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.

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

On second thought
 

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

On third thought
 

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

Boat best
 

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.