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Another great video by Zeno and the folks at Surfcasters Journal

DIY (self guided) Bonefish in Turks & Caicos Providenciales (part 1)

While on a family vacation last week in Turks and Caicos I managed to get in a little fishing (a few hours a day).  I had done my homework before going so I had some idea about what to expect.  Being a family vacation, I knew my fishing would be strictly DIY as spending 8 hours with a guide would not fly.  Also, the prices I was quoted by two of the guides on Provo were $900 for a full day which I was not even tempted to pay.  I scoured the internet looking for info on where to fish and always came up with the same vague info.. Flamingo Lake, Turtle Lake, Bonefish Point, SIlly Creek, Taylor Bay, Sapodilla Bay, etc... While that info will get you somewhere it honestly isn't enough.  So, here is what I learned on my 1st trip to Turks and Caicos Providenciales.  We rented a house near Silly Creek which I had read was one of the best spot for bones on the Island.  The problem with Silly creek, unless you are staying on the shores of the creek, the access is almost impossible.   I had read a post from a guy who did pretty well there but by looking at his pictures he was staying in a house where he could walk right out onto the flat.  If you have a Kayak you could get on it no problem but without you have sneak through peoples backyards and even then it's not obvious how to get on to what looks like the productive spots.... Trust me, I tried for two days.  One of the other popular spots is Bonefish Point which you can easily get to using one of the tourist maps from the rental car agency.  The streets to Bonefish point are not marked.  I didn't have time to fish Bonefish Point but was able to scout it out for a trip I have back to Turks in six weeks.  From what I understand, the last of the outgoing and beginning of the incoming tide are best here.  Where I ended up finding fish and plenty of them was Taylor Bay (pictured).  The problem with fishing here is that it's a very popular tourist beach so you have to pick your times carefully.   When I was there, you generally had about 2 hours of solid fishing before someone swam through the flat or kayaked across it etc... All my fish were caught on #4 bunny gotchas.  I'm back on the island in 6 weeks and will have more time to explore and report back.

The Art of Dean Crouser

I was just introduced to the artwork of Dean Crouser via the MidCurrent (fly fishing at its best) homepage.  Such a cool picture that I had to check out his site!.  I don't own very many fishing pieces but am loving Dean's work.  Check out his website : http://www.crouserart.com/ and if you don't already subscribe to the MidCurrent newsletter do that too....Enjoy!

Catching a 40 from the surf more challenging than running 26.2 miles

A few days ago, 47,000 people, myself included ran 26.2 miles in the NYC Marathon.  While it was a challenge, even at 4:36:53, if you take the time to train properly, any reasonably fit person can do it.  If you trained even harder, you could do it faster and faster (give me time, this was just my first attempt...I only started running seriously a little over a year ago).  I trained for and completed a 1/2 marathon in March, trained for another in July and then trained for 16 weeks to do the marathon this past Sunday.  During the last year, I've run approximately 715 miles.  OK, so that's a lot of running.  Running a marathon, a challenge? Yes.  Doable? Yes.


How about catching a 40 pound striped bass in the surf?  I've been fishing for years and years and years and have yet to get a 40 from the surf.  I've come close but close doesn't count! I fish from the surf on the east end of Long Island about 35 nights a year.  Each night I'm probably out there between 4-6 hours per night.  Now, to be fair, I'm not always targeting BIG fish because sometime I simply like to go for numbers.  If you were to fish for big striped bass exclusively, you must be prepared to get skunked.  There are guys out there who do consistently catch 40 pound plus striped bass and let me tell you from someone who tries a lot... it ain't easy!  I also, I don't fish eels and I know that can increase your odds but just as many big bass are caught on plugs, so no excuse there.  Next season, I'm willing to give up catching hundreds of average fish for just one 40.    Just one... is that too much to ask for???

Don't Let The Spike Fool You

The future of our striped bass fishery just keeps sounding worse and worse.  It honestly seems inevitable at this point that things will get much much worse before it ever gets better (if it ever gets better).  I don't want to be the guy to tell you not to keep fish but if recreational anglers don't take matters into their own hands then our fishery is doomed.  Guess what, it's not just the commercial guys....we (rec fishermen) keep more.  It's your god given right to go fishing but it's your duty to help maintain the fishery.  I'm probably not speaking to the hardcore fisherman who's out there several times a week as they more than anyone should no better.  One thing that gets me are the party boats.  Of course it's their job to put their clients on fish and it's their clients legal right to keep fish but I feel like if those clients were educated just a little bit about the fishery they would think twice about keeping two fish per person.  

Recently, there was a report about a spike in the number of young striped bass in the Chesapeake: .... "After several years of discouraging results, Maryland fisheries officials say the number of juvenile striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay this summer was the fourth highest in the 58-year history of their annual census.  The abundance of palm-sized newborns bodes well for those who catch — and those who eat — the official state fish, also known as rockfish."  

This spike is good BUT don't get your hopes up.  No, things are not going to be OK.  In an email from Stripers Forever tonight, they state the following:

"In our view, a large reduction in fishing pressure is definitely needed.  The recreational catch has dropped by 80% over the last few years because of the rapid decline in numbers of schoolie stripers along the coast.  We are currently fishing on striped bass born in 2003 or earlier, and it will be 8 long years before we see any real replenishment of the stock from the 2011 year class.  Even so, it is hard to predict if a significant number of these fish will live to become large bass.  First, we know that mycobacteriosis is killing large numbers of young stripers, although the full extent of this mortality is simply not yet known.  Second, with no other good year-classes in the pipeline, the 2011 class will quickly be depleted by current levels of fishing pressure."

If you want to help, there are things you can do.  To start with, become a member of Stripers Forever.  IT'S FREE and they will keep you informed and give you specific ways you can help in your area or in general.

(For the record, I have kept fish but it has been about 4 years since I kept my last one.  While I personally choose not to keep striped bass,  I am not against keeping one for the table every once and awhile or even a trophy.  I simply think that something has to be done and not keeping fish is just one way I can help)

Speed it up, slow it down, twitch it...burn it baby

Each year, and totally by accident, I key in on one thing during my fishing season.  It could be a specific plug, a specific spot, a certain tide, etc... but this year, retrieve speed seems to be the biggest factor in getting fish to eat.  The first thing I used to do if I was not getting bites was to change up my offering (different color, profile, etc) but now, the first thing I do is slow it up.  Many of the spots I fish in Montauk I've fished a hundred times so I'm usually targeting very specific structure and because I'm so familiar with the spots, I sometimes find myself rushing the process.  Slowing my retrieve has worked more times than not this year.  If simply slowing down does not work, I'll add a twitch every few cranks.  If fish are following but not eating, that simple little movement may trigger them to go for it.  A little more subtle, but often times very effective is to give your offering a few quick cranks...that simple little change can make all he difference.  If I find myself getting lots of bumps but am not able to get the fish to commit, I will often times speed things up, and for me, that seems to work. (and as pointed out by @SFLFishing Varying/changing the retrieve speed also changes the lure depth which can be crucial to finding fish in deeper water.) I  think because I have more confidence in what I'm throwing these days I'm less likely to switch my offering without having played with my retrieve first.  

For taking pics of BIG fish with your iPhone

Fisheye, Macro, Wide Angle and Telephoto Phone Lenses at the Photojojo Store! I just ordered a set of these! I'll need to do some extensive testing ;)

What do you do if you don't fish but your kids want to learn?

I recently received the following email from a friend and it got me thinking (keep the jokes to yourself):

"....Have you seen the two pictures I posted recently? I got the boys rods and we've been out twice. The first time we went fresh water and they caught a leaf, a branch and a great time. Pretty much the same when we went to the ocean on Sunday. maybe we should head out with you sometime...ever take your boat to CT?...."

Truth be told, I'm not sure if my friend is an avid angler or not but his email made me wonder, what would you do if your kids wanted to go fishing and you didn't know the 1st thing about fishing?  Fishing is not something that most folks start as adults.  Most learn from a parent or grandparent before the age of 16.  I'm all for growing the sport of fishing and getting kids out there is key.  So, your kids want to fish but you have no idea where to start?  Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Make it fun!  Fishing is not always about catching.  Having a good time with your kids is way more important.  And from my friends email "they caught a leaf, a branch and a great time" it sounds like he's doing exactly the right thing.

2. Go Local:  When outfitting your kids with the appropriate fishing equipment head to the local tackle shop (ie if you don't know what to get already, don't buy online, or from a Walmart, etc).  Your local tackle shop owner, a dying breed, will most likely give you and your kids all the info you need to catch fish.  If he doesn't he's not doing his job!

3. Keep it short: The average attention span of a 5 year old is about 15-25 minutes so keep your first outings short and sweet

4. Go catching not fishing: The look on your child's face when he or she catches their first fish is priceless.  Go to a place where you are guaranteed to catch fish.  (see # 2.  If you don't know where to go your local tackle shop owner will).

5. Get guided: If your child is a little older and you have the means, book a fishing guide.  Fishing guides fish for a living and should be able to get you and your little one on fish.  Start with a half day.  4 hours for a kid is a LONG time.

6. Email me: if you have made it this far and still have questions, email me or join your local fishing forum or club and start asking questions.  Fishermen for the most part are very helpful. 

Now, go fishing!

I Heart Edge Angling

Thanks Edge Angling for mentioning The Fin blog here (Great fishing blogs).  I would add to the list Fishing Jones, Surfcaster's Journal, Long Island Surf Fishing (not a blog but a great source of info!)

What a strange year it's been

Fortunately it looks like there will be fish around in Montauk for awhile longer.  I'll be fishing the night tide this weekend and will report back.  The one day I ventured out in a boat (pic above) there were fish but not like what we have all been reading about....