 Florida Redfish: A Diamond Is Forever, But A Redfish Fights Better
Posted by shaq on March 01, 2006
(3287 reads)
“What time are we getting up tomorrow?” She asked. “Don’t worry about it, you can sleep in the car” I replied. “You know it’s our anniversary tomorrow?” She moaned. I know, it’s going to be so great.” “Better get some sleep, 4am is going to come quick.” A faint chuckle was heard as she groaned in the dark. It was still dark as we packed up the car in the damp Florida morning air. The kids will not be getting Mickey’s attention for another 5 hours but we pointed the rental car east and set the cruise slightly above the suggested speed. After an uneventful trip to the coast we were waiting for our guide to show at the rendezvous point. One flats boat after another past us without slowing until finally, only five minutes late but 4 later than my patience, the yellow maverick showed itself in the brightening skyline. “That’s our ride,” I proclaimed waking her up beside me. “Happy Anniversary,” I beamed. “This is going to rock!” Introductions, a handshake and we are back in the car heading to the launch.
It’s getting brighter now and we are still in the car, following a trailered flats boat through a maze of dirt roads, “Where is this guy going” she asked, and I couldn’t talk because the sun was silhouetting the launch pad for the space shuttle in an orange hue,
“Take a look at that hun, that is so cool” I said aloud as we pulled into our destination. After some quick instructions, we were on our way. “This is awesome huh?” I phrased as a half question, half statement, and we pulled onto the first flat. I stepped onto the deck and was instructed to air it out, “Let’s see what you can do.” Obviously, a challenge to my northern climes. So I bombed out 70 feet of line in 2 false casts and glanced at the back of the boat. “Oh, we’re going to be fine.”…”Ya” I sarcastically
thought, but I understood what he had done, I spent a year in a boat once. Anyways, after the formality, we motored off the first flat and went fly fishing.
We came to the first spot and my newly found friend poled us into some pot-holes which we blind cast into. After being unsuccessful with two patches of dark water the line tightened in the third. “Fish-on” I exclaimed, My wife jumped up to get a better look as I put the fish on the reel and bulldogged him in. It was a modest redfish, my first, sized firmly in the slot, a keeper but released to fight another day. We poled further down the massive flat, in water sometimes no deeper than the knee. As we rounded the point of a mangrove spotted island I noticed the flat’s bottom was a chocolate brown in color. “What’s that all about?” I asked as I pointed the rod tip to the 10 o’clock position. “Those are Reds” The guide proclaimed. “Get ready,” he said. We poled in silently and as we got into range. He told me to “Go ahead, whenever you’re ready.” I put the rod into overdrive and the fly flew out of my fingers. 35 foot back cast shoot 60 feet drop, plop, strip, pause, strip, strip, tighten, “Fish On!” A silver flash flew over my head as the guide cast a Johnson spoon into the fray…”Double Hook-up!!!” He handed the rod to my wife as 200 redfish took off across the flat throwing a wake the size of a small yacht. What glorious chaos!!!! We both landed our fish and released them after pictures to join the school. We ended the day with a redfish count of 5, had many refusals and one shot at a large sea trout cruising fast which moved for the fly but spooked at the last second. What a day, and hopefully the start of a great anniversary tradition. I’m not holding my breath though.
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Re: Florida Redfish: A Diamond Is Forever, But A Redfish Fights Better
by jeremy on March 01, 2006 http://www.fliesandfins.com | dude that was awesome --- i could totally relate - i can't tell you how many times i have tried to spin a fly fishing trip to my wife as being something that she is gonna love....... she knows that i love it and she entertains my antics... but none the less whenever we are on vacation or sitting around in maine and she asks, "so what were you thinking of doing today?" i always respond..."well honey, there is this beautiful river that i have always wanted to take you to..." or "honey, i have the perfect albie beach in mind... oops .. i mean the perfect beach in mind where we can cuddle all day on a beach blanket."
seriously shaq - that was an awesome read - some very funny lines...it even started off with a killer sentence...
“What time are we getting up tomorrow?” She asked. “Don’t worry about it, you can sleep in the car” |
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Re: Florida Redfish: A Diamond Is Forever, But A Redfish Fights Better
by patm on March 02, 2006 http://www.yankeeford.com | what a great article. I can't believe there is another unselfish man out there that would do what you did for your wife to show here your commitment on your anniversary. Not only did you take her fishing but you arranged for her to catch a fish. You are a model husband....
i am leaving for vacation in the am with my wife. i will be sure she reads your article before we leave. thanks for the help. |
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Re: Florida Redfish: A Diamond Is Forever, But A Redfish Fights Better
by greg on March 02, 2006 http://www.fliesandfins.com | | Great story and pics shaq, after reading this I want to go back and stand in the Sun and cast till I drop. Congrats on those nice Reds. |
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Re: Florida Redfish: A Diamond Is Forever, But A Redfish Fights Better
by waterwhippa on March 02, 2006 | | Nice read Shaq. Sounds like as good an aniversary as any. “Oh, we’re going to be fine." You've gotta pass the test down there in the wind. |
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Re: Florida Redfish: A Diamond Is Forever, But A Redfish Fights Better
by wrh on March 02, 2006 http://www.theanglersnet.com | | excellent story. I'm jealous, my wife would never go for a fishing trip on our anniversary maybe not anytime! |
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Re: Florida Redfish: A Diamond Is Forever, But A Redfish Fights Better
by AvidDavid on March 04, 2006 | Shaq:
Looks like you got three great catches in that picture! |
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