How to hang in there? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

chunkerII · 06-12-2005, 06:59 PM

A question for all you "old pros" and all you guys that, like me, are still relatively new (2 years) to this. How did/ do you keep from getting discouraged when you think you're doing all the right things but keep getting skunked? I understand you have to put in the time, ask questions (this site is a huge help in that respect), experiment, etc. Sometimes though I just don't know if I'm doing it right in the wrong place or wrong in the right place. For the most part I manage to stay fairly optimistic. Not giving up by a long shot. Just wondering how other folks out there deal with the "dry patches".

ProfessorM · 06-12-2005, 07:11 PM

I learned a long time ago that you have to enjoy the whole experience, not just the catching. If you can do that it will come. Paul

BigFish · 06-12-2005, 07:11 PM

If you feel you are doing all the right things the right way....and everyone else is experiencing the same slow to skunk conditions.......just keep fishing and your moments will come!

tynan19 · 06-12-2005, 07:12 PM

Fish more and when you do get into them it is that much better. Expand your horizons do not get stuck in one place or one type of bait.

Nebe · 06-12-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor Moriarty

I learned a long time ago that you have to enjoy the whole experience, not just the catching. If you can do that it will come. Paul

you be a wise man

capesams · 06-12-2005, 07:51 PM

there's been a few nite's I've gone home empty handed ... gottin a bump but that's it..I just say o-well! it was nice to get out anyway...I'll give it hell tomorrow....2/3's of the fun in fishing is in the hunt. WE ALL have had dead time's..don't dwell on dry time's ..push ahead better day's r coming.

chunkerII · 06-12-2005, 07:55 PM

I'll be heading out shortly to "plug away". I'll take your good words with me.

Karl F · 06-12-2005, 08:38 PM

I'll echo all above... sometimes it's just the getting out there, cleansing the day to day outta your system... absorb the salt and regroup.

Slingah · 06-13-2005, 06:12 AM

catching fish is a bonus

protty31 · 06-13-2005, 06:25 AM

Just think of the poor slobs that don't have the ocean as a retreat.Catching is great,but just being out there has it's benefits too.Most of the the places I fish are so dam beautiful it doesn't matter either way.The people who say fishing is boring just don't get it,don't worry they will come.g/l.

The Dad Fisherman · 06-13-2005, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by protty31

The people who say fishing is boring just don't get it,don't worry they will come.g/l.

Those are the same people that sit in front ofthe Microwave going "C'mon, Hurry Up already"

I like it just for the peace and quiet. With Work, a house, and 2 kids that are involved in Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Scouts (both Boy and Girl), Dance Lessons and school projects. Getting out there and thinking about absolutely nothing for a few hours is the best stress relief around. Anything on the end of the line is a bonus.

There are people out there spending $250 an hour to lie on a couch and tell some guy they don't know about how stressful their lives are and all they need to really do is pick up a rod and head out for a couple of hours.

bassmaster · 06-13-2005, 10:11 AM

Fish where You would'nt fish normally.
we all get it. you have to believe in your self and work through it

striprman · 06-13-2005, 10:38 AM

I go fishing just to "get away from it all". If I catch a fish while I'm at it, it just adds to the fishing experience. When I can't get to the stripers, I just dig a few worms and head to the local pond.

justplugit · 06-13-2005, 10:55 AM

Live in the moment, put in your time,and it will happen.

piemma · 06-13-2005, 11:35 AM

Got skunked 15 days straight in May. been in the surf for almost 40 years. I hada great time everytime I went. It's not the kill but the thrill of the hunt.
Just put your time in, try different spots, times, plugs and for God sake, have fun!!!

vineyardblues · 06-13-2005, 11:44 AM

JUST fib like the rest of the internet heros

Only kidding.

Just pray to the fish God ><> ><> ><>

VB

Parapapam · 06-13-2005, 02:37 PM

Chunker,

Glad you posted this because I sometimes feel the same way. I am in a similar situation as you are. Even though I casually fished for a long time (which means: put some lines in that water and break out the lunch, and couple of beers for the crew...and if we hook up then great!) I am starting to get more serious about it.

But this leads to (at least for my own internal barometer) more pressure from "the crew" who ask "When are we going to catch fish?"

I have recently started to think I have to let go of some of this pressure that I have admittedly put on myself. I am getting to feel like a Charter Guy must feel. Well I want it to be fun. But it has got to be fun for me as well.

So don't feel bad. Let go of the pressure. Enjoy the time on the water. The fish will come in groups, not in an even flow. The flow will smooth out slightly as we improve our abilities.

Of course I am also giving this advice to myself as well...easier said than done.

chris L · 06-13-2005, 02:58 PM

you mean fishing also includes catching fish ? well I have fun just going out and getting away . If it was all about the catching and trophy's then I quit or I dont fish right .

some people take fishing for stripers too serious !

just enjoy what your doing the catching will come . try a different spot not all places hold fish . search for them dont wait for them to come to you .

enjoy !

MAC · 06-13-2005, 03:42 PM

Like others have said above. Fishing (to me) is more about the whole experience. Catching is just a nice little reward. My grandfather started me fishing approximately 40 years ago and the passion has never left me with it. If all you are concerned about is the catching then maybe you should take up something else like golf where your score pits you against yourself. Don't take this as an attack on you because it isn't. Just another way to put it into perspective. Hopefully you continue to love and enjoy fishing.

Backbeach Jake · 06-13-2005, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

Got skunked 15 days straight in May. been in the surf for almost 40 years. I hada great time everytime I went. It's not the kill but the thrill of the hunt.
Just put your time in, try different spots, times, plugs and for God sake, have fun!!!

Oh good, it isn't just me!

I started about the same eon. Part of the ritual was getting bait. Digging worms or clams and raking sandeels. That's a small victory right there. Seen the price of worms lately? Learn some decent knots and practice them, if fishing's slow practice your cast. If you're just starting plugging try different techniques. It's all part of the whole. It's like Little League Baseball. You don't yet know what you don't know. Practice ,practice everything. You'll get good.

Oh yeah, listen to Bassmaster and try to read between the lines. He gives up more that he knows, maybe, I think.

Notaro · 06-13-2005, 08:28 PM

well, if u hang in there, then u might learn something. when u lose, u will learn something. i explored spots around when i started fishing. then i got my first keeper.

the best part is hooking up with someone and learn from them. also, its improtant to have fun.

staltershoal · 06-13-2005, 08:51 PM

i can fish all day long and not catch a dam thing. it is a hell of a lot better than sweating you azz off working. and even when your not catching anythign is a hell of a lot better than a hot poker in the eye. there is something about geting up at the crack ass of dawn and getting out to the islands early to drift for fluke, my allergies clear up, i can breath better, and even if i dont catch a dam thing i get to take some pictures, drink some beers, and enjoy the weather.

Notaro · 06-13-2005, 09:42 PM

i wld normally sitback and eat my lunch and drink. besides, it helped me to get away from tension at home.

macojoe · 06-13-2005, 10:07 PM

I could careless weather I catch or not!! Just love beeing on the boat and cruz! I love it the most when I have peope on my boat and they are catching like mad!! I just sit there and shot the crap with them!!

bassmaster · 06-13-2005, 10:22 PM

chunker, how do You fish and where please
pm me if u want

fishweewee · 06-13-2005, 10:50 PM

Chunker II ...

All I can say is keep plugging away. A few things help:

1) Keep putting in your time on the water, and HAVE SOME FUN doing it

2) You might have more success putting in your hours at night. Also, on the open ocean or bay, 2 hours before high slack and 2 hours after high slack tides are a good rule of thumb.

3) Match the hatch.

4) Read up on the subject, attend good seminars, chat with knowledgeable folks here (disclaimer: I do not claim to be knowledgeable on the subject).

5) Meet up and fish with people who've got some experience. Learn from them. Adopt best practices and develop your own style which matches your schedule and your interests.

Lastly,

- I can tell you firsthand that the fishing in Coolidge Corner and Washington Square is TERRIBLE, it's that damn noisy C-line that scares the baitfish away

- If you are fishing the Charles this time of year, goose poop is actually pretty good chum, but I wouldn't wanna eat anything that goes after it

- The togging in Chinatown is pretty darn good

- Don't get caught at the aquarium

Notaro · 06-13-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishweewee

Chunker II ...
- The togging in Chinatown is pretty darn good

- Don't get caught at the aquarium

It's so true. You can go to Peach Farm restaurant on Tyler St. He is right. They have togs there. Check out cods and oysterfish, too.

piemma · 06-14-2005, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

Oh good, it isn't just me!

I started about the same eon. Part of the ritual was getting bait. Digging worms or clams and raking sandeels. That's a small victory right there. Seen the price of worms lately? Learn some decent knots and practice them, if fishing's slow practice your cast. If you're just starting plugging try different techniques. It's all part of the whole. It's like Little League Baseball. You don't yet know what you don't know. Practice ,practice everything. You'll get good.

Oh yeah, listen to Bassmaster and try to read between the lines. He gives up more that he knows, maybe, I think.

Na, Jake. We are both old but still enjoy the surf. Personally I like just being out there. I get excited everytime I get ready to go. It's a sickness I think but God I love it. Even when I get skunked, like this morning.

chunkerII · 06-14-2005, 02:50 PM

Mac, thanks for the advice (and all the encouragement from everyone else). I've been fishing off and on for a long time (mostly fresh water) but only started fishing for stripers the last couple of years. Catching definitely isn't all I care about. Like I said, I think it's just wanting to do it right. Then if I still get skunked so be it. The other part of it is that I really want to catch something plugging this year. When there's a handful of bait you can throw compared to hundreds? of plugs it's a little daunting. I'm just gonna take all the good advice you guys have given me and keep at it (and enjoying it).

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAC

Like others have said above. Fishing (to me) is more about the whole experience. Catching is just a nice little reward. My grandfather started me fishing approximately 40 years ago and the passion has never left me with it. If all you are concerned about is the catching then maybe you should take up something else like golf where your score pits you against yourself. Don't take this as an attack on you because it isn't. Just another way to put it into perspective. Hopefully you continue to love and enjoy fishing.

RIROCKHOUND · 06-14-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

Just put your time in, try different spots, times, plugs and for God sake, have fun!!!

This is where we differ P; last year this off big time when you found fish way to the west at that reef but I tend to beat the same dead horse repeatedly.....

isn't the definition of stupid doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result...

ChunkerII;

One overlooked thing so far is not to search and explore... return to what you KNOW works; if you've had success at a spot at a certain tide; go there, try it off tide, or try eels at a spot you always plug etc..

This year the fish havent been where I think they should be, and had a similar skunk stretch that PIemma had (probably cause I fish with him most of the time) and as much as 'thinking outside the box' might help, this week I returned to places I had overlooked and found fish..... this was a far from steller stretch of fishing, but the last few nights has been my best stretch of the year so far.... unfortunetly thats not saying all that much

Keep at it; I've been fishing since I was 5, and grew up as a boatfisherman who did some surffishing, but I really didnt get hardcore in the surf until the last 6 years or so and my goal every year is to catch more decent fish, and do that more consistantly; this has paid off, I have no wall-hangers but I do pretty well, set reasonable goals, if you expect a 50 everytime your gonna get frustrated quick;

MAC,
I was a golfer but gave it up cause I stressed too much about the scores etc.. fishing isnt like that, it's justsomething to enjoy and if you catch great, if not it is ALWAYS better than sitting on the couch, and youlearn something new EVERYTIME you go out... and that 1209 is a killer eel stick!!!!