Freeport 6-3-06

[JLittle44]

I hate being such a newbie at this sport, but this was a redletter date for me so I'll go ahead and post.

Woke up at 5:30am Saturday morning and by 5:45 I’m wondering why I still want to do this. Last weekend I went through the same routine. Up way too early, carry a hundred pounds of gear and crap out to the dock, long rough boat ride, low-visibility and fast currents, fish so wary and me so ignorant, I'm wondering if I’ll ever get a shot, etc…

Well, this weekend was a whole other story. The day was quite simply: perfect. Everyone that saw the NOAA forecast knows what I’m talking about. We left the dock at 6:30 and enjoyed flat seas all the way 50 miles out; south of Freeport and ending up about 20 miles off Matagorda.

We tied up to the first rig we found with no boats on it (quite a task given the great weather and amount of boat traffic). I am nervous as always for the first dive. We throw the tag-line buoy out and it doesn’t move. “No surface current!” We drop a safety line and the weight just hangs. “No current at 20 fsw!” I’m less nervous, but still shaky.

As always, there were fish everywhere, but at the time all I saw were big AJ’s, snapper in the #15+ range and a couple of cobia that anyone would have been proud to bring home.

Well, I’ve kept you guys long enough. The summary is something like this:

Schlink, “damnit!”
Reload
Schlink, “damnit!”
Reload
Drop to 80fsw
Schlink, “Hell yeah!”
Tug… tug…. “oh crap”
Tug… tug… “die you stinkin’ fish!”

The second dive went pretty much the same way, but I am getting better. All in all three divers pulled in a few cubera, two AJs and the snapper in the picture. This was my first fish on a speargun, and I couldn’t be more proud. So please excuse the goofy smile and enjoy the scenery in front of, around, and behind me.

Thanks again to Michael and his dad for an awsome trip. They're some of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet and great divers to boot. Maybe he'll post some of the other pics later.

[JLittle44]

Also, I'd appreciate any suggestions on cable. #400 stainless leader cable with a snap&swivel (on the spear-end) is what I've been using. It made about six shots including the snapper with no problems. Another missed shot later and the stuff kinked up like like a phone cord and I had to untangle it after every shot the rest of the day.

[Quetzal]

Congrats on that 1st fish. Nice Snapper. I'm originally from Freeport, and am planning on being down there in a week, do you know anyone going out?
Thanks
Allen

[Seahuntress]

John...I am so proud of you....why did you let Skip and Ross get them all the weekend before.....You could have showed them up....Or were you just there to listen to all my crap and funnies???

It was a current Memorial day...helping me get my strength after being gutted twice....Now I know how the poor fish feel....

[hornypiranha]

congrats on your first fish, nice snappa!

[Seahuntress]

I hate being such a newbie at this sport, but this was a redletter date for me so I'll go ahead and post.

Woke up at 5:30am Saturday morning and by 5:45 I’m wondering why I still want to do this. Last weekend I went through the same routine. Up way too early, carry a hundred pounds of gear and crap out to the dock, long rough boat ride, low-visibility and fast currents, fish so wary and me so ignorant, I'm wondering if I’ll ever get a shot, etc…

Well, this weekend was a whole other story. The day was quite simply: perfect. Everyone that saw the NOAA forecast knows what I’m talking about. We left the dock at 6:30 and enjoyed flat seas all the way 50 miles out; south of Freeport and ending up about 20 miles off Matagorda.

We tied up to the first rig we found with no boats on it (quite a task given the great weather and amount of boat traffic). I am nervous as always for the first dive. We throw the tag-line buoy out and it doesn’t move. “No surface current!” We drop a safety line and the weight just hangs. “No current at 20 fsw!” I’m less nervous, but still shaky.

As always, there were fish everywhere, but at the time all I saw were big AJ’s, snapper in the #15+ range and a couple of cobia that anyone would have been proud to bring home.

Well, I’ve kept you guys long enough. The summary is something like this:

Schlink, “damnit!”
Reload
Schlink, “damnit!”
Reload
Drop to 80fsw
Schlink, “Hell yeah!”
Tug… tug…. “oh crap”
Tug… tug… “die you stinkin’ fish!”

The second dive went pretty much the same way, but I am getting better. All in all three divers pulled in a few cubera, two AJs and the snapper in the picture. This was my first fish on a speargun, and I couldn’t be more proud. So please excuse the goofy smile and enjoy the scenery in front of, around, and behind me.

Thanks again to Michael and his dad for an awsome trip. They're some of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet and great divers to boot. Maybe he'll post some of the other pics later.


Are you Mr. Right??? There is the age difference??? Or did you get your neighbor....

[ObieWan2bWet]

Nice job... we're all new once... before you know it you'll be a stoned cold hunter killer, of fish that is...

[Seahuntress]

Are you Mr. Right??? There is the age difference??? Or did you get your neighbor....


I'm just joking...I have to hijack the threads....and tell you what a MACHO MAN you are now.....

[JLittle44]

I'm originally from Freeport, and am planning on being down there in a week, do you know anyone going out?


Allen,

Unfortunately, I don't know of anyone going out, but I do have a list of email addresses. I can send out a note to see if anyone is heading out this weekend. The man to get in touch with would be Ivan. He posts from time to time and is compiling a list of spearos in our area. Send him a pm; great guy. Tell him I haven't forgotten that I owe him a beer.


Seahuntress,

I know you're kidding. Keep it up though and you'll be sorry! :D

[Seahuntress]

No I won't be sorry....I'll be lucky...

[Seahuntress]

Congrats on that 1st fish. Nice Snapper. I'm originally from Freeport, and am planning on being down there in a week, do you know anyone going out?
Thanks
Allen

There should be some people going out somewhere. Like John said we do have a list...Ivan put together, then I oranized Happy Hour....and my name is on the list, but not my phone number :eek: :eek: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: John Jones won't leave me alone!!!

Really we want everyone to go offshore all they can, before the hurricanes run us out!!! PM John or myself I'm sure someone will be for sure

[OceanEd]

Great first fish! I would be very proud if I was you.

You make "being a newbie" sound like some disease. Relax. Anyone who is not willing to help a new diver or who has forgotten that he was also "new" at one point is not worth worrying about.

[MichaelBaranows]

You might be a newbie but I didn't see any problems with what you did. But then again I am still a newbie also. That rig didn't have many fish but I will be sure to invite you along again were hopefully we can ge afew more and bigger fish.

[intotheblue]

[QUOTE=JLittle44]I hate being such a newbie at this sport, but this was a redletter date for me so I'll go ahead and post.

Well, this weekend was a whole other story. The day was quite simply: perfect. Everyone that saw the NOAA forecast knows what I’m talking about. We left the dock at 6:30 and enjoyed flat seas all the way 50 miles out; south of Freeport and ending up about 20 miles off Matagorda.
[QUOTE]

Nice one John... When I get up and running, I can get you 20 miles off Matagorda in 20 miles... as long as we can clear the jetties... :thumps:
Portaging a 25' WAC doesn't sound like fun... :D

ITB...

[MichaelBaranows]

I would have liked to go out of matagorda but I don't feel comfortable running the since I haven't been out there since October. I heard a rumor yesterday that they are going to dig out the cut with a drag line rather that wait on a dredge.

[KJNDIVER]

Congrats on busting that cherry. Thats a nice first fish in anyones book.

[Seahuntress]

I would have liked to go out of matagorda but I don't feel comfortable running the since I haven't been out there since October. I heard a rumor yesterday that they are going to dig out the cut with a drag line rather that wait on a dredge.

They need to do something....I got out fine, but you wouldn't want to attempt it at night, on a LOW TIDE...

Intotheblue...we're looking forward to going with you...Nice boat you have there too...I'll bet she handles like a dream....

[Seahuntress]

Michael you can get out hanging to the right make a wide turn to the right then wide turn to the left....The coast guard patrol watched me, in a purple bikini, then I was on the internet....LOL LOL I would have been embarrassed if I ran us aground thou....especially with Captain Hardhead Watching me on the Patrol Boat....it is a small world...they saw me and thought it was me...and then said no way what are the odds....then they heard me on the radio...with that Southern accent...

Congratulations John & Michael....sounds like Toby & George did well also....
Maybe we can all go together before the storms arrive....

[Quetzal]

Ok looks for sure now Sat June 10th through Mon or Tues.
Please someone take me out. Any day is good w/ me. I will contribute generously. I would love to do 3 or more dives.

[Seahuntress]

If I Captain Sunday you can go out with me

[Seahuntress]

Michael,

Thanks for letting me tie up behind your boat....I'm sure you were surprised, when you came up, and saw me in the Big Ocean..LOL Good way to meet on the water. It was a beautiful flat day. Except for my tip coming off and losing my A.J...that dragged me off..

Allen thanks for the use of the spare tip. I owe you a trip...:) :)

I'm really sorry if I frightend you guys..showing up with a pink tank.. you all did well. :p

See you on the water.

Thanks again..
Carla

[MichaelBaranows]

Nice to meet you yesterday. I sure wish I could have put Allen on a few bigger fish but it the weather was great and he did get a mess of fish. Maybe next time it will get a trophy. If I wouldn't have flooded my camera I would be posting some photos. Guess it is time to up grade my camera.

MiCHAEL
PS: I guess I need to start working out cause my shoulders are a little sore from loading that gun so much yesterday.

[JLittle44]

Sounds like you guys had a bada$$ trip. It would seem the gulf is a little more crowded than one would expect. Never know who you'll run into out there.

Sorry to hear about you camera man. Any chance it'd still work after it dries out?

Congrats on a great weekend! Wish I could have gone.

[Seahuntress]

Looks like some of us will be going out this weekend if the weather holds up...Right now it looks like 2-3's

[MichaelBaranows]

We are going to watch it the next few days but the new forcast is now 2". We are hoping the weather gods will be nice to us again.

[Seahuntress]

Wouldn't it be nice if it was like that Saturday over a week ago. I went out 2 times since then 3-4.