Some of my most memorable:

the "something" I hooked on a topwater plug in the chop of the raging surf off the tip of Aruba. Have no idea what it was, but even armed with 30 lb. Power Pro, I flat my arse handed to me ... third run finally bent the hooks out as I clamped down with perhaps 10 yards of line left.

Another, same trip. A small cuda, not much of a fight, but after a 150 foot cast, it hit not more than 10 feet in front of me ... launching itself to eye-level and coming down on my spook. What a RUSH!!! It's been a lot of years since I've shook on a fish like that, just about scared Corey have to death too while she was watching.



Around these parts ... probably my first 20 lb. steelie ... came of all places in the riffle below Reiter. Been lots bigger fish since and bigger battles and goofier stuff, but I don't hink my heartrate has ever been that high before or since!