What is it about...
 

What is it about striped bass that has made us so passionate about them???

Someone asked me this the other day and I went into a long opus about the bass and their migration pattern, the facts that just when you think you've got them figured out, you get the skunk, etc...

So now I ask you, what is it about the bass that has you so worked up???

To me, its about 70% the fish and 30% the surroundings. I love the surf, the rocks, the sand bars, jetties, and the sea at night. The habitat of the bass is one aspect that draws me.
For the fish, its the challenge. They're not easy to catch and its a physical and mental challenge to go after them. Planning a strategy for the night, right tides, wind, lures, retrieve.
Bass are predators and I enjoy "how" they hit plugs and fight. Thats also why I enjoy blues (please don't ban me from the site).
Its the entire package, there are too many things for me to mention. I guess thats why I do it.

I dont sleep, and I only go blackfishing in Nov and Dec, what else am I gonna do from May thru Oct..

I like the solitude.. the challenge.. the fight... and as much as I like th solitude, I like the company too when it's with the right people...

To me, its about the finding of ones self, its not the fish but the relationship with nature and its majestic beauty. The sounds of sand and waves working in harmony, giving me greater understanding of the world we live in. Its the mystery of the creature, striped bass and all the oceans animals.
Being alone to think and wonderful things like the shooting stars and great colorful sunrises and having sex with horseshoe crabs in the dunes. :humpty:
Thats what makes SB great.



















Jeeesh, :rolleyes: its time to put down those wine coolers and get back to kickin ass in the surf soon

My perspective:

-Outdoor activity and surroundings 40%
-Challenge and the competetive aspect 30%
-Dream of joing the 50 lb club (or even bigger?) 20%
-Taste 10%

I have answwered this question at least a dozen times during various interviews. I thjink it is simple.

1...SB are the perfect fish. They attract all types of fishermen. they are good eating, they are good sport fish, they can be caught by many different sub groups of Rec angler (boat, shore, fly, light tackle, live bait, troll, plug, jig, etc. etc.). SB fit most anglers needs.

2...Most of the very active anglers grew up with the comeback of the sock. We have a built in passion for these fish that just doesn't apply to other species.

I have to agree with all the above replies :uhuh:

What's interesting is that I think there is an intriguing psychological component to striper fishing.

In Psych 101 they teach you that truly addicitive behavior tends to be reinforced by varying outcomes (like gambling).

In other words, you never know what you're gonna get on the end of your line - nothing's guaranteed but boy when you do hook into a biggun you NEVER forget it! :happy: :D

Fishweewee hit the nail on the head. Schedules of reinforcement. It's random variable or something like that.

Hmm...varying outcome theory.....
Very much like trying to pick up women.....
Sure, 99 times out a 100 you get told to blank yourself...but that 100th time....

But seriously.....if we lived in Montana it would be trout, if we lived in Florida, maybe tarpon. But we live in New England and the striper is our glamour fish.

Great replies!!

I like Joes comment on location makes sense...When I was in Texas everyone was obsessed with sea trout this and sea trout that..... I caught some and wasn't too impressed with the fight or the difficulty of catching them. But If i lived there and it was all I knew I'd praise the speckled sa trout like a god.

gambling and fishing:confused: never thought of that, but it makes sense.

come on ! the truth is they pull hard and taste really good . right Peta !

Im always one with my being ...................... cause Im not a Siamese twin and there are no other beings with in me .

LOL at Krisly .

gambling and fishing work hand in hand . Thats how I buy gear .

All that has been said. If I wrote poetry I'd surely have a bassy sonnet in my notebooks, and a lyric or two. But I don't write verse, but even so, when I go out fishing at night, the night--fair weather or foul-- tends to bring out the romantic in me. For I love catching these fish, but I love huntin' them even more.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm in it for the chicks!
Oh, wait a minute, I think that guy told me that chicks dig guitar players...29 years of practice down the drain!!!
Rick

what krispy said......except im not down with horseshoe crab sex:laughs:

I'd hafta split it 50/50.
I love the ocean and have always been around it except for my military time. I love the solitude, the unobstructed view of the stars at nite, shooting stars, false dawn, bass slurping bait off the top at sunrise on glass calm water, the other 50 is I love the rush of having a big fish slam your plug or eel or herring and take it for a ride
allow me to express my feelings in the form of Haiku

I love to bass fish
it is my reason for being
fried or in chowder

chris

I get passionate about all the fish I fish for. :smash:

the shoreline and hunt for striper is my church, The sunrise each morning and standing on the shore allows me to reflect on what is important in my life, my wife and 2 sons.

Thats some strong stuff-

Bass here

bass there

bass are everywhere-

are you ?

Man against nature

for me it's that first wack on the bait then the line strippi'n out setting the hook then the battle, you know turning it when its heading down looking to rip that hook out, and if it's a cow hang on then the first sight of it WOAH BABY !!!!!!!! I can't type any more to excited later LINK:cool:

I live on an isalnd where fishing is never more than a 2 minute drive away. I work, surf, golf, fish all with NO commute.

Fishing for bass seems like the right thing to do.

I agree with rick. I am in it for the chicks :)

hehe

I feel the same as Striperhound...
Let's not forget about the history---the places and the people who fished places like newport - watch hill - narragansett - colt park - harold's meadow - i could go on and on, but you know what i mean. ;)

the night

Striperhound hit it, i've always said where the sand meets the sea is my altar and the time I spend there is cleansing my soul.When I am there I don't worry about the hassles of life and all the bad news that is thrown at us everyday.I take in all that is around me and often find myself in awe from the wonders of nature and the beauty of the sea.It gives me time to think of life and what is important to me and when the fish are cooperating then that makes it even better... :) johnny "tRB"

well said RB

When I'm out there I feel ALIVE one with nature.....nothing is more gratifying then the adrenaline rush of a big fish. To me its all about landing the biggest bass I can.

So much true. Cape Ann cuties will drop you a holler from the next pier where I was fishing in Rockport. She looked at me and waved to me while I was waiting for the herring to get eaten by a striper. I was eating a half lbs of cooked lobster and one fish cake. And drinking a botle of ginger ale....

I find stripers a challenging gamefish to catch. I prefer saltwater fishing over freshwater because of the species and their fighting abilities. They are exotic in some ways to me. And I love the salty scent of the water. And also I love the stink of the blues, stripers, scups, etc on my body and make my parents, aunt, and my sister complain about me being dirty and odorious...:D :happy: :smash:

Notaro,

It is 2 am. I am on the beach. The ONLY chicks within 5 miles of me are friggin plovers.

so thrilled to hear you are scoring babes.........

:laughs: :laughs:

I love the hunt and the thrill of not knowing whay's on the other end of your line.

It gets me away from my wife!!! :laughs: