Just curious what everyone thinks about who is among the best of the best Striper fishermen. From the 60s to now. Who ranks among the best for consistency with size and numbers?

There are a bunch of great fisherman even on this board

Sergio de Somve comes to my mind. Won the derby 4 times including 3 years in a row. That's a damn good bass fisherman.

I also just read Frank Daignault's "Eastern Tides" I liked how he was know as the guy "with all the kids" I can't say I like how he killed thousands of Bass for $, but he sure could fish.

Obviously our own "Eel Man" is one of the better anglers still working his craft in the present day.

Just curious what everyone thinks about who is among the best of the best Striper fishermen. From the 60s to now. Who ranks among the best for consistency with size and numbers?

What do you think? I'm too young and have been bass fishing for too short of a time to have an opinion. Frank Woolner takes the title of coolest bass fisherman ever for me. I don't know who is/was the best.

Robert O. Greene of Logey Pogey fame is the first guy that comes to mind.

Simply put...don't care who's "the best".

What defines "best"?How many 50+ caught?How many Killed?How many any given idiot can lie about?How many pics can be posted on the net?
How many large can be bragged about?

No disrespect meant but its kind of a question that's ill defined."Best" could be interpreted by an 8yr old watching dad catch a 15lb bass.

Answer:there is no best,just fisherman.

i am :huh:

would you like to be :jester:

Spence.

your talking best dressed right?:hihi:

the best ones IMO are the ones that you never hear about.

because 9-11 didnt change the world

so his fancy clothes haven't changed either

therefore they don't count :jump:

Spence.

your talking best dressed right?:hihi:

the best ones IMO are the ones that you never hear about.

though i consider myself a dapper dresser from time to time... i have more jeans with holes in them then not..:rotf2: spence im sure takes it there

alas still claim to be the best:happy:
































oh wait... are we talking about fishing?

My Dad and Uncle are the best, they took me.

Every area has its own legend...in NY no bigger than Al Bentsen

Sherwood Lincoln maybe.

Stan Gibbs. There is more to being the best than just what you catch.

Tough call - especially the earlier guy as some of us are not as "historic" as you Pail :hihi:

Then? No idea, all we know are the big names of the day, Woolner, The Mad Russian, plus all the guys we never heard there names on...

Best today? Could throw a few names out there certainly. Stetzko is probably one of the best, his record speaks for itself.

Best I personally ever fished with? Nolan, no doubt in my mind...

Stan Gibbs. There is more to being the best than just what you catch.

I was going to say you,,but gotta go with Stan Gibbs ,,

Just to throw out a few names that you guys may not know.

Jack Linton,
The late Lanny Grazinni
Gil Guillitone
Tony Chirapo (sp)
Andy Lamar
George Calzone
Bill Nolan
Jerry Sylvester
Billy the Greek

Another vote for TC

Simply put...don't care who's "the best".

What defines "best"?How many 50+ caught?How many Killed?How many any given idiot can lie about?How many pics can be posted on the net?
How many large can be bragged about?

No disrespect meant but its kind of a question that's ill defined."Best" could be interpreted by an 8yr old watching dad catch a 15lb bass.

Answer:there is no best,just fisherman.

Perhaps I should have qualified the question by saying "most prolific".
I did say consistency. I am talking about year in and year out the guys that always have a number of 30's 40's and maybe a 50.
I am sorry you misinterpreted my question. Maybe I didn't make myself clear enough.

There are names that most have never heard who were unreal. John Lambro, Sr. comes to mind. I saw his Army surplus Jeep loaded with huge, not large many many times. There are others who I was never priviledged to have been introduced to. They didn't put up pictures of their work either, so no fame...

There are many legends who have helped the sport over the years. And it takes years to become a legend. They all contributed in different ways, even with different approaches to their fishing. The best? There aint one. I don't dare list names for fear of a significant omission....
However, in the recent era, our own Leo's consecutive Derby wins has been a great story!

I once asked Frank Woolner that question. He stated that the best bass fisherman knows how to use all the methods there are to take bass. The best are not relagated to just trolling wire or using live bait or just ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g a plug. The best know how to do it all and don't measure a man's place in the best because he catches this many fifties or that many forties because a lot of the best just catch a hell of a lot of fish, big and small.

I knew a few of the guys now gone and worshipped on this board and many others. Woolner, Gibbs, Murat, Perry, McArdle, Williams and many others now gone or who still quietly ply thier trade in the dark of night and say nothing. Some of these greats never took a fifty yet they could always produce. Money had a lot to do with pushing a man to go to extremes and therefore be noted as one of the best.

My personal opinion is that for just as many that we note today as being great there more who were just as good or better and kept thier mouths shut and shunned notoriety.

But if pressed it would have to be Laine, Chiarrapo (who incidently put more fish on the beach and eventually to the market than Laine ever did) and an old friend of mine Dave Kosewski of Falmouth, who only fishes for money and always did but quietly goes about his business putting lots of big fish each year on fish market or contest scales.

Frank Sabatowski has to be in the mix.

Ed Reid, Coddington, Luce. Names that few know but always catch.
Don't forget P. Lewis.:poke:

the best of the best, when it comes to consistant large, were probably some pinhookers out of LI, RI and the cape in the 60s and 70s. nothing hung for photos, just boxed and sold. "Night Tides" has a brief description of some of the LI guys but I'm sure there were similar guys all along the coast. The Greek is pretty impressive himself.

for any strictly surf guys to be mentioned the question would probably have to be rephrased to say best surf striper fisherman. there are some great surfcasters, ones who stand head and shoulders above the rest, out there, but I don't think they can do anything close, as far a consistant numbers of large, to what the great boat fisherman do. Too limited by having to target what's within reach.

Arnold Laine hasn't been mentioned

that's who comes to mind to me after Stan Gibbs

Today Tony Stetzko should be on the list too

The best I ever had the pleasure of fishing with...Steve Campo.

Another vote for Leo..Drumcorpfan

I once asked Frank Woolner that question. He stated that the best bass fisherman knows how to use all the methods there are to take bass.

Ask some of the old timers about the tricks Spyder pulled out of his a#@. :hihi:

Ed Reid, Coddington, Luce. Names that few know but always catch.
Don't forget P. Lewis.:poke:

I have had the pleasure of fishing with Ed Reid :rotf2:

A lot of the older guys talked very highly of Pergo Felice. They say he was the best and always caught bass and big bass at that.

John Grant BI

Lev M. on the Vineyard is up and coming. Young guy with some impressive numbers the past four years. He knows the spots and knows how to get the fish out of them. Most of the really good guys have a "home field" where they really shine. Same goes with with other kinds of fishing--the best fisherman have scrolls of spots in their heads.

Oh yeah--I'm good too. Someone please vote for me.

I am not sure "who was the best Bass fisherman" ?
But I am sure of this! :bl:
As a group who fished the Cape Cod waters for years it had to have been the Woolner brothers ,Arnold Laine and the Worcester Striper Club

Worcester won the Schaefer Saltwater fishing contest three years in a row 1950-51-52 (how many times did they come in 2nd or 3rd ?)
The only other team to do this in the history of the event was the Martha's Vineyard fishing club , some 20 years later 1972-73-74

VB

Steve Fougere was up there in the Newport area.
Boat, commercial, excellent bass fisherman.. still one of the BEST fluke fisherman out there today and he's in his upper 70's.... out there almost every nice day.

Most of the best Striper fishermen I know would use me as chum if I mentioned their names here. They fish spots that no one knows about and never report their catches. It sometimes takes years of fishing with these sharpies to get them to give you any tips. But, I have learned more from them than any book could have taught me.

Charter guys I consider the best (myself excluded :) )
RI:
Mike Neto- Adriana
Billy Silvia - Can't Imagine

CT:
Bruce Miller - Otter

NY:
Bob Rochetta - Rainbow
Bob Storc - Caprice

I don't know any of the guys mentioned and this might be a bit off topic but - one morning in Truro big bluefish were murdering peanut bunker up and down the beach. As me and my friends chased them along the surf line like demented chimps I notice a fella managing to land these thugs without getting bitten off. He was well back from the fish, casted a conv. perfectly and he set the hook with this really quick double set. He might have been the guy that ran the shop on Shankpainter Rd. in PTown, but I'm not sure. Anyways, I knew I was in the presence of a real pro.

I have had the pleasure of fishing with Ed Reid :rotf2:

A lot of the older guys talked very highly of Pergo Felice. They say he was the best and always caught bass and big bass at that.

Some day I'll post the story Charlie Murat told me about the "Pergo swirles".
Another name I haven't seen is George Allen. This guy was walking into Murats with 40#ers every weekend during the "lean" years. 87,88, 89.

I mentioned Jack Linton at the beginning of this thread. Jack was another Murat regular who was catching large on the Block when everyone else was s#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g wind in the mid 80s.

a lot of well respected bass fishewrman in this thread


one I have not seen yet is Gary Corsetti

Here in NJ I have had the pleasure of befriending quite a few good anglers.
One in particular Freddy Gartner,He passed this yr at 83 yrs.He fished hard all his life sacrificing most everything in the pursuit of striped bass fishing.It was in his blood.In his day he could catch a bass from a puddle..
There where some who where very good at specific types of fishing..
Mike Holowitz while some might consider him a pompous ass is as good at livelineng bunker and finding big bass as u might find.His license plate reads 9x50..Many of the old timers tell me Billy Mac Fadden was one of the best all around.Livelining,Rigged eels, Plugging..Any of U RI guys friendly With Timmy Coleman.Thats what he calls him Timmy.. Ask him about Billy..

Surf--- Matt Squillante Boat-- Ray Jobin

Surf-- (past) Matt Squillante - (present) Bill Nolan - Boat- Ray Jobin

Surf- Pat Abate, Tim Coleman and Andy Lemar are some of the best I have ever had the PLEASURE to wet a line with!

John Martini is right there with Jobin. Martini at night , Jobin by day.

John Martini is right there with Jobin. Martini at night , Jobin by day.

Steve,

You too belong on the list of respected, accomplished and dedicated individuals that belong to our sport. In addition to your angling feats, many are grateful to have had you as a mentor. I think I speak for many of the guys here in saying that. Being considered among the elite to me means much more than simply the number of fish someone has caught. You've also been a great ambassador to the sport for many years in addition to your outstanding angling skills.

Backbeach- Thanks-- I'm blushing!

A name that has not been mentioned here is Capt Jim White, and I am surprised,...Aside from the tremendous amount he has done to save the Striped bass basically dedicating his life to the fish, He is in my opinion the most consistant fisherman on Narragansett bay, with 2000 plus bass a year to his credit year in and year out! No mention of Charter Captains would be complete without putting Jim at the very top of the list, Jim was the first to Charter exclusive in The bay when others said it simply cannot be done, 17 years later and his is one of the best operations in Rhode Island, and he never travels South of either the Newport or Jamestown bridge all season long. If anyone can put fish in the boat Jim can!

In the Surf, my close Friend and fishing partner for many years..Steve McKenna ranks at the top of my list, I have alot of respect and have learned alot over the years from him and he is certainly one of the best to ever fish the suds!If I needed a bass for dinner from the surf..Steve is the guy I would call first!Steve and I have had some memorable nights that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Others who I admire and are more quiet...

Boat..Joe Macari...Ray the "Butcher"..Ray Jobin...John Martini...Rich Colagiovani....These guys are unreal!I love these guys, workhorse fisherman who get it done! Joe Pagano is another guy who has to be mentioned, The guy slays the bass and you never hear about it, If I could only fish with one guy in the south county area as a charter it would be Joe..Your own member "Clammer" is also a guy who knows much more than he lets on about and can fish with the best of them!

There are many others of course....to many to mention..But this would be my A team

Of course in all of this, My measure has always been and will always be "Consistancy" I dont care about size as much as I care about a guy who can deliver time and time again, when the conditions are perfect or awefull....No Excuses!!! These names fit that bill! however, there are more than enough 50s amongst this mix.......

Just had to chime in...Oh and I am still fishing...have not died yet..Have a Great Fall guys!:usd:

I would say I also agree with BB..From my encounters of him an the accounts of others.
Steve is a asset to our sport.U watch him at work with beginners he has great patience.Not a easy task.
I also Like his list's of top guys..
Pat Abate is a super guy..In my travels.I stop by his shop just to say hello..
He has invited me to do some fishing.Unfourtunately it is always on the way home.One of these days I'm gonna take him up on it.Just for the entertainment value.

Good to see ur still around Bill.:D

Some Canal guys, in addition to Stan Gibbs, even though it's kind of specialized (these guys could catch fish anywhere, however):

Stan Kuzia, Bob Black, Harold Peterson, Bobby Aflaque, Andy and Al Mamarty, Kevin Heap. I'll second Flap on Dave 'Ski, too.

Slip and J Powers are no slouches, either. ;)

Bob Luce

Thanks alot NIB and Billy for your kind words.

Here is a second vote for Corsetti, some may or may not have liked him but you can't deny the guy has talent.

I have to agree with Mr. Nolan, Clammer know his stuff, and sometimes if you are lucky enough to be fishing with him, and paying attention you will learn some stuff.

Corsetti was very, very good. It's too bad he gave up bass'in. The CLAMMER is the best!!!!!

Forgot to mention Mr. Van Staal. Sorry Stevie. Mr. McKenna is certainly in a class by himself in the surf. Clearly one of the best!!!

Not to beat this into the ground, but I have to give another vote for Steve. One of the most (or THE most) talented surf fishermen is also the most unassuming, unpretentious, and friendly person you'll ever meet. Not only does he consistently catch when others don't, he does more to bring new anglers into the sport than anyone.

-Ty

Thanks alot Paul and wheresmy50. Boy, my head won't fit through the door now! Thanks so much.

I figure the best bass guys are folks we'll never hear or see anything written about. You know guys who just fish, tong huge fish and arent attention whores.

I will add to the criteria.

The Best has to be a guy/gal that can catch the largest year class of fish he has in front of him. To be considered the best the applicant should be well rounded and skilled in enough techniques to accomplish the above stated goal. Bonus points are awarded for accomplishments from both boat & surf.

Using this criteria, I bet the ranch on Lev W as far as currently active fishermen.

A name never mentioned in these threads is the person many feel is hands down the MOST IMPORTANT human when it comes to anything Striped Bass. Each and everyone of us owe a thank you to this guy. The "legends" laughed at him for years because of his "theories". The "who cares about the best because if it weren't for this guy we'd all love Golf" award goes to my hero, Mr. Robert "Bob" Pond.

I see ALOT of names that are internet/magazine personalities. Only a few of the best mentioned, and honestly, the best are #s counted in the multiple dozens of 50's.

a lot of well respected bass fishewrman in this thread


one I have not seen yet is Gary Corsetti

His name to come to my mind

I'm surprised not one has yet mentioned Crazy Alberto Knie, a renowed LI surf bassman - clearly one of the most prolific and knowledgable ever with unbelievable instincts for where bass will be at specific times and conditions. I've had the pleasure of fishing with him and few are as unassuming or gentlemanly as he is.

I have seen Billy McFadden fished and was told he was one of best all-around to fish the NJ beaches for bass. Mickey Alpert is another NJ legend who has several 50s to his credit and is renowned for live-lining. Another guy few people really know because he's pretty secretive but is considered one of the greatest ever to grace the NJ surf for bass is George Tomkins. I've seen him fish and is clearly still a top-notch pro despite his advancing age. He's probably caught more bass than many of us combined.

Another for Billy Mcfadden of NJ, he is a good one for sure. Like NIB mentioned earlier, Fred Gartner, my mentor and friend, was simply amazing with any type of jig. Freddy knew how bass used current like no other, if it were'nt for his knowledge and teaching me so much I never woud have caught half the fish I have let alone my 50's.
Add some more NJ guys like Gerry Reddinger, Mickey Alpert, Mike Holowitz, Shell Carris, all top notch anglers IMHO.

Guy's, all great fisherman named here,but my vote and i am surprised his name has not come up.Al Reinfelder.P.S. Remember the Alou Eel?

Currrent day I would say.. Iron Mike. Two 50's a couple of years ago. He used to be on this site a lot, what ever happend to him?

Alot of great names mentioned but most of them fished back in the day when the surf was full of 40-60 pound fish and you would fall over them in 2 feet of water! Since the decline of the striper and the moratorium I would have to say that anyone who can go over 50 pounds on a regular basis post moratorium would have to be pretty darn good considering there are just not as many large swimming about as there used to be! I will say Tony Chirrapo who fished back in the day as well as he is still out there today banging 50's at will!! Crazy Al for sure! Bill Nolan, Steve McKenna.......these guys all work hard and do their homework!

I see ALOT of names that are internet/magazine personalities. Only a few of the best mentioned, and honestly, the best are #s counted in the multiple dozens of 50's.

I was thinking the same thing.

Friday night I fished with the two of the best, hands down committed to the hunt. These two guys fish harder than anyone, I mean anyone I know. How about three 50's in one night or tagging a 40 and recatching it a year later in the same spot on the same day. The other a master plug builder, uses nothing but his own stuff, fears no rock, no wave and is all business. Always thinking, going to extremes in both location and conditions. On my kids souls Friday night there were more legal to mid 30 pound fish taken by these guys than most guys land in a year in a spot so remote it's a challenge just to get thier and back safely and all done in the cover of darkness and never a word is said to anyone. Fifties are one aspect but there is a whole lot more to the making of the "best" fisherman.

If catching numbers of bass is important then Dave Pickering would certainlybe on THE list. He routinely lands more than a 1000 bass each season and seems to do it every year since I've known him(25yrs.) Dave can catch a bass in the most unlikely places a ndcertainly has the fishing "touch".

I would also be remiss if I didn't add these names to the list-- Boat-- some of Rhody's best-- Ray Rao, Jack Goda(deceased), Ted Stempien and Tom Needham. And lest we forget Mass' Charlie Soares. From shore, Art Lavallee was for many years, one of the best surfcasters I ever met. He's a boat guy now and still "catches 'em up" but keeps it quiet.

And, one of Narragansett's top surfmen, Tom McGuire. You will not meet a more ardent striperman than he.

And, one of Narragansett's top surfmen, Tom Maguire. You will not meet a more ardent striperman than he.
Or quieter!
come to think of it I havent seen him around much.
He must be in ghost mode :ss:

Charlie S is a definite high hook.

And, one of Narragansett's top surfmen, Tom McGuire. You will not meet a more ardent striperman than he.

Agreed. :kewl:


Paul, Bryan

Who's the old timer that only fishes the shoestring eels?

Who's the other old timer that only fishes black swimmers?

The historian for the narragansett club his some huge fish under his belt. Was running into him a ton last year around dawn, he showed me the clubs history albums. McKenna, Mcguire are in the pictures and theyre like 10-12 years old. Lot of big fish taken in that clubs photo history.

What about the Champlaine's They're good striper guys, Narragansetts too arent they??

steve van stall and #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

I agree with Z that geography has alot to do with peoples opinions. Im pretty limited to LI so 2 of the great ones would be
Billy the greek and Crazy Alberto. Most humble as well as successful would be Z.

I would think that until someone catches a 78lb 9 oz bass on rod&reel
Al McReynolds would be on the top of the list !
I'm pretty sure he (his son & daughter also) has quite a few 60s also !

Agreed. :kewl:


Paul, Bryan

Who's the old timer that only fishes the shoestring eels?

Who's the other old timer that only fishes black swimmers?

The historian for the narragansett club his some huge fish under his belt. Was running into him a ton last year around dawn, he showed me the clubs history albums. McKenna, Mcguire are in the pictures and theyre like 10-12 years old. Lot of big fish taken in that clubs photo history.

What about the Champlaine's They're good striper guys, Narragansetts too arent they??

Vic;
I think you are talking about Andy Lamar. He's close to 80 and still in the surf. My late partner Gill Guilletone was 76, had a stoke and was still fishing the bar at Deep Hole.

How about Tony Paliotti, Tom McGuires old partner. I saw tony get a 38 one March, yep March.

Bryan, who the old guy in the tin boat that had 4, 50s in one day a few years ago?

I can go way back to the 70s and talk about Lou Otheo and Jack Healan. These guys were commercial rod and reel and regularly had 1000 pound nights at Anawan.

How can we forget HARLEY BENTON-- boat. Lot of big, big bass consistently year after year after year.

Paul, Steve hit it, Harley Benton

Tony Stezco is probably the best living surfcaster, Zeno is going to be the most influential.

How can we forget HARLEY BENTON-- boat. Lot of big, big bass consistently year after year after year.

Paul, Steve hit it, Harley Benton

That's the guy. I'll never forget the day he got 4, 50#+ bass off Bonnet and Anawan. Fishes out of a 14' tin boat.

Growing up in Newport a couple of the best in the 60's and 70's(along with Steve Fougere) were Leroy Addison and Ed Straka.
They always had big fish in the local waters.