Catching a 40 from the surf more challenging than running 26.2 miles

A few days ago, 47,000 people, myself included ran 26.2 miles in the NYC Marathon.  While it was a challenge, even at 4:36:53, if you take the time to train properly, any reasonably fit person can do it.  If you trained even harder, you could do it faster and faster (give me time, this was just my first attempt...I only started running seriously a little over a year ago).  I trained for and completed a 1/2 marathon in March, trained for another in July and then trained for 16 weeks to do the marathon this past Sunday.  During the last year, I've run approximately 715 miles.  OK, so that's a lot of running.  Running a marathon, a challenge? Yes.  Doable? Yes.


How about catching a 40 pound striped bass in the surf?  I've been fishing for years and years and years and have yet to get a 40 from the surf.  I've come close but close doesn't count! I fish from the surf on the east end of Long Island about 35 nights a year.  Each night I'm probably out there between 4-6 hours per night.  Now, to be fair, I'm not always targeting BIG fish because sometime I simply like to go for numbers.  If you were to fish for big striped bass exclusively, you must be prepared to get skunked.  There are guys out there who do consistently catch 40 pound plus striped bass and let me tell you from someone who tries a lot... it ain't easy!  I also, I don't fish eels and I know that can increase your odds but just as many big bass are caught on plugs, so no excuse there.  Next season, I'm willing to give up catching hundreds of average fish for just one 40.    Just one... is that too much to ask for???

Comments

[Joe GaNun]

Good to see I'm not the only one trying to balance running and surf fishing.
I'm a bit older than you but ran lot's of marathons and my best descriptor of how it felt late in the race was "even your hair hurts" Not sure catching a forty, which I will someday, will match the physical side but it certainly takes determination and patience....two of a marathoner's best friends.

[Jason Puris]

Very cool Joe! Yes, I felt like crap after my 1st marathon but am training for a 1/2 then another full.... now if I could only devote that much time to fishing!