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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[bart]

Originally Posted by Skitterpop

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

[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.

[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.