Casting into the Light: Tales of a Fishing Life

Posted on October 7, 2019October 7, 2019 by Julio Silva

Janet Messineo is an icon in the surfcasting community. When I learned that she published her first book, I ordered it that day! “Casting into the Light” capture’s Janet’s story from her humble begging in Lawrence to present day in Martha’s Vineyard.

Fish360 Casting Into The Light
Janet’s life has been full of challenges: alcohol, drugs, infertility, and Hepatitis C. These challenges are real. Many people have them. How she overcame this challenges is extraordinary. I have always had respect for Janet as a surfcaster. I now have an equal respect for Janet as a person.

In her stories, Janet mentions at least 20+ spots. However, what her stories reveal is that knowing where to fish does not guarantee fish. Knowing when to fish a spot is more important. Having the right gear and skills are also critical to success. Hint: look for the spots that are mentioned several times across the chapters. 😉

In 1980 Janet landed a 45 pound striped bass. In 1984 she landed another 45 pound striped bass! Her life time goal is not to land a 50 pound striped bass. For her, that would be pedestrian. Her goal is to be the first woman to win the Martha’s Vineyards Derby Shore Grand Slam. She is a determined, systematic, and innovative. I hope she realizes her goal. I know that if she hooks a 50 pound striped bass, she will land it. She’s a professional surfcaster who leaves nothing to chance.

Before Janet became a professional taxidermist, she worked at several restaurants: Black Dog, Helios, and Home Port. These experiences expanded her pallet and culinary expertise. She shares several of her recipes for bluefish, striped bass, and several other specifies: squid, scallops, herring, sea robin, white perch, sea bass, and halibut. Her sea robin recipe turns “trash fish” into a tasty dish.

Janet attributes her success to her mentors. She writes articles. She delivers seminars. She conducts workshops. I hope others in our community follow her exemplary leadership.

Helping a novice angler is more effective than intimidating them out of your way.

Janet is also a great story teller. Her simple, direct, and honest writing style will hook you in the first chapter. She will reel you in until the last chapter. “Casting into the Wind” will become a classic in striped bass literature. Order your copy today!

DIY Double Shot Inline Sinker

Posted on October 5, 2019October 5, 2019 by Julio Silva

I like to surfcast for freshwater species. When I am casting live bait or chunks into ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, I comply with the local lead laws by using steel or tungsten sinkers. The size weights that I need to hold bottom are not always commercially available. Hence, I make my own double shot in-line sinkers.

DIY Double Shot Inline Sinker

Making your own double shot in-line sinker is easy! First, insert two inline sinkers (tungsten or steel) into a heat shrink tub such that their flat bottoms touch. Second, shrink the tubing via heat gun. And lastly, trim the excess tubing at each end via utility knife, as required.

When rigging, if you are using braid, then use a line threader to pull the line though. This will save you time and frustration.

Safe Surfcasting: Compass

Posted on October 5, 2019October 7, 2019 by Julio Silva

I like to surfcast remote spots. These spots do not have paved roads or houses. These spots look different under the cover of night. I use my experience and a compass to orient my self.

Safe Surfcasting Compass

One night, my crew and I were fishing Cuttyhunk’s southwest point. The wind and waves made the area nearly un-fishable. After a hour of continuous casting without a bump, we decided to explore. We waded across the Oyster Pond inlet. The water was waist deep and moving fast. A misstep and we would have been skishing for oysters.

We fished the area for a couple of hours. We caught schoolies and keepers. When the bite died, we started to plan our next move. Crossing the Oyster Pond Inlet was not an option, given the stage of the tide. Walking around the East side of the island would have taken hours. While one of my friends was draining water out of his head lamp, I noticed an unmarked trail. We jumped on the unmarked trail without knowing where it would lead us. We came to a fork on the trail. I used my wrist dive compass to decide which path to take. The path lead us to another fork. Again, I used my wrist dive compass. We made our way back to Pete’s Place Rentals in record time.

I wear a Suunto SK8 dive compass on my wrist when I fish remote spots because it’s water proof and easy to read at night. This compass keeps me safe and saves me time. Never fish without a compass.