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Miracle on San Antonio Bay
April 2, 2010, is a day Benny Judice will never forget, at least the parts of it he can remember. It was Good Friday and Benny was fishing with longtime friend Jeff Larson and Jeff's nine-year-old son, Brennen. They were in San Antonio Bay at the southern tip of the First Chain of Islands. The fishing there was fast and steady the day before, solid trout took their lures almost as fast as they could cast.
Benny and Jeff have been fishing and hunting waterfowl together for nearly twenty years, many times on the very reefs this tale took place. Just recently Benny was able to retire and pursue his dream of guiding fishermen and duck hunters on the Port O'Connor bays. Brennen, of course, is new to the team but coming up fast. Growing up in the company of hardcore outdoorsmen does that. Jeff has been teaching Brennen to drive bay skiffs and airboats since he quit wearing diapers. The angling and wingshooting skill he has developed are remarkable.
The day started well, although the action was slower. "We had some bites, soft little pecks, and landed a few. They weren't biting like the day before," Benny explained. "I figured we'd find them feeding somewhere along the reef and get into them."
Spreading out, Benny began exploring to the north while Jeff and Brennen worked slowly to the south. At the north end of the reef Benny crossed the trough to an adjacent island and began working that side back toward the others. "We were covering the whole gut and I couldn't believe we hadn't found them yet, but that's fishing," Benny said.
Determined, Benny ventured into a deeper area, almost directly across and about fifty yards from Jeff and Brennen. "I was getting in pretty deep and the water was lapping over my waders but it wasn't that cold and I didn't really mind," was Benny's description of how he got into trouble. "Next thing I know I took a step and there was nothing there, I went in over my head. I tried stepping back but it was a sharp ledge and the bottom was soft, gooey mud. I managed to push off and get my head up a couple times and I remember letting go of my rod and trying to swim, but that's all."
Being fairly close to Benny but separated by deep water, Jeff could not believe he was watching his friend drown right in front of him. Shouting at Benny not to give up and for Brennen to get the boat, (lucky that he could), Jeff began wading and probing with his fishing rod when Benny did not surface, all the while frantic to avoid the same fate.
"My mind was racing. Brennen had started the boat and pulled the anchor but he was stuck on the reef, screaming."
"Daddy, Daddy, don't drown. Don't let Benny drown."
"Benny's cap floated up and that helped mark the spot. I kept going even though my waders were filling. I was trying to tread water when I couldn't feel bottom. The last thing I wanted was to drown in front of my son knowing he'd try to save me and drown too. I shouted for him to stay in the boat with Benny's words, 'I ain't gonna make it, tell 'em I love 'em,' the last time he came up still ringing in my ears."
Jeff says what happened next could have only been divine intervention. "I was holding the rod about two-thirds of the way up and stabbing to find him. I can't say how long he was under but I knew it was too long. How he managed to grasp the rod handle and hold on will always be a mystery, I believe it was the hand of God."
Sensing that he had at least snagged Benny's clothing, Jeff began tugging. Barely able to keep his own head above water he finally grabbed the limp form. That's when he realized Benny was clutching the rod handle.
"He was unconscious and I thought he was dead. Actually, being out cold like that was probably a blessing because he wasn't fighting me. I pressed my fingers to his neck and found only a weak thump every few seconds. I knew there wasn't much time."
Managing to drag Benny back toward the shallow part of the reef, Jeff was relieved that Brennen's screaming had attracted the attention of two other fishermen. With their help he got Benny aboard just as he began coughing and spitting up saltwater, still unconscious. He came to about ten minutes into the boat ride to the dock where an EMS team was waiting. Thank God for cellular phones.
The EMS team made cursory checks to determine Benny was not in immediate danger and advised he go to the hospital in Port Lavaca right away, which he did. That afternoon he walked out counting his blessings.
So what can be learned from Benny's Good Friday miracle?
For starters, Benny purchased two inflatable PFDs the next day and swears he will wear one at all times he is on the water wearing waders.
Curious whether I would be able to save my own life wearing waders, Pam and I conducted an experiment in our pool and here's what we found.
-Air trapped inside your waders could help save your life.
-Wearing a belt outside your waders, cinched tightly about your upper abdomen, will keep your waders from fillingat least for eight or ten minutes.
-Wade belts with foam padding such as Wade-Aid greatly increase your buoyancy.
-Swimming in waders, even with belts that increase buoyancy, is difficult. The dog-paddle is about the only stroke you can perform for long.
-The inflatable PFD is very light and fairly comfortable to wear. Pulling the cord to inflate it is simple but should be practiced in the water so you know what to expect if and when you actually need it. Always remember you have to pull the cord; it does inflate automatically. Being thrown into deepwater, possibly unconscious, as might occur in a boating accident, would make you a goner.
Playing in a swimming pool is hardly the situation that nearly took Benny's lifeno fear of drowning, no sticky mud pulling at your wade boots, no current, no reason to panic. Panic is probably the single-most deadly element. I learned a lot in the pool this afternoon and encourage others to do the same.
Always use caution when wading and remember we cannot go fishing tomorrow if you drown today!
Benny and Jeff have been fishing and hunting waterfowl together for nearly twenty years, many times on the very reefs this tale took place. Just recently Benny was able to retire and pursue his dream of guiding fishermen and duck hunters on the Port O'Connor bays. Brennen, of course, is new to the team but coming up fast. Growing up in the company of hardcore outdoorsmen does that. Jeff has been teaching Brennen to drive bay skiffs and airboats since he quit wearing diapers. The angling and wingshooting skill he has developed are remarkable.
The day started well, although the action was slower. "We had some bites, soft little pecks, and landed a few. They weren't biting like the day before," Benny explained. "I figured we'd find them feeding somewhere along the reef and get into them."
Spreading out, Benny began exploring to the north while Jeff and Brennen worked slowly to the south. At the north end of the reef Benny crossed the trough to an adjacent island and began working that side back toward the others. "We were covering the whole gut and I couldn't believe we hadn't found them yet, but that's fishing," Benny said.
Determined, Benny ventured into a deeper area, almost directly across and about fifty yards from Jeff and Brennen. "I was getting in pretty deep and the water was lapping over my waders but it wasn't that cold and I didn't really mind," was Benny's description of how he got into trouble. "Next thing I know I took a step and there was nothing there, I went in over my head. I tried stepping back but it was a sharp ledge and the bottom was soft, gooey mud. I managed to push off and get my head up a couple times and I remember letting go of my rod and trying to swim, but that's all."
Being fairly close to Benny but separated by deep water, Jeff could not believe he was watching his friend drown right in front of him. Shouting at Benny not to give up and for Brennen to get the boat, (lucky that he could), Jeff began wading and probing with his fishing rod when Benny did not surface, all the while frantic to avoid the same fate.
"My mind was racing. Brennen had started the boat and pulled the anchor but he was stuck on the reef, screaming."
"Daddy, Daddy, don't drown. Don't let Benny drown."
"Benny's cap floated up and that helped mark the spot. I kept going even though my waders were filling. I was trying to tread water when I couldn't feel bottom. The last thing I wanted was to drown in front of my son knowing he'd try to save me and drown too. I shouted for him to stay in the boat with Benny's words, 'I ain't gonna make it, tell 'em I love 'em,' the last time he came up still ringing in my ears."
Jeff says what happened next could have only been divine intervention. "I was holding the rod about two-thirds of the way up and stabbing to find him. I can't say how long he was under but I knew it was too long. How he managed to grasp the rod handle and hold on will always be a mystery, I believe it was the hand of God."
Sensing that he had at least snagged Benny's clothing, Jeff began tugging. Barely able to keep his own head above water he finally grabbed the limp form. That's when he realized Benny was clutching the rod handle.
"He was unconscious and I thought he was dead. Actually, being out cold like that was probably a blessing because he wasn't fighting me. I pressed my fingers to his neck and found only a weak thump every few seconds. I knew there wasn't much time."
Managing to drag Benny back toward the shallow part of the reef, Jeff was relieved that Brennen's screaming had attracted the attention of two other fishermen. With their help he got Benny aboard just as he began coughing and spitting up saltwater, still unconscious. He came to about ten minutes into the boat ride to the dock where an EMS team was waiting. Thank God for cellular phones.
The EMS team made cursory checks to determine Benny was not in immediate danger and advised he go to the hospital in Port Lavaca right away, which he did. That afternoon he walked out counting his blessings.
So what can be learned from Benny's Good Friday miracle?
For starters, Benny purchased two inflatable PFDs the next day and swears he will wear one at all times he is on the water wearing waders.
Curious whether I would be able to save my own life wearing waders, Pam and I conducted an experiment in our pool and here's what we found.
-Air trapped inside your waders could help save your life.
-Wearing a belt outside your waders, cinched tightly about your upper abdomen, will keep your waders from fillingat least for eight or ten minutes.
-Wade belts with foam padding such as Wade-Aid greatly increase your buoyancy.
-Swimming in waders, even with belts that increase buoyancy, is difficult. The dog-paddle is about the only stroke you can perform for long.
-The inflatable PFD is very light and fairly comfortable to wear. Pulling the cord to inflate it is simple but should be practiced in the water so you know what to expect if and when you actually need it. Always remember you have to pull the cord; it does inflate automatically. Being thrown into deepwater, possibly unconscious, as might occur in a boating accident, would make you a goner.
Playing in a swimming pool is hardly the situation that nearly took Benny's lifeno fear of drowning, no sticky mud pulling at your wade boots, no current, no reason to panic. Panic is probably the single-most deadly element. I learned a lot in the pool this afternoon and encourage others to do the same.
Always use caution when wading and remember we cannot go fishing tomorrow if you drown today!