owlcreekok
November 24, 2005, 18:37
We here at the Owl's nest departed from the traditional this Thanksgiving. Weeks ago we planned to do no big family dinner. A foray to the beach and hopefully a catch would determine our meal of thanks. According to the blessings of the Lord God and his bounty of the sea we are fulfilled. Quite literally. We set up around 0900 CST and began tossing fresh shrimp on double drop rigs. After a few minutes, we had a brace of Whiting in the cooler. While more of the Whiting were caught, a hapless victim was beheaded and his topknot added to a BreakawayUSA LRFF rig, strung from a Breakaway 11'-9" custom rod and a Diawa 30SHV. Much practice went into the 100 yard cast of bait and sinker that landed into the second gut. A scant 30 minutes later the 30 SHV's clicker was screaming the glad tidings, *FISH ON*. I ran to the sand spike and grasped the composite rod while flipping the freespool lever to the "release" position. Yon denizen of the deep proceeded to take the 25# Breakaway green mono off the spool apace. Granting the customer a 10 count and adjusting the drag to my liking, I flipped the freespool lever to the position of "The duel is now on". This action was not met with the most agreeable response. Lowering the rod and cranking line until I felt the weight of my quarry, allowing the 12/0 circle hook do do it's business, resulted in a drag screaming run of 100 yard's line loss. Mr. Red Drum decided the time was ripe to head East for the bowl of the old pier. Seeing and hearing the monofilament wheening Eastward gave me the exercise I should have taken for my health earlier. A 150 yard walk - run - trot down the surf kept me "in front" of my quarry as well as gaining enough line to coax the brute over the first sandbar. Mrs. Owl and #2 Son were alongside. #2 Son wielded the Gaff while Mrs. Owl elatedly offered encouragement. We tagged the catch, a 36" 20lb red Drum and continued our wonderful day on the Texas Gulf coast. Upon our return to the Owl's nest, we fried a few Whiting chunks as the Redfish marinate for tomorrow's grill.
On behalf of all here at the Texas Gulf Coast Owl's nest, Happy Thanksgiving.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/owlcreekok/1105005.jpg
On behalf of all here at the Texas Gulf Coast Owl's nest, Happy Thanksgiving.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/owlcreekok/1105005.jpg