Martin Pollizotto - Saltwater Fishing Made Easy

SALTWATER FISHING
Made Easy

MARTIN POLLIZOTTO

Copyright 2006 by Martin Pollizotto. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-0-07-178002-5
MHID: 0-07-178002-5

The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: ISBN: 978-0-07-146722-3, MHID: 0-07-146722-X.

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Photographs and illustrations courtesy the author unless otherwise noted.
Knot images on pages 99, 100, 101, 102 courtesy of ANDE Monofilament.
Fish illustrations by David Kiphuth, Les Gallagher, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

TERMS OF USE

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DEDICATION

To my wife, Nancy, for all her understanding and support.

Its difficult for me to pinpoint exactly when my grandfather first exposed me to saltwater fishing. Pop was a marine carpenter, a master craftsman, and an avid saltwater angler whom I frequently visited at the boatyard where he worked on City Island in the Bronx.

When he could, Pop would position me on a dock at the boatyard and teach me the basics of fishing. I enjoyed sitting there with a rod and reel in hand, hoping a fish would grab hold of the baited hook. I dont believe I ever caught a fish from that dock. I was too busy getting into trouble.

I remember several occasions of hopelessly fouling the line on the reel and Pop cursing as he tried to straighten out the mess. All kids manage to foul fishing line, no matter how careful they are. But he seemed to enjoy taking me fishing, regardless of my childish behavior. Our fishing was restricted primarily to inshore waters for porgies, along the docks for winter flounder. When he stayed at our house the night before, that always meant an early start for an inshore party boat tripafter a big breakfast at Jacks Diner.

Me on top, Pop in the middle, and my brother on the bottom. (Courtesy Vincent Pollizotto)

While fishing at the docks, I occasionally saw other, older anglers fishing with fancy doodads, so I thought they were needed to catch fish. Pop advised me otherwise and kept our terminal tackle (that is, rigs) as simple as possible. I thought he was wrong: after all, I knew better than he did! But although I was frustrated by his insistence, I listened and did as he suggested. Now I realize that he knew what he was doing. And now I appreciate the encouragement and support he provided. He kept the spark alive.

When I was old enough, I ventured off on my own with the knowledge, skill, and love for saltwater fishing that Pop taught me. Soon I expanded my fishing exploits, heading for deep-water offshore fishing and surf fishing. I have fished the East and West coasts and the Gulf of Mexico on board party, charter, and private boats and along the surf. I completely enjoy it all.

Do you remember your first saltwater fishing trip? Its one of the most frequently mentioned early memories from childhood. Ask friends to tell you the story of their first fishing experience, and chances are it will be deeply personal and very meaningful in their livesfull of loving memories, relaxed good times, the family fishing together from a local pier or a rented small boat. Saltwater fishing held family and friends together years ago, and it still can.

Nearly fifty years ago, Pop gave me several rods and reels, and I still use them on occasion. I cherish that equipment and keep it in excellent condition, waxing and lubricating it once a year, even if I havent used it. And I often bring my grandchildren to local docks for a couple of hours of fishing, just as Pop did with me. Its a thrill to see the expressions on their faces when they reel in a fish, no matter how small it is.

Many people helped me write this book, providing advice, research assistance, and support. I especially want to thank Bob Dorian, for his continued encouragement; my brother Louis and his two sons, Louis Jr. and Adam, for their advice; William H. Harrison, a fellow angling buddy; John Quackenbush, for his fishing knowledge; Dave Connery, for his research along the Pacific coast; the High Plains Tackle Shop, for supplying me with dead bait for photos; and J&H Super Outlet, for allowing me to photograph some of their inventory. Thanks to my daughter Wendy Hart for her advice and support, and to my son Dennis for his support and assistance with some of the photos.