August        

     Wow.......its almost the end of August already!  I hope you have been interacting with some wonderful stripers by this time.  I have to admit the year has been slow and the fish have not been as big as my usual trophies.....I am not worried, September is coming and the warm up for the migration is very exciting as they fatten up for the long run south.  Don't get me wrong ....I have my share of keepers this year..........but not the usual numbers that Striper Mike tallies. 

      The Ferry Street Bait and Tackle is selling TONS of clams.........to very happy customers , I may add.  They are providing non-stop action in the river and from the shore and because most of the clam diners are smaller fish, they allow the kids.......and adults, to appreciate the smaller linesiders when the big ones remain spotty.  If nothing else, I know I have caused more rods to bend this year by really pushing the clams as bait............Keep in mind That I still use mackerel chunks.....especially this time of year.  But remember the success we all had with clams this year.  Smaller fish can make memories when they are important in your history of fishing.  The first urge in the sport of fishing is to CATCH SOMETHING!....and clams allow that experience.  May I note that one of my keepers....a mere 30" fish, was caught on a clam and a 7 ft fresh water rod.....now that was fun!!!  So keep casting and hoping........the combination will bring you closer to that fish of your dreams.  Get out there...fish so you have stories to tell the next generation while tapping into the drama of the stripers world.

     Additional ditties are that the Giant Blue Fin Tuna are out in Stellwagon and are beginning to bite.....the school tuna are also making their presence known and will hopefully begin to cooperate a little better.  There are a lot of Makos in the area...more than usual .  The shark bite has been off just a hair, but these great warriors are still there to be dealt with if you care to!!!!  Sharks continue to amaze and thrill me.......every time I see...catch...or touch them!!!.....Yes I said touch them.!!!!!!As with all of Striper Mikes sagas, the introduction remains the same.........and so,

PALATABLE PLIERS

     The first time I caught a Yellow fin Tuna, it looked and acted like it was made of metal...steel to be exact!.  A wind up rocket ship with scales so small and tight that the creature appeared robotically metallic.  Even after being gaffed and doing the typical tuna drum on the deck, its blank stare into no where gave it the aura that its  wind -up spring had run out and so did its movement.  Tuna die quickly when landed......sharks, on the other hand defy death...usually successfully!  They have leather skin, so abrasive that I have seen it shred 80 lb test line when they roll up on it.  Their eyes do not stare in to space...THEY STARE AT YOU!  Those black orbs, filled with purpose, track down their quarry and with unmatched power and speed in combination, fulfill their intentions.....which is the demise of their prey.  They swagger when they are in a fight.  They fan back and forth , right next to the boat and pose the question to the angler.."Now that I have agreed to be towed this close to your boat, what do you intend to do now???"  The action that follows is why many boats do not target sharks.  The battle at boat side can destroy your gear and the person intending to free the shark from the wire tether that connects him ...to you.  I have been on many shark trips.....I have cut the wire, and freed many sharks.  I was always the best at it.  I seemed to have a relationship with these monsters.  We would share stares.  I would emit the understanding that I would free them.............if they wanted to be free!  I used to wonder who really caught who when these 10 foot behemoths look up at you and say...I am here...now what are you going to do??

     I am right hand dominant.  My left hand, as with most people, is more erratic and in accurate.  For those reasons, anything that requires a sure hand with pin point accuracy , I do with my right hand.   When I mate shark trips....I leader the shark in with my left hand and free the hook or cut the wire with my right hand.....my dominant one....the one that goes within inches of rows of razors.  

     The battle with a shark can vary from one of grueling, back breaking agony, to being aggravated that it wont fight very hard.  Why could that be?  My theory is that because of the fact that they have no natural predators, after yanking on the line for a few minutes, they decide to go up and see why something is deterring their swimming patterns.  That something is you!.  So instead of pulling to get away they decide to stay around and see if they can gain food from this endeavor...not just their freedom!!!  Rarely do we consider ourselves prey to another animal.  Glance over the side of the boat into the eyes of a ten foot shark  and you can sense the pitiful helpless ness we would have if chosen as dinner by the shark.  Even as I type out these memories I can feel my heart race because I truly believe I am bonded to Gods Gladiators..I was the mate on the boats....the man of freedom....the separator...the communicator...the one who got the closest....!  After cutting some sharks free, they do no immediately plunge into the depths...they back up and stare back at me.  They know, and I know, just why that occurs!

     A trip with Mako intentions seemed to evolve into non-stop wrestling with very big blue sharks.  I was positive we could raise a mako with a troll but the Captain was not convinced and he insisted that we anchor up for the night and fish from a dead boat.  Its great for setting a great chum line and sense we were video taping this endeavor, he felt that non stop action was better than hours of footage, waiting!  Non- stop action it was...for hours into the night.  Two hundred and fifty pound blue sharks..one after another.  I leadered all of them in....cut or pulled the hook on each one and felt assured that they survived the tug of war.  

     When I leader in a big shark, I think about how the shark behaved during the fight.  Did he tire himself out?  Did he give in and come to the boat for a look?  Does he seem mad or complacent?  Is he thrashing or calm?  Cutting a leader inches from a sharks mouth is not suggested during the thrashing period.  I do not muscle the beast.  I move with it.   I stare at it.  I demand its eye contact.  I try to look into its soul and send the message of freedom to him.  I try to compromise and not dominate in typical  human fashion.    Traditionally the leadering process is calm. The apparent willingness of the shark , allowing me to reach within inches of it, has always impressed my fellow anglers.

     Most of the boats anglers had gone to bed and we were about to close up shop when one of the patrons hooked into a nice big boy and because his luck had been spotty, I was more than willing to ride this one out with him, even though my droopy eyes evidenced my exhaustion.  Son of a gun, Fran had that rover by the boat in no time flat. As mentioned, I am very wary of that maneuver.  A fresh , green, shark boat side, is a problem. 

      Don't fish seem to have the uncanny knack to wrap around the anchor rope???  This shark was l likely to do that as it insisted on staying up at the front , where the anchor rope was.  I told Fran to lean on him and bring him back to us.  He tried.  The fish was still fresh.....and not moving.  I leaned over the side and put additional pressure on the line in hopes of spinning the beast around.....It worked.  I saw his face come into view as he came toward us and for some reason, I was leadering him in with my right hand.....my pliers hand!  Must have been the convenience from that side of the boat and or exaction, but none the less I reached around my back and pulled out the pliers from my sheath with the my left hand/my non- dominant hand....my awkward hand....the WRONG HAND!

      The sharks nose had passed by and began to pass the end of the boat  I should have let it go and tire itself out....I knew that....I wish I always did what I know is right.....but I don't!  I tried to pull it back with my right hand .  That pulled the sharks head up and its tail down, which can allow it great leverage.  In sort of a hap hazard way I positioned myself to cut the wire with my left hand.  While steadying the big blue shark with my right hand I eased the pliers toward the cut and with a Doberman gaze and tuna speed, the beast propelled itself upward and ATE THE PLIERS OUT OF MY CLUMSY LEFT HAND!

     The shock dampened any pain.  I pulled my hand back as fast as I could and of course feared for the absolute worst. A quick glance showed me a palm of blood so I gabbed the first rag I found and applied as much pressure as I could while bolting into the cabin while wondering what it will be like be lifted by a life star helicopter.  Safety is paramount when out in the deep blue sea.  I did not practice that credo and as the rag turned crimson, I prepared myself to look at gore of the bite.

      Maybe it was the contact with the metal pliers...maybe I did not taste good.....maybe it was an act of bonding....a statement of what could happen ..... total dismemberment, and what really happened which was a jagged , half moon , gash from one side of my thumb into my palm.  Why he did not take the thumb with him I do not know.  The mess could have used stitches, but I quickly butterflied the gashes and all seemed fine.  I am very very very fortunate that I did not lose my hand or bleed to death from a more severe injury.  For that I was grateful.

     When I realized that all would turn out ok , I returned to the anxious, hopeful faces that awaited me on the deck.  God Dam Mike.........are you ok??? Now that I was safe the cocky striper mike came back....Yeah I am ok......wanna see something?   Look at this bite and how quickly he released me.  All the staring faces grimaced and I proceeded as follows.  You know guys...I consider myself blessed.  I was bitten by a shark and did not suffer the devastation that could have occurred.  As a result, I am never going to wash these gashes out....I am assuming that the fiery saliva of the beast is now in my system....not alot of shark...but definitely a little shark.  I want the glory of him to heal inside of me.  I want to be part shark!!!!!  They looked at me and Fran mumbled...your crazy. 

     I never  washed it out.....I never applied medicine....I never applied a bandage...and. I never got rid of the scars he left behind.  In my system flows the dank saliva of one of the worlds great beasts.  Odd as it may seem, many people have often said to me ....'You have the deepest and blackest pupils I have ever seen, and the haunting gaze to match".......Without going into the story for them , I simply say........I know, sort of like shark eyes!!!  I wonder , if the next shark I see, will know it is me.......and will in fact know I AM THEM!.  Safe Sterile Settings Stifle Life's Zest.......DO STUFF ......FEEL YOUR LIFE.........Striper Mike

Hi Striper Mike....Greetings from the mainland.  Any Chance of running a column or two in my newspaper,  The Port Planet, out of Newburyport , Mass?  It's an alternative newspaper based right here.  If you go to www.theportplanet.com, its all there for you to see...Cheers!  Dennis Metrano ed.

Hello Dennis,...I am sure we can work something out.  I am complimented by your interest in my stories etc.  I will be glad to share them with your lovely community and be sure to send me a copy of the paper or the computer version after you set it all up.  Thanks again Dennis....Sincerely ..Striper Mike

Hey Striper Mike:

I had 2 custom 11ft.6" 1 piece rods stolen. I used them at Chincoteague in Virginal.  I use between 4 to 8 oz pyramid sinkers and use cut up bait like spot or mullet.  In 1977 I was lucky enough to hook a 21 lb blue in the surf.  It was the largest blue registered in Virginia that year.  My question is, do you know anyone who dabs in rod building for custom 1 piece rods?  Thanks in advance.....Tom

Hi Tom.....wow that was quite a bluefish!!!...I have my custom rods built at ROD BUILDERS WORKSHOP in KINGSTON mass....The builder is Al Smith.....and he is renowned in the area for his surf rods and tuna sticks, etc.    Tom, buy the best....have him build it....approx. cost ..250-350.....good luck...Mike

This is another from the KIDS....my favorites!!! Typed just as he wrote it.

hi mike,im going to viginia in stead of maine. are there stipers in virgina?  if not what can you surf fish for going to virgina beach.  any hot spots here?

your friend brent,please write me

Why hello there Brent.  I am not familiar with Virginal Beach. but I am sure there are some fishing experiences there for you to have on your vacation.  If you believe there are fish where your bait is.........then there probably will be!!!!.....You have got to believe Brent.....Good Luck...your friend, Striper Mike

Hey Mike, I was just wondering what some of the strongest knots would be best to tie the leader on to the main line.  Recently I have been using the TRILIENE knot on 25 lb STREN, any info much appreciated....Thanks Jon

Hi Jon.....I attach my 20 trilene with a snap swivel that is attached with a palomer knot...I snell my own hooks with 50 lb leader and connect them to the line with another swivel.  The leader set up is then snapped on to the line....good luck.....Mike

Striper Mike:

thank you for your website, I love it and it is so good to read your stories.  I hope sometime it will be my turn.  I just started doing surfcasting and don't know really where to go, so if you could give me some places in mass that would be great.  I go to Newburyport and last Thursday I caught 5 fish when it was rainy and windy.  That shows you how much I like fishing.  They were all about 16-25 inches, small, but I did not get soaked for nothing.  I love fishing at night cause I think that is when I will get the BIG ONE.  So thanks again for the great stories and I hope to hear from you soon.....Frenchie

Thanks for the email and compliments Frenchie...you sure do seem like a Striper Man....Try Plum Island....or Peggoty Beach in Scituate....they are great Night Spots.....use mackerel and be sure to rig it with a slip sinker.....best of luck.....please practice catch and release....and Frenchy, the wind and the rain and waves etc are all part of this great sport....good luck...Striper MikePeggoty Beach Keeper

 This edition, and for a few in the future, I am going to give you all some secret Striper Mike recipes that he uses for the bare necessities of a surfcasting venture with just me and Tug Boat, my English Bulldog. These tasty , gourmet feasts are the result of a few basic ingredients for all surf casters on the go.  This months essential ingredient for all "grab it and run" anglers is the infamous.......PEANUT BUTTER.

"IT"S GREAT" Sandwich:

Whole wheat Bread......peanut butter......a nice layer of Frosted Flakes.....a layer of honey.......glass of milk.

"P,B,and T" Sandwich:

Whole Wheat Bread....peanut butter....Turkey Bologna.....a lot of Tabasco sauce......sort of like Thai Food!!!!!

"The Crunchy Namy " Sandwich:

Whole Wheat Bread...peanut butter.....layer of sliced banana......layer of grape nut cereal.....yummy

"Parmesan Peanut Toast" Sandwich:

Whole wheat bread, toasted.....peanut butter...layer of cream cheese....sprinkled parmesan cheese(or the cheese from a Kraft Macaroni and cheese dinner)....

.......you will find out that these go well with the eternal smell of bait on our hands!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        

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

Nice catch by my new fishing buddy, Brandon......a couple of nice stripers in the mid twenties....all alone....with his new reel that his super dad ,Brian ,bought him.

Jamie Katzen took a fat 34" from Beadle Rock with a yozuri that had traits similar to the little bait fish in the area.

Frank and Frank jr.  Dematto each caught small keepers at Fourth Cliff after reading my advice to fish that area..............YAYYYYY!

Hank Furman battled with his biggest bluefish ever from the beach.......22 minutes on the rod....18lbs......wowwww.

This is hope that Mike Grafio catch the fish of his life when he goes on his surprise Tuna Trip for his birthday on Sept 8......Guess who also will be on that trip with him......ME.

this 40" was not caught on Lobster....but was donated to Boston Fire Dept and enjoyed by all.

This one is very important for the upcoming fall run...........when you go out to fish these tides, if the seas are calm and quiet, DO NOT POUND IN THE ROD HOLDER when you first get to your spot.  The out of place pounding noise may scare of the monster fish that could be feeding very close to shore....this is particularly the case at night!!!!!!!....Stalk your quarry,...... go unnoticed!........Striper Mike

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..sometimes dark is darker.......I go from being part of it all to apart from it all.

....My presence is no longer detected,

invisible till the dim hint of sunrise light, returns my being.....

Striper Mike....Aug 7, 2000