Why haven't you landed a #50 yet ??

[Flaptail]

Also, if your a dope like me and shun bait in any form now to pursue my goals with plugs only, your handicapping yourself. I know it but I accept it as I beleive the personal reward or feeling of accomplishment will be greater when and if it happens on a plug rather than bait.

Now, if only the fish would come back to the beach like they did in the 70' and 90's.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Also, if your a dope like me and shun bait in any form now to pursue my goals with plugs only, your handicapping yourself. I know it but I accept it as I beleive the personal reward or feeling of accomplishment will be greater when and if it happens on a plug rather than bait.

Now, if only the fish would come back to the beach like they did in the 70' and 90's.

Boy, isn't that the truth. In some ways the early and mid-90s were even better than the 70s. maybe not for size but for quantity of big fish. We had some night at the Second Rip with George Calzone Chucky, Stevie Mills and some of the NY crew where I witnessed hundreds of 25 to 35# fish caught during one tide.

[eelman]

Forget all the over anaylizing...Just fish hard, fish right, and let the chips fall where they may....Like paul said it should be first and foremost fun, thats why we do it , because we love to fish plain and simple...You can never force it to happen.....it will happen when it happens if it happens..First however is the enjoyment of fishing..

We all have opinions and are strong advocates for our ways and aproaches to fishing...I enjoy the back and forth...But in the end...I guess everyone seeks something different from the sport...Fishing is what you make it..Big small whatever....fishing is fun. To each his own..

Dont dwell on getting a fifty...wont get you anywhere....just concentrate on constantly honing your skills and opening new doors...eventually it will pay off

Listen to each guys advice an use it to your advantage, putting it all together to what works for you....make your own observations...Never be afraid to take chances or try something you may otherwise not....Strive for consistancy first....concentrate on large later

[BassDawg]

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

Forget all the over anaylizing...Just fish hard, fish right, and let the chips fall where they may....Like paul said it should be first and foremost fun, thats why we do it , because we love to fish plain and simple...You can never force it to happen.....it will happen when it happens if it happens..First however is the enjoyment of fishing..

We all have opinions and are strong advocates for our ways and aproaches to fishing...I enjoy the back and forth...But in the end...I guess everyone seeks something different from the sport...Fishing is what you make it..Big small whatever....fishing is fun. To each his own..

Dont dwell on getting a fifty...wont get you anywhere....just concentrate on constantly honing your skills and opening new doors...eventually it will pay off

Listen to each guys advice an use it to your advantage, putting it all together to what works for you....make your own observations...Never be afraid to take chances or try something you may otherwise not....Strive for consistancy first....concentrate on large later

Wise words, Bill! Thanks as always. The first part is true, too. I LOVE to fish and have always been appreciative of what winds up at the end of my line. For me the thrill is more in the chase and the hunt, than in the landing of our vaunted prey. Although that is verrrry sweeeet, as you well know! I was directing my post more towards the thread's opening question.

Be that as it may, I do have a question for you. Until you landed your first, of many, 50's weren't you also deeply driven? Your reputation precedes you as one of the hardest rock hoppers of your day. I absolutely agree, that when it is your time, it will be your time. But I also believe, that that FATE/TIME can be influenced by the amount of focus, determination, skills, and opportunity you avail for yourself. The Big Gurls ARE there, and somebody's gonna land them, right?

Not trying to stretch yer stitiches, Bill, it's just that once you've reached the mountain top it's much easier to see the valley below and look across to the other peaks, while helping others in their climb ~as you do/have done to be sure. I do stop to enjoy the climb, I bring my daughter and nephew's to the suds, and love to fish and share the craziness that is this recreation that keeps me sane with fellow anglers; but at this point, individually speaking, i'm still clawing, digging, rigging, and scratching it out on my way to that goal.

And unless i stay focused on the prize, the consistent C&R of multiple BIG-arsed Surftastic FATTIES, and make the sacrifices necessary to reach that lofty pinnacle, then i don't see how else to attain that prize in due time or land the New IGFA World Record Striper, which are just a couple of peaks i've set my sights on................

i know i need more time and better skills, but ya cain't get one without the other and hopefully all three will fall into place, and the climb will reach its summit, soon enuff and with God's speed and wisdom.

Thanks as always for your words and your advice. You sound good, although i doan think riding green, seal-looking llamas was part of your rehab process. Take it easy, bro .

[t.orlando]

There just are not many available.

[Mr. Krinkle]

Because I seem to drop them all the time.

[Mr. Sandman]

Frankly, I feel it is timing. Back in the late 70's and early '80s (thru 84 anyway) taking a 40+ from the surf was pretty common and if you fished half as hard as you did today I bet you could have landed several 50's back then. (looking at my records in 1981 my "average fish for that year was 36#, that is right, AVERAGE FISH from the shore.) Last season it was more like 18#. I am the same guy with better gear and fishing just as often now as then, perhaps more. We have gone thru a long cycle where there were just not that many 50's to catch. It is coming around again and the next 5-10 years look pretty good (again) for catching that trophy fish from the shore. Lets hope for the bait situation to improve coast wide that might help things along.
The problem is (again IMO) that these fish today are "different" fish with different migration paths then in past years. We need to adjust. The bite on Nauset today is nothing like it use to be. That said, I still think that within 5-10 years most guys that fish hard will take a 50 from the shore nearly every season.
Just keep doing what you are doing.