Family time and Life lessons

[T380Fisher]

I wired yakfishnick's blue marlin on that July afternoon (in the previous post) and my son was with us to witness this magnificent creature get released.

I keep a fishing journal and here's a date with my son and with yakfishnicks brother, Joe, that was one on of the best fishing experiences a father could enjoy....I removed my son's name but otherwise it is untouched from the day I wrote it.

As one of nine requirements for the Fishing Merit Badge in Boy Scouts, a Scout needs to catch 2 fish; release one and clean and eat the other. My son wanted to do the Fishing merit badge at summer camp this year (2006) it starts next week 6/25 - 7/1) and they had this requirement as the only pre-requisite. Naturally, we left it until the last minute.

Joe has been bugging me to get down to Beach Haven for the better than normal spring Striper run this year. So, we made it a date last night (6/22). The story follows...

Upon arrival a one of Joe's secret fishing holes and wetting the lines at 7:15 PM, (my son) rod went off only to the disappointment of a large skate. Over the next hour, we caught 5 more skates between the 3 of us. Then, the magic started. Joe picked up a small snapper blue (about 2 lbs). At about 8:30 my rod took off very hard, (my son) jumped at the chance to grab the pole. This fish was big, stripping line off the reel quickly. After about 15 minutes (my son) was thoroughly drained, Joe entered the surf to retrieve my son's First Striper......38" and 19.6 lbs!!!!. I am very proud at his efforts to land this fish and he was instantly energized at the size of it. Then the sharks came. My son's rod almost leapt from the sand spike. Setting the hook, proved futile. One entire rig gone to the teeth of an unforeseen shark. 2 more skates and Joe hooked into another large shark. As he handed the rod to my son, snap, another rig gone.

As the tide ebbed to almost full low, we decided to move down the beach about 100 yards to a spot where the surf did not seem to crest. Joe said there was a deep channel there that the wash flows out after the surf comes in. Now dark, we set out 2 rods instead of 4. Having caught his trophy bass, my son did not mind having his rod packed up for the night. He was too busy showing everyone that passed his giant fish. About ten minutes after our move, another good size shark. This one hooked early enough to fight as Joe set the hook squarely in the side jaw. Knowing it was a shark by the feel of the fish, he handed the rod to my son to do battle once again. 10 minutes later a 44" Sand shark hit the beach. Some pictures for home and it was released. Now we had my son's requirements done for his merit badge (aside from the eating of the striper, but that will not be a problem).

It was now about 9:30 PM and feeling the 4:45 AM wake-up alarm I told Joe we'd give it another 1/2 hour. I still needed to teach my son how to clean his catch. I vowed that anything we caught from there on would be set free. Then, just as we were about to pack up, my rod went off again. A quick dash to the sand spike, line check....yep FISH ON!!!! Not just any fish, but this was BIG and I could tell by the feel it was not a shark. Spooling line with no relief...I called to my son..."want this one?" I asked, "no Dad, I'm too tired" as he looked a little anxious at the reel screaming line off into the darkness. At the ten minute mark, I was not making any headway with this fish. Every effort to gain line was met with a 1 yard gained, 2 yards lost battle. I was beginning to think we may not ever see this fish. It had to be at least 100 yards out past the first wave by now. Well into deep water. I had never experienced that type of resistance while surf fishing. Just then, the fish turned and dashed toward the beach and I got about 1/4 spool back before it decided to dig in again. Stalemate. But this time, the fish was back into the outer swells of the surf and I was able to gain line with each passing wave. Finally after about a 1/2 hour battle, Joe spotted the fish with his flashlight coming into the foamy wash. WOW a monster. He ran down to grab the fish and was surprised by its weight. Clearly the largest bass I have ever seen in real life, let alone caught. We did not have a scale (it was in Joe's truck back off the beach), but estimated the fish to be between 45-50 pounds. It was 49" long and really fat.

Now I was in a dilemma......the decision was bittersweet, but easy for me to make. I was not going to turn my back on the fishing gods who rewarded me with this fine trophy. We took some pictures and measured it. Then, I walked this huge fish back out into the surf with my son by my side. With some careful caressing, we were able to get her back into swimming condition. One huge splash from her tail and off into the darkness. I was really happy to show my son that you do not need to kill a fish to have the memory of a lifetime. (as well as you never want to anger the fishing gods).

We went back to Beach Haven Marina to take advantage of their fish cleaning station. My son's fish was too big to clean at home on the kitchen counter. Once again, I was impressed by his willingness to complete his task of cleaning this fish. Striper have very large rib bones. This fish's were about the diameter of a pencil. Joe thinks they are one of the hardest fish to clean because of their large bone structure. But my son to task and did a great job with very little guidance. After his striper was done, he grabbed the smaller bluefish and did them all on his own.

Now it was much later than we had expected, but the ride home was gratifying after such a successful night. My son was asleep before we hit the causeway.

Since then, I have introduced my daughter to fishing and she caught her first bass this past summer...a short so it was released. She loves to fish, but doesn't do well offshore so we stay in the back bays.

I have taught my kids to be respectful of what they catch and our family motto is to "only keep what you can eat". If it is a great day and there is too much to eat...we let the excess go! We never take short fish and it is a shame to see shorts for sale in the markets when you can't catch them yourself. Attached are the photos of both of their first stripers.

To the politicians that may read this....Look at the expressions on my childrens faces and Please let my kids continue their love of fishing and give me the opportunity to teach my grandchildren in the future.

[yakfishnick]

Yes, let the politicos take a look at a family living a tremendously healthy lifestyle and try and justify taking it away. Fishing can teach you about life if you have the right teachers. I'm thankful that I've had quite a few along the way. Friends and family who fish together, stick together!