Kids take over the Monger for an evening

[LotsobitesBB]

Captain Jerry and the Monger Crew of Trevor and Morgan was gracious enough to host an evening trip for 8 kids and 4 parents tonight. After getting cancelled 4 times in the last year due to weather we got an evening trip in. Courtney, Nicholas, Travis, Adriano, Daniella, Callie, Alessio and Natalia rounded out the junior crew. I was originally gonna ask for a steam to the tuna grounds but decided to go with Cpt's recommendation of the close to home rough bottom.

For 3-4 hours the kids (including this big kid) were slinging sea bass over the rails, many of the time two at a time. Travis and Adriano "teamed up" for some 70+ fish. Some nice variety mixed in with all the sea bass. Courtney caught an eel that was popular with the kids. Nicholas caught a blackfish (Cpt was quick to remind Trevor we can keep one a man starting today, he may have ordered a bushel of crabs after that catch). Daniella and Courtney had a skate. Daniella and Adriano had a ling. Yours truly foul hooked a short fluke. Few Sea Robbins caught as well.

This trip wasn't about filling the freezer. It was about a kids having a blast and a trip they will not forget. I have said numerous times, take a kid fishing. Is it more work sometimes, sure. Do lines get tangled sometimes, sure (no more then a weekend party boat). Do they lose interest if slow, sure. We started off a little slow, a few kids sat down and ate. We moved spots and the action picked up and every one of them was fishing. I can't stress it enough, take your kids fishing (take a niece/nephew/grandkid if you don't have kids or your kids are kids anymore). They will surprise you. One of my nine year old girls didn't leave the rail and she told me, I am gonna eat my sandwich in the car on the way home. She is hooked.

A special thanks to Cpt Jerry, Trevor and Morgan. The Monger is a top notch operation (as we all know). After each cancelation due to weather over the last year, Cpt Jerry told me, I would rather cancel 9 of 10 trips due to conditions and get the 10th one right with the kids. That he did tonight! They were awesome with the kids. Thanks again guys and gal for a great trip.