Species: Shovelnose Guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus)
Location: Torrey Pines State Park, California
Date: August 5, 2018
Crussshhhh.
Crussshhhh.
Crussssssshhhhhhhhh.
The sound of my dreams being crushed was actually audible. Wait. No. That was the rhythmic lapping of the (spirit) breakers on the beach. Little did I know that living out my dream would soon become a nightmare.
Footsteps
It was my second day fishing with Ben Cantrell, a well-known multi-species angler who has served as one of the pioneers in a community that calls itself by a host of names including “lifelisters,” and “species hunters.” Ben runs bencantrellfish.blogspot.com.
I met Ben where all Millennials meet their friends nowadays: Instagram.
We met up for some fishing.
I donned my Frillneck, a hat draped with fabric that makes my life infinitely better because it replaces sunscreen.
After digging for sand crabs, small crustaceans slightly resembling pill bugs that live just under the wet sand on the beach, we got to it.
Ben quickly caught a Yellowfin Croaker, a species I’d never caught, but that was the highlight of the morning. It was slow — even for surf fishing.
He then led us to a spot where the slope of the beach caused two waves to meet, creating a mixing zone that looked absolutely prime.
I felt a tug and caught a small Leopard Shark.
Misstep
I got a few more subtle taps on my bait.
Ben worked his way back down the beach, but I knew something was feeding, so I stood tight.
In the flash of an instant, I got a strong hit, and the massive fish began ripping line off my reel with a frantic tenacity usually only seen in teenage breakups.
It may have been two seconds or 10, but when its run slowed just a little, I lifted up to set the hook, stepping backwards with one foot ever-so-slightly to redistribute my weight in the punishing waves.
My foot rested on something squishy, and in that cruel moment, I felt a lance of intense pain on the inside of my foot.
I’d spoken to Steve Wozniak, who has sat atop the leaderboard of multispecies angling for years, just the day before. He warned me not to go barefoot because of stingrays, but everyone else fishing on the beach was barefoot, and so I’d gone along with them.
Big mistake.
The initial stab of pain was so unexpected and violent and rapid that I reacted violently and rapidly in return. I lifted my foot up, throwing me off-balance. I compensated for this loss of equilibrium by jerking the rod up to prevent myself from falling so hard that I broke 30-pound braid. Granted, the fish was large (if I had to venture a guess, I’d say a 30 to 50 pound ray, shark or guitarfish), and it was running hard. But still.
I didn’t fall, but my hopes did.
Then, the toxins got to work.
I started sweating. If I hadn’t had a Frillneck, the heat would’ve compounded the pain, but I’d soaked it with cool water, and it was keeping the sun off my face, at least.
I’ve had my share of injuries over the years, many of them induced by fishing. I’ve been bitten by fish, stabbed by dorsal spines, ravaged on rocks, sliced by fishing line, hooked on multiple occasions, stepped on subterranean beehives, sat on colonies of army ants, sliced by fillet knives and slapped in the face by tails. None of that even compared to the pain of this stingray’s barb.
This pain was like a bee sting amplified 10 or 20 times and localized to a single spot. From there, it leached out achy fingers into the rest of my foot and lower leg and bled an absurd amount for such a small wound.
Worst of all, I’d lost what might have been my largest saltwater fish to-date.
Refusing to quit, I fished another 45 minutes or so before the pain of standing on that foot started to blur the edges of my vision, and I couldn’t take it anymore.
The stoic display paid off because I managed to catch a small Shovelnose Guitarfish about 2 feet in length before hobbling toward Ben.
Ben helped me limp the mile back to the lifeguard station where I was treated and released to stumble my way through the rest of the day.
Please consider subscribing to my weekly column and access my past columns for as low as $1 per month by clicking “Become a Patron” below.
#SpeciesQuest // #CaughtOvgard
Read the next entry in #SpeciesQuest here: Species #170 — Barred Sand Bass.
Great day. your blog is full of spam, you should should antispam software,
Tremendous issues here. I’m very satisfied to peer your article.
Thanks so much and I am taking a look ahead to
touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
decnov
7k5g1b
gpy7j6
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
In this grand design of things you actually secure an A with regard to effort. Exactly where you actually lost me personally was on all the particulars. You know, as the maxim goes, details make or break the argument.. And it couldn’t be more correct right here. Having said that, allow me inform you exactly what did do the job. Your authoring is certainly very convincing and this is most likely why I am making an effort to opine. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Next, although I can notice the leaps in reasoning you come up with, I am not really certain of exactly how you appear to unite the ideas which in turn help to make the final result. For now I will yield to your issue but wish in the foreseeable future you connect your facts better.
really good post, i certainly love this site, keep on it
You completed various good points there. I did a search on the theme and found the majority of folks will consent with your blog.
we would usually buy our bedroom sets from the local retailer which also offers free delivery.
Found your blog in the Google bulk turtleneck shirts directory, very nice job, thanks.
I just like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more right here frequently. I am quite certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!
À quoi bon ne pas mentionner les vérités expliquées la semaine dernieres par le parti francais? Au minimum on serait capable de argumenter avec les véritables valeurs?
At this time it looks like WordPress is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Actually rarely can i encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve got hit the nail to the head. Your concept is outstanding; ab muscles an issue that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I will be delighted that we stumbled across this within my seek out something about it.
Great paintings! This is the kind of information that should be shared across the net. Shame on the seek for not positioning this post upper! Come on over and consult with my website . Thank you =) Pristina Hotels
Very informative and excellent bodily structure of content material , now that’s user friendly (:.
investing is tricky, sometimes you win and sometimes you loss. Risk takers win of course..
Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your theme. Kudos Miss Samsung Fascinate
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.
I am curious to find out what blog system you have been working with? I’m having some small security problems with my latest blog and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?
You were quite interesting.. But sadly I didnrrrt trust them much :/ Although I might disagree I still give you support as how confident you are on your writing lol
I’d must check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a put up that can make people think. Additionally, thanks for allowing me to comment!
Sometimes your blog is loading slowly, better find a better host..-,~”
Wow thanks so much for all this work, saves us a tonne of time!
Alternatively, you could go to a homebrewers forum and ask if anyone local is growing. If so, you could just take a cutting of their roots and stick them in your yard.
Well, the article is actually the sweetest on this notable topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and also will thirstily look forward to your next updates. Saying thanks definitely will not simply just be enough, for the extraordinary lucidity in your writing. I can directly grab your rss feed to stay abreast of any updates. Solid work and much success in your business efforts!
there are many social issues these days and we have different solutions for different social problems;
It is quite a effective point! Really wanna express gratitude for that information you have divided. Just keep on creating this form of content. I most certainly will be your faithful subscriber. Thanks again
My partner and i appeared to be aware of this particular currently, however there seemed to be several useful bits which finished the picture to me, thanks a lot!
Choose a few well-informed followers and get immediate feedback. There are a variety of ways to print the feeds.
o51lwh
8p16tr
Thank you for give very good informations. Your website is goodI am impressed by the information that you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. Bookmarked this page, will come back for more. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn
Actually diggin what you have been posting here lately. Id love to see you continue with much more of this. Bookmarked!
I’d must seek advice from you here. Which isn’t some thing It’s my job to do! I spend time reading an article that will make people think. Also, thank you allowing me to comment!
I am glad to be one of many visitants on this outstanding site (:, regards for posting .
Whats up, I’ve been ranking my site higher “PROFIT INSIDERS REVIEW”.
Thank you for the good critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a book from our area library but I think I’ve learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such fantastic information being shared freely out there…
Some really nice stuff on this web site , I love it.
An fascinating discussion will probably be worth comment. I think that you ought to write much more about this topic, it will not become a taboo subject but usually everyone is too few to communicate on such topics. Yet another. Cheers
Hello! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs up to the wonderful information you have here on this post. We are coming back to your blog site to get more soon.
There are extremely plenty of details prefer that to consider. That is a great denote talk about. I provide thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly you can find questions just like the one you start up the place that the most important factor will be getting work done in honest excellent faith. I don?t determine if recommendations have emerged around such things as that, but Almost certainly that your chosen job is clearly identified as a good game. Both youngsters notice the impact of simply a moment’s pleasure, throughout their lives.
Just thought I should leave a short comment saying thank you for your hard work and effort putting all this information together. Some of us appreciate it.
you can also save a lot of money when you do some home rentals, just find a cheap one*
I like this web site its a master peace ! Glad I detected this on google .
I have been checking out many of your posts and it’s nice stuff. I will surely bookmark your site
m92p0m
You produced some decent points there. I looked on-line for your problem and discovered most individuals should go in addition to together with your site.
Thanks for sharing this excellent post. Very interesting ideas! (as always, btw)
Good site! I really love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!
However, there is a certain elegant style to a timepiece that will make it remain popular for a long time yet.
Awesome info over again. I am looking forward for your next post!
May well We put point about this on my small web site only will include a mention of this particular website?
cm3unn
I find – Gulvafslibning | Kurt Gulvmand really impressive. I was wondering myself about this, but not anymore thanks to this excellent explanation!
Perfect piece of work you have done, this internet site is really cool with good information.
You have a very nice layout for your blog” i want it to use on my site too .
I wanted to thank you once again for your amazing web-site you have made here. It is full of useful tips for those who are truly interested in this specific subject, specifically this very post. You really are all really sweet as well as thoughtful of others and also reading your blog posts is a superb delight in my opinion. And thats a generous surprise! Ben and I are going to have enjoyment making use of your recommendations in what we must do in a few days. Our list is a mile long so your tips might be put to beneficial use.
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks!
I gotta favorite this website it seems invaluable extremely helpful
Whats tough now is how the systematic appearance to ones life is not changed. This may sound out of line? It is nearly as if we crawl through life with our eyes closed on, not understanding the true meaning of our own destiny.
i always make sure that our kitchen appliances are very clean and shiny before using them;
Nice post. I find out something much harder on different blogs everyday. Most commonly it is stimulating to read content using their company writers and use something from their site. I’d want to use some while using content on my own blog no matter whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link in your web weblog. Thank you sharing.
Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.
Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include almost all important infos. I would like to see more posts like this .
Aw, this is an incredibly nice post. In thought I would like to put in place writing like this moreover – spending time and actual effort to create a good article… but exactly what do I say… I procrastinate alot through no indicates seem to get something accomplished.
This could be considered a time when you find yourself led to new inspiration, or permit all by yourself to sink into religious confusion!
I enjoy the dear information you offer to your articles. I will bookmark your site and have the kids have a look at up here generally. Im fairly positive theyre likely to be informed quite a lot of new stuff here than anyone else!
Excellent and really informative blog. I really like blogs that have to do with getting ripped, so this is important to me to see what you have here. Keep it going! force factor
1unu4c