WOW… Jim Seegraves takes a 29.5 pound Redfish!

Jim came to South Louisiana prepared to catch big fish. And big fish he caught.
Over a three day stretch Jim Seegraves and his good friend and fishing partner Shorty Menendez landed fish after fish. But the 29.5 pound Redfish and the 28 pound Black Drum, along with Shorty's 28.5 pound Black Drum was the icing on the cake. Pictured on the left is Jim and his 28.5 pound beauty.

It was on day two of their three day trip that Jim got to dance with this giant. The day started much the same as the prior day. We got to the fishing grounds early and it was cold, and so were we and the fish. Around 10 am, with the help of a bright morning sun, the flats started warming enough to stimulate the fish. Unlike the calm winds the day before we were forced to deal with a steady blow. These constant winds stirred the silt from the bay's bottom and reduced our visibility. The chop on the water's surface didn't help matters.

Both Jim and Shorty released many fish during the course of the day. From time to time there were small windows of opportunity to cast to giants, but the boat sailed past many fish as the wind forced us in directions and speeds we didn't choose. BUT, both men never let the conditions deter them.

By 3:30 the winds had whipped me.
Poling is not a lazy man's profession, especially in winds like this. We agreed it was time to head to the dock and suited up for the chilly ride. While navigating through a shallow bay looking for a small cut that would take us home, the ever vigilant Shorty, shouted over the roar of the motor, "look, over there, a big one".

With the motor still running Jim starting stripping line and I shut down the motor and quickly climbed the tower. I must admit, I really wanted to go home. I was wore out. But I love guiding and customer satisfaction is goal number one.

We picked up a few fish poling through the *trenaisse where Shorty spotted the fish. My juices were flowing strong now and I was ready to pole some more.

And then it happened…
I believe in miracles and had seen my share of them on the water. We poled through the *trenaisse and when we came out into the next bay the skies continued to be bright and cloudless, BUT the winds had vanished and the bay looked like a sheet of glass. The three of us were thrilled, but we were not the only ones. Scanning the bay the only surface disturbance we could see were made by happy fish. God is good!

After poling a short distance through the bay and catching a few fish, we spotted a giant of a Redfish. Shorty was up and quickly tossed the fly. This monster didn't want to eat, but that didn't deter Shorty. Cast after cast was made, but every attempt ended in refusal. Some fish spook and run like crazy to escape the boat, others hide on the bottom or simply slowly swim away. They are well aware that we are there. It's like rabbit hunting. Most rabbits will flee for their lives, while others choose to crouch down and hide, motionless. I instructed Shorty that his only chance to take this fish was to keep the fly in his face and aggravate him into striking. The fish slowly swam out of casting distance, so the chase began. No longer feeling the pain of pushing an 18 foot skiff around all day in high winds, and with a heavy dose of adrenaline, I poled aggressively. Shorty continued to cast. Finally the tolerance level of Mr. Redfish had redlined. He could no longer allow this source of agitation to continue. We were shocked as this huge fish decided to annihilate the Crab pattern.

The battle began
Shorty struggled with the power of this fish. His leader was being tested. While Shorty's fish continued to gain line I looked out over the calm bay and to my surprise, I picked up another giant slowly crawling in our direction. I had Jim quickly strip line off his reel and trade places with Shorty on the deck. We watched as this long beauty swam to within casting distance. Jim's cast was perfect and the fish without hesitation devoured his offering.

So here we sit, staked off in the middle of a large bay with two fish weighing over 20 pounds, each fighting for their lives.

Shorty got his fish near the boat when suddenly it freed itself of the barbless hook. Jim's Redfish would not be as fortunate. This fish fought valiantly. Several runs ensued and the fish took more line than Jim was able to gain back. The fish appeared to be winning. Jim instructed me to pole closer to the fish. I did. As he got more line on the reel and the distance of the fish decreased Jim took over the driver's seat. The fish was tiring and Jim showed no mercy. Soon after Shorty captured this valiant fighter in the net.

The fish was heavy and holding him steady for photographs was not easy. This beautiful copper red giant tipped the scales at 29.5 pounds. Jim's aggressive fighting style was good for the fish, because he wasted no time getting him to the net. We were all please to watch this trophy swim off with vitality and vigor.

Fishing in the wild outdoors in surroundings unfettered by man is always a privilege. It affects the quality of our lives, we are changed. Even our families that are not with us reap the benefits of this change.

But there are special events that take place in the course of our fishing experience. And for Jim Seegraves, Shorty Menendez, and I, this small moment in time shall remain with us for as long as there is breath in our bodies.

Thanks Jim and Shorty for a memory that will endure a life time.
And thank you God for the many gifts You provide in our lives.

Capt. Dan
1-15-03

*trenaisse (trey nosse) Cajun French - it means a ditch, a small passage through the marsh.

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Oh, did I forget to mention the 28 pound Black Drum!