Big Fat Zero! |
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BIG FAT ZERO By J.E.N., the Czech
October 10,1986 Pop, the Cajun, Razorback and the Czech headed out into the Arabian Gulf in our 18 foot Well Craft. The crystal clear water of the gulf lay emerald green where it stretched over the pure white sand of the shallow flats. It turned a glorious tan and brown as the vast coral reefs fell away to deep water. When we reached deep water about 4 miles out, the water was a deep indigo blue, seas were less than one foot making this the most wonderful boat ride we have ever seen. We skipped bait on the surface for about five hours and Razorback was ready with his camera. Ten or twelve sails came into the baits. We had 5 take the bait and make spectacular jumps but threw the hook. Later in the day Pop hooked one, it jumped and made a run. The rod buckled but the drag did not release the line and it snapped with the sound of a 38. A "tip wrap” had occurred where the line was wrapped around the tip of the rod. It was late and the sails stopped working. We went home with a “Big Fat Zero” Pop had watched carefully when we rigged the baits. He asked questions about the two-man process required to land a sailfish, but did not seem too upset when we did not catch a fish. I realized later that Pop was not interested in having a fish caught for him. He was after the one that he caught. The plans he made all started to make sense. He planned an in-kingdom-vacation-day. Because of the great strain of working in the kingdom, everyone wanted maximum vacation days outside of the kingdom. In-kingdom vacations were a sign of stroke or some other form of brain damage—but Pop’s plan began to clear up. He invited a business acquaintance, Buddy, from Dharan where there was real nightlife and you could even swim with your wife in the housing center swimming pool. Buddy was a salesman, not an outdoorsman and had zero open water fishing experience. This would be Pop’s show, Pop’s skill; and Pop knew-his failure if it didn’t work. October 18, 1986 Pop’s senses, honed by the many years of the south Louisana outdoors allowed him to guide the boat to the exact spot where they had previously encountered the spectacular jumpsters. In spite of the vacation day, Pop had taken time to call the plant and review the production numbers before going out. It was midmorning before Pop skillfully rigged the bait the way he had seen it done by the Czeck. Pop manned the rod as he gave instructions to Buddy on the cooperation required between the fisherman and helmsman. Suddenly there was a fin behind the bait. Just as the fish was about to strike the bait, Pop reeled it away from him!! The fish attacked again, again Pop reeled it away from him and again a third time. Now the fish was only twenty feet behind the boat and so intent on smashing the bait that half his body was out of the water. Just as the fish struck Pop opened the reel and let the bait drop in the water. The fish took it and ran, after five seconds Pop closed the reel and set the hook while loudly instructing Buddy to speed up the boat… The fish jumped as as the line melted off of the reel 200, 300 yards. The light drag was giving too much line so Pop used his thumb, instant blister. Eight jumps and the sail fish went deep, as Buddy guided the boat to the fish, while maintaining a tight line. The fish came to the surface only 50 yards from the boat with seventy-five percent of its body out of the water. It tail walked for thirty or forty yards before it fell back into the water. The fishes energy was spent, it yielded to the pescadors. Buddy grabbed the bill of the fish and hauled it into the boat. Pop had mastered the sail. The Czech could tell you the story of how Pop coached Buddy on his fish thirty minutes later that day, but why don’t you ask Pop. He’ll tell you. I bet you can get him to show you a picture of the 7’8” fish he caught that day and fill in any details I may have left out. -------------------------------- Pop’s epilogue….. Each having caught a real trophy
fish, we headed to the house to celebrate with rib eyes, baked
potatoes, salad and twenty-eight day homemade red wine.
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