Die Hard Persistance

Die Hard Fisherman!

A little reel maintenance while the fishing is slow.

Well the little man can be very persistent!  The charts, tides and moons say the fishing sucks this week but that everyday high at daybreak, noon and sunset may pay off.  Earlier today Tin hooked a trout and lost it between the water and the dock!  While grumbling over loosing the trout he hooked a flounder behind one of the other sailboats and lost it between the water and the dock!

The next day we had a few things to do off the boat and when we came back the cooler had a surprise in it!

Cooking on the Lazerette to avoid the cabin heat

Margaritas and Coconut Snapper.

another sunset away from the islands, :(!

The cooler is a waste land...

Currently the cooler is barren!  No Fish! We have only caught Oyster fish, Toad fish, Sea Robins, Pin fish, hard heads and Lizard fish for the last couple days!  The last good fish was a Sheep Head I speared near Gemini Dreams 3 days ago.  Seams his companion (a smaller sheep head) at the time has told all the other Sheep Heads to stay low in the water that there is a scary monster with long sharp claws on the surface.  We have not seen any on the top since that day.  I may have to go in after them.

First fish with the pole spear, Wee Happy did much better in the Bahamas with theirs

He sure was good lightly breaded with flour and cajun seasonings.  We made sautee'd sheep head a simple dinner since it was just Tin and Myself.  Kind of cheating by buying fries from Scuttlebutts here in the marina.


But a couple nights back we had crab crunch topped with red snapper and lemon butter  (sautee'd broccoli as a side).

Happy and soon to be full Family

Lemon butter
In a sautee' pan add the following and reduce:

• 1/2 minced yellow onion
• 3 tbs minced garlic
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 1 cup Chardonnay
• 2 cups lemon juice
• Zest of 3 lemons

 It is good to do this long before dinner as it will need to be boat temp when you add 1/2 pound of salted butter cubes.  Bring reduction and butter cubes to warm stirring constantly.  Do not over head the butter solids will separate.

Capers, sautee'd red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or even goat cheese and any other item you like can be added between the seafood and the lemon butter for an extra twist.  This is equally good on grilled, baked, sautee'd, and even poached seafood.  This is also great on chicken.  Beware this is not a boring over the counter lemon butter.

Lemon Crab Crunch
In a sautee' pan add the following and warm

• 1 pound Jumbo lump crab  rinsed, then soaked in lemon juice and drained)
• 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• Lemon zest to taste

This is a crab crunch not a soggy crab cake so drain well and take it easy on the crumbs.  As made it is great for under seafood (or beside) especially with lemon butter or lime toping.  You can add Green onions, celery, or other items to make it a main course.  Keep it light and refreshing if you do.  This recipe will not hold together nor is it supposed to, just make a pile.

With no fish for dinner tonight we suffered through boat  (hot) cakes and blueberry syrup.

W

Thanks Cindy!

I'd like to thank Cindy for her email to Vega Spares.  Somehow way back in February I emailed Vega Spares and used the Vega email list trying to get new Spreader Hounds for the ends.  Mine were shot!

40% of the inner most end was  corroded away!

With the trip to Los Tortugas held up waiting on a possible repair I was stalled out in Boot Key Harbor.  Wanting to move on to Los Tortugas and/or the Bahamas while sitting in Boot Key Harbor isn't really all that bad. After several days of trying to email Steve and no response (guess my email was going to the trash bin or something) I had a local machine shop make me some to keep sailing.  Well time has come for me to try the original style parts again.  Still no response from Vega Spares!  It is now June and I want all that can be fixed before November cruising season.  A quick email to Cindy in GA asking her to contact Vega Spares for me (she has a Vega also, and by the way Cindy, have you named that boat yet?) provided me with results the next day!  I guess it was time to play the pretty face card from the deck.  Just for reference they are currently 35£ each and 7£ shipping to the USA.  I now have a second email for Steve incase I need other spares.

Today they arrived by Royal Mail!  So it wont be long before I have to go back up the mast.  I need to get the mast head light working anyway.   I installed a brand new LED Tri-light while doing the Bad Boy Xtreme WiFi*  but got so ticked over the spreader hound issue and trying to get a cable through the mast that I gave up when it was time to set sail on the adventure again.

Left: Old original Spreader Hound

Left Center: New Original style 

Right Center: New custom made

Right Other new original from Vega Spares

I also received my ACTIVE CAPTAIN hat today!  Wooo Hooo!

*There is a known glitch in the Google Chrome with Bad Boy Xtreme WiFi!  You always have to set up Bad Boy X with IE and then use Chrome!  Every time you manually select a hot spot you have to do it in IE!  Other than that BBX has worked great.  You can choose first available and let it roll but a lot of the strongest signals have no connectivity to the internet or are pay now $9.95 a day or $34.95 a month types.

Hasta Luego
W

One day closer to death...Thought I's something more to say.

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day 
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way 
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town 
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way 

Tired of lying in the sunshine 
Staying home to watch the rain 
And you are young and life is long 
And there is time to kill today 
And then one day you find 
Ten years have got behind you 
No one told you when to run 
You missed the starting gun 

And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking 
Racing around to come up behind you again 
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older 
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death 

Every year is getting shorter 
Never seem to find the time 
Plans that either come to nought 
Or half a page of scribbled lines 
Hanging on in quiet desparation is the English way 
The time is gone 
The song is over 
Thought I'd something more to say 

Home, home again 
I like to be here when I can 
When I come home cold and tired 
It's good to warm my bones beside the fire 
Far away across the field 
The tolling of the iron bell 
Calls the faithful to their knees 
To hear the softly spoken magic spells 




So if you haven't figured out by now it is my birthday.

97° and feels like 104° AGAIN! and Shelter from Pigs on the Wing

Here I sit typing away on the blog with Gemini Dreams rocking in a storm.  There was an earlier wave that set off the "Mommy radar" that I kind of blew off.  No that didn't go over well but the kids sat in the cabin and made  her happy as I sat in the cockpit eating sushi and melons and watching the lightning.

Pink Floyd Animals 

When the kids movie was over it was time for bed.  I guess Tin was tired as he is still to wake up from the current wave of the storm.  This one was worth the time to get back up out of bed, lash the tarps, hatch, companion boards and all loose items.  I felt it coming.  Kind of like in the movie twister when the yard chimes started to "ting".  Well in a tight anchorage or in a marina the same sounds go off:  The wind whistles in the rigging, the halyards "ting" against the masts, the lines start to slap the cabin roof, and if you don't hurry the increasing wind brings mist rushing through the cabin.  Checking the radar this is a pretty good cell and will last long enough to post on the blog I have been neglecting.  After all I have done so far in this little journey 40 knot winds tied to the dock is nothing.  The main concern is for possible hail and two big solar panels.  I didn't cover them so fingers are crossed.

It has been in the mid 90's for a couple weeks with a heat index of over 100° everyday.

... WTF  that was some thunder, around 20 seconds long.  I had to get up and check.  There is a magical light show over PCB at the moment.  lightening all around.  Some of it right near of off of the TV tower. (the one with the beach cam on WJHG's web site).  Who knows if I can finish this post before the power goes out (no not on board but the internet WIFI connection).  I have yet to plug into shore power since I left Indiantown!

These above record HIGHS are getting old!  I could be in Marathon or Bahia Honda and be cooler.  It is too hot to work on projects, too hot to sleep (no midnight breezes most of the days),  it is almost too hot to fish!  Well almost.  I think I'll take the kids to the beach nearby tomorrow to cool off.

Most of the storm has passed now.  I am going to open up some ventilation and try to sleep. 

Hey it cools down later in the week only 90°

If there are any good pics tomorrow I will just add them to this entry.

Thanks for hanging out in a storm with nothing else to do,
W

Battersea power station from Nanny McPhee @ 1:00:18

Oh and by the way, an Animals cover variation was also seen on the new Nanny McPhee returns movie.  One of the dirigibles (blimps) was shaped like a pig.  Boo thought I was crazy for stopping it when I saw the scene. 

You know that I care what happens to you,

And I know that you care for me.

So I don't feel alone,

Or the weight of the stone,

Now that I've found somewhere safe

To bury my bone.

And any fool knows a dog needs a home,

A shelter from pigs on the wing.

                                            Roger Waters

Day at the Hathaway Bridge

Last night Tin and I hosted the girls to a shrimp dinner.  Basically the same dinner from when Wee Happy came to the boat as the first dinner guests at Boot Key Harbor.  I was able to test out a new smaller grill that takes up less space on the aft deck.  Boo, Tin's sister decided to take a splash off the dock clothing and all! Must be growing pains.

Today Tin and I went to the Hathaway bridge fishing today hoping for a "Big Red".  But no, there were little pin fish stealing bait, Lizard fish cutting fingers, and puffer fish well, just puffing up!  Puffer fish put a real hurting on Gulp shrimp.  Those rat like teeth cut chunks out.

No sheep's head no red fish, we did hook up lunch, dinner,breakfast and some more lunch and dinner.  Using a "New Penny" Gulp shrimp I hooked up the Penn 4000 to a monster.  The drag spun for about half the line.  I was expecting to get spooled but the fish slowly turned.  I was So hoping it was a Red Fish and had no clue until a fin showed after about 5 minutes.  It wasn't a Red but what was it.  It wasn't one of the dolphins that had been swimming in the area earlier.  At the moment the fin cut the water Tin yelled "shark!"  It was still almost to the first bridge truss so at this point it could be...  After about another 10 minutes it was close enough to see it was a Cobia!  We had dinner if it didn't pull free.  So for about 25 minutes on the lightweight tackle I walked the Cobia back and forth under the bridge.  Without a gaff I needed to get him to the beach on the south side.  He had a couple more runs as we closed the distance to the sand.   Wading in trying to cut the distance he was finally in the breaking surf and beached.

Now the hard part carrying a Cobia to boat from here, 1/4 mile! I was glad to be at the dock and find a cart.  It was not just any Cobia but a 41" to the fork. That made for a great dinner.

41" fork lenght

Gulp New Penny shrimp with a fish head jig.

Key lime Cobia for dinner.

W

It's The End Of The World As We Know It...

Tin and I sit here on the dock of the bay, (pause) ♫ ♪ ♫...(sorry had to youtube Otis to keep the thought going).  Well the beginning of the End of the World starts today.  Quetzalcoatl or Chicken Little?  

It takes skill to land a fish that size on a hook that big

With all the headlines saying The End of the World this week I thought I would post but chose not to put it all in the blog.  After all it is a sailing blog not a sarcasm opinion blog.  If you really want it go here

Caught on a Bass Spinner Bait

Have a great day FISH ON!
w.

Feeding the dolphins on Mother's Day

Well I finally got the girls out on the boat.  Tin Man runs around now like he has it under control.  Trying his best to anticipate and be helpful.  The winds were light and the seas over sized for the conditions.  Just what all new sailors want: Rock and Roll.  

We headed out through the pass, dodging all the dredge operation.  It is amazing how much space a pump boat and some pipe actually take.  I learned way back at Apalachicola you must follow the biggest boat you can find. Today was a little simpler as there were light winds and a lot of traffic.

This is MY SPOT and don't take my picture with this stupid orange life vest on!

We did a little trolling for dinner down the grand strand of Thomas Drive.  I turned 180 when I expected the "lunch" questions to start.  Sure enough about 10 minutes later.  "When's do we eat?"  That was the moment the  drag on the port rod started to sing a little.  I expected this rod to out fish all the rest by a long shot because it was rigged with a Spanish Mack rig (4 tube flies and a spoon).  Tin called my attention and hoping he could reel it in, but after all it was Mother's Day.  So... "Fish on!"... as I motioned for Dana to come and handle the fish.  By the time Dana came from her sunning on the bow to the take the rod and find a spot to reel the fish in, as it was a bit of a battle.  I think she made a half dozen cranks or so then all hell broke loose.  There was a sudden flash of silver or white out behind the dinghy and a huge pull on the reel.  I reached to help and was unable to stop the run.  Then as I saw the fin break the water I knew...

"My poor fish!"

That big flash of white was the underside of a dolphin.  He (or she, after all it is mother's day)...  seems she (we'll go with that) wanted the mackerel more than we did.  The dolphin continued to roll over as the remaining members of the pod played right along.  All rolling and diving.  I kept thinking "Damn, I'm going to have to call and get help to unhook a protected species!"  Well after a few seconds all went calm.  I reeled in 4 tube flies, a spoon and a mackerel head.  No signs of issues with the dolphin.  No need to call dolphin rescue.  I was glad to see all the lures at the end of the line!

Every dinghy needs a little TLC mud (sand) bath to clear the growth.

After lunch we went for a splash to cool off.  While the kids played in the water I started cleaning the hull on Boo Boo Tin Tin and the girls helped out a bunch!  I had anchored at the point on Shell Island's inner corner.  All was good until the tide started to flow out and we stayed a little too long.  Try pulling two anchors up with 3 knots of current pushing the boat sideways.  LOL.  If I was alone this would have been a 3 hour wait until the tide slacked!  (Good news is both anchors held fast!)

Tin with the last micro fish of the day

We had a little wind to sail us back and shiver those that were tired and sunburned.  Another wonderful day on the boat.

W

The American Flag

Quest for Shell Island Treasure

Here I sit on a Wednesday night watching 3,908 day old TV, Magnum PI.  Trying to give enough thought into the upcoming days itinerary.  Tin and I (the "Tin Tin" in the Boo Boo Tin Tin name of my dinghy) are going on our first expedition and adventure aboard Gemini Dreams.  It must be fun while passing the "mommy" test.  Which is why he is not here tonight, 30+ knots with squall lines tonight.  I have found there is "treasure" on the island.  So tomorrow morning the adventure begins,,,   "X" marks the spot!

Tin came to the Marina around 8am toting his backpack and a huge smile.  The storm from the night before was now only a "cool morning breeze" and a power outage at the dock.  After stowing the cooler and his gear we caught a ride to Hel-mart for a PFD for him.  I had put off the purchase due to growing kids.  We grabbed some breakfast and a bus ride back to the marina.  After a quick lesson in charts we headed out into the bay.

Getting a grip on charts

After a few minutes on charts, we went over the departure check list, which with his new life jacket was complete.  We managed to get some ice at the marina even without the power restored.  It was time to cast off for the island now.

Taking the helm for his first time with a little heal.

We spent the first part of the cruise trying to tack underneath the bridge.  But the current and light winds made if more trouble than I could put the inspiring captain through.  We fell off and headed to the island.  On the way there you pass a small rock pile man made island called bird island "Audubon Island on the charts".  This is where we passed one of the Navy training ships which actually hailed us and gave us a compliment on the "nice looking little sloop".  He also asked about our destination.  I explained it was my son's Tin's first voyage and we were spending the next four days at shell island.  Later I heard him hail another sailboat.  He must have been dreaming of being out himself.   We continued down wind in the light winds doing my favorite thing, wing and wing, NOT. 

Standing watch

You really need to be there when you kids experience dolphins in the wild.  

It was a thrilling trip to get the few miles across the bay but we finally had the anchor down and ready for the little man to brave the 25 knots coming later in the night.  Just for info he slept through the whole thing and really handles the boating life like a sailor. LOL   Do you remember my post from Bahia Honda about the 25+ knots and dragging anchor?

He seemed to enjoy the days with dad...

He played with the stars, he caught a lady, He was almost swallowed by the sea, He talked to crabs, and took a break.  

Taking a break while hunting the secret treasure of Shell Island. We took a walk from the anchorage to the park docks.  This is quite a hike!  I was hoping for redfish and trout but it turned out to be a crab hole for Tin.  We also got within a mile of the buried treasure before the Principe de Pirata decided to turn around and head back.   The next day we moved to a new anchorage and tried again, crossing crab infested tidal grasses and palmetto palm thickets.  Once again we turned around for a better approach.  So the treasure remains out of our reach for now, but with two of three routes marked off we are indeed closer than before.

This sandwich is good.... was that a fish? What kind of fish? Can I cast over there? Can we go?

Wading the flats

The catching didn't stop when he was aboard Gemini Dreams

One of the blue crabs "reeled" in this weekend

It's HOT!

Going dinghy!

Ahhh that is better!   It'sssss cooooold!

He just couldn't get enough

The only issue we had was a little sunburn when he left his hat on the dinghy and didn't wear his glasses.  This put a damper on his last day as we watched James Bond and Merlin instead of fishing in the sun.  But as the sun went down on Sunday...

Tomorrow it is back to school with bragging rights!  We caught around 25 fish and crabs between us.  

Even though we didn't find the "treasure" we will always treasure this time.  He did leave asking when are we going to the Bahamas?  What an awesome 4 days.  Thanks Ayrton my "Tin Man"

W

THE BELOW HAS NOTHING AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH MY SAILING.



May 1st 1994

Some thing in life impact today, some impact tomorrow and some impact forever after.

http://www.ayrton-senna.com/