Quote:
Originally Posted by Selphysh
Only way to become a better angler is to read and listen to what others have to say!
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Uhhhhh...........not exactly.
If you are new to this sport then certainly the first requirement for success is some measure of stupidity. The more the better. A lobotomy would be good, although moving to Lakeville apparently works as well if you are squeamish about brain surgery. You see, to be good at surf fishing you need to spend a lot of time at it and this is not possible if you have 1/2 a brain or any sense at all. Such people should either buy boats, take up golf, or find a mistress. Those sports still allow you to selfishly squander similar vast quantities of disposable income and free time on yourself without the necessity of forgoing sleep, smelling real bad, itching in unreachable places, feeding mosquitos, destroying your social life, pissing off your wife, boring your friends, and lying a lot.
Of course this is not to say some level of intelligence can not be helpful, particularly when figuring out tides, tying good knots, choosing plugs, avoiding responsibilities and obligations, or hiding the depth of your addiction from others, but most of us can get by without it as long as we have access to eels and a cell phone.
Alas, if it were only that simple. You see stupidity alone is not sufficient to succeed at surf fishing since even stupidity is no match for reality and reality is the enemy of all good fishermen. To overcome that you need to be delusional. Now some people are born delusional....they are called optimists and are really annoying although we try not to hold it against them......but most of us have to become delusional. Fortunately this is not difficult since the sleep deprivation and depression brought on by repeated lack of success associated with surf fishing is highly conducive to the onset of mental illness of which delusional thinking is a hallmark. And, so too, is paranoia for that matter which explains why the common coping mechanisms of lying and obsessive thinking are rampant among good fishermen.
As for reading and listening, well good luck with that. Like other forms of pornography its primary purpose is to waste time and avoid other neglected responsibilities while simultaneously refreshing your delusions about your chances of success. Just keep in mind that what most of what you read has more in common with Hustler or the Boston Globe than the Encyclopedia Britannica. Your waders and korkers will, however, come in useful wading through all the BS you encounter.
Please don't let the above discourage you, I'm only trying to be helpful. Your enthusiasm is commendable. If you and the sport engage then I look forward to the posts of the large fish you catch (so I can jump your spot unless Paul gets there first). If not, then I look forward to buying that VS200 Josh advised for a steep discount in the classifieds (unless Paul gets there first again) although if you ask me I'd prefer you go with a Stella 8000 or ZB25 instead. Best of luck.
