Whats your favorite surf/bass book ? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Megabyte · 10-06-2006, 09:08 PM

Whats's your favorite surfcasting for bass book?

Winters comin' and I need something to keep me from going crazeee.

Nebe · 10-06-2006, 09:12 PM

check out "Striper" by john Cole.. not really about surf casting, but its some damn good writing. I just picked up "Fishing came first" by the same author-(non striper related) so far i would say it was the book that inspired david bendetto(sp?) to write "On the Run" (another good read)

daignault's books are ok too.

tynan19 · 10-07-2006, 09:57 PM

[QUOTE=Nebe]check out "Striper" by john Cole.. not really about surf casting, but its some damn good writing. I just picked up "Fishing came first" by the same author-(non striper related) so far i would say it was the book that inspired david bendetto(sp?) to write "On the Run" (another good read)
QUOTE]
Just finished it the other day. Great read but I got through it so fast that I thought the author could write another 400 pages on the subject. Seemed like a great story that had to end too fast. On The Run as well as Reading The Water are my favorites. My Reading The Water is falling apart I read it so much.

striprman · 10-06-2006, 09:58 PM

Bluefishing by Henry Lyman

Flaptail · 10-07-2006, 05:01 AM

There are several.

1st. Woolner-Lyman's 1954 Edition of "Striped Bass Fishing"
2nd. Ollie Rodman's (who created Saltwater Sportsman) "The Saltwater Fisherman's Favorite Four"
3rd. Van Campen Hielner's "The call of the Surf"
4th. Genio C. Scott's "Fishing in American Waters"
5th. Frank Daignault's "Twenty Years on the Cape"
6th. Capt' Phil Schwind's "Cape Cod Fisherman" ( This is the book I asked to be buried with me when I go to the big beach in the sky)
7th. Nick Kara's "Striped Bass"
8th. George W. Rieger's "Profiles in Saltwater Angling" (pay spcl. attention to the chapters on Rodman, Woolner and Rhinefelder)
9th. Robert Post's "Reading the Water"

And lastly I am reserving the 10th spot for Dennis Zambrotta's "The Snowstorm Blitz" after publishing.

piemma · 10-07-2006, 05:13 AM

READING THE WATER. Some of the best stories from back when there were large everywhere

luds · 10-07-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

READING THE WATER. Some of the best stories from back when there were large everywhere

yup

Back Beach · 10-07-2006, 05:15 AM

Shining tides= very good, but fiction.

"On the Run" rocks! I like it because it incorporates numbers of truly different characters in different places. Also, its a "now" book, which appeals to me. Some of the "good old days" books get boring listening to people brag about their old exploits. The guy(Benedetto) is a freakin nut, but a very articulate author. Great read.

Reading the water is good too.

Flaptail · 10-07-2006, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Shining tides= very good, but fiction.

"On the Run" rocks! I like it because it incorporates numbers of truly different characters in different places. Also, its a "now" book, which appeals to me. Some of the "good old days" books get boring listening to people brag about their old exploits. The guy(Benedetto) is a freakin nut, but a very articulate author. Great read.

Reading the water is good too.

It wouldn't be that boring if you had lived it. And if you take the time to read between the lines you can always learn something. Time tides and place are still the same, know what I mean?

BigFish · 10-07-2006, 06:47 AM

I just picked up an original copy of "Striper" by John Cole! Planning on starting it after the rods get put away! Its on the coffee table right now! "Surfcasters Quest" by Roy Rowan is my favorite! They just re-issued it about a year ago and you can find it in most stores and on-line!!! "Striper Chronicles" by Leo N. Orsi Jr. is also a great read!!!

Back Beach · 10-07-2006, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

It wouldn't be that boring if you had lived it. And if you take the time to read between the lines you can always learn something. Time tides and place are still the same, know what I mean?

I hear you, but I still like the "now" stories. Have plenty of good old days stories myself,and I did live it, but I always get the impression that people don't want to hear them.Like one of my fishing partners always says"these guys from the 70's are still running around with their freshman letterman's sweaters on,they need to get with the times". That said, I spend hours on the phone sometimes listening to Tony C. Truly fascinating stories, and like you said, some things are timeless.I was actually influenced by T.C. big time with regard to the "now" thing. His take is leave the 70's in the 70's, that was a long time ago. Would like to get him to write a book about it, though. Slightly off topic guys, sorry.

bassmaster · 02-21-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

It wouldn't be that boring if you had lived it. And if you take the time to read between the lines you can always learn something. Time tides and place are still the same, know what I mean?

what stupid said

basswipe · 10-08-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

And lastly I am reserving the 10th spot for Dennis Zambrotta's "The Snowstorm Blitz" after publishing.

Mr. Sandman · 03-06-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

There are several.
...
6th. Capt' Phil Schwind's "Cape Cod Fisherman" ( This is the book I asked to be buried with me when I go to the big beach in the sky)
...
.

I must have been living in a cave for the last 35 years. For some reason I never heard of Phil Schwind until fairly recently. After seeing your post I searched around looking for some of his works...very interesting fellow. I found a 1st ed signed Hardcover of CCFisherman in a bookstore in Co of all places and have in now by my bedside (just started it last night). This looks great. Once I saw your above quote I said I have to read this. Thanks!

Mike P · 03-06-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

For some reason I never heard of Phil Schwind until fairly recently. After seeing your post I searched around looking for some of his works...very interesting fellow.

One of his favorite sayings was "It's a Phil Schwind that blows no good".

My sister got me one of his books for Christmas several years ago--the one with the cover shot of him surf fishing with a black Harnell and a Surfmaster. Originally published back in the 60s I think.

BassDawg · 03-06-2007, 04:29 PM

Must say that of the books I've read that have been posted here, i wholeheartedly concur. Cain't really rank mine from one to ten as I've only read; "On the Run", "Reading the Water", "Striper Chronicles", and one other that has yet to be mentioned. What say you of Milt Rosko's "The Striped Bass Book"? Thought it was quite the primer, sort of a good how-to first read, if you will? BASIC, very basic. But the fundamentals are good to know and what we build our style from.

Will check out the others. Daignault's "Trophy Stripers" waz next on my list, but now youse guys got me thinkin' bout these other cats......like Schwind's "Cape Cod Fishermen", Coleman's "Bass from the Beach", "Men's Lives" and have already checked out "Surfcaster's Quest", and "Call of the Surf" ~those last two were at the top of me list. Of the above six choices, who wants to rank them from first to last?

Thanks gents for all thoughts and considerations!

Flaptail · 03-08-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike P

One of his favorite sayings was "It's a Phil Schwind that blows no good".

My sister got me one of his books for Christmas several years ago--the one with the cover shot of him surf fishing with a black Harnell and a Surfmaster. Originally published back in the 60s I think.

Mike that came out Originally in 72' and was reprinted with additions in 1989.

patpatriot · 10-09-2006, 10:24 AM

havent read that many but "reading the water" is filled with good information along with great stories, its all about marthas vineyard surfcasting

Krispy · 10-09-2006, 10:52 AM

Actually, I think "Men's Lives" is my favorite S-B book

STREETFIGHT · 10-09-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krispy

Actually, I think "Men's Lives" is my favorite S-B book

thats the one at the top of my list.....

striper by cole & "consider the eel" are the other two

numbskull · 10-09-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krispy

Actually, I think "Men's Lives" is my favorite S-B book

I'll second this. Peter Matthiessen is a highly gifted writer (both fiction and nonfiction) and "Men's Lives" is an amazing account of the LI haul seining industry as it was squeezed away by "conservation/sport fishing" concerns. Easily the best book involving striped bass ever written (though not a "fishing book") and, if you think the fish pictures on this site are impressive, you should see the ones in this book.

FittyPoundah · 02-21-2007, 10:44 AM

Did some more reading this winter and wanted to weigh in on this thread, sorry for the bump. I generally enjoy the memoir and travelogue approach to How-To's, but both are equally important.

A few of my favorites:

River Runs Through It - No, not surf casting, but one of the best books out there, let alone on fishing. The last line gives me goosebumps everytime I read it and then makes me want to start all over again.

Easter Tides - is a close second. Fun read and really brought me back to days on the Race and Nauset with my dad fishing when I was a little kid. (20 Years... was really good too, but I preferred ET).

Reading the Water - was the first surf book I bought and still is one of the best

On The Run - was well-written and was such an unforgettable adventure. Made me want to follow in the DiBenedetto's footsteps.

Blues - Hate the fish, but loved how the book dealt with a lot of the more abstract ideas of why fishing is such a great way of life.

As far as How-To's:

I think Striper Surf is the best.

And I think OTW Anthology is also very well done. One of the first fishing books I actually used a highlighter while reading.

I still like the Woolner and Lyman books as well, the Buggies section in Modern Saltwater Sports Fishing is fantastic to a youngster like me.

EricM · 02-22-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Actually, I think "Men's Lives" is my favorite S-B book

This is on the top of my list as well. I go back to it in the middle of the winter often. Others on my shelf include:

Inshore Fly Fishing by Lou Taboury
Stripers and Streamers by Ray Bonderew
Night Tides, the Striper Fishing Legend of Billy the Greek
Hook Line and Sinker by Gary Soucie (great terminal tackle book, love it, great reading book as well.)
Through the Fish's Eye by Mark Sosin
What Fish See by Kageyama
McClane's Fishing Encyclopedia

Andy D · 02-22-2007, 07:36 AM

" Striper Chronicles " Leo Orsi

goosefish · 02-22-2007, 07:59 AM

Yeah "men's lives" is great. Try to get the first edition, which has the photographs in it.

"The longest silence" by Thomas McGuane is a fine book.
Same with "the fish's eye" by Ian Frazier.
"Practical light-tackle fishing" by Mark Sosin
Giant Bluefin by Whynott

chuckg · 02-22-2007, 09:52 AM

Ditto on Men's Lives and two books I always pick up at yard sales, to give to friends, that folks should read once in their lifetime are the Snow Leopard and At Play in the Fields of the Lord (Peter Matthiessen). Good to broaden those horizons...