Ahhh the good old days(Warning:this is a rant)

[corrirod]

Ahhhh………I remember the days…..
The days when a 20’ offshore boat that was well maintained and equipped with Yellow Po’s with Penn 321’s/330’s and a handful of lures, some the same but most different, could go out and chase tuna off the Oregon Coast. Anyone else remember those days?

Maybe I’m just in a funk? Maybe my sodium level has dropped to critical levels and I’ve fallen into some sort of non-fishing coma? Or maybe the Salty Dogs have now progressed to a level at which I can no longer associate with? :depressed: Not saying it’s a bad thing, just reminiscing of times past.

I’ve noticed a bit of a change in the Salty Dog board over this past summer. And I guess before I go too far I should back up a couple steps and give some of the newer Dogs some insight as to how it “used to be”.

Not so many years ago this board was only home to a couple dozen “active” individuals who all shared a common ideology that small boats, if prepared properly, could run offshore safely to catch all types of marine life, not just tuna. I was not one of the founding members but I have been here since it’s inception and I can remember when it took an absolute perfect alignment of all the stars and planets in order for us to get 2-3 boats to run offshore for tuna. And most of the time you would end up going alone because nobody else could get off work to join you.

Gear and tackle were comprised of whatever one could afford. Cheap being one of the most attractive features for most of us! :grin: Spending all our money on making sure our boats were up to the trip, then scraping together anything we could to piece together a handful of lures to take with us. My first handlines were made of clothes line, and by god they worked! :blush: Fishtraps? What the hell are they? Planer/Diver boards, huh? With a little shopping at ebay you could collect a half dozen to a dozen lures to try on the next escapade! Spending $350+ for a reel just didn’t happen. Spending $350 for 4 complete rod/reel setups was even a stretch!

Maybe it’s just me but it seems as though we, the Salty Dogs, seem to be shunning anyone who doesn’t fish from a $150,000 boat, or use Penn Internationals, or have all the latest gadgets for tackle. Maybe not intentionally, or even directly, but based on some of the posts I’ve seen that say, “anything less than a << Fill in the blank with some name brand >> is foolish”, or “ << Fill in the blank >> is the ONLY one to use”.

I don’t know, it’s probably just me but sometimes I start wondering if we need another Salty Dog board, perhaps the "Redneck" Salty Dog forum or the “Sub”-Salty Dog forum?

I guess I’ve just been noticing that a lot of the “old timers” aren't posting anymore, or at least very little. Gregotis, Seasquid, Uglygreen, Jsail, El Shaddai, Wakem'n'Stackem, RJ, Puffin, Puffins Crew, Black Magic, Albacore Tuna Captain, Popeye, Andycoho, Royalfish, SKSpawner, Orca, Baitboy, Badger, Deepslayer, and the list goes on. Some we still hear from occasionally but most are either gone or we don't hear from very often.

Anyway, I’d just like to see us all worrying less about how much someone spent on their boat/tackle and just stick to providing useful information to ANYONE wanting to fish offshore. Contrary to popular belief, fish can still be caught in small boats using cheap tackle.

Believe me, we all know what boats and tackle are “the best”, but some folks can’t afford "the best" but that doesn’t mean they can’t still catch fish……….right? If the answer to that question is "NO" then the board has definitely progressed to the next level without me and I’ll have to go find some Salty “trailer trash” that I can more easily fit in with! :grin:

O.k., rant over. This post is not directed at anyone or any specific post. I've been meaning to post this for a long time but never took the time until today.

How long till tuna season again?

[sturgn]

Im with you on this one, I havent posted much for over a year now and the board has definatly changed. I still have the 2002 Salty Dog trophy on my fireplace mantel(Guess I should pass that on sometime huh?), I really enjoyed the first couple years on here but not so much anymore, I have turned into a lurker. Maybe its because the Salty Dogs have grown so much over the last couple years.. 180 more days.....

[Pilar]

20 footer, man you had it made. Just an opinion but the guys that are talking about the Gucchi gear are sitting at the computer. The guys with permanent bloodstains on their boats and foul weather gear are living the life with the garage sale gear.

Got any Diawa 50H reels, Rod? Mine refuse to die.

Need a hug Rod?

Only 6 months to go man .. hang in there.

[Moldy Mike]

What Pilar said!!! MM

[wthr4d]

Rod- I have to agree with you AND disagree with you.

First off, I dont think the Dogs have gotten exclusive and still feel that anyone is welcome to join the topic. There are new people coming in every day and being welcomed and educated.

That is where I have to start agreeing with you. It does seem that in an effort to aquire quality long lasting gear and the highest level of safety, some of us are being left behind. I have lots of hobbies and they dont all involve above the water activities or even on the water activities so my funds get stretched often. I cant afford a personal EPIRB or rocketwear or High class Avet reels, but I have been out and enjoyed fishing with my wifes grandfathers fibergalss rod and Old timey Penn reel.

so where do those of us yearning for a more simple life need to go? can we still fish here? I think "YES" we can, and with a little reminder, we all can stop buying into the commercialism of the tackle manufacturers and follow a little of BOE advice...You can make it at home and itll still look good to the tuna.

paul

[WP]

What 20' boat...I sold mine and all the gear with it. Now all I can do is read and dream...I need all these dawgs to talk big boats and high end gear to keep my dreams warm and friendly. I am not an old timer and I am not rich. I learned a ton from the dawgs and have attempted to make what contributions I can. Rod, you are one of the most genuinely friendly and nice people I know. I hope you stay here to keep the fires burning until I return!
Dave

[Jennie@ifish]

I think that a lot of people are in a funk over the Holidays, AND I think that the winter is always tough on you Salties.

Just wait... hold on! You can make it through both!

Nothing is gone. Everything changes, and forever keeps changing! --but you can move forward. Never go back... just press forward, and you'll always be surrounded by your friends, the original salty dogs!!!!

This happened on the main board, and somehow, we still hang in there! -- and when we see our old friends, no, it's not the same, but they are all the more special to me!

Hang in there, OK? Maybe it's time for a tunaholics meeting? Bring your oldest, cruddiest gear and tell stories about the fish they caught!

Jen

[skein]

Man, if you think we've got it bad, think about the poor hot-rodders. When I was a kid you showed up and "run what ya brung." You advanced the timing by hand so she would wind tight, but if you shut her off, she wouldn't start 'til you backed her back down. I still remember the first 3-2's I ever saw and I even knew a guy who had two Cadillac 4-barrels on a Merc engine sitting in a '53 Ford. Called it "Sleepy" 'cause it was a sleeper.

Oh, wait, we're talking about fishing aren't we. Well, it's just the natural progression of things. It's what makes mankind, well, mankind. Bigger, better, shinier, 2 ft longer, etc. Did I ever tell you about when I used to waterski behind a 16' boat with a 35 Merc? They'll laugh you off the lake now, but I've got lots and lots of hours shuckin' and jivin' behind the transom of that little hummer.

But - I know what you're saying and I feel it too. Sometimes I feel like TA meetings have just become cocktail parties instead of gear and gadgetry. I actually felt kinda funny walking around Santana's with a rod and reel in my hand, yet I can remember Pilar pushing the tables back and stretching out handlines, 'splainin' each step - how and why. I remember holding my first zuker and working on that perfection loop, wondering at the size of that 150lb leader.

Those were the good old days, but I don't think they're gone.

PS. Ever seen my boat. Now if that ain't a redneck battleship I never seen one.

Skein

[crabbait]

I see it more as a quest of discovery. Yeah, a few guys have been fishing tuna for several years. They had what they had for tackle and the knowledge of the fishery they got from the commercial guys.

A lot of the newer guys on here are just trying to figure it out and they are learning a ton every year. I know I have.

As for "gucci gear" I have to plead GUILTY! But the rods I built myself and I can't remember putting down anybody's equipment. I just think you are witnessing some salmon fishermen's awakening to a world of tackle that SoCal has been refining for years.

Some guys drop $300 on a driver, others on tires and wheels. Some have to have fine stereo equipment or shop tools.

Some of us just really like nice reels. Never meant for it to be offensive.

The biggest changes I have seen can be attributed to reliable GPSs, VHF radios and 4-stroke outboards (and the internet).

[Metal Manipulator]

Rightly said Skein and Crabbait.

[bajadan2000]

Man, I will take an old timers advice and exsperience everytime over a $350.00+ reel. The old timers knowledge is what gets us home safe. I agree Rod, we need the original crew to step back in and lead the way.

Maybe this would be a good way to get us all though this long winter. Come on old saltys. Let us hear from you. We need you!!!

Show us the way again.

[Aqua-Holic]

One of my nicer off-shore fishing days........

Luv Ya Man ! .........

[seasquid]

Hey Rod,

The good ole days were pretty good. I remember running with you, Wak'm, and Pilar -- heck, we didn't much know what we were doing most of the time, but we managed to figure it out. "Hey, I think that is a tuna boat on the horizon" off we went with just purple/black and the mexican flags. I think those things still catch fish -- in fact, I'm pretty sure they do.

I guess there is a bunch of us who can take credit in that we introduced a lot of new people to the fishery -- we made a few boat builders some money too. We also have made a bunch of new friends.

I certainly remember calling some of the said "old timers" saying hey -- `2 and 4 tomorrow -- who's sick?' Great times -- exciting times -- a few too many barley pop times as well.

I'm still in the game, probably always will be.

I still run a lot of my original gear -- still filling the boat pretty regularly with you name the species. I dream about my next boat -- but, my Marlin is paid for, well it was, until the new engine, but it still gets me out and back and I still have a freezer full of fish.

Dawgs -- have a wonderful holiday season. I'm off to the Islands Sunday for 11 days for business/pleasure.

Oh, sunrise on July 4 is 5:37 a.m. -- Where will you be? Hmm ... 61 spot or Tuna Town?

Aloha!

ss

[Nalu]

I understand what you're getting at Rod, and I can see why you may nostalgic towards "the way it was".

But I don't think the board is has become how much money you spend on gear, or what brand and size your boat is.

I do believe that as the Salty Dog board has grown, there is input from a much larger cross section of people. This cross section includes some with many years on the blue, and many more with little or none. Heck, we have a tunaholic from Idaho!

So this board has gone from the small group of original "Salty Dogs" with experience and knowledge to take a well equipped small vessel far offshore to what it is here and now. This board is now a large group of mixed users, that has exploded in size and reach, and truly impacts how and when people fish. As such, discussion has shifted.

String me up for saying so, but 99.9% of people that own a 20 foot boat have neither the ability nor the knowledge to take that vessel 20+ miles offshore. I know people that do have that ability, but they didn't get it by posting on a message board. Heck, there is a solid contingent of posters with strong opinions that dont own boats, or even really fish, they just post.

This board has helped fuel the desire and the "buzz" about recreational tuna fishing. In doing so, more boats head out with unqualified, underprepared, and uninformed people. Talk to the CG and you'll find that their offshore rescues, and calls for tows due to GOOFs (gomer out of fuel) have skyrocketed. Just wait until the ocean turns nasty on a bunch of the cocktail crowd. Nobody from this board (the Dogs anyhow) has sank yet due to nasty weather, or an ill equipped vessel, but they will. Maybe someone will die, maybe they won't. Regardless of what some have thought, the weather has been really nice the last several years offshore, with lots of warning. It wont last forever. You've been there Rod, you know what I mean.

So Rod, waxing nostalgic for the past is understandable. I'm sure that some old posters have left, as this isn't why they started, or participated in the past, but many are still here. But as this board has become a knowledge base and a tutoring primer for those without offshore knowledge, I think the dire warnings are justified. I'd rather tell someone the boat they have isn't the right boat for the job and have them think I'm a jerk then not say anything and have them die.

As far as expensive gear...It is what it is. I like good gear because, well, it works good. And I do believe I've seen a nice rod or reel or two on El Shaddai, and some of the others you mentioned.

So, though I don't think the old dogs are gone, you did make me recall one of my favorite poems by Charles Lamb. Nothing lasts forever in the same state.

OLD FAMILIAR FACES

I have had playmates, I have had companions,
In my days of childhood, in my joyful school-days,
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

I have been laughing, I have been carousing,
Drinking late, sitting late, with my bosom cronies,
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

I loved a love once, fairest among women:
Closed are her doors on me, I must not see her -
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

I have a friend, a kinder friend has no man;
Like an inmate, I left my friend abruptly;
Left him, to muse on the old familiar faces.

Ghost-like I paced round the haunts of my childhood,
Earth seemed a desert I was bound to traverse,
Seeking to find the old familiar faces.

Friend of my bosom, thou more than a bother,
Why wert not thou born in my father's dwelling?
So might we talk of the old familiar faces -

How some they have died, and some they have left me,
And some are taken from me; all are departed;
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

So, cheers to you, and to the old familiar faces.

[Woody]

Well said Rod.

When I first met Pilar and OceanBlue in Garabaldi that fatefull day 3 years ago, and they led me to this place, I discovered a whole new world I never knew existed. A place where normal people like me went out far, far out into the ocean and caught all kinds of cool and delicious marine life, and returning in one piece. What really lit the fire was seeing guys like Pilar in his little blue boat that he rebuilt from the shell up, with gear he built himself, out 40 miles, plugging his boat with fish.

I suddenly realised that I had the skills to build (or rebuild) a boat capable of making the journey to Tunatown and back safely. Furthermore, I didn't have to buy a bunch of "Guchi" gear either. I could actually build some of that, too.

I'm hoping to follow in the footsteps of our founding fathers. Part of the reward for me will be knowing that, at the end of the day, I will be out just as far and catching just as many fish, SAFELY, as guys who spent twice as much on one outboard as I spent on my entire boat.....and gear.

[FASTWATER]

Just for instance the kismet is a long cry from the old blue ! I think we all started with the basic junk yard dog gear but hope and pray for a grady someday that does not mean that we have changed as people with growth comes change but my attitude and convictions are the same today as they were 20 years ago!!! I agree I loved the old salty dogs rapor much better when it wasn't what you did as much as what you were about to do and exactly why I loved browsing here don't be part of the problem be part of the solution !!! PEACE ON EARTH

[Bait O' Eggs]

Rod - I like how you spoke the truth on this topic. I have my theory on ifish and the dogs as the website grows. But part of that theory is the Salty dog board has become the rich mans playground in the town we call ifish. Not quite snob hill, but definatly the better side of town, so to speak. It isnt right or wrong, it is just the way it is. :tongue:

I think the "average" salty boat went from 21 feet and worth about $10,000 (using the Julie Rose 3 to get the average up ) to around 27 feet and worth about $75,000 average today with the new breed of dog.

There are a few of us who cant keep up with the Jones'es and fish the ugly boats. I know every reel I fish on the high sea is either a used Senator I got off ebay cheap, or an ABU 6501 C3 worth $60 on sale. I dont own any Calstars or Seekers, Cheap E glass blanks I built are my choice. I dont fish any gear from the store, as if I didnt make at least a part of it, it dont go in the water. I get a lot of satisfaction snuffing the lure manufactures and their $10 lures, and doing it myself.

There is plenty of room for all of us on ifish, it all makes more buddy boats on the water.

I know I will be dragging my latest and greatest lures to the TA cocktail hours and showing others how simple it is to do it yourself and save a buck or two.

You ought to see the 45 swimbaits I poured tonight in an hour after work.

All right so I've always been a gear ho but I'm not going to lop 1' off my boat.

BTW, nothing wrong with Penn and Diawia Reels, I just likes them purty blue Avets.

[Flush Release]

Speaking of boats how is your project moving?

Frozen.

[Mark Mc]

OK Rod, I'll confess.....this ruse has been going on long enough. Your feelings & suspicions are valid. There has been a kind of "secret salty dogs offshoot" underway for about a year. I discovered it by accident, as I was invited on a fishing trip by one of them. They figured I could be trusted, and could be "converted" because they knew I had Avet reels, fancy rods, and a Shimano gear bag loaded down. Up to now I have kept quiet, but the guilt has been unbearable.

This offshoot club has a bizarre "judging" panel, where you have to "interview" by listing details about your boat and your gear. Not only do you have to have a new or near-new, modern tuna speedboat, but you have to have all top-of-the-line gear. They even make you throw away your old rods & reels if they don't meet the criteria. They thought I had thrown my 25 year old rods away, but I just couldn't so they are hidden in the garage rafters. They made me sell the Brenna Lou because it was too old & slow. They have this secret code that they use, both on this chat board, and on the radio.

I had been reluctantly going along with this, feeling like someone who married into the mafia & wanted out but knew it wasn't possible. Recently a so-called "fishing friend" was over at my house to use my line-winder to wind his new lanthanum-kevlar line onto his Accurate Boss triple drag titanium reel. While I was doing this for him, he "innocently" snoops in my closet and sees my 25 year old Furuno FE400 paper machine fathometer, along with other misc. ancient fishing gear. He didn't say anything, but his mood changed noticeably.

2 days later I get a phone call from a disguised voice, saying that I am no longer welcome in "the club", and if I ever say anything about this, or name any names, there will be complete denial, and I will be labeled as an insane, jealous, whako.

So that's the story; long live trailer trash tuna fishing.

[flapbreaker]

Rod,

Does this remind you of the good old days?

[tomictime]

if it is any consolation, another board I post on - for another hobby is in the same funk...
I drove 6 hours to lastyears tunaconvention - so maybe I am crazy.
I like nice stuff and work insane hours
I tie up my own leaders but buy my terminal lures.
My boat is paid for, but I still look at "other girls"
I have enuf vanity to get aluminum painted
I release as much as I eat
I prefer Islanders
I would rather have one Superposed than 12 lesser guns
I love my black lab and she loves me
Maybe I am a snob
I think I contribute - even if it is nalu-like - trying to keep people alive longer
I fear the angry Ocean and respect it
I enjoy this community, even when it changes.
Peace and a great holiday season to ALL the dogs, wherever you might be and whatever you might be chasing in the water

Jim

[Onokai]

Rod just on account of your rant i threw all my newer fishing gear in the pruning burn pile. I kept the old wood rods and penn squiders . Tossed out the avets and all the shimano crap- snaped all the calstars and the like. Smashed up my 23 whaler with a sledge- Now I'm back to the 18 footer still in the yard . Hell I fished tuna for 6 years with it. Ok the free board is low and the wind cuts you like a knife but man you know you're alive or almost dead at least. Now we're fishing. Mark

[Mr. Fisherman]

[RJ]

well said Rod

[skein]

Mark, I know only too well what you're saying.

I, too, almost made it into the Inner Circle. I even got as far as the secret handshake and Calstar blanks, but then I posted that foolish thread questioning the engineering of Avet reels, and I was done. One slip of the keyboard and I was outside (again) looking in.

Of course I wouldn't have made it anyway, once the Members actually saw my Ed Wing. They had only heard the glowing reports of how it rode the water and fished, but had never put a hairy eyeball on it. I was doomed from the start.

It was kinda exciting though, to be talking about live bait and overnighters and trash-can sized fish. I almost bought a whole spool of Izorline and was actually looking for a mold for fishtrap ... er... swimbait jigheads. Now that's all behind me.

Guess I'll go out to the boat and hit the "Clear all waypoints" button on the gps. Do I need a witness?

(With all the money I'm gonna save, I'll be able to buy Janis her dream home, or maybe even a horse.)

Skein

[jacksalmon]

Rod: Here's one to make you feel a little better. I know I am not a major player, but I catch my share of tuna/halibut/salmon. All of my catching is done out of a 19 foot Trophy powered by a 135 Mercury Optimax and an 8 horse Yamaha kicker. That boat has been out 45 to 50 miles. I used to fish out of a 16 foot skiff which regularly went out to the CR Buoy with its 25 horse and me in the back on the tiller. We got laughed at every time out and when we limited before those who laughed at us, we made sure to do a few circles around them on the way back in while holding our middle fingers high and letting them know we were limited.
But, aside from that, Rod, remember that if someone has the cash and wants to go tuna fishing in a nice 26 to 30 foot boat, that's cool and does not absolutely nothing to take away from the experience of those with smaller floating devices. I don't go out on days when the forecast is 4 and 7 for three reasons. One, I don't think it is safe in my boat. Two, I don't need to get beat up in rough seas. Three, there are enough days when it is 2 and 4 or 3 and 5 to allow me to catch my tuna and resupply the pantry with cans of the stuff. One or two tuna go a long way toward keeping me in grillable fresh stuff until the next time I can get out.
So, there are plenty of days here when the small boat can get out and we do take advantage of them. We even broke down once 30 miles out. Big deal, we called the Coast Guard and motored toward port on the kicker at 5 mph until they showed. Even if they had not showed up, we would have made it six hours later. I take two GPS systems and a hand-held compass, so I know I will find the way. Two radios will keep us in touch with somebody. So, the small boat still lives for some of us.
As for the gear, for me, I don't buy fancy cars or live in a McMansion, so I spend a little more for Avet reels. Big deal, I don't have any kids to leave cash to, so if I drop dead without a penny to my name at least I had some good reels. It's no big deal to spend a little money on good fishing equipment. I have never had an equipment failure that cost me a fish. Besides, I like stuff that works well. So, here I am, living proof that one doesn't need a 30 foot express to fish the blue. Just a 19 footer and a bunch of weather reports and I'm good to go. Besides, I can put the thing in my garage. The small boat lives!!!!

[WaterDog]

:lurk:

[corrirod]

One thing I'd like to make clear about this post, my issue is not that people are buying "the best" boats/tackle. For that matter I'd like to see everyone getting the best boats and tackle available. My issue is with those who feel there is no substitute for "the best" gear. I promise you, if you feel you have ALL the best, I can find someone that has better.

I guess what I'd like to see is that everyone grab an extra slice of humble pie before lambasting someone for not having the best of the best. Too many times this season I've watched someone trying to scrimp every penny and dime to put together his boat/tackle only to be hounded relentlessly on the premise of "buy the best or nothing at all" and that's not right.

We've all got to start somewhere folks, and that usually isn't at the top.

I'm sure someone has said it better but " Only look down at someone..........if you're planning to help them up ."

Seasquid, Sturgn, man it's good to hear from both of you. Steve, those are the exact moments I miss. Still to this day I will never forget the first time you called my house to find out if I could make a run with you, listening to one side of the conversation you were having with my wife.

"Is Rod in?" , says Steve.
"Yes he is. Can I tell him who's calling?" says my wife.
Then a long, long, long pause.
In a very reluctant voice, "Uhhhhhhhhhhh.......mmmmmmmmm.........Seasquid ?"
And my wife turns to me smiling and giggling, "I believe it's someone from Ifish, Seasquid?"


Steve knew I wouldn't recognize his real name so he reluctantly went with his Ifish moniker!

Those days you describe Steve are the exacty days I recall. Pilar, Wak/RJ, Gregotis, you, all scrambling to find crew, scrambling to slap together enough gear to be able to fish all day.

Again, I'm not saying everyone shouldn't buy good boats and tackle, just don't rub anyone's face in it.

[jacksalmon]

Rod, this is exactly the point I was trying to make in my earlier post. My 19 footer ain't squat by most standards, but I get my share of fish and live to tell about them. So, not everyone is living the life of the Cabo Express 32. Some of us are even enjoying it. Let my experience be a lesson to all who want to explore the blue. As Rod says, you don't have to have the best or the biggest to get out there. Just buy good enough; get good electronics and pick your days. You'll have plenty of fish and still have some cash left over to take a long range trip someday.

[tracker]

I too fished from a 14' open aluminum skiff. I made it out to swiftsure bank in canada a couple of times with it. Twenty miles of wondering if I should turn back yet. Many times I did turn back. I caught a lot of fish in that boat but I also put mine and many others lives in danger in that boat. Yes I picked my days but I had no radio. I did have a GPS. That was my first real boat. More times than I like to say I was at the cleaning station, taking care of my small lings and bass while watching others come in with huge halibut and mondo lings they caught offshore that day, but it had been too rough for me in my little skiff.
So there I was one day, talking to my wife. We were looking at refinancing the house and there would be quite an abundance of assessed value that I could draw upon. I never really had any hope that my wife would consent but I brought up the idea of buying a bigger boat. Well there she sits outside my window! No not my wife, but my 26' striper, "Just Keep Fishing". I cant say that I feel the least bit sad when I am the one pulling into the cleaning station with the big catch. I dont have the avets onboard nor do I have all the fancy stuff I would like, but someday I will. Those avets and others like them can really crank the fish in. It is easier with the new fncy gear. It is not just a status symbol to have the best stuff. It really works better. I just dont have the finances right now to get them. But I will tell you I will never turn Hoggemin away just because he has them purrty purple avets he wants to bring. I love taking guys out on the boat and those that have been out with me will tell you that many times I will just run the boat (and my Video camera) and let them catch the fish. We all spend what money we have in many different ways. I for one can not imagine spening $4 for a cup of coffee. But there are many that do. If someone wants to spend their disposable income on some nice gear, then more power to them. That way when they find that there is only two little screws holding the thing together we all profit. Man how many more days till the tuna come? With the price of fuel dropping I get to thinking about hooking the boat up and heading south for a little winter tuna!

[The Bad Fish]

I put all our money into the best boat, safety equipment, and electronics I could afford.

Our gear is "budget gear" as I call it. I have seen the posts where some newbie asks "can I use my penn 320 gti for tuna fishing"?

Hell yeah I say. I have 4 of them all on cheap yellow po's 2 years of salt water abuse 175 tuna, 30 halibut, and who knows what else later and still smooth as the day I bought them. I get them cleaned every year and drags replaced for $15-$20 bucks each.

In my opinion spend your money on the safety equipment. buy the best boat and electonics you can afford.

That being said, this is where im going to get piled on

more than once I have mentioned this board to someone and been told "those people are a bunch of Idiots"
or

"most of the people on there are know it all's that dont even own a boat".

The opinions and attitudes are a little much sometimes for me. I talk to my close friends that I have made through this site and we share info. That being said, I really dont care what people think about me, and I will still post reports from time to time.

I have to agree with you rod, I miss the good old days too.

[KChookem]

Thanks Corrirod for starting this thread.

I value your opinions, experience and insights, as I do for Mark Mc, and perhaps a dozen others with broad experience. I'm grateful a bunch of you are willing to talk about Safe Boating, Groundfish, Salmon, Halibut, and Crabbing and other non-Tuna stuff.

[crabbait]

Too many times this season I've watched someone trying to scrimp every penny and dime to put together his boat/tackle only to be hounded relentlessly on the premise of "buy the best or nothing at all" and that's not right.

You are going to have to point out some of this relentless hounding to me, Rod. I've seen people recommend the gear they think is the best for the money but I have not seen anyone "hounded" for buying gear they could afford.

I remember a thread where a guy was asking for a recommendation for "the best" halibut rod. I suggested that the Seeker 665H with roller guides was pretty dern good. Later in the thread he said he had decided to go with the Seeker. I knew the ifisher did not need nor could he afford a Seeker 665H with roller guides to catch halibut and sent him a PM suggesting a cheaper alternative that would give good service.

You can't judge the answer unless you look at the question. When a fella asks "what is the best?" he deserves "the best" as an answer, not the best that we think he can afford.

[Zodiac-Fisherman]

The good old days.. Sure there are plenty of ways to sum up the good things that went down back n the day.. Salmon fishin was better back n the day, YFT are larger than ever a sign that time is a good thing. I have seen alot of change go down with this board. Positive and negative at the same time. There are more newbies than ever, and alot of the founding dogs are drifting away. There are folks that come from many different backgrounds that belong on this board, some get along, others dont. I would like to see less criticism towards those that have plenty of knowledge, example of this; A newbie acting like he knows everything and criticizes with a seasoned salty dog. This group is a pretty dang cool group of folks that have a lack of sodium desease. I've met many good people through this board, and honestly probably wouldn't have met them if it werent for jennie. Its pretty hard to find one that TUNA fishes in the NW. Anyways, just my thoughts, Fish on!

[5 Salt]

Rod,

I hear what you are saying and agree completely. Admittedly thouhg I am but a pup myself and perhaps part of the problem.

In my limited experience I have however noticed that it becomes increasingly less appealling to post answers to the same quesitons over and over and over again. That single factor above all others may be the reason some old-timers are heard from less and less with each passing season. Further, ocean conditions were not exactly cooperative this past year and it seemed like we were robbed of 2-3 weeks of good wx this fall. Hard for anyone, Salty or other wise, to stay excited under those constraints. Now pile on a bunch of hardlined posts that are, at times, borderline snobby and/or combative and you have the makings of exactly that which you desribe as going in the wrong direction.

More hands up offered...More supportive to eachother...less combative...more camaraderie. I hear you load and clear. Thanks for the post and the reminder of what it's all about - Helping one-another regardless of lot in life to enjoy this great boundy laid before us and to safely return from each journey.

Good thing for all this sunny wx we have been having - I fear with out it we would all be a bit longer in the face.

[Something Good]

Rod, like they say: there's one in every crowd. I guess more than one in a crowd this big. Hang in there, it's guys like the earlier mentioned "old timers" that have made so many of us enjoy being a part of this board. Don't let a few guys ruin it for the rest.

I'll have to admit I did make fun of TUNABOY'S gear after having to handline in a 46" hali at the ranch due to reel failure, does this mean I'm one too?

A guy could make a fortune here if he could come up with an anti-saltwater withdrawal cure.

[Tacklebuster]

Five years ago I was sitting in front of this Salty Dog board soaking up information. I had a 19 foot inboard jet at time. I finally braved the CR bar for my first solo run and the reward was limits of coho and salt in my veins. It seemed then that a guy could post a salmon report or bottom fish report and got lots of good positive responses in return. A few years go by and now it's seems to be all about Tuna! and big glass closed bow boats.

No matter how many people want to say otherwise, my 21' foot beer can full of amb. 6500's and Penn 320 GT's is still all I need to go out and catch my fish. The board has gained popularity and the ranks have swelled. Things change and either you roll with them or move on. It would be nice to have a 30 plus foot glass boat filled with bling bling but just cause I aint got it don't mean much of nothing to me. I guess you just gotta stop caring what people think of you and just do your thing.

[Popeye]

Rod.....Where have the old days gone??????.....There still here, in our hearts, and our memories. Never to be forgotten, or traded!!!!

[SKSPAWNER]

Hey, Rod: I'm still here, just not as often. I agree that things have changed a bit and the "good ol' days" continue to be fond memories. I try not to let the one up manship bother me and know that I have the best equipment I can afford even if it's from EBay. If it gives me the pleasure and brings home fish, then what does an "elite" opinon matter? Hang in there, Buddy. We'll make it to summer!

Sunny K

[CATCH AND EAT]

My Penn 113's and 114's work just fine for tuna and halibut. I have $14 boat rods that work just fine. My live well is now working and I am going to purchase a few new electronics.

Do I want a new boat? Yep, boat that is a little larger like 25ft maybe that can go 35 mph would be nice. Will I get one? Most likely not but you never know. My 91 trophy gets me there and back and I spend lots of money on maintence to make sure of that.

I guess I just don't understand why threads like this show up sometimes other than we long for the long days of summer and the quest for adventure on the high seas. I get just as stir crazy as the rest of you folks but that is no reason to feel this way.

I appreciate everyones opinion here and all have been a great help in giving me the knowledge of how to fish the blue water. We are a fickled bunch to say the least and we say what we want. What is really important to remember is that when we are on the hunt that we are all Dogs and we help each other in time of needs. I does'nt matter if we have Avets or just penn 321s. They will all fish.

Long live the Salty Dogs!

[bassin]

I understand your post.(I think) I see it in the Bass clubs I belong to. And I saw it here when I asked about gear. Am lucky to be able to afford some of the better stuff. Boat, safety gear etc. But the tude is there. I would be very happy to join up with you and fish the big blue with my yellow rods and 321 reels.
Cliff

[Pilar]

Guess I missed the elitism if there was any. Lately this place was a driveby glance on the way to doing something else. At least it used to be that way. Now I have free time and spend some of it here.

Dog #1 is without computer so that's why you don't see him on here. Until he stops splattering the ducks and geese that is not likely to change.

Bigger boat does not neccesarily mean better. When you get to the part about 3 times the fuel use, ease of towing, moorage fees and winter storage you'll wish like I do for the smaller boat. Sleeping on board your bigger boat is all good but on balance the right size is about 20 foot when you consider the other things.

As far as gear goes the yellow pole still works with the 4/0 wide and I like the new 2 speed Diawa SLD30 too. If I do anything else on gear I will probably go to Calstar or seeker for boat rods and have my buddy Gary make them for me.

Nobody can blame the fishtrap mongers and live bait aficianados. That stuff works from what we saw last summer. But don't throw away your troll gear and handlines, this is the first year in 10 they did not work well.

Rod is right though, it's different here than it was when we started. Many of the people you saw on here everyday are busy like I was and some have drifted away. Ifish is where I met many of you and I will not forget that. We were different then ... we went out alone. 2 of us at a time on the little blue boat. And no one believed us when we told our TUNA! tales. They saw the 5 or 7 TUNA! and still did not believe. We would get out 3 or 4 times a year because the weather had to be perfect to risk a solo over the horizon. We felt like we were getting away with something because the fishing was killer and we were all alone. No one even even imagined that they could play this game. There was no Terrafin, no Ifish, no Salty dogs. No ice machine in the garage, no tackle room (spare bedroom), no dry storage for the boat at the beach, no TA meetings and no area 61.

We were alone out there

Thanks you guys it is different now but time marches on and it will change some more.

'You can't put your foot in the same river twice.'

[id. painter]

I had noticed it Rod.My boat was perfectly capable three years ago and now I get the feeling Im seen as just crazy/stupid .

Im from Idaho ,,, Have too small of boat ,,crappy 2strk. motor,s , canvas top ,,cheep reels and poles , a total of three types of lures ,3cedar plugs/ a bunch of swim baits /and a single clone.
:grin:
I dont have the experience to be a tug capt. and yet I will go ..

My father can probably afford a boat bigger and better than most the dogs I know of ,,,,and his favorite saying is ,,, If you feel safe ,,enjoy your boat ,,cause someone will FOR SURE,ALWAYS ,have one bigger .
I take those words to heart ,,,, I enjoy what I have with no regret .
Last summer I was catching tuna 50 miles out along side No other boats in my class .
Made me feel special .I like being special .... :grin:
id. p.

[Nalu]

id- Did someone actually say this to you? I'd be happy to have words with them if they did.

I mentioned that we have a tunaholic from Idaho, but it wasn't dispariging.

I myself ran standard 2 strokes until halfway through this summer. Have new 2 stokes now.

I guess I must be blind to it. I try to help everyone I can, and support everyone that wants to learn. I personally have never seen someone hammer on someone for using whatever gear they can for whatever they want to fish for.

We do have more discussion about expanded gear and techniques, but that isn't to put down the guys that don't have access to it. I don't recall anyone looking down their nose at others at a tuna carking station or the Newport CG get together last year. All I saw was a bunch of I-Fishers haveing a grand time.

[OceanBlue]

Chris, you are crazy... like a FOX, my friend

[Paddler]

I've started a reply to this thread several times.

I have to say, these are the good old days. That will become clear through the retrospectoscope. If you think about all the advantages we now have, and gear that will allow us to go offshore and return safely, how can you not agree?

The "old salts" won't keep replying to threads that repeat. That's just human nature. And, higher quality gear is a pleasure to own and use. It's also rewarding to use gear you've had for years, stuff that brings back memories of previous trips.

I havn't seen any one upsmanship on this board, or anyone putting anybody down because they can't/don't want to afford a more expensive boat or gear.

Perhaps it was simpler "back in the day". But, the ocean is still there, and so are guys who are passionate about being on it. I don't think that will ever change.

[wootersen]

Sounds to me like you may be romanticizing it a little bit. I still remember my first car. It was a 1978 Camaro half red, half bondo-blue. Everytime I think about that car I smile. I remember peeling out in the neighborhood blocks and competing with my buddy who also had a camaro.

Truth is...that car was a big peice of crap. It smelled like mildew, the seat belts didn't work and I think every window had some sort of crack in it. Yet, for some reason, when I think about it...all I remember is peeling out down the street and the throaty sound of the glass packs.

I haven't been around too long, but I've heard the stories and read the old threads. I can honestly say, In my opinion the spirit of the Salty dogs is still there. The pockets are a little deeper, and the boats a little bigger but the underlying theme is still "Leave no dog behind".

Merry Christmas to the whole "Pack"

John

[id. painter]

No offense Nalu ,,, I am , as you were , some time in the not so distant past.A pup.
Starting out is not easy as everyone knows, you do the best you can with what you got .
Last year, at the South beach boat ramp the city police man showed up to see if I was drinking .
He ask to see what was in the cooler that was in the front of my boat. I politly told him I did not mind him looking .
Then I added that all it contained was tuna loins.
The cop looked at me as if Im a nut ,looked at my boat and said "you went out in that " ." We go out in a 21 ft. trophy"
I was feeling pretty proud of myself ,,,till then.

No one on ifish has been nasty like that .But Ive seen the trend toward bigger is better and nothing else will keep you safe and fishing .Mybe its the "small boat syndrome" Getting the better of me? :grin:
I very much love the open sea and will continue my path to Dog-hood ,,
Sort of like looking back at your teen years and wondering how you actually survived it .... . Maybe????

Im trying to learn .....
Merry x-mas and how many days Ray ???? Hiho.
id. p.

[CATCH AND EAT]

I.d I have been told that many times and my trophy is 23 foot. I guess it is part perspective when it comes to boats and how each of us feels out on the water in them. For me some boats are just to small for my comfort while others feel perfectly safe in them. For me, the more boat the more better IMHO.

[bobross]

I haven't been on the board long enough to know what it was like in the old days, but I have sure enjoyed it for the past year.

For one thing, I was seduced into going out for tuna by the writers on this board. Been fishing for salmon for years (23 ft boat) but never had the nerve to go "really offshore" . Next thing I know I'm looking at the GPS and we are over the 125 line and it says 60 miles back to the Till. jetty. The color of the water alone was worth the trip! Totally hooked, and totally in a funk about having to wait until next summer.

Anyway, Rod, I know what you mean about people rhapsodizing about their gear. I think all of us from time to time get caught up in this. I have to consciously keep myself in check. I keep telling myself, "90% of success is knowledge and 10% is gear." or "fish don't know or care what kind of rod you have". Sometimes it works.

You can include me in your redneck fleet, with my old wooden boat, fiberglass rods, Penn and Garcia reels, and total lust for the salt water.

Thanks for being on the board. thanks to all you other dogs too. Merry Christmas.

Bob Ross
JOSIE ROSE

[corrirod]

Salty Dog spirit was never in question so lets stay on topic.

If you have not seen any threads on this board resembling this rant then you missed them because more than one time it was brought to my attention. Regardless, the point of this thread is simply for awareness. I don't think anyone intentionally tries to "look down their noses" in this group. If I did then I wouldn't have started this thread, I would've just went direct to the source with a PM, email, or phone call.

Wootersen, you may be partially right in your analogy except it's not the car I miss, it's the people that used to drive in it with me that I miss.

All I'm trying to point out is that if someone can only afford a "smaller" boat, with a smaller motor, and yellow po's, etc., then we should help them work with what they have until they can afford better. I'm not talking about posts that are titled "What's the BEST product I can buy" either, by all means tell them what THE best is. But if someone says "I have a 21' Reinell cuddy cabin, do you think I can take that out for halibut and can I use my Penn 209's?", lets try to help them use what they have and shy away from the "dark side". It's way to easy to say "you're crazy to go out there in anything but a << fill in the blank >>" , or "No way you can catch a halibut on a 209, you should buy an Accurate blah, blah, blah."

This rant isn't an attack on anyone, just merely an observation by myself and others. I may have mislabeled the thread by using "good old days". That was not the intent of my thread and I apologize. The reference to the "good old days" was more in reference to when the Salty Dogs were in their infancy and how none of us cared what brand of gear we used and cared more about how safe we all were(within our budget) and whether or not we had a successful day or not.

This board is chalk full of great threads this year and tons of great new members also. In no way am I saying that the quality of threads is going bad, in fact I think it's just the opposite. Because of our new members we are learning all new techniques and tactics but I want to make sure we're not stepping on, or looking down at ANY of our Salty Dogs as we move forward. We're still fambli, rednecks and all. :grin:



Rod Lee
Red Green Wannabe
BOE Wannabe
President of the "Larry the Cable Guy for President" club
Member of Yellow Po's International
Writer of the hit song "Save a whale, ride a boat"
"P.E.T.A. members, it's what's for dinner" Club VP
"If you can buy it you can build it.....with duct tape" philosophy

[Hummingbird]

Hi Rod,
I hear what your saying . I think the board has changed over the last year and I don't post much cause I have been in and out of the hospital getting things taken care of. I don't own a boat and am not too knowledgable on gear and such. I buy what I can to be able to fish. Most of all I want to Thank all of you who have give me the privledge and let me come aboard their vessels and fish with them. I have learned qite a bit and most of all is the Friendliness of all the Salty Dawgs. I have been able to fish and have an adult beverage with quite a few and look forward for more good times. I hope to be able to be a crew person this next year again with one of you Generous Dawgs and enjoy the day for what it is. That's what I like, just getting out there. Merry Cheristmas everyone!!!! Tom

[Pilar]

Chris, hold your head up man. Your boat is skookum and you will do well with it.

Most of you know the boat I fished in for many years. 19 foot fiberglass. I can't even count the times I was told 'You're crazy' and I thought "tell me something I did not know". Most people were nice and not condescending. Some were nasty and as far as I could tell pretty much ignorant about what I was doing offshore and why. Bottom line is I didn't care. My stuff was all in one ditty bag and I had TUNA! in the cooler. It didn't cost much to run and it fit in my garage. Best of all no boat payment other than the occasional wrench festival.

The conditions that keep the 25+ footer in the bay and the conditions that keep the 19 footer in the bay are not that different. So a bigger boat while nice does not make you invincible.

As has been pointed out we are pretty much the same bunch as ever. The ocean sorts out people. That kind of defines who is in this group regardless of what they ride to the fishing grounds.

'Those guys are a bunch of idiots'. Ha ha, pretty funny. I'll think about that the next time a whale breaches for my entertainment 30 miles offshore or I catch a rockfish that defies identification. I felt like a real idiot when I pulled that prawn out of a pot off Depoe Bay. (I'll be back for all your brothers and sisters real soon).

[wak'm&stak'm]

Howdy Rod.

I have noticed the growing pains of the Salty Dogs as well.
I think it is not a bad thing for the group to grow, but it is impossible for me to stay in touch with so many.

This last summer it was good to get calls from Squid, James & Les, Marty, Mark, TWB, Badfish, Beer Barge ( to mention a few) and to hook up on the VHF with Pilar, BOE, Puffin and the rest of the old gang.
Sure the Dogs grew but I think old friendships that were made are still pretty concrete.

I will never forget some of the old memories, like you and Roy drowning in the Old Dory......( priceless)

Oh by the way.....I got cheap reels :smile:, and half the line is gone.

[Triple C]

Hey Rod I just want to thank you and the old salts and the new salts for helping me be a safer and more educated salt.
I've had the opportunity to fish along side both old and new
salts in the last couple of years and I can say truly that this board has improved the quality of my fishing experience. I've yet to meet a bad dog out there on the
blue and you know your in good and caring company when your out at the ranch or further and you hear someone on the radio helping someone out who is low on oil or is having engine trouble. I'm fairly new to this group but I'm darn
proud to be part of it. This group is making a good name
for itself. The Coast Guard benefit and the tuna tourney
for the food bank are just a start. Rod you're gonna end
up with alot of salty old friends

[ANDYCOHO]

Rod, I couldn't agree with ya' anymore

I have talked with John (Wootersen) quite a bit about this very subject on the water, poison and salt.

I still read the board a little here and there, but would feel awfully stupid/ uninformed about making a reply or new post on some of the topics that get covered here.

I have been on a mission as of lately and have been gathering older rods (by trading trips, no $ has even changed hands, and I'm up to 5 budget rods!) I then attach a Okuma ( :shocked:, yep a $52.50 reel with some bulk Big Game line, $6.99 on sale) to these budget rods and go and catch TUNA!, Halibut, Salmon, Black Bass and Lings. I'm probably not being too hip, or "PC" doing this, but for some reason, I'm getting a kick out of talking with different folks and look forward to some poison water trips with them and I get to walk away with their budget rods....

The Salty Dogs definately have grown....I just hope the 'Dogs haven't outgrown me :grin:

[wootersen]

Salty Dog spirit was never in question so lets stay on topic.

Easy tiger....I hear you. :grin: I guess I missed the point.

It seems to me that the board is just going through the evolution process. Not better, not worse..just different. I must've missed the threads you're referring too, because I've been given a whole bunch of gifts by a whole bunch of dogs. Their gear, their knowledge and their freindship. Skein even cooked me oatmeal once. The culture was fostered by the "old-timers" that you mentioned among others. I only meant that all the new guys I've met are doing everything they can to preserve the legacy of the salty dogs.

You bring up good points about the gear. No one should be looked down upon for fishing budget gear. I haven't witnessed it first hand , but that's messed up, and your right.

As far as the analogy goes, yeah, it's a stupid analogy. The car isn't the people, the car is the gear. After I drove that *** car, I upgraded to a better car. Can't begrudge a guy trading up from Penn 320's to an Avet. Ok...have I milked that stupid analogy enough ? :grin:

Growing pains I guess. :whazzup: I'm gonna go drink hot buttered rum and play with the clicker on my Penn Senator. :grin:

[Gregotis98]

I guess whats gotten me down the most is when some voice their opinions on something it comes out more like a fact rather than just what it is, an opinion. With more people comes more opinions, good or bad. I know this has gone on since the Salty Dogs was started and even centuries before that, even many wars have been started over the same thing. I just have gotten tired of weeding through so many opinions/facts I cant keep up.