Corpusfishing.com

[wallhanger]

Debated on sharing this but I feel it could help others to prepare for things like this.

On Friday my wife and I were invited down to Pt. Mansfield to fish with some friends. I hesitated to go because of the forecasted high winds but decided getting on the water was fun no matter what. We woke up Saturday morning only to greet the forecasted winds howling in our faces. We debated for a few minutes then decided to go give it a try. Well rough it was and tough tough fishing. We tried several spots, different methods but to no use. We finally decided on our way in to try one last spot. We fished for 30 minutes or so and nothing. As we gathered in the lines to go I decided as the others brought their rigs in I would toss one last lure. They urged me to hurry up and I turned in one last direction and said "one last cast". As I made the cast I glanced across the water to the other shoreline and noticed a man running along the shore and then into the water towards his boat. I told the others that it was strange but I saw a man running towards his boat but that I could see someone onboard. As we prepared to leave we slowly pointed that direction and debated for a few seconds as to what was going on. The boat was now moving from shore and we wondered why the person we thought was onboard was not bringing up the guy from the water. We decided to go help. As we approached the boat we saw that what we thought was a person onboard was a shirt tied to the "T" top and a hat tied above it. As we approached the boat we glanced over to the other side and saw a man clinging for life and actually slipping away and under water. My friend jumped to his boat but by the time he boarded the man had began to be swept away and under. In his last words he said the lifejackets were in the front of the boat. My friend grabbed one and turned towards the man but the distance in that wind was too great to reach. In to the water he went and swam the lifejacket to the man. I was manuvering the boat around to help and found my friend now in need of rescue. I rushed to him and grabbed him by the arm and pulled him in. We directed our attention back to the man in the water now wearing the lifejacket and floating on his back. We manuvered close to him and tossed him a rope and pulled him to the boat. I grabbed his hand and he said please don't let go but that he had no strength to climb aboard. I let him rest for a minute then pulled him in. He was totally exhausted. He said he had given up and had made his peace with God and as he went under he saw what others had described in seeing the bright light. He told us we had saved his life and he was forever indebted to us as was his wife and kids. We all headed in after such an emotional event. We talked about all the moments of decision in our day starting from that morning when we debated on going. We debated on that one last spot to try. I had insisted on one last cast in that direction. It was down to the last second for this fisherman in need. They had used the power pole to anchor near shore and it had come loose. It was his friends boat and he ran to save it from floating away. The tides were ripping out and he could not climb onboard. It was a death trap. We all carry safety devices onboard but on a windy day consider the fact that in a last second situation you may not be able to throw something at that distance into the wind. I recommend all my fellow boaters consider this and think about a heavy floating ring either on a rope or not just in case. We'll never forget this as long as we live and I'm sure neither will he. His words as I brought him on the boat that day were that we may not know it but there was a reason we were fishing that day. I have no doubts that every decision that day was for a reason and that God guided each and ever step of the way.

[robul]

way to go man!!

[t]

Great story. Thanks for sharing. The Lord works in mysterious ways....

[2salty4U]

[mickeyd]

I do not know what if anything God had to do with this rescue but you are indeed a "Hero" and we are better as a country and a state that we have folks such as yourself and your friends as citizens.
Way to go and Thanks!!!!
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Mike

[gotmullet?]

God placed you there for a reason.
Thanks for sharing and a reminder for all of us to wear our safety equipment.
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"Do not call my Jeep a Car ever again "

[surfdragon]

Up to the last second your were at the right place.I believe you were put there.Awsome story and rescue,You have made a friend for life.
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''ONE LAST CAST''

''TERMINATOR''

[ladyfish]

way to go,

[TomP]

That was the catch of the day. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Hook'em and givem Dragggg !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stoner150]

Amen wallhanger, amen! And God bless youand your friend. That could have been one of us !
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Wishin I was fishin!

Jeff

[JM]

God Bless. That is an eye opener. We all love the water, but need to take care of one ourselves while out there.

[Bluffer]

Thanks for sharing & being his angel!
Best lesson learned here, always use anchor when leaving boat unattended.
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-STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS!-

[Twiztedrods]

It is funny how fate can pick you up, shake you around, and give your life a new direction. Whether the hand of a higher power or just plain ol' good fortune, that man is alive today and his wife and kids are not suffering because of your choices. Thanks for sharing your story, it is inspiring to say the least.
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Proud Founding Member of the Port A Holes

[ltorna1]

Really, there are no words to describe how fortunate that man was that you were there. Great job wallhanger. You prevented a sad story in the papers. Helluva lot of good karma coming your way bud.
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...if my boss ever finds this forum I'll be unemployed...

[BALZTOWAL]

God decided it was not that man's day. Good deal.