[Brian L]

Not sure I agree with the boat fishing is easier if you're referring to actually catching fish. If I think of all the best numbers days I've ever had Striper fishing, most of them have been from shore on the canal or back beach with my sharpie brother.

I will agree that I've had much better luck consistantly catching high numbers of bigger fish from the boat, but it took a few seasons to learn how to fish all the spots correctly and be productive. I wouldn't say it takes any less time, effort, or skill to get really good at it, it's just different. Correct me if I'm wrong Mike, but I don't see any drop off in your yearly #'s compared to boat fishing. Maybe fewer giants, but that's about it.

I know enough superbly skilled surf guys that catch a pile of big fish to think that it's not really any easier. Good fisherman will find bigger and more fish whether they're on the beach or in a boat. They'll work hard to understand the conditions under which fish will be at certain areas and be at those areas at the right times. Also, how many of the folks that claim boat fishing is "easier" say so because they spent the day on the water with a charter captain or very experienced angler that fishes a lot, and therefore knows where, when, and how to catch a lot of fish? Guys like that can tend to make it look a lot easier than it really is. There's dozens of boats out in SoCo every weekend and I don't see tons of Bass being hauled over the sides of many of them. The ones that do catch a lot are the guys who are out there a lot, grinding it out, adapting their methods to the conditions.

Though I don't get out in the surf often due to ruined knees and a job that doesn't lend itself to being tired and smelly in the A.M., I think that there's nothing quite like getting a bigger fish in the suds. You're stationary and more subject to where the fish is going than in a boat. The fight is certainly a lot more interesting. Both ways are fantastic ways to fish!