October 2021 – Fish360.Net

Last month we lost a pillar from our community: Steve Medeiros (1948 – 2021). Steve founded and built the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association from the ground up for 23 years. His work ethic and ability to bring people together are leadership qualities to be emulated.

Steve Medeiros Pic 1

When I was the President of the Plum Island Surfcasters, I reached out to Steve to add my club as an affiliated club. I was expecting an artificially complex bureaucratic process. Not. The PISC has been a proud affiliated club ever since. Thank you Steve!

RISAA Affiliated Organizations

During the early years of my company (E-Fish360, LLC), my ideas exceeded my profits. I reached out to Steve to exhibit at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show with the hope of getting more exposure and expanding my network. I was expecting to go into the red. Not. Steve offered me very possible discount (Early Bird Special, First Time Exhibitor, and RISAA Member) so that the cost would not exceed my shoe-string budget. Thank you Steve!!

E-Fish360 RISAA Booth

After I created my first fishing seminar, I reached out to Steve to present at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show []. I was not sure what to expect because I had never presented at a fishing show before. I shared my slides with the RISAA board and described my presentation style. After my request was approved, I was expecting the smallest stage at the show. Not. I presented my first fishing seminar on the main stage of the New England Saltwater Fishing Show. Thank you Steve!!!

Fish360 RISAA Seminar

As I talk to business owners in our community, I now know that my experiences were not unique. Steve collaborated with several clubs on a regular basis and helped many companies “get off the ground” by providing them booths and stage time at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show. Thank you Steve!!!!

As a member of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, I am delighted to see the organization continue navigating towards Steve’s vision. I have full confidence in Greg Vespe, the new Executive Director. I believe in Greg’s ability to build and expand on Steve’s exemplary work so that RISAA can continue to adapt to the needs of our community and our aquatic species for the next 23 years and beyond.

I fish Cuttyhunk island each year because the diverse fishing spots on this small island is unmatched. I missed 2020 because of the COVI19 global pandemic. Getting the Pfiser vaccine has given me the protection and freedom to fish with friends. This past weekend I had the opportunity to fish Cuttyhunk with the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association (MSBA). Being back on Cuttyhunk felt amazing!

Fish360 Cuttyhunk 2021

On the first night, I found a new spot. While perched on my new rock, I made a bomb of a cast between chest-breaking waves. At nearly the end of my retrieve…BANG! Fish on!! At first, I literally could not move the fish. Eventually I managed to surface the fish….OMG….it was HUGE! The fish then started swimming against the lateral current and pulling line like there was no 40 lbs of drag on my ZeeBaas reel. As soon as the fish passed over a submerged rock with seaweed tentacles, my line went slack. A fellow MSBA member saw the fish!! I am still grieving over the loss of this mont’ah strip’ah that I lost on a Linesider69 dart’ah. I may need therapy.

Fish360 Cuttyhunk 2021

With the adrenaline flowing through me at high speed, I continued casting every plug in my bag. Nothing! I then reached down and pulled out a High Hook B2 from my DIY Side Aram. On my fish cast, fish on! I reeled in this fish as fast as I dared while angling my rod to avoid that fish-releasing rock with seaweed tentacles. Hoisting the fish using my 80# Ande leader up onto my new rock, required Cirque du Soleil balance.

Fish360 Cuttyhunk 2021

The MSBA have been coordinating and hosting fishing events since 1950. Their work is exemplary. For this trip, they rented the entire Cuttyhunk Fishing Club. We ate like kings and queens. We fished like we had no food in the fridge. We shared fishing and life stories while drinking Portuguese grape juice after our trips under the blanket of night.

Fish360 Cuttyhunk 2021

The conversations were delicious! The fishing was fantastic!! The catching was challenging!!! I would not have it any other way!!!! I am stocking up on Linesider69 dart’ahs High Hook B2s in preparation for my Cuttyhunk 2022 trip. Striped bass at “Heartbreak Rock” beware!