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One of those days

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One of those days Empty One of those days

Post by Cracker Larry Thu Aug 27, 2015 10:51 am

Ya ever had one of those days when you probably should have just stayed in bed? Sunday was one of those. Rogerdog and his wife wanted to come down for some saltwater shrimping and fishing in their GF18. Mrs. Cracker was tied up with family things so I tried to round up Raymond and he said heck no. Said it would be hot as crap, the fish weren't going to bite and then the afternoon thunderstorms will kick our butt. We went anyway:D

The plan was to meet at Bolen Hall landing at 0900. They wanted a lesson in shrimping and salt water fishing, and get some blood on the boat that wasn't mine. 0900 was a little late on the tide, but they had to drive down from Augusta and I figured we could make that work. I knew we would get afternoon storms again and we would need to come in early. So we check in by phone about 0800 and we are both on the road and on schedule. It's usually about 45 minutes for me to get to the ramp. So I go merrily along, about 16 miles down the road, almost to Tillman, and there is a big sign, road closed, bridge washed out! Dang, would have been nice if they posted a sign at the start of the road.

Turn around, drive all the way back almost to home to take an alternate route that was about 30 miles longer. Called Rogerdog and told him I was going to be late. He says no problem, they would buy some mud minnows and get the boat in the water.

I arrive at the ramp almost an hour late, no fishing partners to be found. I call him again, where the heck are you? They took a wrong turn and went to Bluffton instead of Beaufort. So I wait there for about 45 more minutes and they show up. We load up and launch real quick and go in search of shrimp, real late on the tide and it's hot as Hades.

Neither of them had ever thrown a net before, but after a little practice and instruction they were both throwing pancakes. Mrs. Rogerdog caught on really fast!  Had to hunt around a little bit but found some nice shrimp and they caught about 5 pounds before the tide got too high. Plenty for bait and a good meal too. They liked this shrimp catching. I created 2 monsters If we had been 3 hours earlier on the tide we could have filled a cooler.

Then we left in search of fish. Tide was already up in the grass. Not my favorite time. Riding down the creek at almost full throttle, I pull back on the throttle and it's jammed Won't move! This ain't good! I had Rogerdog steer while I investigated inside the console. Saw that the throttle cable had come loose from the throttle lever inside the control box and jammed up the works. Got it un-jammed where it would move, but still couldn't slow down the boat. Pulled out the tool kit and took the throttle box apart from the outside, still running down the river. Saw that the retaining pin that secures the cable to the lever was non-existent. I know they don't just fall out, it never was put in. This was a dealer install and I won't mention the name, but this could have had very serious consequences. I'm glad it happened with me driving and not a inexperienced person.

Reached in with a pair of needle nose pliers, got a grip on the cable and pulled it, boat slowed down, finally, and we were able to shift to neutral and stop the boat. Then we could figure out how to fix it. After some prying, poking and cussing we got the cable end back on the stud. Searched for the retaining clip but it was not to be found.
Hunted around the boat and came up with a small safety pin. Perfect, if we could get it on. 20 more minutes of cussing and fussing and we got it on and clipped. Tested all functions, all good. Put throttle box back together and resumed towards the fishing hole. Clouds were building now.

The fishing was as bad as I expected and we managed one ladyfish and one bonnethead shark before the sky turned black, sheets of rain to the west and I suggested we get off the river ASAP. Almost made it to the ramp before the rain started, the bottom fell out before we could get out the water. Pulled the boat, unloaded and secured it in pouring rain.

Drove home in the rain in soaked clothes, went around the 30 mile detour. Got dry. Made a very tall whiskey drink, then a second. Raymond pretty much pegged the day, except for the throttle cable. Laughing

But, we caught some shrimp and 2 fish, got some blood and mud in the boat, everybody learned something, nobody got hurt and everybody came home. How was yalls day ?

Cracker Larry

Posts : 45
Join date : 2015-04-18

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Post by Admin - Shine Fri Aug 28, 2015 8:35 am

Well, it sounds like a fun day to me. A lot of people spent time doing less exciting things Smile

Good lesson to never come into a dock at a speed where you could not loose throttle or steering and still have time to avoid disaster !

Now that your retired from epoxy, you think you might write a book of stories?
Admin - Shine
Admin - Shine
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Post by Cracker Larry Fri Aug 28, 2015 10:30 am

Beats watching TV for sure!

you think you might write a book of stories?

A lot of people ask me that. Maybe I will one day. Got to check on some statue of limitations and things. Still waiting to find out how the story ends Very Happy


Cracker Larry

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Post by Dawg Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:46 am

Love your stories Larry, great job.

Dawg

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Join date : 2015-08-23

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