Some Take-Aways from the Seminars

For many fishermen such as this happy angler,
the hightlight of the year was false albacore,
or albies. Most can't wait until they arrive
in September!

I've been running all around southern New England doing striper fishing seminars this winter.  I've spoken with a lot of fishermen who fish southern New England waters, and they have a lot to say.  Here is what they all generally think is going on:
1.  Where were the bluefish? Wow, there is widespead agreement and disappointment that this was a very poor fall for bluefish.  Up and down the southern New England coastline they were not in any abundance anywhere. And, do we even hear a peep from our fisheries managers?
2. Loads of schoolies but where were the keepers? Everyone agrees that we had a banner year for schoolies, and everyone thinks that the future of striper fishing looks good.  However, lots of shore fishermen are moaning and groaning about the lack of keepers around. The guys in the know are still catching some keepers but the general feeling is that the numbers are down. The only ones who are happy about this past season's keeper numbers seem to be those fishing the Cape Cod Canal.  And, most of those guys were complaining about the crowds there! Social media has a way of sending loads of fishermen to places that are hot these days.
3. Albies are hot. Everyone seems to have albie fever and most can't wait until these gamesters hit the shore in September. I think the recent string of great albie years is due to warming waters and global warming in general, and I see no reason to think 2018 won't be another banner year.
4.  When will the striper season begin? That's the number one question at all my seminars.  How about April 15 along the south shore oceanfront of RI!

Next Stop....Springfield Sportsmens Show

My next stop on the seminar schedule will be the Springfield Sportsmens Show at the Big E in Springfield, MA, on Saturday, Feb. 24. I will be doing two seminars that day.  At 11:00 AM, I will be running my carp fishing seminar which is called Strategies for Carp Fishing in Lakes and Rivers.  At 2:00 PM, I will be running my Striper Trends seminar.  Both will take place in Seminar Room B.
The Springfield Sportsmens Show is a massive event housed in two buildings.  The show focuses on anything outdoor related with hunting and fishing front and center.  There are loads of hunting and fishing booths, some great sales and a lot of factory reps and guides to answer any of your questions.  The show also features a full seminar schedule.
For more information check out their website here: http://www.osegsportsmens.com/index.html
Hope to see some of you at the show.

Change in Schedule....Striper Seminar TOMORROW at NE Fishing and Outdoor Expo

My schedule has changed for tomorrow at the NE Fishing and Outdoor Expo in Boxboro, MA.  I will be doing my "Striper Trends" seminar at 11 AM tomorrow. Loads of guys attended my carp fishing seminar today as there were big numbers of people at this show.  I suspect the attendance will  be very good again tomorrow.
Hope to see you there!

New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo Opens this Friday!

The New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo opens this Friday, Jan. 26 at the Boxboro Regency in Boxboro, MA.  It is one of the best outdoor shows in New England with loads of fishing booths, free parking, easy access off Rt. 495 and one of the best seminar line-ups I have ever seen. I will be at the show on Saturday (Jan. 27) and Sunday (Jan. 28) doing carp fishing seminars at 11:00 AM each morning. I’ll also be at the show walking around and talking to people. For more information and the seminar schedule, go to this LINK.

Hope to see you there!

Take a Look at THIS

It's not fishing related but it is spectacular if you like to see interesting photos.
My son Matt, who you have seen many times fishing with me on this blog, along with his wife Kristy are in Iceland right now on a vacation.  These two travel all over the US and the world exploring interesting places. Matt wanted to get a photo of the northern lights, and get a photo he did.  Check this out....
He also got other spectacular shots of glaciers, waterfalls and other scenery. Looks like quite the place! If you would like to see other great photos, check out his Instagram at Travel the East.

First of the Big Shows....NE Fishing and Outdoor Expo

The new year starts the season of fishing shows for me. I've got a number of them booked in the next two months at both fishing clubs and big outdoor shows.  This year I will be running two new seminars. My saltwater seminar is called "Striper Trends". This show looks at the changing world of striper fishing here in southern New England. With the warming waters, the migrations have changed, the bait populations are moving and changing and the big bass haunts are changing.  This show will look at how fishermen can change with the times to be successful at this game.  My freshwater show is called "Carp Fishing Strategies for River and Lakes".  This show deals with strategies to successfully fish moving and still waters for some of the biggest freshwater fish imaginable right here in southern New England.
My first appearance at a big outdoor show will be the New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo at Boxborough, MA right off Rt. 495.  I will be there on both Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27 and Jan. 28.  The times of those seminars are not set yet, so keep checking their website. This show has evolved over the years into a quality fishing show that focuses on freshwater fishing as well as saltwater fishing.  The show is loaded with loads of fishing vendors, top notch speakers, demonstrations and seminars. Attendance at this show has really increased in recent years due to its increasing popularity, quality attractions and free parking. I will be doing both my striper fishing seminar as well as the carp fishing seminar at this show. Hope to see you there!

Tis the Season....