Sorry for your loss, Dave - I always enjoyed reading posts from GOS, reminded me a lot of some of my friends in many ways.
I'll say a prayer for him under the stars the next time I can get back to my spot again.
"There is no royal road to this heavy surf-fishing. With all the appliances for comfort experience can suggest, there is a certain amount of hard work to be done and exposure to be bourne as a part of the price of success." From "Striped Bass," Scribner's Magazine, 1881.