Okay - so here goes. You may laugh at appropriate points during the story.

Yesterday, I went fishing. This in itself is not unusual, except I usually don't fish. Don't have much time, money, or equipment to do it with. But yesterday, I bought a cheap (remember that word - you'll see it again later) fishing pole and went fishing with some friends of my wife.

I was having a good time, eating picnic food and talking. They loaned me a PFD - since I'm not a good swimmer - and we set out on a boat. Well, more precisely, a boat about six and a half feet long and about three inches wide. No worries - still had fun.

My wife was telling me "what not to do" if I fell out of the boat. I kept thinking, "That's all true, but what if I don't fall out of the boat?" That wasn't in my plans, you see.

So, we cast off, we being me and one of the other guys, with poles, bait, and a cement block for an anchor. And two paddles. Tried one spot - nope. Drag up the anchor, go somewhere else. Hmm ... catfish. Not bad if you cook them right, but not what I wanted. Especially at less than eight inches. No worries - drag and go somewhere else.

Did I mention that I hadn't paddled a boat in about 20 years?

About this time, the first of about 12 idiots in much larger high powered motorboat go blazing by under the bridge, where we were. I would like to note for the record that a tiny boat makes for a ride to remember - when the large wakes come in.

About that time, my rod bends double. I suppose the shrimp on the hook could have attracted something. Either that or I've just hooked the anchor line - again. So, I start reeling and reeling, and my cheap reel starts binding and the boat starts tipping about to the point where half an inch remains from the gunwale to the water - and I see a flash of scales and fins!

I'm thinking "Fish sandwiches!"

Pull and reel, pull and reel, pull and reel - it jumps out of the water a couple of times and my buddy in the back starts yelling a few things I can't type here. And the boat is rocking back and forth. PFD's are a good thing to have, just in case - I'm thinking.

We get a good look at it, and it's a snapper, easily as long as my arm and really meaty - I'm thinking "LOTS of fish sandwiches!"

No ruler, mind you, but we both saw it. I get it up to the surface, and I ask DJ, "Where's the net?!"

He curses and says, "I don't have one."

I look this hooked fish on the line in the eye - and the line snaps. A flash of scales and a fishy laugh, and he's gone.

After a moment (or two or three) of disbelief, I say, "Well, darn." Not exactly, but this is a family forum. "I'm out a hook - where's the tacklebox."

He looks at me, and says, "Uhhh, it's on shore." Which happens to be a looooong way off. So, we paddle a loooooong way off, reprovision, and paddle all over creation.

After that we caught nothing but eight inch catfish.

Had fun, but that one got away.

And did I mention that today is my birthday, and that I *really* wanted fish sandwiches for my snack???

Happy Birthday (with or without sandwiches lol). Honestly, I didn't know any more to react.

Happy birthday. Its mine too.... Its a good story....

Happy Birthday man, too bad you didn't get the fish, but if it was as big as you said I don't think the line would have held anyway even if you had a tacklebox to replace the hook. I'm not much of a fisherman tho, I only caught 2 fish once and they were small.

Happy birthday!

I haven't been fishing for ages... I need to go.

Thanks for the birthday wishes - maybe I'll get him next time I go. I will bring stronger line and my own net . . . and I won't share the net! Well, maybe I will.

Happy Birthday (better late than never).