Decisions, Decisions.

I rubbed the sleepy crumbs from my eyes as the first rays of light streaked the sky.  I was there when the gate opened and not long after I was ready to launch.  Just as I was about to push off, Matt Anderson pulls up to the ramp.  Decision one... I resisted the urge to launch ahead and waited for him to get things ready.  A short while later, we both get on the water, but after a mere 50 ft of paddling, Justin Mayer showed up.  Apparently my phone calls the day before helped make his decision to join me.  Not that he needs much convincing.  He had pretty decent luck earlier in the week (a couple 37" stripers and a 42" red).  As we waited for him, Tripp Seed shows up.

I should have just launched when I was ready.

It's a good thing I like fishing with those guys because I definitely wouldn't have waited otherwise.  I had a pretty good idea of where the fish should be and after the long paddle, trolling all the way, Justin hooks up first.  Just before the hook up, we both decided to veer to the right as the other guys went left.  Good choice... strong headshakes lead to a crazy fast sleigh ride.  My next decision was critical.  Do I cast or do I film?  I just made a new monopod that extends to 6 ft and wanted to test it out, so filming it was.  Tripp casted and quickly hooked up.  After a few minutes, I couldn't take it anymore and put the camera down. Unfortunately, the school was gone.  Tripp's fish came off and Justin landed a real behemoth.

49" BULL RED

Congrats, Justin. 

That was it.  All day... 12+ hours on the water.... almost 25 miles of paddling...

At least I got some good footage.  

But you know darn well it won't be long before I'm back on the hunt.