Is The Shore Fishing So Bad?

[BigFish]

I see many of the surf diehard crowd buying boats??? Is it old age or just the fact that surf fishing just ain't what it used to be? Why, in your opinion, is the surf fishing so poor the last couple years?

PS-We need a smilie with a boat!

[afterhours]

boat guys i know are having another banner year. been that way for last 3 years or so. we need bait magnets on our shorelines.

[fishaholic18]

I think it's just an off year, had the best year of my surf fishing life last year/ They'll be back..I hope..

[Uncle Matt]

Either your in the "club" Larry or your standing on shore watching our wakes. Eat my wake BF!!!!!

[capesams]

Larry.....look where all the fish are being caught down here..out in cape cod bay...off shore on the back side....why? SEAL's along the beaches....ain't none outside or in the bay, cept the race inside. Your on the internet enough to read ALL the threads on ALL the sites to know....the beaches are dieing fast...wood you swim in shark infested water's if you knew you had a 99% chance of getting eatten.

I was a diehard surfer for shore,,but saw the sign's of thing's to come...look into the tin/fiberglass to see the light once again.

[eelman]

For me there are several reasons, first its just one more way to enjoy the water, second the shore has been full of bullcrap the last few years and its nice to get away from it now and then. I live 1minute from the water and I acually save fuel by fishing in the boat! I have an economical 4 stroke that sips fuel and dont have to run the truck as much.Its also nice to be able to reach places I have only been able to dream about. Plus I can beach the boat and surfcast remote places...It just opens up many possibilites and access is no longer an issue. And yes, the bones get tired after 40, Having done everything I wanted to out of the surf and certainly logging many miles walking, its a treat to be able to fish the boat.... I split it now and fish a few nights surf and a few boat. No more frustration hearing that they are killing them in the bay on live pogies etc...just out of my range...I can now reach fish when I have to. I also enjoy the solitude of the boat and the ability to get away from the crowds....Not many guys with boats are out at night fishing like we do in tight to the shore casting eels...


I will say, it does not gurantee instant success, I have my hands full learning the ropes at night, its very difficult to fish a shoreline full of boulders in pitch black, Having done both shore and now this, IMO the boat is much more mentally demanding and dangerous. I am basically fishing the surf from boat, not drifting humps in 50 foot of water, Its not easy ...Anyway, Those are my reasons..I dont understand why its some kind of bad thing to own a boat? Its one of the best purchases I have made....

[Nebe]

my family life/work schedule just wont allow me to fish late nights anymore.. i can still do it once in a while, but it wrecks me for a day or 2.. if i do it everynight i can train my body to adjust, but to go only 2 or 3 times a week just wrecks me for the other days..

Im still a surfcaster, i just have one more option at my disposal (once i get it running )

[shadow]

I think this year has not been so good you have to really look long and hard to find fish,yet I would'nt say that it has been that why in years past at least not where I fish in R.I. As all ready said bait is a major facter as why the fish just have not move in range.We all were hoping to get bait back and this year we saw large run of squid (may was a good month)and now we got to see the adult bunker came back somewhat, the problem there is most of it is staying south of us or what is up here is just off shore.Back when big bunker was pleantaful the fall runs were better then the spring lets hope that will be the case.

[Mr. Sandman]

Boat fishing just gives you many more options to pick from. It is more fun for kids too. Just being on a boat is fun. Most people have limited time to fish in their lives today and having the option to go out on a boat can be real nice.

Don't get me wrong I love surf fishing but its fun to do both. Also, I think you can become a better (and more knowledgable ) surfcaster if you fish the shoreline from a boat. For examble, I believe that I am much more familiar with certain shoreline(s) structures because I have drifted over nearly every rock many times in a boat and it has made my surfcasting that beach more productive.

When the surf fishing sucks, you can still get out and enjoy some kind of fishing action, and when it is too rough or crummy to be out on a boat you can always go surfcasting.

Also, a day on a boat just bottom fishing with kids can create memorys that last a lifetime. I take a older gentlemen out with his grandkids each season for a day of fishing. (no relation to me, just a friend, he does a lot for me each year and I like to repay his kindness with a fishing trip or two) They are not fishermen but enjoy a day out there. Well to hear the kids recall each past years with details of past trips that I have long forgotten, well, you can tell they really enjoyed it and look forward to next season. This season one girl got a 9# fluke and the other girl got a 20# bass (on a fluke rig!) . What was funny was the fishing was very slow and the tide was screaming. I moved several times to different spots I like to fish and while we had caught a few food fish but nothing worth bragging about. They were saying how the previous season(s) had more action and this year seemed slower. Then in one long drift late in the afternoon the mood changed. They all got some real solid doormats and a few striped surprises. What was a slow day became an awesome day. The photos and memories they have they will never forget. It was as much fun for me as it was for them and I never wet a line. That is why people like boat fishing. Then you have all the other things you can do on a boat...tubing skiing, clamming, overnighting, visiting remote beaches, extened trips, offshore fishing, meeting new friends...it is just fun.

[Finaddict]

Larry,

IMO, and as mentioned above, it's always a number of factors to any situation -- I am a boat guy who grew up fishing from boats up until about two-three years ago when the baby came and my boat fishing slowed way down, this year I have yet to fish off a boat ... have I caught more fish off a boat? Yes, but that is also because of 30+ years of fishing from a boat and only fishing the shoreline once and awhile ... it's all relative.

I've had days of catching fish from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. from boat in the fall where it is catching fish non-stop all day, but also because I was able to cover so much territory hitting spots throughout the day ... if one shoreline doesn't work, move to another, if that one dies down, motor to another, the mobility is far greater than you have from the shore as you can cover pretty much every inch of shoreline and every reef with relative ease -- of course you have to be careful of rocks and waves, etc., which means you want a capable individual with you who can get you out of a tricky situation without you having to give directions ... again, it's all relative.

Night time is better, but here again as mentioned above, you need to be focused on the rocks and want to ensure your partner is capable of helping you out of any situation ...

About crowds, yes you can escape the crowds more easily from a boat most of the times, but there are times in the boat when people will intrude on your fishing as they would on a beach ... especially during the day, you will always have the @$$ face googans who think you are onto fish or have something better and will mess up your drift, fishing area or whatever because they think you have the answer. So getting out in a boat during the day and scouting the area with a depth finder and watching the rocks, etc. is a great way to prepare for night fishing.

But the bait is the problem and having the bait inshore makes all the difference between scoring non-stop or being skunked, fish will always be where the food is.

[striprman]

Somehow, when I pull a fish from the surf, I feel a higher level of accomplishment than catching a fish from a boat.

My surf caught fish stick in my mind more than the boat ones.

[blue oyster]

i don't even like boating and i bought a boat , i just got tired of watching fish breaking just out of reach or around the corner that i cannot get to . mobility is the key i can fish 10 spots on a tide where as if from shore by the time i walk back to the truck , find a new spot walk out ect. i can only fish 2 mabey 3 spots .

[Skitterpop]

Boat and shore is optimum

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by capesams

Larry.....look where all the fish are being caught down here..out in cape cod bay...off shore on the back side....why? SEAL's along the beaches....ain't none outside or in the bay, cept the race inside. Your on the internet enough to read ALL the threads on ALL the sites to know....the beaches are dieing fast...wood you swim in shark infested water's if you knew you had a 99% chance of getting eatten.

I was a diehard surfer for shore,,but saw the sign's of thing's to come...look into the tin/fiberglass to see the light once again.

Steve, ask Karl F., I had him in my skiff off of Chapin's and guess what we had on the east bar flats? A nice big fat seal and I have seen more since. Seems they are migrating over around the bend. Few off of Sandy Neck as well. Won't be long afore they gang up on the good feeding that all those little bass provide.

The seals are killing us. The Elizabeths are not immune either. We are seeing them way early in the fall than they used to be showing up. Now it's early September rather than early November. Something has gotto be done but the GOV'T. don't care bout us, it's animals first humans second. Well F^%& them! We have a right to the resources too just as much as seals do and we want our beaches back!

[Flaptail]

[QUOTE=striprman]Somehow, when I pull a fish from the surf, I feel a higher level of accomplishment than catching a fish from a boat.

More like a freakin' miracle than a higher level of accomplishment.

[Skitterpop]

Clandestine Cleansing

[Flaptail]

[QUOTE=Flaptail]

Originally Posted by striprman

Somehow, when I pull a fish from the surf, I feel a higher level of accomplishment than catching a fish from a boat.

More like a freakin' miracle than a higher level of accomplishment.

That was not a personal reference but a reference to no fish on the beach. Just to keep things straight.

[striprman]

[QUOTE=Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

That was not a personal reference but a reference to no fish on the beach. Just to keep things straight.

You can use it as a personal reference...this year oke:

[BigFish]

Capesams...I agree with everything you said. I know all too well the seals are dominating the backside.....they suck! The place to be is bayside but as Flap said...its a matter of time and they will be there too! Heard or read a report of a seal getting chomped by a shark the other day??? Well....keep saving those seals and we will be seeing an increase in attacks on humans for sure. I also like the way #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& put it as far as all the positives for boats.....makes me think a little more about buying a small tin for myself!

Oh, and for the record....not knocking boats at all...(though I do like to tease once in awhile) as my bones get older I am sure that will be the way I go!

[capesams]

You'd be suprised as to what I've caught in a 8' pram...just make sure you have a good anchor.It's a long row back to shore after a nantucket slay ride

[nightfighter]

Flap,

Maybe time for an OTW article on the seals.... with a letter the reader could copy and send to the proper authorities? And don't forget to mention how the seals are attracting those big white sharks closer and closer to the beaches that bring in all that tourist green!

[MAC]

I witnessed a couple of fights with seals over fish this morning out on the end. Needless to say fishers got the heads and seals got the rest. Slipknot stood a seal on its flippers too. Good test for the saltiga.

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Capesams...I agree with everything you said. I know all too well the seals are dominating the backside.....they suck! The place to be is bayside but as Flap said...its a matter of time and they will be there too! Heard or read a report of a seal getting chomped by a shark the other day??? Well....keep saving those seals and we will be seeing an increase in attacks on humans for sure. I also like the way #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& put it as far as all the positives for boats.....makes me think a little more about buying a small tin for myself!

Oh, and for the record....not knocking boats at all...(though I do like to tease once in awhile) as my bones get older I am sure that will be the way I go!

I was on a boat fishing in Chatham today, and saw LOTS of seals up close to the shore !!!

[Tagger]

someone say boat ? I heard BM bought a boat ,,whats that tell you ?

[Pt.JudeJoe]

Let's invite some eskimos down for a cookout.

[Karl F]

Quote:
Originally Posted by capesams
Larry.....look where all the fish are being caught down here..out in cape cod bay...off shore on the back side....why? SEAL's along the beaches....ain't none outside or in the bay, cept the race inside. Your on the internet enough to read ALL the threads on ALL the sites to know....the beaches are dieing fast...wood you swim in shark infested water's if you knew you had a 99% chance of getting eatten.

I was a diehard surfer for shore,,but saw the sign's of thing's to come...look into the tin/fiberglass to see the light once again.

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Steve, ask Karl F., I had him in my skiff off of Chapin's and guess what we had on the east bar flats? A nice big fat seal and I have seen more since. Seems they are migrating over around the bend. Few off of Sandy Neck as well. Won't be long afore they gang up on the good feeding that all those little bass provide.

The seals are killing us. The Elizabeths are not immune either. We are seeing them way early in the fall than they used to be showing up. Now it's early September rather than early November. Something has gotto be done but the GOV'T. don't care bout us, it's animals first humans second. Well F^%& them! We have a right to the resources too just as much as seals do and we want our beaches back!

Yes & Yes!

Steve & Steve, I could not believe seeing that lone seal that day, I also had a bad feeling he was a "scout"... you both can remember seeing the odd lone seal show up on the backside, then a friend told a friend and so on, and so on... they follow the fish, find them, and spread the word, to their fellow sea rats.

Larry, if you can get a skiff, do it. You will not regret it.

Skitter is correct, doing both is the way to go.

Tagger... yup .. BM=BoatMan now

I will say this... I still like the feel of reeling in a fish, with my feet on the sand better, not a knock at all on boat fish, Boat Fish Count ... just a personal preference, but, to get your "fish fix"... go skiffin'.. you really don't need a big boat.. Flap proved that to me.. and Thank You for that Steve!

[thefishingfreak]

friends with boats,,,, thats WAY better......................

[Goose]

Boat is just another means of transportation to put you where the fish are,,,don't think its quick fix cause it ain't.

[tattoobob]

I use a 14 foot deep vee and I first started fishing in it to get away from all the losers on shore, up on the north shore everyone seems to end up at Salisbury or Plum Island and if you want to laugh fish there. anyway I love to fish from sand and rocks, I haven't used my boat once this year. but I will be if things don't turn around soon.

[justplugit]

then a friend told a friend and so on, and so on... they follow the fish, find them, and spread the word, to their fellow sea rats.

[/QUOTE]

Are they usin cell phones yet.