Quest For A 40 Inch Rock
 

Of course we are talking about Old No. 7 (Phil) who has been on this quest for the past three seasons. It hasn't been that Phil hasn't had the opportunity to fish, he just always finds a way to.........how do I say...........um.....he always seems to find a way to NOT land a big fish. Case in point........this past Spring Phil joined my Dad and I for a trolling trip. My dad and I agreed that any reel giving drag would be Phil's. Well a deep rod started screaming about an hour later. I told Phil to grab it as it was definately the over 40 he had been looking for. Phil begins to battle the big fish but somehow manages to give enough slack that the "over 40" swims away as it nears the boat. That's just one example that comes to mind.

Well, fast forward to yesterday,........the day before the blizzard. Phil, Don (Drichitt) and I arrived at the marina at the mouth of the South River around 8:30 am. Luckily we opted for a later than normal start as my boat was still up 40 feet on the rack when we arrived:rolleyes: No problem. Within five minutes the boat was launched and we began a little de-icing. Houston we have a little problem.........my new Yami 4 stroke was having a problem peeing. A quick call to Ed Miller (410-375-1638) confirmed that the lower unit was receiving water and that we just needed to let the big girl idle for a while. For those of you looking for a good mechanic that is only a phone call away, I highly recommend Ed. We were under way within about 15 minutes.

It was a "brisk" ride from the South River to the 50 foot line just west of Bloody Point. The meter showed a surface water temperature at the mouth of the South at 39 degrees. The deep water off Bloody Point showed a very cool water temp of 44 degrees. Dang, I told the guys that I hoped a few fish were still around as we had 49 degrees just a couple of days earlier.

It was a pleasure to just sit and navigate as Phil and Don deployed the boards and the complete spread. Other than being a little "chilly", it was a beautiful day on the water. We did see one other center console as well a one charter (no names to be mentioned) doing a little C&R trolling as well. This big guy came rolling up the bay at some point..................

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This was definately the "calm before the storm". After trolling for about an hour, a board rod gets hammered. The reel gives up some drag to a definate "over 40". Don and I had both agreed that this was Phil's day. Come on youngin grab the rod......and don't muff this up:p Phil battles the big girl within 15 feet of the boat when all of a sudden......."de ja vue"!!!:eek: Are you kidding me. What did you do Phil? Focus man...you have to focus!!! I think I heard Don mumble something under his breath. I'm not sure, but it sounded like......."dang rookie":D

I pondered as to what else I could do to help this kid. I was running out of ideas. Finally it hit me. I told Don that I had an idea. Phil needs some encouragement from some other guys that have been known to let some big fish go close to the boat. I made a couple of calls and soon had Phil on a conference call with Paul (Reeltor) and Marty (5th Tuition) :D:D Sorry guys, just couldn't help myself:p After getting some words of wisdom from Paul and Marty, Phil's attitude seemed to change. I could see it in his eyes. He was now ready to complete his quest.

Another board rod goes down and Phil is all over it. Phil says that this "over 40" is all his. Phil battles the big fish with new found determination..............


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Soon Phil had the big "over 40" nearing the side of the boat. I don't know what words of wisdom Paul and Marty shared with Phil, but it seemed to be working. Phil remarked that this "over 40" was not getting the better of him this time. Focus Phil, don't lose focus. I took a big sigh of relief as Don lipped the big "over 40" and gently lifted her aboard for a quick measurement.

This is it Phil. Will you be giving up your prestigious title of "El Presidente of the 39 and something club"?





You guys make the call....................................


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Maybe next year "El Presidente":p..................................... ..Mark

All you can do is try and Phil is having a GREAT time trying. It has become somewhat a joke at this point and even Phil thinks it is funny. He will get his 40 and all of the fun will be over. Glad you guys had a good day......Gary

Where the hell is that "bangin head on wall" smiley face when you need it... :D
Ohhh gotta love fishing stories.... They all get better with time... :rolleyes:

-Phil

Now thats just funny, great story Mark:D

Hang in there Phil.....might be time to consider who's boat you are on??

Mark is the man. If you can't catch a 40 on his boat you probably should try another sport:D.............Gary

You're using the wrong bait......

That's a great read Mark...Phil has some luck I tell ya...
PS I think the Marty comment hurts me more than Marty!!!!

I'm with you Gary, but I think the fish can sense the wrath of sh*t that is going on above the water when Phil's on Mark's boat and play along.

Glad you guys got out. It amazes me that BPL held a longer bite than the lower bay.. Now I gotta decide if OCMD or PLO is calling the BF after Christmas :p

Bring out the chains!!

Sorry Phil, but it had to be a honest measurement. That fish was probably 40" in girth and looked for sure to be at least 40", but the picture tells the rest of the story. Now that first fish was a whale for sure. Gotta bring your best game to keep those big fish glued:D. All kidding aside, Mark and I were really pulling for you. Good fishing with both you and Mark..Don

Ha, I know you guys are. It's fun... I mean, how much fun would yesterday had been if I had already gotten a 40 along the way somewhere. Beautiful day on the water yes, but ALOT of fishing for one rock. Since I hadn't gotten a 40, made that 1 fish sooo much more memorable. Good fishing with you too. Oh, don't know if you got a call or not, but 5 minutes after i left Marks house, he called me.. Sayin, "I bet you can't guess where my camera is?" "G Mark, I'll take in your boat for $500". So I guess he ahd to undo all the bungies on one of the sides to get in and get his camera out. Good times.. goodtimes...
-Phil

Ouch! Looking at that measuring stick had to drive a stake right thru you. :D

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What hurt more, was that the first measurment, Don still had her lipped, and his thumb was between the fish's mouth and the end of the measuring stick, so it added about 2 inches, so at first the rock looked to be 41". then Don took his hand out of her mouth and flushed her up with the end.. That's where a few censored words were spoken by yours truely...
-Phil

Sometimes 1/4 " is a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong way:eek:.........Gary

Phill; if I were you; I'd keep doing what you're doing. Keep catching 39 in fish and let everyone on the boat keep handing you rods. Let them be the "mates" while you keep bringing in fish. Sounds like a good deal to me.
I'll get you out on 5th Tuition with me next year and I promise you a 42 inch fish. I'll lip it (no NET) and get it in the boat for measuring and a picture. Just don't let baldzilla handle it; your fish will become a 39 for sure. 5th (Marty)

Nice report Mark! Better luck next time Phil! You'll get her soon enough!

LOL.. agree on the keep catching 39's... And So far you're the highest bidder for next year! Promise me a 42"er!??!?!?! Wow, I've fished with Mark (mlag) numerous times and he even told me before we left the dock that," Oh we'll get your 40 today". So you say you can get my my 40 huh!? LOL I'm just glad to have some buddies to go fishin with. 39 3/4 "er or 18"er. Always a good time! :D
-Phil

Be careful Phil, I'm not sure Marty even really has a boat...so far noone on this board has seen it! Pretty easy to promise you a 42" if you never get to fish for it :D

Marty...PS...SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I can't help it if you keep letting them get off. I've had you hooked up on big fish several times now youngin:D........................Mark

Good story, Mark!

Hang in there, Phil - the day will come. Maybe you should just ask for a "fish stretcher" for Christmas this year :D

You need one of them fish stretchers

lmao i'm sure glad i'm finally done working so i have time to read all these funny stories and quotes. Don't sweat it old with these guys your guaranteed an over 40 next year

SURE, Just like you were guaranteed one for the past 3 years:mad::rolleyes:........Gary

lol so what your saying crabby is let the others take him on the quest for over 40's so our boats don't get jinxed lol

It only jinx's the boat while he is on it. Once he is gone, the 40"s will come. I think they know his voice. That's the only thing I can come up with......and he doesn't know how to keep quiet:D.Gary

lol you guys are too mean lol

Yup!!!! All in fun though:p.........................Mark

*sigh* Merry Christmas!
-Phil

Phil, If you want a 40" rock that bad just come over to my place and bring some friends. There is a 40" rock in the front garden:D Happy New Year....Gary

Geesh Gary, what you smokin tonight to mix up a "rock" and a "ROCK"?!?!?! Must be some good stuff! Got enough to go around!? :p
-Phil