Aircraft carrier Oriskany waits in Pensacola Bay for its last voyage.

The James Gang often jokes about being spoiled and complacent with trips that only yield several 20-pound fish and no “really big fish.” And they are spoiled, but they never lose sight of what fishing is really about: family, fun and friends. No one epitomizes what’s right about fishing better than the James Gang. So if you see a couple of gray-haired men dancing on the bow of the Nothin’ Matters, while “Family Tradition” blares from the stereo, they might have James in the box, but chances are they just had a good time fishing, giving each other grief and eating cold fried chicken.

The beauty of James is that as soon as someone breaks the current record of 80 pounds, 6 ounces, no one will admit they got him. “It couldn’t be James,” they’ll cry. Which is just another excuse to keep huntin’ him—and thank goodness for that.

FS