Forgot the thrill of a "big one"....

[Mr. Sandman]

Last season I met a guy who was visiting a good friend here who is mainly a boat fisherman and mainly targets bones, blues and albies. He was here for a few days fishing and visits him each year during the derby. My friend said that his buddy loves to surf fish and has gone here on his own with so-so results so far. And maybe I would take him some night. We could not hook up last year but when he returned this season I told him to look me and we would make a night trip or two. Well he emailed and kept in touch all winter and I could tell he really wanted to go surf fishing when he got here this fall. He really is kind of a novice but loves to fish and appreciates the beauty of the surroundings as much as I do.
The other night I told him I would pick him up at 8:30 and we would give it a try in one of my more remote spots. He was clearly thrilled over the phone. We drove down the loooong dirt road turning here and there and he was amazed I knew were we were going. We got to the spot and all looked prime. All alone, tide and wind perfect...it was classic. A near full moon shrouded by fall clouds but warm. We fished for 1/2 hour and neither of us had a bump. I started to walk down the beach a bit; we were about 1/4 mile apart at that point. Then as the tide started to move I had a couple smaller fish in the teens that I let go. And I walked back to get him and he was beaming. He was so excited! He had just landed "the biggest fish of my lifetime in the most amazing fishing spot in the world...I can't thank you enough!!!" he said. Wow! I said, that’s great! I am really happy for you. ANd we walked down the beach a bit and there lie his "monster". It was only about 21# or so but to him it was the fish of a lifetime. He could not believe he landed it.
I forgot how thrilled you get when you break your personal best no matter what the size.....its been a while for me. It made my night to see him so thrilled.