Probably not too smart

[Conjuror]

Let me start by saying the water felt suprisingly warm.

My regular fishing partner (my son) was slammed by homework yesterday so I went out alone. My wife hates it when I do that, but I actually like it a lot. But yesterday was the perfect justification for her worries.

Started trolling the "Bearing Sea" from the West River to off Bloody Point where I had success Saturday. Had one board out and only six lines since I was alone. There were a lot of boats out. That plus no action and the tough seas, I decided to run with the wind south. Picked up a couple of 24's north of Herring Bay which I put back and trolled further south to the radar towers.....and that's were the fun started.

Two rods went down at once. Picked up the first and it was clearly a big fish. Felt the second and not as big, so I fought the first. I thought I had a really nice fish on, so I put the engine in neutral...fought for a couple of minutes and it jumped the hook. Reeled in the second and landed a fat 29er.

Unfortunately, by then the boat had spun in the seas and as I cleared lines I realized one of my lines had wrapped around the rudder and by that time had also snagged the bottom. Eventually the ine snapped and I thought went free.

I reset lines and trolled back up to the original spot, but before I got there I looked back and ALL of my lines were down. Turns out the line had snapped but remained connected to my running gear and tangled everything. I cleared everything and pulled in the line by hand and actually got my umbrella rig back....but now I was faced with a significant amount of line caught in my running gear.

Not knowing how bad it was, I decided to go over and clear it. Water temp 68.5 so I figured it would be like my early days on Cape Cod...when I did dumb stuff like this all the time. Set safety lines out, PFD, boarding ladder...tried to hail a sailboat nearby to stand by if I needed help, but he passed on by....so over I went. Water was pretty warm actually. Only took a few minutes to undo about 50 yards of line and then back on board.

Probably not too smart...but I didn't see a lot of options at that point.....and the 29 made a great dinner.

[5th Tuition]

I always started water skiing on Mothers Day; so the water shouldn't have been TOO bad. Going over alone is always a hairy experience, but it appears you did all the right things. Glad you got back aboard ok.
5th (Marty)

[B-Faithful]

Glad you got your umbrella rig back (and stayed safe)

[drichitt]

Steve - You are in your early 50's as I remember. You are out of your mind and I agree with your wife. Have you met Skip?

[Conjuror]

I have met Skip...he supplied the planer board that contributed to this Darwin Award attempt..

[goinsfishin]

"I thought I had a really nice fish on, so I put the engine in neutral".....not a good move at any time with lines out. As shallow as most of the Bay is, it's a surefire way to lose expensive tackle.....better to idle down to lowest in gear then bump into neutral to net the fish if you have to....then immediately power up again to maintain headway. Better a little more challenge netting and landing than a CF that could turn deadly.
Glad everything worked out OK.

[Skip]

Only good thing about dieing while fishing alone - you do not have to listen to the wife berating you the next 5 years.

Now come home wet and with stitches - might as well get out ear plugs.

Shame you lost the fish.

[Conjuror]

Capt. Steve. I think you are right and lesson learned. At the time my thought was to get the big one in fast, and it was really hammering around back there....but in retrospect there were no boats around and I had plenty of room.

Skip...I can't wait to hear what she says when I head out this saturday!

[crabby and son]

All is well that ends well. Life is a BIG learning experience and the wife doesn't need to know everything although most think they ALREADY know everything!..........Gary

[Doggydaddy]

Sounds like your safe & sound but I'd think twice before taking a dip alone....next time have the wife go in.