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Well any year I am still standing after the fishing is done is good in my book. I had lots of highlights. I don't really judge highlights on size of fish but more on how I enjoyed myself. I am lucky enough to be able to fish most any weekday I want so I get to enjoy the lighter crowds. I also fish several different ways too so boredom never really takes hold. Spring I fish the tin skiff and plugs, mostly top water, and got to fish side by side several members, biteme ,ernie, Slip,Lower. Had a skiff day out on the flats with Flap and Saltfly one day. As usual the whole spring was a highlight. Then the canal came into play and was able to be there for several of the stellar days we had in June. Catching 30 plus lb fish at 11 in the morning with top water plugs. It doesn't get any better than that. Highlights every day during that stretch. Got to fish with Slingha and Big fish on one of those days. Fantastic top water action. They were hooked after that. I saw both of them many times down there after that. I also saw at the very min. 30 plus other members within the next week or 2. Then it was commercial season and into the 19' boat. My highlight was several all niters trolling CC Bay after work, something I look forward to every year, and the usual weekday stints. Still have not caught up on my sleep yet from those. Started out great for a couple weeks with several nice drag pullers but ended up being pretty below average for me. I was ready for the close 3 weeks before it came. The bluefish and northerly winds killed me. Then it was back to the tin skiff and raking sand eels and fishing Westport for fluke. Got a few but not like last year. Fished in striperman36, Bill's, boat and we caught bluefish along with 100 other boats, no bass but a nice day on the water. Then back to hitting the canal with eels after work and plugs at daybreak. Again meeting a few more members I didn't know. I was next to Lawrence when he had his PB that morning. I had been there all nite with eels and as it got light I called over is that you L.. I kind of new it was, as he likes the same spot. No bike. We fished the east tide and had a few nice fish. I gave up on the canal a week ago today. Tues. last week I had another of my highlights as I fished with Numbskull, George, in his boat casting plugs along his favorite area. We didn't catch much but it was a very enjoyable, informative, trip as I have always wanted to do that area and fishing plugs is the best and George is one of the best at it. He also gave me my best highlight last year when he got me into my first Albie. I was all geared up for chasing them this year but it didn't materialize. I did a trip 2 weeks ago in the tin boat along Sandy Neck on a Monday not much and then the following Monday a trip off of Gooseberry's ramp in my tin boat, again not much. I am done as of today, I am pretty sure. Going to go let 2 dozen eels go at the canal tomorrow on my way to work. I am sure that will be the highlight of their year. I am one lucky guy to be able to enjoy as much of this great sport we all luv. and I take nothing for granted. Keep it fun and have a safe and healthy new year and I look forward to fishing and meeting more of you guys next year. Peace. Paul
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