I came off the 2008 season with my X-Mart gear, not too much knowledge and lots of confusion and questions.
Over the winter I spent countless hours reading, learning and researching to become a better fisherman. I upgraded all my X-Mart gear to quality rods, reels, braid, etc. Thanks for the help Bucktail.
I learned what kinds of lures and rigs to use when, where and how. I learned how to tie my own rigs. Attended a couple shows including Surf Day.
I even upgraded the buggy from a Jeep Liberty to a Commander. Along with that was storage boxes, rod holders, cooler, cooler rack.
I think my first trip out was in early March. Didn’t catch anything, but I got to try out the new truck and gear. Around that same time, Paul was nice enough to give me a lesson on tying my own teasers.
In April my wife and I attended the NJSWF dinner and had the pleasure of meeting many of the members. We had a great time and she even won a trip on the Wet Dreams.
At the beginning of the summer the wife and I took our first trip aboard a party boat for some fluking. Turned out to be a rough day, she got sick and I got skunked. But it was a learning experience.
In July I cashed in on the Wet Dreams trip and took along Bucktail and a couple guys from the firehouse. Another learning experience and a great day on the water. It was a slow pick of shorts, but thanks to BooBoo, we went home with some fillets. Thanks again Capt. Carl.
In August we attended the 2009 Sharks in the Surf gathering at IBSP. Had a nice night and enjoyed seeing everyone again.
Over the course of the season there were many trips out to the beach. Some good...some not so good. Met up with Paul for several trips…..it’s always a pleasure.
The wife and I had one evening trip in particular that was a lot of fun. Just a short trip after she got home from work. For about 2 hours solid we caught several large dogfish and a bunch of robins. Sure it was “just garbage fish”, but we both had a really good time catching fish.
Around the middle of October, during a morning trip to IBSP with Paul, I hooked into and landed my first ever striper. 46inches 26lbs. I was on cloud nine for a week after that fish.
Over the next month or so I had several days where I landed multiple bass. They were all short, but fun just the same.
In November I tried my hand at togging for the first time aboard the Seahawk. Had a nice day meeting new friends and reconnecting with others.
On December 1 I made my final trip of the year. All the gear is cleaned up and packed away for the winter now.
All in all I had a great 2009 season. I learned a great amount, caught a great bass, spent a lot of time at the water and had fun fishing with guys here.
Thanks for the good times guys. Thank you to all the members here for sharing and making this site a great place. And thank you to Rod and the site sponsors for providing the site.
Everyone have a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and New Years.
Side note- The surgery for my torn up shoulder is set for Jan. 7. It’s a long, slow recovery. I’ll be in a sling for 4 weeks, out of work for 4 months and my activity will be limited for 9-12 months. So if there is a 2010 season for me, it’ll be a short, late fall season
. But I still plan to get out on the beach, attend shows and make it to the dinner and other NJSWF events.
