Although the TexasHuntFish team has invited us to write about "a" saltwater fishing trip, I have only taken two such trips in my life and, as I thought about it, it seemed to make sense to combine them into one entry based upon a common theme: true sportsmen.

Let me explain -- my first saltwater fishing experience came long ago, when I was about 14 years old, and took place in the Gulf of Mexico.  My uncle, one who I had never before met but who knew my mother quite well (he was her half-brother, if that complicates it enough), called up my parents and asked if he could fly my younger brother and I down to Corpus Christi for a fishing trip.  At the time, I desperately wanted to become an outdoorsman but lacked any experience or knowledge, and my father was not yet much into the Great Outdoors, so my brother and I were thrilled when we were told about the upcoming trip.

I don't remember many details: my brother got seasick when we went out in the boat, I caught some demonic breed of catfish called a "croaker," and my brother slipped off of the pier and scraped himself on some barnacles at some point.  But the main thing I brought back from that trip was the fact that my Uncle Randy was a true sportsman because he took the time to bring us out and had the heart of a teacher.  He explained everything, answered all silly questions, and made it fun.  I came home convinced that I should pursue my love of the outdoors and that if I ever learned anything worth sharing, I too, would strive to be a true sportsman like Uncle Randy.

My second trip, also to the Gulf, was just this past March, and many photos have already been posted here on the forum because I shared in the experience with Don (Country) and Joe (Texas.410).  Don had slightly more experience with saltwater fishing than I did, but Joe was the veteran for the trip.  Joe took the time to teach and shared the knowledge he had acquired from fishing in and around Port Aransas over the last few years, proving himself to be a true sportsman.  He did not pretend to know more than he did, yet he shared all the tips and advice he could think of because he wanted us to have a positive experience.  And Joe asked nothing in return -- in fact, he almost acted as if it were his duty because he had been likewise taught by some wonderful folks that happen to be his in-laws.  And Joe's assistance was critical -- fishing in the ocean is not quite like pulling catfish from a stock tank -- and we had a blast.

So, in my limited experience as a saltwater fisherman, I have not learned how to consistently catch fish or how to get those monster drums to bite.  But I have learned what it is to be a true sportsman -- to pass along knowledge and help those who share your passion gain a little more experience.  In return, then, it becomes my duty to share what I can with others less experienced than myself.  And it is also my duty to be the kind of sportsman, one like Uncle Randy and Joe, that gives people a reason to want to try hunting and fishing and exploring the Great Outdoors.  Hopefully someday soon I'll know enough to feel like I am really helping someone along and like I am able to begin to try to "pay forward" the debt I owe to the true sportsmen who have been so generous to me in the past.

Click Here to View the Forum Post

Click Here to View Country's Journal Entry about our trip

Images and Files: View all 1 photos / videos here.