What is all the fuss about?

I have been frequenting a message board that features fellow anglers asking questions and chatting about fishing and in particular about striped bass. There seems to be a huge buzz about hand made surf casting plugs. I love a surf casting plug like the rest of them, but these guys are going crazy. Going to shows just to buy them and Oh Yeah, they just so happen to cost $20-$30 per plug. No thank you, I will stick with my Atom surface poppers and my Danny style swimming plugs from the tackle shop. And I will only spend $8-$15 tops.

I must admit however that some of these guys have taken it to a high level of artistry. Pure works of art. Hand painted and/or air brushed. Big eyes and through wired. Incredible, but I can't imagine fishing with them because they are honestly gorgeous. I will try and get a couple pictures below of some prime examples.

My Best Striper of Last Season

In early June of 2007 I got a call from friend Mike Earley and he told me his father was unable to make their scheduled fishing trip. Mike invited me to take his father's place on his 18' Parker center console. This would be my first time fishing along the Elizabeth Islands and I was looking forward to it. Mike took me out along Naushon Island and we had decided that slinging live eels would be our tactic for the evening. Mike and I had already been fishing twice earlier this year, once from shore and once from his boat. On both occasions I managed to get a fish on my first cast and I was hoping for the same this time. We got out to just about the southern most tip of Naushon and started to drift in close. I eeled up and let it loose. Within minutes, on my first cast, I was hooked up with my best fish of the season. I had already brought in many a schoolie and many a bluefish this season and I could immediately tell that this fish was much larger. Mike couldn't believe that I again had nailed a fish on my first cast for the third trip in a row. Mike measured the fish and I was excited that it was 39", not my best ever, but a very respectable fish. Unfortunately for the remainder of the trip we were unable to find that fishes friends anywhere. That's fishing.

Geocaching

Yes, geocaching is actually a word. I had to look it up to make sure i was spelling correctly. I first heard of geocaching from our friend Amy Fish. I used to be a bit skeptical and kept telling her that someone was going to bury a bomb, stalk her while she was off in the wilderness. But, I must admit I was wrong. I really enjoy doing a geocache with the family. It is a great way to get a little exercise, fresh air and socialize.

Yesterday we did two geocaches in Chatham and we brought Mike Kennedy and his fiance' Jenn with us. The caches were challenging, but were worth it as the views of the two ponds we were near were gorgeous. I, of course found both geocaches. I am quickly becoming the master of finding these things. :) It is fun.

After geocaching we went to eat a The Squire on main street Chatham and then went to the beaches to see if we could see any seals. No luck. The picture above is of Thomas and Gwen near where we found the first cache overlooking Goose Pond. By the way, we did see a couple fisherman down there looking miserable next to a fire and not catching anything.

Fishing Trip?

A couple months ago I had Christine read this great article in On the Water about family fishing and young kids reeling in large fish etc. She thought it was really cool and thought that we should charter a trip. Who am I to vote against that! So, I tried getting in touch with the actual Capt. that wrote the article, but was unsuccessful. When talking to Gene Bourque he suggested Capt. Dave Peros who is one of the more popular fisherman around the Western part of Cape Cod. I went to his website and his prices are great for the family trips. Less than $200 for 4 hours. I hope that Christine is still interested because I just emailed him and I am trying to set something up. I'm psyched. This way Christine can get a fishing/casting lesson from a pro and not have to learn from me before the upcoming season starts. Wish me luck!!

Music month - I'm a Fatty

This month is music in our schools month and it is always a little hectic. Our huge All Band night concert is on March 12. I was unable to rehearse the 6th grade band last week because of Thomas' diabetes appointment. Plus, the jazz band has not practiced for three weeks because of my Celtics game, vacation and the high school IAJE festival. The 5th grade band sounded outstanding last week and I have one more practice with them this afternoon. I will also practice with the Jazz Band after school today and I am sure that they will do well too. I will have the 6th grade band tomorrow and look forward to getting any kinks out before our big concert.

I am starting to come to the realization that I am absolutely 100% addicted to eating. I am physically incapable of not eating like a horse. Everytime I try and eat less, or eat correctly, or do exsercise there is always something that comes up and I do not follow through. I really hope that I can figure this out. I am sick of being fat. The other thing is I am pretty sure that I am developing sleep apnea along with some severe snoring. When I have a little congestion it gets even worse. I feel so bad for Christine. Somehow I need to find a way to lose some weight in a way that I know I can keep it off.

Fun Time

Had a great birthday dinner tonight with Mike and Jenny. On top of a great meal that Christine made I got some nice stuff from my mom and Christine's mom. A lot of stuff for the boat. I got a new trolling rod which I am pumped about. A nice big Penn Sesnator reel and heavy rod that will be useful to bring up large fish. I also got some Boater's World cash and West Marine cash. Psyched!!

I have to share this video that I happened onto on YouTube. Unbelievable high seas and a cruise ship is right in the middle of it. Check out the video at a little after 1 minute into it and the boat goes so far over on its side it is breathtaking. The waves must be boardering on 30 feet in height.