Very sad news. The legendary master of the rigged eel of Long Island and Cape Cod has passed away. R.I.P. Mr. Bentsen.

When I restarted building plugs a few years back he contacted me about the Frech Banana copy I was trying to get right and provided me with a lot of helpful information. He was a man who truely loved fishing and shared what he learned to help others. Someone to emulate.

I'll make some extra casts in his memory tonight, I think that's what he would want.

Wow. Never met the man, but his reputation precedes him. R.I.P Al.

Rest In Peace, Al. We owe a lot of what we do to you.

Thank you

He was pretty active on another board in Frank D's forum... A great guy who was shared a lot of his knowledge with others.

Tight Lines Al

A Little Rememberance....

http://www.stripersurfclub.com/scan0019a.jpg

wow too bad. RIP Al.

We lost a great one. R.I.P. Al

Sad news indeed. A few years back Al contacted me because of my interest in needlefish plug history. Al wanted me to be aware of some of his knowledge and gave me some historic insight into needlefish history that he knew. We became friends through email and a few phone calls. I finally had the opportunity to meet him when my daughter played in a travel team softball tournament on Long Island. I told him I'd be at a particular field on a Friday evening. As I was watching a game a few other parents told me that an older gent was walking through the stands looking for someone named Dennis. I went over and introduced myself and it was like we knew each other forever. We sat down together and watched two games in a light rain. The whole time we talked about surf fishing for striped bass. As we spoke I could see the twinkle in his eyes and knew he loved this pastime as much as I. His eyes turned sad as he related that his health wasn't the greatest and how tough it was for him to find local areas to fish that had convenient parking so he didn't have to walk far. I really felt bad for him as I could envision that happening to myself as I get older. After the game we shook hands and promised to keep in touch. I never did meet him again but over the years we traded secrets and insights as only dyed in the wool surfcasters can. I feel so fortunate to have met Al Bentsen - I'm going to miss him.

DZ

Sad indeed. The fishing world lost another great one. Learned how to rig eels from Al. He was a really good man and will be missed by many.

Rest in peace friend.

Kadir

thoughts and prayers for him and his family. A true legend in the sport of surfcasting for stripers.

Fair thee well, and rest easy in the arms of the Almighty.

Lo, there do I see my father.
Lo, there do I see my mother.
Lo, there do I see my sisters
and my brothers.
I see the line of my people
back to the beginning.
They do call to me to take my place
in the halls of Valhalla
where the brave may live forever.

R.I.P. AL B.

Anothe year of loosing some of the great surfmen of our time. Not many left and getting fewer by the day.

R.I.P. Al. Tight lines , fair winds and high tides my friend.

Al was a pioneer here on the outer Cape and a heavy influence on an old friend of mine who once used to drive 8 hours each way from Staten Island to fish a single tide in Provincetown. The senior angler is feeling a little more lonely tonight out in Truro as another of the old guard of the glory days of surfcasting on the great back beaches of the Cape has made his last cast here on this earth.

Knowing that his wife of many years passed on within the last year or so his spirit probably wanted to go with her and finally did.

When I was writing the piece on Arnold Laine he called me out of the blue and offered any assistance he could in gathering facts or pictures if I needed, we had a long talk. I kept calling him Mr. Bentsen, and he kept telling me to call him Al. I couldn't call him Al, I was in awe that he would have even called me. His first love was his wife and the lure of striped bass fishing and all that goes with it his mistress.

Thank you Mr. Bentsen and God bless you and may you rest in peace once again united with your loving wife.

RIP Al....

R.I.P. Al.. I am sure if there are fish to be caught where you are, you are catching them...

If there was such a thing as a "surfcasters hall of fame", well, I think you are there now...

Another legend has Crossed To The Other Side...Rest in Peace Al.

A great guy who was always a gentleman, RIP Al.

Condolences to his family, who still come up this way to fish.

A sad day indeed. RIP Al.

RIP Al.

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I am sure many have seen these before, but, as a tribute..this link has many pictures of Al, and some of the many large bass he took in his prime...

Sad to hear this.

RIP Al..

Tight lines Al :(
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Tight lines Al.

His chapters in "Secrets of Surfcasting at Night" have probably had more of an effect on my fishing than anything else I've read or any presentation I've seen

rip alb31

My condolences to his family and everyone who was friends with Al
I was on the Vineyard fishing and when I got home today I was saddened with the news.
God Bless

Regards
VB

rest in peace Al of the old guard

Condolences to his family and friends.