We moved down to Vista a couple weeks ago, and I started my new job. NO MORE DECKHANDING. Don't know whether I'm shouting for joy, or saddness though. I do miss being on the water, fishing everyday after work, and having some weekdays off. But, I don't miss the pain, the endless days without spending time with the wife and kid, or the crappy pay.

I got a job as a Video Production Assistantat at Glidewell Labratories. They are the biggest dental lab in the world, and have a very active in house marketing team. That's where I come into the picture. Unfortuanately, I do have to wear long pants, long sleave shirt, dress shoes, and tie. I've never worked in an office so this is hard to get used too. For the last 6 years I've had jobs where I wore shorts and sandals (sometimes deckboots).

They pay much better than boat owners do, and much better than customers too. I don't have to worry about keeping food on the table now. Plus I get full benefits, this is probably worth $400-500 a month (considering all my medical problems). I do have to work 8-5 (plus an hour driving each way), and this is why you folks haven't seen me lately. That and moving.

After hanging with the family, and then building rods in the garage, there just isn't a lot of time left for the boards. I'll stop by and post when I can, but it will be much less than before. I'll try to at least read it all though.

This isn't good-bye really, just wanted to say I've missed this place and will miss being here all the time. This is a great site. I know my fishing has improved because of advice received here. Thanks to Rob and all the nice helpful people.

Amish Ed
...and remember, saltwater bass don't know they're not largemouth.

AmishEd, we were just talkin about you... We figured you were out deckhanding on one of them tuna boats. Get me your work email so I can keep you occupied in the office...
-Brian

Email? They don't even have my phone in yet.

Amish Ed

LMAO

Hey dude! Good to see you back Amish Ed. Working for the man can be a drag but in the long run it will hopefully equate into early retirement, a killer boat, and time to fish. At least that's my plan =) I'm sure you'll be finding a way out to the water here and there so give us a report when you can.

-Rob

Good to hear from you, Ed- we kept the local bass company tonight, Sandies up to 6 lbs. right off the point in 85' of water, real fast drift, but fun as hell. Good luck at the new job, sounds killer!

I do not know Amish Ed, but I always enjoyed his posts in the past. It is nice to read the nice welcome he is getting.

By the way, Bassnet, did you compensate in some way for the fast drift: drift anchor, heavier leadheads...? I have had the same problem and have not come up with a satisfactory solution.

Thanks.

Salmanoid, the puss bellies were up close to the surface, it was late evening, we just drifted through them fast but they were nailing our jigs before they could sink more then 20 feet- the three of us had a few triples going, it was fun- By the way, I was fishing a cool new hair jig from Mega Bait that was killing them, check these things out if you see them- like the old Bomber jigs, but with a lifelike fish looking head. I was fishing a white one ounce one with a charteuse spinnerbait trailer, the barries and bass loved it- Tight lines!!!

Thanks for the info. The idea of a hair jig is interesting. In Northern California I did very well with rockfish, cabezon, lings, and halibut using a white bucktail jig (Hairaiser, striper-type, or something similar) with a white plastic grub attached, and above it a dropper loop with a small white bucktail fly and a motor oil plastic grub. However, this rig was for bottom jigging and I have not thought of using anything like it now that I live in Santa Barbara and the bite is closer to the surface.

Bob

We used a drift sock on Larry's boat once and it worked very well. Larry tied it midship so the boat would drift sideways, thereby allowing more lines in the water, however this is not advisable in swell or chop. Broadsiding swell is usually not the best idea... Give it a shot, they can work pretty well when the weather's right.
-Brian

Thanks, Brian. I have heard that Boater's World has drift socks, but I was hesitant to try it because I had heard that it is best to use two lines to attach the drift sock, and I thought that with my small skiff the line or lines would be low and possibly cause a tangle if I hooked a running fish that would not cooperate.

Bob