rod. Indeed there was something biting my goggle eye on the other end. His direction was as follows: “Start reeling. When the fish is fighting hard – let him fight. When he stops fighting – start reeling. And so on."

Little did I know, I was in for the fight of my life. I am in pretty good shape so I was okay with the reeling part. It was where to put the butt of the rod that gave me trouble. I started to lose spots on my gut – ouch – that’s painful, finally I sat down and anchored the rod between my legs against the seat.

After about five minutes we saw the fish jumping out of the water into the air – about 50 yards off the boat. The guys started to whoop and cheer.

Then I saw him. My fish was 10 yards away leaping in and out of the water. Captain Mike put on his glove, leaned over the side of the boat, grabbed my fish by the nose and began to pull him out of the water. My fish was fighting hard. He wasn’t having it. Finally, he slipped back into the water and fought over to the other side of the boat where Captain Eddie snagged him and pulled him up on deck.

I couldn’t believe how big this sailfish was. I heard Steve yell "wow … six feet!" Then suddenly my sailfish was in my arms. A few seconds later his tail fanned out and smacked me right in the face!

I had never understood how grown men could sit around a table for hours taking turns talking about this one moment. Now I do.

posted by Jason Parsley @ 10:59 AM