New issue coming up in a day or two.Here is a video preview of Surf Fishing 101 series. I think most of our readers will find something relevant and interesting in it.[youtube]https://youtu.be/5LALM6-HbdI[/youtube]

Happy to say that I reshot the video yesterday morning that I screwed up on Friday with Craig Cantelmo of VS Reels. Long ass haul to North Fork to do it but those who don’t have in their heads, have it in their feet , my grandfather use to say. 

I think their new VR reels which are hitting stores in few weeks I think will be a massive hit. I got to play with one last few days and considering pricing under flagship VSX line, i think they will be guys  salivating at the lightest reel I ever held in my hand.

Video coming up

I spent morning shooting the videos and missed a blitz which was occurring about 1/2 a mile away from where we were set up. But that wasn’t the painful part. I missed plenty of blitzes before but I never imported the footage to start editing before, only to find out that its unusable due to a single button being switch the wrong way.Yes, that is painful and very much embarrassing especially since people took time out of their day to be there. My bad, my really, really bad screw up. Unfortunately probably not the last one.

Speaking of videos, and if you are one who likes watching what we do, you might get a kick out of what’s coming in the new issue next week. There is almost an hours worth of new videos for your viewing pleasure.

In this issue we are introducing Surf Fishing 101 series. I shot over 30 videos with some of todays best surfcasters, Donny Musso, Lou Caruso, Ralph Votta, Craig Cantelmo, Bill Jakob, Dave Anderson and of course our stalwarts like Mr. Skinner and Wetzel. What is Surf Fishing 101? Glad you asked

With Surf Fishing 101 we are going to try to demystify sport of surfcasting and break it down on a basic level. There will be a video on how and why to use teasers, how to fish a darter, how to improve your cast, what to look in a surf belt. How to pick a rod for back bays, how to fish a needlefish, anything that you can think of, we are a game.

In addition some videos will be all action footage, recorded with  ago pro while we are catching fish and explaining the thought process behind why we are there, and what are we doing with our lures. There are also few night footage  sequences captured with infra red light, aerial footage….and on and on. From lures to bait to rods to gear, this should be something for everyone

In next week issue of the Surfcaster’s Journal Online magazine first 4 videos will debut. Each episode is between 5 and 15 minutes although we shot an episode with Ralph Votta last week which will easily push 20 minutes

• Episode #1 The basics
• Episode #2 Needlefish with Don Musso
• Episode #3 Rough water fishing with Bucktails
• Episode # 4 Surf belt

Obviously in addition to this you will get reviews and  awesome articles from your favorite writers and columnists.

Just a little reminder to myself that I actually am not as miserable as I feel about my screw up this morning.Hope you guys enjoy it

and a little note, only as a courtesy to our blog readers

For the first time, there are pullover Creeping while you sleeping hoodies in our store, creeping bumper stickers and yes, those elusive Night Crew Zip hoodies are making appearance for a limited time.We have not publicized this because we make small batches and want our readers to get them first if the wish instead of soccer moms shopping on Cyber Monday..www.surfcastersgear.com

..Some dude named Craig let us play with his toy for next week.…a little weekend treat to our readers

New MTK show special shirt, regularly $23, this weekend only $15..35% OFF, shipping inluded

a little late edition of fish porn

25 pound blue caught and released by Chris Voorhies yesterday on South Shore of Long Island

Sand Eel bite has been pretty consistent this fall in the areas that are holding sand eels and albies are running wild in few places. SJ columnist John Skinner just uploaded a new video and on it he is saying he caught over 200 albies in the last month alone!

What do both of these things have in common? If you are targeting either bite in the daytime, tins are often your best friend. So todays giant giveaway will make someone smile from ear to hear because its truly a remarkable giveaway

This giveway is a courtesy of Ralph Votta from West End Tackle who makes Charle Graves Lures. Ralph will be one of our speakers at Striper Day (www.striperday.com) and also a star of one of our surf fishing 101 series of videos in 2016. We got him on camera last week for a 25 minute all-you-want-to-know about fishing metal lures. That’s coming in 2016.

One winner will receive this awesome collection of Charlie Graves Fishing Lures. You can check out the whole line at www.charliegraves.com

• Butterfish lure
• Herring lure
• Sand eel lure
• Mullet lure
• Nikki jig
• J-3
• D-5
• J-6
• J-7
• J-8

Thanks to Ralph Votta and Charlie Graves Lures for making this possible and good luck to all.

I haven’t had time to sit down and write something in a while so I am kind of enjoying this quiet Saturday morning with a cup of coffee. Lot of stuff on the mind lately occupying my time, my kid’s knee being a primary interest in my head and yeah, NY Mets got me sucked in. And there is my truck which went to shop on Monday and Wednesday and Friday and yes ,today. All for Service Engine Soon light that will not go off. It has not been a boring October that is for sure.
Fishing by me is terrible BUT if you are willing to drive east a little there is a constant bite. Its not spread along all the beaches, in fact is relegated to very few, but its there. When you get stormy conditions and high surf, the action spreads out and then reverts to the mean when things settle down. Mostly small fish, under the keeper size with some teen size fish mixed in. Remember that big 2011 year class? We’ll they are filling the void that is for sure.

Before I forget, let me announce the winners of last week giveaway. The winner of 3 spools of Spiderwire Ultracast InvisiBraid is Alton Cowings. The winner of two Guides Choice Bunka Boy swimmers is mjgalanti@comcast.net.You both have 5 days to contact me at info@surfcastersjournal.com

Stay tuned for a massive giveaway from Charlie Graves Fishing Lures and West End Tackle.

Few other things before I forget. There will be I think 8 videos in the new November issue of SJ , 6 of which are brand new. We have been busy on the video front and we’ll fill you in on it this week.
SJ Striper Day show, scheduled on January, 09 is coming along. Its a lot to fill you in that will that will take another post but do visit www.striperday.com to get all the info.

After many requests we have decided to order hoodies for the holidays. They are done and waiting to be added to the online store. This year we’ll have our Night Crew black hoodies and something new, Creeping While You Sleeping zip hoodies and color Creeping bumper stickers for the first time. As always we make these in small batches,and this year is no exception so you will get the first shot at them as always.

Last but not least, this video by Lou Casuso from 2013 was originally featured in the Surfcaster’s Journal magazine. in case you missed it, here it is [youtube]https://youtu.be/jt1kRp31GaY[/youtube]

I wish I could tell you I knew Jack as well as many of our subscribers did,  but I did not. The unofficial mayor of Montauk was a special character, one of those people that make this sport so special. Many of us will fish those same rocks, but probably no one will remember us other then our closest friends.

Jack was a big part of surfcasting scene in Montauk for decades , from the early day of wetsuits, abundance of fish through moratorium and then he got to experience the glory days again. He left us this summer, leaving a void in the lives of many who knew him well.

Vito Orlando wrote a touching poem which he read at the ceremony recently on the north side of Montauk honoring Jack.

I though it deserved to be heard and read my many, because Jack like every one of us, had his demons but on the end of the day, he is one of the few we call the Legends of the Surf

RIP Jack

[youtube]https://youtu.be/QGRZ7AEoNHc[/youtube]

   A Requiem For  A Surfcasting Legend

  By Vito Orlando

The Light House Went Dim

Its Fog Horn Fell Mute

As A Farewell To A Surfman

And A Final Salute

Angels In Wet Suits

Sent To Guide The Way

Pointed To The Heavens

As A Place He Could Stay

The Majestic Cliffs

Cried Out In Sorrow

And The Boulders Below

Knew Of No Tomorrow

Word Quickly Spread

Of His Departure From This Land

And Many A Tough Surfman

Shed A Tear In The Sand

Some May Recall

His Camper In The Grass

And The Offer Of Coffee

To All Who Would Pass

A Hook In Your Hand

No Reason To Ball

This Surf Casting Legend

Was Always On Call

He Loved To Drive

His Jeep On The Beach

And Always A Camera

Within Easy Reach

He Often Swam

To An Off Shore Stone

And Weakfish Rock

Was Considered His Home

As Time Went On

And Years Rolled Past

The Vigor Of His Youth

Could No Longer Last

It Was A Painful Day

When He Made Up His Mind

That The Best Days Of Fishing

Were Left Far Behind

As His Fragile Body

Began To Sore

He Fought A Brave Battle

Till He Could Take No More

He Now Fishes With Angels

And St. Peter Too

“Come On In Wabbit

We’ve Been Waiting For You”

Lets do a giveaway for our fans. I hope you are catching and if you have any aversion to teasers, get over it! Haha , just joking but they are sure deadly in my neck of the woods this year. But I still cant bring myself to tie one on. We have been asking where all those fish from big 2011 YOY class , they are on the lip of the beach rooting sand fleas.

Today’s giveaway will feature two winners

First winner will pick up two Guides Secret Bunka Boy swimmers while the second winner will receive one spool each of 30,40,50lb test Spiderwire UltraCast Invisi- Braid. I been using this line quite a bit last year and it looks like Spiderwire has a winner.

Good luck, its close to midnight, back to my video editing chores

Go get some fish !

New issue of your favorite magazine and $^%&*load of videos coming your way in few weeks

I been chasing the fish around and even hooking up on occasion but consistency has been hard to find. Good news is that we have a surprise up our sleeve for November issue and episode of SJTV #III is coming along nicely (as is  #IV). We already got over 30 new videos lined up for you guys so yeah, its been a busy month and don’t forget  Striper Day on 1/09/2016 at Hofstra University

Take a look at list of attendees and we still have not added all the logos Striper Day Vendors

Todays featured video is Wayne and Peter Hess, of Guppy Lures fame. Glad I got to spend some time with these fine folks and yes, they will be at Striper Day

It has been a busy week for us at SJ. I am happy to tell you that we got a TON of new video footage this week, SJTV episode III is almost wrapped up and we have stuff up our sleeves that will sure make some of you very, very happy. And yeah, we are getting ready for Striper Day on January 9th at Hofstra University.

Here is a preview of SJTV Episode III…note that the ending was shot last night and might not make have to be left on the cutting room floor this issue but will be in future segments..haha

And yeah, SJ Art Director Yo Dude Corrigan is one of the funniest human beings on this planet

Edward Sousa 48 inches

Sean Kearny 45 inches

Mike benziger 44 inches

Matt Vaccaro 42 inches

Frank Goncalves 41 inches

Bill Fischer 38 inches

tourney update..

unofficial leader 48 inch

Official Striperthon 2015 TAG

Also of note, both Tommy and I will be traveling for our club contest.Your entry will be recorded when received but we will not be able to confirm the size of your fish to exact length and approve it until we get back on Sunday and blow it up in Photoshop on our giant SJ 90 inch screen. So keep sending the pictures in and we will confirm their receipt

Here is your official contest tag. Please read the rules HERE on how to properly use it. Good luck out there and please be safe

one of the sample shots from past  striperthon