Hey all :-) How's everybody been ?

[Fish Chris]

Hope you all been sticking them, and having fun

I've been majorly sidetracked with the whole health and fitness thing. Didn't fish all Summer {like 5 months ! Probably the longest non-fishing stretch of my entire life !}

Just hill climbing, mountain biking, and a ton of time on my Bow Flex.

But the good news is, I might actually live a few extra years, which could mean more fishing later

I lost 80 lbs. Dropped my BP from a dangerous 150/100, to 105/65. And my mistake cholesterol from 300+ to below 140.

Anyway, in a nut-shell, I'm a totally different person.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, so hey, I finally got out and did some Striper fishing, and I whacked them Whooo Hooo ! That was a blast !

I caught 7 of them in the 29" to 32" range, in two short evening periods. They only bite on an outgoing tide, and that didn't start last week until right before dark... so very little fishing time. But next week, the outgo starts at 9am Yea' buddies !

Oh.... and the only bummer... I did actually hook, and fight one for over 10 minutes, on heavier gear no less (my swimbait rod) that after all that, simply came unbuttoned :( Still crying over that one. I caught a glimpse of it, and it looked to be a 30+ lb'er. But wait until next week !

The Sturgeon still haven't come into my backwaters here.... But what the hey, as long as the Stripers want to play with me, I'm good

Oh BTW, I have been using a live bait rig for these, but I'm using a highly modified, barbless hook..... So, the ones I didn't keep, were released unharmed. I would have released that monster..... if it hadn't released itself first ! Oh well.

Peace,

Fish

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Way to go on getting healthier, Chris.  Keep it up.  Glad to see you back around here.  Great stripers right there.  I'm sure you'll find some more time to catch something soon.

[Grey Wolf]

You definitely have your priorities straight , good for you.

[fishermantony]

Congrats on the new outlook and the improved fitness!  Health and fitness is one of the most important things in life IMO.

[bassfisherjk]

Hi Chris,glad that your health has improved.That's something we all need to  watch.Good to see that your back on the water.Take care,   Joe.

[roadwarrior]

Well now...

                                                   

[shimmy]

80 pounds!! Congratulations on that. Looks like you took that same commitment/determination/stubborn drive of catching big bass and put it to losing weight. That is just flat out impressive. Great fish as well

[Fish Chris]

Much thanks to all of you

Hey Shimmy, that is exactly what I did. But it's funny you should say that, because depending on how one looks at it, it is actually a psychological issue (obsessive / compulsiveness) that has both allowed me to catch a bunch of giant bass, as well as go completely crazy on the health and fitness thing.

I've actually had several (well meaning) people on the health and fitness board, suggest that I seek professional help for that.... But after 46 years, I've pretty much learned to live with myself LOL

And besides, obsessive / compulsiveness is not "all that bad" as long as one picks the right things to be obsessive / compulsive about, right ?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey anyway, I hope to post some shots of the monsters I'm going to stick Monday and Tues

Peace,

Fish

[Big-O]

Glad you're doing well Chris and even happier you're back on the water...

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[b.Lee]

Great stripers there! Nice pics also and congrats on your improved health!

[bassman31783]

Hey, good to see you back.  Great fish too.