I don't know why. I just hate boats. Fishing from boats. People who like fishing from boats. And seeing people who like fishing from boats. And people who take pictures of themselves with fish they caught fishing from boats. At least most of the time. I guess I'm just a hypocrite.
Now sometimes you have to be in a boat in order to catch specific species. Like now it's tuna and mahi time. Just about everyday I see pics of the Captains that are running offshore either
crashing lobster pots, like Eric Kerber from On a Mission Fishing is doing those trips this week, and John McMurray from One More Cast Charters, who's making that run for yellow and bluefin tuna. That's a happy camper from one of John's recent trips above. Nice hat there bud.
So outside of the fish you can really only catch from a boat I'm really not into seeing fish you can catch from the shore. Every. Single. Day. And every time I fire up my computer. I will admit. There's nothing wrong with it. It's fantastic. I hope you have fun every trip and catch a lot of fish. I just don't want to see it. And that is totally on me. Could it be boat envy? Guy envy? Fly fishing skill envy? Fear of boats? I'm not really sure but I'm admitting to all of it here. Maybe I need some therapy.
Let's look at fear. The above was from December 2020. Yep, that's me and my buddy Charlie at the Atlantic Highlands municipal boat ramp. Truck jumped the chock and it was all over. Did that spook me away from my boat loving? I don't think so. A few of my buddies have had some serious boat incidents that I was involved enough with to be moved by. Did that do it? I would say it may have, or at least increased my respect for waters and all things boats. But I don't think that's it.
I purchased, refurbished, and ran a drift boat for six years on the Upper Delaware. I loved those days. Well, those days kinda sucked, as far as a business venture is concerned. Working so far from home. Needing to fill the boat anyway I could. Either running my own trips or trips
from other guides or outfitters up there (Where they take 25% of the trip, and rightfully so). Sleeping in my truck to save money (Holding onto that tip was huge). And actually looking at the numbers as far as expenses (gas, tolls, lodging, lunches, shuttles, gear, flies, etc) versus income. But it's about fishing from a drift boat. I just don't like it.
Casting across or downstream and hooking a decent fish only to have to reel them in upriver, you know, with that side to side head movement as the current blows through them as you hope to get a net shot, and not get caught in the anchor line. It's just not for me. Now the visuals and the scenery from a drift boat, can be fantastic, especially when you can get away from the roads and the crowds. But these days the crowds, and the boats, are hard to escape.
The above scene is were I find the drift boat to my liking. It gives me, or gave me, the ability to shuttle to different spots to get out and wade for the fish. Or, to set up a shore lunch and just enjoy the truly beautiful setting of the Upper Delaware rivers.
So what did I do when I moved out to the lower Delaware River? I bought a jet boat. Fantastic. More boat vs no-boat conflict in my head. I had some great times on this boat. But, overall, I'd take an outing throwing on my waders that are bumping around in the bed of my truck any day. The frustrations of access, and the ability to cast, and the smaller chance of actually getting to where the fish are, that's what I like. Actually hooking them and fighting them, and
from a boat, just not my scene. Although fish rehabbing in the tank on that boat make for some good pics. The boat also allows me to share time on the water with my peeps that can't necessarily fish the way I like to, or physically can't. Here's where I'd put a picture of Delaware
Joe in the post but I chose a pic of Erin from a quick outing one day. A day where I tossed the anchor into the water and it just kept going. Of course, another story where things went sideways for me.
And I guess that brings me to my first Jones Brother's 19'10" Cape Fisherman. I purchased it in 2011. Above we're sitting outside of the Barnegat Inlet waiting for the pea soup fog to lift. That
was my favorite boat. I knew it. I felt confident in it. I had good clients and friends in it. I caught a lot of fish in it. I think what I liked the most about having that boat was the hunt, even more than the fishing. I loved breaking the marina or the inlet and scanning the bay or the horizon looking for birds, and yes other boats, going on the hunt for hungry fish. I enjoyed using my senses
more than the electronics. And when I found them, if not with clients, it was a fish or two to hand before breaking off to hunt for other fish. I know, don't leave fish to find fish, but once I found them I was good.
But if you know then you know. Boat fishing is dangerous. Things can go sideways in an instant. It's makes for a long day especially if you live far from the drink and trailer your boat. And then, the expense. For the recreational boater, or for the charter Captain, the expenses are daunting. B.O.A.T- break out another thousand. And these days break out another two thousand. And then there's the weather, and tides, and things like wind against tide. And the fog. And then the real killer for me, is all of the other boats, especially during the silly seasons of the spring and fall runs. Yes, you can find your own fish, but it doesn't always work out that way.
I hate boats so much I can't stop acquiring them. Since I sold my first JB I've added a second when I purchased Jim's (Pluse Disc) 1998 Cape Fisherman. It was probably more of an emotional purchase than anything. I loved that guy and I loved the idea of having his boat. Coupled with the fact that I sold my Jones in 2020 when Theresa and I started my private practice in Pennington. But, truth be told, that was Jim's boat, with all the kinds of mad scientist things Jim was, so my idea of getting on it and turning the key
things Jim was, so my idea of getting on it and turning the key was delusional. Ask Leif about all those mornings we sat at the ramp trying to figure out switches and levers on that boat. I've since sold the motor off, after getting turned away from several boat mechanics when I said "It has an HPDI". Theresa knows getting Jim's, well our, boat refurbished is on my bucket list. Like before I die I want to have that boat on the water looking like it just came off the lot in 1998.
So what else have I done with my boat hatred? Well, I keep buying them. What is wrong with me? From the first S.S. Archer (above), you know, the perfect one that I found for the springs on
the Navesink River, yeah how'd that work out? You can read about that shakedown trip, HERE. To the next S.S. Archer, well II, which was the perfect vessel for sight fishing Martha's Vineyard.
The only problem there is I live 1,000 miles away and get up there once a year. If I wanted to fish it I'd have to bring my truck up there, my 2002 pick up. How long is that thing going to last? So for 11 months and three weeks out of the year it would sit in my yard in New Jersey. Now I could take it and fish for snakeheads....been there done that. I'm good. It was so perfect it
changed hands and now sits on Menemsha Pond ready for use when my buddy Abe gets the hankering for sight fishing for striped bass in skinny water.
So I don't know if it's a "I hate boat fish" or a "I hate you" thing. There's that thing, you know, Boat Fish Don't Count. Yeah, yeah. But for me really boat fish don't count, even my own. Well they do count, it's just different, like they mean a tad less, they should have an asterisk in the lower corner of the picture. For me, wading the flats, or waist high in a fast river, on the groins or jetties, or walking the sand, that's what it's all about. But to each his own.
Could you love both? Yes, and most anglers do. And it's good. And it's real good. People engaged in and enjoying fly fishing is what it's all about. Good times. Good fishing, or not. And the pictures of you with your catch. Perfect. So for the next, we'll say, three months I'll hold my vomit when I see every boat caught albie and striped bass that people I know, and don't, have caught this fall. Yes, you can get all artistic with angles and shit, but they're still boat fish, so put that asterisk in the corner, and I'll see you in your waders one day this fall.
FYI- I'm available some days each week for a boat invite......