Worth a shot this year?

[PhantomofTheSurf]

I'm not exactly the most experienced surf fisherman, but I've decided on the mobile walk and cast approach rather than the Sandspike beer and chair approach. I've been at it for 7 years, but 5 of those were me in terrible relationships where the women hated fishing. In that time period I caught one 25in sea trout, one 3.5lb sea robin, 10 flounder of which one was 23 inches, and a few northern kings. Oh, and one cocktail blue. If anyone's interested in what I used, I can't tell you what I did for the flounder (closely guarded secret, surf rig of my own device) but everything else was on Bucktails and the blue was on a Shimano Orca.

 

I learned that in order to be as good as I want to be at this sport, I can't really have any attachments. So, I'm single again, and looking to really dive headfirst into bass and blues. I'm 35 and not getting any younger.

I'm all about conservation. Keeping the fish in the water, circle hooks, not acting like an idiot for social media. The only bass I caught was in a western bay, about a year and a half ago. When I was trying to unhook it, I slipped, stepped on its gill plate, and killed the fish. I felt terrible. I'm looking to atone for that with a bunch of safe releases this year.

 

That being said, I keep hearing that they just aren't around anymore. I've heard some disconcerting things, like people celebrating a few 7 pound fish for the whole season. One YouTube video where someone caught a diaper Striper from shore in the fall and said "I didn't think I would catch one this year." 

 

I've also heard a lot of "don't bother" naysayers who tell me I'll have better luck on boats, but I consider boats cheating. I think it's due to all the electronics. When the Fishfinder does all of the work, it's not nearly as enticing to me. Besides, the surf is in my blood. My dad, my grandfather, my grandmother, my great grandmother and grandfather all fished. My brother fishes..but kids, a wife that doesn't work, and a railroad job have kept him off the water. Assuming I work 5 days a week, and dedicate all my spare time to fishing, do you think I could pull off at least a few 30lb Stripers? Or, is it more worth the effort to put all my work into moving to another state?

 

I'm asking honestly, because when I ask outside of this website, the most common answer i get is "move to Florida." Is it really that apocalyptic, or are these people being crybabies?

[cheech]

Get a kayak

[CWitek]

The 2015 year class is larger than most, and will provide better action than folks saw two or three years ago.  The 2017 and 2018 are slightly larger than average, and will also provide some fish.  To provide some size context, a 7-year-old fish will, on average, be about 28 inches long.

 

After they move through the population, things look pretty dismal until we get another decent year class or two.

[Good2Go]

Florida is great for fishing, no doubt. But I've never seen a bass or bluefish blitz in my limited time down there. All you need is to experience one of those, and it will keep you going for years, in the hope you'll see another. 

[liambrouillette]

The thing that surprised me most about surfcasting when I started taking it more seriously is how much time it takes, if you really wanna level up now that your single and all just literally don't go home and live in the surf and u will catch. I'm talking like 4-7 nights a week fishing. Also Long Island has a super long season you got a solid 7 months to grind. There's no secret lures or technique, it's all a matter of experience and confidence. It may take a couple seasons of doing that to achieve the results you desire. That’s really the secret to success. Lastly Ignore all the people who say don't bother it's bs.

[Rob A]

5 hours ago, liambrouillette said:

The thing that surprised me most about surfcasting when I started taking it more seriously is how much time it takes, if you really wanna level up now that your single and all just literally don't go home and live in the surf and u will catch. I'm talking like 4-7 nights a week fishing. Also Long Island has a super long season you got a solid 7 months to grind. There's no secret lures or technique, it's all a matter of experience and confidence. It may take a couple seasons of doing that to achieve the results you desire. That’s really the secret to success. Lastly Ignore all the people who say don't bother it's bs.

If you put in the time you will find the fish.

[LowEnd]

Put the time in and enjoy the journey. 
Don’t rush to get that 30 pounder. Every trip will be a learning experience and when you least expect it will happen.

[flyman28]

2 hours ago, LowEnd said:

Put the time in and enjoy the journey. 
Don’t rush to get that 30 pounder. Every trip will be a learning experience and when you least expect it will happen.

Best advice on the page!!

[MarshDragon]

First off I'm going into my 64th year of fishing! Started off at 5yrs old on a charter boat that departed from 23rd St on the East River in 1959 The Sea Queen I was too small to use a rod-n-reel so i had a dropline over the side. I did really well the elders wanted to throw me over! 

By age 12 I was jetty jumping in Coney Island for Stripers. back then I used a Bass float and a Sandworm.

I've Fished from NJ to Maine for Bass over the years and every year it's and adventure! 

I have fished Atlantic, Long, Lido &  Jones Beach's  for the last 30 years and the spots that were productive the year before weren't the next.

The "Topography" of the land has changed big time there's a huge sandbar 200 yards off TOBAY Beach that has changed the flow! 

Let's not forget "Global Warming" last season the Ocean Temps spiked and by June to where the bite just died.      

April 15th begins the new season of walking the beach and searching for that new spot and watching the birds! 

[Bergallmaster]

I sorta break my fishing into 2 categories. Meat and fun. For meat, i jump on the boat, turn on the ff and go to spots i know ill catch. Is it fun? Yes but it can get a bit repetitive. Fun is looking at a map, trying to figure out access, what tide, time, lure and after 10 trips catching something. Or moving on. Theres something about working to find fish that makes the payoff that much more enjoyable. 

[surfrat59]

8 hours ago, LowEnd said:

Put the time in and enjoy the journey. 
Don’t rush to get that 30 pounder. Every trip will be a learning experience and when you least expect it will happen.

Sold my boat years 30yrs ago, just wasn't fun anymore. Turn on the fish finder, troll, run and gun, bail fish...no challenge, get's old fast. Enjoy the surf game more ever since...40 lbs or 40 inch, the hunt and the handicap make it very rewarding. Put in the time and enjoy it...could be working or home slaving to the Mrs instead...no brainer.

[Steve H.C.]

Yes it is more than worth it!  The sound of the surf, the salt air are all medicine for the mind and spirit.  Take a walk  and cast and in the beginning keep expectations low until you lock into what works for your area and most of all have fun.  Check out the thong bikinis while fluking in the heat of the summer days.  You never know one of the young ladies might find that interesting! Wow, lol

[Bluefishmaster]

Phantomofthesurf, why do you care if your girlfriend fishes? Don't give up finding a girlfriend who can become a wife. Most women rather see you go fishing than drink to death. 

My wife knows many men in her family fishes and she loves to eat the fishes I caught. Just look for a girlfriend who eats fishes and not just salmon. 

Most foreign born and almost all southern states women I met likes fishing. 

Most young guys I met fishing got single sisters. Lol

 

For me, when my kids and wife were young, I spent more time with them than fishing. It's an important part of building a family. When the kids got older, I started taking them(wife and kids) out with me fishing.

[GarbageFish]

gotta sacrific sleep and lazy sunday mornings to get these 500lbs of  striper seasons

[surfflyguy]

Very bizarre post.