skunked4life
08-16-2013, 09:55 AM
Please read this report. It is rather lengthy for a report containing such ordinary fish like YFC's and perch, but I hope to impart my message upon you.
Testimony
On or about March 22, 2013, Arthur, the Supreme Commander of S.W.A.T. asked me if I would be interested in joining S.W.A.T. Are you kidding? Of course!
So the journey began. But, let's take a trip down memory lane first.
Last year around the first of the year, I began my obsession with surf fishing. Before, I liked to fish piers, harbors, jetties...you know, "old school." I needed something more. You see, I have lived a life unfulfilled. I had 2 previous careers of which I was semi-successful: music and cooking. I could have gone to Julliard but I gave up. I could have become a great chef under some big Vegas names, but I gave up. Why you ask? I didn't like the person that I was becoming. I sought fame and fortune for the wrong reasons. So, I went back to college at a late age and got my undergrad degree in 2 short years plus started lawschool the week that I graduated from college. After the first attempt at the bar exam, I gave up again. Failure was written all over my history. I turned to fishing and by then, pier, jetty and harbor fishing started to die off. I was getting skunked in life. So, I decided that I would call myself "skunked4life." I was caught in a depression.
I joined FNN and saw how great its members were. I had never been a part of an online community. I have always had friends, but when the money and fame was gone, most of those friends were too. Soon after my first post, Don (bachiboy) and Robert (murrieta angler) pm'd me with supportive messages. So did a few other FNNers.
After I got to a decent start in surf fishing, I attended HG4. My first point of contact was SP Dan. After him, Arthur. They greeted me with smiles and generosity. My wife had originally planned for us to stay for about 3 hours and leave. She said "Honey, these people are genuinely nice. Let's stay until the end." Dan checked in on me from time to time and taught me about structure reading and zones. As I was leaving, Dan offered to fish with me someday.
Shortly after, I used my newly acquired knowledge and caught my first legal butt from the surf followed immediately by another! Daniel (dlmoo312) reached out and asked me to fish. Thien (Bloox8) and Daniel and I fished and we had a great time! We fished, talked and became friends. And so it began...the adventure!
Since accepting the challenge, I have fished with many S.W.A.T. members and got skunked more times than I would like to admit, but my wife always told me that I never looked so happy to be skunked than I did when fishing with my brothers.
Fast forward to today.
If you haven't read my modestly successful report from yesterday, please do so.
The conditions were supposed to be the same today as they were yesterday. I could not pass up the opportunity to duplicate the success. I had changed out the hooks on the 2 LC's given to me by Wingnut and was ready. Arthur had told me before that he had those LC's blessed and that he could foresee great success and an induction fish. You know what? I did not doubt him. I doubted myself, but not him. If the godfather of surf fishing says so, so be it.
I got to the AO at 5:00 am and it was dark. Please...if you are new to baitcasting, do not cast in the dark. I am not new and it still frustrated me. After a few casts, I got soaked by some rogue waves. Determined, I stood my ground. Poseiden, you will not get me down! I hooked up into a small perch. Then a queen fish. I have never seen a queen fish from the surf. They are quite ordinary on the piers but never seen one caught on the surf, let alone on an LC.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/queen_zpsa60200a5.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/queen_zpsa60200a5.jpg.html)
I continued the adventure. mild salad, rogue waves, bird's nests, you name it, I had it. Still, I will NOT give up! I cast out and catch a short halibut. No pic. Next cast, a small leopard shark. No pic. No time, I need to fish!!! My next cast, I got overtaken by another wave and it soaked me completely. I had not re-engaged my clutch when the wave hit and I was in a tangled mess. Should I just give up today? This doesn't look promising. NO! NEVER GIVE UP! I look up and ask the Big Guy for help. I cut loose about 20 yards of line and re-tie. I get back in the water and cast. Wow! A simple prayer and look at how far the LC goes!!! It cast out so far that I could not see it land! I crank a couple of times and then pause to wipe my glasses of the sand and water. I go back to cranking and BAM! A solid hit! It feels like the lost WSB from yesterday! Just last night, Don had told me not to let my adrenaline overtake me and be patient with the fish. Yes, patience! I fought the fish and reeled him in a little. I pause to let him get tired, but without letting him take too much line. Making sure that the line was stilll taut and hook in place, I continue the battle. Mind you, the waves are rough. I have 30 pound test but I was not going to rip another hook out of a fish's mouth nor break one off. I fought the fish and we danced the dance. As I saw it approach, I see it coming in and see a sideways open mouth. HALIBUT!!!! I bring him closer. This guy is heavy. No headshakes. That's strange. Then I beach him! YFC! Yes. It is an ordinary surf fish like the perch I caught and the queen fish. But look at the size of this thing!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/rodshot_zps6e220272.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/rodshot_zps6e220272.jpg.html)
I had trouble measuring it with my bass pro cheapy tape measure and this guy was flopping around like he was at the headbanger's ball. Sand in my face, in my reel, slimey hands...SIT STILL! I get out my other tape measure. This one is all folded up and won't lay flat. I have one foot on the tape measure, one foot lightly pressing down on the fish, one hand pulling the other end of the tape measure and left hand taking the picture. Yes, it looks like it is 18inches. It was not. My foot had been on the tape measure at the 2 inch mark or so. Afterwards, I taped my rod and from the end of the butt to the "tc4" mark, it is 23 inches. The fish laid one inch from the end of the rod and about 1 to 2 inches from the "tc4" mark. Do the math. This one looks to be about 19 to 20 inches.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/inaccuratemeasurement_zpsfdfaf696.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/inaccuratemeasurement_zpsfdfaf696.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/rodshot_zps6e220272.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/rodshot_zps6e220272.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/rodmeasurement_zpsff0e5807.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/rodmeasurement_zpsff0e5807.jpg.html)
So, I am thinnking about how many points I got for my team today. You see, I was so caught up in the brotherhood and fellowship of this thing called FNN and S.W.A.T. that I was not thinking about whether this would qualify me into S.W.A.T. Then I realize it....I let out the biggest roar and scream out...."IT'S AND INDUCTION FISH!!!!!"
IT'S AN INDUCTION FISH!!!! I.....AM.....S....W....A.....T!!!!!!! 148 days of trying and I got it done. Finally!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/beast_zps50b31ca6.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/beast_zps50b31ca6.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/omg_zps7499213d.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/omg_zps7499213d.jpg.html)
My PB YFC and induction fish! Wow! It's no halibut, nor WSB but its a giant!
I ended the session on that note so that I could quickly call my brothers and personally thank some of them.
Many thanks go out. Thank you GOD!!! :Big Grin: Thank you FNN! Thanks to all of the FNN members who helped me along this journey. Thank you to all of the S.W.A.T. members who not only reach out to help me personally, but others as well. You guys get it. I got it now.
Thanks Wifey and Kids! - You guys supported this addiction and look what happened! Love you!
Thank you Wingnut/Commander/Brother - You are the pinnacle of kindness and an exemplary leader! It is through you that the other S.W.A.T. members are so good at what they do: fishing and fellowship.
Thank you SP Dan - You sir, got me in the right direction and are like my navigator. You steered me in the right direction!
Thank you Murrieta Angler - You are my drill sergeant who tells me all of the time, "Ken, just fish. Keep casting!" Was this an intentional metaphor for just keep trying at life? You got the message across and I understand now.
Thank you Bachiboy - Don, you are "Q" to my double-oh-croaker. The original Colonel Croaker. Without your technical expertise in everything fishing AND about fatherhood, I wouldn't have accomplished what I have.
Thanks Daniel, Thien and Jason - You goof balls made skunking alot of fun and forced me to adventure beyond my physical comfort zone in fishing. Thanks! I think that I lost about 25 pounds from all the hiking! Best little brothers ever!
Thanks Nipple Twister - Thanks for being so cool. You are like jazz man! When I was fishing next to you yesterday, it was like music was playing in my head through your headphones.
Forgive me if I failed to personally thank someone but Sidified began playing the "wrap it up" music and the curtain is falling.
P.S. If you didn't get it, the message is to never give up. I wear the moniker "skunked4life" to remind me of the failures in life that made me who I am today. Also, fame and fortune do you no good unless you do good with it. Thus, always remember to pay it forward.
Peace out!
-Corporal Croaker (Ken)
Testimony
On or about March 22, 2013, Arthur, the Supreme Commander of S.W.A.T. asked me if I would be interested in joining S.W.A.T. Are you kidding? Of course!
So the journey began. But, let's take a trip down memory lane first.
Last year around the first of the year, I began my obsession with surf fishing. Before, I liked to fish piers, harbors, jetties...you know, "old school." I needed something more. You see, I have lived a life unfulfilled. I had 2 previous careers of which I was semi-successful: music and cooking. I could have gone to Julliard but I gave up. I could have become a great chef under some big Vegas names, but I gave up. Why you ask? I didn't like the person that I was becoming. I sought fame and fortune for the wrong reasons. So, I went back to college at a late age and got my undergrad degree in 2 short years plus started lawschool the week that I graduated from college. After the first attempt at the bar exam, I gave up again. Failure was written all over my history. I turned to fishing and by then, pier, jetty and harbor fishing started to die off. I was getting skunked in life. So, I decided that I would call myself "skunked4life." I was caught in a depression.
I joined FNN and saw how great its members were. I had never been a part of an online community. I have always had friends, but when the money and fame was gone, most of those friends were too. Soon after my first post, Don (bachiboy) and Robert (murrieta angler) pm'd me with supportive messages. So did a few other FNNers.
After I got to a decent start in surf fishing, I attended HG4. My first point of contact was SP Dan. After him, Arthur. They greeted me with smiles and generosity. My wife had originally planned for us to stay for about 3 hours and leave. She said "Honey, these people are genuinely nice. Let's stay until the end." Dan checked in on me from time to time and taught me about structure reading and zones. As I was leaving, Dan offered to fish with me someday.
Shortly after, I used my newly acquired knowledge and caught my first legal butt from the surf followed immediately by another! Daniel (dlmoo312) reached out and asked me to fish. Thien (Bloox8) and Daniel and I fished and we had a great time! We fished, talked and became friends. And so it began...the adventure!
Since accepting the challenge, I have fished with many S.W.A.T. members and got skunked more times than I would like to admit, but my wife always told me that I never looked so happy to be skunked than I did when fishing with my brothers.
Fast forward to today.
If you haven't read my modestly successful report from yesterday, please do so.
The conditions were supposed to be the same today as they were yesterday. I could not pass up the opportunity to duplicate the success. I had changed out the hooks on the 2 LC's given to me by Wingnut and was ready. Arthur had told me before that he had those LC's blessed and that he could foresee great success and an induction fish. You know what? I did not doubt him. I doubted myself, but not him. If the godfather of surf fishing says so, so be it.
I got to the AO at 5:00 am and it was dark. Please...if you are new to baitcasting, do not cast in the dark. I am not new and it still frustrated me. After a few casts, I got soaked by some rogue waves. Determined, I stood my ground. Poseiden, you will not get me down! I hooked up into a small perch. Then a queen fish. I have never seen a queen fish from the surf. They are quite ordinary on the piers but never seen one caught on the surf, let alone on an LC.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/queen_zpsa60200a5.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/queen_zpsa60200a5.jpg.html)
I continued the adventure. mild salad, rogue waves, bird's nests, you name it, I had it. Still, I will NOT give up! I cast out and catch a short halibut. No pic. Next cast, a small leopard shark. No pic. No time, I need to fish!!! My next cast, I got overtaken by another wave and it soaked me completely. I had not re-engaged my clutch when the wave hit and I was in a tangled mess. Should I just give up today? This doesn't look promising. NO! NEVER GIVE UP! I look up and ask the Big Guy for help. I cut loose about 20 yards of line and re-tie. I get back in the water and cast. Wow! A simple prayer and look at how far the LC goes!!! It cast out so far that I could not see it land! I crank a couple of times and then pause to wipe my glasses of the sand and water. I go back to cranking and BAM! A solid hit! It feels like the lost WSB from yesterday! Just last night, Don had told me not to let my adrenaline overtake me and be patient with the fish. Yes, patience! I fought the fish and reeled him in a little. I pause to let him get tired, but without letting him take too much line. Making sure that the line was stilll taut and hook in place, I continue the battle. Mind you, the waves are rough. I have 30 pound test but I was not going to rip another hook out of a fish's mouth nor break one off. I fought the fish and we danced the dance. As I saw it approach, I see it coming in and see a sideways open mouth. HALIBUT!!!! I bring him closer. This guy is heavy. No headshakes. That's strange. Then I beach him! YFC! Yes. It is an ordinary surf fish like the perch I caught and the queen fish. But look at the size of this thing!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/rodshot_zps6e220272.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/rodshot_zps6e220272.jpg.html)
I had trouble measuring it with my bass pro cheapy tape measure and this guy was flopping around like he was at the headbanger's ball. Sand in my face, in my reel, slimey hands...SIT STILL! I get out my other tape measure. This one is all folded up and won't lay flat. I have one foot on the tape measure, one foot lightly pressing down on the fish, one hand pulling the other end of the tape measure and left hand taking the picture. Yes, it looks like it is 18inches. It was not. My foot had been on the tape measure at the 2 inch mark or so. Afterwards, I taped my rod and from the end of the butt to the "tc4" mark, it is 23 inches. The fish laid one inch from the end of the rod and about 1 to 2 inches from the "tc4" mark. Do the math. This one looks to be about 19 to 20 inches.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/inaccuratemeasurement_zpsfdfaf696.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/inaccuratemeasurement_zpsfdfaf696.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/rodshot_zps6e220272.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/rodshot_zps6e220272.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/rodmeasurement_zpsff0e5807.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/rodmeasurement_zpsff0e5807.jpg.html)
So, I am thinnking about how many points I got for my team today. You see, I was so caught up in the brotherhood and fellowship of this thing called FNN and S.W.A.T. that I was not thinking about whether this would qualify me into S.W.A.T. Then I realize it....I let out the biggest roar and scream out...."IT'S AND INDUCTION FISH!!!!!"
IT'S AN INDUCTION FISH!!!! I.....AM.....S....W....A.....T!!!!!!! 148 days of trying and I got it done. Finally!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/beast_zps50b31ca6.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/beast_zps50b31ca6.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/omg_zps7499213d.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/omg_zps7499213d.jpg.html)
My PB YFC and induction fish! Wow! It's no halibut, nor WSB but its a giant!
I ended the session on that note so that I could quickly call my brothers and personally thank some of them.
Many thanks go out. Thank you GOD!!! :Big Grin: Thank you FNN! Thanks to all of the FNN members who helped me along this journey. Thank you to all of the S.W.A.T. members who not only reach out to help me personally, but others as well. You guys get it. I got it now.
Thanks Wifey and Kids! - You guys supported this addiction and look what happened! Love you!
Thank you Wingnut/Commander/Brother - You are the pinnacle of kindness and an exemplary leader! It is through you that the other S.W.A.T. members are so good at what they do: fishing and fellowship.
Thank you SP Dan - You sir, got me in the right direction and are like my navigator. You steered me in the right direction!
Thank you Murrieta Angler - You are my drill sergeant who tells me all of the time, "Ken, just fish. Keep casting!" Was this an intentional metaphor for just keep trying at life? You got the message across and I understand now.
Thank you Bachiboy - Don, you are "Q" to my double-oh-croaker. The original Colonel Croaker. Without your technical expertise in everything fishing AND about fatherhood, I wouldn't have accomplished what I have.
Thanks Daniel, Thien and Jason - You goof balls made skunking alot of fun and forced me to adventure beyond my physical comfort zone in fishing. Thanks! I think that I lost about 25 pounds from all the hiking! Best little brothers ever!
Thanks Nipple Twister - Thanks for being so cool. You are like jazz man! When I was fishing next to you yesterday, it was like music was playing in my head through your headphones.
Forgive me if I failed to personally thank someone but Sidified began playing the "wrap it up" music and the curtain is falling.
P.S. If you didn't get it, the message is to never give up. I wear the moniker "skunked4life" to remind me of the failures in life that made me who I am today. Also, fame and fortune do you no good unless you do good with it. Thus, always remember to pay it forward.
Peace out!
-Corporal Croaker (Ken)