What a day it was Friday! This was a first for cobia and spades for both of us. Took my old man from Ohio out Friday for a day I'm sure he will never forget. Day started out well, went to the small boat channel to make bait. Had 30 croaker and spot in about 20 min and then it was off to the middle grounds. We spent the next three hours feeding the rays and bluue fish. Not exactly what we were looking for but it was alot of fun anyway. Dad got a real understanding of how hard a ray can pull. It's nothing like those little walleye in Ohio. With only two bait fish left they finally showed up. Two really nice cobia about ten feet off the stern. Both looked to be keepers and one was in the 45 in. plus range. We threw all I had at them(my last two baits and buck tails) no luck. Oh well it was really cool anyway. Out of bait we decided to give the spades a try. Went and set up on some pilings at the forth and my dad was hooked up before I could get my hook baited. We caught spades for the next fifteen min. Then my dad decided to try his hand at opening up a clam. Unfortunatly the only thing he opened up was his left hand. In the blink of an eye he had run the shucking knife into his thumb. You can imagine what was next. We stoped the bleeding got everything stowed and headed to the emergancy room. After a good deep cleaning and a tetnis shot we were back for beers by 5. I don't think dad will want to fish for a little while.

Good on you for taking your Dad fishing...one of my favorite things to do as well.....throw that shucking knife back in the kitchen drawer...just clap the clams together, one will bust.....much easier on the extremities...

I agree! I hope my kids take me out when I'm no longer able. Like CM said, just smash 2 clams together; one will shatter and you just pick the shell apart.

Ouch! Bet he remembers the good feeling before he think's about the sore thumb! Good job.
Tight lines.
Dave

We were clapping the clams together I don't know what he was thinking at the time. Call it a lesson learned by all. The knife did get re-named, It is now spelled with a F instead of a S. Good thing we got the Golf in on Thursday.

Thanks for the report.

What a good story. Bet it is retold for many years to come.