A fish for a lifetime!

[Billfish715]

Jerry's memory of his first fishing rod and reel and his first bluefishing trip when he was a kid made me think back to my roots. I have an old black and white picture of me when I was 7 yrs. old holding my first saltwater fish......a fluke. I caught it while fishing with my uncle from an old Evinrude powered outboard in Sandy Hook Bay (Spermecetti Cove). We seined spearing and used them for bait. (God forbid we should spend money on bait!} I displayed that small fluke (probably 13 inches) for the camera and my smile went from ear to ear. That's what got me started saltwater fishing. My apologies to everyone for depleting and endangering the future stocks. I'll take full responsibility for the impact the taking of that very small fluke has had on today's strict regulations. I'll also admit that if it wasn't for that one small fluke and the pleasure it gave a young boy, my life would be different. I can't imagine how many other youngsters are being denied that same opportunity because of the stringent measures that have been imposed today to save the future. Save a fish. Lose a fisherman. If the feds keep trying to save the fluke for the future, a generation of fishermen will have been lost. Is that their idea of conservation?

[Joey Dah Fish]

No worries it's not you it's the damn cormorants !!!! Great story thanks for sharing with us !!!

[Gerry Zagorski]

I can't imagine how many other youngsters are being denied that same opportunity because of the stringent measures that have been imposed today to save the future. Save a fish. Lose a fisherman. If the feds keep trying to save the fluke for the future, a generation of fishermen will have been lost. Is that their idea of conservation?

While I agree there are fewer kids fishing these days, I don't think it's about the regs, it's all about the times... XBox, iPhones/pads, hours of homework, busy two parents working family etc. You can't change those those things. What you can do, like my uncle and your uncle did for you and me is take the time to take us fishing.

It's amazing what one person like you or I can do to make a mark on a youngster or even an adult, if we'd simply take the time and make the effort to take them fishing.

[Billfish715]

Well said, Gerry. My dad was not a fisherman but my mother's brothers were. I used to sit spellbound and listen to their fishing and hunting stories. If my uncle had never taken the time to take me fishing, I wonder if I would have ever gone. There used to be a fishing badge that the cub scouts would award for cubs who went fishing. I used to take lots of the youngsters whose family didn't fish to the local ponds so they could qualify for their badges. Some of those kids now are fathers with their own kids whom they take fishing. You're right. Someone has to plant the seed.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Same exact thing here. My mothers brother got me interested as did one of my neighbors grandfathers.

Don't loose site of adult friends either. I introduced a close friend of mine into fishing when he was in his 40s... He and his son are now into fishing more then me and his son and he have introduced all his young friends to it as well.

[Duffman]

While I agree there are fewer kids fishing these days, I don't think it's about the regs, it's all about the times... XBox, iPhones/pads, hours of homework, busy two parents working family etc. You can't change those those things. What you can do, like my uncle and your uncle did for you and me is take the time to take us fishing.

It's amazing what one person like you or I can do to make a mark on a youngster or even an adult, if we'd simply take the time and make the effort to take them fishing.

Totally agree. I'm going thru it right now with a teen son and his buds. It's all about instant gratification. No patience. When I was that old all I had was fishing. Waiting for the fishermen mag to get delivered and waiting for the StarLedger Friday party boat listings.

[shrimpman steve]

Dropped my first off at college last week. He is coming home saturday so he and I can head to montauk to fish a charter on Sunday. Staying at my friends beach house Saturday night. I must thank my friend for inviting jake and I out to his place on a holiday weekend and take us on his charter.

I very much look forward to fishing with my son in montauk!!! And I know he is looking forward as well!