Are The Sand Bass On Strike?

[klymons]

Actually, most of the problems I've encountered on sportfishing boats are other passengers--who--have: (a) zero class (b) zero brains © toxic/obnoxious personalities (d) all the above. Like the idiot on an MDR 3/4 day trip a few years back who was drunk out of his skull, deliberately picked a fight with another passenger, and ended up flat on the deck. The captain almost called the police to have him arrested when we docked. Another time, out of Long Beach Marina, I was running late to board the Enterprise 3/4 trip due to a flat tire on the way. The boat was maxed out with fisherman, and I struggled to find a place to put my tackle box. There was one spot where I could just fit my box if I slid over another fisherman's box about six inches, and both boxes would still be accessible. Well, this guy comes up to me all blustering and belligerent and tells me I am "rude" because I moved his tackle box. I said I didn't mean to cause any trouble, I just wanted to put down my box. I also pointed out that we both could easily get our stuff. But he continued to whine and complain--even getting within inches of my face as he cursed me out. Again, I tried to reason with him, but he still kept getting in my face. Well, for the record, I'm no lightweight. A former defensive tackle in football, I weight about 260. But I really don't like to "push my weight around" so to speak. In this case, I felt I had no alternative. So I calmly told the guy: "If you say one more word to me, I'll drop you where you stand." Well, Mr. Tough Guy immediately backed down because he was one those useless punks with a big mouth and the spine of a jellyfish. The best thing was, I never saw him the rest of the trip, and it turned out to be an epic day of shallow water rockfishing. Yes, sometimes you have to adjust your attitude, and other times, you have to adjust the other guy's. But luckily, these situations are extremely infrequent. I have found that if you treat other people with politeness and respect, most of the time that's all that's required. And then there are the brainless guys. For example, there's a "ripper" current, and the captain and the deckhands tell everybody to use at least three ounces of weight to get to the bottom. You immediately comply and go straight to the bottom. But the guys in the front of the boat insist on using split shot sinkers, and then next thing you know you have the worst tangle you have ever seen. After the deckhand clears up the monofilament nightmare, he again reminds the bow guys to use three ounces--or even larger. Do they listen? Of course, not. Stupidity and stubborness seem to go together like bacon and eggs. The result? More insane tangles and frustration as you lose valuable fishing time. So what can you do? Suffer in silence? Give up and go play cards in the galley? Move somewhere else on the boat and experience the same problem? Well, my solution is sarcastic humor. For example, I'll start talking loudly to my fishing buddy: "Jeez, don't you just hate those guys who use light weights and tangle up everybody on the boat? I wonder what's wrong with them? Are they just naturally stupid or did they have to take special classes, like maybe Bonehead 1A? Do you think maybe their gene pools are contaminated?" Of course, the question is, does this approach work? Well, it's not one hundred per cent effective, but some people do get the hint as I watch them re-tie with heavier weights. Yes, successful fishing is a game of adjustments. Push the right buttons and everything will be fine.
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