Shorty Menendez was determined to get a 'Big One'

Fish this size are not caught by mistake. They don't just happen. Shorty and Jim Seegraves had fished with me before. They had seen the potential to catch big fish and came prepared this time to do so.

The first of three scheduled fishing days went well. The largest fish that day went 13 pounds and the fish were plentiful. Many fish were caught and successfully released.

The ante was upped the second day when Shorty set up on a large Redfish. I estimate the weight of that fish in excess of 20 pounds, maybe much more. While fighting this giant of a fish, I spotted a huge Redfish slowly meandering across the bay and quickly had Jim strip line from his reel and prepare to cast. Shorty stepped off the deck while Jim slipped up to take his place. The cast fell true and huge fish attacked.

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 was not as fortunate. To learn the details and size of Jim's giant Redfish click here. That's another story to be told.

Day three arrives and Shorty is more determined that ever. Enjoying each moment of the last two days, but still not attaining his personal goal, Shorty searched the waters with the intensity of the Great Blue Heron.

The skies were gray and Shorty knew to anticipate a quick, short, and accurate cast. The prior two days of fishing action had provided numerous opportunities to hone his skills. His equipment was checked and ready. Often he would examine the leader, realizing that it would become the weakest link once his giant was hooked. The knots in his leader were deliberately tied for the sole purpose of landing the 'Big One'.

From an ever alert position Shorty spots his fish and instructs me to its position. I see him and blurt out. "My God, he's the giant we've been hunting, Shorty.   This fish is yours."

Large fish in cold water become lethargic. Patience and skill is necessary to get these giants to feed. Shorty cast but the fish refused. The fish moved off very slowly and hugged the bay's muddy bottom. Determined to take this fish, Shorty cast again. No take. I instructed him to cast and cast as much as necessary. And cast he did. When most would have given up, Shorty continued to present his crab pattern.

The fish turned away and was barely visible on the mud bottom. From the white line of his dorsal fin, Shorty surmised the fish was moving directly away from the skiff. The cast fell flawless and the fly was deliberately stripped to the fish. Once the fish took notice Shorty let the fly sink to the bottom. And then it happened. We all watched as this giant Black Drum bowed down into the mud to search out it's prey. Shorty gently pulled the fly line until resistance was felt and then he struck. The huge fish never choose to launch like a rocket. I've watched them spool a reel before, but the water was frigid and the fish was sedate. The fish swam with power and its weight could not be bullied. It think the fish finally decided to swim to the boat, possibly realizing we intended to release it. :<)

This giant weighed in at 28.5 pounds. After posing for pictures the fish was released healthy and fit for battle on another day and another time.

Shorty could have given up and conceded defeat. On day two he lost a giant Redfish. And this Black Drum appeared to have lock jaw. But defeat is a word that Shorty never considers when thinking of himself. A veteran who served courageously in Vietnam, an artist and fisherman, an author, and a man that I am proud to call friend. Shorty Menendez though not tall in stature is a 'Big Man' who caught the 'Big One'…

Capt. Dan
1-16-03

Wanna' see more?

Click on any image to see the larger version.

Click on any image to see the larger version.