July August Sept Re Cap

WOW, ITS BEEN AWHILE!
So sorry, life has been crazy busy, so here’s a fishey recap of latest adventures:

Charleston King Classic
Did our match our fish weight, donating to Hospice of Charleston,
Raised over 4,000 with a little 22 lb fish, thanks to the tremendous response from friends, fishermen, family, local business’s, sponsors, and 105.5 the Bridge radio.
Karen, Chris, and the kids came up and helped out a lot! The cool crew of the Corbins, from Corbins Trailer Hitch fished with us as well as Jimmy flew in, and Gary drove up, great fun for a great cause!

SKA Pro Event Brunswick GA
Showed up from Shoe Show in Vegas in time to jump on the boat, we went against the grain of fishermen, and found a little spot, where we missed a terrific fish each day,
But our best buddies in fishing, Rat Pak, Darren, Big John, and the General, posted a huge fish on day two, to win it!
Karen and Chris were there, and we all enjoyed spending time together!

FLW Venice LA
Yep, story goes as usual, nasty weather, but good fishing, we just missed the top 5 boat shootout (again!) and placed 8th overall and enjoyed great fishing, rough seas, awesome Cajun gumbo, and hospitality and fun with the other teams,
OH, and a new Boat! Met and hung with jen and coley from raleigh, they were the other girls there, but we had big fun!
32’ Yellowfin, twin Yamaha 350, running fast, kinda miss that third engine, till we get to gas pump, and WOW, its perfect! Though we are being called Junior, MinnieMe, and Pocket Rocket. HMMMMM!

FLW Orange Beach AL
Showed up two days later than planned, due to Hurricane Hannah, Charleston was spared not only winds, but did get heavy rains, just enough anticipation to keep the city tourist free for about 5 days-ARG! Then we got to Orange Beach in time for the bands of Hurrican Ike, we were now weather cowboys, roads washed out, tournament was postponed each day, as seas topped 32 feet, yep, those seas in a 32 foot boat, equals no way! Those seas in a 100 foot boat would still be horrible and dangerous!
But we made the best of it, my new friend Jen, and Fish Fever Team, and the My Three Sons crew of Big Bird Blanton, Mr T.G., and Pig and Squirrel. We had pool tournaments, dance offs, and a bit of lazy river pool and waterslide days! We also had a karioke jam with Mike playing guitar on our condo deck, and me and Ed singing. We finally got to fish on Sunday, still had 9.5 seas every 6 seconds, so sporty was an understatement, we could only run about 14 mph, and we had to go straight into it for 62 miles-OUCH!
The monkeys did not make it, as Gary is on injured reserve due to a health scare, and I think Jimmy was just plain scared! But our giant, David Van Lent came to fish and we caught a whopper of a 17 pound fish, that was a top ten fish! At 2 pm, there were only 5 boats with fish, but last minute, in last hour, 5 more good fish got caught, and a few small ones, for a total of 17 total fish weighed in, unheard of in the gulf! We brought home a check for 10th place, and moved into 3rd in the Overall Year Standings. Ed and Sean on Fish Fever, with Pincus, poor little Pincus, are leading, My Three Sons 2nd, and us 3rd. So we hope to change that order a bit at the last event in Wilmington in October!

Peace, Love, and Fishing!

FLW Sarasota Pro Event

Enjoyed a few days of pre fishing and relaxing poolside and having a super bbq at the monkey mansion aka Mark Maus Family Compound, before getting a 2 day beating of rough seas and long runs! We ran day one from Sarasota to 38 miles out of Key West Harbor, it took us over 3 hours each way, we caught quite a few fish, biggest one being 28.08 and got some good camera coverage for the show. Day One we led the tournament with that fish, till the last 10 minutes and we got bumped to 2nd. Day Two the seas were nicer so we ran even further, we were 13 miles from Ft Jefferson, closer to Cuba than Key West, 186 miles each way. Even in calmer seas, you get sore going 50-60 mph just by hanging on for almost 8 hours. We had a BIG FISH sky on our first bait in the water, and he missed the hook. He must have been traveling fast, because he was 20 feet high out of the water and kept on going. That was the break we needed, then we had a 40 lb fish circle on a bait and tail cut the line. Our confidence was still high though, as we trolled around shrimp boats. We ended up catching about 20 more fish, all about 30 lbs, we really needed 35 lbs to get in the Final Five Fishing Day, and we just couldn't get it. We finished 8th overall, but brought home a nice paycheck for it.

Boat ran great, we were the first ones to the fishing spots both days by like 30 minutes or more. It is such a fast boat!

Our friends Ed and Sean from Fish Fever, won, and our buddy Big Bird Blanton came in 3rd.

TV Show to be called Off the Hook
http://www.204studios.net/fishme/fish.mov
copy and paste to see the trailer.
Got some good footage on all the boats involved this tournament.
Will start airing in about 5 weeks on Florida Sports Network.

peace, love, and fishing

Stink, Stank, Stunk (but not skunked!)

Jensen Beach Florida,
awesome accommodatins again this year, fishing, less than stellar,
one fish day one, zero on day two, but saw a few good fish caught.

Did a cool photo shoot for Sebago on the water, and accidentally assisted Darren Ratley in giving Mr Monkey Man Maus an ice water washdown at the pool one day,
that will make great tv, apparently monkeys don't like water like cats don't?
Go figure.
Enjoyed having my sister Karen and Chris in town, as well as many wives of the guys,
the ladies all stayed poolside, as it was rough and snotty both days!
I, not being a lady, enjoyed bouncing around the waves with Chris Chase on Day one,
though I think his fish catching mojo was actually buried in his spleen, or whichever organ was removed one year ago today,
but no worries,
we still enjoyed the fact that he is alive and able to be on the boat again!
Other celebrations included
Happy Birthday John Mott from Rat Pak Mr Tequilla Sunrise
and two years cancer free for my best buddy Tom Cheffo, who had just joined Mike, my lucy and shoe crew, Phil and Kelly and kids from Baltimore (homeless Phil), and Kent and Felicia Doobrow, and about 40,000 other friends at Merlefest Bluegrass Festival.
Didn't break the bank there either, but enjoyed the atmosphere, the festival, the friends and the music, but mediocre sales.

Onto Sarasota FL for FLW tournament this week,
can't wait, never fished that division before,
ready for a win!

MUSIC IS LOVE! Updated 4/16/08 with second set!

Well, its busy retail season in the south in the summer, so getting out fishing has only been a dream! But in combination with long days, and staying after hours with customers, and working on re-orders and schedules late in the night, and showing up at 8 am to mop floors and do the banking, there has been an unbelievable few weeks of music.

Early April, Sam Bush, legendary bluegrass mandolin/guitar player, at the Charleston Music Hall, only blocks from the store. A very small room of about 1200 including the balcony, a private first show of his tour, from my second row seats, was amazing. Ticket prices went to local after school music project for inner city, spearheaded by Mark from Hootie and the Blowfish, his 'kids' in the program entertained the audience first, as he and Sam entertained with a private gathering at the French Restaurant next door. A great and lively event, from a survivor of both life and the commercial music scene.

Mid April, Jackson Brown, acoustic solo show, sold out, Chas Performing Arts Center,
a small venue of about 2500. Quiet mellow but oh so fullfilling show, he is a true troubadour, and held the crowd at the edge of their seats, and grabbing for tissues, as he sang, under a single spotlight, with only a guitar (or 13 lined up and tuned) or the keys of his piano. It was poignant and real, and wonderful.

April 11, again back to the Charleston Performing Arts Center, for my favorite west coaster, Bob Weir, with his own band Ratdog. Always good customers at my store, and I am his personal Birkenstock 43narrow connection. Felicia and Kent, as well as Don and Jen, will be celebrating both girls recent birthdays, and I have done before with this rock and roll idol on my birthday, it only promises to be memorable.

Tune in, we will be back in just a alittle bit!

smiles and dancin'
susan

OKAY,
Well, we enjoyed great music, and great company, and lots of laughs for a short but awesome period of time! Mike picked me up, literally car running outside, as I was swamped at work, I ran out, changed clothes in the car, and met up with other friends, at the hotel across the street, where we had a most excellent unplanned jam. My super fun friends, Kent and Felicia and their buddy, as well as my other super fun friends, You know them as Don and Jen Mac, but now know as 'Gin and Juice'
and their literary buddy and cool hang, Nick.
We enjoyed a jam session of Kent and Mike on mandolin and guitar, and Jen on vocals, as she rocked the room with her unbelievable voice, it was apparent, we were all feeling at home with each other, and the music, the vibe, and the energy was showing through.
we left the room, to get to the concert across the street, and had super fun seats up front, and danced and sang and had so much fun! Felicia and I went backstage at set break, and I got to do my favorite hang of all, 'the couch with bobby weir and his thoughts and/or music' it was chill and good, and Mike entertained employees and friends out front, as he hates the backstage scene. Upon asking, I gave B.Weir my choice song for second set, and he superseaded my expectations, and played, like a crazed guitar man, for 2 hours after the show should have ended.
I arrived at work hours later for a giveaway of many cupcakes, and good vibes, and Felicia and I along with vetern Rachel P and newbie Erin, rocked the sales all day, and finished the evening with an acoustic guitar and songs in the store.
The next day was even crazier, sales wise!

Still working open to close, as is Mike, Charleston SC is finally hopping, and we are on top of that! Sunday I will take the first three rows of the little sleepy historical Charleston Music Hall, for Susan Tedeschi, Queen of the Blues, and all things musical and beautiful! Its girls night out, and promises to be a bit of laid back magic!

Back after, next week is Merlefest, the Bluegrass convention of the world, and then onto Jensen Beach, and oh, fishing, that is what this is supposed to be about-write?

smiles for miles, and safe and happy trails folks!~

Pro Event Key West meets college Spring Break

Well, I usually say too much about too little, but this time I have lots to say, but will try to make it short - right! I should have been posting as we traveled through time the last few weeks!

Left Las Vegas Shoe Show and came directly to Key West last week, met up with Mike and the boat, luggage got lost, but no biggie, I had packed a small extra bag in the truck just in case!

Woke up Sunday to Mike being older than me, get to enjoy that for 6 months till I catch up again. We celebrated his birthday with a day on the boat, catching bait and running the engines. The next three days were so perfect, calm hot sunny and windless! We enjoyed three days out fishing and catching bait, good dinners, and early bedtimes, Yep, you are reading this correctly!

By Wednesday, Mother Nature woke up, and we were hit with 40 mph winds, cold temps, and rain, just as the rest of our fish friends were arriving. We celebrated Scotty B's 50th bday at the Paella Fest at ElSibonney, where 26 of us showed up and ate and laughed. Dinner was followed by drinking, dancing, and playing pool at Capt Tony's, till very late, but big fun by all, including our monkeys, Team Donzi, Capt Hook, those crazy Taylor's from That's my Dog, Team Simrad of Capt Monkey, his wife Michelle and their little one, Sean, I mean Crew Member Sean, Big John my teddy bear boyfriend and his crew from Rat Pak, and a few other key players.

Marine Forecast Day One:
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT


TODAY
MAINLY NORTH WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS.
SEAS BEYOND THE REEF 5 TO 7 FEET...EXCEPT 7 TO 9 FEET NEAR SOUTH OF
DRY TORTUGAS. SEAS INSIDE THE REEF 2 TO 4 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS
ROUGH.

SKA decided to cancel day one and just fish day two, for safety as there was still a small craft advisory for the entire weeekend, as the winds had barely stopped howling, they were still blowing over 25 mph. But fishermen have big ego's and SKA opted for a vote, my vote was skip day one, but those folks lost by two, so off we went the next am. We did what we had to do, we ran 80 miles in seas, and when we got to the fishing grounds, and put our insides back inside, the seas were steep and tall at about 8 - 10 foot and rolling. Our first and biggest bait hit the water, and got immed inhaled, and got immed free as he cut it off with his tail.The remainder of the day, we fought jacks, barracuda, and sharks, and finished the day up the reef towards home, in slightly calmer waters, bait everywhere, luck no where. Team Loose Lucy Sebago, Day One Pro Event: 0 goose egg, skunked, stink, stank, stunck - LOSERS !

Day Two we did not run as far, all we could do now is catch one big fish, without having a fish on day one, we simply could not win, but we gave it our all. We had a few good strikes, but no good fish, till mid morning, then we hooked up two or three in a row, all good strong fish, weighing in at about 32 lbs. We continued to try for something bigger, as two of our comrads close to us, caught 45 and 48 lb fish, but we did not improve. 80 or so aggregate pounds won the 40,000 + prize, last tournament here we had that beat by ten - ARG! But there were not alot of big fish weighed in, and very few teams weighed in each day,so we are still alive in the year long series. A twenty lb fish on Day One would have put us in the money here, but.....that's fishing folks!

Moving on now to two days with my neice Erica and her roommate Katie, both on college spring break from Bowling Green Univ in Ohio, where they left 10 inches of snow! They are great to hang out with and I know we will have alot of fun! These girls are awesome, we have lots of fun events planned!

Will check in again soon.

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!

Paella, Pirate Punch, and Puking - YIKES!

20 people at el sibonney for the annnual Paella feast!
Super Good Food!
Then off to Capt Tony's for the annual thursday night debauchery!
Capt Tony was in rare form,
as he shared the stage of casanova with capt paco rabonne ed aka: saturday night fever! Ole Mr Ed sure can cut a rug! Oh, Ed also got the quarter in the groupers mouth, That's Good Fishing Luck (if you are fishing for grouper!)

Question?
If you see a bear standing in front of Capt Tony's laughing out loud with teeth showing, becuase there is a dancing leaping gnome aka disco ed,
but you have been drinking, did it actually happen?

Answer.
Yes, have not seen mike the bear laugh that hard in a long time.
thanks for the shag ed, as well as the bear entertainment!
Gary played and fun was had by all!
Girls all went home as the clock struck midnight,
boys turned it into high gear then!
Got up and met the family Ugels and Ed and Linda at Pepe's for fresh squeeezed oj and eggs benedict,
boys and the Drakes were still among the sleeping beauties!
Enjoyed seeing all my SKA folks at Murray Marine,
a homecoming of the first tournament,
sign up was filled with stories and hugs and smiles,
and hopes and expectations of big fish and a great year!
Unfortunately, my expectations turned quickly south at about 5 pm,
I was feeling sleepy at the room, met Reno Phil at the rooftop bar to watch the sunset, got a diet coke and a coors light, and prepared to watch sunset then get ready to fish in the am,
halfway through the sunset I got dizzy, within 30 more minutes I was basically hit by a semi,
I was feverish and throwing up,
apparently Mike's stomach flu from earlier in the week, had found me,
this went on for 14 hours, needless to say,
I let the Team go on without me, as I tried numberous times to get up,
I simply could not. So hopefully they will bring home a win,
and I will be back on the boat feeling like me again tomorrow!

Some might say it was caused by the Key West flu, but I really did not party too hard and certainly not yesterday,
some might say it was due to a broken heart after finding out their is much love lost between me and my good friend Hammer, da da dum Invincable, as he he cleary pointed out his new 'lack of love' for me, da da dum, bummer, but in fishing, 'lose one, rig one'
some might say I am getting old and three cruise ships a day pulling into my sleepy island fishing village, staying long enough to leave some germs from other far away places, well, those reasons sound more likely to me.

Hopefully will be telling you a tale of a tortuga fish that topped the leader board on Day One by so much, most folks were afraid to go out on day two and try and win@!

peace love and puking!
susan

Day One 42.04 pounds
For a 11th place – need
To break that top 5 tomorrow!
Over 80 fish weighed today.
Sweet Dreams and Sunny Skies!
s.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONO number 1 !

A very happy first birthday to Jono,
the pre fish crew of Reno Phil, Homeless Phil, Captain Paco Rabane Ed, myself and Mike, ran all over the ocean, caught alot of bait,
seas and temps were perfect, and fishing was pretty good,
pretty pretty pretty Good!
We had a great time, as always!
Came back to meet up with little Ugels and Kelly,
Hook M, Reno Phil, The Drake and little drakette,
and of course,
Gary,
playing at Schooners Wharf, a cool outdoor hut hang,
we drank beer and Jono and I danced,
he's got some super smooth moves!

Tonight will be the legendary Cuban Paella for 18 people,
and then the 'boy duval crawl'
I will probaby just hang with Gary at Tony's.
Off to meet the crew at Pepe's for the also legendary,
grilled cheese sandwich and macaroni salad!

more later,
stay warm!

smiles and pirates and laughter oh my!

susan

More Photos Added Hi Key West, Hi 2008, Hi Folks-welcome back!

WOW! Here, Here at Last! Crazy times these holly - daze ! Glad to have rolled in to the Southernmost Point of the USA ! arrived saturday, one wrong turn, not too much traffic, no traffic or DOT probs, so far so good, except arrived to drop the boat in and PHEW ! Its Hot! just had to tell y'all that! Hot and Sunny, got a bit of the old winter skin burned in the late afternoon, settled in, stopoped at capt tony's for a beer, uh oh, then to Pepe's for a steak and margarhita, back to Tony's, uh oh, Gary is there, and an old man, but looking younger by the minute, capt Tony! of course, had not unpacked and did not have the camera, wait and tune in later in the week! Got invited to the 'key west locals only' monday night poker game, with said legend himself, Gary, and Capt Tony. Never had an outsider invited I hear! Though we 'opted out' didn't want to impose, went to Hook M Dano and Reno Phil's instead and I have to say, ROYAL FLUSH! Food and company was amazing! Chateabriand steaks, fresh sataueed mushrooms, organic chicken and spicey sausage plate, lots of compliments, gifts, and guitars, we sat on the outdoor key west palm frawn porch, and laughed, and sang and played music till the neighbors all turned their lights on and off! He is quite the west coast host with the most! Thanks Reno Phil! looking forward to fishing with you one day this week! but lots to say, lets move on! Windy cold and rainey prevailed shortly after we arrived, almost ironic, hmmmm. Hook M and Phil and new friends, very cool, the Law ! and us enjooyed more pepe's food and drinks, some football, and some vintage Gary Hempsey! We rallied for 2 nights till oh, 2 am, 3 am, who cares, we can't fish! Gary was kind enough to let me play intro to Folsom Prison, of the the 2 things I know, on his new Martin guitar, it sucked, but for me it was awesome! Phil, Kelly, Dylan, and Jono Ugel arrived monday, and more fun appeared! Tuesday, that's today right, huh! we were entertained to the coolest Key West experience with the singer / entertainer himself, as we went to his house and hung with his super cool princess child of 8 years old, Miss Lilly and Mr Dylan quickly became friends, we went to a super cool marina restaurant, ate food, and fed the fish, Lilly schooled me in the colors of the fish, the mangroves are orange, the yellowtail well have yellow fins, and the Parrot fish, wears blue lipstick, and she was right! It was super cool and fun as we through bread and crackers to them, saw some ultimately cool things, then we were taken to a place I possibly had a dream about once, how is it every time now that I come to Key West, after 12 years of the same, I always see something new, and alive, and truely amazing! We went down a side road at MM 10, just outside of town, drove and parked, unloaded the kids, and walked down an old forgotten road, Boca Chica Road, long time ago used to be the way in and out of this now super highway town. There was no one around, just us, a bunch of shells, a tired road, and a warm breeze of the channel, then we turned the corner, to see what Gary and sweet Lilly called, 'the Hideaway' they said it was an old pirate adventure campground, the first fence boasted shoes that had washed up on the sand in hurricanes, then, you focus your eyes on maybe a mile of driftwood, but it is not just driftwood, it is cut and placed, like a log cabin, with a roof, it is a true pirate and mermaid castle, with many rooms you walk through, and shells stairs, and rock monuments, all adorned with memorabilia of past days, and current, and remnants of the oceans recylce program, cleverly placed with the sea grass and the sea weed, a shelter from the storm, or just a super cool place, almost medivial, almost fantasy, almost a dream, it winded around and came out to another part of the desolute island, and a giant untouched beach lay with driftwood and migrating birds, maybe a hundred of them, picking the water, and flying on and off the island in perfect symentry! Then to top it off, we stop back at Gary's abode, for a sweet tea and an apple for the kids, and his super cool wife, very german, very accommodating and nice to us all, and dylan mentioned a coconut (there are coconut trees, palm trees, cactus, and a million other unbelievable vegetations in his outdoor mecca, with a super cool music room filled with guitars, and a tiki hut hand build by himself, BUT coconuts! She says, stay five more minutes, and step away, with a strong german accent, so we stepped back into the white picket fence yard, and she grabbed a giant 12 foot lopper with a macheti on the end, and started pulling down fresh coconuts for us, she, Gary, Phil, and Dylan drilled a small hole in each, threw a straw in it and we all enjoyed the smoothest smoothie I have ever had! Fresh coconut juice, right off the tree, and a very cool, but heavy, koozie! It was big fun, and we were sorry Capt Mike missed it, as he was a feeling a bit under the weather, not the Key West Flu we have all had, but a cruise came through a left a virus apparently many people have caught! We are here to catch fish, not viruses! But only us can catch the Wrong Species more often than Not! Going out tomorrow, wind has finally layed out to less than 10, which is Way Better than 35 - 40 gale force action we have breezed through! Tomorrow we Fish, and Tomorrow, Mr Jono turns 1 ! more tomorrow! peace love and smiles- susan

Nationals 2007 - 16th Place Overall and FUN !

So we show up to a few days of super good weather and fun fishing! First day we took Reno Phil and Hook M Dano, our regular pre fish crew from Myrtle Beach/Reno and annual Key West groupies! Had a blast, boat ran great! Day Two had our monkeys, our camera guy Bob, W B O B , he would be shadowing us almost 24/7 for the next five days, filming the Reel-ality Fishing TV pilot, and Jerry, the tech rep from Sebago Shoes. Fun was had by all, caught some fish, caught a bunch of bait, and then saw some amazing sunrise, sunsets! Followed the days of pre fishing with a day of cold and wind, the only brought on a crazy night at the Beau Rivage casino and disco! Sold shoes at the tournament site next day, and began spoofing the other teams, in the way of changing Reno 911 Lieutenant Dangle, into Sarasota 911 Sargeant Mark Maus,
and posted posters all over hotels, elevators, room doors, and handed out at captains meeting. Then Jimmy dressed up in his gorilla suit for the check out day two, and oddly enough, some folks, 'nameless', though bad influence sister Karen showed up, had decorated Mark Maus 'aka monkey man's boat with monkey pinata's, leighs, beach towels, balloons, and more Sarasota 911 posters! All the fun led to a decent fish day one, lots of stories and jokes, and an even better fish on day two for a 34 lb and a 41 lb aggregate to finish in 16th place..Not bad out of 350 boats.
Fun week, all on film, 100 hours of live craziness to be cut into one hour of Reel-ality Fishing TV! Day One also got us a trip to the local ER after fishing, as Capt Mike, now Capt Hook, buried a pair of needlenose rusty pliers into his hand, puncturing it to the point of danger, first thing in the am, so he is on the antibiotic train, and got a tetnus shot and a giant waterproof glove, and of course, lots of sympathy from his loyal crew!

Thanks for the luck, my sister Karen showed up to support and be 'land crew' and we always have fun together, and thanks to Erika in New York for the lucky fish pendant, which I have yet to take off! And thanks to all who ran around the country with us this year, either on the boat, or from your computer, either way, you were with us 100% - THANKS CREW !

Peace Love and Fishing Folks,
off till Key West in January,

Holiday Happiness to all!

smiles-susan