How would all the "new" boat guys be doing from the surf???

[DZ]

What's a boat?

[Ed B]

Originally Posted by DZ

What's a boat?

Dennis, Dennis, Dennis, The boat thingy is what you take to go across the water to get to Block Island. Hey, that might make you a boat fisherman.

Pete G summed it up pretty well I think. But I will add this perspective as I kind of look at it this way with a different analogy to trout fishing. If you want to catch a cubic buttload of trout right now you could go to most of the trout ponds which you are familiar, get yourself a smalll craft, some jars of powerbait, drop lines down below the thermocline, drift around your structure and dropoffs, pop down some Brewski's to keep the energy and enthusiasm level up and become a commercial trout fisherman . There are many other possibilities as well included trolling deep and shore fishing the dropoff close to shore. Whatever. Yet there are still some guys who would only consider going to the rivers and streams of New England to fly-fish and that is what they will do regardless of how the fishing for the powerbait guy is in Lake Talupa, and the question of how the season is going for the Lake Talupa guys is kind of irrelevant.

It's really a matter of preference and telling a guy who is in the surf working the backwash from a stretch of boulders in RI or an outlet of a trough on the Cape Beach when the tide stage is just to his liking for a nice current to set up, how the boat guys are doing is nice but kind of an irrelevant piece of information, because he is a Surf Fisherman. Some surf fisherman with fly rods couldn't care less about the surf fisherman who uses bait, plugs or eels, just like the guy on the Wood River this evening who will be casting to a rising fish, the powerbait results on the Lake don't really enter into his brain.

I offer none of my preference as that is up to each individual to decide what is most favorable to him and how he wants to spend his time.

Ed

[DZ]

[QUOTE=Ed B;500398]Hey, that might make you a boat fisherman.

Yikes! You’re right Ed. From now on I’m flying to Block (not).

To actually help answer J’s question: There have been very few instances in my surfcasting life where great boat fishing has equated to just as good surf fishing. More often than not it is just the opposite.
To site just a few examples: I’ve been on Block where the boat guys have done a good number all around the island and the surf gang has fished a virtual wasteland at the same time. Another time at Montauk (Shagwong) I fished from a boat (I know, I know, Blasphemy) and took big bass on every pass just a hundred or so yards off the beach. An hour later I hit that same beach expecting that the surf guys were mauling the bass - 50 guys and not a single bass taken from that beach. Special sets of circumstances make up great surfcasting – they don’t occur very often and that makes you appreciate them more. My surfcasting size and catch rate hasn’t been that great this season (until last night). But I’m still having a great time “practicing”. Our fish will come.

[Back Beach]

[QUOTE=DZ;500422]

Originally Posted by Ed B

To actually help answer J’s question: There have been very few instances in my surfcasting life where great boat fishing has equated to just as good surf fishing. More often than not it is just the opposite.
To site just a few examples: I’ve been on Block where the boat guys have done a good number all around the island and the surf gang has fished a virtual wasteland at the same time. Another time at Montauk (Shagwong) I fished from a boat (I know, I know, Blasphemy) and took big bass on every pass just a hundred or so yards off the beach. An hour later I hit that same beach expecting that the surf guys were mauling the bass - 50 guys and not a single bass taken from that beach. Special sets of circumstances make up great surfcasting – they don’t occur very often and that makes you appreciate them more. My surfcasting size and catch rate hasn’t been that great this season (until last night). But I’m still having a great time “practicing”. Our fish will come.

I've seen the same thing on the cape, and have said this before....when surf and boat fishing were producing disproportionatley to one another, we opted for the more productive method. You have to adapt, or it will become a long season on the sidelines waiting for things to come around. This season seems to be shaping up just like last so far. We had a run of large fish from mid may to early june in the surf, now a lull. I have to believe another batch will be coming at some point if they aren't already here. If it does shape up like last year, the large fish will be sporadic for the surf guys. The "new" boat guys are really the fishermen who are adapting and utilizing the best method for catching large fish right now. That means they are serious about results, regardless of the method. If you plan to stick with strictly surf fishing, you will experience droughts, even when the fishing is good, its just the way it works.

[JoeP]

Like Eben & RIjimmy said, this exact pattern occurred last year from June on with the pogies acting like a "bass vacuum" in the Bay and most of the surf guys starving for consistent action.

If I remember, most guys at the end of last year said it was an overall very poor surf season.

It's just happening again. However, if all of these pogies ever start to spead down to the surf in decent numbers we'll enjoy the bonanza as well.

Like DZ said, it's just a cycle and, until then, it's fun "practicing".

[JohnR]

Interestingly enough, the shore guys from S-B and NIB's Jersey Club are strongly leading the Striper Cup. While it may be tough out there for the shore guy, the shore guy is going large... And those fish are coming from all over, the Ditch, the River, Narr Bay most of the usual haunts.

[fishaholic18]

I'd be doing great from the surf if I was hitting it like I used to. Need to do your homework guys, stop surfing the net and get out there, put your feelers out, try different things, there are large to be had boat and surf, just need to stop chasing reports and fish that were there yesterday, they have fins ya know. Attack them with the bait they want and your success will increase greatly. This is the year for large, there are a lot of guys out there that have been nailing large, you just ain't hearing about it, myself is one of them, get out there, put in your time, do your research and it WILL pay off.
Good luck/ and F^%$#@ the net........

[NIB]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Interestingly enough, the shore guys from S-B and NIB's Jersey Club are strongly leading the Striper Cup. While it may be tough out there for the shore guy, the shore guy is going large... And those fish are coming from all over, the Ditch, the River, Narr Bay most of the usual haunts.

We are struggling this yr.At best I had 3 30's by this time last yr 2 where fishing an one was a blitz fish.Which is fishing but a hell of a lot easier.The 2 big spring storms messed up the bay.It's still not right.. I think that the storms flushed alot of our quality Hudson river holdovers out..`
The Chess bay fish are here.I love em with the purple stripe..
The boat guys are beatin the snot out of em.
Lots of mid to high40's an a few 50's..
I think I have to go fire up the engine..
The winds an weather patterns have not been condusive to bringin the bait an the fish in at the same time.The other night in 10 ft waves we watched em (Bunkers) getting pounded just out of range.There is still time.We should have the right winds this week.
BTW,On the OTW contest.. We have a lot of guys that have filled out the board these fish won't hold up..U guys have more quality numbers which will matter in the end..NICE JOB..

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Interestingly enough, the shore guys from S-B and NIB's Jersey Club are strongly leading the Striper Cup. While it may be tough out there for the shore guy, the shore guy is going large... And those fish are coming from all over, the Ditch, the River, Narr Bay most of the usual haunts.

That makes me wonder what the numbers are .. I bet the shore guys ,way out number the boat guys in the tourney . I'll never argue skills, a shore guy vs a boat guy ,, I've done a boulder drift down a shore line with Numbskull . If you don't know what your doing, you'll be swimming ..

[GonnaCatchABig1]

[QUOTE=Back Beach;500428]

Originally Posted by DZ

The "new" boat guys are really the fishermen who are adapting and utilizing the best method for catching large fish right now. That means they are serious about results, regardless of the method. If you plan to stick with strictly surf fishing, you will experience droughts, even when the fishing is good, its just the way it works.

that's not even fair to say. that's an at least $4000+ ""adjustment"" just to gt the ""adjustment"" in the water. having a boat is not an adjustment, it's a luxury. one that many guys cant afford. to say surf guys aren't serious about results because of that is a pretty bold statement. i MIGHT get out on a boat next weekend and couldn't be more excited. especially after spending almost 200 hours fishing and hiking to spots in the past two weeks. with no results. i have tried just about everything in my arsenal to avail. despite knowing what the local fish are feeding on. any way.. buying a new rod and reel and some new baits or whatever is an adjustment. getting a boat is in a completely different ball park.

i'll be honest, as a guy who has always been land locked, i think boats are cheating. and would i cheat if i could? hell yes! and plan on hopefully doing just that this year.

[NIB]

Boat fishing ain't as easy as some make it out to be.There is a vast ocean out there.Takes a lifetime to learn..If u think the surf can be tough to break down there's way more access to water in a boat..Some guys don't take the time to break down area's a little at a time.They are to impatient they just zoom all over the place.Basically ending up where everyone else is.Just look for the floatilla on any weekend..For some reason most guys don't go at night..We have a great fishery here in NJ that only has 2 or 3 guys on it every night.
Thats Why Bill N basically a new boater, is so stoked to fish with a guy Like Capt Jim White.
Here is a guys with a ton of experience.He has paid his dues just like any good surf guy..
Between him an Clammer it is no wonder Bill has taken to the floating world of fishing so easily.Add to that his ability to catch fish an the results are palin to see.
I have friends, new boat guys invite me out all the time. I almost always decline.After they hit the one or to tricks they have they are clueless.An ask me what I think..An then we end up in the floatilla..
I have a boat,While I barely use it. I have surf/fishing skills that help me to make the adjustment.I have had some success.Sometimes My head hurts from all the possiblities..I certainly don't consider it cheating.It's a big ocean that takes time to learn.While it is easier to land a big fish in a boat.U still have to hook em..

[DZ]

GonnaCatch,
Please be careful how you use the quotes. Your last post and the quote attributed to me was incorrect.
Thanks,
DZ

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by GonnaCatchABig1

that's not even fair to say. that's an at least $4000+ ""adjustment"" just to gt the ""adjustment"" in the water. having a boat is not an adjustment, it's a luxury. one that many guys cant afford. to say surf guys aren't serious about results because of that is a pretty bold statement. i MIGHT get out on a boat next weekend and couldn't be more excited. especially after spending almost 200 hours fishing and hiking to spots in the past two weeks. with no results. i have tried just about everything in my arsenal to avail. despite knowing what the local fish are feeding on. any way.. buying a new rod and reel and some new baits or whatever is an adjustment. getting a boat is in a completely different ball park.

i'll be honest, as a guy who has always been land locked, i think boats are cheating. and would i cheat if i could? hell yes! and plan on hopefully doing just that this year.

Wait a second here now, you misquoted me and then pinned it on DZ.
What I did say is certain guys are serious about results, regardless of the method used. This means they would do whatever is necessary to put them in the best position to meet their goals.
The experienced, accomplished surfcaster realizes that even though there may be many fish about, it doesn't equate to them catching. The reasons could be countless. When you choose to commit yourself fully to shore fishing, your inherent understanding should be that you will come up empty handed many nights, even when your boat fishing brethren are bailing fish just out of casting range.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Wait a second here now, you misquoted me and then pinned it on DZ.
What I did say is certain guys are serious about results, regardless of the method used. This means they would do whatever is necessary to put them in the best position to meet their goals.
The experienced, accomplished surfcaster realizes that even though there may be many fish about, it doesn't equate to them catching. The reasons could be countless. When you choose to commit yourself fully to shore fishing, your inherent understanding should be that you will come up empty handed many nights, even when your boat fishing brethren are bailing fish just out of casting range.

i realize that. but that's not fair to say they are more serious about results. if i could dish out the cash for it i would. i just CAN'T. i am hoping to get out on a boat at least once this year (my first time fishing from one)i am pretty damned serious about results. back when money for fishing was plentiful (from like 6yrs to 16yrs old) i had probably spent over $2000 on tackle. that's quite a bit for a kid trying to catch that monster bass. as you know when you get a bit older money isn't so freely spent. or else i would be on MY boat right now. and let's face it like with shore fishermen, there are guys out on boats fishing and catching huge fish who couldn't care less. they just have a boat and some rods. and if they get bored enough go fishing instead of just cruising around. to say one group is more serious than the other isn't fair.
what is true, is guys with boats have a distinct advantage over shore guys. take away fish finders and just have so they have to base where the fish are with their own brains. they still have an advantage in..if the spot isn't producing they can move to the next one much faster much easier. (in 99% of the cases). for instance yesterday my main spots were elbow to elbow. i am all set with that. so then it was time to figure out where the fish were, and when they weren't there move. i spent almost as much time driving as i did fishing. had i had a boat. it would have taken a total of 15mins to move to all of the spots. but instead took almost an hour of driving and an hour of walking and setting up.