Even a devorce, is cheaper than a kid.:laughs:

Hey Jim,if you're serious,pm me.My boss is selling a 22 ft Key West cc w/the T-Top,and full electronics,livewell,150 Merc Optimax,and it's still got one year on the warrantee.If I had the $,it'd already be sold!:skulz:

If you want consistent large, get the boat. If I live another 100 years and surf fish every one of them, I won't catch the quantity of 30-50# fish that I did in the boat in only a few seasons. What I used to get in the boat in one night now takes me a full season from the surf if I'm lucky. Get the boat Jim.

WHY THE HELL DO YOU THINK I BOUGHT A BOAT!!!!

Budget the boat with something for HER. Whatever it is that makes her happy. If you both get something out of it, maybe you can sell it better- lol. Get her gift first, then a week later.... boat. "well you like your diamond, right??"
Nah, just kidding, get a killer boat! You'll need the extra $ for gas, insurance, etc. I think our spouses should want us to be happy. If you can swing it, do it!

Cause you got O=L=D :bshake: :tooth: :tooth:

Jim.
shop around, get something cheap enough and it wont be a big deal.
but don't underestimate the associated costs; new tackle, gas, maintenance, etc.. or she will get pissed later!

If you are looking local and want an opinion, let me know.


I Love boat fishing for some species, fluke, blackfish, tuna, shark, but I love, love, love the rocks at night... any 20 from my rock is more rewarding than a 30 from the boat to me... plus, working on the water 20-50hr/week for the last 11 years, it was a nice break. maybe after this summer I'll miss it an crave more boat time... we'll see...

There is a grain of truth in what you stated. I am 59 but more importantly I have spent 40 seasons in the surf. 40 years of jumping rocks getting, smacked by waves and sand in my teeth. More nights than not for nothing. After you have put in 40 years at "The Ramp" I wager you will feel the same way.

Don't let anyone kid you, it's easier to catch fish in a boat but NOT less rewarding. The last 6 days I caught more 20 to 30# fish than I did in the last 5 years combined. I enjoyed every fight, every run and evey landing. I killed 2 of those fish because it's not important to kill fish. What is important to me is figuring out this new way to fish (for me anyway) and being successful at it.

Surf fishing is a young mans sport. If I didn't boat fish I'd probably hang it up...

You're right of course,
It's not unrewarding in the boat, just more rewarding for me in the surf, for me.
It's also cheaper, more convenient and easier to fish every night in the surf than boat w/ my schedule..

Hey at 58 you were still rock hopping right there with me, so you know the old is just a crack :fishslap: besides.. somebody will have to teach you how to catch fluke once this bass run slows down :D

I'm definetly not anti-boat. Hell I have my ticket, I love being on the water... everything in life is to each his/hers own...

I agree, rewarding? you bet it is, I have done both...no need to go down that road, at anyrate, a boat is pure enjoyment , it gets me places and shows me things the darkness of the night in the surf never did...but a fish is a fish and I feel rewarded both ways, sometimes the boat is more dificult and dangerous...but overall? I would never be without a boat again ever...I would quit first...If it makes you happy buy one....dont let these guys make boat fishing something bad cause it isnt...I was that way also but not anymore..If you get a boat you will love it ! and trust me eveyone who says they hate it will be asking to go out on it!


By the way...Mr. Canalman is on a "boat" this very minute slamming fish....The smile on his face this morning was not one a surf guy having to be dragged kicking and screaming..I bet his heart stopped at the site of those cows slamming those bunker......

had a boat.....sold it when i built our home

Jim if i have room in the mako your welcome to come.. all i ask is you chip in for the 9 gallons an hour it burns and tell some good jokes :D

from my dock i can be at the mouth of the narrow river in 8 minutes :smokin:

I know you were just giving me a hard time.

I hear so much of "it's easier to catch big fish in a boat" "boat fish don't count".
Billy is right, I was in the school of thought once myself. I now have a new respect for anyone who can consistently catch fish in a boat.
As for easier, after the run up the Bay this morning with 25knots in my face and a 2 to3 ft chop, I'd argue that point.

it is my goal
 

to buy a boat....

because thats my only avenue ...with a permanently sprained ankle
its difficult to go stomping all over hell and back on shore
carrying so much gear....

but see, thats not the clincher... i know .... wah wah wah :bc:

it's when you've done that.... you make it all the way out there
and then you have complete ankle failure happen on your way back!
where you can't
bare any weight at all on your right foot.

what ya gonna do then... hop on sand all the way back?
crawl... ? i think not.

Any "dyed in the wool" surfcaster would never get a boat.
If "catching" is more important than the satisfaction you get surfcasting then get a boat because you were probably never meant to be a true surfcaster. Give it some thought and make your decision. Here's hoping you stay a member of the very small dedicated group of casters who enjoy the most gratifying pastime of prowling around the shoreline.

Good luck.

DZ

Jim - just remember this ('cause I've thought about it as well) - at least now we can fish mostly at night when the wife & kids are sleeping so as not to take away time spent with them, and it's still hard to find time with a busy family. THINK about how much time you'll have to use the boat when you try finding fishing time during the daylight hours mostly & spend time with your family & keep working your job to support your family...

I still fish in the dark. Now I run all over the Bay in the dark. My wife ddoesn't care. Joe, that's a cop out. What, you can't fish in the dark in a boat????

Dennis, that is an assinine statement! You are being judgemental without knowing all the facts and it suprises me that you would say such a thing in writing.
Perhaps you consider yourself to be an elitist who "crawls the rock" I'd bet you dinner that I've crawled as many rocks as you, fished as many beaches as you and taken as many waves as you. No excuses here. I decided to get a boat to prolong my ability to pursue what I love best.....fishing!
Don't get sick my friend. You may find yourself in a boat.

Easy Paul - all in fun.

DZ

my dedication is catching fish , on shore or boat

Take your family in the boat with you. Beats sitting home watching tv with them. Fish some, tube, waterski, fish some more, beach the boat, have a picnic, go for a swim, grabs some clams, daytime, sunrises, nighttime, sunsets. It's all good.

surf vs boat is all crap, its all fishing

Get a cheap tin boat and see if you like it. They are easy to maintain and will get you into most spots and will not break the bank.

um. actually, the boat will give you and your family the possibilities of fishing together during the day as a family. What better way to pass on your love of fishing to your kids??? Not to mention the fact that you will be at home when your wife goes to bed which might lead to more...... :tooth:

Nebe:
If Joe has any more kids he is never ever ever going to get to go fishing again.

Jim.
do what you want man, and do what you enjoy. I wont think less of you!

Like paul M said, after running a 14ft tin boat for research, I would upgrade my 13ft whaler to a 16ft tin w/ a good low emission 2 stroke if I could afford it. they are light, easy to trailer and not that expensive. Just get mark to keep borrowing Al's boat :D:D:D

exactly for the time

but thats what i would want ....a little bigger with center console\
tin, bump off the rocks..no damage

Bryan,

That's the plan...!!! Al and I are actually both buying new houses and after things settle down a little we're going to upgrade that 14' Dory to 17' CC..

Jim, I'm good to go tomorrow night if you want. that 2.5 gal tank is full to the brim...

Heard a bunch of things in my lifetime, but this BS takes the cake...write a dear abby column...Start a round circle and smoke the peacepipe of the dedicated bleeding heart mono a mono...me against the boat group...This whole thread was about something else...

I am happy with my boat, I am proud of the years I spent in the surf and certainly achevied every single goal I had...I am no less a fisherman because I own a boat I am however someone who now has a heck of alot more fish and an apreciation for a new way of fishing...

You know what I mean - yeah there's still some night fishing but all of the current stuff (that Jim is talking about) is daytime fishing.

Big difference.

Eben - I agree 1000%. The main reason I WILL get a boat someday is to use it mostly with my wife & kids.

But there's a big difference in the kind of "family fishing" versus "hard-core" fishing this thread is about.

I can't see my wife & kids sitting with me for 4 hours snagging pogies, livelining, ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g eels into rocks, etc. twice a week.

You're talking about recreational fishing - I think Jim meant more serious fishing.

I think having a boat can serve two purposes

a fishing machine for me and a fishing/family activity for the family

And there's what you tell the wife...