Wounded Warriors

[capt hoop]

Last year was canceled due to weather. Today we did it. There were a handfull of boats involved for the offshore event. With a 15-25 kt. forecast we knew we could not attempt to run offshore. I ran all the way down the river and found out my options were more limited than I wanted. Being in the Glacier Bay I had a much better chance of getting to where I wanted to go. At my first stop all things had to go to the extreem. I had to switch from 6 and 8 ounce sinkers to 16 ounce. The lines were still running out but at least we were getting some bites. Not fast but just enough to be worth putting some time in. The seas were VERY UNCOMFORTABLE!!!!!!



We were tied up to the down courant side protected by rig when this was taken. I think the conditions at the pass were 27 kts. with gusts over 30 at the time. Every now and then waves would come over the bow. At one time my bean bags were floating across the bow. A camera crew on the Cougar told me they have film of my boat comming out of the water while tied up. Our first 2 fish were white trout and then we had a rod bender.



As the day went on the winds kept building and after a couple more fish I tossed in the towel for safety's sake. We eased our way into another place behind some land. This helped a little. Bear in mind we never were out in the open gulf and never more than 3 miles from shore all day long. With all the warm gulf salt water on the deck a lot of it was seeping into my fishbox. It was evident my ice was not going to go far today. The good thing was I was not catching tuna so ice was not as important. Chilled water would do for today.



Once in the new area the Cougar joined us. As you can see the conditions were not a lot better. He is not running he is tied up to the other corner of the same rig I am on.




Once there we spent the rest of the day slowly picking away at the fish. This one was only on board for a photo opp and returned to breed and fight another day.



When all was said and done we stayed safe and made a memorable day of it. The only thing my crew did wrong is they blew a good day to be sea sick. When we got to the dock we were all surprised to see the amount of fish in the box. With the rough conditions and slow pick we lost track of what we had. We did throw back a lot of shorts also. My boat was high catch of the day. We had the luck with us.



This is what today was all about. They served and gave. It was our turn to give.



I will be there again next year.

Todays event was filmed by Louisiana Outdoor Vidio Magazine www.paradiselouisiana.com

Life is Good!
Fishing is not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that.

CAPT HOOP -- OUR FREEDOM

[bjhooper82]

That's awesome capt!!

[jchief]

Freaking Awsome

[Duck Butter]

Thats wonderful Captain

[southern151]

Very noble of you capt'n!

[gckid]

Thank you capt Hooper. We had the pleasure of hosting 15 wounded warriors last June for a fishing tournament put on by the company I work for. It was very little payback for what they have done for us. It is very important to these guys to know that they are appreciated for the sacrifices they and there family's have gone through to protect the USA.

[Slidellkid]

Good on you Capt Hoop for taking out those servicemen.

[Goooh]

Awesome work Hoop

[jdm4x43732]

Nice job capt

[Garfish]

WTG Capt.