Your Season Lowlights

[wader-dad]

in CT lost a Beachmaster 40 on a Lobster Pot line. A pain in the butt even to break off when you get the slack and start dragging the pot towards you. Then moved and an hour later lost a Bassmaster needle - one of my favorites- on another lobster pot. Was so pissed-Never pots there before.

Went back 2 days later and plugs gone. That sucked.

need to try wetsuiting so I can swim to Lobster pots.

[SAUERKRAUT]

Zeebaas Idiocy: Just 3 weeks ago, my Zee was not right and running rough after this long season of use, including a new wear and tear wrinkle for me-- swim fishing. I send this back with a plea they would expedite service so I can use it to crank in a couple more migrators before season ends. Ron complies; in fact, he serviced it for free. Not even postage.

While remounting the reel, I drop it on a concrete floor and fatally bend the rotator head. What an idiot. And this idiot was bailed out again by the Zee people...fixed it for free. Not even postage.

[flyvice11787]

Getting owned by Craig from VS in Montauk about a month ago. The fish showed up by the Sewer Pipe, on rainbait. After about an hour, I went back to the truck and switched over to the fly rod as the fish really didn't want plugs or bucktails. Tide was incoming so I headed over to a nice rock in Brown's with my fly rod, figuring the bite would move towards the light. The fish headed over and stayed for a few minutes, then went right back to the Sewer. Craig had gotten out on the farthest rock there, and just proceeded to hammer fish to the mid 20s, and breaking off one even bigger, all on the fly. Yeah I had my shots, but I got owned that day .
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[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by SAUERKRAUT

Zeebaas Idiocy: Just 3 weeks ago, my Zee was not right and running rough after this long season of use, including a new wear and tear wrinkle for me-- swim fishing. I send this back with a plea they would expedite service so I can use it to crank in a couple more migrators before season ends. Ron complies; in fact, he serviced it for free. Not even postage.

While remounting the reel, I drop it on a concrete floor and fatally bend the rotator head. What an idiot. And this idiot was bailed out again by the Zee people...fixed it for free. Not even postage.

Geez Alan. George told me about the Zee. You must of had some good moments

[Fishoholic]

Tried and failed miserably (and repeatedly) to put my 2 sons (6&8) on bass. took them to normally good spots day and night (even woke them up at 2am to drive an hour, to fish a private but normally loaded spot) I knew of a few definite places, but they were much too dangerous for them. Then was supposed go out with a few different people on boats and we got blown off multiple times. They seemed to have almost lost interest in fishing which gives me pain in my chest. I would have given up every fish I caught over 10lbs this year just to see them both with a 10lb bass. I had my best year, but it's far over shadowed by my failure in putting my boys on bass. I will say though,,, they did not complain once when I got them up at 2am. not once. I am proud of that. If I can get them out there again next year my number one priority will be getting them on fish.

also lost a fish so big Victor offered to stop fishing and land it for me. DOH!!!

last but not least I blew out 2 pairs of breathables at the ditch.. hip boots next year for there.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Fishoholic

I had my best year, but it's far over shadowed by my failure in putting my boys on bass. I will say though,,, they did not complain once when I got them up at 2am. not once. I am proud of that. If I can get them out there again next year my number one priority will be getting them on fish..

Been there, done that. I have some advice you might consider.

You are going about this wrong. I know, I made the same mistake and often wish I could do it over. Catching a large fish does not hook kids on fishing. Having fun is what does it. Take them scup fishing, snapper blue fishing, schoolie fishing, fresh water fishing, squid fishing. Go at reasonable hours and for short periods. Take their friends with them. Measure success in laughs and time outdoors rather than catch. If it is in them (and often it is not) they will grow into the sport themselves.

I was too intense, too focused on getting my sons' a big bass. They sensed it and didn't have fun. If big fish come at the expense of fun a kid will turn off to fishing quickly. Getting a child a big fish does not make up for our short-comings as parents (if only it did). Luckily, spending time with our kids having fun does.

[chapinfisherman]

everytime my god damm cabo would f-up

[JamesJet]

Remember that big run of September bass on the jig bite in the canal? Remember stories (or memories for some) of fishing that first night till daybreak and bailing big fish? Yeah I remember reading and hearing about it and keep thinking about why I left at the place just minutes before it started to go off!
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[tysdad115]

Originally Posted by JamesJet

Remember that big run of September bass on the jig bite in the canal? Remember stories (or memories for some) of fishing that first night till daybreak and bailing big fish? Yeah I remember reading and hearing about it and keep thinking about why I left at the place just minutes before it started to go off!
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It was within minutes too...

[JohnnySaxatilis]

I forgot about this. I had a decent morning, went back to the cape, and got the call 40# on lots of macks. Forgot it was sunday afternoon in the middle of the summer. Traffic was backed up for miles getting off cape
THE most torturous traffic of all time. Finally got down there (on the wrong side) got a few nice keepers but it was the very end of the heavy action. And I got mugged and asked 1,000 questions by Mr. and Mrs Havecamp while fishing... GD tourists

[Jackbass]

All I have to say is Hopkins
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[fishbones]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Been there, done that. I have some advice you might consider.

You are going about this wrong. I know, I made the same mistake and often wish I could do it over. Catching a large fish does not hook kids on fishing. Having fun is what does it. Take them scup fishing, snapper blue fishing, schoolie fishing, fresh water fishing, squid fishing. Go at reasonable hours and for short periods. Take their friends with them. Measure success in laughs and time outdoors rather than catch. If it is in them (and often it is not) they will grow into the sport themselves.

I was too intense, too focused on getting my sons' a big bass. They sensed it and didn't have fun. If big fish come at the expense of fun a kid will turn off to fishing quickly. Getting a child a big fish does not make up for our short-comings as parents (if only it did). Luckily, spending time with our kids having fun does.

Great advice, George. I took my 7 1/2 y.o. son a few times this season and we had fun every time, even when there were no fish around. I told him to let me know when he wanted to leave and never tried to force him to stay longer than he wanted. Now he asks me to take him fishing instead of me asking him if he wants to go. I had more fun fishing with him and getting skunked than I had on other trips where I got into nice fish without him.

As for my lowlights, I don't really have any. I didn't get out as much as the last few years, but I enjoyed it when I did. I also fished with some good friends and had a lot of laughs. I guess my only complaint is that I didn't get to fish with as many people from the site as I would have liked, but there's still time left this season.

[tunaless greg]

I said "let me anchor up one more time " before the winds start blowing and i have to head in, during the last day of codfishing. Wind picks up on cue, and as i pay the line out of the windlass, the knot somehow unties after 6,000 anchorings at the end (i have a block of wood and a knot to stop the rope from ever paying out and going overboard). Needless to say, rope that i thought would float a little, sank like a stone, and anchor, chain and rope went bye bye. tried grappling to no avail.


Equally frustrating was my inability to get one of the best plug fishermen on this website into a decent fish all season. Probably 20 trips and not one good sized bass like years past. His brother came out one trip, and bested his best fish of the year by easily 4 inches. The tough part was i know he fished harder this year, then any other.

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Originally Posted by Jackbass

All I have to say is Hopkins
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LOL that guy is tapped

[american spirit]

leaking waders at a spot i go up to my stomach in. didn't care. tough walk bach in after 2 hours. and also soles of my boots ripped off down to the middle of my foot that night.

comfortable with an llbean wader exchange, but not the boots. time to research over the winter.

[Fishoholic]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Been there, done that. I have some advice you might consider.

You are going about this wrong. I know, I made the same mistake and often wish I could do it over. Catching a large fish does not hook kids on fishing. Having fun is what does it. Take them scup fishing, snapper blue fishing, schoolie fishing, fresh water fishing, squid fishing. Go at reasonable hours and for short periods. Take their friends with them. Measure success in laughs and time outdoors rather than catch. If it is in them (and often it is not) they will grow into the sport themselves.

I was too intense, too focused on getting my sons' a big bass. They sensed it and didn't have fun. If big fish come at the expense of fun a kid will turn off to fishing quickly. Getting a child a big fish does not make up for our short-comings as parents (if only it did). Luckily, spending time with our kids having fun does.

Thank you Numby, I will always take advice from you. They are my little scup masters already. They want something with stripes, so next year I'm going to do as you said, and target schoolies for them. They see some pics of some of my fish and they say WE WANT THAT! So I do my best and fail fail. I'm going to try bringing one of their friends too. I'm sure they'd like that.

[FishermanTim]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Been there, done that. I have some advice you might consider.

You are going about this wrong. I know, I made the same mistake and often wish I could do it over. Catching a large fish does not hook kids on fishing. Having fun is what does it. Take them scup fishing, snapper blue fishing, schoolie fishing, fresh water fishing, squid fishing. Go at reasonable hours and for short periods. Take their friends with them. Measure success in laughs and time outdoors rather than catch. If it is in them (and often it is not) they will grow into the sport themselves.

I was too intense, too focused on getting my sons' a big bass. They sensed it and didn't have fun. If big fish come at the expense of fun a kid will turn off to fishing quickly. Getting a child a big fish does not make up for our short-comings as parents (if only it did). Luckily, spending time with our kids having fun does.

I agree...I will invite my neices and nephews to come fishing at a local pond, and when they get bored (if action is slow) I let them do what they want.
Sure enough when they get bored with whatever they were doing, they come back to fish with me. I do the same thing when I take them ice fishing and get the same results.

[tysdad115]

Originally Posted by Fishoholic

Thank you Numby, I will always take advice from you. They are my little scup masters already. They want something with stripes, so next year I'm going to do as you said, and target schoolies for them. They see some pics of some of my fish and they say WE WANT THAT! So I do my best and fail fail. I'm going to try bringing one of their friends too. I'm sure they'd like that.

TJ we should get the boys together...Ty is great showing kids and goofing off with them inbetween fish.

[Squid kids Dad]

This whole year was a fishing low for me..Did not go once due to ankle problems..5 screws,bone fushion and tendon shortening later and still in a wheel chair..
Next year has to be better for sure..

[Tagger]

Block Island ,,,,,,again

[Canalman]

Lyme Disease

[Fishoholic]

Originally Posted by tysdad115

TJ we should get the boys together...Ty is great showing kids and goofing off with them inbetween fish.

Love the idea Andy! Next season for sure. Moose is awesome, I'm sure they'd love fishing with him. They already know who he is

[SAUERKRAUT]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

Geez Alan. George told me about the Zee. You must of had some good moments

...Not sure if I did Mr. Professor. Just last night: I had about a dozen good eels nicely ensconsed in my ice bucket--enough left to take me thru to the bitter end of the season, or maybe even to extend the season and visit my brother on the NJ Shore after Thanksgiving. So, this ? raccoon comes along, trashes my ice bucket, breaks in, and half eaten eels are laying all over my driveway.
I'm setting a trap; I'm tired of trashed trash cans. My eels are the last straw. Now, I am relegated to fish plugs like Numbskull, if I go again.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by SAUERKRAUT

... I'm setting a trap; I'm tired of trashed trash cans. My eels are the last straw. .

In this epic battle of wits my bet is on the racoon.

[MAKAI]

I've pressure washed raccoons out of my trash barrels at night. They were back the next night. Just cleaner , cunning big rodents using the lids as cymbals.
Bleach did the trick though.
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[Sgt Striper]

Originally Posted by numbskull

In this epic battle of wits my bet is on the racoon.

can't you feel the

Originally Posted by SAUERKRAUT

...Not sure if I did Mr. Professor. Just last night: I had about a dozen good eels nicely ensconsed in my ice bucket--enough left to take me thru to the bitter end of the season, or maybe even to extend the season and visit my brother on the NJ Shore after Thanksgiving. So, this ? raccoon comes along, trashes my ice bucket, breaks in, and half eaten eels are laying all over my driveway.
I'm setting a trap; I'm tired of trashed trash cans. My eels are the last straw. Now, I am relegated to fish plugs like Numbskull, if I go again.

Come on down, we will put you on fish!! Would love to fish with ya, I even carry an extra spool of line in my truck...just in case

[SAUERKRAUT]

NJ invitation from Sgt. Striper! When/if I go down, I will contact you. And thank you! Brother Don sure made me jealous last year with amazing fishing thru December. Cold extreme fishing, but I should have a new coon skin hat by then.

He tells me, however, that the signs do not look too good with a season long absence of sand eel biomass in shore. he also says the two storms seems to have sterilized the beaches. And of course, many of those beaches are not yet accessible. Bonds.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by SAUERKRAUT

Zeebaas Idiocy: Just 3 weeks ago, my Zee was not right and running rough after this long season of use, including a new wear and tear wrinkle for me-- swim fishing. I send this back with a plea they would expedite service so I can use it to crank in a couple more migrators before season ends. Ron complies; in fact, he serviced it for free. Not even postage.

While remounting the reel, I drop it on a concrete floor and fatally bend the rotator head. What an idiot. And this idiot was bailed out again by the Zee people...fixed it for free. Not even postage.

Not for nuthin', but have you considered another hobby?

[ProfessorM]

LOL. He has been at this way too long to give up now and would be way more miserable without fishing. Besides George would be devastated knowing he wouldn't be able to enjoy Alan's follies.
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[SAUERKRAUT]

[QUOTE=ProfessorM;970139]LOL. Besides George would be devastated knowing he wouldn't be able to enjoy Alan's follies.

Yeah, I'd be more miserable not being able to torture George with my existence.

Anyhow, you can see I nailed this trash can trashing, eel eating son of a gun. I'll wipe that sh...eel eating grin off his face. If I were Daniel Boone, I'd put that thing on my head.