Bloopers:

A "Blooper" is something a ACGFA club member did while engaged in a
fishing, boating, or club related activity. No statutes of limitation.

The very first "Blooper" was awarded to Jim Blalock. He was Black Drum
fishing in the inlet with C.J. Swindull and Don Power. Jim was fishing with
a brand new rod (that he built) and reel. After catching several fish, they
were eating Kentucky Fried Chicken and fishing at the same time. Jim
had a bite while holding the rod in his right hand and a chicken leg in his left.
He set the hook and grabbed the rod with his (now greasy) left hand.
"Splash" was the sound of the rod and reel as it slipped out of his hand and
hit the water. Rumor has it that the drum was caught several days later
with the rod and reel still attached. C.J. Swindull and Talmage Skinner
invented and presented the first "Blooper Award" a "beautiful" old rusty rod
and reel on driftwood with a KFC box attached.

Do you have a canidate for a "Blooper"?
Send it with a short description to the ACGFA.
jimreneb@bellsouth.com
or
ACGFA
P.O. Box 2001
St. Augustine, FL 32085
If you you have a picture and would like your picture returned please include a self addressed stamped envelope.
WATCH THIS SPACE NEXT MONTH.
THERE MAY BE A NEW AWARD.
The most recent "Blooper" Awards follow:

James "earned" his BLOOPER at the first ACGFA meeting conducted at the Shrine Club. At the break, James walked into the "Ladies" Restroom and was promptly escorted out by a female member. Word has it that he may have asked Linda where the restrooms were and he did not clarify which one he wanted? Next time I bet he will!!

Chris Acosta "earned" his Blooper while launching his boat at the Devils Elbow Fish Camp. After having difficulty launching his new boat in the Keys, he added "Teflon" to the trailer bunks to make it slide off better. At Devils Elbow, he unhooked his boat and backed down the ramp. About half way down the boat started sliding off the trailer. He sped up and almost made the water when the bottom touched the ramp. He continued down until the boat was in the water, however, it continued off the trailer and floated away. Luckily, a passing boater helped him retrieve the boat. Next time I bet Chris leaves the boat hooked up to the trailer until he is down the ramp. Congratulations Chris.

The Blooper Award tells her story. According to her husband Wade. Pam "reminded" him about lowering the antannas the whole time they were in the Keys. Actually she was not on the cell phone until she had to call Wade and let him know they needed a new antenna.

Rusty Russell "earned" his Blooper by failing to lower his outriggers before he docked his boat in his boat lift. As a result, the outriggers were bent and ended
up in the trash heap. Rumor has it that Rusty was distracted??

Carl Pecora "earned" his third Blooper when he conducted a "Fishing
Contest" at the January meeeting. The contest was great and contained 10 questions relating to fishing rules and ACGFA club records. One of the
questions was "Which of the following catches is a legal limit of snapper and grouper?" Answers "A", "B" and "D" were obviously wrong, however,
Carl had the correct answer as "C". Answer "C" included 3 Genuine Red Snapper and the legal limit is 2. He had answer "D" as wrong because
he thought 4 Mango, 5 Vermillion, 1 Genuine and 1 Mutton Snappers is
over the 10 Snapper limit when, in fact, Vermillion Snapper are NOT
included in the limit. If you are going to "teach", make sure you check
the current rules!!

Ken Oliveira earned his "Blooper" on his way home from a fishing trip. Ken loaded his boat on the trailer and proceeded home. When he arrived home he was surprised to find an empty trailer. As panic set in, he went to his friend and neighbor Carl Pecora for help. He and Carl proceeded to back track his route home. Lo and behold, as he approached a dip in the road, a Police Officer was standing watch over his boat that was sitting in the road. They were able to load the boat back on the trailer, and after attaching the "safety chain", were allowed to take the boat home. Lesson learned: always attach the "safety chain"

Dick won his award by two acts. #1 - During the Junior Kingfish Challenge, he came to the Municipal Marina to check-out with one of his engines raised. When asked, he said the engine would not start, but he was going fishing with one engine anyway. About that time, James Manucy and Dick noticed that the fuel line was disconnected from that engine. It sure worked better after it was reconnected!
#2 - While fishing in the Keys, Dick (with the help of his crew) forgot to pull his anchor when he moved. After moving several yards, one engine quit. After checking around, it was determined that the many yards of anchor rope wrapped around the prop was the problem. Lesson learned: The Captain must always check behind his crew.


Dale earned his "Blooper" at the Vilano Boat Ramp. He did not tie his boat to a cleat, instead, he left the boat with his helper and backed the trailer down to the ramp. Somehow his helper had dropped the rope and the boat drifted away from the dock. Dale swam out to the boat but, for some reason, was not able to climb on board. He was starting to worry. Along came an "older" man who offered to help. He swam out to the boat, jumped on board and returned the boat to the ramp. Dale will probably start tying his his boat to a cleat from now on!!

Jim is at it again. This is the 12th Blooper he has "earned". During the Corporate Challenge Tournament at the Northeast Florida Marlin Club, Dick and Betty Newton and Jim were checking in boats by VHF Radio (that Jim had set up earlier). After having very poor reception with several of the boats, Betty asked Jim if the radio would work better if he attached the antenna cord which was still dangling from the antenna? It really did make a difference!! Duh!! The plaque plate above does not show the great gold plated antenna connectors that were attached. Lesson learned: Check all your connections before your crew arrives.

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