What Brings You Out There?...and Other Random Thoughts....

[DarkSkies]

What is it that brings you out there?

[DarkSkies]

Now that we're kind of in a Summer Doldrum fishing pattern, a lot of people have given it up and are waiting for the fall....

Just thought some of ya's might want to post up some of the reasons you go out there....

Catching fish is one of them, sure........
But what else?

[rob]

if catching fish was why I went out there, I'd never go :o

last trip I was skunked, but watched dolphins, saw a turtle, observed many shorebirds, and fought off greenheads.

yet still love the sand, salt, sea air, no matter when I go....

THEN there are the great times of catching (albeit few and far between for me the past year or so) that make everything worthwhile....

[DarkSkies]

Wow, RobS in the house! :thumbsup::wave:

Good to see a post from ya, Rob,
I miss a lot of the posts from the guys who used to post more often. FishinCrazy, etc, etc.....:wave:


I wanted to add that catching fish is great, it has to be one of my motivations, for me to get up at 2:30 am to fish night tides, or wear stinkin waders for 5 mights in a row....:eek:



For, me, though, there is so much more to it......


For others, it may be about catching a personal best, of beating their last seaason numbers, etc...nothing wrong with that.....:thumbsup:

In fact every time I'm out there, one of my goals is to get a 20 or better.....if that happened as much as I thought it would, I would be bored with fishng right now.....up to my eyeballs in 20's.....:nuts:


For me, a lot of it has to do with the anticipation of the unknown.....

I'll come back and add some more thoughts when I get some more time....


























Just wondering what draws some of you other guys out there?....
to the Beaches, Jetties, Sod Banks, Bridges, Inlets......

[FISH BUCKET]

i'm an addict and fishing is my drug :nuts::bow:surf fishing

[fdformicola]

catching is fun:thumbsup:especially all the unknowns and the unpredictables. I like the challenge of trying to fool fish with artificials but the most compelling aspect of surf fishing is the beauty of the water and not knowing what is going to take place and it is cheaper than a physiatrist

[fdformicola]

i'm an addict and fishing is my drug :nuts::bow:
me too:thumbsup:

[DarkSkies]

^^ :cool: :bow: :thumbsup:

Ya know, it must have taken a lot of courage to admit that FishBucket....:razz:
Me too.....:o in fact I'm starting a NJ Chapter of Fishaholics Anonymous.....anyone who feels they could benefit, just say "I'm in!"





I can definitely relate to that....
Some people want to fish...and it's a casual thing...or a way to have good family time......
Father and Family,
Father and Son.....

All good.......




There are also some among us, who NEED to fish.....:nuts:
Why else would we be out there at the beginning of a noreaster, looking for the fish to turn on....
Or as I said previously, wear the same stinkin waders for 5 nights in a row.....

[DarkSkies]

catching is fun:thumbsup:especially all the unknowns and the unpredictables. I like the challenge of trying to fool fish with artificials but the most compelling aspect of surf fishing is the beauty of the water and not knowing what is going to take place and it is cheaper than a physiatrist



Well-said, FD..... I agree 100%....:thumbsup:







1. Psychiatrist - $100/Hour

Years of therapy? - many years needed, many thousands spent...
Possibility of getting cured?.....Maybe.....






2. Surf Fishing - maybe $5/hour in costs, average...

Years of therapy? - a lifetime opportunity.....hundreds, or possibly thousands of $$ spent, if you are addicted to the latest gear...:nuts:
Possibility of getting cured?...Never....




To me the clear choice is Option 2.....:thumbsup:

[fdformicola]

I am in :cheers:

[finns and fur fan]

i think fishing to the adult male is kinda like sex to the teenager, you realy dont know why you want to do it, but you are still going to every chance you get !!!!!:D

[RyanF]

The typical. The unexecpted. The outright insane.

You never know what's gonna happen or what your gonna see out there, even if you're fishing a nook you've stopped at since you were a kid. Totally disregarding fish even, there is some incredible stuff that goes on out there in the middle of the night.

We are some of the luckiest people in the world to be able to stay in tune with the happenings in our local waterways.

RyanF

[ridenfish]

I go at night for the solitude.

[bjkgaffmaster]

Well-said, FD..... I agree 100%....





1. Psychiatrist - $100/Hour

Years of therapy? - many years needed, many thousands spent...
Possibility of getting cured?.....Maybe.....






2. Surf Fishing - maybe $5/hour in costs, average...

Years of therapy? - a lifetime opportunity.....hundreds, or possibly thousands of $$ spent, if you are addicted to the latest gear...:nuts:
Possibility of getting cured?...Never....




To me the clear choice is Option 2.....:thumbsup:

THIS IS FUNNY!!!
Now I will show it to my wife and family and MAYBE they will understand.

[justfish]

Screaming drags, bent rods and the hunt for fish of a life time! Always in search of a bigger fish.

[Moosegate]

We are some of the luckiest people in the world to be able to stay in tune with the happenings in our local waterways.
RyanF


I think Ryan has captured what it is that gets me out there. I have lived here at the shore my whole, young life. But I can honestly say that for the longest time I ignored the water. By that I mean I didn't fish, didn't boat or kayak, didn't explore back roads leading to bayfront vistas, didn't crab didn't care about things likes estuaries and salt marshes and all the wondrous things that combine to form a saltwater world. I may as we;l have lived in Kansas. I didn't want to experience the natural, coastal world that was my backyard.

That all changed about a decade ago. I decided that I wanted to be a part of this great landscape of sand, water, sod and salt. I wanted to explore and see for myself all these mind blowing places that were all around me growing up, yet had never been a part of my life. Catching fish for me is always a bonus. I derive an immense amount of pleasure from just being out on the water or even near it. It is as if the sea is calling me back and I only wish I had answered earlier! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[RuddeDogg]

It's how I relax. If I hook up that's great. If not well thats fine to. That's why they call it fishin.

[Joseph Lamberty]

Fishing is in the blood, the draw to saltwater compels us to seek out fish, I do believe you get hooked well before you catch you first fish, thank the person who took you in your youth.

[fishtrek]

Its a form of excercise when you walk & fish. At times I end up with the same problem as that runner that is listening to the music and all of a sudden realizes he is somwhere but not sure where. The sights just encompass me and don't notice too much else

[FISH BUCKET]

herr doktor
i'm in :D

[Rootie]

You know, the definition of a fisherman is a jerk at one end of a line waiting for a jerk at the other end.

And it's that jerk at the other end that makes it all worthwhile...

[DarkSkies]

I go at night for the solitude.

Amen Ridenfish.....:thumbsup:
A lot of guys are out there in groups, if that works for them, great.....

But the solitude is the most valuable thing to me....so valuable that if I come upon a place I want to fish and someone is already there,....I might ask if it's ok for me to fish there...or just move on to another place.....to me that solitude is more valuable than gold....
:cool:

[Keeper Seeker]

The typical. The unexecpted. The outright insane.

You never know what's gonna happen or what your gonna see out there, even if you're fishing a nook you've stopped at since you were a kid. Totally disregarding fish even, there is some incredible stuff that goes on out there in the middle of the night.

We are some of the luckiest people in the world to be able to stay in tune with the happenings in our local waterways.

RyanF


I go at night for the solitude.


Amen Ridenfish.....:thumbsup:
A lot of guys are out there in groups, if that works for them, great.....

But the solitude is the most valuable thing to me....so valuable that if I come upon a place I want to fish and someone is already there,....I might ask if it's ok for me to fish there...or just move on to another place.....to me that solitude is more valuable than gold....
:cool:



"Ripple in still water
where there is no pebble tossed,
nor wind to blow.

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty.
If your cup is full may it be again.
Let it be known there is a fountain,
That was not made by the hands of man.

La di da da da..........................."

:thumbsup::cool::):wave:

[DarkSkies]

Keeper Seeker,, when you post, it's like going on a journey down Greatful Dead lane...thanks for the memories.....are you into Phish....they played at Jones Beach last week....:cool:




*******
Hmmm, not one person mentioned they go out there to look at the bikinis on the beach,,.:D,,or get away from the wife for a few hours......

[Keeper Seeker]

I've heard of the band from some here on the Barn but have not seen them.

I'm looking out for "Further" to come around this year. Remnants of the Dead who are still alive and jamming. Missed them in AC, I think it was last summer.

It's been a long time.

[DarkSkies]

Keeper Seeker...

Further, doing Shakedown Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19w_DKC5eNE&feature=related






Further,
doing an old Traffic song Dear Mr Fantasy,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DJD_Pg5Bfc&feature=related



Traffic....doing the same song...waaaay back in the day...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSQ1akE2CcM






hope yer staying cool this summer....:wave:

[DarkSkies]

"Lord Save me from the Skunk...."


It's 3am....
you've been fishing all night....

Your body is soaked with sweat....
Been hit by a few waves...each time reminding you how good it feels to be alive....and out there fishin..:cool:


You're casting, and casting.....
Not a tap.........


You put in a Prayer to King Neptune....:nuts:
even that doesn't work....



So you say the words, out loud..or maybe you mutter them under your breath.....Lord, save me from the Skunk...."



You continue casting and casting....
Some casts, you actually close your eyes,,,,trying to sense, when a fish may be near the end of your line......:rolleyes:


And Finally..... you get that hit.....
The one you've been waiting for, at the end of your line.....

Your Adrenalin pumps up.....:fighting:
The groggy half-asleep head on your shoulders shakes itself into action....
Your fingers and arms, instinctively know what to do......

Your hookset is solid.....
and you have that one fish...that you asked for...to save you from the Skunk....:thumbsup:








*******
Anyone else ever have those crazy thoughts at night?.....

[Keeper Seeker]

Dear Mr. Fantasy as done by Traffic was the sound track for one of the first surfing flicks... :cool:"Plastic Fantastic" I think.... (after Endless Summer of course).

Missed Furthur again this weekend, as I heard they were in Philly at the Mann on Fri and Sat nights.

[SKUNKED AGAIN]

The fact that the OLD LADY doesn't like to go fishing!!!:D


Honestly, the peacefulness, the relaxation, and when it happens... the awesome fight!

[DarkSkies]

Great points, guys.....
I like the solitude more than anything.....:thumbsup:





Anyone else?

[DarkSkies]

There are a lot of these that made me laugh, some right on the $$. some comical but true....and some that are just outrageous, but also having some ring of truth to them......

Don't know what I'm gonna say about them just yet,,,,For now I thought we might have some fun with them...:cool:

in the winter when I have more time I may add some stories to them....


For now, I'm just gonna try to post them in this thread so I can find them later....anyone who wants to add theirs, feel free.......:thumbsup:

[DarkSkies]

Bird Turds on a Jetty.....:eek:


Okay I take everything Back D.S. you are a bird turd at the tip of the Jetty :D but rest assured if you see that Turd the stripers are there .!


aah....you were paying attention when we were talking about bird crap on the rocks....:razz: :thumbsup: :wave:



Credit goes to Joe for this conversation. :wave: We are obsessive about what bait is out there....and this is something I mentioned....he has the memory of an elephant....and there aren't too many "Bird Turd Finders" out there who are better than him...:razz:


Thought:
The amount of fish you may find near an inlet, bridge, or jetty, is proportional to the amount of bird turds you see in the area....:thumbsup:

[DarkSkies]

I wouldn't tell anyone how to do anything, without having first hand knowledge. Just because i read about space, doesn't make me an astronaut.



Just because i read how to fish the ditch, doesn't mean I should offer advice on how to fish it. Sure, if/when i go, i have a good idea on how to fish it, but experience is something that can't be read or given away.

I know some pretty good anglers that get humbled routinely, so get ready for it.:wave:



Awesome.
Want a brotherhood, join the boyscouts.
Good luck this fall.


As always Mr Eel is shoots straight from the hip, and is right to the point....:thumbsup:...in far fewer words than it takes me to say the same thing...:eek: :wave:

[DarkSkies]

Thought....
You can join the Elks, the Knights, the Masons, for $$... or a check.
You can buy into many organizations with a check.

You can join the Bass Barn for free....


Surf Fishing Brotherhood? :nuts:
You can't buy into it with $$....
You can't fake a diploma...
You can't join by reading....

The only school..is the school of hard knocks......:fighting:

And the only payment is...
Paying your dues with perseverance...
Putting time on the water....
Sweat, blood, and the stench of stale sweat and wet funky waders..:eek:...

Sleeping in your vehicle to maybe stretch the bite to two different tides....

And Keeping Your Mouth Shut...
1. On nights when someone shows you a special spot of theirs,,,,you do not come back the next night with "just 2" of your buddies....or a Go Pro camera and post it all over the Internet, if it is a small spot that can't handle the traffic.....

2. On nights when only you and maybe a few other dedicated surf nuts are fishing, and you happen to find 20 or 30 bass each, all teens or bigger.,,,,,you have self control to keep it to yourself....and you go back and exploit that pattern, until it is over....then you might talk about it.....



Are you willing to get skunked night after night in the same place, until you learn the tide and feeding patterns for that area?

Once you learn your area, are you willing to travel to areas that you have not fished before, taking your knowledge, and bringing it to the next level?

Are you are willing to exist on crappy Quik Chek and Wa Wa food and coffee while you are out there on nights no normal folks want to fish?

Are you willing to get your morning shave and hobo showering done in a gas station, Quik chek, or Wawa bathroom, so you can get to work on time after having fished all night?

Above all, when a guy who seems to have more experience than you, offers you a tidbit or 2 of advice,.... will you sop it up like it was your last meal.. WITH APPRECIATION....even if the words seem a little harsh...and then try to build on that knowledge, so that when you are lucky enough to get some knowledge again, maybe you can provide some fishing intel to return the favor?










Once you understand the meanings of some of the questions above..by having been in those situations...

You could qualify for that brotherhood......but you cannot buy into it, you have to earn your way into it.....:thumbsup:...and as mentioned, the raw ingredients are time on the water, and learning one trip at a time......

[DarkSkies]

An original tune composed by BassBarn's one and only Joe Lamberty......
(after a few too many six-packs.....:razz: :thumbsup:)




Can you feel the "love" what's being shared takes years to learn, the hard core guys have Paid their dues ,,,,,,





Looking for fish where none are around,
Pounding the sand. Or rocks till that STRIPER is found.

Plugging at night. By the light of the moon,
And by day making notes, while singing this tune,

" OH fifty oh fifty what bait should I THROW My trebles are sharp.
But, where should I go ?

I know where the schoolies, are thick in the curl,
My sights are on finding that fifty pound Girl !"

I'm thankful for every fish that is caught.
And those that escaped but so valiantly fought !

I'll continue paying my night fishing dues
fishing thu all those pesky yellow eyed blues

till that one day comes,when all things line up
and that fifty pound striper with Joy fills my cup!







Thought...
Joe your talents are being wasted at your current job....
you need to pack the whole family up, move to Cali, and audition for American Idol........ :eek: :bow:



thanks for the laughs, bro....
You guys here are lucky...can always count on Joe to put humor into any situation.......:thumbsup: :wave:

[Joseph Lamberty]

An original tune composed by BassBarn's one and only Joe Lamberty......
(after a few too many six-packs.....:razz: :thumbsup:)










Thought...
Joe your talents are being wasted at your current job....
you need to pack the whole family up, move to Cali, and audition for American Idol........ :eek: :bow:



thanks for the laughs, bro....
You guys here are lucky...can always count on Joe to put humor into any situation.......:thumbsup: :wave:

That's what was written in my log after a dozen or so "SKUNKS" when conditions are the same thru Multiple trips in multiple locations and there isn't much else to write but wind, time ,location,tide phase.and what was thrown.

[slamming snizz69]

I think what draws me to the surf is the hunt, learning the tide, moon phase, migration and how bass think and putting all that together and working hard to produce bass. Also I love catching fish especially big fish but when i get to see my family, and friends catch fish I'm more happy seeing them catch the fish more then me catching them seeing the smiles and seeing them get all pumped up. To me that's what its all about.

a very close friend once told me catching fish is the bonus. We should all be thankful that me can go out and fish.

I agree with you ds 100% you can buy or read your way into the "brotherhood". Ive had a lot of sleepless night cause i was chasing bass had a lot of days at work cause i was out all night chasing bass you know going to work coming taking a nap eat something fish the night shift go home clean up take another nap and repeat the process all week go matter weather I caught fish or night. Fishing through injuries like a couple of years ago I got hurt at work, cut my leg open in two spots kept working got dirt into the cuts, next thing I know my right leg is infected dotor told be I was on bed rest for two week, well that lasted I don't know 3 nights then I started fishing lol. I remember I was fishing with a buddy and he looked over at my leg and he said " hey Chris you cuts must be bleeding cause its coming through the bandage". Being in pain and the possibility of losing my right leg didn't stop be from fishing. Getting busted up on the jetty one night and the next night being on the same jetty. Working my ass off just to catch that one.Sleeping in the truck. Eating wawa food going to the bathroom in the sand, striking up a conversation with a seagull cause its a slow night. As crazy as it may sound I wouldnt change a thing and wouldn't want to do anything else.

[Joseph Lamberty]

Here is another tune D.S. set to the melody of The Steve Miller band's , " The Joker" :

" Cause I'm a Chunker I use Bunker, I'm a midnight Dunker, Bait and eight is my song"

" I need a striper at the " piper " Before the break of the mornin Dawn" ooh, ooh ooh ooh Hoo , Ooh ooh hoo hoo hoo!

[HyperStryper222]

Its the rush and the lifestyle!

[fishtrek]

Just the exercise. Mind , body and soul recharging

[DarkSkies]

Its the rush and the lifestyle!
Hyper, you're finally getting some fish....keep at it...WTG...:thumbsup:






....... made me remember why I love fishing so much. Its not all about "sexy" fish like striped bass, but the fight! (Even if its a trashfish)


That's a great attitude, Dreamchaser..:thumbsup:..mostly I fish alone, but in the Spring a friend and I were at a place where there were mostly bluefish mixed with bass. A trio of guys came there, all with high end gear. They asked us "what time of night do the bass get here, we're really not into catching bluefish"
(Meanwhile we were catching bluefish every 10 casts or so....)
and these guys (I named them Huey, Dewie, and Stewie ) actually sat down and waited for one of us to catch a bass, before they got up to fish....:nuts:

I just cannot understand that mentality.....:huh:




Good luck this Fall, guys....
This fall may end up being very different and much harder than last fall to catch fish consistently....but time on the water will eventually be rewarded....:thumbsup:

[rob]

I certainly fish more than I catch and my wife thinks I'm :nuts:

But then I have a session where I seem to "step in it" and everything goes right...makes up for all the other times where I'm staring at a fishless sea under a starry night :D

[Joseph Lamberty]

I certainly fish more than I catch and my wife thinks I'm :nuts:

But then I have a session where I seem to "step in it" and everything goes right...makes up for all the other times where I'm staring at a fishless sea under a starry night :D

That's the thing you can't express to often to Newbies, putting in the time ! Its the thrill of that first time " YOU" find the sweet spot, where you can do no wrong and you catch multiple fish. On a plug you didn"t think would work but kept at it till you found your " Center " and you say, (inside ) " I own this moment ". That what we all chase after.

[DarkSkies]

Some of the posts here talk about "just being out there".

Recently I was thinking about why some of us are out there,,,,,
We go out even when they prospects aren't great....even in recent times when there are less online reports and real time intel......

We go out there because of a need to be out there.....
I was thinking about that,,,,,in light of all the recent reports where a lot of folks were trying, but not really catching....yet they were still trying anyway.....:thumbsup:



It seems to me, the goal for many of us is to catch,,,,,,but also the need to be out there as well......
This is good....a lot of tackle shops have been negatively impacted.....some are already closed and won't re-open...some will be out of business by next Spring.......
The ones that are left, really need our business. Even if you just take a ride down to buy a plug or some terminal gear, something, anything.....

If there was ever a time to "get out there, just to fish..."
IMO that time would be now.......


Any other thoughts would be appreciated...thanks....:wave:

[DarkSkies]

Forgot to mention I also saw a couple dozen shooting stars. Many of them went all the way down to the horizon. It was a nice bonus to catching some fish.
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/3756/pict0229x.jpg



thanks to Moosegate for the above....
Yup I got to experience that show the other night....it was truly incredible....

there are nights out there lately.....I'm cold, I'm tired, I'm cranky, fatigued from all the walking......and if I don't find at least one fish it's easy to get down on yourself and ask yourself if you still know how to catch......

And then you see that meteor shower, like the one that Moose and I both saw the other night....you see God's glory, his Power, the awesome beauty of nature.,......and even though your catching might not be that great for that night.....you somehow feel fulfilled........seeing some of the things that we get to see......:thumbsup:

[Joseph Lamberty]

thanks to Moosegate for the above....
Yup I got to experience that show the other night....it was truly incredible....

there are nights out there lately.....I'm cold, I'm tired, I'm cranky, fatigued from all the walking......and if I don't find at least one fish it's easy to get down on yourself and ask yourself if you still know how to catch......

And then you see that meteor shower, like the one that Moose and I both saw the other night....you see God's glory, his Power, the awesome beauty of nature.,......and even though your catching might not be that great for that night.....you somehow feel fulfilled........seeing some of the things that we get to see......:thumbsup:

D.S. those shooting "stars" don't come from King Neptune, Moosegates fish looks as though he is floating in space the rock he on looks just like the sky with its glittering lightts ! Intresting if the measuring tape was n't in the picture.

[DarkSkies]

The dynamic duo Mufish and BK.....:wave:
looking for that 50....despite all odds stacked against them of finding a fish that size this time of year.....they're still at it.....gotta admire that....:bow:





Midnite to 715am. 3 bass. Not 50s. Im guessin around 30". Not what i was after. Bunker from oth. Been goin every night.


I love this.......Not 50's......!!!!!!!!!!! Hunt'em down bro! I can't wait to tug wit a 50+" cow again. #dreamchaser

[DarkSkies]

"The Dark Shadows of the New Moon" © DarkSkies 2012



I was casting and casting the other night....
No results at all.....
When fishing is slow, it gives me time to think....
And for my mind to wander.....

All of a sudden, out of the corner of your eye....
You detect a hint of movement....
A Shadow.....
Was it an animal?
Was it a person?
Was it a Ghost of a Fisherman from the past, who walked the same steps you did, and isn't quite ready to enter the Gates of Heaven yet? :eek:

Nope, you tell yourself, it was just my imagination.....

Or the fatigue that comes with lack of sleep and fishing all night.....:nuts:


Then, some time goes by, and you again think you saw some movement...
Out of the corner of your eye.....

How is that possible?
You are the only person out there.....

There is no person or animal that could be even remotely close to where you are....


Yet......
You still feel it......


Not an actual person....
Not the wind......
Not an animal....
Not the branches of a tree......


But the presence....
Of something you can't quite define......
Some Spirit that you can't see, but can feel......
It's an almost imperceptible feeling......
This feeling, you get, late at night, under the lightless sky of the New Moon....


Could it be the Shadow of Death?
The Grim Reaper?
Is it a Dark Angel coming to take your life?
Is your time on this earth done, will this be your last moment?


You are thinking of all this, from a whisp of air you just felt, coming in an opposite direction from the wind......
And in a moment...that whisp of air....is gone......

In the seconds you were dreaming in the dark, mind somewhere else......
A fish bangs your rod, and you instinctively go to set the hook, as you have done many times before....:)


You fight the fish, and thoughts gradually shift to the retrieval and landing safely.....
The thoughts you had, of this Spectre in the Night, gradually fade......

All is back to normal again, as you fish in the Darkness...the only living person on that beach, at that time......
Was that the Grim Reaper, was it my time to go?
But you are still here.......




So, for now, you know it wasn't your time.....just another night out... fishing in the Dark Shadows of the New Moon....under the Dark Skies....:cool::thumbsup:

[DarkSkies]

What have I learned in my first year? I like surf fishing. I like fishing inlets. I like plugging. I should try fishing the same place over and over instead of going to different places. I'm clueless and I'm lucky I caught anything. Ending the season with a skunking sucks.


Allejo, good self insight.....you can't ramp up your skill set until you learn one place cold.....fishing different tides, and whole tides at a time, to get a sense of when the fish are active....too many guys jump around without having this skill set developed...that takes time.......

another thing, if you really want to learn the artificial game, don't lean on the bait....put it aside, and tell yourself you will not quit using artficials until you start catching...it will be tough as it is easy to catch using bait....but if you really want to learn and push yourself to the next level......give it a time frame of a month, get out every chance you can, end of day 4-5pm, and eventually you will learn artificials so well you can cast with your eyes closed......the catching will just inspire you to keep doing it...good luck....

[DarkSkies]

Just some random thoughts for February.....:wave:


1. Garden tomatoes....does anyone else miss their garden from last summer? My girlfriend and I grew about 5 different kinds of tomatoes....one of the great experiences I had was going out to the garden, getting a few fresh tomatoes, bringing them inside, cutting them up....layering salt on the chunks, and eating them with my fingers.....I can taste the flavor right now as I'm writing this...nothing like a fresh grown Jersey tomato from your garden.......:thumbsup:
I'm reminded of this every time I go to the store and have to buy those artificially ripened barely red tomatoes they sell in the Winter...the ones with no taste....and I'm damn crabby about it.....:please:.....Anyone else miss home grown tomatoes in the winter?










2. Ryan F.......still a dillydock.......:razz: :wave:

3. Bridge Kid.......still a contender for a Spring Youtube video....in the works....titled "Clam Jesus and his 12 Disciples".....:razz: :wave:

[Keeper Seeker]

[QUOTE=DarkSkies;3198578]Just some random thoughts for February.....:wave:Anyone else miss home grown tomatoes in the winter?



YES!:(

[RyanF]

If there is one thing I absolutely despise/loathe/wish didn't exist, it would be a tomato. They are like God's largest prank - they look so juicy, refreshing and tasty but are worse than taking a bite out of a jellyfish (I would know). They are just disgusting and ruin everything they touch. I was 12 the last time I ate a tomato. My brother dared me to eat a cherry tomato that we just picked up at a roadside stand heading back to Philly from the coast. I threw up. My worst childhood memory is when the ladies would stew up a batch of jerseys. Smelled worse than a morgue.

hmmm I love ketchup though, just has to be room temp.

RyanF

[rob]

If there is one thing I absolutely despise/loathe/wish didn't exist, it would be a tomato. They are like God's largest prank - they look so juicy, refreshing and tasty but are worse than taking a bite out of a jellyfish (I would know). They are just disgusting and ruin everything they touch. I was 12 the last time I ate a tomato. My brother dared me to eat a cherry tomato that we just picked up at a roadside stand heading back to Philly from the coast. I threw up. My worst childhood memory is when the ladies would stew up a batch of jerseys. Smelled worse than a morgue.

hmmm I love ketchup though, just has to be room temp.

RyanF

ok now I agree with darkskies.... "2. Ryan F.......still a dillydock.......:razz: :wave:"

I haven't grown tomatoes in years, but I love eating fresh off the plant tomatoes better than citrus or other fruit.

Big, juicy, acidic, red, biting, meaty TOMATOES

We cut them an put them into Mozzarella / Tomato / Onion salads; great on a slice of bread with butter, of course in burgers, 1000 other uses as well.

Oh yeah, Ryan... ketchup isn't healthy for ya... too much sugar :razz:

[bigfish4me]

If there is one thing I absolutely despise/loathe/wish didn't exist, it would be a tomato. They are like God's largest prank - they look so juicy, refreshing and tasty but are worse than taking a bite out of a jellyfish (I would know). They are just disgusting and ruin everything they touch. I was 12 the last time I ate a tomato. My brother dared me to eat a cherry tomato that we just picked up at a roadside stand heading back to Philly from the coast. I threw up. My worst childhood memory is when the ladies would stew up a batch of jerseys. Smelled worse than a morgue.


hmmm I love ketchup though, just has to be room temp.

RyanF

Im right there with you man....hate tomatos but love ketchup.

[rob]

actually I eat cherry tomatoes like grapes (and a big bowl of "grape" tomatoes is fine as well) :D :D

[smells like fish]

tomatoes are awsome ,,slice them an put ranchdressing an cheyanne pepper on them :fighting: but any way that was one awsome story you wrote there darkskies it kept me hipmotized just imagining i was in your shoes at the time :bow:

[RyanF]

Big, juicy, acidic, red, biting, meaty TOMATOES


Sounds disgusting. My apologies for calling TOMATOES tomatos, but I would rather eat Tom A's Toes. (Tom Arnold???)

RyanF

[rob]

Sounds disgusting. My apologies for calling TOMATOES tomatos, but I would rather eat Tom A's Toes. (Tom Arnold???)

RyanF

yeah.. funny about foods... some like, some don't...wasn't calling out the spelling either, just reinforcing how much I like 'em! :D

while I "like" ketchup... I'm serious about the amount of sugar... just backing away from all sources of sugar that aren't intended lately.

e.g. snacking on whole foods/veggies during the week.. leaving room for a nice cheesecake or pastry or whatever during a weekend meal ;)

[Tedder]

I'm with RyanF on this one... Tomatoes LOOK like the most appetizing thing ever... Until I try to eat one. Man, they make me gag! Wish I COULD eat tomatoes... Then I wouldn't have to pick them out of everything. I just can't eat a raw tomato... Stewed, diced, fresh salsa... I'm OK. Raw... That's a different story. I swear its mental... But honestly I WANT to like them, and can't. Clearly, they are evil.:mad:

[DarkSkies]

If there is one thing I absolutely despise/loathe/wish didn't exist, it would be a tomato. They are like God's largest prank - they look so juicy, refreshing and tasty but are worse than taking a bite out of a jellyfish (I would know). They are just disgusting and ruin everything they touch. I was 12 the last time I ate a tomato. My brother dared me to eat a cherry tomato that we just picked up at a roadside stand heading back to Philly from the coast. I threw up. My worst childhood memory is when the ladies would stew up a batch of jerseys. Smelled worse than a morgue.

hmmm I love ketchup though, just has to be room temp.

RyanF
Freaking hippie communist dillydock! :razz:


Im right there with you man....hate tomatos but love ketchup.
Shawn say it ain't so! I would have thought you fell in the other category, but ketchup vs tomatoes? Ya might as well be comparing ground chuck to prime rib.....:eek:


ok now I agree with darkskies.... "2. Ryan F.......still a dillydock......."

I haven't grown tomatoes in years, but I love eating fresh off the plant tomatoes better than citrus or other fruit.

Big, juicy, acidic, red, biting, meaty TOMATOES

We cut them an put them into Mozzarella / Tomato / Onion salads; great on a slice of bread with butter, of course in burgers, 1000 other uses as well.

Oh yeah, Ryan... ketchup isn't healthy for ya... too much sugar :razz:

Well at least someone agrees with me...:thumbsup:....I think you're right Ryan was fed sugar syrup and ketchup when he was a tyke and now has sugar on the brain...


I'm with RyanF on this one... Tomatoes LOOK like the most appetizing thing ever... Until I try to eat one. Man, they make me gag! Wish I COULD eat tomatoes... Then I wouldn't have to pick them out of everything. I just can't eat a raw tomato... Stewed, diced, fresh salsa... I'm OK. Raw... That's a different story. I swear its mental... But honestly I WANT to like them, and can't. Clearly, they are evil.:mad:
At least yer being honest......Attack of the killer tomatoes.....:wave:






I think for the guys who responded here, it may have something to do as to how old you are. The divide may be explained by the way I grew up...I think some who are over 40 may be able to identify with this, some may not........

The generation I grew up in, we were forced to eat everything on our plates. Didn't matter if you were gonna puke or not.... you were eating it...
And no dessert if you didn't eat your dinner.........

I think for some who are under 40, things were different, parents were a little more permissive, and some did not have to eat everything on their plates if they did not want to.....the result of parents being more permissive or progressive ,,,,call it what you want.....just my opinion.........

I think that's what makes it great about America though...the fact that we can all have different opinions and experiences, and still have the love of fishing in common........:thumbsup:


Some comments here were pretty funny, thanks for sharing.






.....And I still miss the summer garden NJ tomatoes,,,

the perfect mix of sweet and tart,

dripping with juices,

savory,

bursting with flavor,

the meaty firm flesh just right as you cut it with the knife, put some salt on it,

and maybe as rob said, some fresh mozzarella, some pepper,

or over freshly cooked pasta or just on a plate by itself....eating and savoring the slices one at a time.....


Indescribable.....and something I really miss as we get deeper into Winter......

[RyanF]

dripping with juices,

savory,

bursting with flavor,

the meaty firm flesh just right..

Are we still talking tomatoes or did we move on to your Saturday night?

BTW - what is this nonsense about not having to eat what was put infront of you? It's not my fault I could beat the system as a two year old. My parents still remind me how I used to hide my vegetables under my dinner plate (not til you eat all your vegetables!) so I could go outside and play.

RyanF

[Zamboni]

What was this thread about ?!?

[DarkSkies]

^^ Zamboni..this thread was supposed to be about what brings you out there to fish..and other random thoughts...



What is it that brings you out there?

Edited

Now that we're kind of in a Doldrum/cold winter fishing pattern, a lot of people have given it up and are waiting for the spring....
Just thought some of ya's might want to post up

1. some of the reasons you go out there....

2. Catching fish is one of them, sure........
But what else?


This was the original thread topic, and we were trying to stick to fishing.......
but I was bored, started talking about tomatoes....and Ryan F just had to share that he has some abnormal fetish for Tom Arnold's toes...:eek:...some of the other guys were talking about whether they hate, or love, tomatoes
Me, my fetish is for catching bass at night...and the tomato....fresh tomatoes from the garden....I can't get them right now so I was a little crabby about it, and reminiscing.....

Nothing wrong with that, unless you're spelling it tomatoe.... like that internet troublemaker and dillydock Ryan F.....:razz: :nuts:


So back on track...I thought up this thread for the times when we aren't catching and are bored out of our minds........For anyone who wants to post about the random thoughts in your head right now, feel free....
Y'all can't be any wackier than Ryan F, so take a shot at posting....what the hell.......:wave: Hope that clears it up.......:thumbsup:






Are we still talking tomatoes or did we move on to your Saturday night?
RyanF
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/images/smilies/moon.gif http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/images/smilies/clapping.gif Touche....:thumbsup:

[DarkSkies]

Back on track......
This is something I posted on the other page....maybe others have felt this way, when out there by themselves at night....












"The Dark Shadows of the New Moon" © DarkSkies 2012



I was casting and casting the other night....
No results at all.....
When fishing is slow, it gives me time to think....
And for my mind to wander.....

All of a sudden, out of the corner of your eye....
You detect a hint of movement....
A Shadow.....
Was it an animal?
Was it a person?
Was it a Ghost of a Fisherman from the past, who walked the same steps you did, and isn't quite ready to enter the Gates of Heaven yet? :eek:

Nope, you tell yourself, it was just my imagination.....

Or the fatigue that comes with lack of sleep and fishing all night.....:nuts:


Then, some time goes by, and you again think you saw some movement...
Out of the corner of your eye.....

How is that possible?
You are the only person out there.....

There is no person or animal that could be even remotely close to where you are....


Yet......
You still feel it......


Not an actual person....
Not the wind......
Not an animal....
Not the branches of a tree......


But the presence....
Of something you can't quite define......
Some Spirit that you can't see, but can feel......
It's an almost imperceptible feeling......
This feeling, you get, late at night, under the lightless sky of the New Moon....


Could it be the Shadow of Death?
The Grim Reaper?
Is it a Dark Angel coming to take your life?
Is your time on this earth done, will this be your last moment?


You are thinking of all this, from a whisp of air you just felt, coming in an opposite direction from the wind......
And in a moment...that whisp of air....is gone......

In the seconds you were dreaming in the dark, mind somewhere else......
A fish bangs your rod, and you instinctively go to set the hook, as you have done many times before....:)


You fight the fish, and thoughts gradually shift to the retrieval and landing safely.....
The thoughts you had, of this Spectre in the Night, gradually fade......

All is back to normal again, as you fish in the Darkness...the only living person on that beach, at that time......
Was that the Grim Reaper, was it my time to go?
But you are still here.......




So, for now, you know it wasn't your time.....just another night out... fishing in the Dark Shadows of the New Moon....under the Dark Skies....:cool::thumbsup:




************

that was one awsome story you wrote there darkskies it kept me hipmotized just imagining i was in your shoes at the time :bow:



Thanks for the kind words smells like fish......:wave:
I see a lot of amazing things out there......and sometimes the act of taking a pic, or trying to document it at night, is just too much....so I try to write about what I see out there...to bring a sense of that to you guys here.....glad ya enjoyed it........:cool:

[bigfish4me]

Freaking hippie communist dillydock! :razz:


Shawn say it ain't so! I would have thought you fell in the other category, but ketchup vs tomatoes? Ya might as well be comparing ground chuck to prime rib.....:eek:



Well at least someone agrees with me...:thumbsup:....I think you're right Ryan was fed sugar syrup and ketchup when he was a tyke and now has sugar on the brain...


At least yer being honest......Attack of the killer tomatoes.....:wave:






I think for the guys who responded here, it may have something to do as to how old you are. The divide may be explained by the way I grew up...I think some who are over 40 may be able to identify with this, some may not........

The generation I grew up in, we were forced to eat everything on our plates. Didn't matter if you were gonna puke or not.... you were eating it...
And no dessert if you didn't eat your dinner.........

I think for some who are under 40, things were different, parents were a little more permissive, and some did not have to eat everything on their plates if they did not want to.....the result of parents being more permissive or progressive ,,,,call it what you want.....just my opinion.........

I think that's what makes it great about America though...the fact that we can all have different opinions and experiences, and still have the love of fishing in common........:thumbsup:


Some comments here were pretty funny, thanks for sharing.






.....And I still miss the summer garden NJ tomatoes,,,

the perfect mix of sweet and tart,

dripping with juices,

savory,

bursting with flavor,

the meaty firm flesh just right as you cut it with the knife, put some salt on it,

and maybe as rob said, some fresh mozzarella, some pepper,

or over freshly cooked pasta or just on a plate by itself....eating and savoring the slices one at a time.....


Indescribable.....and something I really miss as we get deeper into Winter......

Im 37......I was not allowed to get up from the table until I cleaned my plate....... I got ONE glass of milk with dinner, I saved it for the stuff that made me gag....raw and stewed tomato's.....green beans and broccili, I would chew once take a gulp of milk and swallow. I have overcome my tramatic experiances with broccili and green beans.....oddly enough they are two of my favorites now......but the raw tomato is still a no no, I like salsa, ketchup, marinara sauce......just no plain raw tomato's for this knuckle head.

[DarkSkies]

Im 37......I was not allowed to get up from the table until I cleaned my plate....... I got ONE glass of milk with dinner, I saved it for the stuff that made me gag......just no plain raw tomato's for this knuckle head.


Aah....bigfish don't sell yourself short, you aint such a knucklehead...:wave:.Sounds like your parents raised you the right way...and I have seen in some of your posts that that follows true for the next generation in your household....I remember that post where you taught your nephew to tie knots, rigs, or something.,,,teaching by making them learn by doing is a good lesson one never forgets......always enjoy your words and twisted stream of consciousness descriptions.....:thumbsup:

[Mu Fish]

Bumb bumb bumb bumb

[bigfish4me]

Aah....bigfish don't sell yourself short, you aint such a knucklehead...:wave:.Sounds like your parents raised you the right way...and I have seen in some of your posts that that follows true for the next generation in your household....I remember that post where you taught your nephew to tie knots, rigs, or something.,,,teaching by making them learn by doing is a good lesson one never forgets......always enjoy your words and twisted stream of consciousness descriptions.....:thumbsup:


Ha....thanks for the kind words, while im constantly learning......teaching the next generation is just passing on the tradition of sharing knowledge......there are new tricks to learn, but never count out the tried and true old tricks that can only be passed on by a true salty dog:thumbsup:

[bigfish4me]

Well said, Shawn...you gotta come up to NNJ and wet a line for a whole tide, sometime this year.....Best of luck this season....:wave:

Looking forward to it :thumbsup: