Just about three years ago, I committed myself to nights of lost sleep and dreams of catching fish of silver with dark stripes. The striped bass - no other fish in the world has the power to entrance anglers. Perhaps, “entrance” is not the right word. How about “entangle”, as if this fish knows its effect on those who pursue it? The cause of insomnia and the source of a life-long obsession is the fate of any fisherman seeking Morone saxatilis.
My journey began on one uneventful morning in May 10, 2006. I was fishing for nothing more than a small silver fish, commonly called bluefish because of their unmistakable blue hue. Yes, there was always the chance of catching a small striped bass too, but this was too unlikely to be hoped for. On this special morning, I caught my first-ever keeper striped bass. It was a whopping 28”. I would have to say that this was possibly the most memorable day of fishing I ever had. Why? Because this was the beginning of my obsession with the pursuit of striped bass.
I grew up in the 80’s as a child who did not even think the striped bass existed. You see, the striped bass was near extinction at that time. Prior to my birth, the striped bass fishery was in serious trouble. Over-harvesting caused concern of federal proportions so much so that a year-long ban was enacted to protect the species. During this time, any possession of this fish was illegal and subject to severe fines, seizure, or even imprisonment.
When I grew up and fished with my father during my elementary school days, the minimum length limit for a striped bass was 36” (close after the ban was lifted). This would become a long-standing length limit for years. Not only did this benchmark seem impossible for me to reach as a child, it also triggered in me a sense of despair. Whenever any one caught a striped bass over 36”, my father would be genuinely shocked and impressed. I remember wondering if I would ever catch one that big. I asked my father that once and he said, “I hope so, but who knows, son. I’ve been fishing ever since you were born and never saw one that big.” “Dad, do you think the striped bass will die off?” “I hope not. I really hope not.” I remember thinking then that time may be running out for the striped bass and that I may grow up with a generation of anglers who knew of striped bass fishing only as a thing of the past. I remember thinking that I may never get to see a striped bass once I was old enough to fish by myself. My father never got to see a living striped bass over 36”. So, this goal was especially important to me. To my pleasant surprise though, as I grew older, I witnessed the striped bass make an unprecedented return to stock sizes like past days of plenty...
However, it wasn’t until May 10, 2006, that my world would truly collide with M. saxatilis’s to inspire in me a wonder about this fish’s existence. It was this first “keeper” (jargon, for federally regulated minimum length limit permissible for possession and consumption), that got the ball rolling, so to speak. Between managing a student’s schedule and budgeting time and money, I made striped bass fishing a pursuit as one best could given practical limitations. I spent money on “lures/plugs” and “baits”, “terminal tackle” and “rod-n-reel”, and books and newsletters. I spent time learning from other fishermen who committed themselves to the same chase. Hours of listening and hours of testing my own theories- at times, discouraging- were spent all hoping to catch big and catch often, just this one species.
Why the striped bass? I’ve asked this question to many. The responses I often get are as follows: “They’re elusive and beautiful.” “Every cast leaves one with the hope at the world record!” “They get huge and are difficult to figure out.” “They’re delicious!” “We almost lost them once, it’s like seeing a friend that was once long lost.” “They make the reel scream like no other fish; they fight like no other fish.” “They are wise and deserving of honor and respect; no novice will catch them consistently.” I guess there is no one reason for why so many love this fish so much. Is that why thousands of books have been written about them? Is that why wildlife artists love to paint them? Is this why striped bass is an expensive dinner on any restaurant menu? I don’t know- but I do know that the sight of this fish invokes in me a nervousness, a happiness, and an awe that cannot be matched by any other fish.
So, back to fishing…. Is fishing really just luck? If so, then why is that old saying “10% of fishermen catch 90% of the fish” ring true for so many striped bass anglers. Every day I went out, and I could not spare a moment. I wrote it all down. Tides, times, wildlife, plant life, moon phase, wind speed, wind direction, bait- whatever I saw I wrote down. I was convinced that my efforts would not be futile. In other words, I had hope that my efforts now will pay off in catching more and bigger later. Why else would I want to waste time and repeat past mistakes? I did not have this kind of time to waste. I had work. I had studies. I also needed to find time for a social life.
Lessons upon lessons….Learning from a friend how to rig a live eel for the first time. Learning locales from other friends. Bombers, bunker, and bars. Seminars from life-long experts in the field. Personal tips from fishing legends. Putting theory into practice - learning how to make a pencil popper dance and a darter dig. Each lesson has a place not only in my logbook or in my mind, but also in my heart. Every lesson that has been passed on to me, I cherished them all. Soon, it became time to set goals. I will catch a 10lber. I will catch a fish over 36”. I will catch a fish over 40”. I will catch a 20lber. I will catch a 25lber. A 30lber at night. A 30lber in the day...
