2003 Learned things

[davess23]

Good topic.
Let's see, this year I learned

-- when the doggies are in, go someplace else. Period. I have to re-learn this every year, though.

-- tin will work at night. At least, it did for me.

-- bigger plug, bigger fish.

-- if your catch and release policy is gonna work, you've got to be very gentle with the fish, much more than I'd previously thought

-- fishing really crowded spots is often more trouble than it's worth

-- plugs have an instinctive yearning to get lost at sea. Just expect this and don't let it bother you too much. It's part of the cost of being out there. I have to re-learn this every year, though.

-- good quality gear is generally worth having, if you can get it.

-- you can never pay too much attention to knots.

-- you can never learn too many knots.

-- the time to change leaders is as soon as you think about it.

-- circle hooks save fish's lives.

-- all stripers are beautiful. The little ones, too.

-- there's no such thing as a dependable flashlight. Carry two.

-- sooner or later, if I don't buy Korkers, I'm gonna bust my ass. Too many close calls this time around. There's a message for me in this. I hope I don't have to re-learn it next year.

-- It's a waste to smoke a good cigar in a strong onshore breeze.

-- drinking too much coffee when you're wearing waders can be a real hassle.

-- being a Red Sox fan is very helpful to the striped bass fisherman's mindset. The true Sox fan's faith is the same faith that will carry you forward despite many a skunking.

-- striper fishermen don't care enough about lugging their trash out. We need to literally clean up our act.

-- bass will come, and bass will go, but skates are forever. Too damn true.