Why are you here?

[Christian]

i joined here for plug building about 3 or 4 years ago.
but its been alot more. over the past few years ive gained friends, new tactics, skils, and saw there were alot of people just like me, who are seriously addicted to fishing for striped bass.
this was my first year fishing alot, and fishing harcore, and its pretty nice to come here in the off season and keep learning even while off the beach. i get pretty depressed this time of year not being able to fish and this is kinda like a substitute to fishing.

[JohnR]

Thanks guys - you are like a second family - disfunctional and everything

You guys hit the nail on the head. Community. The Brotherhood of Suds. Whatever you want to call it. But community. Personally, some of the best experiences I've had, certainly in fishing, have come from a lot of you. A lot of the admiration I have from people have come from you and a few of your family - here and no longer here. I think this has grown a little past the "hobby" stage but it has also gelled as a community that shares a common interest. I have not chased the quick buck with S-B and have truly tried to do the best I can by the community without totally sacrificing my real job or family . We've had our goods and bads but they were mostly good. And we (usually) try to do the right thing. That's important. Sure sometimes the squabbles get a little petty and half of those can be chalked up to miscommunication.

Above all, I take personal pride in the friendships I have created as well as knowing that a few of you have made some longtime friendships because of S-B, and many have shared and become better anglers.

I've seen this 14 year old kid making cross-eyed plugs for 4 years now and caught fishies on them.

I've seen some young and fledgling builders go out and produce some fish catching product.

I've seen some guys ever wondering when they would get their first twenty pounder to now wondering how many 40s they would get this year.

I've seen groups of people getting together to support dear friends in need and to support people they have never before met.

I've gained the experience of seeing bass tailing in Scorton's creek near the end of the drop into the rising sun in early June. Bluefin Tuna slicing thru peanut bunker so thick you could walk on 'em. I've been to the back beaches in a snot storm for a lone nice fish. I've been to Cuttyhunk with some class people having a classic time that I will always cherish (twice). I've gotten more than a few plugs from you builders that I happily feed to fish (and my appologies for not thanking you as often as I could have or telling you how I've caught with them). I've gone to Maine, to Nantucket, to the Cape, to the Vineyard, to Naps, and everyplace in between and enjoyed every minute with many of you... So if it has been a while since saying so - thanks!

And big round of thanks to the guys that make this place tick: Saltheart, Slip, Fishpart, Billy, and Mike!

I've even seen a perfectly functional boat lying crossways in the middle of the street //*&$FF

What else can you ask for?? Just a great group of people doing great things for each other!