Aboard Pompano - Women's Only Derby

For many years, the Pompano cruised the waters of Conception Bay and the Sea of Cortez. Lots of fun adventures involving fishing, diving, and sometimes just gunkholing around. Although Co-Pilot and I went alone on many cruises, more often than not the crew on most of these trips were guys. It just worked out that way...until during one momentous dinner party in 1988 when the women in our lives commented that ... they were a little tired of all our proud talk and, indeed, they could be as good at catching fish as any of us guys could.

"So be it!", I exclaimed, "The very next trip will be for Gals Only." We (the guys) would only be along to run the boat and perform deckhand duties. The gals will select their own gear, run their own lures, entice their own fish strikes, bring their fish to the boat, and clean their catch. The good times are coming.

Everyone agreed, "Sounds like great fun! Let's do it!"

So off we went...a boatload of deckhands joining the fishing gals...in what was to be the 'First Annual Women's Lib Fishing Derby.'



Due diligence and respect was paid to the gals by the gallant deckhands.



The gals were very adroit at making themselves..fish ready.



"There's really nothing to it."


The gals worked together quite well....saying "teamwork will win the day."


Fish On!; I yell from the bridge.


Co-Pilot has hooked up.


It's a jumper!




And shows good color as it comes under the boat..


A gaffing by one of the deckhands brings this dorado aboard.


Co-Pilot shows the results of not wearing a rod-belt. Well, after all, a little bruise is all in a day's work of a fisherman.



During a slight lull in the action, the gals naturally take a break ...time to kick back and listen to some Jimmy Buffet...

..improve the tan..


Get an impromtu sponge bath!


Some amigos fishing nearby had good luck also. Nomad aguaholic and wife.




It's lunch time! The gals laid out their scrumptous snacks on the padded engine hatch.



Back to more fishing.....and catching!.





'Thar be dorado below!






Like an old-time tuna fisherman, Co-Pilot deftly slings the dorado aboard .....by the leader.


Creating a bit of pandamonium.


As the fish hits the deck...and performs some vigorous antics to escape back in the water.

Efforts to contain the flopping fish were...not very successful.


The flipping fish heads for the galley door....flopping underneath the gals legs.


EEK!


There's only one thing to do...MOP IT!






While sitting down into the Bean Dip!

Squish!

THAT'S got to be a little embarrassing!


Things settle down and it's time for the gals to clean their own fish.




Bring out the champagne... to toast the gals.



Interlocking arms, the gals drink thier toasts to each other. A job well done!


And that's the way it was....on our first women's only fishing derby.
When the good times were coming!








[Edited on 11-15-2015 by Pompano]

What a fun post, Roger... Thank you for sharing the memory and pictures!

1988? anything current with younger babes for us newbies? Preferably toppless?