A good year?

[Mr. Sandman]

I have had to change my expectations...no longer do I expect to catch 40+# bass from the beach on a regular basis like the early 80's...it just does not happen as often as it use to. Did the hard core surf thing for a loong time...it is just not as much fun anymore. Lots of reasons... poor fishery management, low inshore bait populations in many areas, Internet exploitation of prime locations, access issues, etc.
I now do a lot of boat fishing and fish for other species. It is easier and more enjoyable. I caught a lot of different fish this year and chalk it up as a successful season. I had a lot of fun with many different anglers. Fished from LI to Outer Cape inshore and way offshore and everyplace in between. Made a few trips to the tropics. Put plenty of time on the water this season and loved it.
(BTW, I only went bass fishing a handful of times and quickly realized this is becoming a dead fishery, can't say they were not warned about it.)

Open your eyes...go fish for other species and go fish other locations. NE is over fished and will be eventually wiped out and then the panic will begin.

Wanna have a good day on the water? Take a young kid squid fishing at night or go sea bass fishing or even light tackle blue fishing. Keep it simple everyone will go home with big smiles and lots of good memories.
Busting your hump to catch a big fish that isn't there is simply not fun.