SURF DAY 2012
The Jersey Shore Surfcasters look to bring in the best surfcasters and speakers to our show. We also strive for diversity, fresh speakers, not those that show up at any open door. We want nothing but the best for our show visitors. This year offers another great year for speakers to the JSS's Surf Day. Enjoy!!
The JSS is proud to present our 2012 seminar speakers!
Feature Seminars
John Skinner
John Skinner is the long-time Surf Fishing Columnist and former Editor-in-Chief of Nor'east Saltwater Magazine. In addition to his surf column, he has written articles for Nor’east Saltwater, On the Water, and The Surfcaster’s Journal. He is the author of the newly released book, Fishing the Bucktail, as well as the book A Season on the Edge. He’s a co-author of The Hunt for Big Stripers, and the creator of the fishing log software FishersLog. Skinner has a well-earned reputation as a consistent producer of trophy striped bass from the surf. He holds the current New York State false albacore record. When not plying the beaches, he can often be found fishing from his boat or kayak, or Scuba diving in Long Island Sound.
John Skinner's Seminar: "Surf Bucktailing Strategies"
An angler who has mastered bucktailing is well positioned for fishing success in many different settings. Bucktails will catch almost any fish species that will strike a lure and are effective in a wide range of conditions. This presentation will cover bucktail strategies for a variety of surf settings, including sand beaches, ocean inlets, rocky shorelines, and back bays. The techniques and approaches discussed will be well supported by video shot on the water.
DJ Muller
DJ Muller is from Manasquan, N.J. A long-time, expert surfcaster that has earned the reputation as one of the hardest working guys in the industry. He travels the northeast striper grounds extensively and is well versed in the many techniques necessary to catch striped bass, perhaps one of the most well-rounded surfcasters of our day. He fished over 60 nights last year outside his home waters, in places like Cuttyhunk, Block Island, Montauk, and the Cape Cod Canal.
Seminar: "So You Want to Catch More Stripers?"
DJ will discuss the careful planning that goes into deciding where to fish using several Jersey spots as examples.
He will also discuss many of the "why's?" that go into your planning, the thought processes.
You will come out of this seminar feeling both motivated and more confident in your ability to catch striped bass from the surf.
More info on DJ can be found at his website: www.djmullersurfcaster.com
Milt Rosko
Milt Rosko has enjoyed recreational fishing since he was seven years old. He also enjoys writing about what he calls his “contemplative pastime” and the memories it has brought him and his family over a span of many years. He has authored nine books and more than 3,000 of his articles and many photos have been published in national magazines. He’s received national writing awards from the Outdoor Writers Association of America and Boating Writers International. He was a member of the Rod and Gun Editors Association of Metropolitan New York for 45 years. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Fisherman’s Conservation Association for his dedication: “With a consistent emphasis on conservation and angler responsibility his contribution to fishing is not measured in words but as a legacy that will last for generations of anglers to come.” Former president George H. W. Bush also received this prestigious award for his continuing commitment to recreational fishing.
Now retired for 18 years after a 45-year career in management at Anheuser-Busch, Milt often reminisces how in spite of challenging demands of his position he was always able to head to the beach and jetties after a day at the office and relax while seeking everything from fluke to stripers. Importantly, he stresses that in recreational fishing you’re not a spectator or competitor. Fishing is something everyone – from children to golden oldies - can enjoy for a lifetime, making many friends and enjoying the camaraderie, along with memories that last a lifetime.
In spite of having caught everything from bonefish to blue marlin he just loves surf and jetty fishing, as to him it’s the most exciting, demanding, challenging and at times frustrating of any fishing a person can do. There’s no one to bait your hook, run the boat, gaff the fish or otherwise assist you. Just you, the dark of night, slippery rocks, rough surf, salty spray and tough fish... it’s a combination he just loves!Seminar:
“WADING THE SUMMERTIME SURF”
Many Jersey surf anglers concentrate their efforts on the spring northerly migration of striped bass, and then again as the linesiders head south to winter quarters. But there’s a lot of very enjoyable fishing that they fail to realize even exists on Jersey miles of beaches and jetties, especially those extending seaward at coastal inlets.
Milt enjoys putting on a pair of shorts or bathing suit and just getting out on the beaches and rock piles to probe the waters as they reach comfortable 70-degrees, which signals that many summertime surf species have moved into the surf to feed. His favorite target is the fluke, which often move within a rod’s length of the sand as they feed on the myriad forage, including spearing, rainfish, sand bugs and tiny crabs. There are also many striped bass in residence in the summer surf, along with roving schools of small bluefish, an occasional weakfish, and as the summer wanes the popular croaker also adds to the fun. Then there are always the blackfish that takes up residence tight to the rocks of every jetty the entire length of the Jersey coast.
Not to be dismissed are the normally untargeted species, most often caught by accident, but which will give you a tussle on a lightweight spinning outfit, a tussle that far exceeds the best challenges offered by gamefish. The cow nose ray is a classic example of a species that will make you feel it’s impossible to ever land it. Then too, there are a variety of sharks that occasionally visit the wash and take a bait your intended for a fluke, also sea robins (which are fine table fare if you haven’t as yet tried them) star gazers and skates.
Milt just likes to get on the beach either before the tourists arrive around 9:00 a.m. or after they leave around 5:00 p.m. During the day the sunbathers, surfers and swimmers are enjoying every moment on the beach, not realizing those same waters abound in a variety of fun to catch fish. Towards this end he emphasizes the importance of never imposing on the enjoyment of others, just arriving before or after the posted hours of swimming activity.
He’ll explain the tackle he employs, the variety of rigs that regularly bring him fine results, along with the baits and lures that prove effective, as he methodically walks and casts, walks and cast, enjoying the sun, until he’s brought to reality as a hefty fluke wallops his offering!
Mini-Seminars by:
Gary Soldati
Gary and his 51 pound striped bass, October 2011
Gary Soldati was born a far cry from the ocean -- in Housatonic, MA, a small town in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. As a youngster, he thrived on fly fishing in the lakes and rivers so bountiful in that area. In fact, his Dad used to wake him at 5:30 in the morning so they could get in a round of fishing before the start of school.
It wasn’t until age 29 that Gary was introduced to surfcasting in Branford, CT. He was immediately hooked by the power of the ocean and the ever-changing conditions that made catching striped bass such a personal challenge. He’s now been at it for 30 years − 25 of those as a wetsuiter - focusing his efforts off Watch Hill, RI, Block Island, Cuttyhunk, and Montauk.
Gary began plug making in 2005 as a ‘garage tinkerer’ because he could no longer find the size and style of lures that supported his mantra “big bait, big fish”. He introduced his original Giant Pike in 2006. Since then he has added Juniors, Surface, Medium and Deep Divers, Jointed-eels, Trollers, SLIMS, and SandPikes – all in a variety of standard and custom colors. All of his plugs are hand-made using quality components and meticulous attention to detail.
Gary fishes his BWL plugs exclusively. In October 2011, he achieved his long-time dream of catching a “50” - in this case, a 51 lb. striped bass off the rocks at Watch Hill, RI. He caught her using his Giant Pike in Dark Olive Iridescent Scale.
He has contributed articles to Surfcaster’s Journal, The Fisherman’s Magazine and two chapters in the book “Fish Tales” by DJ Muller.
Gary's seminar will be "How to Win The Battle for Big Fish." Strategies, tackle, conditions & locations for targeting bigger fish using big plugs (Pikes). What you need to catch bigger fish. Locations: Where to target big fish and fishing stormy conditions. The story behind catching of his 51 pound striper.
Mark Mead
Mark with a 35 pound bass taken on a rigged eel this past season.
Mark Mead has fished from Costa Rica to the Florida Keys but his passion is surf fishing his native NJ waters while traveling up the coast to the shores of Block Island, Cuttyhunk and Montauk. He’s been hitting the surf hard for years where he’s developed the skills and mindset needed to be successful in the hunt for big bass. His first trip to Block Island was an eye opener to a whole other side of surfcasting that he immediately feel in love with. Mark’s Great Grandfather also had a strong passion for chasing Striper's in the earlier 1940s in Montauk and after Mark’s first trip to Mecca he knew that same thrill for surf fishing was in his blood. You can see some of the old photos published in the January 2012 issue of ‘The Surfcaster’s Journal’.
Mark is a member of The Jersey Shore Surfcasters where he continues to learn and support the growing sport. He lives in Maplewood, NJ with his wife and two children.
Seminar: "Eel Options"
I quickly learned that eels were on top of the menu for large stripers and I have focused a majority of my time learning different techniques fishing live and rigged eels. This seminar will focus on the different style of rigging eels and the tools required. I will also cover methods for fishing live eels, storing them and different transporting options. Eels equal big bass plain and simple!
Bill Wetzel is a NYS licensed guide with over 35 years experience, with 15 of those guiding the suds. You may find Bill hunting stripers in the back bays of the Long Islands North shore or the sandy beaches of the south shore, but his true passion is prowling the rocks of Montauk hunting for big fish. Bill has been on the lecture circuit for many years, and has written articles for various fishing publications. He is often referred to as the "hardest working guide" in the business. Bill just does not talk about surf fishing he does it for a living.
Tom Kosinski
Tom Kosinski has been an active member of the Jersey Shore Surfcasters since 2007. Tom has been surfcasting for a number of years, after being introduced to the sport by a college friend and seasoned surfcaster. After embarking on his first road trip to Rhode Island in the summer of 2006, he became hooked on fishing the New England shoreline. He has covered the waters from the rips of Sandy Hook to the Cape Cod Canal, but he enjoys fishing the boulder fields and ledges of Rhode Island the most. When doing so, Tom is using a wetsuit. He will be discussing the essentials of wetsuiting.
Tom lives in New York City and travels on weekends to various fishing locations up and down the coast.
Seminar: “Basic Wetsuiting”
This seminar will cover the essentials items, techniques and strategies of a wetsuiting surfcaster.
What do I need? This will cover all of the items that are needed for any surfcaster that is planning on wetsuiting. We will talk about some of the finer details and accessories that should be carried while wetsuiting. How can a wetsuit help me catch more fish? After going over the essentials, we will focus on situations, when and where I would need a wetsuit? Tips and advice.
Tommy Bozan
Local Jersey sharp shooter Tommy Bozan will do a seminar on "Jetty Strategies."
If you jetty fish you have to hear what Tommy has to say. He speaks with truth and conviction and will answer any question on working the jetties that you may come up with. Tom is also the builder of DT Lures and his unique Trouble Maker, a lure which has surf rats talking. He will have a table at Surf Day.
and their profiles.
See seminar start times on seminar schedule page.
THE FOLLOWING VENDORS WILL BE AT SURF DAY 2012:
Fisherman's Headquarters
Pride Fishing Tackle
Century Rods
On The Water Magazine
Surfcasting w/ DJ Muller
Big Ed Custom Lures
Big Water Lures-Gary Soldati
Ron Muccie-Glitter Plugs
Fishermen's Supply
Fish On Custom Plugs
Mark Fischer Plugs
AOK Tackle
Giglio's Bait and Tackle
EbbPoint Surf Fishing
Shoreline B&T
Jetty Ghost Tackle
Guppy Lures
ZeeBaas
JK Rod's and Rigs
Hab's Jr.
Black Label
Hook R'
Commando Surfcasting
DT Lures
Backlash Sportfishing
CMC Custom Rods and Tackle
Striper Bites
Super Strike Lures
RFA
Lemire's Plugworks
Luna
The Surfcaster
Carolina Cast Pro's
Dave Arnold
Surfcaster's Journal
Wally's Lures & Tackle
Outdoor Etc.
Van Staal
RI Poppers
Betty & Nick's Bait and Tackle
Spellbinders Surf Shop
R&H Custom Rods
Bill Wetzel-Surf Guide
