To Delve a Little Deeeeper..............

[Flaptail]

In conversation one day in a small cluttered fly/tackle shop on Green Street in Worcester many many moons ago, I, as a youngster, asked a gentleman named Frank Woolner what makes the best striper fisherman in his eyes and he told me, "to be really good at Striper fishing you have to know how to do it all, trolling, surfcasting, jigging, leives eels, mackerel, everything, then your a good striped bass fisherman.

[likwid]

noodling

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

In conversation one day in a small cluttered fly/tackle shop on Green Street in Worcester many many moons ago, I, as a youngster, asked a gentleman named Frank Woolner what makes the best striper fisherman in his eyes and he told me, "to be really good at Striper fishing you have to know how to do it all, trolling, surfcasting, jigging, leives eels, mackerel, everything, then your a good striped bass fisherman.

Yup, I agree//

[BassDawg]

PRECISELY!!!

not trying to start anything, no flammage here!

but i do agree with that angle, that the guys who are the best
and the most proficient anglers CAN DO it ALL!!

from meat, to wood, to flies, to dynamite

and, btw, there isn't a wrong answer here, just opinions and thoughts
based on one's perspective. i relish and welcome any and ALL answers.

it's what makes us a diverse and informative community;
not just sum boring clique of single-minded fishbototrons

[Rockport24]

totally agree with the idea that the best guys know how to do it all.
Bottom line though, the BEST guys know how to FIND the fish consistantly, THAT'S what makes a good striperman IMO.
I don't care if you catch them with french fries!

[Raven]

the guy that tries A STRIP of meat on a plug..............

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

In conversation one day in a small cluttered fly/tackle shop on Green Street in Worcester many many moons ago, I, as a youngster, asked a gentleman named Frank Woolner what makes the best striper fisherman in his eyes and he told me, "to be really good at Striper fishing you have to know how to do it all, trolling, surfcasting, jigging, leives eels, mackerel, everything, then your a good striped bass fisherman.

That is the true answer right there. In my profession, there are many people who I call one trick ponies- or in other words, they are only good at making one type of thing- the true master of his craft can make anything-

I wish you lived closer flaptail.. we think alike.

[BigFish]

I am not looking to be the best striper fisherman.......I just want to enjoy it! And I do!

[steve]

When I go striper fishing I like to make the most out of my time on the water which like most everyone out there includes catching a fish or two. That's why I use something that works most of the time. For me live eels, rigged eels and 9" black sluggos work night in and nnight out. All else , particularly artificals, don't work well all the time. It's as simple as that!

[Slipknot]

Jack of all trades, master of none.
That might be me fishing wise, I fish for the thrill of the hunt, the anticipation that on each and every cast I make there could be a cow biting at the end on my line. If I catch fish, it makes it even better. Getting fish from shore is rewarding, getting them on plugs,jigs, or flies is challenging also, even if it's from a boat with live bait or dead, it is still fun trying and better when you find fish and catch them. Different spots, different conditions, time of year, weather all have to do with which method may work to your advantage to give you a better chance at success. I like variety, that is why I don't just fish one way over all others.
The better anglers are the guys who can catch consistently, even when others are not catching, they somehow are able to pull fish out, even if the others are using the same plug or bait. Some guys just have it, if you want to be like that, you'd have to work a lot harder.

[Grapenuts]

One who can and has done it all..I like calling them a "handyman"one who can switch from one method to another and not lose a beat.when one type of fishing gets turned off by zipper lipped fish they turn to another style of fishing...I know a few of these guys and they never ever thought of it as a big deal...learn the trade inside out or get stuck going home skunked more times then catching....what stikes me odd is how many can't read the water...like little dips in beach...one gull at nite alone standing in the wash..a skunk or red fox at the edge of the water...which end of a bar to stand at when the tide is outgoing..a suttle trough in a flat on the incoming....it goes on an on.. gps map on a boat pick a place anywhere..find the underwater bars.points.channels.in any bay.sound or offshore...and you'll find the fish once you learn where they like to hang .. it doesn't change when you change locations....I will agree it won't happen overnite..it'll take countless nites which turns into countless years of hunting to be a good all round fisher... it comes to some naturally..don't dwell on these folks cause it'll drive you hen chitt.

[spence]

Why no option for the fly?

Clearly saltwater fly fishing is much more refined than the techniques mentioned above. In contrast, methods like eels and live pogies are simply gross and plastic and wood lures quite, well, artificial.

I'd say the fly fisherman has this one down for sure. I'm dreaming of the day when we get a Tiverton Orvis.

-spence

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by spence

Why no option for the fly?

Clearly saltwater fly fishing is much more refined than the techniques mentioned above. In contrast, methods like eels and live pogies are simply gross and plastic and wood lures quite, well, artificial.

I'd say the fly fisherman has this one down for sure. I'm dreaming of the day when we get a Tiverton Orvis.

-spence

Oh now just stop it you...

[BassDawg]

Originally Posted by spence

Why no option for the fly?

Clearly saltwater fly fishing is much more refined than the techniques mentioned above.

-spence

because most of us are under 80yrs old and hetero??


i knew that you would be able to see the technical side, spence,
and offer a valuable point. mostly i left out saltwater fly fishing because IT IS so much more technically advanced that it would have negated all of the others. also, i consider fly fishermen in a leauge of their own, whether salt or sweet water officianados. them cats are the "creme de la creme", imho.

when i'm MUCH, MUCH older i'll have the fly-tying bench; tons of feathers, hackles, and hooks; and all the time in the world to make clousers dance.....................

THANKS everyone, for taking the time to respond and vote.
Verrrrrry interesting takes on this piece of what we do.
Good Stuff, gentlemen! Sea ya in the surf,,,,,,,,,,,

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Nebe

That is the true answer right there. In my profession, there are many people who I call one trick ponies- or in other words, they are only good at making one type of thing- the true master of his craft can make anything-

I wish you lived closer flaptail.. we think alike.

We must fish some time, here or there. Your call. Look forward to it.

[spence]

The notion that anyone thinks like Nebe scares the hell out of me

-spence

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by spence

The notion that anyone thinks like Nebe scares the hell out of me

-spence

[likwid]

Its ok when Eben says "any nibbles?"
Run when he says "want a nibble?"