I wish all of you Merry Christmas and a happy new year......may your stockings be filled with all sorts of surfcasting goodies.....its amazing how we can buy so much stuff and never even use it all.  Must be like how a woman is when she insists on buying more shoes!!  

     Please remember your local bait and tackle shop when you are buying Christmas gifts.  Chances are they will compete with your Offshore Angler .prices.etc.  This is a big time of yr for them as well as the mega store's like Wal-Mart. Who is there for advice when you need it.??? Who is there for those very very early shiners that he leaves outside the door for you???  Who is there to offer you a cup of coffee and chat over seasons past???. Its your local bait and tackle shop....................SO  with that in mind....I am pleased to announce the opening of Newtown Bait and Tackle, Route 25......Newtown Connecticut. The owners are a very very enthusiastic Rich and Jan Newman.  These long time Newtown residents are providing a very needed inventory of equipment from the combo unit for the novice.....to the absolute finest in Fly tackle.....Big game tuna reels....Great Surfcasting gear..with a net work of rod builders and experts at his call for all these areas of angling.  Let Rich and Jan sell you those quality fishing pieces.....let them order what they may not have and assure your satisfaction.  Let them smile when they hand you that new Stella that your wife bought you........or that beautiful custom surfcasting lamiglass rod that rich had built for you.  Become vested in your passion... and our passion is surf casting/fishing....you cannot become vested in a Wal-Mart.  Become part of a network in your angling community.  Become part of Rich and Jan's business. I assure you. if you say Striper Mike sent me. you will get the normal great service....and a wink, if you know what I mean. Remember.......buy good stuff....from good people with good solid American intentions. of owning a business and providing a service to their community.  Keep their dream and Americas dream alive.  Shop at Newtown Bait and Tackle on Route 25.....Newtown Connecticut........http://www.newtownbaitandtackle.com/besides....I BLESSED ALL HIS GEAR....so you are assured tight lines...

  With tight lines in mind......I will say...with the right drift..in the right place........with the right eels....on the right tide.......all the tackle in our boxes cant match the quality of striper you can get with that approach.  Add to that excitement....roughness and darkness...in THE RACE.........and so

3 Way-In

        Captain Ben barked out his stereo typical bullshit  about how none of us could fish and he was the best and we had a lot to learn and on and on.  That all works well when the boat is filled with newbie's.  The 6 guys on these charters were so seasoned, we all were nicknamed after herbs!!!.  We smiled, none the less, and watched his Captain Bligh spiel.  All of us had fished for stripers with a 3 way rig and eels.  We knew from many past  moments that the fish in this bracket are serious cows.  To this day, I still try to go out and attempt a tide of 3 way eel fishing in the fall...........in the RACE!.  A night survived in the race can yield more cows than you may tally in 15 years of surfcasting.  I'm not saying I prefer it over foam fishing...but it is amazing!.  We never, ever, came back without every guy on the boat having a keeper over 36 "..until the time we insisted on making that one last run of the year!

     Charter boat captains can put you on just about any fish in the area with some degree of success........but I would expect that to be the case  in order to assure future employment!!.Right?.  However, many times they are very proficient at one particular approach to a certain game fish....and  knowing those areas of expertise are the key to locking up with the proper captain for your quarry.  Captain Ben could set up a drift in the Race as good as anybody....and he was a durable bastard.  He would keep us on fish...longer and with bigger ones than anyone.  This was his expertise.....and we were well aware of that!  He was perfect for us. cuz these guys...were hardcore anglers.....and I assume still are.

     This avenue of big striped bass pursuit has its drawbacks.......LIKE BEING AT THE DOCK AT MIDNIGHT most times!!  The nights were cold and tiring, with this all occurring in the Race.  When we got there on Nov 24th at 1 am, it was as windy and cold as it had been all season. The nights darkness seemed even darker than usual and the air smelled of the mist from  the rough seas we heard in the distance.  Not a word was ever said about the conditions.  Our motto was, if the Capt. doesn't mention it.....we go.  The early choking of the twin diesels starting up,said we were going.  The docks were empty.  Everyone had called it a yr .  But last week we scored big out there and we were convinced they were still there. Ben liked the look of our green backs. so he THOUGHT they were there also.  All of us have very good gear.  Knowing the seas are bad, had us tying the rods down and fastening this  and that.  Rough seas are not a joke.  In the course of this busying around. I peeked in the eels bucket.  BEN?...there are like 100 eels in here!!!!!  This is the last go around mike...we are gonna use them all. Even in the dark, I could see the smiles come from all of us.  Hey, what's another night on roughs seas.....a few more boat bruises! Oh well......you want good fish?  pay the price!.  I bet that sequence of words went through all our minds right then and there.  Oh , but wait a minute.......as Mark let the last tie loose from the dock.....it began to sleet, freezing rain, whatever your term.  None of us smoked cigarettes.....but yet our breathe from this influx of new ice air, made us look as though we were , as  conversation rolled out of our numbing lips.

     The classic  3-way swivel is the key to this presentation.  You need to have some pre- made rigs ready for the trip...cuz fiddling with stuff when its 35 degrees... pitch black ....6 foot seas, and ice....is futile.  I know this is very simplified, but sometimes verbal detail can assure clarity when you are reading......Start with the swivel!  Off of one side....your line will be attached.  The next section of the swivel will hold the Sinker. I use a 12-18" section of lighter 20 lb test .....so that if the sinker gets hung up during the drift you can pop it loose without losing the whole rig. simply retie a sinker to the swivel. Use a sinker that will allow you to go right to the bottom. regardless of the depth and pull of the tides stage.  Having quick contact with the bottom and "feeling" your way through the drift.....is crucial.  The remaining part of the swivel will hold the eel.  This is a 50 lb section of line and longer than the length of line used for the sinker. Use a very sharp # 7 hook and the knot that you feel is most secure......cuz that linesider is gonna pull when she hits that eel!  That's a 3-way rig...Put that rig on a 6-7 ft boat rod, with a good reel and 50 lb test and you have....the most effective way to present an eel in a drift.  Of course catching stripers with it.....is another story

     To this very day I am amazed at the Great stripers ability to right itself and feed , in the foamy insanity of surfcasting breakers.  Their broad tails and great strength, allow them to actually hunt in an area that would kill most fish.  When I had the "blessed" moment of catching a blue fin tuna from the beach, I recall the fish ...... I had no idea it was a blue fin..... It acted very disoriented and powerless, when I fought it into the actual surf. The power of the surf, assured the tunas demise.  The power of

 THE RACE.....is no different!

      A race, or rip, or whatever local terminology for these conditions, is called, end up being essentially the same thing ....the conditions are always the same.  Radical fluxuations in the depth.....in a short distance and are most effective  during radical movement of the tides.  These Races are always a converging area of unbridled turbulence and fury.  If that sounds to vague, perhaps this is more clear.  If you fell overboard, ...........you would drown in seconds!  Is that clear enough?  None the less, these maelstroms of ocean water are exactly where these big striped bass position themselves to eat whatever is "soup de jour", as the tides move EVERYTHING, except the striped bass.  They are one of the great athletes in the fish world to withstand these surroundings.  Remember this though.....they may be able to hunt in this furious water, but they do so while taking some refuge in the rocks/bottom.  If your eel does not pass close to them...they will not risk  the hellacious fury of the open water......in the RACE. 

     Capt Ben seemed to take forever to properly position the boat for a good drift. The positioning for the drift.....in waters that start at lets say 60 ft and rapidly increase to as shallow as 10 feet, is the big reason why our rods were bent so often. The seas were just too rough for him to fight his way into position.  Finally, neutral..."Alright, don't wait a second. get the eels down"  So we all sent our 3-way rigs and lively eels.....right to bottom...reel up about 3 or four cranks.......and at that point you begin to try and occasionally feel the bottom with your sinker to tell you that  you are at least in the fishing zone.  It is hard and can take a while to get used to and may also cost you many broken rigs and lost baits due to getting hung up in the ocean bottom nooks and crannies that just eat up unmonitored rigs.  On November 24th.at 130 am, the RACE was scary.  Waves were 6 ft and constantly spilling over the sides of our very seaworthy vessel.  The winds howled and glaze ice made the ever present risk of a slip over the side, all to real.  A swim on this pitch black nite, in 52 degree water with erratic waves all around you, reminded all of us just how seriously dangerous and unforgiving the ocean is.

     So how do you keep the Bottom, or as they say, stay in the fishing zone under these hardships?  Sea Legs my friend!  You must absorb the ups and downs, "Cork in the ocean", scene that this fishing puts you in.  Its like absorbing moguls when you ski or riding a horse in rhythm instead of taking a saddle beating.  Your arm must also be loose and able to guide your rig  through the complexities of the ocean floor. The night  we had to do this was as severe as possible without risking our lives and it was November 24th.....the water temp could have turned just enough to send these late season cows packing.  This night was not a night for novices or babysitting. Capt Ben try's to keep the boat afloat and we fish.  If you were not totally self sufficient.  You were wasting your money. Capt Ben knew we could all fish....were are rugged and tough as a lead Spartan brigade and sea worthy enough  to survive this insanity......So as the nite worsened, thoughts of going back  faded,  as one of the 3-way rods arched over.  The cows were still here!  This is the point where striper fever can make safety a lesser priority. I netted Marks big cow and it came over the side, I also saw Johnny slip and fall from the ice and a huge wave crest and break at a dangerous angle to boat as Capt Ben was gunning the  motors to re position us after the fight.  I have been in hairy places before.  This place was a PONYTAIL!

      The insufficient light from the boat made me feel like I was in washing machine.  Surf was raging all around us....all sides...all directions...The Race at is meanest .  It was exhausting fighting to maintain balance and actually fish while doing it.  John was actually sitting down on the floor of the boat with his rod over the side.  His fear of slipping over had altered his style!!  This was pushing the envelope.  So why stay?????  Back as this angling lore began,  I mentioned that Capt Ben was The Best at setting up drifts at night, in the best spots.  We made it a point to tell him toooo.  He also knew that he had never had clients like us ...who were so independent and fishaholics.  To keep us as customers...Ben made it a point to NEVER come back to the dock with out each of us keeping a fish of choice over 36 "and we NEVER DID .  Approximately 2.5 hrs in to the fishing trip we had caught many stripers. and three of the chosen keepers for the 6 of us were big cows over 40 ".  The problem was that we only had 5 fish over 36" and BEN was determined to make it 6.  So we spun around for another drift and at this point, this very sea worthy vessel, was being pushed to its limits.........with us in it! 

     Somehow, while Ben roared back to the point of origin for the next drift, we all had found an eel , and rebaited.  Those two actions were triumphs at this point.  I could not even hear Ben yelling directives anymore, but the boat was in another drift, so we dropped the lines.  As usual Ben was right on and Butch and I went off immediately.  Neither of us could hook the fish . the bobbing was so bad in the boat we didn't have a taunt enough line for a solid set.  We raced to re bait in order not to miss this drift, which only takes minutes. 

     As great as Ben is at the helm, he must have let the boat turn to a bad angle or maybe it was just a rogue wave, but when SIX FEET of water came over the side of the boat and directly hit butch and I in the back and almost filled the back, Ben counted all of us......realized none had been washed over and said "Reel them up you guys........its time to save our lives!!"  Once we busted out of the Race the 3 foot chop on the way in  was a joke.

     Maybe we were just all exhausted from being up all night and that was why the car ride home was so silent. I tend to believe that  we were all reflecting on the previous hours and why we are drawn to such events that bring the possibilities of such serious consequences.  The subtle smile on the quiet faces of 6 guys that just danced with such danger made me realize why.

       Ask yourself, which trips do you remember most vividly??  I'm totally convinced that  adrenaline imprints moments forever.  GET ADRENAL...Striper Mike

WE SURVIVED

Here you go Striper Mike......post this and tell me how the readers like it..............Lenny

....Blackened Striper....

Heat up your favorite cast-iron skillet and season your fillets.   We like Cajun seasoning or Cavender's Greek seasoning, or lemon pepper, but use what you like.  Melt a couple tbsp butter (optional) in skillet and add enough cooking oil to cover bottom of the pan.  When the skillet begins to smoke a little, add the fillets and pester them while they sizzle so they won't stick.     As they reach whatever degree of blackness or brownness you like, flip 'em over and do the same on the other side.  Some folks like to add picante sauce to the final stages of this for something different.

Be Warned!! This will probably smoke up your kitchen something awful!  Do it outside if possible.  Or you can opt for lower heat and add some garlic, or Italian salad dressing for another flavor altogether.

If you are going to keep one to eat....try that 28-30" range fish.

also.........http://www.thesurfcaster.com.....great place to shop

I am coming to Orlando for a short vacation (4/4 - 4/8) while my wife is at a conference for work. My goal is to catch fish. I'd like to fish on a lake for a couple of days and on the ocean for a couple of days. I don't want to spend a bunch of money to go out on a charter if I can help it (because I don't have any). Do you know of a lake around Orlando that has a bunch of big bass and rents boats to get out to them? I would also like to catch other fish that we don't have here at home. Ideally it would be a fairly quiet lake as far as traffic goes but one where I could rent a small fishing boat for a half day and catch a bunch of fish. Our largemouth record (Minnesota) is 8 lbs., 12 oz. and 3/4 and I would love to find something close to that. My favorite method is using a top water lure like a hula popper I just love the moment when they explode through the surface and inhale the lure. Of course that means getting on the water very early - which is my favorite time to fish anyway. Up here we do a lot of drifting on a likely spot and just bouncing it off the bottom. This is more for Walleyes and panfish than for bass but I have a lot of experience doing that and I'm just wondering if that will work down there. From your name, I assume that you mostly fish for striper but I'm hoping that you know something about inland fishing too. Also, I'd like to find a place on the ocean where I could stand on the shore, pier or bridge and be pretty confident that I could catch something. It doesn't even really matter what that something is. I just want the action to be fast and furious. If I could catch something with some size of course that would be a plus. Is there such a place or do you think that I'm going to have to get a charter in order to catch something in the ocean? From reading your articles it seems that maybe the striper (at least a big one) would be too finicky for my liking. I only have a couple of days so I want something that will bite soon if possible. One last question - is there anywhere close to Orlando where I could catch a big shark from shore? I'm assuming that I would have to go on a charter to catch a big shark but I read something about some pier where it's possible. Actually any shark from shore would be a good thing but a big one would be great. Anyway, I know that I'm kinda all over on subjects and that I've asked you a ton of questions but any help I can get will be much appreciated! As a side note, anything that I catch will be released. I release almost everything that I catch up here except for a meal of panfish about 10 times a year.

Finally.......yes there are sharks in Florida. and everywhere!!!!.......you will need a boat...and some good biceps....my suggestion is to wait until fall or early July and wrestle your shark up in new England......They are close ........and big!!!. http://www.halffastcharters.com....Capt Rick.....he will get you some sharks and a trip for real men. Tell him striper mike sent you........Your passion for fishing is obvious......may you the catches of a lifetime and the joy of releasing them......

..well you are right. the garbage can filled with flatties...........lead to such a dramatic decline as well as the pollution. But you know what????.....they seem to be on the rebound...My suggestion, call Pete belsan at Belsans bait and tackle....http://www.belsanbait.com In scituate mass.....he is very knowledge able and can help you pin point your quest for ol flattie!!!!! They are still around. if you still know how to fish for them..........Mike

                        

PLEASE NOTE THE AGE OF THE BIG ONES, THEY ARE THE PROVEN BREEDERS, LET THEM GO.

 Hi Striper Mike

TRUST ME ON THIS..if Capt RICK doesn't do you right.....then you let me know.  Not one of you that fish with him..will ever have reason to let me know!!!!

......that if you want to fill your freezer with perfect fillet size cod..haddock.and pollack...now is the time to go.  The trip is short....and the fish are plentiful.  In our world , where more and more of our food seems tainted and artificial, wouldn't it be great to go on a charter and KNOW you are going to limit out.....with the results being natures food at its finest.  The haddock are very plentiful now .having made a great comeback.  Now the special part...Capt Rick Rozen...is a blast from the past....old school......a fishaholic.non-stop...line in the water guy.  When you go with him.you will be exhausted upon return.  He will give you 10 hrs of memorable cod fishing....just like the old days.  This is the time for lots of dinner cod etc.......and not just one or two steakers in the summer months.  The facts of it all...900$ for 6 guys ......and assuming .15%....$150 for the mate. Start the season off early with a bent boat rod and some totes of cod...tell Rick. Striper mike sent you. 

Half Fast Charters

This one is very very simple........not nearly done enough and has probably been the cause of more nice stripers getting away........ than any other human error.....READY?

CHANGE THE LINE ON YOUR REELS, .......Striper Mike.... Please Practice Catch and Release...good luck

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 Spring Yearnings

Too long an absence magnifies imagination.

 It glorifies the unsynchronized swell and clash of waves.......flattens the carelessly embossed sand....and applauds the restless wind.

Endearing in imperfection, the chaotic beauty beckons.

Susan.2004