Is the old guard losing it?

[eelman]

Are we who have 20 years in the surf or more slipping? is a new breed of hero emerging? Is Eben the new master? Maybe the drive is gone, maybe we cant keep up with these young bucks? does it matter if you fish 7 nights a week? Hmmmmmmmm

Is it possible that stripers now have a preference to plugs over eels?

Is the 9 to 5 every 3 day fisherman onto something?

I say hail to Master Eben, king of the August surf !!

[BigFish]

Yup! There is a new sheriff in town and he slings wood!

[afterhours]

i thought i heard that eben blows

[BigFish]

Only when he is working!

[Nebe]

I shine for 2 months- april and august

[Joe]

In Narragansett/South County - the old guard is not too well-represented any longer. The last time I spoke with Andy Lemar he said he noticed a significant drop-off with respect to traditional, hard-core nocturnal surfcasters over the last ten years. This shift has been underway for quite a while.
Dusk and dawn anglers are pretty abundant as are the subsistance fishermen - but thats about it. I thought the price of gas would drive more people to the surf locally, but it has not.
This year has been a real bad one as several local legends have passed away.
Don't be surprised if Eben or somebody else we know well emerges - its not like there are a lot of guys investing time to become good fishermen. 36 pounds from shore could probably place in several clubs 2005 shore contests.

[JohnR]

OK - this really ain't a fishing topic - Flushed to the Scuppers...

[Raven]

Originally Posted by JohnR

OK - this really ain't a fishing topic - Flushed to the Scuppers...

which makes it....................................

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

Are we who have 20 years in the surf or more slipping? is a new breed of hero emerging? Is Eben the new master? Maybe the drive is gone, maybe we cant keep up with these young bucks? does it matter if you fish 7 nights a week? Hmmmmmmmm

Is it possible that stripers now have a preference to plugs over eels?

Is the 9 to 5 every 3 day fisherman onto something?

I say hail to Master Eben, king of the August surf !!

Getting back to the original question, I'd definitely say a lot of younger guys are hitting their stride and thankfully more are getting into surf fishing. I see a lot of younger guys coming into the shop, buying the right things, and asking the right questions. While it's not so much the old guard losing it, it's just the natural evolution of the younger crowd.

For example, just take a look at the shop's staff; Earl, Arden, and Rob who are all under 25 years old (definitely still young by most standards) and all already have fish over 30#'s from shore this year including Earl's Newport County Fishing Club leading 37# fish. They all fish hard and primarily at night. Arden also had a 43# fish in the Newport surf last year and others taken from shore in Montauk. That said, they all avoid the Internet and have learned some of what they know from the Ironman and even more so the old fashioned way, time on the water in the dead of night.

As for keeping surf fishing alive in the future, that's up to us and especially fishing shops. The best way I've found to get kids into fishing (once the idea is their heads) is to actually have them catch something so pointing them in the right direction and teaching them the basics is key. Out of all customers that come into the shop, almost none get as much free gear and attention as kids interested in fishing. I'd have to say that's another negative in regards to losing more and more tackle shops to e-business. Hanging around a hardcore fishing shop when I was a kid definitely got me going in fishing.

Since there is some access discussion in this thread, I'll also add that Castle Hill in Newport has been lost due to trash...

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Since there is some access discussion in this thread, I'll also add that Castle Hill in Newport has been lost due to trash...

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

They're taking it seriously for now, complete with a security guard. Maybe come September or maybe early in the spring he won't be there, but for now no one can get in there.

[Squibby17]

Lots of great stuff posted on this thread.

I agree with most of what has been said. I 100% agree about spot burning. You would have to be crazy to post the size of fish and the exact location of your success. I have had my favorite hole get much more crowded in recent years and I'm not happy about it. I look at this site and think its very usefull in several ways. I gain lots of knowledge and different perspectives on fishing. I also think that just talking about something we all love makes me excited to throw my line in the water the next time.

In some ways younger anglers like myself can be bitter. I'm 24, I missed the glory days. In the early 90's It was difficult for me to get my first keeper, seeing the size had to be 36'' and the Striped Bass stocks were in troubled times. I honestly had to work a lot harder to get nice fish than many of you did in your youth. I don't see an older fisherman and think, "hey your almost killed the striper industry with your lack of conservation", but its something to think about. That said veteran anglers can pass on knowledge that is usefull to first timers etc. Most notably to respect one another, don't leave trash on the beach, move when the guy next to you has a nice fish on ... etc. There is a right and wrong way to surf fish.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Squibby17

Lots of great stuff posted on this thread.

I agree with most of what has been said. I 100% agree about spot burning. You would have to be crazy to post the size of fish and the exact location of your success. I have had my favorite hole get much more crowded in recent years and I'm not happy about it. I look at this site and think its very usefull in several ways. I gain lots of knowledge and different perspectives on fishing. I also think that just talking about something we all love makes me excited to throw my line in the water the next time.

In some ways younger anglers like myself can be bitter. I'm 24, I missed the glory days. In the early 90's It was difficult for me to get my first keeper, seeing the size had to be 36'' and the Striped Bass stocks were in troubled times. I honestly had to work a lot harder to get nice fish than many of you did in your youth. I don't see an older fisherman and think, "hey your almost killed the striper industry with your lack of conservation", but its something to think about. That said veteran anglers can pass on knowledge that is usefull to first timers etc. Most notably to respect one another, don't leave trash on the beach, move when the guy next to you has a nice fish on ... etc. There is a right and wrong way to surf fish.

Man, what a great post!!!!

[BassyiusMaximus]

. . . from a kid whose father used to take him to spend entire weekend days fishing from jetties to catch scup and an errant bluefish, and on bridges on cold fall and spring days to catch what used to be endless winter flounder.

Those were the days.

A good number of topics are raised in this post. One is of pics and I have a couple of views on them since I just learned how to post them and have been doing so. I know some don't because they know they catch fish and don't need to share their image or post a fish for the world to see. Some don't want to or can't take the scrutiny involved, like Manny Ramirez who doesn't like people prying into his private life, some can't take reading when someone challenges them on the size of a fish or that they weren't wearing their PFD, etc. Some don't want to potentially harm the fish by taking the time to set it up and take the shot which humors me because they are harming the fish in a way just by hooking and tiring and fighting it so is the little time really doing anything in the big-picture? For all intents and purposes, a fish fighting underwater is no different than either snagging the bottom or having someone stand and pull on the end of one's line and reeling and tugging with the rod, but don't get me wrong, the thrill and uncertainty is what has us hooked. The main reason I see for posting pics is for other people to look at and to see what other people are doing, it is a very pleasant escape for some. Imagine sitting inside, like all us internet users do and be able to go online and instantly be transported to someone elses world, with a picture? It is why Hollywood exists as well as magazines. I post pictures because my neice and nephew as well as friends, relatives and all their kids can look and get so happy when they see either themselves or me with fish on the computer. They tell me to post the pictures so they can look at them and long for the day when they are old enough so I can take them at night to go fo the big ones.

With regards to spot-burning, aren't we supposed to share, to a certain extent? I know that I've gone to all my spots and in all my years I don't ever see anyone there when I go there, so I guess from my rose-colored boat-view I don't worry about a flotilla showing up if I give up where I'm catching and on what tide and time of day/moon phase, this could be vastly different from the shore/surf/pier/jetty fishermen but I'm solo and don't mind helping others get "close" to a good spot and getting some luck.

As with all the things I'm into, and being single and kidless, all my buddies who got married, had kids, gotten injured, there are so many factors as to why they can't go and do all the fun things they used to do it is hard to nail down.

I think most importantly that the number of people who fish and who go on these sites is so minimal that it makes almost no difference, at least in my eyes. Remember in the late 90's at the height of the dot-com/dot-bomb and " . . . the internet is going to change the world . . . " and that everyone would be online, well how wrong were they?, the vast majority don't go online and expecially fishermen, none of all the guys I know who fish check out any fishing sites, same goes for all the guys I know who snowmobile or dirtbike, while the forums are most interesting and informative for me, they could give a Bass's-behind about what is on the World-Wide-Web.

All in all this is interesting and I'm glad that sites like this exist. When it comes down to it it reminds me of a Law and Order episode where this mother against a "Shock-Jock" goes on to shoot the "Jock" and in the final scene it shows the lawyer just going over to the radio while the other attorneys/detectives were listening and just turns the radio off, the scene went right to black after that, the point being, if you don't like it, you don't have to listen/look. There are enough people getting offended by this that and the piping plover, no one wants it here.

And that's all I got to say 'bout that.

[Jenn]

[QUOTE=#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&]Are we who have 20 years in the surf or more slipping? is a new breed of hero emerging? Is Eben the new master? Maybe the drive is gone, maybe we cant keep up with these young bucks? does it matter if you fish 7 nights a week? Hmmmmmmmm
QUOTE]

I have read this whole thread from start to finish and only have one question to ask.

so heres to you #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& since you started all this!!!!

how old are you and what makes you think you are part of the old guard???? Has it occurred to you that there are fishermen out there 20 years older than you that think YOU are the NEW GUARD????



Perspective (if you pay attention to it) is everything.

[BigFish]

[eelman]

[QUOTE=Jenn]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

Are we who have 20 years in the surf or more slipping? is a new breed of hero emerging? Is Eben the new master? Maybe the drive is gone, maybe we cant keep up with these young bucks? does it matter if you fish 7 nights a week? Hmmmmmmmm
QUOTE]

I have read this whole thread from start to finish and only have one question to ask.

so heres to you #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& since you started all this!!!!

how old are you and what makes you think you are part of the old guard???? Has it occurred to you that there are fishermen out there 20 years older than you that think YOU are the NEW GUARD????



Perspective (if you pay attention to it) is everything.

To answer your Question Jenn, to me it matters not how old I am but that I have surfished for stripers for 20yrs, In my book thats someone who put there time in regardless of age.........

No, there is no one out there who thinks of me as the "new guard"

My definition of new guard? The guy who has been surfishing for 5 years or less......................

I am certainly not an old timer by anymeans but I have earned my place! I have paid my dues , I have pounded the beach and I have done it on my own.I have not just fell out of my truck wanting an instant 50 when I have fished only a few seasons.

Difference between new guard old guard.

New guard way= "where did you catch those fish"

old guard= "Nice fish, good job" ( notice not asking for a spot)

New guard= " thanks for the tip bud, I went to your spot but got skunked, I know you said the bite was on eels but I used a rainbow bomber instead! why did I get skunked"

Old Guard= " Thanks for the tip, slammed them on eels tonight, you were right ! "

New guard= " hope you dont mind , I took five of my buds to that spot where you took me the other night, we cant wait to go back! "

Old guard= " Enjoyed your company, thanks for putting me on some fish, call me if you want company again, better yet I will invite you if I find some down my way, thanks again"


Is anyone getting the picture yet!!!!!

[Slingah]

I think I'm the medium guard

[Moses]

[QUOTE=#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&]

Originally Posted by Jenn

My definition of new guard? The guy who has been surfishing for 5 years or less......................
Difference between new guard old guard.

New guard way= "where did you catch those fish"

old guard= "Nice fish, good job" ( notice not asking for a spot)

New guard= " thanks for the tip bud, I went to your spot but got skunked, I know you said the bite was on eels but I used a rainbow bomber instead! why did I get skunked"

Old Guard= " Thanks for the tip, slammed them on eels tonight, you were right ! "

New guard= " hope you dont mind , I took five of my buds to that spot where you took me the other night, we cant wait to go back! "

Old guard= " Enjoyed your company, thanks for putting me on some fish, call me if you want company again, better yet I will invite you if I find some down my way, thanks again"


Is anyone getting the picture yet!!!!!

No, I'm not getting the picture yet. I'm approaching my 5th year surf fishing and the majority of folks I fish with range from 3-20 years experience. Even though some of us may be considered new by your definition above, we do not ask those types of questions. Perhaps my exposure to them and my old neighbor the sharpie taught me what to ask & what not to ask. Again, assuming all surfcasters <5-10 years experience have nothing to offer is a big mistake.

[piemma]

Great summation!!!!

[zacs]

[bart]

i think that summary #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& just gave couldn't be further from the truth. sure, i've asked about spots before. when i interned wth Joe i was always prying but that was because i basically fished the same spots as him. i already had a basic knowledge of these areas and just needed a little reassurance that i was on the right track at times. he was nice enough to give me some hints and for that i will always be grateful. but i also think that he realized that i was really serious about my fishing and that i definitely worked hard at it and put in a good amount of time. i never wanted something handed to me. i usually don't have a good handle on where the fish are as i live in MA and fish in Rhody, but rarely will i ever PM people and ask them where the fish are. if i do PM someone, i usually have a gameplan and ask them what they think of it.

as for bringing people to spots, i have been shown some, and anytime i'm thinking of going bakc there i always ask the person if they don't mind. i think you have had a bad experience with a few bad apples, but most younger people who take this sport seriously know the etiquette.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

I say hail to Master Eben, king of the August surf !!

dont you forget it

[ThrowingTimber]

And April

[Nebe]

and december

may, june, july, sept, oct, nov....... .