The preparation for this day was long and stressful at times.  I had thought of everything in my mind.......

1. Proper technique.........practice practice practice - CHECK.

2. Proper equipment........action, power and sensitivity - CHECK.

3. Weather conditions......check the radar, no storms - CHECK.

4. Timing........always a consideration - CHECK.

5. Patience and persistence......more critical than you can ever imagine - CHECK.

6. Tidal influence..........slack is not preferred for this method - CHECK.

7. Presentation..........can't be forced - CHECK.


With preparation complete, now it came down to when.  Countless hours spent coordinating schedules, re-arranging appointments, checking, double-checking and ensuring everything was ready.  The scheduled window was fast approaching.  The anticipation was overwhelming and almost numbing at times.

Mentally reviewing the preparation I had done - checking, re-checking, doubting, questioning..............the seeds of doubt firmly taking root in the soil of my mind.  Did I do everything I could?  Only time will tell.

I made it home after work a couple Wednesdays ago and settled in for the evening when I learned that the water conditions had changed for the better and my plans were suddenly rushed into almost a state of hyper slow motion.  I had missed my chance a few times inthe past few years, but I was not going to miss this one.  I forced myself to breathe and stay calm.  Now was not the time to forget anything or rush and mess something up.

I made my way to the prime location and waited..........the hours passed by ever so slowly.........

......6pm
......7pm
......8pm
......9pm
.....10pm
.....11pm
....midnight and the first signs of activity
....1 am comes and I find myself in prime position.
....a short while later and the moment finally arrives.  A subtle sweep of the arms to the right then a little to the left.  No time for slack now.......a steady pull and BAM!!!!

A 7lb. 12 oz WHOPPER and she's a beauty.  She was citation quality and definitely keeper material in my opinion!!!!!!


 

 

Congrats to you and the missus

CONGRATS CHUCK!!!!!!!!!

I came in here expecting a hamburger, sees a baby, Awesome. Congratulations!!!

Congrats ... definitely a keeper!  

Congratulations!

Congrats on the new addition to the family!

Jeff

Congratulations! Awesome report!

She is already dreaming about fishing with Daddy, congrats.  If this is your first sleep when you can!

She is already dreaming about fishing with Daddy, congrats.  If this is your first sleep when you can!

 

First girl, second child - plus three dogs.

 

Sleep?  What is this thing called sleep you refer to?

Congrats and only a few oz shy of a citation

Awesome!!!! I had not scrolled down to see the picture yet and was enjoying the read. You give too much slack to those and you'll never get them out of the structure. Then you got to stroll over there and open up everything to pull the citation out and that just gets complicated, been there done that. You were still 4 oz shy, better luck next time. just one bottle of milk away, bummer. 

Did you put her back in after the photo??

 

Just kidding....congratulations!

Congratulations on the arrival of your little angel. 

 

May she bring loads of joy, love and smiles to your lives.

 

btw - did you weight her on the Boga ?

 

A-Jay

Congratulations

Beautiful. Congrats to you both.

Congrats.

Super!

 

Now you have a future fishing partner.

 

Congrats.

congrats Chuck!!! Yall did good. I hope Mama is doing ok!! I bet your boys are happy to have a new younger sibling!!

That really is the best catch of all, and really...we dont catch them... like our "first fish", they catch us. Enjoy being wrapped around her little finger.

Love and prayers for the new journey, Chuck.

P.S. great write up. You had me going there for a moment.

Congrats man!

Congrats to you and your wife.

Beeeee-uuuu-teeee-ful !!!!   That's a mega  sweety there for sure. Proud Papa on the forum.

Congrats Chuck. I bet your boy is superexcited to be a big brother.

Congrats man!

Did you put her back in after the photo??

 

Just kidding....congratulations!

i think the release comes much later in this situation

 

-------------------

 

congrats on the new baby, reading this and then seeing the picture brought a genuine smile to my face