He's Better Than Me

So, two-part story here...

Last week, went with the family on a last minute overnight trip south. I wasn’t even planning on fishing, but the wife said, “as long as we’re down here, you might as well give it a try.” So, set the alarm on my phone and, after two hits on the snooze, finallly said “[heck with] it, I’ll go.” My 8 year old son, Ethan, wakes up and says, “where are you going?” I told him I was going fishing and to go back to sleep.

Got to the spot and was surprised by some structure I haven’t seen in a while. Walk down and on my second cast, BAM!!! I get this nice 26” legal. I haven’t been out in so long my camera battery was dead, so had to dig out my phone and got this crappy photo out of it before his release. A few casts later I get slammed again, only this fight was different. I see silver flashes and surface splashing. Pretty sure I know what it is but it comes unbuttoned just as I got a good look at it. I keep casting frantically and sure enough hook up again. Same kinda fight and I finally get him on “semi” dry land...a nice corvina, confirming what I had lost previously. He tapes out at 24” and as I get out the dang phone, the little basstard gets camera shy and catches the next wave home...was gonna release him anyway. I keep working the area and get some grabs. Manage a couple more pancakes and leave them biting so I can get back to the hotel to give the kids some pool time before we head home. I even managed one of the shorts on my last cast.



When I get back to the hotel, and tell my tale, my son asks, “can I go with you sometime?” I told him I’ll try and take him next time but that the spot I fished that morning was a little too dangerous.


SO, fast forward to this week. I told him that I’d take him out this weekend since he didn’t have basketball practice. My intentions were to take him to a spot in the SM Bay that had been getting some action and that he wouldn’t have to cast far to score. He’s gotten better at casting since we’ve made a couple trips to the bait dock in MDR but still can’t get the distance he’d need at a lot of the surf spots I fish. I also wanted to get him out there at a place that wasn’t too much of a washing machine. Low and behold the fire cut off our game plan for the morning.

I re-route my destination south and take him out at 0 dark-thirty. I figured it’d be pretty cold out so I even ordered him a wetsuit to try and keep him warm. We get to the beach and I put him on a Kroc since he has a habit of reeling too fast and not working an LC to it’s fullest. I also figured it would be less likely to grab every piece of salad in sight. He starts casting and with his hands so cold, he isn’t getting a whole lot of distance, but the structure is tight so I figure he’s got a puncher’s chance at hooking up. He says gets a couple takes right out of the gate but doesn’t drive the hook home. Instead I see him stopping and slacking the line when he gets bit. So I tell him to just reel into it until the fish is on. We’re there for probably 15 minutes when I hear him start screaming. I’m guessing he’s hung the bottom again, which he had done earlier, but when I walk over, I see the line peeling out to the side. This fish is giving him all he can handle but I coach him into pumping the fish in. After a good 10 minute battle, I get a glimpse of the colors in the water. It’s not a legal but a pretty dang good fish for his first GHOST! I didn’t bother taping it but looks to be about 25”...and THICK. I get a couple of glory shots and we send him back to Poseidon.

At this point I haven’t even gotten bit, not that I was fishing all that hard while I was keeping an eye on him. I get a couple of token pancakes but that doesn’t even matter. I couldn’t have been happier. He was SOOOO excited! I think I got me a new fishing partner. Makes me one heck of a proud papa!!!













Just want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by these fires and we hope that you are all safe, and thank you so much for the first responders for their tireless efforts and courage!!!

Awesome job Don.
I'm sure Ethan was just waiting for the right moment to impress his dad with his SKILLS Ya know.
No darn short flatty was gonna do it for sure. A couple of more outings like that and he will be hooked for life like his Papa.

Take care,

Mike

Don

Can't say enough bout how awesome that is for Ethan and you. I can imagine the feelings you had (have) as you realize he's on a big fish, then seeking to beach it and now that your boy landed a big ole ghost :EyePop::Big Grin: Good job on coaching him - I know your the best coach out there (from experience). Ethan has a great Dad and you have a great son!!!!

Looking forward to the next Dad n Son session.

take care bro,

Nick

PS: I have to concur with your post title:LOL:

Good to see a report from you Don, and awesome job taking the kid. Nothing more satisfying than watching a youngster with a bent rod

Awesome job dad. Never underestimate the kids. I used to do that to my dad every time.
You’ve got a fishing partner for life now.

That little dude is awesome!

Cya Tuna Vic

Is Ethan "Wink-Shaming" all us older guys?!? :LOL:

I'm still impressed with the girth on that WSB Don.

See you soon Bro,
Robert
<><

Brother Don, this is the best report I've read in a long time... :Razz: Even better when you told it to me in person.
Love that smile and wink on Ethan's face and the cool cap. :Wink: He's better than us both! :Envious:
It was great seeing some of the boyz last weekend and catching up on old times. :Cool:
I'm getting ready to hop on a plane headed to a far away land... have a blessed Christmas my friend and I'll see you in the New Year. :Big Grin:

Yup, have to agree, AWESOME read! Great write up, legendary photos and posted up here for us all to share.!
Great seeing you all the other day, thx for taking me along for the ride.......... well done, well done indeed!

I believe Wingnut has a pic of a legal flatfish, dunno, might have been lost...hehehehe....

I loved the report Don! That is so cool that your son can get out with his Hero and bring in a memorable fish like that.