Articles

The Fish That Always Gets Away
by Ed Gillin

It is that time of year once again where I proceed to get as little sleep as possible in search of a fish that just doesn't want to cooperate, that fish is the striped bass. I forgot the genus species dictionary definition. This particular species was almost extinct due to overfishing and pollution. The conservation and outlaw of commercial of this species provided the next generations with a multitude of fish to enjoy. This fish has disrupted marriages, jobs, and made liars out of most people who try in vane to catch one. I remember the first time I really tried to fish for one. It was October of 1990 I had seen a picture of a fifty pounder that a friend of mine had caught and said to myself I want one. I have been pursuing this elusive fifty pounder ever since and have not come close. And that was five years ago. So here I am still getting up at dawn to fish the morning tide and if I have any cooperation from Mr. Striper. I see that I am not the only one pursuing this species. It has made a substantial comeback and is plentiful enough for the state of New Jersey to allow two fish at 28" inches, which is difference from previous years. Last year it was 34" inches and the year before it was 28". I have had a trophy tag which allows a fisherman on additional fish if the fish is 38" inches or larger. I have had this trophy tag so long that I can hardly read the numbers on it from the rust that has accumulated on it. Still, I pursue this fish that will continue to disrupt my social life and make me sleep, eat, and dream of Bubba and hopefully and eventually find one that appeases me.

I remember catching my first striper over twenty pounds and my now ex girlfriend couldn't understand why I had to go out the next night and try for a bigger one. Men are constantly looking for the biggest, the best, and the most. I am sorry, but I was literally searching for the New World record and wasn't about to let anything stop me. I did research in the library studying what the water temperatures they liked, searched for any signs of fish feeding, searched the back bays and estuaries for any signs of bait fish and spent continuous hours lurking the beaches and marshes for any signs of bass feeding. At times, I thought I was obsessed with getting any kind of fish fix for the day. I did not care if the bass was a 12 inch or 28 inch fish I had to catch one a day or I would be in a state of panic. Even if I missed a morning or evening session because of work I knew that the close group of beach fisherman would come up to me and say, " Where were you?" " You should have seen the baitfish were being chased up and down the beach" If that had happened it was worse than having a fish spit the hook just as you got it to the beach.

Anyway, the gist of the tale is that it can be said that striper fishing is an addiction. First, you are in denial; second stage is acceptance, and then final recovery and support groups. So, my advice to everyone going striper fishing for the first time, watch yourselves and make sure that take baby steps on the road to striper fever recovery.