went out to Hamlin on Wedneday night. Thought for sure that the water would come in late and we wouldnt see anything as the high was 11:00 so we went with no expectations whatsoever. Come 8:00 it was perfect, stood there for what seemed like forever and didnt see squat. My buddy finally spotted one almost 200’ away. We slowly started making our way over to him and once i was within 60’ i started tossing a crab at him. Came up short, starting to panic…after about the 4th or 5th bad cast at him I’m losing hope. At that point i see some water start to push about 30’ to the left and maybe 10’ closer to me of the first fish, no tail or anything but clearly a fish milling around. I toss at him and it lands right in the general area of where i “thought” the fish was. I start stripping line and my buddy yells at me “he’s to your right…what the heck are you doing? He’s over here!” (other fish was still tailing) right at that moment the line comes taught and I’m looking over at him screaming “HOLY S*#T… IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING OH MY GOD!!!” sure enough he was on and running. I couldnt believe it. Ended up being a really nice 25-27" fish. I’m hooked for life. Can’t wait for the evening tides to come in again. What an awesome experience. So from now on I’ll go with no expectations whatsoever and maybe if I’m lucky I’ll get a fish.
Well done! If you never tried, this never would have happened
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
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Bad ass… haha Im still waiting for that moment
yessir, go for the experience and enjoy the ride! Thoreau said “many men go fishing their whole lives without knowing its not fish they are really after”
Congrats!!..catching your first red/tailing OTF is an exhilarating experience!, and will have you back for more and more!!
Great write up…! Makes me remember my first OTF catch…except, I think I had alot more bad casts!..lol
It gets alot easier later on. But the rush will always be the same, just how you control it.
Good luck on future ventures!
Congrats Jason, that is awesome. I am going after my first red OTF tomorrow. Btw , how is the star bright wax holding up on your boat? not too long after I did yours I did mine with it and it is holding up well.I am curious about yours since it’s blue and oxidation is easier to see on blue hulls. On mine, the wax is starting to wear away on the part of the boat that is actually in the water when running. That salt is just abrasive. I put interlux wax sealer on both of ours too. So, I know that it helps out a bunch. Congrats again on the otf red. I cant wait to feel how you did wed evening!
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
I enjoyed reading that. Congrats on your first
Scotty, that crab i picked him up on i got from your store. little green crab with orange legs etc. will be seeing you this week for some more ideas. Jimmy, as far as i can tell that star bright with ptef is the way to go. i can’t see any oxidation as of yet. boat still looks brand new although i am pretty religous about washing it every time i take her out. LOVE that boat…
Bulls Bay 200