"I'm done for the year" - Page 2 - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Pete_G · 10-25-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

I've lived long enough to know each trip is one less in the allotment I have left. The act of going brings as much pleasure as what I catch. These late season trips when everyone else has quit and my expectations are low are the ones I cherish most.

I don't know if they're my favorite, but I do enjoy it. You have to have some tenacity to push through the cold and the odds of catching bigger fish decreasing. And I agree completely it feels good to be relatively alone out there challenging the elements a bit.

Going Thanksgiving morning with a few friends to catch a few schoolies at the breachways to usually end the season is a trip that means a lot to me.

While chasing and catching the biggest fish possible is certainly my main drive out there, I enjoy the whole season. Schoolies at the beginning and end, splashing the boats for the first time, the Bay in May, the first good fishing off the rocks. It's all good.

Take what you need from it. Whether it's calling it early or going to the bitter end. Or fishing for stripers all winter if you know where to go. You only have to make yourself happy.

nightfighter · 10-25-2007, 07:58 PM

Just today I gave serious thought to hauling the boat this weekend.... The stoopid fishing in the harbors hasn't even really kicked into high gear, but I may be just hitting the rocks a few more times after hauling and getting the work required to put her away. I still am looking for a few more blitzes and maybe one more "good" fish though...

Rockfish9 · 10-26-2007, 07:48 AM

When i was younger, and my hands,shoulders and knees hurt less, I started in Jersey in April and fished my way "home" to Plum Island, when all sensable (if there is such a thing) fishing ended at PI in October, I worked my way south along the outer cape back to Jersey.... I cant take that anymore.. I just get too dam tired... but by May 1 I'm looking foreward to the first schoolies at PI, I no longer make the long trecks to meet them, I still fish my local briar patch 5 nights a week until the boat has to be off the dock 10/15... each year I make one final trip, usaly around the full moon, starting at the river and walking the beach just tossing plugs, the way I did when I first started this madness, so many years ago, I pick a nice night when it's not too cold and just walk and plug... if I catch fish fine, but the feel of the surf tugging at my waders, the crispness of the night air is my personal farewell to another season...This past Tuesday was that night.

Got Stripers · 10-30-2007, 11:22 AM

After 4 weeks of killer large fishing and some electrical issues that forced me to drop off the boat this morning, I'm winterizing and getting the 16 footer ready for my winter fishing. I'm taking a few weeks off to play some golf and get some gear stowed for the winter.

numbskull · 10-28-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Take what you need from it............... You only have to make yourself happy.

Well said. What we need and take from fishing changes throughout our lives. Worth remembering.

Slipknot · 10-28-2007, 09:32 AM

good, I am glad you are done because my ego can't take reading any more of you posts about how you were bailing 25-35 pound fish

it makes me feel like a loser, then i go out to fish and get bluefish

. I remember what you wrote earlier in the year about seeking out newer places if the old usual spots don't produce, I wish I had more time to do that. Luck has not been on my side this year. You had a pretty good season considering you didn't go out as often as you would have liked.

Good for you.

Flaptail · 10-26-2007, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Last night, with great conviction and in all seriousness, I made this statement(three witnesses) and firmly believe its over for me. I left fish biting, no more interest or drive. Fished the last 10 of 14 nights and I've had enough. So has my wife.

Do you ever hear yourself saying this towards the end of the season, only to sneak back out for another attempt or two at glory?

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Happens each year then the phone rings, "goin' down to Cutty tonight, wanna go?" Geez, it's November 22nd and it's21 degrees...I said I hung it up for the year." Well? Okay, what time you want me at the dock"? "Be there in a 1/2 hour and dress warm" "Okay!"

Never ceases to amaze me how that happens. Never say never I guess!

DaveS · 10-26-2007, 11:32 AM

Great news all you guys hanging it up lol, I can terrorize your fish for the next 4 weekends all alone with no crowds. TYVM

NIB · 10-26-2007, 11:42 AM

BB what happened the fish shrink..?

It's funny how u guys are hangin it up an our fall run is just getting started..a month ago there where as many replies about the striper cup ending too early..
I guess u have to do what makes u happy.U need balance.Every night gets tiresome after a while.
Of course this is just propaganda...

EarnedStripes44 · 10-26-2007, 12:06 PM

the shore cod fishing season is only a few weeks away.

l.i.fish.in.vt · 10-26-2007, 03:55 PM

i am going to bite my tongue and say it,if you guys would stop fishing for your egos and fished for fun you would never get the erge to quit.

emgred · 10-27-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l.i.fish.in.vt

i am going to bite my tongue and say it,if you guys would stop fishing for your egos and fished for fun you would never get the urge to quit.

Amen to that John. Last Monday I saw a great meteor shower and a fabulous sunrise. No fish, but it did not matter. Last year I fished into December. Will do the same this year. It is never not fun and always fills me with calm and awe.

ED

Back Beach · 10-28-2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l.i.fish.in.vt

i am going to bite my tongue and say it,if you guys would stop fishing for your egos and fished for fun you would never get the erge to quit.

Not sure it’s an ego thing. Given the number of skunkings I take each year when shore fishing, it can't possibly be.
Sure, things swing into your favor on occasion and all is wonderful for a brief time, but fishing from the shore is, was, and will always be a labor of love.

l.i.fish.in.vt · 10-28-2007, 07:34 AM

BB,you are the one who said you lost your interest and drive,that doesn't sound like love to me.maybe just burnt out.personally i can't get enough of the salt.i started fishing 49 years ago,have spent a good portion of my life working on the water or playing on the water.never can get enough of it.unfortunately i live about 5 hrs from the salt so i can only get about 100 days of fishing in.i guess to each his own

Back Beach · 10-28-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Do you ever hear yourself saying this towards the end of the season, only to sneak back out for another attempt or two at glory?

l.i.fish.in.vt,

You missed the last sentence of the original post. Tongue in cheek/joking thread.

Went out the next night and took a good skunking though. The cold, damp breeze on the back of my neck accompanied by a driving rain, numb fingers,backlashes and sleep deprivation assured me that I haven't lost the drive. Yet.

ProfessorM · 10-29-2007, 08:19 AM

Adding the kids is the killer part, knowing you aren't the most important thing in your life anymore. Took me some getting used too. The ultimate responsibility. BB I couldn't do that schedule anymore. I applaude you for the juggling act. I need a nap.

jimmy z · 11-06-2007, 04:55 PM

Yep! All the time

rhodyflyguy · 11-06-2007, 08:26 PM

I gave up albie fishing this past sunday. It was the first time since august when I didn't at least see some sort of hardtail. I was actually looking forward to giving up on them. I think I'll wait until december to give up bass fishing, christ I haven't fished for them hard since bones and albies showed up a few months ago!

rockfisherman · 11-06-2007, 09:11 PM

I can't believe the number of folks that are saying they are done for the year. The water temps in Newport are 55 degrees, and the bass don't leave until it hits 50. I have not seen a gannet diving on herring yet, during the most spectacular part of the run. Traditionally, it goes until Thanksgiving, and this year we are 2 or 3 weeks behind. If you have fished too hard, OK, pack it in. No knock on anyone, really. Dust off the gear, folks, the best is yet to come.

spence · 11-06-2007, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfisherman

I can't believe the number of folks that are saying they are done for the year. The water temps in Newport are 55 degrees, and the bass don't leave until it hits 50. I have not seen a gannet diving on herring yet, during the most spectacular part of the run. Traditionally, it goes until Thanksgiving, and this year we are 2 or 3 weeks behind. If you have fished too hard, OK, pack it in. No knock on anyone, really. Dust off the gear, folks, the best is yet to come.

Amen brother...like I said...I'm just getting started

-spence

cheferson · 11-06-2007, 09:25 PM

Lots of gannets since the storm

Vogt · 11-07-2007, 10:02 AM

Keep the faith guys, big push of large in a few of the spots I fish. Plenty of bait too.

Bill-34 · 11-07-2007, 11:12 AM

The Big run has not even started yet.I hope this cold evenings start getting things in motion.

I was trying to net some bunker and caught snappers the other day.