Short story about why my nerves are shot.... I got a call at 8:30 am to a crying wife saying that my daughter and granddaughter were in a car accident and their car rolled a few times and ended up on the roof... I was on my way home within a second. Hospitals won't let visitors in, so it was a nerve wracking time. Fortunately, they are both doing as well as you could expect from a rollover accident. Actually, my granddaughter was pretty much unscathed, but my daughter got it a bit worse with the air bags, glass and stuff.
Anyway, I've not heard about the boat in a week, so I decided to get out fishing at the old Bat Cave this morning, so I could sit quietly and just unwind. Dog walkers (that became dog swimmers right in front of my rods) and strokers everywhere, but I tried not to let that deter me.
I was off to a bad start as I caught six of these guys. Not quite Minus One's, but a definite ZERO total for 6 fish. hahahaha
(https://i.imgur.com/ggxrXT5.jpg)
A couple walked down to talk to me and I really didn't want to be bothered, but they were very nice and I had nowhere else to go. When the gentleman asked why I am fishing at this exact spot, I replied "It's the furthest spot from the walkway I could get so I didn't have to deal with many people". They got my point, but we had a pleasurable conversation anyway.
I was finally nice and relaxed when the bay started to come to life with people and I was starting to get packed up as it was still a pleasant 3.5 hours soaking some baits in the quiet of the bay. Just then I turned around to see two strokers coming in hot right at my line. I've always thought that being a stroker was like getting into your car, putting it in reverse and trying to drive with only looking over your shoulder every once in a while. Seems so ridiculous when I think about it that way.
(https://i.imgur.com/UlDjms4.jpg)
No joke, as I was taking this picture, I saw my line go absolutely limp and knew I was on because it was a big mackerel head. The girl strokers literarily stopped "Stroking" right in front of me for a rest while I was tight but the line was screaming out. I asked them to "duck" as the line shot right at their heads over the boat and I had all open water at this point. I knew it wasn't a monster, but I was only using my coffee grinder and seriously this has been my biggest bat in 2 or 3 years. LOL
I finally get it on shore and maybe a 40# model.
(https://i.imgur.com/ANxH1ut.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WZz0lOS.jpg)
Nothing huge, but it put a smile on my face knowing I saved my morning with a final second catch. My shoulder is a little sore from it, but that's to be expected from any legit bat ray. hahaha
Well, I packed it in and got home to call about how my boat investigation was going.............
Your text about the girls shook me. Glad they're doing ok.
Those bats had a little more size than I thought.
Glad your family is okay, that's a bad call. Nice that the rays were home to make your trip worthwhile.
Scary stuff, glad they are OK. Good to see the Bat Cave showing signs of life 8)
My heart goes out to you Tom, I'm glad they're okay. I can relate to a rough phone call..............
Glad to hear they are OK, hang in there Tom.
Glad they're ok Tom. Getting on the water is great therapy.