Saltwater Aspirations

Weather around here is warming up and after a snow storm last week, I finally think that we can expect spring to get here very soon. It is New England, so we all love (or is it hate?) to talk about the weather forecast.

Who can blame us though? One minute things are blooming, and the next the temperature drops 30 degrees and it's snowing in April. Let's just hope it's not this April though. With the winter weather we just had, I really want to believe that Mother Nature will cut us a break and we will have a wonderfully mild and beautiful Spring,  Summer and I will dare to wish for Fall too!

I've got goals for this summer. Weather, don't fail me now!

Last year was the first year I actually paid attention and took interest in my other half's skilled craft as a professional saltwater fisherman. With my purple rod, I managed to catch 7 species! Not bad. Of course, like the Charter customers the Capt. gets, at the time, I took 100% of the credit for what I caught. Anyone who knows the industry would know that it was not something I did on my own really. I needed a lot of help. It was so much fun!

I was pleasantly pleased with my self at the end of last summer. Being stubborn and wanting to know the entire process, I actually did bait my own hook with gross clams. I tried to get used to handling the fish after I hooked it. Taking it off the hook was hard for me. A lot of times, the Capt. needed to do it for me because I would fumble the fish and get stuck on the fact that a living, beating creature was squirming in my hands.  He made it more humane by speeding up the release!

One of my fishing goals for this year is to get quicker and better at all of the moving parts. I want to intuitively observe more of the professionals I am lucky enough to tag along with. Although they coach me well, it really helps to see how they get the job done. This is new to me, because normally my eyes are on the scenery while I am out there!

Species I Hooked in 2013

1. Striped Bass

2. Bluefish

3. Black Sea Bass

4. Cod (in only 40 ft of water!)

5. Scup

6. Dogfish

7. Bergal

I think it must be easy to get overconfident on summertime goals while it is frigid and cold outside.  I really want to go for big game this year. I would love to go offshore and catch my first tuna. I respect that I may not be ready for this endeavor yet, but I would like to see one of my mentors hook one while I observe (really just get the heck out of the way or do as I'm told is more like it!).

Even if I don't get a chance at a tuna though, I can't tell you how great it will feel when the sun is higher in the sky and shining, the Sound is glimmering and I get to spend time out on the water learning how to be an angler with my love. Warm weather on Cape Cod is a gift in itself. I enjoy many outdoor activities here. My new love of fishing is taking on a life of it's own though and there is just one more profound reason for me to be outside breathing that healthy salt air in one of the most beautiful places on earth!