Got+Stripers

I wasn't going to chime in, but I just can't resist. #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, I don't think your ability or your knack for putting the big ones on the beach was ever in question. In all the posts I've read, I don't think anyone ever questioned you are probably the best at what you do. What was in question was why you come down so hard on people that don't share your opinions. I'd be a fool to say that the odds for catching big stripers are't the highest at night and with a live eel on the end of your line. Does that mean that if we all aren't fishing after dark with live eels that we are less qualified, less committed to the sport, less of a fisherman, I seriously doubt it. It's all a matter of personal preference, which in my case has more to do with my business and family obligations.

I fish early morning until early afternoon every Saturday, because that's the only time I can get out. Early in the morning I will be working close to the reefs and ledges throwing my jerkbaits, but will have a live eel dragging behind the boat in the low light of the morning. My biggest this year (35#'s) came on a live eel, but all the other large ones this year came on my plastics. Even though I've dragged live eels most of the year, once the sun starts poking up, the plastics are much more productive. That includes several around 30#'s and numerous fish in the 20's and more fish in the mid teens than I can count. If history repeats, I also expect to have a couple in the 40's before I'm done for the season. I've developed a rigging method and weighting method that allows me to fish these baits in a horizontal presentation (which I feel is key to success with plastics) from the surface, down to 20 feet if need be. I routinely catch 30-50 fish each trip, with usually a few larger fish, but most in the 20-27 inch range. Now I'm am quite happy with those results and I watch others fishing the same areas around me and I'm outfishing the guys trolling tubes, fishing chunks and others throwing plastics or artifials by an huge margin. Even my fishing partner, who's been coming with me most weekends now for two years, is still outfished by about 3 to 1. I was very good at what you do before I had my boat, and to use your own preference for tooting your own horn, I don't think there is anyone that can touch me when it comes to success with plastics.

Yet you have a problem with this and that is what I don't understand. It really puzzles me and I don't understand why you can't accept what I do, what the fisherwomen does or anyone else on this board for that matter. It's not a matter of who is THE BEST or who is the most consistant catching THE LARGE, it's a matter of respect, of accepting others for who they are and what they do. I would love nothing better than to catch large stripers at night, slinging eels like I used to, rod tip high just waiting to bow to the first large of the night, adrenaline pumping when you feel the weight on the set, nothing is better than battling the big ones in the erie darkness of the night, I just don't have that option at this point in my life. But you don't accept that others might not be as lucky to have the ability to do what you do, or that others just might have different priorities and than is the problem.

I'd love to join you some night, it would be a rush to get back to it, only problem is I don't own a surf rod any more, lol. Then again, I can sling an eel a long with with my 7 foot Lami, tight lines #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&. I respect what you do, I have no doubt you are the master of your domain, just be nice to get a little respect in return.