S.W.A.T. 9/11 .....Redemption!

[bones]

When I woke up on 9/11 the morning was filled with sorrow everywhere I looked and listened.
My opening Yahoo page,,,,,,,,,Newspapers......Television shows and the radio all reminded me
of the overwhelming sadness this date meens to the American people. It was about 5am when I
decided to attempt to make it a GREAT day and not let the sadness get me down. I have been
focusing on my kids and work alot lately and have not had a chance to put myself on the beach
for some time but today........ It was time to engage the enemy and what better of a place but my
local honey hole that has been very good to me and gave up my PB 32" flattie on 9/15.
With one rod and the very first Lucky Craft Wingnut gave me I jumped in my car and headed over
the hill.........
A moment of quiet and prayers for all of the victims and their families.......

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/911/memorial1.jpg

Upon arrival I was greated by a pleasent sight.......Flat calm conditions....Clear water and birds,
bait,pelicans crashing,pods of dolphins working the bait balls........ It was to say the least....
EXCITING to make that first cast.
Fifty casts later........NADA!
Now I know this spot very well. It's all about timing but this spot holds flatties for most of the year.
I almost walked back to my SUV to grab some dropshot gear but I decided to just sit down and
watch all of the feeding frenzies going off. There was too much activity and a very good and fast
incomming tide.I just had to be patient.
I stepped back onto one of the flat rocks and began fan casting the same spot where I caught my
PB and I'll be damned if I didn't feel that telltale grab once again. I knew this was a solid fish just
by her weight. She made a few runs in the wrong direction and almost hung me up big time but
I have too much experience in this spot and have lost too many fish here to panic any more. I just
pointed my rod at her and let her run back out until the angle and swell provided me the chance
to put her on the beach. I'm proud to say that she taped out at a solid 28". Not a PB beater but....
Dinner!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/911/02222011076.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/911/02222011077.jpg

A few moments later I felt another fast grab and a nice YFC hits the beach.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/911/02222011084.jpg

Then a few casts later I get bit again and a nice shortie comes to color.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/911/02222011085.jpg

All three fish were caught within a few minutes from each other and I wasn't even 7am yet!
Now that's a good morning!
I quickly decided to call it a quick morning and head home for a quick halibut slaughter and head
to work. The tides and swell forcasts are looking very good this week and I will be back on the water
on 9/15 hopefully with a tale to tell.

The weapon of choice.......My good old customized first LC given to me by Arthur....

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/911/02222011086.jpg

Me standing right in the middle of good old SAMO bay on a flat morning with a negative tide which only
happens about twice a year.....LOL
Credit to Big Red Killa "Lucas" for taking this shot!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/911/sunrise.jpg

Keep it safe out there folks and Tight Lines to you all. Keep in mind that there is a memorial
catfish event at Irvine Lake for our Team 57 Godfather "Dana" on Sept 24th.

Click here to check it out.....
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?59043-Dana-REA-Memorial-Tournament-slated-for-September-24-2011

If you havn't been to one of these get togethers......Go....You will have a blast.

SWAT
Lt. Bones
Debriefing complete-----------<><

[Which Way Out]

Whats that you roll into my town and not call?. Well at least the first photo was. Its hard to fish that spot when so many people are around. The crowds have thinned out so its time to hit the water.

Your report also answered one of my questions, of where has Bones been? Good to see you get LUCKY:Wink: with that 28.

I have been psyching myself up to get out there and win the throw down that Arthur put out. The bigger one's should show soon and there will be a mad rush to the finish by everyone. That 28 should put you into a 4 way tie for the lead if I remember right.

Well the moon is near full and in a few days its game on.
Good luck, take care and thanks for the cool report
Bill

[PONTOON]

Mike,

I'm going to start off by saying this is an awesome post and it was a pleasure to read.:Thumbs Up:

I've had the honor of hitting the beach with you as well as freshwater on a few occaisions now and I've learned that you have some awesome skills in the surf. Each time I have been with you you have, without hesitation, offered me some very valuable tips and shared your experience and knowledge.
You truly are a representative of the character and the integrity that Arthur looks for in his friends and SWAT Members.:Cool:

You deserved that fish. Congratulations on a very fine catch! and I'm rooting for you to put up a big number in the future! :Thumbs Up:

I'll be in touch with you real soon. I'm also looking forward to accepting the invitation to fish with you again My Friend.
I'll be spending as much time as I can the next few days with my daughter. (My only child) who recently graduated from college and has accepted a job in Madrid. she'll be leaving shortly and I need to spend time with her. after she leaves on a quest of her own I would like very much to meet up with you and hit the surf with one of my new and highly respected SWAT Brothers.:Cool:

Once again Mike congratulations and keep up the good work My friend.:Thumbs Up:

[flyngby]

Nice work LT. Bones!

Mike,

You deserved that fine fish with all your hard work you described in the post. Family is the first priority and should always come first!

I have not had the opportunity to hit the waters since that very distracting day we last spent out there seeing so many "Legal Butts" concentrated on such a small section of sand and not one that was willing to take what we had to offer! :Big Grin:

Congrats on solidifying a tie breaker at the top of the leader board!

Looking forward to a day off for a coop session with the gang soon!

Steve http://planetsmilies.net/person-smiley-1122.gif
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z286/flyngby/Grunion.jpg

[iLLest]

Good stuff bro!
Way to make the best out of the day.
Thats pretty close to 29" dude, very nice!

[saltman]

Bone,
Hey bro it is alway good to read your post? Good old spots alway pay off.
Thanks.
Save that Lure..
Saltman.

[CAPT'N]

Nice fish Mike.......................

Capt'n

[SP Dan]

Hey Bones!
You've got me chomping at the bit! What a beautiful Hali!
Reading the sign at the beginning your thread made my jaw drop!
Great report! Thank you.
SP Dan <"))><

[CaliButts]

Great session!! Nice Catching!!:Cool::Cool: The last pic is very cool! I might have to give the waders a go one day!:Big Grin:

[Karyn]

What a great way to turn it around! : ) Nice catch too.

[sidified]

Beautiful report and hali, Bones...I thought the 28'' ceiling would have been busted by now. Instead, we've got a quartette of contenders vying for the LC booty...maybe the tie could be broken with a sand crab eating contest!?
...nah...

[Wingnut]

Retire that LC Mike... or at least change out the hooks. :LOL:

Solid 28" Hali, congrats on joining the log jam atop the S.W.A.T. Halibut leaderboard. :Envious:
I knew that it's just a matter of time until you make your move... :Twisted:
Hmmm... I gotta think of a tie breaker just in case. :Wink:

Dude! I was on the edge of my seat listening to the story of your encounter with the Leviathan today. :EyePop: Unreal bro... I'll let you tell the story. :Secret:

See ya soon... :Cool:

[DockRat]

Nice Hali Bones.
Some dudes love beat up lures that produce.
DR

[jerryG]

Great report Mike and I like your perspective. A sad day for our country but a few good hours on the water to make the day a BIG Fish tradition. Well done my friend. You relied on your knowledge and instict to lead you right that fish..

Jerryg

[murrieta angler]

Mike!!!
Great story you had for me yesterday on the phone.
I so wish you would have landed that Black Sea Bass!
Also, welcome to the leaderboard.
I would gladly give up the co-lead if I could just get me a 30" flatty!!!
I will be hitting the surf this afternoon for that attempt.
Take care Bro,
Robert
<><

[klocked]

Well gosh darn it! One more team member I have to jump over to get the lead!!:LOL:
Great touching play by play Mike, I too felt the same feelings you had that day.
Minus the fishy part of the story... I haven't had time to play for a while:Confused:
Good job on that quality butt buddy! (oh my!!... no pun intended):Envious:

[bsp]

Mike,
Great to see you getting back out on the sand! Haven't read one of your reports for a while, so I was wondering what you were up to. Hope to see you soon man, and congrats on joining the leader board! Also, crazy lost fish story too.
Marc