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When the Striper
Fisherman enters the beach, his world is turned inside out and upside
down. Much like a gladiator entering the arena, he enters with his
chest pushed out and his head up high. People basking in the sun stop
and watch as he enters the sands. With the waves crashing in the foreground,
he proudly and as gracefully as humanly possible, struts to the water's
edge.
His fishing buddies all gather around to offer
friendly advice as to what bait to use, where to fish, and they brag
about the "Big one" that got away. Maybe they are sincere
in their advice or maybe they are just "showing off". The
fisherman gently places his equipment in the sand and begins the day's
ritual of baiting hooks and casting out.
As he is setting up his little area, his mind drifts
into another world. He begins to think where to cast, when to fish
and that overwhelming feeling he gets when the twelve-foot poles rod
tip begins to plunge to the sand in erratic jerking motions. From
this point on, his mind is on fishing and nothing else.
With his bait in the water, his site set-up and his mind
focused, he decides to have a conversation with his fishing buddies.
Much like an important business conference, every fisherman seems
to know when and where to discuss the fishing in days past. They chat
about all the East coast has to offer. There is a tight bond between
striper fishermen, much like that of a family. Even total strangers
can become good friends when talking about Striper Fishing.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, one of the anglers screams,
"Fish on!!!!" The fisherman takes a quick glance at this
pole and sees the twelve foot rod plummeting to the sand. Someone
in the background yells out, "It's a keeper....it's a keeper!"
He begins that long run, or so it seems, towards his rod. As he picks
up the rod, he feels a hard tug on his line. The fish is still on
and hanging on tight! He lowers the rod to the ground and with one
quick motion, leans back with all his might to set the hook. It's
a good hook set! The fight begins!
He begins the exhausting fight with the beast.
His chest sticking farther out and his head is head is much higher
now. The sunbathers begin to file around the fisherman in awe. The
other fishermen do the same. All are offering a helping hand in whatever
way possible. Everyone gasps in amazement as the fish breaches the
surface and with a splash, re-enters the water. This fish in huge!
The angler is becoming exhausted from the fight but the brief sight
of the fish gives him strength. With the rod bending and the drag
of the reel screaming, he battles fatigue as well as the fish.
With
the fisherman pumping the rod and the fish still stripping line, several
onlookers, who were at first doubting his efforts are gathering around
to see what is going on. At first glance, the expressions on their
faces would lead one to believe that they have just witnessed a miracle.
In several minutes, they will!
As
the fish is drawn closer, people start to gaze in wonder. Out of the
crowd, a voice yells, "That's at least forty pounds.!" Another
replies, "Nah, it's only about thirty pounds." From the
other side, a child cries, "Mommy, is it going to bite me?!"
A large smile comes over the fisherman's face as the fish is pulled
over the last breaker and onto the sand. Sure enough, it is a keeper
and it's of good size. The fisherman heads to the fish and grabs it
by the gills. The weight is not overwhelming but the size is. He breaks
out the ruler and measures it. Thirty eight inches long and according
to his pocket scale, twenty five pounds! Not a bad fish! His buddies
are poking and touching the fish in amazement. The fisherman's heart
is racing and hands are shaking under the weight. This surely is a
keeper!
After the commotion settles, the fisherman packs up his gear
and bids a fond farewell to his friends. He begins that oh so long
walk to the parking lot. He proudly totes his trophy behind him as
the crowd utters comments like, "Look at the size of that fish!"
Or, "That must have put up one hell of a fight!" The fisherman
is more proud than he was before and you can tell by the look on his
face. Smile from ear to ear, the proud walk, and the way he is now
carrying himself. It was a very profitable day and one he will not
soon forget!
This fish was my first keeper ever and only happened
one year ago! I was always the one catching the token schoolies but
never a keeper. Wanted to share with the rest of you! May this be
the best season ever!
Article
Copyright © 1999 StripersOnline.com and Bob Thomas, Jr. All Rights
Reserved
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