What Used To Be......

[OLD GOAT]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Was down the backside this past weekend! Sure is a shadow of what it once was 6-7 years ago. The seals have raped that area, made it a waste of time to fish from shore. 6-7 years ago you would see vehicle after vehicle driving up and down route 6 with rods on their bumpers and you could not walk on a beach this time of year without seeing at least a half dozen surf fisherman during the day on any stretch or beach and 4 times that many at night!!! Now......saw 1 fisherman on the beaches down there all weekend. Dozens and dozens of seals. Have not hooked a fish or had so much as a swirl down there on the backside beaches in 4 years!!!! So very sad what has happened down there to the fishery. Talking to that other fisherman who happens to live down there.......not seeing sand eels as he used to, lack of bait inshore continues as does the presence of fish...even blues????? I love it down there but might just have to leave the surf gear home next time. Just no longer worth the effort! I see a few folks venturing out on the Race......but that is not even worth the $150 a season anymore due to the closures! I have not bought a permit myself in 6 years.....remember when you had to get it the first 3 days or you would miss out???? I miss the good old days down there.

I started before a permit was needed,live here and still haven't bought a sticker in six years.
Looks like the bird folks are winning

[FishermanTim]

Sadly, with all things from "the good old days", they are gone for good.

Since the seals and plovers are more important than the residents and licensed anglers, things will NEVER be like they used to be.

Remember that even though we're talking seals and birds, the controlling factor that regulates what will or will not be done to fix the problem is always people.....people that are more concerned with money....money that they can stuff into their own pockets at everyone else's expense.

And since the powers that be will never do anything to eradicate the seal problem, the fish will continue to avoid those shorelines.
Pretty soon those shorelines will be completely devoid of all life except for the bacteria left from the seal crap!!!

Personally, I hope we get a major shark invasion (as compared to a seal infestation) to assist in the decimation of the seal population.

"Nature always finds a way"

[BigFish]

Ain't that the truth OG!!!

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

Personally, I hope we get a major shark invasion (as compared to a seal infestation) to assist in the decimation of the seal population.

"Nature always finds a way"

Keep on hoping. They have quite a large number of White Sharks around seal island in South Africa, yet they still call it seal island for a reason.

[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.

[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.

[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

[Higgie]

I saw a 36 lber caught with in feet of a seal at cutty two weeks ago. Also saw more seals than people on nauset all this past weekend
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[chapinfisherman]

my dad said a back in the day you could get $5 per seal nose you turned in......

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by chapinfisherman

my dad said a back in the day you could get $5 per seal nose you turned in......

Yup. That's what my research and many others have told me as well. If that were the case today, I know half a dozen people that'd be happy to pitch in with me to purchase a .50cal rifle with me. Hell, I'd do the government a favor and not even bother cashing in for my $5.

[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]

This thread should be read (saved for ) by the people that set policy

[fishonnelsons]

Oh heck, slow day at the tackle shop so I'll type a little.

I used to have hair, but now, for those who know me, I wear a hat for a reason! Change change change.

I hear it every day (no play on words there) - we used to slam them, we used to rake sand eels, we used to be able to drive to Wood End and Long Pt, and so on. Nothing is like it used to be in this world.

Are there seals,yes, have the plovers(or the Park Service/Wildlife etc)screwed us, yes, have the sand eels stayed off shore and we can no longer rake them up like we did years ago, yes (our commercial sand eel rakers are raking in 8 ft of water at low tide!), are there as many fish, no.

All truisms - yet last Thursday morning from 6 til 10 three gigantic schools of bass (20 to 30 pound range) went up and down Race Pt beaches - for the less than 10 people fishing on that whole stretch they had it all to themselves, on Friday right at the lighthouse, another school, Sunday, another - all surf casters fishing from the beach. A local just walked in right now, last two nights hammered the fish, ugly conditions, tough wind and rain, but got fish.

I agree it's not what it used to be, might never be - seals suck (but go to Monomy), the plover situation sucks, the seals suck (I said that already, right?), but it ain't all that bad.

OK, done with it, people in the shop, gotta go, I just get sick of the complaining and moaning and groaning - no offense intended to anyone - everyone is entitled to their say!

[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.

[BigFish]

If you re-read my first post it states that yes...I know there will be times when there are fish to be caught.......but I am bemoaning the fact that I miss the way it used to be! That I could drive 2 hours down there, spend all night, catch a bunch of fish and drive home the next morning and it was worth the trip and the lack of sleep...and most of all I think I hate how it has affected the area and its businesses Rich. I love it down there which is why we rent down there every season......but I have not hooked a fish down there in 5 YEARS!!!!! (That is on the "Backside Beaches") And it is not for lack of trying!! I hit the beach, and 5 or 6 seals rise up out of the water in front of me......I might as well just throw my fishing rod in the water at that point and leave??? People have varying opinions...and that is mine! I am entitled to bitch about it. I miss it as do many others but hey.....aren't the seals cute?????

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by fishonnelsons

All truisms - yet last Thursday morning from 6 til 10 three gigantic schools of bass (20 to 30 pound range) went up and down Race Pt beaches - for the less than 10 people fishing on that whole stretch they had it all to themselves, on Friday right at the lighthouse, another school, Sunday, another - all surf casters fishing from the beach. A local just walked in right now, last two nights hammered the fish, ugly conditions, tough wind and rain, but got fish.

I agree it's not what it used to be, might never be - seals suck (but go to Monomy), the plover situation sucks, the seals suck (I said that already, right?), but it ain't all that bad.

From talking to the old timers, *not* catching used to be unusual. Now, the fishing you post about above is the exception to the rule. With 6 months to a season, there's always going to be a string of days to point at that have good fishing. The difference is that there are *far far* more strings of days that you won't get anything from the beach aside from a kibby bass or two.

[Sea Dangles]

Hey Larry,TRY THE YAK. All you need to get fish and get sleep too. It seems you have accepted the changes rather than adapting to them.The determined angler will find a way so try to become just that.

[bart]

Originally Posted by fishonnelsons

Oh heck, slow day at the tackle shop so I'll type a little.

I used to have hair, but now, for those who know me, I wear a hat for a reason! Change change change.

I hear it every day (no play on words there) - we used to slam them, we used to rake sand eels, we used to be able to drive to Wood End and Long Pt, and so on. Nothing is like it used to be in this world.

Are there seals,yes, have the plovers(or the Park Service/Wildlife etc)screwed us, yes, have the sand eels stayed off shore and we can no longer rake them up like we did years ago, yes (our commercial sand eel rakers are raking in 8 ft of water at low tide!), are there as many fish, no.

All truisms - yet last Thursday morning from 6 til 10 three gigantic schools of bass (20 to 30 pound range) went up and down Race Pt beaches - for the less than 10 people fishing on that whole stretch they had it all to themselves, on Friday right at the lighthouse, another school, Sunday, another - all surf casters fishing from the beach. A local just walked in right now, last two nights hammered the fish, ugly conditions, tough wind and rain, but got fish.

I agree it's not what it used to be, might never be - seals suck (but go to Monomy), the plover situation sucks, the seals suck (I said that already, right?), but it ain't all that bad.

OK, done with it, people in the shop, gotta go, I just get sick of the complaining and moaning and groaning - no offense intended to anyone - everyone is entitled to their say!

I understand you have a business to run, but seriously, please don't insult the peoples' intelligence who've fished it hard their whole lives...

[MAKAI]

Lotta money to waste hoping you intersect with a few random days the fish go in close.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[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.

[Backbeach Jake]

Originally Posted by bart

I understand you have a business to run, but seriously, please don't insult the peoples' intelligence who've fished it hard their whole lives...

Bart not for nothing, but I've never known Rich to lie, mislead, or insult anyone's intelligence. He's a square shooter.

[BigFish]

I have to agree with BBJ....Rich is a great guy!!

[MAKAI]

I believe it's called " shifting baseline syndrome ".

What some of us experienced in the 70's 80's and 90's doesn't apply to the standards of today. Back then I expected to find decent fish on the beach. Now I'm pleasantly surprised to find it. Guess I got a little spoiled. Yesterdays 25-40's are todays 15-25's.

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

the fact is most fishermen are a lazy bunch of guys.If they can't get in thier truck and drive to the fish,then to them there are no fish.if they have to walk more than a few hundred feet game over.with very few fishermen comes very few reports,most fishermen are not capable of finding fish on their own. you can live on memories from the past,but in fact many of the stories i hear are just that stories.you don't hear pf the weeks and seasons of few or no fish back in the day.though i didn't start fishing the cape till 97 i have some very close freinds who have been there since the early 60's and they paint a very differant story then most that i hear today.i find it rather amusing how people can say how bad fishing is yet in the last 5 years i tell you the names of every fishermen that i have come across at night in the Wellfleet truro ptown area.and i average well over a100 nights a year.in that area.no arguing that the times have changed,i have fished for more than 50 years and things have chaged every where,patterns have changed places have changed,if you don't change than you are stuck in the past.

[BigFish]

I for one am a walker John....and I like it that way! Gets me away from the yahoos!!! All the guys you speak of or at least 90% of them....who are doing well either live down there or spend the entire summer there like yourself....so the long drive and financial cost is not a factor to you and thus you have more time to find the fish and work on a consistent game plan. As I said the fishing IS NOT as it used to be...and it is a fact.

[MAKAI]

I am far from a lazy fisherman as are the guys I fish with who live close by to those beaches. Even pre seals you would have some long dry spells but the size and consistency of the fish was better. Still a lot of people back then had trouble finding them. You always had to know the lay of the land, put in your time, have some skill and do the work.

I'm still at it and will be doing it till I walk no more. Though I sure fish a hell of a lot more areas than I had to.