"I'm done for the year"

[numbskull]

I've lived long enough to know each trip is one less in the allotment I have left. The act of going brings as much pleasure as what I catch. These late season trips when everyone else has quit and my expectations are low are the ones I cherish most.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I've lived long enough to know each trip is one less in the allotment I have left. The act of going brings as much pleasure as what I catch. These late season trips when everyone else has quit and my expectations are low are the ones I cherish most.

I don't know if they're my favorite, but I do enjoy it. You have to have some tenacity to push through the cold and the odds of catching bigger fish decreasing. And I agree completely it feels good to be relatively alone out there challenging the elements a bit.

Going Thanksgiving morning with a few friends to catch a few schoolies at the breachways to usually end the season is a trip that means a lot to me.

While chasing and catching the biggest fish possible is certainly my main drive out there, I enjoy the whole season. Schoolies at the beginning and end, splashing the boats for the first time, the Bay in May, the first good fishing off the rocks. It's all good.

Take what you need from it. Whether it's calling it early or going to the bitter end. Or fishing for stripers all winter if you know where to go. You only have to make yourself happy.

[nightfighter]

Just today I gave serious thought to hauling the boat this weekend.... The stoopid fishing in the harbors hasn't even really kicked into high gear, but I may be just hitting the rocks a few more times after hauling and getting the work required to put her away. I still am looking for a few more blitzes and maybe one more "good" fish though...

[Rockfish9]

When i was younger, and my hands,shoulders and knees hurt less, I started in Jersey in April and fished my way "home" to Plum Island, when all sensable (if there is such a thing) fishing ended at PI in October, I worked my way south along the outer cape back to Jersey.... I cant take that anymore.. I just get too dam tired... but by May 1 I'm looking foreward to the first schoolies at PI, I no longer make the long trecks to meet them, I still fish my local briar patch 5 nights a week until the boat has to be off the dock 10/15... each year I make one final trip, usaly around the full moon, starting at the river and walking the beach just tossing plugs, the way I did when I first started this madness, so many years ago, I pick a nice night when it's not too cold and just walk and plug... if I catch fish fine, but the feel of the surf tugging at my waders, the crispness of the night air is my personal farewell to another season...This past Tuesday was that night.

[Got Stripers]

After 4 weeks of killer large fishing and some electrical issues that forced me to drop off the boat this morning, I'm winterizing and getting the 16 footer ready for my winter fishing. I'm taking a few weeks off to play some golf and get some gear stowed for the winter.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by Got Stripers

After 4 weeks of killer large fishing and some electrical issues that forced me to drop off the boat this morning, I'm winterizing and getting the 16 footer ready for my winter fishing. I'm taking a few weeks off to play some golf and get some gear stowed for the winter.

Sissy.

[Squibby17]

I'm officially done for the year.

I went down to Rhody for the first time this Sunday and got to see some of these spots I've been hearing about from you guys for years. It was really cool to explore some new area's, one in which I donated my favorite plug to the ocean

I ended up getting into a nice blitz at the end of the day Sunday and caught a bunch of bass, all small but still tons of fun.

It was a bit sad knowing that I was doing my last cast of the year. I was happy that the last fish I caught was a nice 25'' schoolie on the fly rod.

I spent enough time and way too much $ on fishing this year but feel like I gave it my all. I have a lot of things to catch up on in the next few weeks and I feel satisfied walking away. Good luck to those who are still getting after it. This site will keep me interested as the snow starts to fall.


P.S. I'm going to get my ski's tuned and prepare for the "other season"

[spence]

Considering I didn't fish at all July/August, and that Sept into October I was on the road most of the time, and then I injured my right arm...

I'm just getting started

Although the bar is set pretty low. If I can get a keeper in Nov I'll be happy as a clam.

-spence

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Take what you need from it............... You only have to make yourself happy.

Well said. What we need and take from fishing changes throughout our lives. Worth remembering.

[Slipknot]

good, I am glad you are done because my ego can't take reading any more of you posts about how you were bailing 25-35 pound fish
it makes me feel like a loser, then i go out to fish and get bluefish . I remember what you wrote earlier in the year about seeking out newer places if the old usual spots don't produce, I wish I had more time to do that. Luck has not been on my side this year. You had a pretty good season considering you didn't go out as often as you would have liked. Good for you.

[Sea Dangles]

Gee Slip, even my kid can catch schoolies.

[MAC]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

Gee Slip, even my kid can catch schoolies.

Chris, That's a great picture. One the 2 of you will remember for a long time to come.

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

Gee Slip, even my kid can catch schoolies.

Great picture

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

I wish I had more time to do that.

Ya, right now i'd be very happy to spend a cold night in the surf,

let alone a sunny day with green water, blue skys and yellow beachgrass in the background.

It's a looong winta.

[piemma]

No over for me. Just one more trip in the boat and then Iam back in the surf till December.

Having the boat gives me the freedom to rest (somewhat) this old, beat up body and still fish hard. Now Nov is here and I can hit the surf. I still love the rocks and the sound of the waves crashing . It's not about catching. It's about doing and I just love to fish for Bass.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

good, I am glad you are done because my ego can't take reading any more of you posts about how you were bailing 25-35 pound fish
it makes me feel like a loser, then i go out to fish and get bluefish . I remember what you wrote earlier in the year about seeking out newer places if the old usual spots don't produce, I wish I had more time to do that. Luck has not been on my side this year. You had a pretty good season considering you didn't go out as often as you would have liked. Good for you.

Seriously Slip, it was really %$%$%$%$ luck more than anything else. After blindly walking into the fish on the first night, it was just a matter of showing up each night on the same tide until the fish moved on. Anyone who showed up did well. There was no real genius or skill involved. The biggest challenge for me is always trying to balance family, work, and fishing.
My schedule for those two weeks was like this...Up @6am helping wife get kids ready for the day>>> work from 7 until 5>>>get home from work and spend time w/family until 8:30pm bedtime>>>sleep until midnight,get up and drive an hour or so>>>fish from 1AM until 5am>>>drive home an hour or so>>>and repeat. Got a couple of nights sleep in there somewhere, but you get the picture. Fun but not easy, thus the "I'm done" attitude.

[luds]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Seriously Slip, it was really %$%$%$%$ luck more than anything else. After blindly walking into the fish on the first night, it was just a matter of showing up each night on the same tide until the fish moved on. Anyone who showed up did well. There was no real genius or skill involved. The biggest challenge for me is always trying to balance family, work, and fishing.
My schedule for those two weeks was like this...Up @6am helping wife get kids ready for the day>>> work from 7 until 5>>>get home from work and spend time w/family until 8:30pm bedtime>>>sleep until midnight,get up and drive an hour or so>>>fish from 1AM until 5am>>>drive home an hour or so>>>and repeat. Got a couple of nights sleep in there somewhere, but you get the picture. Fun but not easy, thus the "I'm done" attitude.

That's sounds familiar minus the kids. The 1 hour to 2 hour round trip everyone night is what did me in. When you're beating yourself up like that all the gas money just adds insult to injury.