Pleased to find you all!

[Longliner]

I've been lurking around here reading bits and pieces and I decided to join in the fun. My name is Steve, I'm between 35 and 51 yrs old and have fished all my life in New England. I now live in "your paradise". I'm a half mile from the shores of Pleasant Bay on outer Cape Cod, and during the week I work and stay in an apt. in Edgartown on the Vineyard. I have met some interesting characters out at the shore, none that I haven't enjoyed. From the posts I have read here, you all seem to be the same type of folks who really love a chance at some cold water, fresh air, and maybe a tightline haul on a bass. I'm with ya. Fishing the shore is where I relax and breathe the best. I have been away from the saltwater fishing for awhile due to crowding, beach vehicle rules, SEALS!, and raising boys, but the Vineyard brought me back. I'm now putting together two complete sets of gear, one for the Cape and one for the island. It's been a good season, with the highlight being an entry into the Martha's Vineyard Derby. I don't get to the computer too often any more, which is good, but I'll be checking in on the weekends. With November approaching, I'll need someone to share fish tales with soon. So, hello to all.

[Striperjim]

[Doublerunner]

Don't take this personally but I am not a fan of the Martha's Vineyard Derby or other similar derby's or tournaments because it promotes the slaughter of fish. When fish are abundant then that may be a different story but our stocks are in serious decline. Tournaments can bring out the worst in some people as any fish that may help an angler win a prize will be brought in for weighing. After weighing the fish it gutted to make sure there are no foreign objects to help add weight. And of course the big cows.....which are almost always female....get killed and have no chance to re-produce millions of babies.

I am sorry to hijack your welcome to this site and just think that because of the serious decline in the numbers that it's worth at least getting people to think about it

I'll get off my soapbox now

And welcome aboard and happy fishing

[JakeF]

Welcome aboard Longliner!

[zimno1]

[Longliner]

Thanks for the welcomes. Dblrunner- no worries. I'm with you on the conservation effort. I catch and eat maybe one fish every couple of weeks. All others get a digital photo and released. The joy of the derby was the hunt and exploring of new grounds. For what it's worth- the weighed-in fish were mostly filleted by volunteers and the meat given to the Island"s needy families. Also, the overall pounds caught are way down from previous years, which only re-inforces your opinion.

[Jimmy Z]

You sound like you have it in your blood! Like most of us.