Getting educated
I had a couple from AMR where I keep the pleasure boat ask if I would take them fishing. They have acquired a small bayliner fishing boat to go along with thier go fast boat and wanted to learn a little about fishing. Deployed a 10 rod spread using the riggers just N.E. of Baltimore light and not long after explaining the reason for and how to's of outriggers, BAM, long port rigger goes off and after making sure of solid hookset passed rod off to Wendy. After explaining how to hold rod and some coaching she made short work on a fat 23" and in the box it went. Don't usually like keeping anything under 25" but wanted them to have some meat after Chris had Wendy get up on a 30 degree morning. As the day went on managed another two "sisters" of the first one. They learned a good deal and at times were getting overwhelmed with all the line length changes weight changes lure changes etc trying to entice just two more fish. Fish must have been feeding deeper as all three fish came on long port rigger and hits occurred while making turns to port. I only screwed up once during the day. While leadering and landing a fish for Wendy I had her husband Chris drive and keep boat straight. While I had my back to the helm working fish to the boat I hear those dreaded words! " hey Mike, I'm not sure what to do here. I have a boat on my starboard and a orange board with a flag on it approaching us to the port!" Yes you guessed it, I forgot to explain planer boards to them! Lucky for me since basically fishing alone I had all my baits relatively close to boat and was able to avoid a very bad situation with a hard fast turn to port. If the operator of the other vessel is on this board I again appologize as I did yesterday but after reading this story I would hope you understand! Otherwise it was a perfect day to educate someone that has never been.
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