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

[piemma]

Originally Posted by BassDawg

Lots of good stuff here, gents. And though i've only got a couple of seasons under my belt, i'd like to chime in ~based upon what i've read, heard from seminars, talked to area sharpies about, and what the surf and the species have taught me in such a short time.

I believe that Trophy Hunting consists of three inextricable parts:

Part I:The Physical and Technical/Scientific Aspect of Landing Lahhhhge

Acquiring the skills sets and putting in the time to; learn the right conditions, the COW locations, the proper bait/lure, the habits and strategies of Large, and the ability to put in the time to get to that level of Trophy Hunter is the hardest part of this pursuit and requires the most work. This is the most critical aspect of Big Gurl success and requires the most knowledge and technique, since we all know that they don't get BIG without knowing some things about being hooked and getting themselves unhooked. I have lost 3 definite 50's and at least one 60, from the NShore surf, do to my own googanity. But each time i learned something i'll never repeat and I now know where and when to be where to put myself into the position for consistently LAHHHGE stripers.

Part II: The Mental and Psychological Aspect of Trophy Hunting

Once you've accomplished Part I, it's all about the mind set. Ask any of the area's sharpies or read their works and, to an angler, the response will be "Yes, I was targeting this 50, 60, 70#'er!" The drive to stay focused and driven to hunt Cows, FIRST AND FOREMOST, separates those of us who are out to catch anything from the anglers who land 50's and up often. This mental part of The GAME has everything to do with how you approach your time/window, spot/producer, plug/bait, striper/COW efforts in the surf.

In the infamous words of a Striper Coast legend "Are you content to just "catch" and will stay for 2 hours of schoolies to perhaps thirties or even forties '....until my arms could crank no more and it was a BLAST!!'? Or, do you want a 50lber plus bad enuff that you are willing to walk away from QUANTITY to land QUALITY?" Those aren't my words, but I subscribe to Crazy Al's Trophy Hunting Philosophy when it comes to putting yourself into the position to land lahhhge consistently, and not just once ~which could be counted as LUCK or happenstance!

Part III: The Sixth Sense or Artistic Aspect of the Big Gurl Dynamic

Ahhhh, yes.........................and the mystery ensues. This is my favorite part of the whole and just as important, imho, as the other two is the innate ability to find fish. It is probably my strongest suit and what drives me to the surf with a "perceived" advantage. Please don't misunderstand my point, i don't mean to sound arrogant or self-satisfied, but one thing that i've always been able to do is to ~find the fish, hence the moniker. And i know that i'm not alone! How many of us out there have that buddy that always hooks up? I've met several guys from the other site who share the same blessing.

Bill Nolan recently stated, "I'd rather be lucky than good, everytime I'm on the water."

Now, we all know that he has the skills (Part I), we all know that he targets BIG Stripers (Part II), and we've heard more than one person say that Billy Bunker/#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& has fishing in his blood (Part III). With some surfcasters it is luck, with still another set of them it is part of who they are and what they bring to the water within them combined with "preparation meeting opportunity".

Additionally, there is that sixth sense, or "feel", aspect to our pursuits that is intangible, yet very real for those who are "tapped in". In Pro Sports, they refer to being "in the zone". Why are TFB and RTM so freagin' GOOD? Hard work and preparation, YES! Unbelievably blessed, intangible abilities, that are perfectly suited to the supernatural performance of their position and the ability to draw on those intangibles and employ them at will, ABSOLUTELY!

The hardest part of this sport we love is to incorporate all three aspects into one, and to do so night in and night out. I think that it has far less to do with excuses, cannot be strictly managed by science, and no matter how often i hook a COW i still have to apply the right amounts of all three to take my level of experience to the next level of Sharpie, a consistent Trophy Hunter/Catcher.

Will multiple 50's be landed each year with our species in the midst of a resurgence? YES!!
More importantly, this year WILL be my year.......................will it be YOURS ???

GREAT POST!!!!!!

[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

[EarnedStripes44]

50 lb striped bass. Thats a lifetime fish.

[numbskull]

Think I woulda gotten a few last year, but I took Eddy out and he jinxed me.

[DZ]

If luck is involved I say "Always put yourself in the best position to be lucky". It can happen anyplace - anytime. I may have been lucky to have a few take my plugs but after the take there was little luck involved.

I recently had a conversation with a Block regular who in 1982 had a 2500 lb night between two guys - 14 of the bass were better than 50 - from the beach. Even with a possible exageration factor thrown into this account it would still be an epic catch. These guys put themselves into position for this event - right plugs, heavy gear.
Luck? No way.

DZ

[BassDawg]

Thanks, Paul. I still have many moons to learn from, God Willing and the Good Lord providing, that my health will allow me to do so and take my game to the next level. Right now, I'm just an eager HUNGRY, trying to learn and get better with each and every moon God gives me.

With a huge THANKS, beyond words, that goes directly to the fine legends and sharpies of these very pages. Because of youse guys and yer willingness to share your insights and experiences ~both here and in print~ many of us "lowliners" are on a much faster track to LAHHHGE!!! For that, I will always be grateful, attentive, and blessed!

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by DZ

If luck is involved I say "Always put yourself in the best position to be lucky". It can happen anyplace - anytime. I may have been lucky to have a few take my plugs but after the take there was little luck involved.

I recently had a conversation with a Block regular who in 1982 had a 2500 lb night between two guys - 14 of the bass were better than 50 - from the beach. Even with a possible exageration factor thrown into this account it would still be an epic catch. These guys put themselves into position for this event - right plugs, heavy gear.
Luck? No way.

DZ

The luck was finding them, then the knowledge to see that something was about to happen in a big way and be ready for it kicked in and that was from expertise and the overwheleming factor of making money. Making money made most of the highliners thier reputation for without the incentive of dollar signs many of these "legenday" nights of 14 bass over fifty would never have happened Never say never to luck as part of it.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by BassDawg

I have lost 3 definite 50's and at least one 60, from the NShore surf, do to my own googanity.

while i do not question you, i do question how you are saying they were definate 50's and a 60.. how can you be sure if you never had them on the rocks?

I have had fish on that i thougth were in the high 40's that ended up to be 15 lb blue fish. I had a 50 lb bass on the line once that ended up to be a bath mat

[Goose]

Not to sound repetitive but judging by the majority it seems like Luck is the key. The reason why I asked in this thread is because of certain non-fishing related books that I've read one being the 'Power of Positive Thinking'(powerful Faith book) the other 'Think Big'(by Schwartz Ph.D.)

I'm sure there are many more that prove with countless examples of why LUCK isn't all that its cracked up to be, I mean just by reading all of these posts gives you the how to's but that does mean we apply them. I'm not talkin about stepping in chit. We can all agree if we study & work hard we can live better but we don't, instead we bitch that its never enough and work sux...its called excuses. I know there's dam good surf guys who haven't broke #50 and I know some of the same guys who realize this and take to the next level its like listening to an old man say 'wish I could go back 30 years and know what I know now'. If we are decisive about what we want we'll put the odds in our favor where its beating your personal best or reaching reasonable mark.

In a sense we think like kids. My kids will say 'Brady is lucky' we say Iron Mike or Bill N. is lucky. They may be gifted but they did what they had to do to to obtain their goal. If that meant making a deal with the devil than I wouldn't wanna be in their shoes.

[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 .

[inTHERAPY]

[QUOTE=Goose;560974]Not to sound repetitive but judging by the majority it seems like Luck is the key. The reason why I asked in this thread is because of certain non-fishing related books that I've read one being the 'Power of Positive Thinking'(powerful Faith book) the other 'Think Big'(by Schwartz Ph.D.)

I have to ask, "Don't all of you leave the dock, or go to your spot, knowing in your heart and soul that this fishing experience is going to be
absolutely awesome?" I do. My wife, who knows me better than anyone, can not understand how day after day I can spend hours on the water, yet not sleep at night full of excitement, and constantly believe the next trip will be better than the last. If you answered "No" maybe you might want to skip that day of fishing.

[Skitterpop]

I`ve lost many Striped Bass in the 40 to 90lb range.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by DZ

If luck is involved I say "Always put yourself in the best position to be lucky". It can happen anyplace - anytime. I may have been lucky to have a few take my plugs but after the take there was little luck involved.

I recently had a conversation with a Block regular who in 1982 had a 2500 lb night between two guys - 14 of the bass were better than 50 - from the beach. Even with a possible exageration factor thrown into this account it would still be an epic catch. These guys put themselves into position for this event - right plugs, heavy gear.
Luck? No way.

DZ

I agree for the most part DZ. The key thing with guys taking multiple 50's at once is obviously the availability of such fish, regardless of the other factors. In order to get numbers of 50's you need a combination of skill, luck, and available fish. The fact that those big catches don't happen with regularity from the surf is proof that you need the availability. In reality, anyone, and I mean anyone, can catch one 50 and it proves nothing. Guys I know that have taken multiple 50's over a long time span are more than just lucky though.

[BassDawg]

Originally Posted by Nebe

while i do not question you, i do question how you are saying they were definate 50's and a 60.. how can you be sure if you never had them on the rocks?

I have had fish on that i thougth were in the high 40's that ended up to be 15 lb blue fish. I had a 50 lb bass on the line once that ended up to be a bath mat

Good question, Nebe!

I am referring to the last two and 1/2 seasons that i spent in the NE surf, from when I first began until last year when i did get to within a foot or so of the biggest striper i've ever hooked and did see her from head to dorsal/from dorsal to 4th stripe ~head on view/from swish of tail to head and gone to snap my shock leader and be gone, She was massive. i was using big eeeels, right tide and time, and would put her at 60#+.

Same spot previous year, '06, and in the middle of a new moon bite landing 20's to 30's with schoolies, came a lunge in and back under take and hunker down while chunking a pogie head. She did not move, and I did not know how to move her then, or to wait her out, and she shook her shoulders a little bit then opened her big maw and spit my noobily "set" hook having stolen her morsel.

Same spot same year, '06, chunking again big head chunks about a month later. only fiftty or so yards away on the covered side of a huge boulder, new moon the second biggest take and hunker i've ever had in those NSore waters. She took it, shook it, I set up, she hunkered down beneath said boulder, then she began to rub away at the leader....................I kept pressure, that is until my worn leader gave way and i got back the last foot before my spool line started.

The other spot was MBLHD HBR, fall '06, do you remember me asking about using culls for bait or not? Just so happens i caught one chunking macks one nite at the harbour. so i chunked up the tail for chum, thru out the claws for more chum, and saved the head for something hopefully "good" on yer typical chunking set-up. I took a chance, I mean i HAD read "On the Run" .

Within two-three minutes the biggest and most powerful KAWHAM/take i have yet to experience inhaled that head and swam about three feet and hunkered down to an immovable position. the place where i was is loaded with boulders, but it wouldn't have mattered as i hooked the head with supreme googanity and she coughed my offering up once she was aware of the hook. I had rigged the hook in a way that it never would have stuck in her maw.

The only reason I guesstimate the above sizes to be that big, and these are all guesses since I landed neither of them, is i compare them to the monstah i did see this year, and to the several over 30's that i did land this year. the 43''er that i C&R in Sept was dwarfed by the ??60?? that got away that night in the same honey cove about a month earlier. Seriously, they looked like rats compared to the size of this cow. i've also landed bull reds and trophy tarpon in FL and those tugs on body and drag, you never forget!

I have no reason to exagerrate, Nebe, as this place produces BIG fish, often. While our minds in the surf can play incredible tricks, this BIG BEETCH is indelibly etched into my cereberal cortex and will be until i land her twin or her Momma this coming season. And I do know where, when, what, and why she's gonna be there. I just have to remember to let her swim a bit instead of trying to horse her in like some 25#'er. That was my biggest goog with her, i brought her in waaaay, way too green, like me during that fight .

Anyways, yer prolly right and i could be way off, but that's what they felt like then and i tend to remember the ones I didn't land moreso than the ones that i bested, because the "ones that got away" have taught me the most .

[luds]

• I'm not that good
• I've only been fishing for 5 years
• The 40's I've caught have all had empty stomachs
• Last year was the first year I seriously fished eels. Prior to that I only used them once or twice a year.
• I only fish the surf.
• I don't get to fish as often as I would like to.

There are many more reasons but that's all for now.

[Goose]

Originally Posted by luds

• I'm not that good
• I've only been fishing for 5 years
• The 40's I've caught have all had empty stomachs
• Last year was the first year I seriously fished eels. Prior to that I only used them once or twice a year.
• I only fish the surf.
• I don't get to fish as often as I would like to.

There are many more reasons but that's all for now.

Accept for the 1st one, Dude you ain't never lied

[Back Beach]

When the moment of glory arrives, I would do myself the justice of having the fish weighed on a certified scale. I’ve heard of many guys C and R so called "50's" and I think most, if not all of them are completely full of %$%$%$%$. Many are just looking to seal the deal by using the “formula” or hand scales to cement their rock star status. Show me the slips.

Oh yeah, catch them first and weigh them later is also a good creed to live by.

[onecastmike2003]

A. big lures will take 50s
B. the right gear to put the brakes on the fat girl.
C. Fish at night and know what the heck your doing.
D.Keep a log and fish hard.
E. luck has nothing to do with it. You are a surfcaster and its all skill.

[Gunpowder]

Originally Posted by onecastmike2003

E. luck has nothing to do with it. You are a surfcaster and its all skill.

i think alot of people may disagree on that one......

[bart]

Originally Posted by Skitterpop

I`ve lost many Striped Bass in the 40 to 90lb range.

[keeperreaper]

I have caught and it was luck.

That being said:
Right place right time.
Right bait right presentation
Confidence Confidence Confidence
Right skill level and skill set; not getting "bass" fever and resorting to poor technique(s) rushing the process or taking shortcuts
Being obessesive about your gear being in perfect shape.
Having a place to land it
Knowing what moon phases, places, and tides have produced in the past etc

all these help in the pursuit of the "50"

[cow tamer]

shy away from boats

closed out of areas that had produced their share of 50s

didn't fish enough in the 80s

gave up using eels

when bunker used to be within snagging distance, I did not know then what I know now

[nightfighter]

shhhhh......I have seen Luds out on a boat before.....


BassDawg,
first off, fishing with a cull as bait is totally illegal.
Second, while there have been 50 and even 60# class fish taken in or just outside MBLHD harbor, we haven't had that class around for a while.
Me, I am not convinced that I've ever been around a school with 50 or 60s in the mix, certainly not from shore. This is of course excluding any fish caught in the EEZ ie. Stellwagen, where I have had some bruisers brought to the boat an released.

This year, my goal is to locate fish, catch fish, and hopefully keeping pushing personal bests.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Im wondering why I havent broke 30 yet. I have no excuse. I fish nights, eels, all the right spots. I average 2 trips a week, the more time on the water, the more opportunities there are. I plan all my trips, and don't waste time bs'ing. My time will come.

Me too.26 is the best I can do so far.

Had 40+ fish on but just couldn't make it happen.But you are right,the time will come.

[flyben24]

Originally Posted by onecastmike2003

E. luck has nothing to do with it. You are a surfcaster and its all skill.

[t.orlando]

There just are not many available.

[BassDawg]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

shhhhh......I have seen Luds out on a boat before.....


BassDawg,
first off, fishing with a cull as bait is totally illegal.
that was before I knew any better, and i would NEVER do that now, besides it was thrown in my lap that night.
Second, while there have been 50 and even 60# class fish taken in or just outside MBLHD harbor, we haven't had that class around for a while.
We, meaning YOU and all the people you fish with? This fish damn near took the rod out of my hands and she knew right where to hide and was all over that cull head, bro. Just because you haven't seen them, does that mean that one or two cannot be there? It wasn't exactly the inner harbour as i have never/nor would i fish there ~i was being general with location and it was an outside facing set of reefs and ledges in that general area.
Me, I am not convinced that I've ever been around a school with 50 or 60s in the mix, certainly not from shore. This is of course excluding any fish caught in the EEZ ie. Stellwagen, where I have had some bruisers brought to the boat an released.
Yup, and that is the one that sort of freaked me out tha most, because the rest of the stripers I had caught were runners, sounders, and then they were done. This one was completely different and tucked behind a rock that creates a trough between an outer island type promentory and itself and has a bowl that feeds a sweet dump of water with each set right into the trough that is totally hidden
This year, my goal is to locate fish, catch fish, and hopefully keeping pushing personal bests.
You and me BOTH, my brother!!

Thanks for your viewpoints nightfighter, i just share what i saw and felt from my limited view. I think that the most impressive "LOSS" for me was the big gurl from the MBLHD area. Because she HIT so Heavy and so Hard and moved with such deliberate strength to her hunkering down spot. She was definitely in no hurry and am not quite sure she even knew that she was hooked/not hooked .

[Slingah]

I havent got a fifty because it hasnt been my turn....and may never be...and I could care less. Not that I wouldnt be happy to be so lucky or I dont get pissed when Ive dropped large..... but it is just a number. I manage to get enough big bass to keep me fairly content.

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by bart

It just does not get any better than this .

[DJ Muller]

I am really looking forward to doing the seminar at the SW Edge show a week from Saturday...it is all relative to this topic. The talk and chatter here gets me pumped up for this next year and my next oppurtunity to cross paths with a substantial bass.

God I love this fishery!!!!