The aluminum boat thread made me think about two different trips down to Port Fuschon (LA) and the subsequent stories.

We used to fish down there every year in November for a week. Me, dad, his buddy and some customers. We always stayed at Beudroixs (spelling?) and would fish anywhere from the cemetery to the jetties.

On one trip we were on a bunch of fish and the tide started going out. Well this was our first trip down and we didn't realize how fast the tide went out in the marshes. Next thing we know the boat is setting on an oyster reef. You could move side to side and the boat would not budge. We broke one of our push poles trying to get off the bed and decided we needed less weight in the boat so dad decided to hop out. Remember its November and we are 15+ miles from the camp, so he decides to strip down to his undies so he wouldn't have to ride back wet. He hops out with our other pole, to use as a lever, and I grab the camera. I have a great/funny picture of him standing in the marsh, in his whitey tighties, holding the push pole above his head.

The next year w carried the buddies G3 tunnel hull boat that was supposed to be able to run in skinny water. Well the wind picks up very strong out of the north, while the tide was going out, and in a very short time the water level drops significantly.. We find a spot about 20' long with enough water to get on plane to head back. We give it a try but can't get on plane so I tell dad and his buddy to get on the bow to even the weight and we try it again. This works and we head across the lake headed towards the channel. About halfway across dad tells me "what ever you do don't let off the throttle. I look back and we are throwing a rooster tail comprised of mud, sticks, leafs, grass and a little water.

Those were some fun trips and we caught a bunch of fish each and every trip.

I've never had to get out of the boat down there but been awfully close. My buddy still has scars from the battle he lost after he had to jump in and push his boat off a big oyster bed. I did push pole a 24ft skeeter in 8"s of water one day fishing alone. Was sight fishing reds and the tide fell out. Not sure if the mini heart attack that occurred afterwards was worst than getting cut up or not. I bet I poled a zigzag of a half mile to get across 100 yard oyster bed. Have covered the back deck with mud and grass more times than I can count trying to get on plane. Have also had to clean the "pee hole" numerous times after the alarm went off. That marsh is brutal but holds the best speckled trout and redfishing in the world. It's a special place.

The first time I ever went fishing in a kayak was at St George Island in the Apalachicola bay. The wife and I rented a house on the east end right before the state park entrance so I could fish rattlesnake cove where the reds and spec fishin is best. I had made a rod holder out of an old milk crate for the 4 poles I was taking and I put the essential gear right in front of me and the seat. I had this thing all rigged out like I been seeing in all the magazine's because I wanted to look like I knew what I was doing even though I didn't.

My maiden voyage trip would happen the first afternoon after our arrival. I would fish the outgoing tide and had about a half mile paddle to get to the honey hole. After placing two beer in the butt chickens on the smoker just in case I didn't catch supper I was ready to go. I tell my wife bye while she is sitting on the deck relaxing and enjoying the first day of our summer vacation. I shove off from the beach area right off from the shore at this beach house and I'm thinking what a beautiful day to go fishing. Seas in the bay where less than a foot. Great for kayak fishing.

Well I get about 100 yards from the house and start to make my turn to the east. About that time I lost my balance and rolled the boat over. Loseing all my fishing gear in the process. The water was only about there feet deep and when I stood up I saw my wife laughing so hard she fell out of her chair. All the neighbors saw me too. My man pride was hurtin big time bout this point. I felt around in water and managed to find all my poles, tackle box and some bags of gulp bait. I couldn't find my net, pliers, knife, law stick and some other items. So hurt pride and bleeding knees from the oyster bed I rolled over on I went fishing.

I didn't catch any fish that afternoon but when I got back to the house the tide was so low that I found most of my gear except for some jig heads and spoons I just bought. The beer in the butt chicken was good that night and after supper I decided to surf fish the next morning and practice with the kayak before I lost anymore skin or fishing tackle.