How stubborn are you (technique-wise)? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Ake G · 11-16-2006, 08:54 AM

My long-time goal has been to catch Big (not small)Stripers.I fish with big plugs.

So I hit the oceanfront with my limited selection of plugs- regardless of conditions or time of day -start out w/a spook(I have 5 different sizes/weights to match conditions...)... knowing full-well in the areas I fish most often no matter what at the right times of day if there are any fish around I will get their attention with a spook.

I'll walk-the-dog until I'm tired of it and then go to a needlefish and work the water column more thoroughly and SLOWLY. If nothing happens then, I go elsewhere.No more endless cycling through a 20lb bag of different plugs.

Feeling like I have come close to mastering these two plugs and since I have caught more quality fish in the last few seasons (since taking this minimalist approach)than in my previous 20+ seasons, it clearly validates my approach.

Yes,I am stubborn and in spite of the evidence at my disposal, can't help thinking I'm limiting myself. Maybe I'm just in a "phase" -like my fly-fish only years

Should I care?Or is it all about confidence in what I'm doing has worked before and will continue to work.

So I'm wondering how many of you are stubborn fisherman and stick to your methods "no matter what...or how many schoolies that guy next to you tossing a clouser on a flyrod or a 6'sluggo is hammering"?

nightprowler · 11-16-2006, 10:00 AM

I'm stubborn.....but I ain't no fool.

if someone next to me is slaying the fish, i have no problem realizing my approach may be the wrong one and altering

Sluggoslinger · 11-16-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightprowler

I'm stubborn.....but I ain't no fool.

if someone next to me is slaying the fish, i have no problem realizing my approach may be the wrong one and altering

I agree with you on that!

Canalman · 11-16-2006, 11:59 AM

When I'm tossing plugs, I stay with only a few plugs as well and I don't need 1,000,000 colors either. I use Pencils, Spooks, Needles and Swimmers. That's really it. 2 Pencils, one light, one natural. 2 spooks Natural Colors, maybe 5 needles ranging from bullets to big 3 oz hunks and swimmers from Bombers, to the flat sided lipless hammerhead that Dave and I make. So might have 10 plugs with me... Other guys carry 400 plugs and they do well on most of them so I can't say which is better, I think you could do just as well with 3 plugs as you can with 300.... the great equalizer is confidence. Sure there are those nights when they'll only take that one thing.... but more often it's confidence.

Flaptail · 11-16-2006, 10:05 AM

It's personal preference and it seems to be working for you. I just like to catch so I match the gear to the situation. I f I am in a known big fish local ( not you Larry) I use big stuff and tackle that will handle it. Ocassionally you will encounter fish that outsize your particular set up(s) that day but that makes it all the more memorable and on the other hand there are days when you are in a large fish local and all that eats your 8" swimming plug are twinkies.

In know people that do just as you are and are quite happy with it so I guess whatever floats your boat. The main thing is your enjoying your self right? I went to a three tube plug bag this year and I am loving it, of course I still stuff way too many plugs in it but my back and shoulders are really happy. It loops onto my wader belt. No more ten pounds of plugs in an overstuffed bag that 90% of them will never get used.

Having a plan or a strategy is really common sense approach and it will pay dividends in the long run. Keep at it!

Nebe · 11-16-2006, 12:04 PM

i suggest adding a giant jointed pikie to the line up-
i rarely use one, but that is a BIG fish plug if i have ever seen one.

The Iceman 6 · 11-16-2006, 12:28 PM

"the great equalizer is confidence. Sure there are those nights when they'll only take that one thing.... but more often it's confidence."

I think C-man hit the nail on the head. Confidence is the source of all power. Like others have said, as long as your having fun.

Ice

Rockport24 · 11-16-2006, 01:09 PM

If you have a million plugs on you, you may be wasting your time cycling through them all, if you only have one or two, it kind of forces you to focus on your technique and the nuances of your spot, which is the difference between a skunk and catching fish IMO.

steve · 11-16-2006, 01:06 PM

Stick with live eels and you'll have a much better better shot at bigger fish on a consistent basis. Artificials for large stripers are WAY OVERRRATED.

Canalman · 11-16-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

Stick with live eels and you'll have a much better better shot at bigger fish on a consistent basis. Artificials for large stripers are WAY OVERRRATED.

agreed.

hey steve you spelled Stall wrong in your signature it's Van Staal...

Flaptail · 11-16-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

Stick with live eels and you'll have a much better better shot at bigger fish on a consistent basis. Artificials for large stripers are WAY OVERRRATED.

Not nescesarily, first off eels, in my humble opinion, and please don't take this the wrong way, are one of the very easiest ways to take big bass, they are suckers for live eels as they are for large bunker. The challenge of getting a fish to take a big plug is, I think the optimum in bass fishing challenges.

That being said I have experienced many nights, and I could name quite a few from this year alone and give the names of the people who were with me, where a large needle or swimming plug took more and bigger bass than thier eels, one particular night on a Truro beach, fishing with a friend who is an accomplished and noted bass man, who has taken three fifty's in one night, went virtually fishless with eels, while the plug took it's toll of nice fish, fishing side by side.

If you want to challenge yourself rather than just put up big numbers a plug, in the hands of someone who really knows how to make the thing talk, is much more satisfying, again in my humble opinion.

The biggest fish I ever caught were caught on eels, and one on a sand eel bait but the plug fish hold a more special place in my memory, especially those nights when the eels went begging.

Of course there is the feeling that this was the last season for eels as a legal bait, the under current rumblings have been getting stronger from both private and my govt contacts. Could be a big surprise come next May.

BigFish · 11-16-2006, 01:43 PM

An "eel guy" knockin' the "plug guys"!

I will take my large jointed eels over the real deal any time......they are more fun to catch fish on, I made them, and the fish won't leave them alone! Its all how you enjoy fishing....I have fished my share of eels but I get more enjoyment, as Flaptail says, out of tricking a nice bass into taking an artificial as opposed to the real eel! Much more satisfying for me personally and more challenging too I think!

More eels for you Steve!

steve · 11-16-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Not nescesarily, first off eels, in my humble opinion, and please don't take this the wrong way, are one of the very easiest ways to take big bass, they are suckers for live eels as they are for large bunker. The challenge of getting a fish to take a big plug is, I think the optimum in bass fishing challenges.

That being said I have experienced many nights, and I could name quite a few from this year alone and give the names of the people who were with me, where a large needle or swimming plug took more and bigger bass than thier eels, one particular night on a Truro beach, fishing with a friend who is an accomplished and noted bass man, who has taken three fifty's in one night, went virtually fishless with eels, while the plug took it's toll of nice fish, fishing side by side.

If you want to challenge yourself rather than just put up big numbers a plug, in the hands of someone who really knows how to make the thing talk, is much more satisfying, again in my humble opinion.

The biggest fish I ever caught were caught on eels, and one on a sand eel bait but the plug fish hold a more special place in my memory, especially those nights when the eels went begging.

Of course there is the feeling that this was the last season for eels as a legal bait, the under current rumblings have been getting stronger from both private and my govt contacts. Could be a big surprise come next May.

Well try that technique in Rhode Island....and you wont have a fish over 30 inches all year long..........They just dont work well no matter how skilled you are..Overated...yes they are very much so...

Ake G · 11-16-2006, 02:45 PM

Again,I'm thinking big fish.Oceanfront situations.So I'm confident that between one of my 3 spooks and the 3 needlefish in my bag, I know how to use those plugs better than any other artificial or live bait that I can choose to throw at any given minute in nearly every oceanfront location/situation I choose to seek out large fish.

Guess ultimately it is confidence and personal preference. Interesting to see, hypothetically how many of us JUST toss plugs,just chunk or liveline,just eel or just toss sluggos when we're doing serious "Large" fishing.

keeperreaper · 11-16-2006, 03:02 PM

Eels have and will continue to out fish plugs. You might have one or two nights where plugs outfish eels but over the course of a season the eel reigns supreme. More large fish fall to eels every year than to plugs. Not knocking plugs because I love to throw them but when the chips are on the table a wise fisherman will throw an eel over a plug anyday.

Flaptail · 11-16-2006, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

Well try that technique in Rhode Island....and you wont have a fish over 30 inches all year long..........They just dont work well no matter how skilled you are..Overated...yes they are very much so...

Are Rhode Island fish lazy and spoiled?

I don't know, don't fish RI anymore, but Fisher's Island fish love big plugs still, at least the last couple trips down there this year.

Eels are easy maybe you guys need to learn how to fish plugs again, maybe you forgot how! Just kidding Steve, I like plugs is all but I will vehemently argue that eels make heroes out of ordinary fisherman as did Herring on the canal and live lining bunker does from a boat.
A live wiggling bait is just murder on big fish looking for a an easy meal.

riverrat2 · 11-16-2006, 03:45 PM

I disagree, fishing an eel is an art. You can't just cast it out blindly reel it in and expect to catch fish. You have to work the water column, change the speed of your retrieve to keep the eel out of the rocks, and make sure you have constant contact with your eel. Most nights the bass want the eel as slow as possible but some nights I have seen the bass want the eels almost skimming across the surface. YOu have to adapt your eel for the water conditions. Wind strong in your face cut the eel in half or stuff a egg weight down its throat. How much weight do you use? What hook will present the eel in the most natural way? I think that claiming fishing eels is idiot fishing is completely false. Many nights I have been standing next to redlite, both fishing eels, and he is completely out fishing me.

The Dad Fisherman · 11-16-2006, 01:17 PM

Fishing Technique is about the ONLY thing I'm NOT stubborn about......I'll try anything to get a tug on the end of the line.

Everything else in life.....I'm one Bullheaded SOB...

tynan19 · 11-16-2006, 02:25 PM

Is this Steve? ^^^

snake slinger · 11-16-2006, 04:21 PM

real men fish plugs!

Mike P · 11-16-2006, 04:29 PM

Bill, why not post some bait threads in the "How To" Forum? Get people used to looking in there regularly. Live bait, chunking, whatever. Boat or shore. We all know that it isn't as easy as marking fish on a depth finder and dropping a live pogy down their throat. Share some of your insight that you picked up this year on the bay.

This isn't just a surf fishing site, but 90% of the posts are surf oriented, or shore oriented (let's not have that one again

). It's just the way it works out

riverrat2 · 11-16-2006, 04:38 PM

Actually i agree with snake slinger real men fish plugs and plugs only. Eels are slimy and make your hands stink. Anyone thinking of using eels please don't, you will be looked at as a heathen online and catch so many fish that it won't be any type of challenge therefore making it quite boring.

eelman · 11-16-2006, 04:46 PM

I have nothing against the plug crowd, to each his own I guess. But If I had a gun to my head and it was a fish that would save my life. I opt for the Live eel !

Any moron can stand on a barron beach and cast an eel till his arm falls off and catch nada, same goes for the plug crowd, you can cast them till the paint falls off and get nothing but rusted hooks! Both methods requier that the fisherman read his water and know how a bass thinks and where its likely to be caught.What the eels will do is let you know whats there in a hurry and IMO give you the best shot at hooking up with a nice bass, If I were to only fish plugs in some spots, I could not honeslty say I covered it well enough to say "there are no fish here, go home" Not so with an eel. I know this because I have stood next to some good pluggers and outfished them with eels, had I not been there they would have said the place was dead. I have always said that the Wise fisherman never turns his nose up at anything and is willing to fish all methods for a shot at success. But fish how ya want it makes no difference to me how one fishes. Its a free country!

Skitterpop · 11-16-2006, 05:00 PM

Plugs are challenging but bait is the balls when you want to catch consistently

Back Beach · 11-17-2006, 06:47 AM

It's turned into the old "plug fishermen are smarter, bait fishermen are morons" thread.Oh boy.

I think the last time this debate started, I said its about results.

Technique wise,though, I am very stubborn.Whatever gives the best results, I'll usually go with every time.Plugs,jigs,bait, it doesn't matter.

RIJIMMY · 11-17-2006, 09:39 AM

Im stubborn on locations, I will fish a spot over and over thinking that they eventually have to be there. It wont be my only spot, but I'll always hit it on most nights.
I remember doing that for 3 years, and then venturing to focus on a new area. I'm sure he wont rememebr, but I met Piemma at this new area and he told me that a few weeks earlier, they had been killing them in the exact area I had been fishing previously......I guess thats fishing

RIJIMMY · 11-17-2006, 12:25 PM

I think we need a "family issues" section of the site....

Bill, you can be my Brother in Law if you take me fishing with you! You know where my sister lives....

RIJIMMY · 11-17-2006, 12:40 PM

Family Affair
Sly & The Family Stone

It's a family affair, it's a family affair
It's a family affair, it's a family affair
One child grows up to be
Somebody that just loves to learn
And another child grows up to be
Somebody you'd just love to burn
Mom loves the both of them
You see it's in the blood
Both kids are good to Mom
"Blood's thicker than mud"
It's a family affair, it's a family affair
Newlywed a year ago
But you're still checking each other out
Nobody wants to blow
Nobody wants to be left out
You can't leave, 'cause your heart is there
But you can't stay, 'cause you been somewhere else!

You can't cry, 'cause you'll look broke down
But you're cryin' anyway 'cause you're all broke down!

It's a family affair
It's a family affair

BigFish · 11-17-2006, 01:19 PM

Come on....group hug people!

Oooopsss....Bill is that an eel in your pocket or is that a pencil popper in mine?

Rockport24 · 11-17-2006, 01:38 PM

wow, this has turned out to be quite a thread. #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, please don't go anywhere, I think the majority of us here would like to hear from you more. You seem to always cut through the BS, reminds me of a certain older author that has his own forum on another site.

I also want to point out that if any kind of fishing was easy, then I would have landed 1000 pounds of fish this year, I'm still a newbie, I put in a lot of time, pay attention to all the factors, fish at night, study my spots as they relate to tide, wind, etc, I obsess over things and try different methods, and I still can't seem to catch keepers consistantly. If there was an "easy" method out I sure as hell haven't found it in my short surfcasting career.