I finally managed to make it back down to the water to do some fishing this weekend. A long string of little things, better known as real life, conspired to keep me from the beach for longer than I’d hoped. I will say that my break from the jetty probably came at a perfect time as I’ve heard nothing but sob stories from fellow anglers who have been repeatedly skunked in the late summer fishing slowdown. I’m really looking forward to the fall run and maybe even hooking a nice cow striper!
After being told by one bait shop that frozen mackerel were impossible to come by due to the “Europeans buying them all up…’cause no one would want to pay $12 a mackerel,” I was able to find a two pack at my favorite tackle shop for a mere $5. All the more reason for a fisherman to create a good relationship with one tackle shop…I’ve never had anything but great service from Falmouth Bait and Tackle in East Falmouth MA. Check them out if you are in the area!
I fished one night with little success, although the significant other managed to land a crab that liked the taste of the frozen herring I bought from the first bait shop…That was a first, but she was very excited to have something on her hook! The next morning I finished up the rest of the herring with scarcely a bite. Herring isn’t something that I’ve seen around the area so I suspect that the fish didn’t know what to make of the foreign food being waived in their face.
That afternoon I spent fishing a tidal pond that almost landed me a nice Cusk. I saw it make one pass at my lure and thought it was a great big eel, but on the next pass, without a bite I may add, I was able to see it entire body and identify it as a Cusk. Too bad I couldn’t land it as I’ve heard they taste great!
The evening came and I, armed with my mackerel, headed down to the water. I took up position on “my jetty” to fish the outgoing tide and within three casts had a scup on! Boy do they fight hard for their size. To the amazement of the fellow on the next jetty I pulled up another about five casts later. I would pull up a third before the light and my bait ran out. I think I need to find some sharper hooks as I’ve tried sharpening my own but still seem to miss fish. I’ve also tried both circle and offset J hooks to mixed results. If anybody has any suggestions I’d love to hear them.
I’ve had a lot of luck with making my own rigs though; I tried two different types of Hi-Lo rigs and caught fish on both, although I still haven’t really landed anything worth eating I’m going to keep plugging away. I’ve had people suggest that I should try other areas and while I might at some point, my goal is really to catch whatever I can from the specific beach. I know that will sound backwards to most fishermen as it is the reason that fishermen use boats…to go to where the fish are; but I am enjoying fishing and don’t as of yet get discouraged at not catching.
Well, I had some success and hope to have more soon!
