A nice day off from work on the water

[Andys Delight]

The girlfriend and I decided to take the day off and hit the water together.  This was also the first trip that I decided to take my dog, Max.  He's a 100lb Black Lab German Shepherd mix.  All went well on the ramp and Max jumped right in the boat ready for his adventure!  We idled out to the tip of the Keyport channel just past the sailboats and I was about to open her up when I noticed a small old bowrider limping in with the driver having one hand on the wheel and the other reaching back to the engine.  The cowling was also off.  Made my way over to him and quickly realized he needed a new fuel filter.  He kept pumping the bulb to keep the engine running.  I offered a tow back in and he politely declined saying he could limp her in, but he offered me some squid for my kindness.  

Motored out to the 11a.  Max had a little issue at this point.  I guess we forgot to let him go to the bathroom back on land so he decided to drop me a brown surprise right on deck.    

A little cleanup and the fishing was finally on.  Pulled up about 5 shorts one after another before the bite went dead along with the drift.  Motored up to Flynn's Knoll and tried again.  Picked up another 5 or 6 shorts and got a little lazy at that point.  Put the net up near the bow to get it out of my way and dropped line again.  Finally I start reeling up something heavy.  Get it to the side of the boat and realize I just moved the net.  It's definitely a keeper and probably around 20-21 inches.  I decide I can just flip it.  

(note to self:  train dog to bring me the net)

So there went my keeper for the day, picked a bunch more shorts on a few stops on my way back in.  Same guy was back at the dock getting ready to pull his boat on the trailer.  I again offered my help and he politely declined.  Even though he was having all sorts of issues he was having fun with it and definitely proved to saying that a bad day of boating/fishing is still better than a good day at work.  For me, the GF was happy getting a tan on the bow, the doggie was happy being out on the boat seeing the fish, and me....what more could I have asked for.  One lost keeper could never ruin that good day.  

[gymrat987654321]

sounds like a nice trip 

[kezsr]

you had a good time,caught fish,had a surprise    and tried to help a fellow boater with problems     Kez

[Andys Delight]

Couple pics of the day:

[ChrisL]

Sounds like a great day 
Looks like Max had a great time.

[Luna Sea 5]

still sounds like a great day

[Kenny]

Great report despite loosing the keeper Fluke  ...

[Salty Dog]

Good man,positive attitude under diversity.

[fishon42]

Nice report, sounds like all had fun

[PeggyLee]

Way to go with good humor!

[Hotrod]

.. Cool

[ped579]

 

[Hunter 2]

Nice report and great pictures.

[hiking]

nice report and pictures. tie a meat bone to the net and teach max to retrive it.

[Capt. Don Sr]

should have used MAX deposit as chum yuo might had better luck

[Tacklebox Joe]

cool day on the water