Why are you here?

[Backbeach Jake]

No, not planet Earth,but here at S-B?
Personally, I'm here because of Striped Bass. That was first. But most importantly, it's become the friendships that I've developed and the social skills that needed desperate attention. My social skills. And my writing skills.

[Karl F]

All of the above

Also, I post on a few other boards as well,
lurk on a couple too, excommunicated from one
But......
S-B, feels more like home, complete with putting the FUN in DysFUNction Just Kiddin'... in a way
I see at times some of the good vibes slippin away, at times and it saddens me.
However, this place is still the Best, and I will hope, and try to help it continue that way. Growing pains?
A lot to learn, still, for me, and as JPI would say,
"You guys (and gals) keep me learnin'"
Thanks all!
Lot of good info here, and sometimes some good discussion
occasional hi-jack and left turn, on some of the threads, but, I kinda like that too

Good Idea for a thread, Fred, Thanks!

[tynan19]

Jake you summed it up well.

[Striperhound]

In todays world we lack a sense of community, keep to ourselves. I enjoy the site here for the sense of community it provides. There are some quality people here willing to share thier knowledge and experience expecting nothing in return but a simple thank you.

[shadow]

Well i'd have to say theres alot of good reasons for coming to s-b. my first reason was to get plugged in and meet some guys. I've always fished alone and still do,however this past year I've decided to be alittle more social.There is also alot of good friendly advise here. It is always good and sometimes entertaining to hear other fishermans opinions.

[crash]

This board is great, The members have great info and are willing to share it. I'm a newbie, and the only person in my familly that chases fish, and I have learned a lot just from reading others posts. I also like the fact that I am within close proximity to many of the members.

[Clammer]

CUZ John pays me the Big f @#$%^&*( Bucks

great people on the site / I,ve had great times with alot of the members ..fished new area,s /made good friendships ,.,..,.,<<><<

Just a great bunch of people , plenty of info , great sponsors, a F @#$%^&*( ball are some of the F #$%^&*() thread,s

[tlapinski]

Originally Posted by Clammer

CUZ John pays me the Big f @#$%^&*( Bucks

great people on the site / I,ve had great times with alot of the members ..fished new area,s /made good friendships ,.,..,.,<<><<

Just a great bunch of people , plenty of info , great sponsors, a F @#$%^&*( ball are some of the F #$%^&*() thread,s

I'm here because I always wanted to learn a second language and Clam-talk is just what I was looking for! @@$bloooofish^#>>>???///

[Mike P]

One cold winter day about 6 years ago, John left the door open and I walked in to warm myself by the fire. I didn't really know anyone except John and #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, both of whom I met on a fishing board in a faraway land, over the rainbow somewhere. But it seemed like a friendly enough place, so I started hanging around. Finally it got to the point where John told me if I was gonna hang around so much, I might as well earn my keep, so he tossed me a set of keys so I could let myself in when the shop was closed

[scoobe]

Jake I am here to buy your old equipment

[Nebe]

ive been building plugs for about 5 or 6 years. totally self taught for the most part, then one day a few years ago i went in to kingcove in stonington to pick up a couple plugs. Don and i got to talking and i showed him some of my plugs and he wrote down the adress of this site on a napkin and the rest is history. Ive learned a lifetime of info from the plug building forum.. met some friends, met some people i will never trust agian.. live and learn.
great site john

[Goose]

S-B has that tackle shop atmosphere, if you know what its like having a good shop with a good owner then you'll feel right at home.

[Christian]

i joined here for plug building about 3 or 4 years ago.
but its been alot more. over the past few years ive gained friends, new tactics, skils, and saw there were alot of people just like me, who are seriously addicted to fishing for striped bass.
this was my first year fishing alot, and fishing harcore, and its pretty nice to come here in the off season and keep learning even while off the beach. i get pretty depressed this time of year not being able to fish and this is kinda like a substitute to fishing.

[Diggin Jiggin]

I like it because it kind of keeps you thinking about the fishing year round. Plus its nice to know there are a lot of other guys as committed to it as I am, and sometimes you guys even go a step or 2 beyond where I would go.

I've learned quite a few things, lots of small tips on gear and techniques that have actually helped me land a few fish I would have lost.

From a plug building perspective the guys in there are a lot of fun, and I like to drool on all the pictures.

[afterhours]

good community spirt here, john. what clammer and striperhound said. made a few real good friends here.

[ThrowingTimber]

Where else can you go to meet obsessive complusive anglers, that like hooters n wings in the slow (no off) season??

[thefishingfreak]

ditto what everyone said. small comunity here whear people care and help each other out even if it's in secret hanshake code.
i started in the plug forum as whell

[JohnR]

Thanks guys - you are like a second family - disfunctional and everything

You guys hit the nail on the head. Community. The Brotherhood of Suds. Whatever you want to call it. But community. Personally, some of the best experiences I've had, certainly in fishing, have come from a lot of you. A lot of the admiration I have from people have come from you and a few of your family - here and no longer here. I think this has grown a little past the "hobby" stage but it has also gelled as a community that shares a common interest. I have not chased the quick buck with S-B and have truly tried to do the best I can by the community without totally sacrificing my real job or family . We've had our goods and bads but they were mostly good. And we (usually) try to do the right thing. That's important. Sure sometimes the squabbles get a little petty and half of those can be chalked up to miscommunication.

Above all, I take personal pride in the friendships I have created as well as knowing that a few of you have made some longtime friendships because of S-B, and many have shared and become better anglers.

I've seen this 14 year old kid making cross-eyed plugs for 4 years now and caught fishies on them.

I've seen some young and fledgling builders go out and produce some fish catching product.

I've seen some guys ever wondering when they would get their first twenty pounder to now wondering how many 40s they would get this year.

I've seen groups of people getting together to support dear friends in need and to support people they have never before met.

I've gained the experience of seeing bass tailing in Scorton's creek near the end of the drop into the rising sun in early June. Bluefin Tuna slicing thru peanut bunker so thick you could walk on 'em. I've been to the back beaches in a snot storm for a lone nice fish. I've been to Cuttyhunk with some class people having a classic time that I will always cherish (twice). I've gotten more than a few plugs from you builders that I happily feed to fish (and my appologies for not thanking you as often as I could have or telling you how I've caught with them). I've gone to Maine, to Nantucket, to the Cape, to the Vineyard, to Naps, and everyplace in between and enjoyed every minute with many of you... So if it has been a while since saying so - thanks!

And big round of thanks to the guys that make this place tick: Saltheart, Slip, Fishpart, Billy, and Mike!

I've even seen a perfectly functional boat lying crossways in the middle of the street //*&$FF

What else can you ask for?? Just a great group of people doing great things for each other!

[tattoobob]

I come here because I love to catch striped Bass, and this site is no BS. ask a honest question and get alot of great answers. The admin. is not a hitler and pretty much lets everyone do what they like to a point. But don't try to get any spots LOL.

I met a great number of surfcasters and fished with alot of them.

[justplugit]

I would have to say two words, "the people". Solid, down to earth people here who make me feel "right at home". I feel like i've known alot of you my whole life. The best of the best, some who have helped me, in more ways, than they will ever know.
Thank you.

[Slingah]

Im here for the free food.............and lightning storms

[ThrowingTimber]

Im mostly here for the health and dental plan.

[NIB]

I'm here because other than fishin I have no life.
So this gives me more life.

I think.
Plus i can piss people off an not really give a sh!t about it.
Ah, all the good reasons where already takin. So I made somethin up..

[fishaholic18]

I'm here because..Well..I Love U &^%$#@! Guyz...
Seriously, thanks John.
Met a lot of great guys here...

[Slipknot]

I followed ChrisL in
he left the door open




now I can't find my way out
and I don't know what day it is

[Bob Thomas]

This site is better than the rest because it's still small and, like Goose said, a "Tackle Shop" atmosphere! Great information and no one seems to be tearing apart posts like other sites!

I just love you guys

[gone fishin]

Flies Ties & Lies - Plugs too. And all of the above!

[lurch]

I am on this site because of equipment. I was looking for a replacement of a conventional rod I had for many years. I searched on the internet and found tackle direct.com. After reviewing the rods they had for sale I then looked for a review on some lamiglas rods which led me here. I registered and read some of the reviews bought the rod then got involved with some of the discussions. I can honestly say that there are only 5 sites I visit on the net and 3 of them are striper sites.

This site and others has turned my hobbie into an addiction and my wife thanks all of you for turning me to the dark side.

I hope to go to some of the events so I can meet more of the folks here and tap into the expertise as well.

[macojoe]

I did a search on rod building and found this place. And MikeCC had a rod building class at his house and thats were I built my first rod!! From there I moved from the rod building to the rest of the board.
Its a great place to hang!! Even if I don't post as much as I use to, but I am here several times a day everyday!!
I have also met some real nice people here!! and have made a new best friend also!
Also met bassmaster, Lives 1/4 mile away!! what more could I guy want!!

Thanks John!!

[MakoMike]

I'm here mainly becasue of the people, and also because most of the people are local to me. I'm on a lot of fishing boards, but this place is more like my "home waters."