Sploosh!

Most writeups on the Louisiana forum of crappie.com are fishing reports or members asking questions about how to do this or that. But occasionally a personal story there just focuses on what happens to fishermen sometimes.

You thought you had a bad day fishing? Consider this post, “Sploosh! Man Overboard on the Mementau”, posted by long-time c.c member “mermentau”, who gave us the go ahead to share with everybody:

“Got an early start today, but it wasn’t too long before tomorrow’s thunder showers started a day early. On and off with the rain gear and was real proud of staying dry. Got hung up on a big laydown and I can’t stand to leave gear behind. Too cheap. Poked around with the rod tip and freed the jig, but looped the line on a small limb. I was pulling hard and seeing the limb rise to the surface. I would grab little twigs on it and try to save a line break. Finally I adjusted my position down on my knees and gave it one last pull, cutting a somersault over the bow at the same time. Sploosh. Man overboard on the Mermentau!

I went down in the edge of the tree top, and when I came up I had mono around my arm with the hook about to go in my wrist. After getting that sorted out I tried getting back in the boat. I lost my upper body strength sometime back and after a few tries it was getting frustrating. Kicked my legs and got the boat over to the water where my feet would touch in. The bottom was very mucky and I lost a crock in it, but managed to reach down and grope it up later.

Things that finally paid off:  Strap on sunglasses, PFD, and dry bag with clothes and a towel. Kept getting more showers and realized I wasn’t having fun any more. Headed in giving my 7 sacs to two guys on the way. Changed clothes at the landing, so at least I had a dry ride home. Going to have to make a plan for an easier way to get back in the boat.

The water was nice and cool, but I wondered about that brain eating amoeba that is making the news in Louisiana. But they probably go for a guy with more brains than me.”

Glad you are okay, mermentau !

Note:   The Mermentau River is a long way from Union Parish. It’s a 72.3-mile-long river in south Louisiana that flows into the Gulf of Mexico between Calcasieu Lake and Vermilion Bay on the Chenier Coastal Plain.