WE HAVE A WINNAH, Free Blackfish thread

[gman jr]

curt,

seeing as I fished with Red Rum the last 2 years I guess I can guide you and Dom around LOL

Glenn

[CaptDom]

Originally Posted by Captain Curt

"sinkerman" he posts now and again. that is his snook he caught one on both ends of the slot that day.1/4 inch above and 1/4 inch below.I was camera man that day it was all Charlie.

He is getting ready to retire in april just as we leave for Islamorada again.

Too bad, but there's always the wife, LOL.....

All we need is 1 more for a fourth in Cabo

Tell "sinkerman" I said nice fish!!

[CaptDom]

Anyone out there??

You guys don't like free stuff???

[gman]

hey man some of us posted alot but yes its lame only 4 new guys posted

[mcleaves]

I just stumbled on this thread. I tend to hang out in the New England and Groundfishing sections.

Well I have EXACTLY 10 posts before this one, so I hope that qualifies. I introduced myself a couple weeks ago in the New England Forum but hey, for a free trip I'll do some heavy lifting and type some more ;)

First, CaptDom this is a VERY generous offer. Win or not I am impressed.

I fish Cape Cod bay and Stellwagen Bank. I have been fishing these areas for about 6 years now, the last 4 more seriously.

I run a 1995 Four Winns 238 Vista with a 5.0 VP DuoProp. The boat is by no means a battle wagon. If I had it to do over again I'd be getting a WA of some sort, but, given that I own her outright I am making do. I am presently working on making the L-shaped lounge in the back removable so I convert it to a decent fishing platform when I need to. Actually it'll stay as a fishing platform until I need to take the family out ;)

I primarily fish groundfish and for some reason have been completely taken in by this kind of fishing. I'll give the amusing story of how I became an offshore guy. I fished striper from shore for YEARS during the bottom of the collapse. Finally I decided I needed to get a small aluminum boat, maybe 15-16 feet, that I could throw a 5-6 hp engine on to get around to better spots on the local rivers and protected waters. I gave myself a 2500.00 budget, including a trailer.

While looking for the aluminum I came across a 21ft express cruiser, running, on a trailer for 3000.00 Hey, only 500.00 more and I can go ANYWHERE! Well, it didn't take me long to fall for it and a took it home. Now I had this huge (at the time it seemed huge) piece of fiberglass in my yard. It took a few years and more money than I want to share with you to get her ready for the water. Finally Stripers from a boat! Well, it only had a 4 banger and while pretty good in rough seas, she didn't have the juice to get 4 big guys around. After a few years of that I decided a bigger and better powered boat was the solution, and that is when I bought the present beast. But I soon realized the new power is useless if the hull doesn't have enough deadrise. So I have lived and learned. I got to do a complete tear down and rebuild of every component on my first boat and it helped me understand mods to make to my new on, like gutting the electrical in favor of a huge house bank of 6v batteries.

I am pretty happy overall. I now own a ton of gear, some rods and reels were mistakes as was a lot of other gear. I am pretty good at groundfishing now and gave up on the stripers. There is something about going offshore and hauling up fish from 250' of water that really excites me.

So, that is my story of how I bought two boats spent about 10 years working on them and bought a ton of gear just to be able to fish a few feet further up a river I was standing on, a river ironically I have NEVER taken my boats on once I got them, and all for a fish I no longer pursue.

How is that for a fish story?

I hope to try some tuna fishing this season

I want to add that Dave Waldrip from the Relentless dragged me over here and I am thrilled he did! I also have gotten to have a very nice conversation with Terry Nugent answering some questions for me about Tuna fishing. Both guys are very generous and if you CaptDom, with you generous offer, represent the general character of the people on this site I am going to be very happy here ))).

Tight lines...
-Mike Cleaves

[Possum]

Nice post Mike. I am sure that 10 posts should qualify you...

Dom,

I'll post up an additional announcement too on this, so it will show in all forum views.

[gman]

nice post

[mcleaves]

Originally Posted by gman

nice post

Thanks.. My next one will be about how learned about safety chains! ;)

[CaptDom]

MIke,

First off, welcome, glad to have you aboard.

Second, your post is exactly why I ran this offer. I absolutely love to fish, talk about fish, think about fish, etc....as do alot of the regular members here. The two Capts you mentioned are top notch guys, never mind incredible fisherman, and very willing to share what they have. THey represent what this site is all about, as do the rest of the guys you will find. You will NOT find any of the drama or bickering on this site as you do on others. The moderators do not have to bother, as the membership here keeps everyone in line should things get even slightly testy! The whole idea here is to meet others who share my passion and interest. To me, fishing is as close to religion as I'll ever get


I too love the thrill of dropping down in deep water, to hook some unseen denizen and haul him up from the depths. However, most of my time is devoted to sharks, and other pelagic critters.

I hope to see reports and hear of your experiences on the water, along with some pictures.

Have fun in this place, that is what is all about, and learn a great deal from the many experienced and knowledgeable NBSERS.

[sinkerman]

I"m Charlie AKA sinkerman, been salt water fishing for about 50 years. Best fish to date is a 64 lb. cod. Fished with Dom late last fall and almost froze to death, would like another shot at those toothie critters.