After selling the Hotrod Gheenoe I pretty much intended to not post to my blog anymore but I see that it still averages a thousand hits a month so I guess people are still reading it. I guess I will fill you in on what has happened since then.
After selling the Hotrod Gheenoe, the boat I wanted to buy (1988 Silver King Signature) got sold out from under me the day before I was going to buy it. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I found another boat that actually worked out better for me. I ended up getting a 1996 Silver King Silver Flash. It is 16'3 with nearly an 8' beam. It is almost identical to the Signature except it has two 25 gallon livewells. (And you know I love my live bait...) The Silver Flash was not in as good condition as the Signature but that's fine with me as I like to do a lot of my own work so I can learn about stuff.
The boat was in near perfect working order but since I have had it I have done quite a bit. I replaced both livewell pumps, rewired the trolling motor, replaced the battery, changed the impeller/water pump, replaced the lower unit (I backed into a submerged rock... luckily I found a used lower unit as a rebuild was going to cost me $1600.) and had the trailer shortened so the boat would fit in my garage.
The Silver King has a 75hp mercury. It tops out about the same as the Hotrod Gheenoe did at about 32 mph but handles chop much better and is a lot drier and has a ton more room for two people to fish. It does not draft as shallow as the Hotrod Gheenoe did and I have had to abandon some of my old fishing spots on the lower tides, but I have added a few new ones since then that I could not access before on anything but the calmest of days. So that is pretty much a fair trade off. As far as negatives: It takes more time to prepare, cleanup and maintain the Silver King and it costs a lot more to run it. I could fish every day for a week on a 6 gallon tank of gas and a couple ounces of oil with the Hotrod Gheenoe. I usually end up stopping at the gas station about every two or three trips for 12 to 15 gallons of gas and a quart of 2 stroke oil. I have a 25 gallon tank but I like to keep it at least half full so it isn't as painful to fill it up.
I also find that I don't fish quite as often and I don't like to fish by myself as much. The fishing hasn't really been all that spectacular this summer either. I still catch fish nearly every time I go out. I can probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I have been skunked in the last year and a half. I just don't get the numbers I was getting last summer. I'm looking forward to fall though as I think the fishing will improve.
I have been doing a little more fly fishing too. My baby tarpon hole has been holding tarpon all summer and I have caught a few. I have yet to hook up with one on my flyrod yet though, but I will keep trying. I'm still waiting to find the schools of redfish that I found last fall as well. This year I am going to attempt to fish them with a flyrod.
Anyway. That's the update. I will try to keep updating this even though I don't have a Hotrod Gheenoe anymore. If I could I would have a Hotrod Gheenoe and my Silver King but I don't think my wife would go for that...
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
SOLD
Their is a saying that the two best days in a boat owners life are the day he buys a boat and the day he sells it. Whoever said that obviously didn't have the Hotrod Gheenoe.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The Hotrod Might Be Sold....
I have had a few people come and look at the Hotrod. The first one was very interested but for some reason decided against it. Others thought they could make a ridiculous offer and steal it from me. But I'm not that desperate to sell it. Actually if I could keep it and get a bigger boat I would. It's been a great boat and I finally have it completely restored with a new engine and some added comforts like a removable seat cushion on the storage box, rewired the trolling motor and the plug and most importantly got the trailer straightened out again thanks to my buddy captnron off of several of the fishing forums down here in Florida.
On another note... I might have missed out on a great opportunity on a really nice boat to replace the Hotrod. The owner was holding it for me for two weeks but I couldnt get the boat till I moved the Hotrod. No big deal. I see great deals on boats all the time, its just a matter of timing usually. Having all your financial affairs in order when a good deal comes along. Or in my case, having room in your garage...
I suppose after I sell the Hotrod I will have to come up with a new blog, and more importantly a new name for my boat. It's a shame too. The Hotrod Gheenoe had a nice ring to it, and I liked the image that it portrayed. Im sure life will go on.
I noticed that once I took the 'Hotrod Gheenoe' name off of the boat, and stopped calling it 'The Hotrod' I started getting more inquiries. After I thought about it, I can kind of see why. I know that all the boats that I look at, if they have a name on them I dont even pursue them. I guess its not wanting people to see me in a boat that they might recognize from someone else owning it. A similar thing happened to me when I was 16 and got my first car. It was a 1956 Chevy Bel Aire, cherry red and white and in immaculate condition, big fat tires on the back and all jacked up. It was beautiful. Unfortunately everywhere I went people kept asking where was so and so.. the dude who used to own the car. Kinda stole the thunder from the joy of having such an awesome car. Of course after I moved a couple hundred miles away that was no longer and issue. Guess I'm kinda wierd like that.
On another note... I might have missed out on a great opportunity on a really nice boat to replace the Hotrod. The owner was holding it for me for two weeks but I couldnt get the boat till I moved the Hotrod. No big deal. I see great deals on boats all the time, its just a matter of timing usually. Having all your financial affairs in order when a good deal comes along. Or in my case, having room in your garage...
I suppose after I sell the Hotrod I will have to come up with a new blog, and more importantly a new name for my boat. It's a shame too. The Hotrod Gheenoe had a nice ring to it, and I liked the image that it portrayed. Im sure life will go on.
I noticed that once I took the 'Hotrod Gheenoe' name off of the boat, and stopped calling it 'The Hotrod' I started getting more inquiries. After I thought about it, I can kind of see why. I know that all the boats that I look at, if they have a name on them I dont even pursue them. I guess its not wanting people to see me in a boat that they might recognize from someone else owning it. A similar thing happened to me when I was 16 and got my first car. It was a 1956 Chevy Bel Aire, cherry red and white and in immaculate condition, big fat tires on the back and all jacked up. It was beautiful. Unfortunately everywhere I went people kept asking where was so and so.. the dude who used to own the car. Kinda stole the thunder from the joy of having such an awesome car. Of course after I moved a couple hundred miles away that was no longer and issue. Guess I'm kinda wierd like that.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The Hotrod Gheenoe is For Sale...
The Hotrod Gheenoe is a 2001 Gheenoe Classic. 15'6 inches of fish catching fury.
It comes with:
36lb Thrust Motor Guide Great White Trolling Motor,
Bob's Jack Plate, Three Rodholders,
Two anchors, a claw type and a rubber coated bell shaped anchor
2006 Yamaha 25hp 2 Stroke Motor with less than 10 hours (Under Warranty till May 2011)
4 blade composite prop is on the motor
Wooden Paddle
12' PVC (Homemade) Push Pole
Brand new unused 3 blade factory aluminum prop
Eagle SeaFinder 245DS Depth Finder
2 12v Batteries 1 Optima, 1 EverStart w/drybox
2 6 gallon Gas Tanks with hoses and connectors
Brand new folding seat in rear
Pedastal plate on front deck
2000 Performance Trailer. The neck of the trailer is slightly bent however the boat and trailer tracks fine.
Lots of residual fish catching mojo.
Custom Graphic Hotrod Gheenoe logos
A Gheenoe is a very stable fishing platform, it will handle slight chop better than a flat bottom jon, you can even throw a castnet. You can fish all weekend on one 6 gallon tank of gas. It will get as skinny as you want to take it, The boat is so light, If you tilt up the motor you can get out and pull this boat in ankle deep water. It is the easiest boat for 1 person to handle that I have ever been on, perfect boat for 2 people. I have fished everywhere from the Alafia River to the Skyway in this boat and have never had a single problem on the water. You can run the trolling motor, paddle it and even pole it with a pvc pipe. It is the total fishing package.
Asking Price: $4400
Email me at loukapp@gmail.com for more info
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
I Caught a Tarpon!
About 2 months ago I found a resident school of juvenile Tarpon on one of the rivers I like to fish on down here in Tampa. I have been fishing them at least once or twice a week with dismal results. I have managed to jump 6 of them but can not seem to land them. Finally I was so frustrated that I invited my friend Capt. Tommy Z of Action Charters to accompany me to my top secret Tarpon spot for a Tarpon Tutorial. He declined the offer to come with me in the Hotrod (Can you believe it?) and insisted we take his brand spanking new Maverick HPX Kevlar Tunnel Hull flats boat. Now how can you argue with that? Why drive a Corvette when you can catch a ride in a Ferrari?
Anyway, we get to the area and just sit there for about an hour and observe to see if we can establish any kind of a pattern, see what they might be eating, and generally absorb any knowledge that might help us figure out how to catch them. Finally he says okay lets do it and we pull up the anchore and drift within casting range. He suggest we cast up stream and let the current bring our lures back towards us working them at different depths until we get a hit. We tried several different color jig tails and finally I feel a tug. I set the hook hard three times and start fighting the fish. It jumped immediately and confirmed that indeed it was Tarpon on! The fish made a couple nice runs and 2 more jumps before I finally manage to get the fish boatside so Capt Tommy can get a grip on the fish. He kept the fish in the water while he removed the hook and then handed the fish to me for this quick photo before the fish was released to grow bigger so I can catch it again some day.
I cant wait to go back in the Hotrod and see if I can do it Solo.
Capt Tommy Ziesmann (Tommy Z) can be contacted at (727) 432 - 0355. His website is http://www.action-charters.com/
Anyway, we get to the area and just sit there for about an hour and observe to see if we can establish any kind of a pattern, see what they might be eating, and generally absorb any knowledge that might help us figure out how to catch them. Finally he says okay lets do it and we pull up the anchore and drift within casting range. He suggest we cast up stream and let the current bring our lures back towards us working them at different depths until we get a hit. We tried several different color jig tails and finally I feel a tug. I set the hook hard three times and start fighting the fish. It jumped immediately and confirmed that indeed it was Tarpon on! The fish made a couple nice runs and 2 more jumps before I finally manage to get the fish boatside so Capt Tommy can get a grip on the fish. He kept the fish in the water while he removed the hook and then handed the fish to me for this quick photo before the fish was released to grow bigger so I can catch it again some day.
I cant wait to go back in the Hotrod and see if I can do it Solo.
Capt Tommy Ziesmann (Tommy Z) can be contacted at (727) 432 - 0355. His website is http://www.action-charters.com/
Friday, February 23, 2007
Finally Back In Action on the Hotrod Gheenoe
I got out for a couple trips early this week targeting Sheepshead and Redfish in some deep holes surrounded by shallow flats. The water was so low I had to drag the Hotrod through barely ankle deep water in a few spots to get to my fishing hole.
As you can see from the first picture, I scored a small Redfish on my fly rod. My first actually. It was a little on the small side, but still it pulled a lot better than the dink trout I have been catching on it. I am looking forward to spring and summer when I can go out on the flats and catch some big Redfish and Snook on the fly rod in the areas where I had my success with last year.
I really haven't been out much since the boat wreck the day after Christmas, and I still haven't received any money from the insurance company. I do know how much I am going to get though I just need to find and buy a new trailer before I tell them to come and pick mine up and then they will pay me.
I'm looking at taking the insurance money and possibly selling the Hotrod and getting a new boat that will be large enough to take two anglers fishing instead of just one. I hope I don't regret that decision. The Hotrod is so easy to maintain and inexpensive to operate and I had no problem pleasing almost every angler I have taken fishing on it so far. I guess I need to weigh all the advantages against the disadvantages and compare that against a different boat.
I think I will probably keep the Hotrod for a while longer and see how it works out. God forbid I get a different boat and have to think up a new name for my blog...
On a related note. I finally got around to getting my American Red Cross First Aid and Adult, Child and Infant CPR certification, the last step I needed to get my USCG Captains License. Now I just need to get my package together and submit it and wait for it to come back from the Coast Guard and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Then I will be ready to get into business.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
On and on.....
It's well into the month of February and I am still waiting on the insurance company to settle. There have been some developments of late but I kind of prefer to keep my cards close to my vest as the old saying goes since one never knows who might be reading this.
Here is what I can say though. While the insurance company was doing thier research, I was doing mine as well as I wanted to know the actual value of the Hotrod to know if they were trying to screw me over or what.
First the motor. I searched everywhere for a 2001 or newer used 25hp yamaha 2 stroke short shaft motor to replace mine. Blue book puts the value around $1600-1700. Problem is, nobody is selling them, and I wanted to make sure the one I bought was in as good or better condition as the one I had before the accident. Well I couldnt find one. I basically gave up and said to heck with it and decided to buy a brand new one. Guess what, nobody has any new ones either. Something about the EPA cracking down on 2 strokes etc. ad nauseaum whatever. But then I lucked out. I called another dealer asking about a new one and he told me he just happened to have a used 2006 on consignment for several hundred dollars less than a brand new one, which he told me he probably couldnt get anyway... and it had less than 5 hours on it. I went to check it out and the paint wasnt even scratched on the skeg! It was for all practical purposes brand new. Needless to say, I snatched it up so fast his head was spinning. And on top of that, it had a brand new composite 4 blade prop on it and came with the factory prop as well, a 6 gallon gas tank and the hose to connect it and on top of all that the gas tank was full! I put the motor on the Hotrod and took it out and it performed flawlessly as one would expect a brand new motor to do.
About a week later I finally got a call from the insurance company. They told me how much they were going to give me for the motor, which luckily for me was actually a few dollars more than what I paid...shhh! They also told me what they were going to give me for the trailer which I have found a new trailer that can be had for that amount.
Now the only thing left is to figure out how much they are going to give me for the Hotrod itself. As I stated in an earlier post, initially they told me it was a total loss. Well I managed to convince them that it is not a total loss and they told me to take it to a fiberglass repair shop for an estimate and to send the estimate to them. I prefer to do the work myself if possible but I guess I need to take it to a fiberglass repair shop for an estimate. The fiberglass repair shop wants to charge me $45 for the estimate...which they will waive if they do the work. So I guess I have to spend $45...
Hopefully this will all be over soon so I can get back to terrorizing the fish in the bay soon. Of course nothing is stopping me now other than the fact that the weather has been total crap and I've been taking the kids to doctor and dentist appointments and various other mundane tasks assigned to me by "She Who Must Be Obeyed".
Look forward to a sheepshead or other winter fishing type report.
Oh one other thing. My good friend Apollobeach Sam and I made a fishing video for your viewing pleasure. It is basically a fishing show trailer spoof called The Ultimate Angler.
Check it out here
Here is what I can say though. While the insurance company was doing thier research, I was doing mine as well as I wanted to know the actual value of the Hotrod to know if they were trying to screw me over or what.
First the motor. I searched everywhere for a 2001 or newer used 25hp yamaha 2 stroke short shaft motor to replace mine. Blue book puts the value around $1600-1700. Problem is, nobody is selling them, and I wanted to make sure the one I bought was in as good or better condition as the one I had before the accident. Well I couldnt find one. I basically gave up and said to heck with it and decided to buy a brand new one. Guess what, nobody has any new ones either. Something about the EPA cracking down on 2 strokes etc. ad nauseaum whatever. But then I lucked out. I called another dealer asking about a new one and he told me he just happened to have a used 2006 on consignment for several hundred dollars less than a brand new one, which he told me he probably couldnt get anyway... and it had less than 5 hours on it. I went to check it out and the paint wasnt even scratched on the skeg! It was for all practical purposes brand new. Needless to say, I snatched it up so fast his head was spinning. And on top of that, it had a brand new composite 4 blade prop on it and came with the factory prop as well, a 6 gallon gas tank and the hose to connect it and on top of all that the gas tank was full! I put the motor on the Hotrod and took it out and it performed flawlessly as one would expect a brand new motor to do.
About a week later I finally got a call from the insurance company. They told me how much they were going to give me for the motor, which luckily for me was actually a few dollars more than what I paid...shhh! They also told me what they were going to give me for the trailer which I have found a new trailer that can be had for that amount.
Now the only thing left is to figure out how much they are going to give me for the Hotrod itself. As I stated in an earlier post, initially they told me it was a total loss. Well I managed to convince them that it is not a total loss and they told me to take it to a fiberglass repair shop for an estimate and to send the estimate to them. I prefer to do the work myself if possible but I guess I need to take it to a fiberglass repair shop for an estimate. The fiberglass repair shop wants to charge me $45 for the estimate...which they will waive if they do the work. So I guess I have to spend $45...
Hopefully this will all be over soon so I can get back to terrorizing the fish in the bay soon. Of course nothing is stopping me now other than the fact that the weather has been total crap and I've been taking the kids to doctor and dentist appointments and various other mundane tasks assigned to me by "She Who Must Be Obeyed".
Look forward to a sheepshead or other winter fishing type report.
Oh one other thing. My good friend Apollobeach Sam and I made a fishing video for your viewing pleasure. It is basically a fishing show trailer spoof called The Ultimate Angler.
Check it out here
Friday, January 19, 2007
The Continuing Saga of A Boy And His Hotrod Gheenoe
First a summary....
On Dec 26th, I was taking my son fishing. I'm stopped at a red light waiting for the light to change and some dipstick on a cell phone plows into the back of my boat. The motor is broken in two pieces, there is a scratch on the Hotrod Gheenoe's transom where the lower unit smacked into the it, and unbenownst to me until just the other day, the frame of my trailer is bent...
I filed a claim with my insurance company and they told me to file it with the other guys insurance company since the boat was not on my policy. So I file it with his company MetLife,(the next day Dec 27th) and he will contact me within 2 days. I am told that they will assign me an adjuster and he contacts me at the end of the second day. He tells me that they are going to have an independent appraiser come out and look at the boat and he will schedule that appointment with them within 2 days. (not including the weekend and new years day holiday...) And true to his word...at the end of the second day (Jan 2) he tells me that they have contracted this out and the guy will contact me...get ready... within 2 days.
Well, the appraiser contacts me and schedules an appointment...the next day!...(Jan 4) and comes out takes 3 pictures of the boat and tells me he will write up the report and get it to MetLife the next day (Jan 5)
Well 1 week goes by... no report...2 weeks...no report... and this is where I am now.
I started calling MetLlife every day starting on Tues (Jan 16) because of the holiday... Of course my adjuster guy who never answers his phone or returns any calls or emails doesn't... So I hit '0' and get anyone who can help me.. They tell me they still ha vent received the report but they will contact the appraiser to find out the hold up...
I call the next day (Wed Jan 17) ...same old same old... '0' they will call the appraiser while I wait on hold... cant get ahold of him....
Thur (Jan 18) see Wed...
Which brings us to today. I call around 1145... same old routine... '0'... I tell them I have had it. I want results now. Give me the number of the appraisers company, his boss, whoever. They ask me to hold while they make the calls. I do... Nope cant find him... Nobody knows anything. So I get the number and I call. The person from the appraisal company says they just got off the phone with MetLlife, wasn't I on a conference call? I say no. I was on hold. She says that they sent them the report how many days ago?...yes 2 DAYS AGO!... So I say thank you hang up wait a couple hours to cool down and then I send a scathing email to the adjuster guy from MetLife who never answers his phone, or returns calls or emails, and tell him that I haven't heard anything from them in nearly 3 weeks. I am demanding that he calls me and gives me an update on my claim ASAP. Then I call him and leave a similar message on his voice mail.
Guess what. Does he call me? Nope. He responds to my email with this message. "total loss received today and will call ypu Monday for figures." What a guy...(yeah he misspelled you not me.)
I called him back immediately... '0' and the person tells me that technically they are closed. I tell her he said he was going to be in the office till 5:30..she says "Sorry... different department." I ask her if she can give me any information. She says that the claim has been forwarded to the Total Loss Department where I will be assigned a new Adjuster who will contact me when?... 2 DAYS!!!
So that means I will hear something by Tuesday I guess.
I am so pissed off right now that they could offer me a brand new 36' contender with triple Yanmar twin turbo jet turbine engines and free gas for life and I wouldn't be content with my experience.
I sure hope he gives me some sort of Customer Satisfaction Survey to fill out...I will roll it up and stab him in the eyes with it.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
An Epic Fish Tale
I launched the Hotrod shortly after sunrise and headed off in search of juvenile Tarpon. As I idled through the no wake zone I enjoyed my morning thermos of coffee in the crisp cool morning. The weather has been unseasonably warm lately so the 50 degree temperature was a rare treat so far this winter.
As I idled along I saw a large splash off in the distance. At first I thought It was a pelican diving on a baitfish but I looked and there were no pelicans, only a few gulls circling. As I watched I saw a couple more splashes and the gulls started diving as the water erupted into a boiling froth. Jacks! As soon as I exited the idle zone I gunned the motor full throttle and headed towards the commotion. I shut off the motor when I got reasonable close and used the trolling motor to get withing casting range.
I knew the jacks had to be pretty good size because the roving school I have encountered in this area has been running on the large size and from the size of the individual splashes I could tell these were large. I grabbed my rod that I had rigged for tarpon and cast it into the fray. I hooked up almost instantly and my rod bowed over as the fish tried to run. Unfortunatly I had the drag set a little too tight and the 20lb leader snapped. I quickly reeled in the line and grabbed my short dock and mangrove fishing rod. Not even bothering to put a tail on the bare jighead I cast it into the school of boiling jacks and again was hooked up. Unfortunatly my 10lb line was way outclassed and it too broke almost instantly leaving me with a tangled mess when the braid snapped back. I quickly reeled in the line anyway not even bothering to mess with it and grabbed my tarpon rod again. I grabbed another jig I had and quickly tied it on with a loop knot and tossed it out to another ravenous Jack. This time I loosened the drag a bit and let the fish take some line applying drag by feathering the spool with my hand.
As I fought this jack the school turned and was heading right for the boat. I reeled with abandon trying to regain line as the jack followed the school towards me. The jacks looked like a herd of thundering watermelons as they approached the Hotrod. Then they saw me and turned away, my jack leading the school. I tried to palm the spool to slow him but I swear they other jacks had to be pushing him and my line again snapped leaving me fishless rodless.
I decided to head off to my tarpon hole and deal with the jacks later if I could find them again. I arrived at my tarpon hole and rerigged my rods with fresh leader and jigs. While I was doing this the tarpon were rolling all around the boat. Once I was ready I cast to them for nearly two hours with out a single take. I headed back to the dock checking one of the local canals on the way only to find it was nearly dry.
So I continued on my way thinking I was finally skunked for the first time in over 9 months. Then I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. Birds circling in the distance over a very shallow flat. I didnt see any telltale signs of marauding jacks below but I headed over to investigate anyway. Sure enough first a couple splashes and then the water erupted again. Unfortunately for me they were upwind and I could not get within casting range so I went past them and stopped and waited to see if there for a sign of there location.
I sat for several minutes and decided it was not to be and started to troll back to the channel to head in when I saw a couple jacks hitting bait in the shallow water so I made a couple more casts with the wind at my back but they did not appear to be interested. I drifted a little farther and dropped my anchor to work out a game plan. Suddenly I noticed that the water was getting really rough in a spot that was perfectly calm moments before and it appeared to be heading towards me. I cast as far as I could towards them but they were still out of range so I quickly retrieved my lure and waited as they continued to approach. Then when I thought they were within range I casted again just yards short. So I let the jig sink to the bottom and as soon as the jacks were over it I began to work it back. Fish on! The jack immediately started running as only a jack can taking line by the yard as my drag screamed. For a minute I thought I was outclassed again as nothing I could do seemed to slow this fish at all. Finally after what seemed like 5 minutes the fish slowed down and I began to work it back to the boat. It was easily a hundred yards out. Is I regained line inch by inch the jack began its signature move the wide circle around the boat. It was still over 60 yards away when I noticed it was heading towards a crab buoy. I tried in vain to gain line quicker but to no avail and I could see that the crab buoy was moving against the current. I tried to get the fish off of the buoy line but it was wrapped. I was sure I was going to lose this fish. Fortunately it was exhausted and didnt put up much of a fight. I pulled my anchor and worked my way towards the buoy as quickly as possible as I didnt want the fish to get enough rest to start fighting again. I got to the buoy and could see the fish just below the surface, my line wrapped around the buoy line. I reached in and grabbed the jack by the tail and pulled it into the boat. I cut my leader and snapped a quick photo of the jack, measured it and returned it to the water to be caught again. This jack measured 27 inches to the fork of its tail.
As I idled along I saw a large splash off in the distance. At first I thought It was a pelican diving on a baitfish but I looked and there were no pelicans, only a few gulls circling. As I watched I saw a couple more splashes and the gulls started diving as the water erupted into a boiling froth. Jacks! As soon as I exited the idle zone I gunned the motor full throttle and headed towards the commotion. I shut off the motor when I got reasonable close and used the trolling motor to get withing casting range.
I knew the jacks had to be pretty good size because the roving school I have encountered in this area has been running on the large size and from the size of the individual splashes I could tell these were large. I grabbed my rod that I had rigged for tarpon and cast it into the fray. I hooked up almost instantly and my rod bowed over as the fish tried to run. Unfortunatly I had the drag set a little too tight and the 20lb leader snapped. I quickly reeled in the line and grabbed my short dock and mangrove fishing rod. Not even bothering to put a tail on the bare jighead I cast it into the school of boiling jacks and again was hooked up. Unfortunatly my 10lb line was way outclassed and it too broke almost instantly leaving me with a tangled mess when the braid snapped back. I quickly reeled in the line anyway not even bothering to mess with it and grabbed my tarpon rod again. I grabbed another jig I had and quickly tied it on with a loop knot and tossed it out to another ravenous Jack. This time I loosened the drag a bit and let the fish take some line applying drag by feathering the spool with my hand.
As I fought this jack the school turned and was heading right for the boat. I reeled with abandon trying to regain line as the jack followed the school towards me. The jacks looked like a herd of thundering watermelons as they approached the Hotrod. Then they saw me and turned away, my jack leading the school. I tried to palm the spool to slow him but I swear they other jacks had to be pushing him and my line again snapped leaving me fishless rodless.
I decided to head off to my tarpon hole and deal with the jacks later if I could find them again. I arrived at my tarpon hole and rerigged my rods with fresh leader and jigs. While I was doing this the tarpon were rolling all around the boat. Once I was ready I cast to them for nearly two hours with out a single take. I headed back to the dock checking one of the local canals on the way only to find it was nearly dry.
So I continued on my way thinking I was finally skunked for the first time in over 9 months. Then I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. Birds circling in the distance over a very shallow flat. I didnt see any telltale signs of marauding jacks below but I headed over to investigate anyway. Sure enough first a couple splashes and then the water erupted again. Unfortunately for me they were upwind and I could not get within casting range so I went past them and stopped and waited to see if there for a sign of there location.
I sat for several minutes and decided it was not to be and started to troll back to the channel to head in when I saw a couple jacks hitting bait in the shallow water so I made a couple more casts with the wind at my back but they did not appear to be interested. I drifted a little farther and dropped my anchor to work out a game plan. Suddenly I noticed that the water was getting really rough in a spot that was perfectly calm moments before and it appeared to be heading towards me. I cast as far as I could towards them but they were still out of range so I quickly retrieved my lure and waited as they continued to approach. Then when I thought they were within range I casted again just yards short. So I let the jig sink to the bottom and as soon as the jacks were over it I began to work it back. Fish on! The jack immediately started running as only a jack can taking line by the yard as my drag screamed. For a minute I thought I was outclassed again as nothing I could do seemed to slow this fish at all. Finally after what seemed like 5 minutes the fish slowed down and I began to work it back to the boat. It was easily a hundred yards out. Is I regained line inch by inch the jack began its signature move the wide circle around the boat. It was still over 60 yards away when I noticed it was heading towards a crab buoy. I tried in vain to gain line quicker but to no avail and I could see that the crab buoy was moving against the current. I tried to get the fish off of the buoy line but it was wrapped. I was sure I was going to lose this fish. Fortunately it was exhausted and didnt put up much of a fight. I pulled my anchor and worked my way towards the buoy as quickly as possible as I didnt want the fish to get enough rest to start fighting again. I got to the buoy and could see the fish just below the surface, my line wrapped around the buoy line. I reached in and grabbed the jack by the tail and pulled it into the boat. I cut my leader and snapped a quick photo of the jack, measured it and returned it to the water to be caught again. This jack measured 27 inches to the fork of its tail.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Back In The Proverbial Saddle Again....
One of my good friends Apollobeach Sam loaned me a 15hp motor he had laying around in his garage. I had to do some modifications to my fuel line to get it to fit the motor and I had to do some modifications to my jack plate since this motor was slightly different than my 25hp yamaha it is temporarily replacing.
I also lowered the jack plate all the way since I dont think Ill be doing much backcountry skinnywater fishing until I get my motor replaced. The 15hp still pushes the Hotrod about 20mph per my handheld GPS. Good enough for the time being anyway.
I went scouting last Friday with a buddy on his Carolina Skiff J14 and we stumbled upon a school of rolling juvenile Tarpon! We managed to jump 5 of them tossing 1/8 oz jigs with rubber tails.
I went back on Sunday with my daughter Emily but there was so much boat traffic I could not get them to bite. I saw a couple rolling but that's all.
This morning I went out there by myself on the Hotrod and tossed a few jigs at them again and hooked up with another but cant seem to get the hook set on them. I had quite a suprise though I hooked what I thought was another. I could tell it was a big fish but it never jumped. Turns out it was a big Jack. It measured 30 inches to the fork in its tail.
I think it was one of the biggest jacks I have ever landed.
I cant wait to get back after those little tarpon... (Little...relative to an adult tarpon... the fish I jumped today was easily 36 inches long...)
I also lowered the jack plate all the way since I dont think Ill be doing much backcountry skinnywater fishing until I get my motor replaced. The 15hp still pushes the Hotrod about 20mph per my handheld GPS. Good enough for the time being anyway.
I went scouting last Friday with a buddy on his Carolina Skiff J14 and we stumbled upon a school of rolling juvenile Tarpon! We managed to jump 5 of them tossing 1/8 oz jigs with rubber tails.
I went back on Sunday with my daughter Emily but there was so much boat traffic I could not get them to bite. I saw a couple rolling but that's all.
This morning I went out there by myself on the Hotrod and tossed a few jigs at them again and hooked up with another but cant seem to get the hook set on them. I had quite a suprise though I hooked what I thought was another. I could tell it was a big fish but it never jumped. Turns out it was a big Jack. It measured 30 inches to the fork in its tail.
I think it was one of the biggest jacks I have ever landed. I cant wait to get back after those little tarpon... (Little...relative to an adult tarpon... the fish I jumped today was easily 36 inches long...)
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Waiting for Insurance Companies and Wade Fishing.
Well, I have not been fishing since the accident on Dec 26th because I wanted to stay home in case the insurance company needed to contact me and I didnt want to miss a call to cause even 1 minute of delay of getting the Hotrod back in action.
Finally I was about to give in to my impulses and scheduled a fishing trip for today with one of my fishing buddies, Capt Greg... (Man, I sure got a bunch of buddies that are captains huh?) ...when I finally got the call I have been waiting for. The appraiser wanted to come check out the Hotrod Gheenoe...the next morning... between 10 am and Noon.
So I had to cancel my trip with Capt Greg (darnit) but I called another buddy of mine (who is not a captain...) and asked if he wanted to go wade fishing around Simmons Park. He said sure so we met at 7 am and launched our boatless selves and had a great time catching nice slot trout and small ladyfish on artificials for about an hour until he hooked himself in the thumb on one of the treble hooks in his lure. Unfortunately, his crimped down barb wasnt as crimped down as he thought it was though. He was stuck pretty good. He couldnt decide on whether he should yank it out or push it through and cut it out. It went right into the very center of the pad of his thumb too. So I volunteered to help him remove the hook. I grabbed it gently with a pair of pliers and said "On a count of three... One... Two..." YANK! "Three" He said he never even felt it. That pretty much ended the fishing for the day though. He said that the fish probably felt sorry for him and didnt want him to hook himself again.
So I made it home about 5 minutes after 10 and was worried that the insurance guy had come and left already.... but as I expected, He showed up promptly at 11:30. (I could have fished for another whole hour and a half... grrr.)
He took a couple pictures of the motor, a couple pictures of the Hotrod Gheenoe, took some notes, asked a few questions and said "Thanks. I'll file this report tomorrow and you should hear something soon." I said, "Wait a minute, I have a couple questions for you." "What do you think? and what is gonna happen?"
Basically he said that he would file the report. He thinks that the motor is totalled and he needs to get an estimate on the glass repair work on the Hotrod, if it is too much he would probably total it too. (It's barely scratched for crying out loud....) He said I would most likely get a check for the market value of my motor and the same for the hull if it is totalled. And they would come and get them... No F'in Way are they gonna take my Hotrod! The can have the motor but the hotrod stays. It can be fixed. The other thing is, I said how do they determine fair market value? He said that they have books and charts etc that list those things. I said what if fair market value isnt enough to replace my engine? I told him first of all it is very difficult to find a used 25hp Yamaha 2 stroke for sale and a short shaft like the one on the hotrod is even more difficult to find. (and more expensive too...) He said "Them's the breaks..."
Oh Hell No, I dont think so... In fact I think Im getting a stiff neck... and my spleen hurts...
Stay tuned...
Finally I was about to give in to my impulses and scheduled a fishing trip for today with one of my fishing buddies, Capt Greg... (Man, I sure got a bunch of buddies that are captains huh?) ...when I finally got the call I have been waiting for. The appraiser wanted to come check out the Hotrod Gheenoe...the next morning... between 10 am and Noon.
So I had to cancel my trip with Capt Greg (darnit) but I called another buddy of mine (who is not a captain...) and asked if he wanted to go wade fishing around Simmons Park. He said sure so we met at 7 am and launched our boatless selves and had a great time catching nice slot trout and small ladyfish on artificials for about an hour until he hooked himself in the thumb on one of the treble hooks in his lure. Unfortunately, his crimped down barb wasnt as crimped down as he thought it was though. He was stuck pretty good. He couldnt decide on whether he should yank it out or push it through and cut it out. It went right into the very center of the pad of his thumb too. So I volunteered to help him remove the hook. I grabbed it gently with a pair of pliers and said "On a count of three... One... Two..." YANK! "Three" He said he never even felt it. That pretty much ended the fishing for the day though. He said that the fish probably felt sorry for him and didnt want him to hook himself again.
So I made it home about 5 minutes after 10 and was worried that the insurance guy had come and left already.... but as I expected, He showed up promptly at 11:30. (I could have fished for another whole hour and a half... grrr.)
He took a couple pictures of the motor, a couple pictures of the Hotrod Gheenoe, took some notes, asked a few questions and said "Thanks. I'll file this report tomorrow and you should hear something soon." I said, "Wait a minute, I have a couple questions for you." "What do you think? and what is gonna happen?"
Basically he said that he would file the report. He thinks that the motor is totalled and he needs to get an estimate on the glass repair work on the Hotrod, if it is too much he would probably total it too. (It's barely scratched for crying out loud....) He said I would most likely get a check for the market value of my motor and the same for the hull if it is totalled. And they would come and get them... No F'in Way are they gonna take my Hotrod! The can have the motor but the hotrod stays. It can be fixed. The other thing is, I said how do they determine fair market value? He said that they have books and charts etc that list those things. I said what if fair market value isnt enough to replace my engine? I told him first of all it is very difficult to find a used 25hp Yamaha 2 stroke for sale and a short shaft like the one on the hotrod is even more difficult to find. (and more expensive too...) He said "Them's the breaks..."
Oh Hell No, I dont think so... In fact I think Im getting a stiff neck... and my spleen hurts...
Stay tuned...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
