'Twas the bite before Christmas , when all through the Keys
Most of the Anglers were enjoying a warm Ocean breeze
The rods were all rigged by the transom with care
In hopes that big fish would soon leave their lairs
The beers were nestled all snug in the ice
While visions of hookups soon would be nice
When out on the flats there arose such a splash
I sprang from the helm to see a bright silver splash
Away from the clatter I drove in a dash
The outboard's high revs ate up more of my cash
The sun on the glass of the calm Ocean Seas
Gave the luster of the Caribbean to the coconut trees
When, what to my Costa-clad eyes should appear
But a monster, bearded permit & eight tiny Key deer
With a little remora so shiny & black
I knew in a moment it was Christmas Jack (Crevalle Jack, fighting fish
He jumped & breached as he called them by name
"Now Snapper! Now Grouper, Now Lobster & Wrass
On Marlin! On Sailfish! On Cuda & Sea Bass
To the top of the tuna tower! To the top of the mast!
Now swim away! Swim away! Swim away fast!"
I heard him exclaim 'ere he dove out of sight
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good fight."
condensed version and I am not the author
Most of the Anglers were enjoying a warm Ocean breeze
The rods were all rigged by the transom with care
In hopes that big fish would soon leave their lairs
The beers were nestled all snug in the ice
While visions of hookups soon would be nice
When out on the flats there arose such a splash
I sprang from the helm to see a bright silver splash
Away from the clatter I drove in a dash
The outboard's high revs ate up more of my cash
The sun on the glass of the calm Ocean Seas
Gave the luster of the Caribbean to the coconut trees
When, what to my Costa-clad eyes should appear
But a monster, bearded permit & eight tiny Key deer
With a little remora so shiny & black
I knew in a moment it was Christmas Jack (Crevalle Jack, fighting fish
He jumped & breached as he called them by name
"Now Snapper! Now Grouper, Now Lobster & Wrass
On Marlin! On Sailfish! On Cuda & Sea Bass
To the top of the tuna tower! To the top of the mast!
Now swim away! Swim away! Swim away fast!"
I heard him exclaim 'ere he dove out of sight
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good fight."
condensed version and I am not the author