By Mark Whitlock

It seems only like a few days ago I took my son on his second inshore red fishing trip to the Gulf Shores area of Alabama. The first was two years ago out of Perdido Pass Marina (the one that has now been torn down for another condo project). Imagine that! But back to the story. Two years ago we went on a late afternoon/night fishing trip.

At 8 years old, Mark is a seasoned angler. Growing up in the business is a great way to venture out to some really great places with your son and family. The only draw back is me, with a store that wants 24/7, it's really hard to find the time. But let me tell you, these are the best times and memories that I have! I have an old saying, spend time hunting with your son instead of hunting for him.

Back to the story, our first trip was slow, not slow, slow I mean slow. Like when your new boat breaks down and it seems everyone was fishing right there next to you until the motor quit. Now you can't see a boat and the time passes like days not hours. We fished lighted piers, we fished some piles of old washing machines that had accidentally fell in the bay in the nicest little group on a point under a huge light with a current flowing passed and still only caught 2-3 lb. reds and bait size specs.

The second trip had to be better. My son was not that fired up to do this again. So we set up a trip with a new guide and headed for the coast. The water was reaching some 80 degree temps and the tides were really rolling. So game on. We made the contact when we reached Perdido and the words you hate to hear, "The boat is broke" and the guide is not very sure about getting the parts in on time. Sometimes you just got to think, "you should not be doing this and quit", so we did.

The next day we were having breakfast at our favorite place on the coast, Tacky Jack's. It's a true hole in the wall, saltwater eating place, but wow what a triple egg omelet Wendy can build. If you're ever in south Alabama call and get directions to this place. But as we were eating I see a card stuck to the wall that reads Capt. Dan Chichester Caribiana Sunset Cruises (334-981-4442). Capt. Dan happens to be a customer for over 15 years of the store, so I figure why not call for a little fishing trip.

This is where it gets good. He knows another captain that in his words is "the best of the rest" and can take Mark and myself tomorrow, so off we go. Dan is so fired up he's going too. Fort Morgan Marina is the place, Capt. Toby Mayfield is the guide, 5:30 is the time and the current is running till 11 A.M., so out we go followed by some other 10 - 15 boats from locals to newcomers. The specs are slow in the bay so Toby turns the boat south and heads for the lighthouse of Mobile Bay. The tide is good and the fish are biting. . . reds, flounders, skip jacks and sharks, they're all here and my son is on cloud 10. "What could be better" Dan said, Toby replied, "how about a 40 lb. red to top off the day!"

The area we headed to is a little secret that Toby has and I will respect the technique and the spot, so bare with me. We moved in on some 5 other boats there, that had been there for some time. No one had had a hook up or a nibble. We moved in slow and set up some 20 lb. class spinning rigs to do battle. All I can say is the baits we used were more offshore than spec and reds type baits and no one else had them. Little Mark made the first cast, and I love this part, Toby said "the little man gets the first shot." Toby said "he doesn't fish, he makes memories for life and little minds is where he wants them to be."

The bait hit the water, Mark fed out some line so the current could pull the lures and bang! Fish on! The drag sings for life and the fish is spooling him and Toby screams throw all you got guys the school is here! Three baits in and three monster reds break the surface and I'm still holding the video camera. Down it goes on the seat for some great shots laying on its side. Now there's fish going everywhere, rods flying and my son being held in the boat by his belt. My fish is boated first, a nice 30 lb. plus red, second in is Dan's 34 lb, monster.

The filming turns back to Mark who is still in the fight, the little guy won't give up, neither will the fish. Some 15 minutes go by and it passes the boat with another red trailing this big boy. Toby again says hit that fish with something the next time Mark's fish comes by, so I did. I don't remember the lure or the rod I grabbed, but the trailer ate the whole thing. Guys this is heaven, you have heard of a double, maybe a triple but not four big reds at one time. My little 30 pounder was in first, weighed and set free, but my son was still at work. The video is wild, from the seat to the floor and passed back and forth from Dan to myself, everyone was working. After the 6th or 7th run both guys were tired and ready for the end.

The big red passed the boat and Toby gave me the net and with no pressure said, "Dad don't knock him off now!" Thanks. The red came by the boat and in the net he went or about half of him did. I can't tell you the weight the scale maxed out, but the picture tells it all. Since that trip I have been back to test the waters of south Alabama with Toby. The same holds true, a limit of big reds and a possible state record Jack (Dr. Bob Eichelburger).

How about the specs? The day before this trip his party boated 72. Spend time with your son, daughter and wife and if you're lucky like me it will be in the outdoors. What more can you hope for.

Only to hear Toby say: "can ya'll come back in the fall when the really big reds come in!" I'll be there in a month or so to test him out again. I love this job.

Capt. Toby Mayfield can be reached at 334-968-7814 or 334-797-0265. If you have a great outdoor story about your child and you, please send it and photo to me, care of the store. I am sure others would love to share those great times too.