Just a reminder to you boaters, don't forget your life jackets! I know they seem a nuisance at times, but i'm glad I had mine on today.

Went out to Marshall Creek this morning. Took a vacation day and was going to spend it sitting on the beach and enjoying some quiet time. I took my little water skeeter since I didn't feel like dragging a wagon all the way down to the beach. Got everything loaded up and headed down the creek. Almost made it to the main lake when I ran in to one of the brush piles in the middle of the creek. I started thinking this is not gonna turn out good. I hit the brush full on side. What little current there was, was enough to flip my toon over top of me and pin me underneath. When it flipped it was almost in slow motion and I remember thinking to myself, take a deep breath and don't panic. Don't know how long I was under, probably not more than a few seconds but I kept my wits and freed myself and got my head back above water. I managed to get my toon to the side of the creek and start going over what had just happened. I ended up losing one oar, cast net, nine rod and reel combos, lid to my cooler, pump for my boat, a few tools I had in the cooler and ruined my blackberry.

I started walking back upstream and got the toon on the bank. I gathered what little tackle I had left, abandoned the toon and headed back to my van. Ran in to two guys and told them what happened. Told them they could have the toon and told them where it was. I figured I would probably never get back on it, and missing an oar and the pump it was useless to me.

When I first got to the park, my wife had called and asked how it was going. Told her I was just getting my boat setup. She asked if I had my life jacket with me, and I told her yes. I can swim, but I'm not stupid either.

Sorry for the novel, but just wanted to remind everyone how quick things can go from a relaxing time, to a nightmare in a heart beat.

Looks like you guys that fish the sandy beach will have more room, as I will be out of fishing for awhile with the loss of all my rods.

Best of luck and be safe.

Wow, that's crazy man. Glad to hear you're ok. Sucks you had to lose your gear though.

Glad you are telling us this and we ain't reading about you in the paper!

Damn Robert, that sucks man. Glad you're OK. I was anxious to see how you did today. Thanks for mentioning this spot. I've been to Grapevine plenty of times on the other end with no luck for cats. I went there today and caught 4, but I was happy when I left. I have never caught a cat at the Vine until today, when I went down to this end. I couldn't believe how plentiful the shad were either, even though I didn't have much luck using them for bait. They mainly wanted chicken liver, and then the bite tapered off. Got there late, and then took the LLLLOONNNGGG walk down to the point, and only stayed about 2 hours. I'm sure the fact that it was really muddy made it that much worse(I almost turned back, but I'm glad I kept going). I'm gonna catch one of those blues one day. Do you cut up your shad or use it whole? All those carp in that shallow water was a trip too. Thanks for the info, and maybe I'll see you out there sometime.

Yeah I'm glad it didn't turn out any worse than it did.

The shad where thick today. They where all large 4" to 6" as well. I usually use the head and then cut the body in to three chunks. Just depends mainly on the size. The carp where thick. That's the most I've seen ever. When I was walking back in the shallow weeds, felt like I was kicking them every step there was so many. Stick at it, you will catch the blues. There are several good spots in that area.

Robert sorry for your bad day, been there done that, I will check my gear when I get home from the fire station in the morning. I'm sure I have at least one or two reels I don't use much anymore and maybe a rod or two you can have to get you back on the beach. Take care

Sorry for the bad luck. I would say lets go find your gear, but with the rain we're getting in Justin, Denton creek is going to be in flood stage.

I was hoping the weather would calm down and the creek would slow up and back down some. Lol.....then I saw the sky today and thought nope, not anytime soon. One of the guys I work with that I always take some fish asked when I was gonna bring more in and told him what happened. He wanted to load up and head out to try and find all my stuff. Had to laugh and told him when it eased up some I would try and see what I can retrieve.

PM sent.

Wow.. glad your not another news story...its a good thing you stayed calm..

Robert,

DO you remember roughly where you dropped your stuff? My boat can run pretty shallow and if its at least 1 foot deep from the lake up to where you dropped your stuff we can probably recover it.

Let me know if you want to try some day.. I go to grapevine a lot.

If you don't feel like it... then just tell me where to go! I don't mind muddy reels

Glad to hear your ok, could have been a bad one there.

I imagine that spot will be etched in my mind forever.

I would like to try and get them back, but my schedule has me working seven days a week right now. Where there at, the water is probably deeper now with all the rain. Let me see what I can do about my schedule. I will send you a pm. Thanks for offering.

Glad you are OK.