by Warren Masten
"One fish in the box, boys!"squawk!
"This is Halibut...who said that, please?"squawk! (silence)
"Halibut, Pork Chop, here, its no one around us. I'm outside the
whistle. Were all getting murdered by the blues out here."squawk!
"Thanks, Pork Chop, moochers aren't marking anything over here at 'B'
either. The draggers are having some luck with small fish. Fishy Ishi, are
you out with us this morning?"squawk!
"I'm just passing the bell, going the other way, Halibut. I haven't seen
any salmon taken out here, either." squawk!
"Breaker one one, radio check please."squawk! (silence)
"Two fish in the box, boys and we sure are marking a lot of good stuff
below. My, my!" squawk!
"Fish in the box person, this is Pork Chop, would you be so good as to
give us your location?"squawk! (silence)
"Pork Chop, Halibut here, I don't think I like that person...no
manners."squawk!
"You're right, Halibut. Seems we have someone out here who isn't willing
to share."squawk!
"Breaker, breaker eleven, could I have a radio check, please!"squawk!
(silence)
"Is anyone picking up fish around the point?"squawk!
"No marks out here....just being ripped apart by mackerel." squawk!
"Peach Fuzz, is that you?"squawk!
"Morning, Halibut."squawk!
"Morning, Peach Fuzz, you seen some guy bring in a couple fish?"squawk!
"Negatory, my man."squawk!
"Three fish in the box, boys. This last one has to go at least thirty
and that's no radio fish."squawk!
"Are you going to tell us your location, Fish in the Box?"squawk!
(silence)
"I'd like to sink that guy's boat"squawk!
"Easy, Peach Fuzz, easy."squawk!
"Well, by all rights he should tell us where he's catching fish, its just
plain common courtesy."squawk!
"Your right, Peach Fuzz, but some people aren't like the rest of us.
Isn't that true, Fish in the Box?!!"squawk! (silence)
"Fishy Ishi, where are you now?"squawk!
"Just pulling up off Asilomar, Pork Chop."squawk!
"Do you see our mystery fisherman?"squawk!
"Nothing but a party boat out here. No action. I passed Peach Fuzz on
the way. He was playing a mackerel."squawk!
"One of many. Maybe that Fish in the Box clown is way outside."squawk!
"I don't think so, Peach Fuzz. The draggers would be out there. They're
making passes inside 'A' and 'B.'"squawk!
"Halibut, do you see anyone in toward Mulligan."squawk!
"Only two small boats trying for flounder, Pork Chop."squawk!
"Maybe, Fish in the Box is floundering. I'd like to flounder him!"squawk!
"Down Peach Fuzz, down boy. No, he's picking up salmon and doesn't want
a crowd around him. Just keep your eyes skinned and call out if you see
anybody digging the water with their net."squawk!
"Breaker please, breaker one one. Please. Need a radio check,
please."squawk!
"We all read you loud and clear, radio check. What's your
location?"squawk!
"Thanks for the check, I'm just pulling into Turlock." squawk!
"Turlock??? Did he say Turlock? That's in the Central Valley! " squawk!
"Now there is a man with a powerful radio."squawk!
"Four fish in the box, boys. Sugar Buns, you have your ears on?"squawk!
"I sure do, Pigeon Breath, how's it going out there?"squawk!
"We got a full box and your lover boy is coming home. I'm clear"squawk!
"Pigeon Breath??? Very apropos."squawk!
(Note: This radio talk was fictional, but I think you get the gist of
it. And it's true, common courtesy is a guiding factor among the private
boats a bob in the bay....I'm clear.