(Just a little reminder.......<those periods represent a pause in my recollection of the time....hence I hope you read Angling Lore with the same flow and not see .......<these as a deterrent to the sagas effectiveness.....thanks Striper Mike)
remembering...times...and stripers...and the give and take of a great fight...and the rush of compassion that came when I released those big cow breeders. I put my nose to the ocean breeze...and take in as big a smell as I can. I find myself saying "I know their scent". .We will soon be trying to breech the bridge between land and water. Can we competitively....and fairly, maneuver huge , wide tails, from their ocean domain to our world?..God I love surfcasting for big stripers. What a fish....What a sport. What an avenue to concentrated sensory awareness....and in simple terms...BEING ALIVE.....and not just living. Remember your waves of involvement during the early hours of a choppy sea ...at sunrise...alone. The moist mist of broken waves landing softly on you....The auditory , ongoing , roar of Atlantic surf....The faint smell of the mackerel you used..still on your hands..and detected when you sipped your coffee..The chaos of your pupils as the day changed from night to light and natures god....the sun......rises. Its as if your eyes cant handle it. The moments make your breath quicken and you taste anticipation...Your senses are flooded and your blood pumps freely....and amidst all this.........awaits........A 30 lber. My goodness.....what a way to go fishing.!!!!!!!!
Maybe all those tingles from surfcasting come because of the undeniable exposure and vulnerability we have when standing on an endless ocean ...with endless skies....and beaches, so long , that they disappear from our vision range.
Exposure =vulnerability. Some times , its thrilling to volunteer to be in that state...and that's why its so heart racing. We can all be secure in our little houses or shelters....but we know , outside of them, life is constantly bringing on a variety of threats and issues. Our ability to return to our shelter for the comfort it brings is the reminder that its worth being exposed each day...at work , play etc. But what if you didn't have a shelter....where would you go for comfort?................and so
SHELTER
The first house I ever bought was a very tiny, very old, 1830, farm house. The ceilings were low...the rooms small, but each room gave me the comfort of your own Crate . Walls and ceilings give us that Shelter feeling. That feeling allows us to venture into casual thought....or reading....or TV.....and not have to be cautious about life's pace outside of there..We can allow our minds to wander. Shelter is indeed, one of life's necessary and primary reinforcers.....right along with food and water. When you have it ...you feel good and fulfilled......But how do you feel when you don't have shelter?? I hope we never have that horror.
Let me ask you something? Where is the shelter in the ocean ?..On the ocean floor that has many nooks and crannies for species to call shelter?..Yes of course. Or perhaps in the dense, current pushed, masses of seaweed, that drift the oceans highways. Yes , that too is shelter for all those who fear predatory death......and in the ocean....that means. ...almost everyone!! That still leaves a lot of "open ocean"..for the "eat or be eaten" scenario to occur. I guess there is probably no leisure swimming for fish in the sea. Everything is done while scanning your surroundings. No where to hide....a scary feeling.
As I have mentioned, many times before, the North Atlantic canyons can allow you to see and catch some very spectacular ocean occupants. The water is warmed by the gulf stream and the warm water hot shots peruse this famous nautical thorough fare. Its worth the grueling trip, it sometimes requires, to get there.
This canyon trip....was my first......and I was Green in those days...I took on the trip with EYES WIDE OPEN...like any first timer would do. We were catching smaller yellow fin, but to me , they were out of this world. I knew I was hooked on these tackle busters forever. Forever has continued up to now, because I have...and hopefully will tally many more, Yellowfin warriors.
Trolling was working just fine, so the mate had a wide assortment of approaches that were skipping over the surface of the midnight blue water of the Gulf Stream. I remember how long it took him to lay out the squid bars , to assure that they ran completely straight. I remember the ongoing alterations he seemed necessary in doing through out the trolling ride. I remember his hesitancy in stopping if we hooked up ....unless it was a sizable one. Mating a trolling charter can be quite busy and labor oriented if the day goes as planned. Our numbers showed us that this day ...was going as planned. ............4 in the boat already!.
Great first mates are a joy to watch. They dance in the back of the boat. All their moves are purposeful. All the best sightings are usually his first...that's how keen their eyes are. This guy was great. His patterns and lure selection were uncanny. His gaffs were clean and sound the first time. His sea lore was captivating and his instructional approach to tuna fighting was appreciated. You don't mind giving 20% tips to guys like that.
My eyes have developed after years on the water...I have that privilege now.....but not in those days......but as mentioned....the mate did....!. Out of nowhere, he screamed to the Capt. to "STOP THE BOAT NOW!"....unheard of with 8 rigs on a troll.!!! The mate then screamed at the 4 of us.."Reel all those rigs in as fast as you can"........We did...and as the boat eased to a full halt , the last squid bar was yanked on board. "There is a huge Sea Turtle on the starboard side" he ranted. I thought to myself...your kidding me, he stopped the boat for that?????, but at the same time all four of us ran for our cameras as the slow moving , rare creature came closer. I was serene over the thought that the mate was that in tuned with the experience to go to that extent to allow us time with this rare....non-fish!
The four camera buddies bumped into the mate as we all tried to pile in the starboard corner for the best shot. Note I said four cameras..the mate did not have a camera. His intentions were not photos. He had a light action rod and a small chunk of bait that he was about to throw at the turtle!!!. Needless to say ....My response was quick and loud. What the f... do you think you are doing. Don't hook that turtle!!! He simply smiled and said. To you , he is a turtle....to me, he is shelter for mahi mahi........and with that , the slow sinking tidbit was gobbled by an aquarium colored rocket ship that sailed 5 feet into the air. The mate continued his explanation, as he fought this super gamefish......." Even something as small as a turtle can provide shelter for fish...traditionally there will be mahi mahi under them...like now....so take you pictures...and grab those Penn 704's.....We are gonna have some fun."....and we did....When the boat had 10 mahi's on board , we considered that plenty for a charter of 5 ...and began to troll again.
According to the dictionary in my lap., the definition of Shelter is..1. Something that provides cover or protection, as from the weather. 2. A refuge or haven. I looked at the ocean differently from that day on...perhaps this story will urge you to do the same. After all, didn't we all think that the turtles shell was his shelter? It does the trick for passing pelagic's also. Nature is a community, don't just learn What things are....Learn their Purposes ...............Striper Mike
Mahi-Mahi
Striper mike,
>
My husband liked your website and so did I. I especially liked the CATCH AN RELEASE motto you have. Please send us any free info you have to us and maybe could meet one day. I would love to have a happy husband and what you do is a dream of his. I know he would be the happiest man on this earth to do what you do. you are very lucky!!!> sincerely, fabiola
Well hello.sorry for the delay in my response.........I am glad your hubby is a big fishing fan and I hope he has a great upcoming season....I am on the south shore of Boston in Mass...........keep in touch and there is a bunch of info on many parts of fishing in the previous editions hope you enjoy them.......keep in touch...Striper Mike
striper mike,
thanks for responding. I didn't think I would here from you. I don't know if you have gotten any questions from wife's, but you might know more than any shrink. I like fishing but not as much as my hubby. the only thing,Ishewants to go fishing every weekend if possible and imstuck at home with the kids..I usually go with him because we can all spend time together. but I really don't want to be there . you as a fisherman, what would you expect from your wife and what would you think would be fair? don't respond if this is too much to ask for but I don't understand the passion you guys have for this fishing stuff. I just want to know.
thanks,fabiola
Well hello again Fabiloa..I am going to publish these two notes and responses in the next edition. They are very CUTE! My wife has tried many types of fishing, but has learned that my EXTREME passion for the sport is to much for her. The result is that 95% of my angling is done alone or with a few die hards like myself. My advice is that you two make the MOST of the time you have together.......when he is NOT fishing. If he is like me, it is unlikely that you will change his love of the sea and its splendor.........Good Luck...Striper Mike
Hi Mike, hope you had an enjoyable holiday season. First, I would
like
to
express to you that you are a "Man" standing amongst men,
your compassion
and love of the younger generation is and outstanding attribute,
I
envy
you.
I wish I lived near you, as you would be an icon to me. People like
you
should be given an award, most men don't have time for teaching our
youth
the
good things in life. I lost my best friend almost two years ago, and
nobody
has even come close to replacing him....probably never will. He was a lot
like you.
Now, to the task at hand......I have been surf fishing for about 16
years,
mostly in N.J. and Delaware. I have fished the jetties, the surf,
inlets,
the
troughs, gullies, etc, etc . ...I have checked out the beaches at dead
low
tide and spotted all the sand bars and other structures for the best
spots,
but unfortunately have never hooked up with a striper. I have caught a lot
of
blues, weakfish, flounder, king fish and skates, but otherwise,
nothing
to
brag about. I have a 4 wd truck with a camper, so I stay on the beach
most
of the day and night, fishing both tides. I have a large array of
rods,
reels, lures, rigs, and accessories (aerators, live wells, etc) so I
have
everything that I need. What I am asking you, is to give me a few
hints,
or
good advice on how to hook up with a striper during the spring, as I
will
start fishing in early May. Typical things I need to know, what type of
rig, or lure, bait, chunked, filleted, whole, if using a lure,
what
type,
how to retrieve it, work one spot, or move up and down the beach? Do
they
"take" the bait, or do you have to tease them? Any info
would be
helpful.
Great days and good health to you, my man.....thanks.......Jim
eventually I returned an in depth letter to Jim, but the point of publishing his letter was to show my appreciation for people respecting my opinions and practices. It is a privilege to be in my position and I will continue to try and represent our sport of Surfcasting in a dignified and ethical fashion....very sincerely...Striper Mike
Sam's
Deep Fried Sea Scallops; aka scalies; aka sca=lops
...the first and foremost rule is to obtain what is called dry scallops...if..only "scallops with 25% water are available"...sometimes also advertised as"scallop product" then pass on the entire idea and have a salad instead.
.... in a large sauce pan or better yet a deep fryer heat fresh vegetable, or canola oil to 375 degrees. while this is taking place beat two eggs in bowl. in a second bowl add a cup or so of all purpose flour, in yet a third bowl and this is a must...a cup or so of cracker crumbs...now I didn't say bread crumbs. buy a box of saltines, place between plastic wrap, foil, or even a clean kitchen towel works real well. with rolling pin or other creative tool, make cracker crumbs. ok, scallops into flour, then egg, then crumbs...tap off excess so not to spoil the hot oil with residue... now the moment waited for, longed for, dreamed about...the scalies' last swim...golden brown is the sign we're looking for... while draining on a paper towel, a slight dusting of salt may or may not be needed. remember you did use saltines...if you do need some use sea salt. you will be astounded with the difference!...with fries & slaw or a more refined sit down deal with baked potato...this is living
.........Sam......I'm salivating like Pavlov's dog........Striper Mike
PLEASE NOTE THE AGE OF THE BIG ONES, THEY ARE THE PROVEN BREEDERS, LET THEM GO.!!!!!!!!
Dear Striper Mike,
As promised, attached is a picture a few of the striper flies I've been tying for this Spring striper season. I have had the most luck with the ones that resemble the Clouser minnow fished close to the banks of the South River on the outgoing tide. Among the many stripers caught was a fat 30" striper hooked near the last bend of the river before it empties out into the North River. She clobbered my clouser really hard and swam for the open ocean. I thought I would run out of backing before stopping her as I was fighting her and the outgoing current. I had to drift out towards her and after two more strong runs I finally got her near enough to get her in the net. As always, I let her go so she will come back bigger and stronger this Spring! January, February and March are fly tying time. I'll have a ready supply before heading out to the river.
Hope to see you soon. .....Dan Pearce
.............I have spoken before on my advice for people to become very ,very familiar and accomplished in "Their area", rather than run around to unfamiliar haunts time after time. Dan has mastered his area. He graces the south river with the magical flow of a fly line. He wears...the moments in his face........he is part of it all............and his catches prove his mastery. Most fisherman go to great lengths to keep out the elements when angling.....Surf casters like Dan and I immerse ourselves in it. Wetness, chill, current, wind, the list goes on. It adds to it.....not detracts. I don't need to explain that to Dan and men like him.........They know what I am speaking of......This sport is as fraternal as riding a Harley Davidson. So I await the image of Dans Dance in the South River this year. Its a thing of beauty...Striper fishermen evolve into an appreciation for all.of it.. DAN,.I'll be seeing you for a beach sunrise....Till then....Brother Mike
.............that bamboo was the surf casting rod back in the 50'a and before..........yucatan bamboo was the primary type used.......for everything from small herring to actual giant blue fin landed with them. I have a rod builder than is recreating these from bamboo that i have aqquired . The proof is in the pictures......you tell me......think it works well??
39"
...................38"................on the bamboo rod made by Northeast Rod and Reel....inquiry about them, through email to me
This tip has been mentioned almost continuously throughout many of the editions of Angling Lore. The approaching Striper season , is on its way. One of the big reasons many people don't like surfcasting... is simply because of this.....they don't catch anything!! Why is that?....and then some people seem to do so well!!!! There are many reasons for the big difference. Remember the old saying is that 5% of all surfcasters catch, 95% of the big stripers.....wow. One fact is historically solid. Unless you are in a blitz..... and some people can go a lifetime and never have that!!!.....chances are , that bites are far and few between. So the chances of getting something are automatically low. That is true.. So why do guys risk missing that only bite of the night by leaving the rod in the spike.???? If your rod plunges and the fish drops it or any other variety of things occur, there goes your whole night....possibly. I get big stripers because I try to hold the rod at all times. I hook more fish before guys even detect a bite in their spike. I hook them when they are deciding if they are going to ingest it. Don't waste surfcasting's rare bites....hold the rod...be part of what is happening....don't be the last one to know!!!......good luck and please practice catch and release. ....Striper Mike
Nailed on the Nibble....hold the rod!
Got a fishing tale?
copywrite-Stripermike
March 14..2001.......My Bulldog Passed on
He eliminated the word, alone. He agreed with things...and times...and ideas...with everything I thought of. He liked what I liked ..and vice versa. We was more important than me. ..to either of us. They say, "The only human quality that dogs do not possess, is speech....That's ok Tugboat......I wasn't a big talker anyway...Striper Mike