What Makes One...

[rizzo]

there are 2 things that seem to always make the difference where I fish. The first is knowing the window of oppurtunity when the large fish will be in the area. You have to play the game of probability, and sometimes fish at times where its not most enjoyable to you. I constantly try to target that window of oppurtunity in each spot whether it by 15 minutes or 3 hours. Many times too this window of opportunity is only valid on a certain wind, time of year, tide and moon phase. To be successful you have to be out there on those producing tides all the time, even if they are horribly inconvinient for your sleep schedule.

The second is the use of eels or other live bait. It did not take me long to learn that youre gonna get outfished for quality if you dont use eels from the surf. Eels are worth their weight in gold while fishing the surf, and a lot of guys fail to realize how important this is. Its youre responsibility to always have a supply on hand. Many are lazy and figure, plugs will do, I'll be happy enough catching a low 20 pound fish, no need to spend the money and effort on eels. Their attitude changes when the guy next to them catches many nice fish and weeds out a 40#+ fish. Plugs do catch their share of large fish, but if youre playing the game of probability, live bait consistantly produces much better.

In addition to these 2 factors you have to be the driving force behind yourself. You have to be aware off all the conditions and details that will affect your fishing, constantly making mental note and looking for patterns. Fishing is never mindless for me,I'm constantly thinkin of all the variables and planning what to do next. Its a full time job in being successful from the surf constantly monitoring the weather and other factors.