---Wherever they are found, surf fisherman stand out from the great mass of everyday pleasure anglers. Like the cowboys of the Old West, they are a breed of men apart!
Simply looking at a happy child makes me smile.....It can be dreary to see the summer end and all the beach kids return home to attend school . They take with them the spontaneity that we all appreciate from Children. You see...as adults....we just cant seem to be kids...........and so
WHEN DO WE STOP SKIPPING?
From the second her mom opened the car door.....I could see the excitement in the face of this precious little girl. She and mom were going to Dunkin Donuts and she could barely contain herself. Do you remember being that excited over things? When it felt like you could jump out of you skin from joy. At the same time I also saw the moms approach to going to Dunkin Donuts. She acted......adult like...staring posture..controlled steps.....and a look of something that was nothing more than a repetition from past days and past yrs...... Why is that? Do we learn to lessen the joy we show towards each days moments? Or is it simply that children see things with magic eyes. Each trip with mommy being one of untold adventure and excitement. Shouldn't going with your daughter offer the same to mommy?
A child-like man is not a man whose development has been arrested; on the contrary, he is a man who has given himself a chance of continuing to develop long after most adults have muffled themselves in the cocoon of middle-aged habit and convention.........Aldous Huxley
So is that it......we have fallen pray to convention and habit??..My god I hate to think so!! But with that in mind, this precious 7 yr old....SKIPPED with joy towards a simple donut.....and her mom walked stoically with her left arm bobbing from the rhythm of her daughters skip. It was then. I pondered....WHEN DO WE STOP SKIPPING? Is it an age?...Is it a point of development?....Is it a Natural progression or is it a regression? when we stop, have we gained maturity. or lost innocence?
What is skipping?....why do all kids do it?...Is it taught?..or a natural form of youthful dancing?...Is it exercise or expression? Is it a controlled act or an uncontrolled response to sheer jubilance? whatever the answers are to those questions doesn't matter......its seems an act that lives life. and not simply moves through life, in an adult stride. So I repeat......when do we stop skipping? My answer is as follows.....As adults with endless things on our minds our life has bits and pieces of many issues....that replace a good chunk of Passion. Passion is what picks up that first leg to begin the skipping. In the case of this little girl it was going to dunkin donuts with mom....or even more specifically... simply being with mom.
Where did our trips to dunkin donuts go? Is our life so mundane. and busy. and stressful......and cluttered. that we no longer have the passion to pick up that first leg for our very own skip?...But don't forget, we need to keep up proper appearance....an adult skipping......well ..that's .........you know.........silly looking...embarrassing.............isn't it? So as adults we are left to DO things....make a list each day and check off the things we NEED to do. Its a shame.
This October brought an extended season. and I was locking up with gorgeous keepers everyday. When the fishing is this good I can hardly contain myself FROM doing it.....WAITING to do it.....TALKING about doing it.........and so on. If you LOVE power fishing like I do, you understand. On one occasion this linesiders first run was long enough to make the line dispersal from my Van Staal sing like a violin concerto. This big foam feeder suddenly decided to attempt another strategy when she realized that going back out to the deep blue sea would not free her from my gamagatsu...........so she took a hard left and raced down the shore.
I can tell when I have a very solid hook up. This lady would feel my thumb on her front lip barring any stupid moves on my part..she was hooked!!! If you let a big cow run the shore many times they will try and grind you off on the coarse rocks and ocean debris that accumulates in shallower water. If you don't chase her....you may wave good bye to her.......So I went with her.
The line I had gathered back on her first sprint to England was being lost again with this parallel coast line run she was doing. I varied my speed chasing her,to assure I keep her in front of me and not to the side. I was totally in my environment. As happy as I could possibly be. Prouder than a peacock. I was as joyous as a kid going to dunkin donuts with her mom.............so you know what happened ......don't you?
The ambulation I used to pursue my fleeing fighter was of course.....SKIPPING. I didn't do it exactly like the girl did......but skipping isn't taught....there is no right way. My style was a loping, sideways, hopping performance!!. Skipping is when legs talk and tell the world how alive you are..how happy you are.......how full of passion you are. It was clear....that for me..tussling with big fish on a beach brings back..... skipping.
So when her panting gill plate on the sand was evidence of a good catch. I returned her to calmer waters......relaxed her as i congratulated her on a stout fight............and released her. But I also landed the answer to When do we Stop Skipping?.....we don't!!!! We stop doing things that will still make us skip!. Be sure to remember, this is your life......not always meant for others to use or be part of........if you have removed your passions because you are to busy now...Bring them back.
.....Do things that make you excited way before you do them.
.....Do things that excite you when you remember the last time you did them.
duplicating the little girls skip to dunkin donuts......only requires your own version of going to dunkin donuts with your mommy...Mt equivelant.. is surfcasting...and low and behold it is here. that even at my age.......skipping still comes naturally.
Love life like a child........remember what you need to live it unbridled...and if at that point you find yourself skipping...be thankful...
Striper mike
Thats worth skipping for!!
Baked Ginger Snap Crusted
Chilean Sea Bass
From the recipe files of
Executive Chef, Russell Stannard
2 - 7 oz portions Sea Bass or any firm white fish
Ginger Snap Crumbs (See below)
Dredge bass in crumbs, coat on both sides
Bake at 350F for 12-15 minutes, or until firm
Serve with 2 oz. of kiwi lime sauce (See below)
|
Ginger Snaps 6 oz. butter, softened Cream together butter, sugar, molasses, and egg until light and fluffy. Combine dry ingredients and gently stir into the mix. Form dough into small ball shapes. Bake at 325F for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Puree cookies into a fine meal in the food processor. |
Kiwi Lime Sauce Yield: 3 cups 1 cup white wine Combine above ingredients in saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce mixture down by half. 8 kiwis peeled Add above ingredients to mixture in saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and puree in food processor. Strain. |
If
you are going to keep one to eat....try that 28-30" range fish.
.............GOD
BLESS AMERICAhello mike,
nice website. my father and I are now hooked on surf fishing for stripers. we need to seriously upgrade our blue light specials. after visiting www.e-angler.com all day im confused and overwhelmed by all the spinning reels. I need advice from an expert! looked at Penn ss series, Daiwa kastor, and shimano thunnus, of course many others. being only our 2nd year surf fishing I prefer a spinning reel over a bait caster. I plan on going with a m/h 10 ft rod , I need a reel to match. any advice would be greatly appreciated..does number of bearings make a big difference? like yourself, I have to go make the nail bleed.(carpenter).
thank you very much
pj mia.
Hi pj
.....this is a lot more simple than you think.....This is my suggestion for new surfcasters. This will seem odd. but after decades of using this reel and having it go through every possible condition including self repair and drag replacement..........I RECOMMEND THE OL PENN704,,,,spend under a hundred and have it forever....PS, if you want to make it even easier to maintain..drill two holes in the bottom of the reel.....the water runs out after rinsing etc
........Good Luck.........Striper Mike..
also.........
http://www.thesurfcaster.com.....great place to shop
Striper Mike,
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.Thanks much,
Chris
Hi Chris
well let me start here.....Florida, as you well know. is home of the monster bass.....but as in most fisherys.the locals knows the how's and where's. I have fished a lot of great bass land there. and had a nice 5 pounder....On one occasion I took a charter .....fresh water bass. with giant shiners. Within 2 hr we had caught and released 2 ten pounders. Save your money and make use of your time by spending it on a local guide with a know how .research on the web ahead of time.
Striped bass love rivers and feeding in them .specially in the spring. Rhode island has many piers etc.charleston breach way.etc..where you can be very successful from the land. Don't underestimate bridge or pier fishing.........especially at nite..for nice stripers.........
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......Mike
Striper Mike:
I use to go flounder fishing in the spring in Quincy mass when I was A KID We caught 100s After the pollution no more of that fishing. Heard there was some great flounder fishing in Glouster Mass. Is this the truth and do you have any tips on area and where we can fish
Would like to rent a small boat when we come up to fish
Appreciate your help
Ross
..........Hi Ross
..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
Vince Kowalski wrote:
Where can herring be taken in the back river and when?
Well............isn't that the million dollar question??????????? Here is my answer..........since I am not god and don't know for sure. May 4th .I caught a 20 incher on a herring one yr. Any Help??...Good Luck Mike......as far as where they are......I suggest you ask local DEP on that question...Co's get very cranky about poaching them.
|
STRIPED BASS: LENGTH - AGE- WEIGHTS |
||||||||||||||
|
Lth |
Age |
Max |
Avg |
Min |
Lth |
Age |
Max |
Avg |
Min |
Lth |
Age |
Max |
Avg |
Min |
|
23 |
4 |
7.5 |
6.3 |
5.0 |
34 |
9 |
19.0 |
16.5 |
14.0 |
45 |
15 |
41.0 |
36.0 |
30.5 |
|
24 |
5 |
8.3 |
7.0 |
6.0 |
35 |
10 |
20.5 |
18.0 |
15.5 |
46 |
16 |
44.0 |
38.7 |
32.5 |
|
25 |
5 |
8.8 |
7.8 |
6.3 |
36 |
10 |
22.0 |
19.5 |
16.8 |
47 |
16 |
47.5 |
42.0 |
35.0 |
|
26 |
6 |
10.0 |
8.5 |
7.0 |
37 |
11 |
23.5 |
20.7 |
17.5 |
48 |
17 |
51.0 |
44.0 |
37.0 |
|
27 |
6 |
11.0 |
9.8 |
8.0 |
38 |
12 |
25.5 |
22.0 |
19.0 |
49 |
17 |
54.0 |
47.0 |
39.0 |
|
28 |
6 |
12.0 |
10.3 |
8.8 |
39 |
12 |
27.2 |
24.5 |
20.7 |
50 |
18 |
58.0 |
50.0 |
42.0 |
|
29 |
7 |
12.9 |
11.0 |
9.7 |
40 |
13 |
29.5 |
26.0 |
22.0 |
51 |
18 |
62.0 |
55.0 |
45.0 |
|
30 |
7 |
14.0 |
12.3 |
10.3 |
41 |
13 |
31.0 |
27.3 |
23.0 |
52 |
19 |
65.0 |
58.0 |
47.0 |
|
31 |
8 |
15.0 |
13.0 |
11.0 |
42 |
14 |
33.5 |
29.7 |
25.0 |
53 |
19 |
68.0 |
60.0 |
49.0 |
|
32 |
8 |
16.7 |
14.5 |
12.0 |
43 |
14 |
36.3 |
32.0 |
27.0 |
54 |
20 |
73.0 |
64.0 |
52.0 |
|
33 |
9 |
17.8 |
15.8 |
13.0 |
44 |
15 |
39.0 |
34.0 |
29.0 |
55 |
20 |
80.0 |
70.0 |
56.0 |
PLEASE NOTE THE AGE OF THE BIG ONES, THEY ARE THE PROVEN BREEDERS, LET THEM GO.
Hi Striper Mike
here's my best from last year I have been fishing for about 15 years now at 20 I have a long career of surfcasting left I haven't caught too many cow bass yet I have only 5, 30+ pounders the biggest weighing in at 36 lbs but I have the dedication and skill to become one of the greats I hope to write a book on my accomplishments some day. Last year was not the greatest in quality but quantity wasn't a problem for me I pulled in several keepers under 32" but my best was caught after a 2 week slump only catching one striper that had to be a new record for me the smallest I have ever caught. I was fishing in south Boston casting my 5" pearl storm wildeye on a teaser rig into pleasure bay at the small inflow and the fish hit so hard it almost took me into the bay and I couldn't tell how big he was until it swam out of the powerful rip which wasn't for about 15 minutes. Then he finally turned, using only 10 lb test it was very difficult to get him out he finally did after a few short runs I finally landed him and just as he slid into the rocks the hook gave way and he was free I almost lost him but he couldn't turn out so I picked him up took the snapshot and no more than 10 seconds later it was a free fish that's me with my biggest of the year a 35" 16lbstriped bass
rob "the fishman" darling
Well well well........an up and coming surf man ,I see!.....well Mr. tight lines...you need some bigger notches than that on your belt.....maybe we need to fish a nite tide sometime??.......You are a good man and a true surfcaster and fan of our great linesider.........son.....you are a fishaholic!!!!!!!!!!like me.....great story. ill publish it..........Thanks for the great catch and release.....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.
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
Got a fishing tale
copywrite-Stripermike
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