Chapter 12 of 23
The Storm
A squall from the east drives the Sea Belle onto an oyster bar. Matt uses the Bonefisher to tow and tie the houseboat to mangroves, then gets his foot caught in an abandoned fishing net swimming back.
Where we are
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Lostman's River — The destination. 'A river inside a bay inside a gulf.' The Sea Belle beached on an oyster bar near the mouth, Ch. 11–18.
Crew in this chapter
Critters in this chapter
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Oyster bars The thing that scrapes the hull, holds the Sea Belle, cuts your line, and hides the redfish. Ch. 2Ch. 3Ch. 12Ch. 18 -
Mangroves Everywhere. The hideout at Pavilion Key, the storm tie-off, the overhangs where snook wait. Ch. 3Ch. 9Ch. 12Ch. 14 -
Abandoned fishing nets Catches Matt's foot in the storm and the baby dolphin the next day. Ch. 12Ch. 16
Boats in this chapter
From the tackle box
- Storm tie-off
- Bow rope to one mangrove, stern anchor out — the boat 'stretched secure from end to end.'
- Reading the tide
- Fish the hour either side of high tide; 'morning high' means plenty of water over the oyster bars. Dan: the water isn't rising, the earth is turning through bulges of water pulled by sun and moon.
All chapters: Ch. 1Ch. 2Ch. 3Ch. 4Ch. 5Ch. 6Ch. 7Ch. 8Ch. 9Ch. 10Ch. 11Ch. 12Ch. 13Ch. 14Ch. 15Ch. 16Ch. 17Ch. 18Ch. 19Ch. 20Ch. 21Ch. 22Ch. 23