I am sick of it too!

[eelman]

Originally Posted by Striperhound

does not matter to me! It does depend on the person and how much fame they want to get out of it. Each year a few more people catch a 50 and they are instant experts and such. They start speaking at shows, writing articles for fishing mags and start endorsing surf gear. Not trying to stir up trouble just looking at the perception out there.

Unfortunatly, this is not what the thread was about, I never asked about "fame" Lets face it to some people 50 is a magical number. I dont judge how good a person is by the size of the fish but I do respect a surfcaster who has paid his or her dues and has a 50 to there credit, its a great acomplishment and certainly something to be proud of, if it wasnt it would not be talked about so much over the years no doubt about it a 50 is a special fish. But I may agree with most here that I would most likely take the consistancy over a 50 but, since I was lucky enough to land one, I will take it!

And if a person can capitalize on the fame of a 50, why not? why does it bother you? If you know they are full of it, then turn away and dont listen?

But for me I respect any good surfcaster that has a 50, its the holy grail of our sport and its what everyone deep down inside wants!! Its like being a race car driver and saying its ok to never win? A 50 keeps fisherman going its something to aspire to and its an acheviable goal...

But I hope this thread is not now going to also tumble into the gutter,

I just read jealosy in that post and the start of a thread gone bad, if you had a 50 and shimano knocked on your door with an endorsement contract, I am sure you would not slam it in there face? would you?? Come on A 50 isnt everything in the world but, in the surf game its what everyone wants!! I have never met a fisherman that has said "I dont want a 50" nope never.

[fishaholic18]

I want a 50...Now!

[Jenn]

I want a 50 too but I dont think anyone will want to hear about it for the next five years........

[tattoobob]

As it is a great thrill to catch a big fish I am happy catching 8 inch stripers
so It doesn't mater to me, just give me the sea air and the outdoors

[ProfessorM]

I'd prefer the consistent fish over the one big one. I'd be happy with anything consistent right now the way my year is going. Paul

[tlapinski]

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

its the holy grail of our sport and its what everyone deep down inside wants!!

How did 50 become so damn important??? It's 25#'s + UNDER the record! I don't lessen anyone's personal accomplishment, whether their best be 10#, 30#, or 70#, but when did 50 become the magical number? Ask anyone I fish with, that's not my goal. No rest until the true holy grail is reached. 80#'s, and she goes back in the surf. The jealousy and rumors of other surf men is not worth the catch to me. I don't want to be an internet hero, or a self proclaimed expert. But, back to the subject. I'll take consistant numbers over one single fish any day. I've been to your holy grail and back, so I know it isn't quite as special to me, personally, as it is to others.

[afterhours]

i'd take consistent 20- 30's over one 50 any season.

[ThrowingTimber]

Toby is going "all in" Gotta friggin love that!!

[schoolie monster]

I just want to catch fish consistently with some nice ones mixed in... if I have good action, add in some keepers, maybe a 20#er, I've had a great day.

I definitely get a rush when I have a big fish on. My biggest fish is 33# and I want to best that for now... heck I'd just like to get back into the 30# club, but it doesn't drive me at all. It might drive me to get up a bit earlier, but I don't really focus on "I need a big fish today".

The best way to explain it is you always hope for that big fish... I think the allure of saltwater fishing is you never know what might grab your lure or bait any given moment... but some people seem very driven to catch big fish or nothing.

For the most part, I just want to be out on the water catching some fish and that's what drives me. Just getting time out there.

[reelecstasy]

I am with Tlap on this one, 50# a holy grail ? not in my book....Say over 70# that is more like it.

[Saltheart]

I really want 1 fish every time I go. I hate to go and get nothing. Above that one fish each trip , its all gravy. Of course we all want a big one.

I hope that if I get a 50 I am man enough to put it back alive without needing to parade it around town to prove to people i got it. i will know and that's enough.

One big fish doesn't make a fisherman . i know a guy who caught one fish in his life (at the time) . he went on a charter and caught a single fish. It happened to top 60 pounds. it was his only fish ever and he won the Mass governors award that year for the biggest fish in the state. The plack is hanging on the wall. Does the fact that a big fish happened to swollow his hook make him a great fisherman??? I don't think so.

Anyway , i would summarize my view by saying that the guy who consistently catches fish is a good fisherman and should be proud of his ability. the guy who catches a fifty is a lucky man and he should thank god for his lucky catch ten times more often than he brags about it. I also think that if you are truly a great fisherman , other people will say so. If the only person saying it is you , you have a long way to go. i also think that people can only stand to hear about someones fishing ability just so much. If that quota is used up by the guys own bragging all the time , there's no room for others to give him praise. If you really want to be considered 'one of the best" , keep your mouth shut and let other people sing your praises.

[eelman]

wow, I never would have thought the 50 was hated so much

[Striperhound]

Well said TLAPINSKI!

How did 50 become so damn important???, The jealousy and rumors of other surf men is not worth the catch to me. I don't want to be an internet hero, or a self proclaimed expert.

sorry if I didnt answer the question Bill, but I would take consistency vs size.