High tides and one huge catch

[Gunnar]

I went out yesterday evening to chase some redfish. I tried Beaverdam creek which has produced fish for me in the past. Had an incoming tide that just didn't want to quit. Found one red in a clump of grass about 8" deep with his tail up, so I pitched a she dog in front of him and he inhaled it. http://www.carolinaskiffowner.com/picture.php?albumid=161&pictureid=3253 Over the slot and tons of fun to catch. Anyway, I wanted more ;D and stayed later than planned. Had the highest tide I've seen around here last night. When I finally turn around and decide to go home the sun is down and getting dark quick. I don't use my GPS fishing inshore, just go by landmarks that I know, well all my landmarks were underwater the marsh had turned into a bay.*laughing* So I used the trolling motor and guessd my way back to the ICW.

By this time it is dark with a new moon. I get about 1/4 mile down the ICW and see a boat drifting in the channel without any lights so I stop to see if they need some help. No one on board, loaded with gear and the key in the ignition.:eek: This kinda freaks me out so I start calling and spotlighting the surrounding water for anybody. No people in the water but lots of debris, The tide has changed and bringing all the trash that's been on land back into the water. I realized, well hoped, that this boat probably floated off a lift and came adrift. I call up the Coast Guard and tell them my situation and they ask me to stay with the boat till they can get there. They get there about 40 minutes later and take the boat and my info and bring it to a local marina. That left me with a slow 7 mile ride back to the ramp with a dead spotlight and anything that floats floating in the ICW. I had planned on being back by 9, ended up being 11:30 *001*

I got no call from the Coast Guard today, so I'm taking that as good news. I'm claiming my largest catch and release to date, a 21' Sea Hunt CC rotflmaorotflmao

Be safe out there

Gregg

[sportskiff]

What kind of bait you use ta git a big ol 21' ta bite like that???
Gregg, ya shure a goodguy.

[joe28540]

No good dead goes unanswered. That will come back to you. *Cheers*

[OBX Hokie]

Not even my wildest "the one that got away" stories can top 21'!!!!!

You win!*yay**yay*

btw, nice redfish.

[Eel]

Nice job on the red. *yay* She Dogs are the shizzle.

And great job on calling the CG and hanging out with the boat. *thumbsup*

[MartyJ16]

Gregg,

It is no surprise that you did the right thing with that Sea Hunt CC even at a pretty great inconvenience to yourself. There is one damn grateful owner out there even if you never hear from them.

But, remember, according to this forum, a Bayliner is strictly a "catch and release".

[sportskiff]

Gregg,
what did it weigh??????
rotflmao *laughing* rotflmao *laughing* rotflmao *Cheers*

[Flat Boy Slim]

Some of my fondest memories at the beach are those crazty high tides - I love to take the kids out into the front yard at night with flash lights and watch the crabs run across my lawn in about two feet of water -

In fact, my wife just called me in the middle of this message to let me know the water was under the picnic table about 20 feet off the back porch - :eek:

[workinprogress]

You da man, Gregg. Here's to you for being a stand-up guy.*Cheers*

[tpurvis]

I don't know, something smells awful fishy about that catch and release--- where's your pictures? *thumbsup* Good deeds do not go unrewarded *018*. Oh and by-the-way, pretty Red!!! Hate it for you that it took so long to get back home.

[CFISHN]

So many of us Have worked Hard for years to afford A Nice boat to fish from !

Much less the hundreds even thousands in EQ / Electronics !
And no less the key in it *006* A Crook could have just been off with it !

Super nice that Greg took the time to get that boat back to it's owner!*yay*

A CLASS ACT GREG ! *thumbsup*


I Heard a Cpt. talking about loosing a few rods last year here on the OBX over the vhf ...

A wise old Voice came on and Said He had been around a while and with times getting Hard Some People who would not normaly steel will pick up EZ pickens .....

Ya left it in the boat for years, But Think twice now ... :secret:

SAD BUT GOOD ADVICE *006*

[Ed&Brenda]

Great story and great act of kindness. Like someone else said that was one happy boat owner. Hopefully it plays out like those commercials from liberty mutual.

[Slim to None]

nice redfish! some people would've kept everything off that boat and let it back to drift! nice work on being a good sportsman and waiting for the CG!*Cheers*