Am I turning in to Bill Dance?

[Mike S.]

I have to tell this story, purely for entertainment purposes. I don't mind people getting a laugh off of my mishaps.

Last night we fished ROI on White. Brett and I culled our first fish right around 8:00. We were figuring right around 11.5# at that time. When the bite slowed where we were fishing, we moved into the marinas to see if we could come up with anything.

We fish all the docks, and in between boats. Nothing. I go to skip a wacky rigged senko, and in full swing the bail shuts on my reel. Guess what happened next. I dropped the rod and reel in the lake. I reach for it, but can't get it. I try another rod, and cast for it, dragging the bottom.  No good. We gotta go.

We get to the launch, and trailer up. Brett has to go, has less than 30 minutes to get to work. I bag up our fish, and I'm ready to go to the scales. I go to step off the boat, and slip. Right off the boat, and on to my shoulder on the pavement. I have our fish in hand as I fall. The bag busts open, and I am now in the water my fish were supposed to be in. The fish are flopping on the pavement. What a mess!  I quickly gather the fish and run to the scale. I get there with 2 fish heads poking out the side of the bag. The fish get weighed and released unharmed. We totalled 11.72#.  Don't know where that put us number wise, but it sure was an interesting evening.

Now, I am on my way back to White to try and reclaim my rod and reel.

Incase anyone reading this is wondering, the winning bag last night was 18.38#!!!!!  It was a mixed bag, and big bass was 4.55#.  What a bag for 3.5 hours.

[Genie]

Yeah - wish I could have seen that one!

[Mike S.]

It was epic. The few who did see it at least turned around before they started laughing. I myself even find it amusing. That's why I'm sharing.

Now, my recovery trip was a bust. White Lake has swallowed a Quantum Tour Edition spinning reel and a Grandt All American series rod. On the bright side, I just replaced it with a new St. Croix Rage and a Shimano Stradic CI4. I have to say, there is a huge weight difference between the two combos. The new one is WAY lighter.

Tomorrow is a new day, and a new fishing trip. Man I hope the Bill Dance in me doesn't come out again. Hopefully they put whichever veteran gets stuck with me tomorrow in a padded suit, and a helmet!!!!

[djkimmel]

Send me the waypoint to that rod and reel. I'll get it next time I'm there!

Do you have any video?

[Mike S.]

No video. It definitely would have been a good one to see. I'm assuming that you're referring to when I threw my rod in the lake?  That was way more entertaining than me falling out of the boat!

[djkimmel]

For video - BOTH! Haven't you ever watched those video shows where you can win money?? You either need cute kids, pets or sometimes gets hurt bad to win!

Waypoint for the rod and reel. I've had good luck catching and finding them in the past.

[Waterfoul]

When you get chased out of your boat by a snake, then you will be Bill Dance.  Until then... you're just clumsy.   

[djkimmel]

Or a mad swan. Swans are dangerous!

You could get a head start if you have some fishing rods and a ceiling fan too?!?

[Skulley]

When you get chased out of your boat by a snake, then you will be Bill Dance.  Until then... you're just clumsy.   

That's funny!!!   


In Florida I would be more worried about gators.  I have a friend that lives on a canal on Lake Istopoga. They had a resident gator that lived in the little marshy swamp in between him and his neighbor. The walk from his house to his boat was always considered an adventure.



BD.                         

[Firefighter Jeff]

  Thank goodness you weren't hurt falling out of the boat onto the pavement !!!  I fell getting into mine once while it was on the trailer. Fell while swinging my leg over the side after my supporting hand slipped off the side rail.  Other hand had a hold of my steering wheel but I skinned up my shin pretty good.  Think my pride hurt more than anything else.  lol

[djkimmel]

I'm changing my answer to - yes.

[TheFishinPollock]

Man you guys need to start wearing bike helmets with little hello kitty stickers on um

[djkimmel]

Great suggestion!

[Mike S.]

Probably. But, I'm part Pollock too. I'd rather take my chances.

[Waterfoul]

Personally I've never fallen out of my own boat.  Probably because of my big dutch feet and cat like balance.    

Or maybe it's because none of my joints work like they used to and I go really slow and pretty much crawl in and out of the boat these days???   

[Firefighter Jeff]

   Hmmmm seems to me that I once about broke my neck hopping off the front deck while it was on the trailer.  Had a foot slip off or get caught by the side rail.

[Mike S.]

Just for the record, I have made it through 4 tournaments now without falling out of the boat, or throwing a rod in the lake.

[Waterfoul]

He's on a roll folks!!   

[Mike S.]

Yeeesssssssss!!!!!!

[Firefighter Jeff]

    Hmmmmm  I have kicked a rod combo off the deck before.  Tipped one off also.  Thought it was strapped down and opened the compartment lid.  It went in and I didn't even notice for 10 minutes.
     Have lost two Golden Rules and a couple anchors over the years also.  LOLOLOL  Geesh.....  I AM Bill Dance.  lolol