Last month, my friend Larry Craig from the Plum Island Surfcasters asked me if I had any new seminars on striped bass. Ironically, I had been working on a new seminar behind the scenes for a few years. I put my other projects on hold an pivoted full force to complete my new seminar, which I completed one hour before presenting it at the Plum Island Surfacters’ October club meeting.

The entire focus of the seminar is on how to catch quality fish without losing your job, getting divorced, going to the ER, filling for bankruptcy, or becoming homeless. Given the rising cost of fuel, decreasing free time, climate change, and depletion of bait fish by haulers, as anglers we must evolve to keep fishing fun.

I have been delivering fishing seminars for 10+ years at fishing shows, fishing clubs, and libraries. Presenting at the Plum Island Surfcasters is always a special experience for me because I feel like I am just talking fish with friends. This experience is not mine alone; other seminar presenters have shared the same sentiment. If you have a fishy seminar, drop the Plum Island Surfacters a line.

The COVID19 pandemic canceled many of the fishing shows in 2020. Thankfully, in 2021 there are several fishy events online. Last night I watched the International Fly Fishing Film Festival online!

This year, the International Fly Fishing Film Festival features 10 short films across the globe.  As an all methods, all species angler, I really enjoyed seeing the diversity of species targeted: striped bass, trout, salmon, and even a giant GT.

1. Sunshine for days
2. Out There
3. The Art of Fly Fishing
4. Northbound
5. The Wanderer
6. Raising Ghosts
7. Raised on Rainbows
8. Baltics
9. Fuerte
10. Turbo Giants

From the first minute to the one hundred forty forth minute, all things fly filled my screen!  That’s a an overflowing amount of fishy content for only $15.00 per ticket!!  Between now and November, there are several virtual screenings.  Buy your tickets today!!!

I will be presenting Freshwater Surfcasting at the Massachusetts Stripped Bass Association’s annual fishing show (31-MAR-2019 10:00 AM).  In this seminar, I will cover the fresh water species that you can target from terra firma via surfcasting knowledge and techniques.  When you are waiting for the tide to turn, why not fish the near by pond, lake, or river?  The strikes by freshwater fish can be absolutely explosive!  You will learn species specific techniques and spots that will catch you more fish in less time.

All attendees of my seminar can enter to win a free DIY Dropper Loop Jig.  With this jig, you can easily tie small, medium, or large dropper loops in 3 simple steps in just a few minutes.

I will also be presenting Surfcasting the Water Column at the Massachusetts Stripped Bass Association’s annual fishing show (31-MAR-2019 12:00 PM).  In this seminar, I will explain how to fish the entire water column: from spooks to jigs and everything in between.  I will also explain how to select the proper gear for what you are casting and when and where you should be casting it.  And lastly, I will share lessons learned from years of experience on the surf so you can take your surfcasting to the next level.  This is the only time I am presenting this seminar this year!

All attendees of my seminar can enter to win a free AquaSkinz bucktail pouch with 5 custom tied chartreuse / white bucktails (1.0 oz, 1.5 oz, 2.0 oz, 2.5 oz, and 3.0 oz).  This is a $75+ value!

The Massachusetts Stripped Bass Association’s annual fishing show is from March 30 to March 31 at the WolvesDen Sports Complex in Pembroke, Massachusetts. This show has many other fishy seminars and no shortage of freshwater and saltwater exhibitors. Looking forward to seeing you at the show.

I will be presenting Freshwater Surfcasting with BIG Baits at the New Hampshire Outdoor Expo (10-MAR-2019 2:00 PM).  In this seminar, I will cover the fresh water species that you can target from terra firma via surfcasting knowledge and techniques.  When you are waiting for the tide to turn, why not fish the near by pond, lake, or river?  The strikes by freshwater fish can be absolutely explosive!  You will learn species specific techniques and spots that will catch you more fish in less time.

All attendees of my seminar can enter to win a free Piscifun line spooler.  This handy tool lets you load your baitcasting reels and your spinning reels with new line.

(Line spool not included.)

The New Hampshire Outdoor Expo is from March 8 to March 10 at the Hampshire Dome in Milford, New Hampshire.  This show has many other seminars and no shortage of fishing, hunting, and outdoors exhibitors.  Looking forward to seeing you at the show!

I am exhibiting and presenting at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show this weekend.  I will be in booth 1130, which is towards the educational area.

This year I am presenting Chunking the Surf.  I will be covering how to select and use the optimal gear for the species you are targeting (striped bass, bluefish, sharks, and rays); how to determine the best spots and times to fish; and field-tested tips and tricks.  At the end of each seminar, I will be doing a give away for a custom DIY Dropper Loop Jig.

Here are the days and times that I will be presenting:

• Friday, March 9 2018 at 3:30 PM on the Main Stage
• Saturday, March 10 2018 at 11:30 AM in the Seminar Area
• Saturday, March 10 2018 at 5:30 PM in the Workshop Area
• Sunday, March 11 2018 at 2:30 PM on the Main Stage

I have tied some of my favorite custom teasers and tails to raise money for the Open Source Fish360 Journal Project.  These teasers and tails feature proven fish catching color patterns tied using a multi-layered threading and epoxy process on strong bleeding sharp hooks.  Keep in mind that Tony Stetzko landed a 73 lb striped bass from the surf on a teaser! 😉

Stop by the Fish360 booth (1130) to learn more about the cool things happening in the Open Source Fish360 Journal Project.  Attend one my seminars to learn how to catch more fish in less time.  ‘Cya at the show!

Today I had the opportunity to attend the Connecticut Surfcasters Association Demo Day.  Driving down, James Jewkes, Clayton Patles, and I were discussing the 21 vendors and the 5 seminars.  We got there one hour early.  Yes.  I observed the speed limit!  I parked my Suburban at a prime parking spot behind the Clinton Town Hall.  We then walked over to The Coffee Break Restaurant to have breakfast.  After breakfast, we meetup with our mutual friend Jonathan O’Connor.  Within minutes of opening the doors opening at 9:00 AM, the hall was full.  WOW!!!

Each exhibitor brought their gear.  We visited every booth.  There was no shortage of gear.  The wide spectrum of plugs was amazing.  I dropped off my reels for service at the ZeeBaas both.  The 3-Tan reels looks very interesting!  The booth that had the most action (literally) was the High Hook Lures both.  Mike Mullen brought his lathe and turned one of his fish-catching needle fish right there at the show!  W OW!!!

Each seminar was unique.  The one that was particularly interesting to me was the “Guide Layout & Rod Types” seminar by Bill Delizio and John Martinez.  I learned a lot about the complex interdependent relationship between blank action and guide placement and how they effect casting and landing fish.  WOW!!!

This was my first time at the Connecticut Surfcasters Association Demo Day.  I got to see old friends.  I made some new friends.  I am looking forward to next year’s show.  WOW!!!

This month I am presenting Kayak Fishing: without breaking the bank or yourself! at the Buzzards Bay Anglers Club (13-JUL-2017, 7:00 PM). I will cover how to select and rig your kayak to safely target freshwater and saltwater species in shallow and deep water without breaking the bank. I will also cover species specific spots and techniques.

The club is hosting this seminar at the BB’s Bar and Grill [http://bbsbargrille.com].

You must be a member to participate. You can join the club at this event.