Baitfishing for night cows can be unimaginable.....and it canbe long periods of no action.  It is in these moments, that we sort out ..stuff..........clear up issues....recall what is deserving of recall....we .review things.........and people.....and ourselves.  With that in mind ........may introduce my nana........and so.......

LILLIAN

     Nana’s are special. In my world ,.the true Nana is an Irish Grandmother. Not Gram…Nonie…grandma………the term is NANA. I had a Nana. No I change that….I had the BEST NANA…She was a direct Irish strand, with Skin as soft as cream , calves that had great muscle tone into her nineties and hair as white as snow…until she went to the "Beauty Parlor"….and had it done…blue. Why???……Who knows?

     Lillian Cashin was born in 1894…she was the only 1800’s person I ever personally knew. That was before there were cars and planes and jets and space shuttles…and almost all of modern technology. Her life style was one of utmost simplicity …yet supplied with me as many lessons in life as any one I knew.

     Unlike many elderly people, Nana was a big lady. Not heavy…….big. Tall. muscular, and impeccably healthy. Even her children were born at home…and she did not have reasons to go to a hospital …well into her 70’s. She did , however have challenges in her life. These never were noticed …because she never made a big deal out of them. For example….in her early 20’s she got rheumatic fever…….and exploded both ear drums, leaving her …..totally deaf. Oh yes …….she had also just gotten married to a Irish bloat, that was by no means a tea totler!!!!. She went ahead …gave birth to and raised with total class, three children (my mom was one of them). Her husband ended up being ….here there and every where…..and with her left behind …….He died at an early age. So there she was ,groping with informal lip reading skills…..and three children. Somehow..they made it. I know it was because of her epic strength and how she focused on life’s priorities and not the peripherals.

     Finally in the 30’s or so….they invented hearing aides. But being stoned deaf, hers ended being something that looked like the first CD player with a cord as thick as a rope that hunk from her ear to the box snapped on to her undergarment. I know because when she hugged me tight I always had the hearing aide mashed against my face!!! I never realized her deafness unless I was being fresh ……like swearing around her when it was off and thinking it was funny that she could not hear me. That is until she turned and said……."don’t swear Mick" (remember. She could read lips)…..that used to give me the willies every time.

     I never……….ever……..saw Nana in any thing other than a dress.....stockings……nice shoes………etc. I repeat never. She did not own slacks. None. She remained all lady …forever. Every day…all the lady stuff ..garters....stockings…clips etc…and iron the dress and so on. No matter how she felt…no matter what the weather….no matter what. Let me add to that the fact that she played catch with me with gloves and hardballs..threw the football…and any array of active events………all in a dress and pumps. The truth ..I swear.

     Her simplicity and how she transferred that to life , is a goal of mine as I also age. She never worked when she was my nana……she never had a drivers license…..she never had formal schooling…she never smoked or drank….she never missed Sunday mass……..note the word never!!….She told me once, "sometimes when I go to confession, I just go to talk to the priest , because I have nothing to confess." How about that??????. I never saw her purposefully do wrong……..I guess I can say …I never saw her sin. I must say that I was alittle disappointed when she gave me underwear every Christmas…but she made up for it by making the best waffles on earth and awesome coconut meringue cookies!!

     Do any of you remember what a rosary is????….and how to say it…and how long it takes ??. Every single week of her life she would say one entire rosary for each family member……all of them …every week. Her three children, who had 5 children each…who had 4 great grand children. All total…22 rosaries per week..and church…and confession. Sometimes after church I had to wait in the car to take her home…..She would insist on doing the stations of the cross before she would leave during certain religious holidays. When staying with us one time, My mom was gone and my dad was unable to take her to mass. At 84….she walked the mile to get there..in July. Needless to say……that was her last 2 miler. We always drove her after that.

      Nana had her own apartment in Poughkeepsie New York until she was in her 80’s…Her entire existence was one of visiting her children and there kids for 3 weeks…stay home for a week and go to the next child’s home for the same pattern. She did not work…..she was a NANA…..THE NANA.!! I never wondered how she survived economically. I am sure that each of her children contributed to her life ..rent..food..etc. Her job was giving herself to our pocket of humanity…100%. She was a totally faithful lady with the purest understanding and adherence to RIGHT and WRONG. Essentially what we should all strive for.

     As mentioned , her physical constitution was remarkable. I never saw her sick….or so it seemed. For example ..at 85 she was told that she needed a pace maker, but when discussed with her son etc, her age seemed alittle much for her body to take the operation or for her to appreciate for very long.. Convinced by all of us to please do the procedure…….they did………..she lived …full steam….until 94 years of age!!!

     Our family had 4 Irish micks as sons and a poor , relentlessly teased sister. Behavior management was an ongoing issue ……..except when Nana watched us. We allowed/wanted her to control us. When holding our hand , she would slightly bend my little finger or give alittle pinch on that soft under arm skin if we didn’t Toe The Line. We didn’t mind…….she was our Nana. We obeyed her……..we wanted to obey her… and we all knew that if you did disobey her….god gave you double the punishment..cause she was a Nana!!!.

     Nana passed away , as mentioned, at 94. I look at her picture often, but do not return to those times enough. Doing so in this forum, was long overdo and very reflective. Having lived her life solely for her family and God assured her an uninterrupted highway to heaven…..and sainthood in my mind.

     My smile of reminiscence dropped to one of concern as a previously unattended mackerel chunk drew some attention. The result was this seasons first good fight and decent bass. A stretched 32" striper…The tug of war had shelved my nana thoughts, but I wanted them to return……..So I named the fish LILLIAN…..kissed her goodbye ..Knelt in the surf…and let her go….just like I did when NANA Lillian was released to heaven.LILLIAN...that Pre- sun morning

     Nite surfcasting allows you day dreams and time to relive, yourself!!!! Usually this nite fishing is Bait and Wait…….It can be Bait and Relate…..to who you are….how you got here…and the forces behind that journey. The beach at Night gives you the serenity and sanctity to RECALL YOUR LIFE. Sometimes I wonder….Do I fish for fish???? Or do I fish for answers, about all the things that clutter my mind. On your next cast, take time to reel yourself in!!!!. Catch what is good in you and keep it…………release the rest!!………Striper Mike…

.....LILLIAN   

Hi Striper Mike

my name is bob,i,am from Biddeford Maine. I love to fish for stripers,mybiggest one is 41 inches yes I released the her, I fish for the thrill not the kill. my question to you is what is the best tide for big ones hi or low, and what is best bait for surf fishing. I fish the beaches. for some reason I don't get many big ones. I don't know if imam doing something wrong or if it is just the times I go, I go pretty much everyday, if you can help me please email me at buffaloboy65@hotmail.com thank you for your time

hope to hear from you soon bob thank you again

Why hello there bob.....thanks for your nice note....Surfcasting is a very complicated sport...there is no way I can boost your luck with a simple email...but .here is what I suggest...read all the old Striper Mike tips etc.....apply them to your conditions....rocky???sand???.etc.Then WHEN to fish in this sport varies...on beaches where the depth is an issue....fish 2 hrs before and 2 hrs after high tide...if there is always enough water depth , no matter when the tide is...fish any time.....if the water is moving the stripers will feed . Finally...be totally silent when fishing at night...night is when the big cows will RISK the in shore feeding...Also try a book by Frank Daignault,,,STRIPER SURF...its great...good luck my friend...Striper Mike

Hi Striper Mike! 

I have just recently discovered your web page. Any news for June? I guess that's the problem with creating a popular web page (just like a news column) - your fans want more! I just moved to Scituate this past March, and I'm just beginning to hit the beaches. My prior surf casting experiences have been on the Cape, and I'm thrilled to now live so close to the action. I am originally from the mid-west, so I did not grow up with striper fishing. Until I read your stories, I thought I was the only crazy person who relished late nights alone in the surf. It is always a strange and wondrous experience. Any luck at Egypt Beach? Looks like the rocks might present some good striper territory. As for Peggoty Beach, is it worth walking out on the jetty, or am I ok casting toward the rocks from the beach? Looks like crawling on the jetty could be a bit tricky at night. I'll spend some time at Humarock before the year is over, and I hope to see you there. Thanks for all the inspiring words. And yes, I do catch and release.

Thom Aylesworth

well hello neighbor Tom....glad you are fishing these areas now. good luck....You can fish from the rocks at Peggotty beach and try eels at Egypt....I got a big smile from your compliments and I am glad my theories and philosophies inspire new surfcasters like yourself. Be patient.be persistent....be a salt water cowboy...Be a surfcaster....good luck...twinkling moon and stars and tight lines...Striper Mike

Striper Mike,

My name is Mike Flaherty and I run a web site called BassPond.Com. It has just come out of "beta" and I am looking to put a few links on it. I would be honored if you would allow me to post a link to your site. I think many of my users would enjoy reading of your "Angling Lore". Please let me know if it is OK to post a link to Stripermike.com. Also, I would appreciate any feedback you might have for www.basspond.com

Take Care,

Mike Flaherty

Hi there Mike .Why off course you may link my site....thanks....for your appreciation of its value and entertainment..I don't have a banner..or sponsors...or funding....I just experience adventure, at least in my mind, and then enjoy , re-capturing those moments by writing sagas and relaying my personalized surfcasting techniques...My skill.if you call it that..is in the writing...not the complexities of the internet..However I will be expanding with the computer dynamics as time goes by...I have been approached many times for expansion suggestions.publication.etc...good luck with your site. I will send my review to you...and thanks for spreading ANGLING LORE amongst your friends...I appreciate it..Striper Mike

 POOR MANS LOBSTER (I ripped this out of a newspaper 20 yrs ago)

Take Cod Fillets...Cover with cold water and 2 tbls. salt...Bring to a boil...simmer for 10 min...drain water.

Cover with cold water and 2 tabls vinegar...bring to a boil...simmer ten minutes...drain water

Dip in melted butter

You tell me if it doesn't taste like the REAL thing!!!!

Striper Mike

 COD!!!                                             

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

CHECK THESE NICE CATCHES OUT....its a great letter too.

Dave O'Brien.....40" beauty..this young man has potential to be a good surfman

Sandi Detlefsen.....37"..striper...on her first trip ever...Beginners Luck??

Malcom Manley...39" cow off his fathers boat ...and in his fathers letter to me..."He Insisted that we PUT HER BACK"....so we did...Malcolm is 12

Tom Leahy...geez there are alot of Irish readers!!!..nice 38 " dusk fish at the Glades on a live eel.......released...Lets hear it for Tom!!!!YAYYYY.

Dear Striper Mike:

I finally had a chance to log some significant hours over Memorial Day weekend up at the point at Fourth Cliff. Using no weights and mackerel chunks on 20 LB test, we were only able to bring in eight schoolies, ranging from 18 - 26 inches. Just being out there was the best, though. Sunday evening when the fog cleared and the sun began to set was just beautiful; Humarock at the height of its splendor - I know you know what a thrill that is. Of course, all eight of our catches were released. One however, nearly didn't make it. My friend landed a 24 incher that had swallowed the hook. We tried with the pliers, to no avail. Finally a neighboring angler told us to just cut the line and save the fish, so my friend cut the line, walked the fish back to the water and dumped him in. The time out plus the fight had taken its toll, however, and the fish, after a kick or two went belly up and began to float. Remembering my lessons from Striper Mike's web page, as well as a recent article on reviving fish in "The Fisherman" magazine, I waded in, grabbed the fish by the tail, flipped him, and, with another hand under his belly, began to move him back and forth through the water. After about 10 seconds, he kicked away, only to begin floating again a little further out. Again I went in after him, repeated the back and forth, and finally he kicked away, never to be seen again - until I catch him, that is! Saving that fish was my biggest thrill of the day. The other fishermen out on the cliff congratulated me like I'd landed a cow, and, best of all, I was my girlfriend's hero - for the moment anyway! So thanks for the tips - they worked! A fish is alive today because of it and for what it's worth, it made me feel great.

I look forward to seeing you 'round the 'Rock.

Peter

Well my friend....that is a joy for me to hear...great catches.great understanding of the uniqueness of our passion...Striper Mike is a fan of yours also....Thanks 

Fourth Cliff

......why stripers feed well at dusk and dawn?  It is because they have exceptional ability to adjust their ability to see in marginal light..  That is an advantage over many fish and hence they are usually very active at the first sign of any light .or the disappearance of it....Remember..fish ....especially big ones....have to weigh the risk behind the energy expelled in the hunt...and the value of its catch.  The simple fact is that for stripers. the hunt is more efficient in the marginal light and the success expends less energy.  If you are a surf caster..stealth is important.and SO ARE THE LIGHT CONDITIONS...Remember..try to act like the cow you are after.dont use lights.it spooks them.  Remember.the fish of your dreams may be 20 feet from you in the curl of that wave...give your self a chance.she can detect you far before you can detect her.because she sees GREAT.in MARGINAL LIGHT...Please Practice Catch and Release  when at all possable.Striper Mike

Crack of dawn....20 minute war...she lost....bleeding and lactic acid buildup..thats why....IF YOU CAN...please release the big breeders like her..note the girth and weight on that 40" cow...I have no comment on the sweatpants...Striper Mike

Herring Heads......Herring Heads....please note that I said it twice!!!  Herring chunks do not meet well with the powerful casts of the surf angler....Especially frozen herring..But alas, do not despair....surfcasters can still use herring...bye simply using the heads.  I don't settle for herring heads.I choose them.....Red eyes....heavy scent....combined with a Texas  rig crawl into the beach....Outrageous bait....frozen or fresh....Use your head.....FISH WITH HEADS......HERRING HEADS

HERRING HEAD!!!...and released

Got a fishing tale?

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...on the same day..

until forever reaches... never again.

....  Birthdays,

Do I celebrate the event of being born on that day....?

  Or do I re- affirm a vow to continue to search for.

...LIFE'S BEST ZEST?

......the search continues......July 9 2001..My birthday

Striper Mike