The Maa_ssshh

[Coalman]

Took a coastline cruise this evening. The high tide made the rocks treacherous. The debris was in the first wave.

So I headed to the Maa_ssshh.

The tide was moving out. The baitfish were tight to the creek mouths.
Saw a few fisherman throwing chunk bait. Headed back to the truck for the secret weapon.

I found a shortcut creek on a tight bend. The bait was in heavy They were tight to the bank.

The first cast produced a bump. The second cast and a striper laid on shore.

Just give me a hook and an eel.

[captcal]

I got this spot on my GPS called 100 fish spot cause "once, we had quite a party on my boat" and caught a hundred fish in one night in one spot. Four guys, tunes absolutely blaring, big spreader lights, christ we were almost broadside twice
by two knuckleheads. Cocked I'm sure...

I had found the spot a week or two earlier and had my "now" co-owner of
my new boat on board. This was last year....

It seems, my spot was now more than that, but I think he will admit its my spot. Anyway, if we are out fishing and it gets slow, his fall back plan is
to throw anchor and return to humble beginnings. My buddy is apparently in
fear of snakes...Eels...

Since then, I've spent countless hours on my own and only till this year have I found paydirt. I've caught hordes of fish but as joe say's schoolies
don;t count. I'm with ya on that...

I've spent much more time than my co-conspiritor and I tell ya...I can't
anchor no more... schoolies aint cut'in it. I'd rather stay home and go fishless.

Granted, I've got more learnen to do but time ain't the problem. Well sort of. September's coming and I ain't done yet.

Next year, my boat's going in May 1st barring hell or high water!

I say, deal with it and get the christ out of the way. There;s big fish in
these waters. stop wasting time with the small ones. He'd rather go after
the pelagics... Let's conquer one at a time... What's the price at the pump
these days...

Owning a boat with a partner to share 1/2 the expenses, catch cow after cow on a 20K boat... Having your 7 yr old reel in a 35lber...Priceless. Pictures on Monday!
--cal

[captcal]

sorry coleman, saw the eel comment and it hit a nerve.

Nice fish BTW....

[Coalman]

Capt, I can only wish my signature fish were the one laying on shore last night. But that is not the case.

Your desire to catch cows is genuine. I am glad you will be on the couch while I am on the prowl. Don't discount schoolies, especially in an estuary. A creek 5 feet wide and a river a half a mile wide both have the same bottom features.

It is learning to read creek currents and being able to spot bait activity. It is presenting your eel in the most natural way with and against the tide.

It is being able to walk by half a dozen fisherman who said the bite was off because of the rain and cold and see the spot I thought was my best bet to catch a fish.

Any night boats can be seen fishing the flats of the Merrimack River. But only a few consistantly hunt those waters successfully. They didn't learn to catch cows, they learned how to fish for striped bass and apply that knowledge every time they open the bail.

A $10 boat or a 20K boat doesn't make the fisherman. Neither does a new rod from Great Bay Rod Co. or a 7 year old reel.

It is the ability to go fishing under any circumstances in any water and try your hardest.

So show a little more respect for the schoolie. They are good teachers.

[Coalman]

08/09/08
Took a ride down to the marsh tonight. The bait showed up at sunset.

The stripers had the bait up against the bank. I changed the menu.

[HarryG]

Anyone that discounts a bunch of fish because they think there is only schoolies in the group needs to realize that there are most likely cows right underneath or behind them picking up the easy morsels. The difficult part is culling out the small fish to get what ever your throwing in front of the big fish before the little guy can get to it. Any striper caught from shore earns that angler a pat on on the back no matter what the size. Being able to read the bottom by seeing cuts and changes in current is a much harder skill to learn than reading a depth finder/fish finder. I often say "boat fish don't count", usually half joking because I don't own a boat. I surf cast because I love the challenges it brings. My rewards taste sweeter crawling over rocks or patrolling and empty dark beach. If I could afford a boat I would buy one but never ever would I give up surf casting unless my body told me other wise. And then there are boat fisherman like Roc that have the experience and knowledge to read electronics and know the water they are fishing better than anyone else. I have a feeling Roc would school me on the beach and the time he has spent fishing from shore has only made him that much more effective in a boat. But not with out learning the fundamentals. These guys I honestly respect.

Coalman

I would love to join you on one of your rare nights out of the boat. Please shoot me a PM some time, I have been known to sling eels but always with my plug bag around my shoulders.

[Coalman]

Harry, the company would be welcome. I would also like to see Riverjim take part.

I am a boat striper fisherman at heart. But since a few forays with MM and 24/7 members I am taking a liking to surf-casting.
I know my chances of landing keeper fish are slim in the local creeks I have been fishing. But the challenge is the finding, not the catching.

In my youth I was a hook and worm trout fisherman. I am finding those skills acquired years ago are paying benefits as I explore the Maa__sshh and shoreline.

I was at the marsh at 7:15 last evening. I saw no bait. I almost didn't fish. Then just as the sun set to the west I saw the bait being pushed up against a steep banking. There were no top water signs of bass crashing bait. But as you say I knew something was under them making them nervous.

The photo is proof they were there. I look forward to future exploration with
"a hook and an eel".

I will be joining my wife at their family reunion at a popular Kittery, ME state park today. You can bet my personalized Great Bay rod and I will be there flinging eels into the surf.

PS. My Great Bay rod has been a giant asset in the marsh. Thanks David and MM for the gift.

Coalman......out.

[captcal]

Harry, to think that I haven't spent time in the surf, river bank, sand, rocks
or what have you would be selling it short. To also think that because a
person owns a boat means they'll catch fish instantly would also be an
overstatement. That's the furthest from the truth.

I know very few folks at my marina that actually catch fish never mind a
schoolie striper. To consistently catch big fish when others are catching
schoolies or none at all takes a lot more time, energy and persistence.

I don't think you'll get too much praise by saying "boat fish don't count."
Those who put in the time by land or sea to chase the fish they seek shouldn't
worry about which medium they used to find the fish.

I don't think that anyone discounts schoolies. After all, every striper caught was
once a schoolie. Finding ways and learning the where's and how's to catch bigger
fish is what I seek. Teaching my 3 young boys how to find them, catch them and perserve
them all while having fun at the same time is priceless.

If I were fishing in water where the big fish were below the schoolies,
I'd be fishing in water too deep. When I'm after big fish I'd rather not
weed thru the smaller ones. If that means I go without catching anything...So be it.

I want to see the amazement of my 7 yr olds eyes when he sees a fish
as big as he is come in the boat. Then I know, I've got his attention.

--cal

[Roccus]

First... looks like Coalman is having fun..cool beans!!!!

OK.. Capt Cal hit on a good point, one that most die hard Surfman and rock hoppers dont want to admit... just becuase your in a boat, it doesnt make it easy... in some cases, it only adds to the problem, it's just to easy to move and go elsewhere, patients is a virture....and those with wander lust rarely do well...

I started as a surffisherman,jetty jockey and rock hooper, fishing from Bath Maine to Sandy hook New Jersey... I've taken two 50+ lb fish from the surf... a 58 off a certain rock pile on the NH coast in August of 1987, and a 54 lber off head of the meadow beach in trurro a year latter the last day of October...

The point of the whole thing is that if you own a boat , and this is especialy true in our area of the Northeast, the boat is only a contrivance to deliver the angler to an area that could be fished from the shore, but in most cases is met with No trespassing signs, hatching birds or rock piles too steep to navigate on foot...

I could never count the nights that I have had my boat INSIDE/behind A group of surfcasters wading TOO FAR OUT.... they went fishless, while I was doubled up... knowing the quarry is far more paramount to catching than the manner of how the angler plys his or her trade..

Big fish small fish, first any fish, even the loathsome dogfish is a good catch, they are all gods creatures and serve a purpose in the oceanic enviorment...Some are just less pleasant to deal with than others.

Now.... the habits of large and small fish are different... large fish will NOT spend extended time in area populated by littleguys, they simply will not compete with them for food, it's a matter of economics, will a large fish cruise through an area populated by rats, you bet, but they will keep swimming and find their own, eaiser to obtain food sorce... if you want large, seek out large and leave the nursery..


this is all supposed to be fun,what each angler gets out of it, is for his or her pleasure only, no one group, be it surfman, long wand weilder, wire line troller, plug tosser, eel slinger or kibby chaser should look down on another...it's all about what WE as fisherman want from our sport..

Coalman, sorry for the Hijack

My .02
Roc

[47onthewall]

Two cents well spent, Roc. I don't chase big but when I get a chance to get out I'm happy with anything that attacks my offering. Size is a bonus!