Gotta Stop Wishin, Gotta Go Fishing Down to Rock Bottom Again

The Gulf Coast troubadour, Jimmy Buffett, who grew up in nearby Mobile, Alabama, played a benefit concert for over 35,000 people in nearby Gulf Shores to promote tourism along the Gulf Coast. I wasn’t there but I did watch it live on CMT. What a show it was. First time I have seen a live Buffet concert since seeing him in Charleston, SC in 1977.

Since the Deepwater Horizon tragedy on April 20, those of us here along the Gulf Coast have been fixated on the tragedy that was needlessly created by BPs greed and arrogance. Like hundreds of thousands of others, I have been in mourning and have been depressed about the changes this tragedy has created in our way of life.

Usually by this time of year, I have made numerous offshore fishing trips in search of the World-Famous Gulf Coast Red Snapper. This year because of the oil spill and the closure of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico my boat has not been taken off the trailer.

Not once have I risen in the dark, very early am hours to begin a well rehearsed routine that would put me offshore and out of sight of land as the Sun peeked it’s head over the eastern horizon.

I am suffering from withdrawal like an addict and I need a fix. So, “I gotta stop wishing, gotta go fishing down to rock bottom again with just a few friends”. So that is exactly what I’ll do. Oil, volatile organic compounds, aerosolized dispersants be damned. I am going fishing.

I will spend this next week getting the boat prepared and the fishing tackle organized so that I can venture out into the nine miles of state waters that are open for fishing. Although, all fish that are caught will have to be released back into the Gulf, I will at least scratch my itch and feed an addiction that so desperately needs a fix. I’ll let you know how I do.

If you have comments about how you feel about this oil fiasco please feel free to comment below. All comments will be much appreciated.

Captain Steve

Craig Breitsprecher

I suspected you were essentially “lost and floundering” over the disaster. However, I would have expected that you would busy yourself in other recreational arenas and understand that eventually you would once again be matching wits with the Red Snapper. This unfortunate situation, like most, will pass – hopefully we have all learned something and will more religiously appreciate what we have while we have it – instead of after we lose it.

Wes Schaeffer

Steve,
You gotta love Jimmy Buffett!
The Horizon disaster is a disaster but at least it’s light sweet crude and not heavy crude and it’s a great thing that the cap is on.
You’re right that it’s time to take action. You have a want/goal/need/desire and are taking action. It’s what you’ve helped me do over the last 4.5 years I’ve known you and I appreciate you for that.
Good luck fishing.
Wes

Stephanie

Im not a huge fan of Jimmy Buffett but I do like his song with Alan Jackson its 5:00 Somewhere. BP should have checked and done quality control a long time ago and we wouldnt be in this mess. I feel that the President is doing what he can and we should not be quick to judge because there are a lot of things on his plate right now. Its going to take a long time to clean this mess up although its been capped and I dont think we know the extent to which it will affect all of us but until then I will pray that the government will handle it in the proper manner. Im not environmentally astute so its hard for me to offer any suggestions at this time only prayers.
Thanks
Steve

Henry Evans

Good for you Steve and congrats on getting back out there.

Very sorry for what everyone in your part of the world has been going through with the oil spill.

Enjoy it!

Henry

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