Racepoint Stickers!

[Flaptail]

Monday, APRIL 12TH, 2004. 4 AND 3/4 HOURS IN LINE #1022 AND STIFFY GOT 1023. A YEAR AGO THE VERY DAY I GOT MINE AND WAS [ARKED 30 FEET FROM THE ORV SHACK TO BOOT. 11 PEOPLE IN LINE WITH ME. THANK YOU INTERNET, IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. THEY GOTTA START RENEWING BY MAIK THIS IS FREAKIN' RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[beachwalker]

Sounds like there are going to be a lot of civil unions up there this season.

Bassmaster as J.O.T.P. ?



would be appropriate........

[Flaptail]

Just got word from a friend on the scene today. At just before seven this morning they shut off the lot and the overflow for the day even with the pouring rain. My buddy Eric just drove three hours to get there and he was turned away. Tommorow he is facing day surgery on a suspect lump on the inside of his leg so he cannot make it back. He is, to put it mildly, upset. This just ain't fair. The guy lives and breathes to fish up there and he ain't gonna be able to this year like he has in the past. This sucks even though he knows he could take my truck anytime he won't no matter how much I tell him he can. The ranger at the road block told him they are certain that tomorrow will be the last day for the permits. I blame this whole stupid mess on the internet, cell phones and the most important fact that the CCNS way of doing this is archaic. 4/10 ended up on a Saturday, on Easter weekend that had a fantastic weather report. Then the internet, cell phone frenzy and newspaper and radio stations broadcasting the news that from thier slant is always the worst.

I think it's time to for the CCNS to do one of two things. #1, issue an unlimited number of permits and regulate the number of vehicles using the beach daily when the alloted number of vehicle quota on any given day is reached stop the access for that day. #2, and this is the one I favor, have the renewals done by mail with a certain date for reply. If you don't re-register by say, 3/15 you have to go up to the station and go through the whole process again and take your chances if they stay with a limited number of permits to be issued. It's time for the MBBA and other organizations to put some pressure on the feds to re-think this process.

Just my two cents. Fire at will.

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

shut down 4x4 acess to all, but those that are over 60 or truly handicapped. just my opinion,

[CT_Surfrat]

If they gave out #1022 to Flaptail on Monday morning, how can they sell out by Wednesday? They would have to double their output, no???

[Crow]

You know its not just the net, I read in OTW magazine where
"If you plan to run the beach in your 4wd, plan to get your stickers early so as not to miss out as quotas dwindle".
I don't know how many guys read that magazine, but I would think a few newbies look to the sages there for information. You cannot put blame on the internet alone.Surf fishing has changed, surf fisherman have changed and most of all the reasons they fish has changed.
The real question is how do those permits get used and by whom? Is it better to do it the way Nauset beach is run, sell a million permits and then limit the # on the beach at any given time?
I hope the NPS does not solve the problem like they have so many others with a simple closure.

[Flaptail]

Crow,

[fishweewee]

I'd be curious to see the percentage of issued stickers will be used for non-sportfishing purposes.

Don't forget - it's not just fishermen on the beach - there are other recreational users too, especially day trippers.

[BigFish]

I agree with your #2 Steve all the way....that is exactly what I had in mind. I am done firing at people over this issue. Early bird gets the worm.

[Flaptail]

Let me try again, I said it was one of the reasons niot the major reason. The system has to change thats all and New Yorkers aren't allowed! Just kidding! Anyway, there has got to be a better way, especially starting on a weekend and especially on a holiday weekend. And the reason I said that in OTW was from all the internet stuff that kept being mentioned and all the talk I would hear at shows and such. Might as well make everyone aware that there was going to be a problem. It's a systemic problem with the CCNS and the internet, cell phones, newspapers and radio stations didn't help. Come to think of it, maybe I didn't help either but I had to make people aware ahead of time that there was going to be a problem. I remember looking at the calender in January and goingn"oh, boy, April 10th is the Saturday of Easter weekend that will be trouble". I got mine but I feel sorry for the guys who drove up from NY, NJ CT etc who got screwed. It would be better for all if renewals came in the mail, especially for those guys.

[bart]

man i feel for you guys, that must suck not being able to fish one of favorite spots that you been fishin your whole life. i was gonna get a permit this year, but i decided not to cause i didn't know how much i'd really be able to make it out that far. besides, rhody's where all the big fish are anyways.

[Karl F]

I got shut out Monday, went up after dropping my daughter at school... too late. Until I read Flaps last post, I was thinking about going up tomorrow early AM... fagetaboutit, ain't getting up at 3AM to wait till 7, to wait till 9 or 10.... NO BEACH is worth that!
Especially, when the birds are gonna get most of it for 6-8 weeks of Prime fishing.

Did a leisure cruise back Monday AM, ya know, you drive right by some prime fishing real estate, that you do not need a sticker for. Who cares if you can't drive on it.

Flap, the MBBA is trying to get them to change their ways, but even we have issues amongst ourselves as how to deal with it.
Also, they seem kind of stuck on the 3400, they don't like the Nauset system, as they would have to hire more staff, and they do not like the mail in renewals like Sandy Neck, as it is a Federal Park, and has to be first come first serve.
Hopefully, there will be some sort of resolve by next season.

[ReelChitty]

FlapTail you must of seen me this morning then, I was in the same line waited 5 hours to get my sticker #1425. I was the big dumba$$ not dress for the weather. I was wearing a long sleeve green shirt and a pair of kahki's and i was completly soak. Was well worth

[Flaptail]

Aw come on Karl! You could join Slip up there tommorow AM and shoot the chit till seven. It would be great to see you on the sand up there. We could drive Manzi nutz! Or maybe nutzier! What's four hours out of a whole year?

[JohnR]

I've been talking to more than a few people on this, both on the site and those in line. And before people start to say I'm taking the heat off the Internet with what I'm about to say, I think most people would agree that I'm more than willing to admit when the Internet (including this board) screws something up. The Internet is not helping with this at all but it might not be hurting as much as many think. Speaking personally for this site we were able to avoid Sticker Talk until after they went on sale. I can't speak for other sites but I didn't see it big here - fortunately not talked about like in years past. Many of the people I talked to said they had a pass before at some point and some of the new people weren't even anglers. One guy I was talking to said he drove out from Michagan Saturday but got turned around and was taking take #2. Other "stories" I heard (read them for what it is) was that one guy was there the other day getting stickers on all 4 of his cars - THAT's ludicrous if true. But it sems like a LOT more people want to get a slice of the action and the passes will simply run out in no time.

Yes, the current system is not working. What are some other suggestions to fix it? Pre-registering might be good. Online and mail registration for weekend/weekly permits. A limit of one car per household (+ one SCV if they have one of those)? A fisherman's pass? Use it or lose it regulations so someone doesn't get a season pass on the off chance they might use it? Create a Weekender pass in addition to the weekly and season pass? Just a couple thoughts.

Flap, as for you friend, I really hope he does well.

Karl, I wanna join MBBA, know any officials over there? Tell 'em I'll host the club website for free (I said host not do )

[Krispy]

If your blaming cells, radio, TV, then how can one lay blame on out of staters bum-rushing the Cape for stickers. No-one drove 6 hrs on Easter w/e cause they're buddy called em. And amazingly, the Cape isnt the epicenter of New England, yer local radio and TV news dont get very far. Its prob. Capers creating their own frenzy

[Karl F]

Originally posted by JohnR

Karl, I wanna join MBBA, know any officials over there? Tell 'em I'll host the club website for free (I said host not do )

John... nice offer, Thank You Sir!

When I get home, I will P.M. you the people's info you need for that... even though the newbie membership is $10, I will recommend that be waived, considering your offer!

[Flaptail]

Krispy, never mind this stuff let's talk important Chit! Most Extreme Elimination Challenge ( Now MXC) new season starts April 22nd! I was home sick last week with Bronchitis and they had a fourteen hour marathon on on Spike TV. Laughed so hard I almost choked to death and had to turn it off for awhile then turn it back on, then start laughing, coughing and choking and turn it back off. It was awesome!

[Krispy]

[Sweetwater]

What is happening in regard to Race Point Sand Permits is a combination of economics, politics, and human nature.

Economically, SUV sales have skyrocketed in the US. It is no wonder that when I got a pass in the late 1990's, I didn't bother picking it up until late July, since I really only fish RP from late August on. However, 2 years ago they were gone in May, last year they were gone in 18 days, and this year they'll be gone in just 5 or 6 days. This is mapping closely to increased sales of 4WD vehicles.

Politics: Ever since 9/11, people have been looking to vacation closer to home, and places they can drive to. The Cape is such a popular destination, and Race Point for both beach goers and fishermen. So, now we have the people and the means (SUVs).

Human Nature: People value what is rare. People in the old Soviet Union stood in line for toilet paper longer than I did for my permit (5 hours). I talked to a guy registering both his RV and a truck (both annuals) to guarantee that he could get on the one week he'd planned for vacation. Another guy drove from Pennsylvania on Saturday, registered his truck, drove back to Penn, got his son's truck, drove back and registered it. People are panicking and getting stickers "JUST IN CASE" they might want to use it. This is craziness.

The problem is not the internet, the problem is not cell-phones, the problem is not someone blabbing about it to all their friends. The problem is that the world we live in is changing, and there is a huge population of people between here and Pennsylvania looking for a place like RP.

As far as solutions go, I have none. Maybe a beach-goers pass (for June to August) and a fisherman pass (for September to November). Maybe (since I've had a sticker since 1999), a seniority system, where people who have had stickers for the past 2-4 years (consistently) get first choice. Regrettably, I think what the National Seashores will try first, is to again raise the price to $150 or more. Sadly, I think this would just lead to the gentrification of Race Point.

[JHABS]

When GAS is $4.00 a gal and permits are $250.00 Which can and Will happen, No one will CARE.....................

[BigFish]

JHabs is right....I won't care, I still want to fish!

[fishweewee]

Just as well I'm not getting my sticker this year...hoofing it is good exercise.

[redlite]

Hoofin it is all good for your health, till ya decide to hump it from the Ranger station to the Race and half way there, the skies open up and there is lightening comin down like it is aimin' for the cow you're dragging, and its a 2+ mile hike back.
But, of course, i'll still be doing it every night this year........

[likwid]

wah wah wah

i need a sticker

wah wah wah

I told my father about this thread, he laughed his a** off at all of you whining about stickers and told me about hoofing race back in the 50's and 60's with my grandfather WORKING for their fish.

I stick by my guns and fish like he fishes.
I still walk Cuttyhunk when I could just run the boat around it, its just more fun to take a nice pleasant 30min to an hour hike out to the backside and huck plugs into the boulders then hoof back with a cow over my shoulder.

Great looks ya get doin that.

[bassmaster]

Originally posted by JayR
Pound sand....

Jay Richer I do pound........................

[JayR]

[Maloney]

Hey Karl, you got it right about the prime real estate. Was going to do the 2.5 hr ride, say at 6 on Sat. but something happened. So I asked my wife to take a ride with me after lunch. In the meantime, I called the Ranger station to see what was what. She said the days selling was closed. I thought of going down Thursday morning, but after reading todays reports, I ain't. There are alternatives like you say.

Doing a mail-in can cause problems. How far back do they go to get a mailing list? I have had a sticker for some years. Does someone like me not get on the list because I didn't get one this year? How about people who want one but have never had one before? I think the Nauset way is the best. 3200 stickers at $100 equals $ 320,000. Is that enough for them to man a station like Nauset? I wonder.

Also, how can they limit one per household? What do you say to your kids or wife? They pay Federal Taxes too. The popularity of OSV's is the cause. Like Habs said $ 4.00 gas and $ 250 stickers could do the trick. Although it would be kinda funny to see dyed-in-the-wool surfcasters driving mini suv's powered by electricty.
Hey, not a bad idea. That would erase another b*%$h by the anti's that suv's cause pollution on the beach!

[bassmaster]

nice avitar
bang Your head a few times for Me

[bassmaster]

Maloney, it stinks when working slobs here cant get one
Most of us can't camp out