Hogs Breath Key West 14th Place

Tournament and Weekly Wrap Up:
Was able to fish day two, Sunday,
rough starting out, physically, had not kept food in for two days,
and was weak, but NOAA marine weather said it would be calm all morning,
I would nap in between catching fish.
Right!
Got up at 3:45 am, went to boat,
turned the corner out of the marina,
wind was howling, seas were already kicked up.
Spent the next few hours on Mr Toads Wild Ride, as we ran over 70 miles in rough seas,and they kept building,
did see more than one amazing rainbows over the water and crossing the sky,
as clouds swirled with the sun at the break of day,
our game plan was catch a good fish, start heading closer to home,
well, we got a small fish, first line in the water,
then we had our biggest bait, a 2 lb bait, get inhaled,
we fought the fish for almost 45 minutes,
quite the acrobat he was, he ran in circles, and ran all of us in circles,
till finally he gave way and we just had to fight the wind, seas, and current.
But we are professionals, right,
right!
He came into the boat and weighed 44 on the hand scale, an improvement over day one weight, but not the winner yet.
We deployed our next biggest baits, as the seas continued to build,
then a rain squall propelled by additional wind in the front,
blasted us all over the ocean,
we decided to get closer to home, and fish our way back,
safety first!
We are now running directly into the seas, as the wind changed direction from the morning, and have you ever tried to run uphill in the snow on a windy day!
That's what is was like, only every few minutes,
a bucket of salt water would hit you square in the face.
Brutal conditions my friends!
Anyway, we get close to home, and decide to just go in and weigh,
too rough to keep lines in the water.
good looking fish,2nd place for lady angler, and 14th overall,
out of 230 boats, and a fun day despite conditions,
feeling like me again by afternoon, and showered and headed to meet Reno Phil, and Capt Paco Ed and Linda for dinner and more Gary at Capt Tony's.
Also decided to sleep in and head out early am tuesday rather then drive all night
monday night.

Weekly Summary:

Reno Phil:
loved hangin with my big hockey player, and a big thank you for all the gifts, laughs,pre fishing fun and farts, and of course 'sausage and compliments'

Homeless Phil and family Ugel:
so great to see the kids, dance outside with jono to gary at schooners, feed the fishies with dylan, and hang with kelly on impromtu power happy hours and bfast and lunches at pepe's 'customer service', phil, thanks for everything, call me anytime, and thanks for walking me home, and for jamming on the porch(es).

Hook M Dano:
you know I love you! Your giggle is like a childs! You never cease to speak your mind and make me laugh, give travis a big kiss on the head for us, and hugs to Kelly, mom, and baby! thanks also for the hospitality at your abode! Superb!

The Drakes:
Double cool folks you are! Enjoyed meeting you, and hangin with you, looking forward to being a ringer on your ladies team for a tournament, and seeing that debbie does dallas or the cult classic, Hook M does his Nails, on the big boat! Will bring the VW for hookup of the boat we win!
Keep in touch and keep loving life!

UPS Brad:
now I know what brown can do for me! EVERYTHING! Thanks for letting my boys run you around as the 'newbie/gopher/boat boy' etc You took all their jokes and abuse like a real man, 'rainbows in the sky'

Monkey One and Monkey Two:
should be an interesting year,
I think we are off to a great start, jimmy don't forget to renew your boat drivers license at the kiddie grand prix park before next tournament, and gary, thanks for assisting in the best camera shot we could give our friends and foe on Fountain,
please remeber to send flowers to the poor cameraman on the helicopter!
But you guys worked hard, and That is appreciated!

Darren and Big John:
were y'all even there?????
missed you! get to the tournament a little early next time, please!
sad I didn't get to spend more time with yall!

Capt Ed:
Sir, Capt Paco, John Travolta, and Capt Cashmere all in one!
Can't wait to meet you for that 'ramos fizz' one morning!
Thanks for all the dance lesions, I mean lessons!

Key West Gary:
Thank You for a Real Good Time, well, that's an understatement,
your kindness, and your families, was, is, awesome! Thank you for letting us into your world, its a very cool world dude! See you in a few weeks!

Noah Weather:
I don't know this guy, but when I meet him I will slap him in the face. Flat calm seas till late afternoon, yeah right!

Next stop,
apparal show in vegas, shoe show in vegas, and back to key west feb 24 for first SKA Pro Event - see ya on the road again!

peace love and fishing!