Welp, another season of learning lots of stuff. Thanks to all those that passed some wisdom through thoughts or action. I watch what others do in the surf, see whats working, whats not and some funny " I cant believe he just did that"!

One thing I learned the hard way this year, is I need to be vigilant with my leaders. I get lazy, dont wanna retie, it'll catch one more fish, frame of mind. I screwed myself :smash: The lures I dont mind losing, the fishes that yanked 2 50yd runs w/ my drag cranked down, I mind.

Dont pass judgement. I met a young kid, 16ish, hops down on some rocks to one side of me a ways, chucks a couple casts, hits a hi 20's and goes home. He got the largest I saw that day Found out later from a guy I fish with it, the kids got a couple 50's on him. I saw what/where he threw, he knew the fish was there.
Mouth shut, eyes open. :cool:

I also learned, even if your hitting fish, sometimes its good to move a little here or over there and see whats around. If fish are there, could be some larger ones holding ground nearby in some different type of structure. It can pay to search, even after you've found them. Its good to be able to see whats under water, too. ;)

Ill post more thoughts as I remember them. Its tuf when they're not swimming in front of u anymore.

Other than new gear and stuff, what insights, epiphanies or cool little tricks did you learn in the striper surf this year?

I learned when fishing off the RR trestle in the Hampton Marsh, not to walk down the sloped rock that makes up the sides of the trestle. I wiped out one night, I was alone, and it sucked. I went up to get my favorite nighttime minnow plug, and some more Herring (had 2 rods going). On my way back down, theres goes my legs out from under me. It was dewy out, and I paid tha price! lol. Lost my fave lure, bounced off the ledge, into the outgoing tide of the marsh. Under the trestle it went. Luckily I didnt fall in. That tide is pretty strong.

After that, I decided to just chunk the rest of my herring, cuz they were hittin it hard. A friend drove down the trail and met me soon after my little accident. We fished the rest of the bait and caught a dozen or so Stripy's between 15" to 24".

I learned that I am gonna have to wait until 2004 to go over 40 pounds!:huh: :buds: Hey JohnR...like the new smilies!

with all the time i've spent on the road this season, i've appreciated the value of being organized. things like having the truck all packed up the night before a trip. making sure tides and moon phases are accounted for before i head out. a plan of attack of where and how to fish, even if it's an outline. maybe a backup/contingency plan that anticipates change in conditions.

preparation helps me get the most out of my trips.

Joe Lyons had an interesting article in OTW on getting organized. I tell you, that article really resonated with me.

me! nothing new:smash: everything I've been doin is just fine, nothins broke, why try to fix it....I will say I've been goin back to my old ways, meaning I'm not tryin to go out an kill myself for a fish, relax an enjoy what comes....an not go out an buy every new fangled thing that comes on the market....gone back to basics ......it works:D

Learned:

Fishing under a bright full moon isn't as useless a waste of time as I used to think. :)

Learned a lot this year - learned a lot more on plugging.

Learned a lot on lines

Learned a lot on how much abuse I can put on a MagE between cleanings :eek5:

Learned how much I enjoy fishing with others....

Learned how much I enjoy fishing alone :D

Had a LOT of fun fishin' other people's plugs!

Learned that I still have a LONG way to go :)

Learned that I might REALLY be interested in Ditch Fishing (not that I'll have the time)

Learned that regardless of how much I might try, I cannot even possibly be fishing as much as I'd like to but I still realized that priorities had to come first.... Learned that my wife's job sucks, but its a job...

Anchoring and waiting for fish to come by works.
How to and what gear to use for fishing for schoolie bluefin.
More spots in CC bay.
Hauling in 300ft wire line for a skate blows.
A tug and tow on the radar ISN'T P-town and a ship.
Its alot easier to fillet fish when they've been on ice for over 24hrs.
Nemo was a good movie, but I'd still use the lil guy for bait. :D

get out more
totally learning a 5 mile stretch of waterfront is better than knowing 30 spots scattered between the cape and the hill
find the fish, don't wait around for when and if they find you
I can stuff a whole glazed donut in my mouth and still take a sip of coffee

I leaned to cypher my pictures better . I never knew the watoosy was actually a dance . I learned not to hit people and not to bite .

I learned the hard way to change all hooks on storebought plugs with 4x VMC hooks. This season I lost my big girl becasue I horsed her in a little to strong and I ended up bending all 3 trebles on the megabait plug that I was using.:smash:
I saw her just under the wash and she had to be at the very least a 40# maybe even 50...
oh well... live and learn

Don't forget to use split rings also Eben!:uhuh: With closed eye hooks!:kewl:

Well I learned that when some jerk comes screaming up the empty beach to fish right on top of me that I should flip them the finger and keep on fishin, that people arent always what they appear, spots arent always what they appear and that mosquitos CAN eat you alive.....:(

but the BEST thing I learned was how to relax a little more while fishing.....and sometimes just sit back and WATCH......:D


oh and a 2" largemouth Will try to swallow a 6" senko! (wasnt even hooked...just had it lodged in its throut TOO FUNNY!)

I have also learned that eben has lost a lot of big fish due to technical malfunctions:laughs:

I learned big fish will follow your eel right up to the boat - so always be ready.

I learned how to motor right past a bluefish blitz - Thanks Clammer.

Oh...also learned I gotta spend the winter months trying to stock up on Habs needlefish plugs!:drool: :kewl:

Good topic.
Let's see, this year I learned

-- when the doggies are in, go someplace else. Period. I have to re-learn this every year, though.

-- tin will work at night. At least, it did for me.

-- bigger plug, bigger fish.

-- if your catch and release policy is gonna work, you've got to be very gentle with the fish, much more than I'd previously thought

-- fishing really crowded spots is often more trouble than it's worth

-- plugs have an instinctive yearning to get lost at sea. Just expect this and don't let it bother you too much. It's part of the cost of being out there. I have to re-learn this every year, though.

-- good quality gear is generally worth having, if you can get it.

-- you can never pay too much attention to knots.

-- you can never learn too many knots.

-- the time to change leaders is as soon as you think about it.

-- circle hooks save fish's lives.

-- all stripers are beautiful. The little ones, too.

-- there's no such thing as a dependable flashlight. Carry two.

-- sooner or later, if I don't buy Korkers, I'm gonna bust my ass. Too many close calls this time around. There's a message for me in this. I hope I don't have to re-learn it next year.

-- It's a waste to smoke a good cigar in a strong onshore breeze.

-- drinking too much coffee when you're wearing waders can be a real hassle.

-- being a Red Sox fan is very helpful to the striped bass fisherman's mindset. The true Sox fan's faith is the same faith that will carry you forward despite many a skunking.

-- striper fishermen don't care enough about lugging their trash out. We need to literally clean up our act.

-- bass will come, and bass will go, but skates are forever. Too damn true.

KMX makes ya fish longer Thanks Joe. remove cell phone while wading:smash:....do not gaff sharks, even though its fun

I learned how much fun it can be hooking into a Blue fin tuna
while jigging for cod in 300 ft. of water, ( it actually took the
teaser):D :D Ron

I also learned that it is better to go fishing on a beautiful fall night for monster stripers, than to stay in and watch the Red Sox blow game seven of the ALCS. Caught my largest of the season that night, so it was worth it!:uhuh:

I learned that there are big Bass at Block Island....will fish it more next season:happy:

I learned that you should always keep a full bottle of Capt. Morgan on your boat just in case.:cheers: :gu: :buds:

Capn Morgans? Ew lol. Bottle of Yayg! Now we're talkin :)

I also learned that Goat Island in New Castle is very very cool. Will frequent there more next year.

Hopefully I'll have learned to pull in the Chum/Churn before I move the boat, or atleast to add floatation to the next one I buy!:doh: :crying: Ron

I learned what Striper fishing was...Never did it before this year now will never have a year where I won't do it.

Learned what fishing a Blitz was all about........Now THAT was awesome.

Learned that at the very least I should be wearing Felt Soles, if not Korkers ( Which are on my xmas list this year)........learned that one the hard way.

Learned that there are plenty of people out there that are willing to help you get enjoyment out of the sport.

learned "Spot" is a four letter word. NEVER ask about any info on it. :D

Learned about what equipment to use, What lures work best (still plenty to learn on that one) and the best times to fish ( my wife thought I was insane for getting up at 5 for golf, Thats sleeping in now)

and, finally, that there's a fine line between being a fisherman and being certifiably insane.

I can't begin to recite what I've learned from the various forums on fishing and plugmaking to name a couple, not that I always can put it to immediate practical use. And it's not just fishing, it's life's lessons and camaraderie, too. That instruction and inspiration alone keeps me coming back for more. I also learned that it is always worthwhile to take just one more cast, even if it's just a schoolie. I learned cheap wading shoes will fall apart and result in an uncomfortable day of fishing at the most inopportune time (sorta funny looking back on it, though). I learned more about baits; when to use them and how to rig them than I ever thought possible. Finally, I learned that quitting smoking made me a better fisherman, husband, and father. In 2004 I'd really like to learn what it's like to actually fish with some of the experts and personalities from the site (you come here, or I'll come there, doesn't matter to me).

Here goes....

1. Black plugs at night really do work (very well!)
2. Perfect conditions do not always equal good fishing
3. I really need some felt bottomed boots
4. There are plenty of bass around in the heat of the summer
5. This site has been a great help and I really enjoy the conversations out here. I hope to meet more of you next year and get involved in some of the activities.
6. Patience and perserverance pay off

Here's one I just remembered.
I found working a large polaris or any popper, but esp. polaris' like a pencil popper were viscous fish getters!!
While retrieving the polaris slow and getting up and the head slapping back n' forth worked way better than just dragging a popper back or working a pencil.

i re-learned you have a limit of 8 images on sol. :smash:

I learned that EVERY SINGLE time you go with Clammer you can learn or see something new as long as you don't take off too early ;)

Originally posted by JPowers
Learned:

Fishing under a bright full moon isn't as useless a waste of time as I used to think. :) :D

I learned not to lift/slide decent sized fish with my expensive graphite rod :(
live and learn....

I learned surf fishing is a lot more fun than bridge, jetty, or fishing the beach without waders. This is my first year actually getting in the suds and surf fishing. I still have a lot to learn and hope each year I will learn something new.

Hey John,
I also learned that if you want to put a post on this site that could be funny you should place it on the Scuppers forum !!:smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash:

Hey Fred,
I would like to learn what it would take to become a member of the " Team Sea Monkey "
Is Captain Morgan the president of the team?

Ron:gu: :gu:

I just learned that people think there are rules that have to be followed . never met a rule I never broke !

there are rules ?

Hey Ron,
Are you going to the Christmas party? If so, I will explain every thing........:cheers: :gu: :buds: