Running With The Bulls...

No we haven't crossed over to Pamplona, Spain or even purchased a Lamborghini Murceilago to "Run with those bulls" either.  This story is about Bull Redfish and the Fisher King!   With life on board replicating life on land for the last few months off shore sailing and fishing was nil.  Even though the bull redfish were on the channel markers the logistics of fishing and holding/drifting through the channel or abouts were not appealing.   We had been to the bridge several times catching a few fish including the Cobia but still all summer long produced no redfish from out adventures.  Yesterday one of the "locals" at the dock brought in 3 redfish from the bridge.  They had been caught on the much abundant pinfish swimming around the dock.

So today we launch Tin Tin Boo Boo from the resting place on the dock and off we (I) row to the bridge.  Seems like we spent a couple hours with the anchor down in a few places waiting for the first bite then...  Tin's rod bent over!   He set the hook and started to reel!  The excitement filled the air.  He had hooked the bottom. Yes it was a pretty pink soft coral or fan fragment that he landed.  That was the only bite we have had.

The Fisher King with his first Bull Red!  (yes he had a hair cut)

No that we had been on an 8 foot dinghy for a while with 5 fishing rods and gear the little man was starting to get aggravated.  "This isn't any fun" didn't take much longer.   His request for shallower water became more and more.  He had just watched the "Sportsman's Best Red Fish" video and knew that the chances in the grass may be good and we had the tackle on board.

I started rowing against the current heading toward the "spot" where I caught the Cobia earlier this summer.  The more I rowed the more the current seemed to slow us down.  Then knowing we would be leaving soon I decided to row out to the power line tower.  We had stared at this structure on almost every trip across the bridge and especially on all the fishing trips under the bridge.  Today was the day.

It wasn't too much longer and I was slipping the anchor on the steel bar attached to the side of the concrete monstrosity.  Drifting back about 12 feet to keep out of the firing range of the feathered guards.  We now call the tower the "Bird Cage".   We had two pinfish down and I was casting a Gulp shrimp underneath.  Still no bites not even on the shrimp!  My back was to Tin and suddenly "Dad, Dad!" rang out from the stern of the little boat.  As I turned around his rod was almost touching the water.  You should try to catch a fish half your size in a boat twice your size,  obviously it can be done but it sure makes balance a necessity.

Once the red was abeam Tin Tin Boo Boo we could see that it was over the slot.  I pulled it on board to take the photo for the blog and history.  Trying to get the big fish balanced in his hands was also a challenge then.. there the perfect frame...Damn! the iphone overheated in the sun! It will not take a pick!  So we made our way back to the other camera with fish in tow.

Smile!

Now off for more Bull Reds and some to eat.
Wes

PS:  We ended up with a cooler stocked for the next few days

Day one: Blackened Redfish while listening to New Orleans Cajun radio on the WIFI.  A classic moment
Day two: New Orleans Seafood Delight,  Spicy pasta Alfredo topped with blackened redfish and shrimp.
Day three:  Grilled Orange Ginger Redfish and brocoli
Day four:  Hmmm Grilled or Blackened sandwiches maybe.
Day five:  Mushroom, pineapple, pepper, pepperoni pizza from Papa John's! lol

Honey Ginger Sea Bass

Thanks to a Bee Keeper friend in NC we had Honey Ginger Sea Bass tonight.  This is the first time in over a week we have had fish!   The Fisher King's taste buds cried "Unkle" on eating fish 5 nights a week so we took a week off for Mexican and Pizza.  Hopefully the change in scenery soon will change the fish in the diet.

Honey Ginger Sea Bass, thanks Rick!

The projects has been dragging out due to other obligations, softball and the damn cold!  The mid 40's keeps you in the cabin.  Hopefully the warming trend will allow us to get some of the necessary things done.

W

The Fisher King still needs a donated laptop!  Wouldn't you hate to be following an unedumacated person?

Project 7 complete...Project 0 making headway, project 18 almost complete!

Project 7:  Well after staring at a new Standard Horizon VHF for months (16+-) I have finally installed it and removed the old Uniden.  I will donate it to the community table at the marina.  Once all the Lowrance is up and going I will enable the DSC on the Standard Horizon.  Funny how 4 screws and 3 wires can lead to such procrastination.

Both Lowrance units and GPS antennae waiting for final wire runs

Project 18:  Another item that moved on board with me last year was a Lowrance GPS/Sounder with Radar capabilities.  While camped out here in PC I have managed to get the transducer epoxied into the hull and the wiring rough ran.   Seems I need another foot on the transducer (or a different route) and I definitely need more feet on the GPS antennae.  The biggest hold up on the completion of Project 18 is buying more overpriced proprietary wires.  A NEMEA starter kit, 6' NEMEA wire and a GPS extension should do it...or in another text...$200+ bucks!  The final mounting of the "Mother Unit" is waiting for me to decide the route I will take for project 9, the Dodger.  For now we can tie it down and see our position and FISH.

Project 0:  I have also back tracked and am working hard on Project 0.  Project 0 is the storage on s/v Gemini Dreams.  I have taken one of the diagrams of the Vega and labeled all the compartments I needed.  This diagram will correspond to a spread sheet saved on all computers. a hard copy and in our email.  This is in an attempt to get things stowed!

Lots of places to loose things aboard

Last year I moved aboard with way too much stuff.  Now that Tin is here and has his needs too, things have become even more disorganized.  I am tired of too many items without homes!  With this I can categorize items and store them DEEP into the boat.  Items that are for non emergency repair can be buried under food storage or daily items.  I would hate to have to buy a new block if one fails because I can't find the ones I have.  This will allow much more dense packing freeing up more room in daily use areas.  After living 10 months on the boat I hope my location decisions prove to be wise.

Emergency repair items easy reach

Wet with Wet

Dry with Dry

Daily use readily available

monthly use shallow

yearly use deep in the hold

The Fisher King needs a laptop to surf the net and do his school work on!  His was damaged beyond repair a couple weeks ago when the screen shattered.  If you precariously live through the life of a 10 year old that gets to sail and fish freely in today's world please help!  He is a sad little boy.  We are not asking for your cash just your old laptop.  If you have a spare email us for the correct address of the moment.

If you are looking for adventure try out the s/v Wee Happy crew on board s/v Way Happy!

s/v Way Happy

W

Project 8 nearing completion... Cockpit Sole

Project number 8 is nearing completion.  The old cockpit sole was broken and leaking water into the keel during every rain.  I kept worrying about taking a wave into the cockpit or an actual named storm dumping inches upon inches of water into the cockpit.  I only have to bed the inserts for the 1/4-20 screws and all is complete.

 The Fisher King does the inspection

Out with the old in with the new!

This project was way more expensive than I wanted it to be!  The lumber alone retailed for $450.00!  It also took longer than expected due to manufacturing differences in available teak (some are 3.75 and some are 3.875 wide).  I found this out on the last board and had to source a replacement.  lucky to find one the correct dimensions on the last road trip.  No it is not perfect but with the tools available on s/v Gemini Dreams, it will do.

It FEELS so much better under bare feet!

W