What Used To Be......

[BigFish]

Was down the backside this past weekend! Sure is a shadow of what it once was 6-7 years ago. The seals have raped that area, made it a waste of time to fish from shore. 6-7 years ago you would see vehicle after vehicle driving up and down route 6 with rods on their bumpers and you could not walk on a beach this time of year without seeing at least a half dozen surf fisherman during the day on any stretch or beach and 4 times that many at night!!! Now......saw 1 fisherman on the beaches down there all weekend. Dozens and dozens of seals. Have not hooked a fish or had so much as a swirl down there on the backside beaches in 4 years!!!! So very sad what has happened down there to the fishery. Talking to that other fisherman who happens to live down there.......not seeing sand eels as he used to, lack of bait inshore continues as does the presence of fish...even blues????? I love it down there but might just have to leave the surf gear home next time. Just no longer worth the effort! I see a few folks venturing out on the Race......but that is not even worth the $150 a season anymore due to the closures! I have not bought a permit myself in 6 years.....remember when you had to get it the first 3 days or you would miss out???? I miss the good old days down there.