| "Sam, they are here!" was all it took to get me on | | | | waves, especially when concentrating on releasing a |
| the beach one evening this past week. I had been | | | | fish. |
| receiving e-mails and reading a lot of great fishing | | | | When surf fishing, having respect for your |
| reports online about successful anglers catching | | | | surroundings is very important and this includes |
| stripers from the surf, but hearing those four words | | | | respecting nearby anglers. There are many unwritten |
| from a good friend was like a shot of adrenalin. It did | | | | rules that surf fishermen live by and abiding by these |
| not take me long to pack up, stop to get fresh | | | | rules can make a big difference to other anglers. |
| bunker, a few peeler crabs and before I knew it, I | | | | First of all, I believe most fishermen are superstitious |
| was kicked back in my beach chair anxiously | | | | in one way or another; however I think the quickest |
| watching every movement of three rod tips. | | | | way to upset any experienced angler is to set up |
| After about an hour, I saw a familiar truck bouncing | | | | your fishing gear too close to them and their "fishing |
| down the beach towards me. It was a good friend | | | | hole". Even though it may seem like common sense |
| of mine I had met a few years ago. He is someone | | | | not to do this, some anglers have a hard time |
| who has always been very generous to me when it | | | | keeping their distance (especially when they just saw |
| comes to sharing his experience and knowledge | | | | you catch a nice fish and then proudly pose for a |
| about fishing. He had expressed many times that he | | | | picture). I have had anglers stop and set up their |
| was not interested in catching smaller fish; he wanted | | | | sand spikes within twenty feet of mine. Not only can |
| to catch the "big one". Before long he pulls his truck | | | | this cause tangled lines because of wind or a strong |
| up next to mine for a quick chat before heading | | | | current, it can also be very uncomfortable not |
| home. | | | | knowing the casting ability of your new neighbor. |
| With a hint of sarcasm, I asked him, "So, did you get | | | | Anglers in general like to have plenty of elbow room. |
| that big striper you've been looking for?" To my | | | | If you find yourself the one who has been |
| surprise he calmly said, "yep… fifty-one inches". It | | | | encroached upon, it is likely because the other angler |
| took me a few seconds to comprehend what he had | | | | does not know any better. If you decide to talk to |
| just said. "Fifty-one inches", I exclaimed, "that is your | | | | them try to be patient and polite. |
| biggest striper, right?" Again, in a calm voice he said, | | | | Seagulls are very common on our beaches and you |
| "yep, she was a little on the skinny side, but I could | | | | will almost always find them watching you in the |
| tell she was a big fish right away". Then, with much | | | | distance. They are waiting for you to change baits |
| anticipation, I asked him to recount the entire event. | | | | and will be right behind you to scoop up the scraps. |
| He politely answered my numerous questions and | | | | The problem occurs when anglers throw the old bait |
| also told me about the other several large stripers he | | | | back into the wash. The birds will fly down to get |
| had caught and released over the past two days. | | | | the scraps and sometimes right into your fishing line. I |
| After many "congratulations" and "you deserved it" I | | | | have found just dropping the old bait will attract less |
| waved goodbye and he left me there to ponder | | | | attention than tossing it in any direction. If you are |
| what had just happened. My good friend had finally | | | | fishing near someone, please do not dump your |
| caught the "one fish" he had been looking for, the | | | | leftover bait into the water. The bait is likely to drift |
| fish of a lifetime. Not only did he catch that fish, but | | | | towards the other anglers and it will attract an |
| he released it. Because of the incredible amount of | | | | unbelievable number of gulls. |
| respect he had for that old striper, he did not even | | | | Another commonly talked about annoyance occurs |
| take precious time to get a photo. I'm still not sure if | | | | while surf fishing at night. Some anglers believe that |
| releasing that fish was easy for him or it took an | | | | bright lights, such as vehicle headlights, large fires and |
| amazing amount of willpower. Either way, I am | | | | lanterns, "spook" the fish. There are many opinions |
| certainly impressed. | | | | on whether this is a superstition or a fact. Personally, |
| With the larger stripers currently being caught from | | | | I find it annoying when I have to re-acquire my night |
| the Delmarva surf, remember that it is very | | | | vision because of unnecessarily bright lights. |
| important to have respect for the fish you catch. | | | | You may hear or read anglers advising others to turn |
| There is absolutely nothing wrong with keeping your | | | | off their vehicle's headlights while driving by |
| catch as long as it meets the size and creel | | | | someone's fishing area; however I feel this is very |
| regulations for that fish. However, if you plan on | | | | bad advice. Using headlights on beaches that allow |
| releasing a large fish, do it quickly and safely. You | | | | vehicle access is a necessity at night. Depending on |
| have to realize this fish has just fought the battle of | | | | the beach, there can be many dangerous objects |
| its life and now, being out of the water, it is unable | | | | that are barely visible even with headlights on. I |
| to breathe. Quickly and safely remove the hook, | | | | recommend using your low beams and trying your |
| gently pick up the fish and "cradle" it against your | | | | best not to point them directly towards another |
| chest. If possible, have someone take a quick photo | | | | angler or the surf. |
| and then get the fish back into the water. | | | | Instead of a large lantern that lights up your entire |
| The best way to make sure the fish survives is to | | | | fishing area, I have found the use of a small |
| get into knee-deep water and submerge the fish in | | | | headlamp very helpful. If you have a hard time seeing |
| its natural swimming position. Then, while holding on | | | | your fishing rods at night, you can get the bracelet |
| to the base of the tail gently push and pull the fish | | | | style glow sticks and attach them to the rod tips. |
| back and forth to get the water flowing through its | | | | There are various other "rules" but the bottom line is |
| gills. If done correctly, the fish should "kick off" and | | | | using common sense and being respectful. Not only |
| swim through the breakers. If the fish goes "belly | | | | will you be able to relax and enjoy your fishing |
| up", do your best to get a hold of the fish and try | | | | experience, but you never know who you could be |
| repeating the process. Always be aware of the | | | | influencing. |