Hey Goose,
Funny you mentioned that smell. The first thing I said when I got out of the truck was, "Ahhhhh, I needed that." It was the first shot of sweet salt air, mixed with seaweed, a smell that's hard to describe -- I think you hit it on the head with "The smell of life."
I know I'm more alive when I'm smelling it.
I can picture you hauling in a big one off that slab -- just make sure you stay on it -- be safe, and go catch a keeper.
Mike