There are actually people who don't like trying to catch big fish. These are split into a couple of sections, those who like catching small fish, usual because the Thai Lady prefers them, and those who don't like sleeping on a boat.
Now the second lot are the most difficult because we have all been trained since childhood to sleep when we are rocked gently. Mind the really hard core, serious, big fish men can't sleep. Me, I was trained from the cradle to be rocked to sleep, and the Sea does it without you even having to ask. Unless it is really rough of course, and on this day the Sea was perfect in it's rocking motion.
I only mention the above because all on board on the day were converts to get the big lines out, and see who could snore the loudest. Mind we caught the first fish a Cobia about 10 O'clock, before eye relaxing was in order, and supper was confirmed.
As the day progressed we had not another sniff, so of course, as time passed, Gerard Friel and I entered the Land of Nod, while Chris, the 'Educated One' !!, read a book at the front. He says we were like a buzz saw and kept him awake.
I remember being at the bottom of a deep pit, it was so comfortable, the dream must have been fine. Then the screaming of the 'Reels' penetrated and the next thing I knew is that I was sat in the 'Chair' with the line screaming out, and I knew I had a biggish fish on. The Captain seemed to be doing a dance of some sort, and as my sleep slow brain took in the scene, I still was confused. On my right was Chris leaning over the edge of the boat as if he was seasick, but he wasn't. He had a fish on that had gone straight under the boat and the line was wrapped around the rudder, and on my left Gerry was fighting another fish that insisted also on going under the boat.
The Captain and Chris finally loosened the one near the rudder, and got it to the side of the boat, a really pretty Cobia, then it tossed it's head, threw the hook and zoomed away.
Meanwhile 'Gerry' got his to the side of the boat, and it was brought aboard. Me?, still half asleep I was fighting the biggest, and finally got it to the back and we landed it, all of 12 Kilo.
When the excitement was over we realised that all three had struck at the same time, never before known, and a new bit of 'Boat Folklore' had been born, and also the knowledge that asleep or awake I can beat the Ex Single Handicap Fisherman to the rod. T.T.F.N.