ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The Catch

Watch the tide as in it surges
out across the tidal bar.
Forming narrow little gutters
pathways for the fleeing gar.

Checked the bank out on the low tide
Saw the place where flathead lie.
Marked the spot wherein it rested
know it’s really worth a try.

Casting up into the shallows
try to catch the fishes eye.
Bouncing gulps across the bottom
trickery is what I try.

Feel the hit as line is jolted
lift the rod to set the hook.
Line goes screaming, nerves a jangle
The fight is going by the book.

Nowhere that the fish can snag me
line is holding firm and strong.
Feel the fish now slowly tiring
know the battle won’t be long.

Ease my prey into the shallows
The line will hold it’s pretest braid.
Guide the fish onto the sandbank
rejoicing in the capture made.

Quickly snap a victory picture
take the hook from gasping jaw.
Release the fish with polished motion
it will live to fight once more.

Bob Pacey ©

Hey I really like that Bob.

Thank You heather I was out there again today got another but the first one on soft plastic lures is satisfying.

Now I'm HOOKED

Bob

Nice one Bob.

I am yet to try my hand with surface lures to catch my first Murray Cod, but I hope when I do I find the same success and satisfaction in the catch and release.

Just remember Allan Lures catch more fishermen then fish.


Bob

Good poem and a good fish by the look of it....(nothing to compare it with)...They are talking about reducing the bag limit and increasing the size of the much prized King George whiting here in SA at the moment. Too many bloody Queenslanders coming down here and pinching them!

What a wasted effort ! catching a flathead and letting it go ! That one would fit nicely in my frypan if you don't want it.

Bob
Oh what a feeling!!
Cheers
Val W

Cool poem Bob - fun and punchy and a story well related. Liking that last line too.

I got one like that last weekend Bob...after a little bit of surgery I released it.....into the frying pan next to the chips....