Intelligent.........

[Back Beach]

Seeing the cape is what it is I fish all rocks now, including the canal. I primarily fish from shore as my boat days are done until my kids grow up a little.
Newell 229 for canal. 65# power pro for line.
Saltiga Z4500 for surf w/50# power pro.
I build all of my own rods. I have a Ron Arra 1205 and all star 1209 conventional for the canal.Ron Arra 1205 rod tied up as a spinner for the surf.
I am pretty much an eel fisherman, except for the spring when I throw storms/tsunamis. Artificials are bogus to me for the most part, although I always carry a couple for special situations.
I would rather go fishless for weeks on end and target big fish, as opposed to taking what's available. Being skunked is no problem for me as hunting the biggest fish involves a lot of skunkings. Although I don't always get them, my target is 30# or bigger.
Time of year is last two weeks of May, and last week of September/first week of October.
I'm not sick of it yet after 25 seasons. I’m looking forward to my sons joining me some day.
Essential gear? My head lamp, the %$%$%$%$ing rocks can kill you.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Do you mostly fish sand or rocky coastline and why? Rocks mostly, very occasionally the sand. I fish the rocks because it is usually less crowded.

What length rod do you prefer for the type of fishing you do and why?9' easier to carry around....I am looking into going up to a 10' to see if I can get that few extra feet I always think I need to reach the fish

Do you prefer to roll your own rods, have them custom made or by ready made brands? I have made 1 rod, enjoyed it but not my thing, I'll be going Custom from here on out

What reel type and size, conventional or spinning? Spinning, Shimano Stradic.....but am starting to consider a VS (Sorry)

Do you prefer to throw bait (eels, chunks, liveys) or plug fish mostly?My Favorite way is to Plug....But I have no problem throwing eels or chunks if that is going to work

What gear you feel essential, other than rod and reel, to be successful? Terminal Tackle, and a Decent Plug bag...and some Korkers

What time of year, for your locale has been the kindest to you in your search for the big one? Early Summer seems to be the best for me...up until this year

Do you feel satisfied upon the end of a nights struggle with whatever you take or do you feel only big bass caught make the effort worth it? MUST.......HAVE......LARGE, thats when I am the happiest

Do you ever think it's getting old and maybe it's time to find a new pastime? Nope....Just been doing it for 5 years so its still fresh for me trying to figure things out

[fishaholic18]

Not that I surf fish much anymore (much rather boat fish) but I have a few years under my belt.

Do you mostly fish sand or rocky coastline and why? Rocks, love the challenge of muscling a 40 out of a bolder field. Sand is for sissy's.

What length rod do you prefer for the type of fishing you do and why?
I like a 10' rod with backbone. Anything under IMO is too short for fishing boulder fields, need to get that line up high to keep a cow from pulling you in the rocks and breaking you off. Anything over 10' is too awkward to me and unessesary.

Do you prefer to roll your own rods, have them custom made or by ready made brands? I wrap my own. I prefer Lami.

What reel type and size, conventional or spinning?
VS period, I'm a cheap basturd and even I smartened up and got one for the surf. I like Spheres second. My reel is underwater 50% of the time when I fish though.

Do you prefer to throw bait (eels, chunks, liveys) or plug fish mostly? Eels for big girls, plugs if I'm messing with dinks or feeling bored.

What gear you feel essential, other than rod and reel, to be successful? Korkers if u want to stay alive.

What time of year, for your locale has been the kindest to you in your search for the big one? Spring

Do you feel satisfied upon the end of a nights struggle with whatever you take or do you feel only big bass caught make the effort worth it? If I didn't get at least a 30, it just wasn't worth it.

Do you ever think it's getting old and maybe it's time to find a new pastime? yup, got old, enjoy boat fishing much more.

[bassballer]

where: the RI ROCKS BABY
set up: 9' st. croix triumph, Diawa BG60 w/ 30lb PP
gear- waders, plug bag, light, korkers, top.
bait- plugs and softies. eel occasionally.
getting old: you cant get tired of an addiciton. wether im catchin cows, or getting skunked i just love the surf.

[numbskull]

Rocks. Sand makes me feel small.
10ft KF/Newell 235 for years, until this year I got fancy and now use a 1205 with a Calcutta TE. Very nice, but I cry when I dunk it and feel like I'm cheatin' when I cast.
Build your own rods (or pay someone to do it), you can end up with much better components and a tool that fits you.
Plugs make the sport. Wood is the way to go. I fish my own or friend's stuff 95% of the time.
I've found stocking foot waders and good studded wading boots really make the night more enjoyable. Bug repellant is crucial, too.
Time of year isn't as important as phase of moon. Late October, when everyone else is gone and you know each trip will be cherished is the best time.
Feeling that I have a chance at a good fish is all I need.
I'm done trying different pastimes, this one works best for me.

[ThrowingTimber]

Do you mostly fish sand or rocky coastline and why?

Rock, mostly until the beaches open up (9/15), there’s something about having a pod of fish to yourself on an open beach that makes me smile.

What length rod do you prefer for the type of fishing you do and why?

Plugging 10’ I get a decent cast, light rod not a lot of room for a back cast.

Recently acquired a allstar 1208 with a 6 inch extension that is outstanding for slinging eels (live) why: tons of backbone, super soft gentle tip.

10wt 10’ I like to try my luck during worm spawns.

Do you prefer to roll your own rods, have them custom made or by ready made brands?

Custom. Do my own repairs
What reel type and size, conventional or spinning?

conv. Abu 7000
spin. Nautil 7500
conv. avet sx
spin. vs300b
con. Abu 6500


Do you prefer to throw bait (eels, chunks, liveys) or plug fish mostly?

Plugs 60% eels 40%

What gear you feel essential, other than rod and reel, to be successful?

• traction
• vision
• time

What time of year, for your locale has been the kindest to you in your search for the big one?

Spring.

Do you feel satisfied upon the end of a nights struggle with whatever you take or do you feel only big bass caught make the effort worth it?

Have been getting a steady stream of bass all season with many in the teens and mid to high twenty pounds. Ready for something a bit bigger for the amount of time spent. Not complaining, just biding my time I guess.

Do you ever think it's getting old and maybe it's time to find a new pastime?

Never.

[Zeno]

Do you mostly fish sand or rocky coastline and why?
jetties and sand beaches adjacent to jetty inlets 90% of the time.Because these places usually hold biggest concentration of the fish
What length rod do you prefer for the type of fishing you do and why?
1321m lami most of the time, 7 foot St.Croix when chasing a weakfish and a 1201m conventional occasionally for eel skin plugs
Do you prefer to roll your own rods, have them custom made or by ready made brands?
Have em made.No desire to do this
What reel type and size, conventional or spinning?
No seat.Taped on vs250 Conventional ,half a seat abu 7000
Do you prefer to throw bait (eels, chunks, liveys) or plug fish mostly?
last year or so only plugs or eel skin plugs........but ,if I feel like that is what fish want ,I am not ashamed of the chunk or an eel
What gear you feel essential, other than rod and reel, to be successful?
flashlight and a lucky hat
What time of year, for your locale has been the kindest to you in your search for the big one?
October until about a two years when June became better
Do you feel satisfied upon the end of a nights struggle with whatever you take or do you feel only big bass caught make tyhe effort worth it?
Anything that shakes my rod brings a smile to my face
Do you ever think it's getting old and maybe it's time to find a new pastime?
No

[american spirit]

Do you mostly fish sand or rocky coastline and why?
rocky coastline. more productive for me than sand

What length rod do you prefer for the type of fishing you do and why?
i'll use a 9 foot in the spring and early summer because i usually catch smaller fish and throw smaller plugs. switch to a 10 foot late summer and fall to throw bigger plugs and catch bigger fish.

Do you prefer to roll your own rods, have them custom made or by ready made brands?
i'm cheap and usually buy all my rods used from a friend. he buy's a lot of stuff so they're not totally beat to hell when i get em.

What reel type and size, conventional or spinning?
again referring to bass on a budget. i've been fishing the shimano spheros 8000 for 3 years i think. 4000 for schoolies.

Do you prefer to throw bait (eels, chunks, liveys) or plug fish mostly?
plugs almost always. last year i got my biggest fish on eels. this year my biggest has been caught on needlefish.

What gear you feel essential, other than rod and reel, to be successful?
waders, drytop, head lamp, good arsenal of plugs, lots of leaders, pliers, the d ring rod holder that fits on the wading belt. try to be as simple as possible.

What time of year, for your locale has been the kindest to you in your search for the big one?
late august

Do you feel satisfied upon the end of a nights struggle with whatever you take or do you feel only big bass caught make tyhe effort worth it?
i just like being out on the water, being alone or at least with a fishing buddy, and being away from work. whatever the result, i feel like i learn something new every time i head out. that's what i appreciate most.

Do you ever think it's getting old and maybe it's time to find a new pastime?
i've got too many hobbies right now. i'm trying to invest more time into fishing. i'll never give up fishing though.