DaParson's Fishing Adventures

I had the priviledge of taking out my two son's basketball coaches. Both Nathan and Joseph play in the LaPorte City League. Nathan is on the Freshman Division Rockets - and they went undefeated during the regular season - they are coached by Coach Mike. Joseph is on the Senior Division Rockets - and they lost only 1 game during the regular season and they are coached by Coach Matt - who is Coach Mike's younger (and he says better looking) brother. Neither had ever caught anything like a Bull Red or Black Drum - so they were in for a great day of fishing. We determined that we could fish the morning before the cold front came in around noon. The water was 58.6 - we fished the end of an outgoing tide and then a slack tide. Wind was out of the ESE early then shifted to the NNW after the front blew through. We fished with both crab and shad. We spent all our time at the Moon Rock. This was the first fish of the day and it was a biggie. It bottomed the 50lb scales out but wasn't

Here is a pic that was taken by some friends who were fishing with us - but from another boat. And yes ... that is me in my wonderful orange hat!

This was the only Bull Red of the day - but it is a milestone for Dewey and DaParson - it is the the 300th Bull Red caught off of Dewey's Boat since August 2004. That is alot of poundage of Bull Reds! Matt caught this Bull Red and the Red measured in at about 38" long.

Mike caught this second Black Drum. Even though we were fishing with both crab and shad, crab seemed to be the bait of choice on the day. We would have liked to fish further towards the end of the Jetty - but with the changing weather and the swells - we stayed fairly close to the boat cut.

This was the second fish that Matt caught. I think he would have caught more if he would have tossed over the Steeler Shirt and put on a Texas A&M shirt on! (laughing) Gig'Em Matt!

This was the third Black Drum that Mike caught.

This was Matt's largest Black Drum. Both guys - after learning a little patience fighting big fish - did great! However, Mike had one wrap around the anchor line - and while exerting great pressure on the fish - the line snapped. Look for the red rod mark between his eyes! Who said fishing wasn't a contact sport!

This was the last fish of the day. On the day - Mike caught 4 Black Drum - 1 over 50 lbs and Matt caught 1 Bull Red and 2 Big Black Drum. It was a great day with great friends on the water. I know I say this often - but I can never totally express my gratitude to Dewey whose kindness and generousity makes days like this possible. Thanks again Dewey!

It was a cold trip across to the Jetty - but still a good day. The water was 56.8 and we fished the end of an outgoing tide and the beginning of an incoming one. We were on the water about 9:30 and fished till about 1:30. Winds were out of the NNW at 10 in the morning - but switched later in the afternoon to the SE. We fished with Shad on the bottom - no crabs at the bait house. We fished Shrimp Boat and then Honey Hole. The movie shows how to vent a Red Fish as well as a Monster Drum we caught.

Here is the monster black drum of the year. He measured out at 47" - and bottomed out the scale at 50lbs. Last year - I caught one a few inches smaller and he weighed over 60. But the digital scale was all rusted up and we didn't get an accurate weight. I am guessing somewhere between 60-65lbs. He was caught on 15lb test line - and yes - it took a while.

Here is one of the three Reds that Dewey caught on the day. We had 2 runs that dropped - 1 line snap (motor prop) and we lost one drum at the boat.

This is one of the prettiest Bulls we have caught in a while.

Here is Dewey and His Dog Fish. Either the fins or the teeth have some poison in them - either way - this one was handled carefully and sent on his way. . . the fish .. not Dewey. (grin)

Here is a smaller drum that we caught.

Here is Dewey with a nice Bull Red.

This was the last of the Red's of the day - total for the day - 7 Bull Reds - 4 Black Drum - and 1 ugly Dog Fish.