Finally, a little relief for my boat envy

[goodfishin]

So, I've been suffering through a third-degree case of boat envy for the past month or two. My usual spots have all turned into what sound like painful math problems: they're algae-braic equations. I'm not into pike and get no kick from sunfish mania.

What's a landlocked fisherman to do?

Decided to invest some time in nibbling away at the margins of the big reservoirs. Been a learning experience to say the least. It ain't often us shore birds get to fish in 50+ feet of water within castable distance. Also ain't every day we get a chance to try out slip bobber rigs in a hunt for suspended fish.

I'll say this: it ain't easy. An hour-plus trek to big water can turn entirely futile before you're even out of the car if the wind is blowing in-shore. Boy, you boat people have the life... You can just move the boat while us shoreline folks watch fish taunt us by going all Sea World and putting on a show just out of casting range.

Finally, I am happy to say though, I'm making a little progress. I've gotten a few good "'X' marks the spot's" down for 1) perch that should really be called "porch" - because they're as big as one; 2) smallies that punch out of their weight class; and some burly LMBs that remind ya what happens when fish get plenty of food and plenty of exercise. They're rod-tippers...

I still wish I had successfully kissed the a$$e$ of some boat owners by now but in the meantime, still feels pretty good to occasionally hook a 19-incher like this guy and then actually manage to coax him ashore through a minefield of boulders and sea grass.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Phenom report man! Seems like you have bank beating down to a science. It's not easy but there are quite a few productive spots to catch quality fish from shore. Nice BUCKETMOUTH!!! Keep em COMIN':D

[goodfishin]

Thanks, Fasteddie.

Since picking up a freshwater rod a few years ago, it's been one long, fun set of learning experiences. My only freshwater fishing growing up was fishing for brook trout with a Zebco rod and reel in a tiny stream in New Hampshire. So, everything about fishing in NJ has been new. Fishing for bass, fishing in lakes and ponds, fishing with lures and plastics, etc.. Everything. It's been a blast.

Fishing bigger water from shore has been this year's challenge. I have to say, this might be just my imagination but it seems like the big-water bass just have much more fight in 'em. I caught a miracle 24" 7+ pound LMB in a tiny town lake last year (complete with fountains) but I sincerely think some of the far smaller SMBs and LMBs I've caught out at the reservoirs have put up at least as much of a fight.

Part of that might just be situational. There's so little depth in the usual shore-fishing spots, fish have fewer escape routes. When I hook a bass in a reservoir with a straight drop-off from shore though, man, those boys just DIVE! They riiiiiip line.

The picture I posted was actually the first decent-sized guy I managed to actually land after getting broken off FIVE times over a couple trips. On the one hand, the water was so crystal clear, it begged for light line. On the other hand, anything other than a dink bass bent my ultra-light over in a straight dive under, around and through sharp rocks that 4-lb test was just no match for.

Again, it's all just learnin'... and fun learnin' at that.

[Eskimo]

.


I find that as an angler's interest and skills evolve and grow, buying a boat becomes an almost inevitable purchase.

And I admire your humility for addressing the envy shore-bound anglers feel for anyone equipped with a water craft that can take them beyond the shitty, trash-strewn, over-fished shore fishing spots.

I forgot those feelings of jealousy and resentment until I recently went on vacation in Florida and and stayed at a condo located along a salt-water canal. My angling was limited to the property of the condominium complex. Everything else was other's private property. The green-eyed monster of jealousy raged up inside of me every time a boat (often with beautiful, bikini-clad women as passengers) motored through the canal on its way to the intercoastal or ocean.

But I learned a lot in those years I spent as a shore-bound angler. I learned:

*how to find value in any fish, even if it's not a trophy gamefish. Rather the value of the fish is in the effort and time you had to put into catching him.

*how to make the best of what's available to you, even if it is far from ideal

*patience

*which berries are edible and which will make you sick.

And I've met all kinds of interesting people while fishing the shoreline.


.

[Chrisper4694]

Buy a kayak, your life will change for the better!

[briansnat]

Buy a kayak, your life will change for the better!

Or a canoe. I've fished out of kayaks and find a canoe so much better for fishing. Way more room for your gear, cooler, bait bucket, etc. and you can move around more and even stand. If you shop around you can pick up a used Grumman for $300 or under. Easy to car top on nearly any vehicle. Get a trolling motor and canoe mount and you are set.

[Sleeper-6]

Don't be too envious of the boat guys. We have plenty of skunky days too. :o