Ok I admit while getting a 50 was great, the years go by and its like I never got it at all. My question is would you rather have a 50 to your name or, a bunch of fish in the 30s and 40s consitantly...Thats a tough call so again if someone told you you will get a 50 for sure this year or, you can give that up and have 10 years with multiple 30s and 40s each of those ten seasons which would you chose? How important is that 50 really?? I will say that I dont judge a fisherman on weather he has a 50 or not if a guy consistantly catches fish he is doing something right, you cant pick the size......Whatca think!

Like age, 50 is just a number. I just like catching fish. I think given your question, consistent fish in the 25-30lb class would keep me happy for a long long time.

But I'll take the 50 if it ever comes. :hihi:

I'd like to consistantly catch 30-40#ers. Not one a year or two but once a month, maybe. Once or twice a year I'd settle for an epic battle, half the time seeing the monster that wins. But I'll settle for the surf life that I have now. :fishslap:

I've caught bass up to 49.9pounds, lots of lesser 40's and lot's of 30's. Consistently though the best fighting fish we ever caught were surf caught 35 pounders in late May and early June on Monomoy Island in the 70's and early eighties. Hard, solid and all muscle and keen competition made them not hesitate to be first to a lure or eel. Hungry after swimming 1000 miles and in large schools they hit, fought like freight trains. Ask any surfcaster who experienced it and they will tell you the same. We called 'em racers. Take the rod right out of your hands in the first wave when they hit. Nothing in the striper world could match them. :claps:

I've caught bass up to 49.9pounds, lots of lesser 40's and lot's of 30's. Consistently though the best fighting fish we ever caught were surf caught 35 pounders in late May and early June on Monomoy Island in the 70's and early eighties. Hard, solid and all muscle and keen competition made them not hesitate to be first to a lure or eel. Hungry after swimming 1000 miles and in large schools they hit, fought like freight trains. Ask any surfcaster who experienced it and they will tell you the same. We called 'em racers. Take the rod right out of your hands in the first wave when they hit. Nothing in the striper world could match them. :claps:

:hihi:

I'd take consistent 30's and 40's over one 50 hands down.

I'll take numerous 49# fish over 1 50# any day! :cool:

I'll take numerous 49" fish over 1 50" any day! :cool:


same here :lurk:

I want to catch one "fifty".


soze i can be an internet hero too.

I probably have no business replying to this thread because I have yet to break the 30 mark from shore. That said I would obviously prefer several larger fish over time to one trophy.

Funny thing. I was watching "Over Hauling" tonight and this one guy started crying after the guys showed him his completely redone Road Runner. It made me think If the day comes when I do catch my 50 I will probably lay down in the sand and start sobing like a little girl. :crying:

i dont care any more just bend my rod
i got a jillion big fish
who cares have fun:)
steve You see the 40lb racer i put up some where around here.
funny u mention racer as I aint herd that word in a while.
its amazing when You have a tooth pulled........
it make You talk wellfeet :hihi:

As long as its got stripes Im happy :buds:

i dont care any more just bend my rod
i got a jillion big fish
who cares have fun:)
steve You see the 40lb racer i put up some where around here.
funny u mention racer as I aint herd that word in a while.
its amazing when You have a tooth pulled........
it make You talk wellfeet :hihi:

I just don't want to see a tail on that jeep. Then you know you have gone Wellfleet! :wavey:

wicked, i got my front tooth pulled and I talk in wellfleet :hihi:
need u to call me

:tooth: (yer new avatar) ;)

:wavey: BM..


gawd, don't do the wellfoot tail.....

I think my signature says it all :laughs: :laughs: :laughs: :laughs:

Hey guys I'm pretty damn new to surfcasting (only have one keeper! ha!) and I would take consistant catching of ANY stripers any day. Maybe 10-20 years from now though I will want that 50!

a 35 every week beats a 50 and for you new guys, I have surf fished for 40 years and never got a 50. Close quite a few times, lots of mid to high 40s and tons (literally) of 30's but no 50. Know what, I really don't care as I am sure, and I have thought about it, I'll let the old girl go if she's in good enough shape to survive. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

The size doesnt matter, who really gives a $%^&. It's about that feeling in your soul when you hook up and do battle, the adrenaline rush, the surroundings of nature, being able to unleash both the inner child and primitive man all at the same time-- it gets no better than that. That feeling can and has come from 40's and dinks, its all good!

does not matter to me! It does depend on the person and how much fame they want to get out of it. Each year a few more people catch a 50 and they are instant experts and such. They start speaking at shows, writing articles for fishing mags and start endorsing surf gear. Not trying to stir up trouble just looking at the perception out there.

They start speaking at shows, writing articles for fishing mags and start endorsing surf gear. Not trying to stir up trouble just looking at the perception out there.

Yup Yup; :behead: too much of that today....

does not matter to me! It does depend on the person and how much fame they want to get out of it. Each year a few more people catch a 50 and they are instant experts and such. They start speaking at shows, writing articles for fishing mags and start endorsing surf gear. Not trying to stir up trouble just looking at the perception out there.

My perception is that there are A LOT of guys out there that have caught 50's and the last thing they want is for anyone to know about it. They're very secretive about how many, how big, and where they catch fish. But I do agree that some people want to brag about it.

Here's a true story:

I was fishing an unnamed place where most people drive on to the beach. I was trying to get off the beach but the track was blocked by a truck that failed to air-down and two guys were frantically trying to dig the truck out (this is about 1:00a). One guy is so drunk that as he was airing down one of the rear tires (still sideways in the middle of the track) he lost his balance and smacked his face on the rear fender. The other guy walked over to me to apologize for blocking and said they'd be out soon...he reeked of alcohol. He also bragged that he'd caught a 55 lber there the night before.

He ran back to his truck and gunned the engine, spraying tons of sand in the face of his buddy who was still behind the truck, recovering from smacking his face. They eventually got unstuck and I left the beach.

The next day, I went to a local tackle shop and sure enough, there's a brand new picture on the bulletin board, showing these too yahoos with a 53 pound fish! So I'm guessing that catching a 50 is a much luck as anything else.

My satisfaction comes in being able to consistantly catch the better fish the area has to offer.

I'll take the numbers over size any day! More meat :drool:

does not matter to me! It does depend on the person and how much fame they want to get out of it. Each year a few more people catch a 50 and they are instant experts and such. They start speaking at shows, writing articles for fishing mags and start endorsing surf gear. Not trying to stir up trouble just looking at the perception out there.

Unfortunatly, this is not what the thread was about, I never asked about "fame" Lets face it to some people 50 is a magical number. I dont judge how good a person is by the size of the fish but I do respect a surfcaster who has paid his or her dues and has a 50 to there credit, its a great acomplishment and certainly something to be proud of, if it wasnt it would not be talked about so much over the years no doubt about it a 50 is a special fish. But I may agree with most here that I would most likely take the consistancy over a 50 but, since I was lucky enough to land one, I will take it!

And if a person can capitalize on the fame of a 50, why not? why does it bother you? If you know they are full of it, then turn away and dont listen?

But for me I respect any good surfcaster that has a 50, its the holy grail of our sport and its what everyone deep down inside wants!! Its like being a race car driver and saying its ok to never win? A 50 keeps fisherman going its something to aspire to and its an acheviable goal...

But I hope this thread is not now going to also tumble into the gutter,

I just read jealosy in that post and the start of a thread gone bad, if you had a 50 and shimano knocked on your door with an endorsement contract, I am sure you would not slam it in there face? would you?? Come on A 50 isnt everything in the world but, in the surf game its what everyone wants!! I have never met a fisherman that has said "I dont want a 50" nope never.

I want a 50...Now!

I want a 50 too but I dont think anyone will want to hear about it for the next five years........

As it is a great thrill to catch a big fish I am happy catching 8 inch stripers
so It doesn't mater to me, just give me the sea air and the outdoors

I'd prefer the consistent fish over the one big one. I'd be happy with anything consistent right now the way my year is going. Paul

its the holy grail of our sport and its what everyone deep down inside wants!!
How did 50 become so damn important??? It's 25#'s + UNDER the record! I don't lessen anyone's personal accomplishment, whether their best be 10#, 30#, or 70#, but when did 50 become the magical number? Ask anyone I fish with, that's not my goal. No rest until the true holy grail is reached. 80#'s, and she goes back in the surf. The jealousy and rumors of other surf men is not worth the catch to me. I don't want to be an internet hero, or a self proclaimed expert. But, back to the subject. I'll take consistant numbers over one single fish any day. I've been to your holy grail and back, so I know it isn't quite as special to me, personally, as it is to others.

i'd take consistent 20- 30's over one 50 any season.

:buds: Toby is going "all in" :claps: Gotta friggin love that!! :cheers:

I just want to catch fish consistently with some nice ones mixed in... if I have good action, add in some keepers, maybe a 20#er, I've had a great day.

I definitely get a rush when I have a big fish on. My biggest fish is 33# and I want to best that for now... heck I'd just like to get back into the 30# club, but it doesn't drive me at all. It might drive me to get up a bit earlier, but I don't really focus on "I need a big fish today".

The best way to explain it is you always hope for that big fish... I think the allure of saltwater fishing is you never know what might grab your lure or bait any given moment... but some people seem very driven to catch big fish or nothing.

For the most part, I just want to be out on the water catching some fish and that's what drives me. Just getting time out there.

Well said TLAPINSKI!

How did 50 become so damn important???, The jealousy and rumors of other surf men is not worth the catch to me. I don't want to be an internet hero, or a self proclaimed expert.

sorry if I didnt answer the question Bill, but I would take consistency vs size.

I am with Tlap on this one, 50# a holy grail ? not in my book....Say over 70# that is more like it.

I really want 1 fish every time I go. I hate to go and get nothing. Above that one fish each trip , its all gravy. Of course we all want a big one.

I hope that if I get a 50 I am man enough to put it back alive without needing to parade it around town to prove to people i got it. i will know and that's enough.

One big fish doesn't make a fisherman . i know a guy who caught one fish in his life (at the time) . he went on a charter and caught a single fish. It happened to top 60 pounds. it was his only fish ever and he won the Mass governors award that year for the biggest fish in the state. The plack is hanging on the wall. Does the fact that a big fish happened to swollow his hook make him a great fisherman??? I don't think so.

Anyway , i would summarize my view by saying that the guy who consistently catches fish is a good fisherman and should be proud of his ability. the guy who catches a fifty is a lucky man and he should thank god for his lucky catch ten times more often than he brags about it. I also think that if you are truly a great fisherman , other people will say so. If the only person saying it is you , you have a long way to go. i also think that people can only stand to hear about someones fishing ability just so much. If that quota is used up by the guys own bragging all the time , there's no room for others to give him praise. If you really want to be considered 'one of the best" , keep your mouth shut and let other people sing your praises.

wow, I never would have thought the 50 was hated so much :shocked:

I wnat to know what made 5o lbs the golded standard? was it the shaefermeyer tournament and those nifty 50 pins???

I wnat to know what made 5o lbs the golded standard? was it the shaefermeyer tournament and those nifty 50 pins???

No, it's because 50#+ fish are rare. Just go back and read Piemma's post.

There are lots of guys like him around, guys with plenty of 40s and tons of 30s. 50 has been the gold standard as long as I've been around, and long before.

It's why people take the trouble to point out that great fishermen like Frank Woolner and Bunny DiPetro never caught a 50.

It doesn't mean that Piemma, Woolner or anyone else in the 50-less club is any lesser of a fishermen. It doesn't bother Piemma, I don't know if it bothered Woolner, but I know Bunny was always looking for that 50 until he died. One of the great stories was when he caught a real good fish in the Canal, weighed it in, and was seen stomping around the parking lot and cursing when the scale stopped at 49-1/2.

i caught 4 fish on a habs popper last night
i went home after an hour
i like bonito
i like U
i like the cape
I like beer
I like women

no 50 # for me & I honestly don,t care /if I did I would fish for large /I rarely do // even when I was full time commercial --I made most of my money of fish under 10# / I was forced to go large /because there were no more smalls // like Flap plenty of large but no 50,s on the scale // back then /before they actually saw & relized a decline in Stripers / the going price for large was 10 ,15 cents & schoolies were .35 //I think the most for schoolies ended for me arounf $1.25 ,I can,t remember the final large price before the moraterium [sp] now the price if great only if fishing is tight / before ,if you caught it & the fish was 16" it went to market -12 months a year ...
so I go strictly for fun // I,ll fish nights with eels // more because of the daytime ya-hoos & the bass sulking & the @#$%^&8 blues feeding ..

Plus in all reality ,with the gear I use,, the tender care I give it ,the perfect knots I tie /that someone untie ,s I,d never even seen that 50#

anyway ya put it /Clammer not leaving this earth with a 50# UNLESS on a real good day ya all will let me at up 25 2# er,s :wid: