Perfect morning to be.....

July 17, 2000:

    Hello fellow partially eaten fish....er, no wait, that's wrong...greetings fellow anglers. Sorry, the first part is from the Discovery Channel, they've got a couple commercials running now that are just hysterical in their simplicity. My favorite is the mosquitoes....buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz....never mind, very funny if you happen to see them when yer good and tired! ;^) 

   What happened this weekend? Where were the 35kt winds and 10 foot seas? The two times we got out, we never had winds over 10kts...most times it was 5 or less. That's ok, somewhere along the line, the ocean got whipped to a frenzy! It was nice...it really did make me long for the rigged ones...but alas, it was not meant to be. It seems our new found passion, the shedding of the calico's, has taken over...at least for me...at least for now. I wanted to throw the rigged eels, I really did...I even rigged up some fresh ones who are now near freezing bedded between two 40oz "ice substitutes" in my "5 day cooler." The 5 day cooler is a thing to behold, it says it'll keep ice frozen for 5 days in 90 degree temps!?!?! Outrageous you claim? I once did as well....it keeps four 40oz freezer packs crunchy cold for at least 3 days, that's no small feat. I'm guessing if I stuffed it full of ice, packed tightly, there would still be some ice left after 5 days...their claim is legit in my book! Anyway, the eels never saw daylight...the crabs however got to do a little fishing between sleep, work, and raking (attempting anyway). Friday night with the imminent approach of this killer storm and 10 foot waves, we decided to stock up on shedders. Funny thing, raking crabs with 4 foot waves is not all it's cracked up to be...and never mind the ice cold water (at first)....forget getting clobbered by breakers coming over the bar, hitting you from behind...the night was not complete until the skies opened and dumped everything they had on us! Actually, I like the rain, did I ever mention that? ;^) So here Charlie and I are, up to our waists in the water...nearly our necks including the waves...crabbing tough to say the least...rain pouring, when out of the darkness here comes another nut job, apparently wearing just a raincoat and carrying a fishing rod! Yea, it was SteveS...seems we weren't alone in our quest to stock up on the striped bass snacks we were looking for in the suds. Steve managed to rake and then fish...we got out late, we only had a chance to rake...we shoulda fished. Steve had a couple critters up to 12# or so. We had a about 18 shedders and 6 baits to show for our efforts. We chatted in the deluge for a bit, during which time I reminded Steve that shorts and a rain coat and standing in the water is kinda silly...he agreed and said he was under cover as the ultimate tourist...that way no one would bother him. Anyway, he left...we left intending to come back at daybreak and fish. That was not to be either, the lighting and thunder greeted the daylight...we hit the sack. We raked the next afternoon tide, got even less...but the fishing was better. I had a nice pair of keepers, the biggest about 37"...Charlie had 2 or 3 fish as well....did I mention peelurs is gud bait? ;^)

  Getting to bed too early last night, I woke around 3am with wide open eyes and a long list of stuff to do, so I began my day then. At about 5:15am, the daylight crept in the window behind me and my thoughts turned to dunkin' some peelurs in the delicious surf that's still rolling out there. About 6am, I'm there....and I'm packing two rods! What the heck, I'll fish one usually, but I'm eager to fish a close one and one on the bar. I wrap on a crab, lob it out...the short one. I put a crab on the other hook, wrap it up, and as I'm turning to snap the leader on the rod, I notice the first rod's bent pretty well. I put the rig down, pick up the first rod and land/release a nice 26" striped bass....and I picked off about 1/2 pound of weed from the line :( What the heck, the fish are here, I'll see if I can tolerate the weeds. I put both rods out, one got smacked hard and missed the hook...the other loaded with weeds...and the one that missed the hit, loaded with weeds. Nope, I couldn't stand it! I walked 100 yds to the north to run into SteveS again, fishing where he and I met up yesterday am, strange coincidence? I don't think so, I think he's followin' me!?!? ;^) He's done, it's only 6:30am...I'm just startin'. We chit-chat for a few...I land a mid sized Sea Robin...oh boy! I finally get both rods out and nothings happening fast. Steve leaves...and I plant a cast in his spot....10 minutes later, I land a fat 12-13#er...I warn the fish he mighta been dinner is he was but a few minutes earlier...he winks at me and splashes sand in my face as I release him. The water's up a bit now, I head south the same 100 yds to where I started. The actions steady, I can't keep two rods going and put one away. The weeds are miraculously gone, the fish have free reign of the bar I'm reaching....I land a total of 7 stripers, 5 legal ones, two that the state says should be legal but I disagree so I'll call them shorts. The waters looking superb...the suns hidden behind some fairly thick fog and haze to the east...tide's coming up....the conditions are ideal. Add to that all the friendly folks that jog by and smile on the boardwalk...stopping to watch you land and release yet another beautiful striped wonder....and the perfectly chilly temperature of the surf running through your toes as you walk out to launch another bait on the bar.....it was just a perfect morning to be fishing.....

Sincerely,

Tim Surgent

Perfect conditions......and the skunk

July 19, 2000:

UPDATE: Here's a little something in case you haven't heard regarding the closing of the beaches at Holgate, there's a meeting this evening, the details are in this quote from an email I received: 

Their is a hearing July 19,2000 on the closing of Holgate. It's at Absegami High School 201 So. Wranglebooro Rd. Galloway Twp. Atlantic County, N.J.7:PM.PLEASE ATTEND!  We don't want this or any other beach closed that we ride on. It's a part of your duty as NJBBA members to be there, thats what NJBBA is all about, fighting for beach access. Bring a friend, a neighbor, LETS PACK THE PLACE. You don't have to be a NJBBA member to voice your opinion .Their are 3 alternative's, we want (A). Make banners, wear your NJBBA colors, make NJBBA proud of you ( remember this could be the beach you (fish). You can also write a short letter or note to THE JERSEY COAST REFUGE PLANNING TEAM-U.S.FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE 300 WESTGATE CENTER DR. HADLEY, MASSACHUSETTS 01035-9589 stating that you want plan A .See ya 7/19/00 Jack Hesley NJBBA#2184 (Tuna Jack)

While I have never fished Holgate, this is an important issue, anytime some crazy militant bird lover group wants fishermen off a beach, it's important! It's been said that the Plover population is at a point where it will never be self sustaining, no matter how many beaches they close. Even if the Plover were to miraculously recover, do you think for a second that access will suddenly be allowed at the places that were closed because of the Plover? No.

The recent winds have left us with some most excellent striper conditions! The waves, between 3-4 feet, if the wind doesn't kick up again, are very nice for throwing plugs, flies, rigged eels....and even peelurs ;^) I'm hoping that Orvis sends me my two new "sticks" soon...I'm starting to suffer serious withdrawal...it was made even worse after watching the bass boil in the foamy suds on Sunday morning. Last night, Charlie and I got out for an hour...maybe 1 1/2hours...but we missed the better part of dusk, when the fish should be on the crabs very well. I managed but one striped bass....missed a couple, but only landed one. Ya know, I don't think I've been skunked since the shedders entered my life?!? Actually, I think there was one night, a short trip...but I think I did get nothing but mussels that trip. Other than that, the peelurs are 100% effective...nothing short of magic even! I'd like to travel the east coast, boxes of fresh shed calicos in the truck, and show these tasty little nuggets to stripers everywhere. I'm wondering how many areas the fish rarely get to taste these gummy bears? I mean, are there areas where folks never throw freshly shed calico crabs? If so, those poor bastages dunno what they're missing! I'm really looking forward to a trip to Long Island, I miss my buddy Alberto, and Brian, and Ditch...hey, any of you guys want any company anytime soon? ;^) We'll bring the gummy bears! 

  Strangest thing, no crabs shed Monday....and then Tuesday I was greeted with half the crabs in the tank shedding out! <LARGE smile> Filled up both the big tray and the smaller tray (Paul's tray...btw, Paul, when we going fishin' again, ain't heard from you in a while?) But now the tanks gettin' low and we must rectify this...back to the raking this evening, see if we can't fill 'er up with about 5 or 6 dozen ready-to-pop crabs.  It also means we better get to fishing, these crabs don't last forever, they'll go bad inside a few days, even at the near freezing temperatures they are enjoying in the "5-day cooler." (**written on Tuesday, sorry for the confusion!) This evening, I'll meet up with Hardy (RichG) and be certain to throw artificials for a couple hours...I've been dying to do it, it just takes a little push to get me back to the "light" as it's been called. And while he's around, I think I'll corrupt Hardy and tie on a big, fat, fresh peelur and let 'em toss it out there...I'll bet in an hour he'll be searching for a crab rake and shedding tank! ;^) Maybe I shouldn't, he's been so diligent in his hunt with the plastic lures.....ah, what the heck, he'll like fishing the crabs, you just can't help it! As the wise and noble squidlips has stated "calico's are bass magnets"....wiser words could not have been uttered! Anyway, I'm looking forward to a good time with Rich, if there's one thing he's good at, it's making me laugh...and I've been wanting to throw some rigged eels so this will be my chance. I'm hopeful and optimistic that the unicorns will be obliged to join us. **Since that was written, I raked crabs, got clobbered and tossed about in the surf...my penalty for again not making the end of the outgoing but trying to rake when it was an hour up!?!? Serious sets would come along, beat the snot outta me, and I'd get a peeler every now and then...the word "tough" comes to mind to describe the shedder gathering after the tide starts in! Rich and I fished a couple hours together...I had a crab out there when he showed up...my plugging gear was home where I was supposed to go after raking. Instead, I fished a few crabs, Rich amused the shad with a schoolbus teaser...and the bass dissed us both! I had two good shots but missed them both. Rich had a couple "mighta beens"...but basically, the striper hunting was lousy. This struck me as odd, the water was perfect, the tide coming in and the waves rolling exactly like they should over the under water bars...but not one striper was landed. Funny thing, the crabs were eating my soft crab, that usually means the stripers are in the immediate area, they tend to keep the crabs on their guard...I did have two good shots. In two hours of fishing, you'd think there would have been more action? I woulda thought it.

   So, I'll head out in the dark to try and catch that danged tide just right and replenish the shedders in the tank. There is now a good amount of sand in the tank with the crabs, Charlie and I are optimistic that this will help the lil' fellers shed, we've had too many start to shed and die stuck in their shells. Water's clean, everything's cool, the crabs are healthy and apparently enjoying themselves...but when they begin to shed, many of them are dying about 3/4 of the way through it. Any ideas fellow shedder shedders? 

Sincerely,

Tim Surgent

Musta been the full moon!

July 24, 2000:

Good morning folks, hope you all had a most refreshing and energizing weekend full of fun, fish, family, and laughs. It's Monday, the weekend has passed, and all the "interesting" things of last week are now put aside as we begin to fill this week with new "interesting" things. It was one heck of a week last week on SurfTalk, we had many new folks join us, we had some visit that hadn't been there in a while, and we had a bit of a skirmish that really stirred up some folks who know the guys involved in the skirmish. Well the eelman and I have exchanged a number of emails since the event and believe that we have reached a mutually agreeable decision - just let it end. So, it ended. He apologized to the folks that were offended...and that's about all you can do when you get folks upset, apologize...ain't much else left. Folks then can decide if they'll forgive or not, and we all move on. I'm familiar with this process, I've made mistakes, matter of fact, I doubt there's anyone out there who hasn't pulled a punch they later regretted. If there is, and you're never wrong and never done anything that deserved an apology....well, you're wrong! ;^) It's part of existing. In the case of the eelman, he's someone that's been part of the online crew I know since before I was, he always likes to stir up trouble when things are quiet, but now I hope that he and I agree on what kinda trouble is ok and what's just plain not appropriate. I think he and I need to get together up his way and fish real hard for a couple nights...then we'll both be better armed to decide just what we really think of each other, till then, we've only met "long distance". Peace Bill, hope you're into 'em all week! 

    I'm still amazed with the huge number of very passionate fishermen that we have as guests here, that we all can get along as much as we do...which is pretty much 100% of the time. Don't read into that that we always agree on everything, nothing could be further than the truth! If we all agreed, there would be very little to discuss and even less to learn. What makes SurfTalk one of the greatest resources for many, many type of exchanges is that there are so many folks there who aren't afraid to disagree with each other, they are all free thinkers willing to share their experience, their feelings, and have shown that they can work through all sorts of issues. Kudos to you guys! We've been through many interesting discussions, many heated disagreements, even some real serious ones...bottom line, agreeing to disagree but doing so as gentlemen has allowed us to always move forward. The dynamics of the crew there is something that someone needs to fund some kinda great big study on....there's is likely much to be learned from the way we all interact...how new guys are treated, how trouble is handled, how joy is shared, how the burden of grief is split up among friends, and how we pray for our brothers who ask...it's an amazing thing.  And as always, we move on.....

    I had the pleasure of driving to the great state of West Virginia this weekend...Carole and I took her grandma home after a 6 week whirlwind visiting session which covered 9 states in 6 weeks! It was an interesting drive, it's good to see some new scenery every now and again. If there's anywhere that reminds you just how flat NJ is, it would be West Virginia, I don't think there's a place to put down a coffee where it wouldn't tip over! I had been there before, but had forgotten the spectacular sights like Backbone Mountain as the sun was setting...unbelievable. So we dropped of grandma, spent an hour there with her getting situated...and got right back on the road. We planned to make it part of the way back in the dark and stay at a hotel...but something inside me just wanted to keep on driving. Came straight home...stopped once for gas and once for bladders. 850 miles in 15 hours....and that includes eating dinner and hangin' with grandma. I don't recommend that kinda straight through driving, my shoulders and back will probably need a week in the chiropractors office, but it's nice to know that I could probably make it to the Ditch soon and the 4 hour drive would seem like nothing! ;^)

   Tomorrow, some interesting things on the fishing front. The Fling pictures are being scanned right now....and edited as well! The peelurs are popping with reckless abandon, I'm gonna need some help fishing all these things if they don't slow down. We're flat outta the black Ultimus 10" eels but have them ordered from everyone who can get them. And we're going to be adding a few new sections to the site and a bunch of new features to  SurfTalk! Check out the e-SurfAuction, there's a bunch of Yozuri's there...and some fly lines...and for some reason, it looks like one of the guys is selling off a ton of his lures?!?!?  Cms, you takin' up golf or just cleaning out the old tackle box? ;^)

Sincerely,

Tim Surgent