What Used To Be......

[BigFish]

"They" would be sorely misinformed.....it is the seals. I have been witness to the fall of the surf fishery down there.

[MAKAI]

I would guess Larry that the fish are just off the beach for a few reasons relating to seals. Which by the way can swim circles around a bass.

Safety in numbers, your odds of getting eaten go down the more the fish are clustered together.

The deeper the water the more escape room the fish have. ( plus the water out a bit is where the bait is )

While trolling for tuna bait off wood end we have seals on the beach see you hook up, come galloping in to steal your bluefish. Very smart "F"ing predator.

You have no idea how much I miss that way of life, living out of the truck on the beach, chasing fish for sometimes weeks at a time. It was what I lived for.

[piemma]

You have no idea how much I miss that way of life, living out of the truck on the beach, chasing fish for sometimes weeks at a time. It was what I lived for.


Me too.

[bucko]

How many of you have had a seal take a fish while hooked up?

I fly fish from shore in Scituate, Plymouth and Sandwich. I see seals and also seem to notice the bite is non existent when the seals are around.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by bucko

How many of you have had a seal take a fish while hooked up?

I fly fish from shore in Scituate, Plymouth and Sandwich. I see seals and also seem to notice the bite is non existent when the seals are around.

I know more people who have than have not.

I lost track a long time ago how many times and how many plugs and tins lost to them
First encounter in summer was 1997 south beach, then in 2000 on Nauset I thought I had a cow, turned out after the 4th run I saw the seal pop it's head up, ruined a reel but got the plug and shreaded bass back.
I haven't got a sticker in 4 or 5 years

sometimes there are fish, but too few and far between. maybe once the seals eat all the bait and fish, they will leave, they got it pretty good in their own private playground with nothing to fear. there will never be enough great whites to put a hurting on them

[BigFish]

Originally Posted by piemma

You have no idea how much I miss that way of life, living out of the truck on the beach, chasing fish for sometimes weeks at a time. It was what I lived for.


Me too.

Me 3.

[Fish_Eye]

That's what happens when regulations upset the balance of nature. The seals have too few predators and once left unchecked they multiply like rats. The only thing we can hope for is a like increase in the number of white sharks.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Fish_Eye

That's what happens when regulations upset the balance of nature. The seals have too few predators and once left unchecked they multiply like rats. The only thing we can hope for is a like increase in the number of white sharks.

we as a species have been removed from the loop as hunter/gatherers in that regard at least in this part of the world...
Salmon always get top billing it seems when it comes to protecting the resource from to many seals as seen recently on the left coast.

[Sweetwater]

Originally Posted by MAKAI

I would guess Larry that the fish are just off the beach for a few reasons relating to seals. Which by the way can swim circles around a bass.

Safety in numbers, your odds of getting eaten go down the more the fish are clustered together.

The deeper the water the more escape room the fish have. ( plus the water out a bit is where the bait is )

While trolling for tuna bait off wood end we have seals on the beach see you hook up, come galloping in to steal your bluefish. Very smart "F"ing predator.

You have no idea how much I miss that way of life, living out of the truck on the beach, chasing fish for sometimes weeks at a time. It was what I lived for.

I know of one day in particular that dramatizes this. Remember the flayed bluefish? I've got a picture of it somewhere, but can't find it.

[Backbeach Jake]

I saw a 12-15 pounder taken yesterday morning and four 20-25 pounders Saturday afternoon in Truro. The 12-15 I saw come in. The 20-25s were still limp, no rigor.

And a bunch of seals....

Oh yeah a 15-20 in the lot as I drove by in Bourne. Saw it come up the stairs.

[Sweetwater]

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

I saw a 12-15 pounder taken yesterday morning and four 20-25 pounders Saturday afternoon in Truro. The 12-15 I saw come in. The 20-25s were still limp, no rigor.

And a bunch of seals....

Oh yeah a 15-20 in the lot as I drove by in Bourne. Saw it come up the stairs.

shhhhhh! I like having the beaches to myself!

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Sweetwater

shhhhhh! I like having the beaches to myself!

Don't worry, just look out into the water... you'll always have blubbery friends with you.