I used to subscribe to the surf is harder than the boat theory. It all boils down to THE SAME THING. You need to be able to identify the places that hold fish and that all comes with time on the water. Certainly with a boat you have the ability to cover more water and access areas you may not be able to trespass through to fish from shore, but you still need to find the fish and get them turned on.

I have had the pleasure of both catching and getting skunked with some very skilled fishermen both from shore and from boats. Bliz said it best, the knowledge that my S-B friends have shared with me is what I find most important.

I don't believe I am elite, but I do believe I am part of an elite crowd. It takes a lot of personal and physical sacrifice to wake up at 1am, ice the eels, drive an hour, stumble through the darkness and fish. Ecspecially with a full time job and a family.
Once I get in the water I feel like I am trying to beat the clock, each minute one step closer to sunrise. As a surfcaster, my best bet to catch a good fish is in the dark or early light.
I have no bad feelings towards boat fisherman, I just think they can sleep later that I do. On the other hand, I do have some resentment to what I call the "popper brigade". Those are the guys that show up no earlier than 4:30am and immedialtly begin throwing poppers. They ask a million questions and never get the message.."fish at night", they expect the fish to be on their schedule hitting on their lures. My Dad always told me when it comes to fishing..'Do your homework". I don't think its fair to let others profit from my hard work.

Perhaps I was misunderstood. Let me use another example. I have been playing guitar for 20 years. I play mostly jazz and play in a professional quartet. For years I have had aspiring musicians ask for advice, which I gladly give. The best advice I can give is...play for hours and hours and hours. there is no easy way, no shortcuts. Its commitment.
The same thing for surfcasting, There is no easy way. If you want fish, fish at night, fish hard, move often and fish whenever you can and as often as you can.

If you are not willing to make that effort, then be happy with the schoolies, occasional keeper and blues. I'm not being mean, its just a fact. I would glady take a newcomer, but they must first be willing to make the effort. I dont know of too many people (other than the crew here) willing to get up at 1am in the cold of Novmeber, hook a live eel and standing in the icy water for hours. to most, its not worth the effort. To me, its what the sport is all about.

I dont keep my fish, I have $35 waders from Bass Pro Shops, a cheap raincoat which I wrap a piece of rope around to keep the water out, an Penn reel without a bail and a handful (less than 20) plugs and jigs.
I fish to be alone with nature, marvel at the power and beauty of the ocean and have a little time to call my own.
I fish, to catch fish. I enjoy the challenge, the risk and the rewards. I love looking at a fish once I catch it. I love the fight. I bend all my barbs on my hooks, I could care less when I lose a fish. I'll get 'em next time.

I'll shut up now.:smash:

...finally, the word is getting out. yes, time on the water. you want to learn and get better, practice and in this sport you need to have a line in the water, not l#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g all day and asking 1000 questions. there are many, many magazines and books written that give great general and in depth details. it's one thing to ask about one's opinion on a reel or rod choice, but it's another to ask how to fish a spot. learn it yourself and you will have better self-gratification and respect from many.

gb - i understand where you are coming from and i do too give advice, to a degree. going with what i said above i see a lot of people browse these boards and they are very green and possibly just plain lazy. many anglers put countless hours into fishing and their information is well guarded as it should be. they paid their dues. when i post, i post from experiences i have learned and from my time talking to others, meeting others, listening to others, and giving that as another side of the story. so, as i stated before, i wasn't trying to give credit and then take it away. i was stating how the majority in this sport looked at that issue.

I still wanna go!!

Its funny you mention that Seawolf, since I drove up last night after work from SW Conn to fish RI until 3am in several different spots, and I think your truck maybe the only one I recognized, from a picture

Krispy, did you catch anything? Not looking for specifics......
I'm heading down Sunday am...

Yes :faga: :rtfm:

Wow, some serious editing there MrM. Glad you reconsidered your stance and agree w/ our position

lol!
 

:laughs: :happy:

Now I look like a thread hog..talking to myself!:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :rolleyes:

lol!
 

ri jimmy you want to go fish tonight on the boat!

I'm ri jimmy, and yes I would love to go.

you got me confused
 

but if you wanna go call me 1 508 386 3932

I got a meeting to go to
 

but Ill have my phone with me give me a call I got to get things ready when i come home ill charge the lights just in case

NICE FISH

Thanks John. :)

ps
 

no booze on my boat we are out there to fish and hunt a 50lber! plan on being out there probably till day light

krispy - fish_eye took the picture and posted it. i had to destroy his camera.

me, fishing at night? it's dark out at night. couldn't have been me.

Howd you do? I spent 2 slow hrs there and left to greener pastures

Good christ!!!! This post pissed me off so much that I'm gonna go start a fight with my girlfriend just so I don't have to wait for soweone to read and reply!

I am a pretty big surf snob but..... 30# is 30# and I do agree that it sweetens it a bit from the surf but is there anyone here who wouldn't take that fish from a boat?

I think we all need to take a deep breath.

Nice fish Bliz
Greg.... relax and catch your fish, who cares how or where. And if your ever hurtin for company PM me. ;)

-Dave