Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

Mr. Sandman · 08-30-2004, 07:31 PM

Bman,

Most islanders I know can't wait for the derby to begin. While it is a competitive event...it is a lot more than that. There is a lot of comradare and fun around a fishing theme....and a lot of fishing too, don't get me wrong. It is a time for past fishing pals to re-connect and spend some quailty nights working the beach or early boat trips to cast to the rips. It is an excuse to fish with your kid on a school night. It is a special time here and most fisherman I know *really* look forward to it. (just try to find a trades man to do a job during the derby...everyone is "all tied up"

( means they are fishing) I suppose some guys don't like it but I have not met too many that feel that way. Most talk about it all year. I imagaine some of the wives don't think much of the derby but most of the ones I know join in the fun too.

Also, there is a lot of LUCK involved. The format is such that a 10# bonito can (and has) win a boat/motor/trailer or a 4X4 truck worth some serious coin. (not the giant bass) The kids that take part in the event ususally win lots of gear... and walk away very happy campers. Finally the money that is actaully made by the event (it is a non-profit fishing contest...one of the only IRS scantioned fishing events) goes to scholarships for island kids....in the last few years 300K in outright grants have gone to worthy high school seniors who go to study something in the marine fields.

Many islanders contriute to the event all year and invest a lot of time and effort to make it a success. I was very surprised how much fun it is and how much people want to be a part of it....its not just a "fishing contest"...its a great friggin 5 weeks of the year at the best time on the island and I personally am choppin at the bit ready to go and hook up with friends for a great time.

We also have a lot of area and all kinds of divsions so while there are some crowds most of the guys I know don't fish the wasque points on a Friday night at 7:30... most find a secluded stretch of beach at some off time and work that.

I did not mean to make fun of the derby proposed by RI'ers...I could not help myself. I think for guys that regularly fish the area the may as well join in the fun. I know it is not cheap to take time off, and move over here for a week or two to 5...it is not cheap, but most come back year in and year out for a spell to fish it. So a RI event might work, although I don't think the little chamber of commerce can run an event like the one here....you need some dedicated people and some with deep pockets who want to make it happen.

(I fish both boat and shore, depending on the action and weather and enjoy them both equally)

This is the 59th year of the derby, come on out and try it!...Ill buy you a cold beer and a dozen eels.

08-30-2004, 07:31 PM	#8
Mr. Sandman Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 7,649	Bman, Most islanders I know can't wait for the derby to begin. While it is a competitive event...it is a lot more than that. There is a lot of comradare and fun around a fishing theme....and a lot of fishing too, don't get me wrong. It is a time for past fishing pals to re-connect and spend some quailty nights working the beach or early boat trips to cast to the rips. It is an excuse to fish with your kid on a school night. It is a special time here and most fisherman I know really look forward to it. (just try to find a trades man to do a job during the derby...everyone is "all tied up" ( means they are fishing) I suppose some guys don't like it but I have not met too many that feel that way. Most talk about it all year. I imagaine some of the wives don't think much of the derby but most of the ones I know join in the fun too. Also, there is a lot of LUCK involved. The format is such that a 10# bonito can (and has) win a boat/motor/trailer or a 4X4 truck worth some serious coin. (not the giant bass) The kids that take part in the event ususally win lots of gear... and walk away very happy campers. Finally the money that is actaully made by the event (it is a non-profit fishing contest...one of the only IRS scantioned fishing events) goes to scholarships for island kids....in the last few years 300K in outright grants have gone to worthy high school seniors who go to study something in the marine fields. Many islanders contriute to the event all year and invest a lot of time and effort to make it a success. I was very surprised how much fun it is and how much people want to be a part of it....its not just a "fishing contest"...its a great friggin 5 weeks of the year at the best time on the island and I personally am choppin at the bit ready to go and hook up with friends for a great time. We also have a lot of area and all kinds of divsions so while there are some crowds most of the guys I know don't fish the wasque points on a Friday night at 7:30... most find a secluded stretch of beach at some off time and work that. I did not mean to make fun of the derby proposed by RI'ers...I could not help myself. I think for guys that regularly fish the area the may as well join in the fun. I know it is not cheap to take time off, and move over here for a week or two to 5...it is not cheap, but most come back year in and year out for a spell to fish it. So a RI event might work, although I don't think the little chamber of commerce can run an event like the one here....you need some dedicated people and some with deep pockets who want to make it happen. (I fish both boat and shore, depending on the action and weather and enjoy them both equally) This is the 59th year of the derby, come on out and try it!...Ill buy you a cold beer and a dozen eels. Last edited by Mr. Sandman; 08-30-2004 at 07:44 PM..