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

schoolie monster · 08-09-2005, 04:04 PM

JohnR, you bring up a good point. Alot of these things are common sense, but you have to be fairly driven to put all of them into practice each time out. Most decent to good fishermen know alot of these things. But thinking of them before you go out, instead of after you lose a 30#er, that's the key.

I think alot on the way home or the next day and am always thinking of things I should have tried or what I could have changed to do better. But I don't necessarily think well when I'm out on the water. I'm more likely to stick to my gameplan.

I've learned lessons about sharp hooks, knicks in line, taking care of your equipment, etc. etc. Something Bill said is very good advice, "always be ready for the trophy" ... think about it, you likely won't ever get a shot at a 50. Or maybe you'll get one shot. It could come any time, any place...and tlapinski said, "don't repeat mistakes"... very simple... but a good point...alot of good points in this thread.

Obviously you have to know some water before any of these things come into play. If you aren't on fish, it will never matter if you have sharp hooks and new line... or a brand new shimano stella and custom made lami. To be good, you have to spend time out there and learn some areas.

I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but flexibility and adaptability are HUGE. Taking advantage of what's available. I fall into the trap sometimes of forcing what I think will work, instead of finding what's going to work. In a way, I'm very versatile. I fish artificials well, I fish live herring well, I'm decent with an eel, I'm OK with a flyrod. I can catch fish alot of different ways, but you have to find them first. For example, I find fish well in the summer, but I'm not the best at spring and fall. I don't necessarily know where to find fish at those times unless they are blowing things up on the surface. I kept pounding some of my good summer spots thru the fall. I'd catch a pod of fish in those areas on occasion, but they'd moved on by next trip out. So I'm not a big fall run guy...

The biggest problem I run into though, is complacency. Fishing and the ocean are in my blood as much as anyone's. I should say water, cause I dig a mountain stream or shield lake or the Florida backcountry. Its the one thing I can do to forget about everything else. But my reward is being out there. I love to catch, don't get me wrong. I get frustrated some days just like anyone. Its not fun everytime out.

Early in the season, I'm all over preparation... hooks are sharp, line is new... re-tie leaders each trip, get a game plan together with wind contigencies. Noting stuff for my log, trying new things, different spots at different tides.

My season is summer... when fish move into their summer haunts, I do well. And after a few good weeks, I just get happy and content. Life happens a bit, I get a bit tired too. I get more driven just to get out there and I get my share of fish and that's all I need or want. I lose my "edge"...

I got my second biggest fish 2 weeks ago. I took a vacation day, went out by myself. I found some nice fish off one of my points. I got several decent fish from 31-34" and a couple just under keeper size. Then I nailed a 28#er... I was all happy. I released the fish and basically, I quit fishing. I went out and trolled for bluefish for awhile just b/c its something I want to learn and to veg out and enjoy the nice day. Then I went in. The next day, I'm thinkin' why the heck did I quit bass fishing.

I don't think I'll ever become a "sharpie" cause I'm just not driven enough by the results.

I'm passing no judgement... I'm impressed by the people that become that good cause I know what it takes to get there.

My professional life is the same way... many of us wonder why a multi-millionaire would want to start a new company when they could retire today... they are just driven a bit different. I don't think its just money. They need that action. I'm content to make a good living, but still have time for other things. Not to be stressed all the time.

Same in fishing or any hobby. Are you happy to be good and just have fun, or do you want to be great. Do you want it for yourself? Do you want to make a name? Whatever the motivation.

I do want to get better in everything I do. But there is always a balancing point. When does the effort/time needed outweigh the gain in satisfaction. Certainly over time, I will learn my water well enough that results will get better and better. But it could come alot sooner if you really wanted to lay it out there.

Sorry John, I lost track of where the thread was going... I love this philosophic discussion. I like thinking about all the levels of what makes a good fisherman. I also wonder if I am any good... just out of curiousity. Its good to get ideas from others on how they would try to improve.

08-09-2005, 04:04 PM	#2
schoolie monster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 1,195	JohnR, you bring up a good point. Alot of these things are common sense, but you have to be fairly driven to put all of them into practice each time out. Most decent to good fishermen know alot of these things. But thinking of them before you go out, instead of after you lose a 30#er, that's the key. I think alot on the way home or the next day and am always thinking of things I should have tried or what I could have changed to do better. But I don't necessarily think well when I'm out on the water. I'm more likely to stick to my gameplan. I've learned lessons about sharp hooks, knicks in line, taking care of your equipment, etc. etc. Something Bill said is very good advice, "always be ready for the trophy" ... think about it, you likely won't ever get a shot at a 50. Or maybe you'll get one shot. It could come any time, any place...and tlapinski said, "don't repeat mistakes"... very simple... but a good point...alot of good points in this thread. Obviously you have to know some water before any of these things come into play. If you aren't on fish, it will never matter if you have sharp hooks and new line... or a brand new shimano stella and custom made lami. To be good, you have to spend time out there and learn some areas. I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but flexibility and adaptability are HUGE. Taking advantage of what's available. I fall into the trap sometimes of forcing what I think will work, instead of finding what's going to work. In a way, I'm very versatile. I fish artificials well, I fish live herring well, I'm decent with an eel, I'm OK with a flyrod. I can catch fish alot of different ways, but you have to find them first. For example, I find fish well in the summer, but I'm not the best at spring and fall. I don't necessarily know where to find fish at those times unless they are blowing things up on the surface. I kept pounding some of my good summer spots thru the fall. I'd catch a pod of fish in those areas on occasion, but they'd moved on by next trip out. So I'm not a big fall run guy... The biggest problem I run into though, is complacency. Fishing and the ocean are in my blood as much as anyone's. I should say water, cause I dig a mountain stream or shield lake or the Florida backcountry. Its the one thing I can do to forget about everything else. But my reward is being out there. I love to catch, don't get me wrong. I get frustrated some days just like anyone. Its not fun everytime out. Early in the season, I'm all over preparation... hooks are sharp, line is new... re-tie leaders each trip, get a game plan together with wind contigencies. Noting stuff for my log, trying new things, different spots at different tides. My season is summer... when fish move into their summer haunts, I do well. And after a few good weeks, I just get happy and content. Life happens a bit, I get a bit tired too. I get more driven just to get out there and I get my share of fish and that's all I need or want. I lose my "edge"... I got my second biggest fish 2 weeks ago. I took a vacation day, went out by myself. I found some nice fish off one of my points. I got several decent fish from 31-34" and a couple just under keeper size. Then I nailed a 28#er... I was all happy. I released the fish and basically, I quit fishing. I went out and trolled for bluefish for awhile just b/c its something I want to learn and to veg out and enjoy the nice day. Then I went in. The next day, I'm thinkin' why the heck did I quit bass fishing. I don't think I'll ever become a "sharpie" cause I'm just not driven enough by the results. I'm passing no judgement... I'm impressed by the people that become that good cause I know what it takes to get there. My professional life is the same way... many of us wonder why a multi-millionaire would want to start a new company when they could retire today... they are just driven a bit different. I don't think its just money. They need that action. I'm content to make a good living, but still have time for other things. Not to be stressed all the time. Same in fishing or any hobby. Are you happy to be good and just have fun, or do you want to be great. Do you want it for yourself? Do you want to make a name? Whatever the motivation. I do want to get better in everything I do. But there is always a balancing point. When does the effort/time needed outweigh the gain in satisfaction. Certainly over time, I will learn my water well enough that results will get better and better. But it could come alot sooner if you really wanted to lay it out there. Sorry John, I lost track of where the thread was going... I love this philosophic discussion. I like thinking about all the levels of what makes a good fisherman. I also wonder if I am any good... just out of curiousity. Its good to get ideas from others on how they would try to improve.