Then my friend looked at me and asked me a silly question- "How do you like your new 12' surf rod and reel?" I said I liked it fine. He replied- "Well you better run get it- it is getting ready to take a swim in the ocean!" I gazed away from him to my new rod and watched my sand spike giving way in the Outer Banks beach sand towards the big drink. It was nearly horizontal and touching the ground when I sprinted just fast enough (not very fast) to catch the butt of my rod to save it from near disaster.
Whatever was on the other end had set the hook itself and was pulling away on my drag. Fifteen short minutes later and I had a 40 lb striper in my arms (see photo). This fish fed 12 men thrice on our week at the OBX. We baked it, fried it, and finished it up in a big fish chowder. I was happy to share. They were happy I shared too! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
![Cool 8-)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)