attacked by hardhead cat.

ok not really attacked but heres the story.I was out at katrina cut yesterday(by myself) from around 10 am till right before dark.and I kept catching these massive hardhead cats on the gulfside so I started fishing the bayside.after a few hours around 6pm i tried the gulfside again caught a few croaker worth keeping.and then the hardheads started back up.it was about the 1000th hardhead that I was pulling my hook out of when he went crazy flopped off the hook and attached himself to my left ankle.during the course of getting him off I ended up with a total of 4 wounds.ok I eventually get him off of me and back in the water.then the pain hit it felt like he took my foot off.I have been stuck twice before but it didnt hurt like this.so a few minutes pass by and the pain subsides.ok well I am back up and fishing on the rocks bay side about 15 minutes after the attack when like a light switch im out barely had enough time to sit down before I passed out.I know it wasnt from the pain it had already almost subsided.anyone ever have this happen?

And did all this occur under the influence of fine or cheap spirits?

no sir I do not drink nor do anything else unhealthy for me.my fiance thinks it was probably due to a lack of food and dehydration.I hadnt eaten since breakfast and had been without water for a few hours.so she may be right.but as for the spirits.I am a bit of a health nut I dont even eat sweets or fried food.but rereading what I posted.if I were at a distance watching that happen I would probably think that I was a little juiced to lol

If you were out in the sun that long, you're lucky you didn't pass out in the afternoon sun and get baked.
Sounds like pain + heat. Be extra careful in the heat, drink H2O and relocate or change baits after two hardheads!

not changing the subject or anything but the cut is one of my fave places to hit bc of the lack of vacationers,I havent actually went all the way to the other side and fished the west end stretch.may do it this weekend.you ever had any luck out there past the cut #r?

I underestimated how much water i needed.I brought a half gallon.I think also next time I may buy a cheap pop up canopy to take for some shade.

Dehydration was probably a major factor that made your system unable to handle the shock of the poison that the hardhead injected into your system. I have read that their poison affects some people like bee stings do people that are alergic to their poison.

i've been finned a coupla times over the years - passin' on some home remedies that worked for me...
1 - tobacco - plug or pouch chewin' tobacco, cigarette tobacco - take a good-size pinch, add a few drops of water, apply to puncture (basically a poultice)... nicotine will ease the sting, the spongy quality will act to draw out the poison.
2 - Adolph's meat tenderizer - 'bout a big spoonful, few drops of water, apply to puncture - dunno what's in it, but it works almost as good as tobacco does.
3 - slime from the catfish belly - never tried this one, so I can't speak to its effectiveness... the first two worked for me though, one time each... back when I live/dead bait fished I kept a plug of "Bull of the Woods" chewin' tobacco in my box - learned that trick in the 50s from my dad. also, before ya chunk the offending bugger back take a close look at the spine that got ya - make sure it's sharp - you don't want the point breakin' off in ya - then it's MD time. Epsom salt soaks can help with the swelling. next time you see one, pick up a Baker Hook-Out - worth their weight in gold sometimes... good luck, keep yer tip up...

I got stuck under the skin through the bottom of my middle fingernail by a small hardhead in early May. I had the hook with my pliers trying to shake him off . It stung and bled for a while and started swelling. Note to self: don't let that happen.

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Originally Posted by gnomepunter

not changing the subject or anything but the cut is one of my fave places to hit bc of the lack of vacationers,I havent actually went all the way to the other side and fished the west end stretch.may do it this weekend.you ever had any luck out there past the cut #r?

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Yes sir!
THE best day I ever had wade fishing for specks was about 10 years ago just west of the west side of where the rocks end at the former cut.
It seems there are mud banks there which periodically become uncovered and stage some significant gatherings of trout in the summer.
It is still a good area but now requires a boat ride or quite a hike (almost 3/4 mile over rock rip-rap).

I do like to fish the eastern area in the winter when it really quiet and mostly secluded, but the public access is so restrictive during summer operations that it does not allow fishing during 'prime' fishing hours.

I hope all that brought on your episode was simple dehydration compounding the sting effects.
Perhaps the excitement and multiple injuries were to blame as well.
Be careful out there as it is quite secluded and help may be hard to find if needed.

I'd say the big man upstairs was looking out for you. Good thing you didn't hit your head on the rocks or worse drown by falling in the water when you passed out. I've had a few times where pain+not eating/dehydration almost put me down for a minute. I don't go out on the pier without some sort of snack and plenty of water. Worst pain I've ever felt was from a little leather jack.

1/2 gallon of water for a full days fishing in the Alabama sun is not enough. Not nearly enough. Throw in shock from a hardhead finning and you are lucky to have made it back.

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Originally Posted by troutslayer

i've been finned a coupla times over the years - passin' on some home remedies that worked for me...
3 - slime from the catfish belly - never tried this one, so I can't speak to its effectiveness...

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I can tell you that it does work. I got finned twice this summer taking them off my kid's lines (this was before I broke my leg and had to come home). I decided to do a test. One wound I rubbed the slime in it, the other wound I did nothing. The next day the 'slime' wound was not sore and hardly noticeable. The untreated wound is still visible after almost a month and a half (small scar) and was very sore for several days.