"The purpose of this organization shall be to promote, protect and preserve the surfcasting tradition, in its many forms, along our coasts...
CSA Bylaws, Article II. Purposes
Fish!
[intransitive] go fishing to spend time fishing for pleasure, Let's go fishing this weekend.
Contents:
President’s Letter
Club Contests
Winter Fishing Activities
Fishy Reads
A Letter from our President
Greetings Surfcasters,
CSA is getting back in the monthly meetings groove anticipating at the next several general membership meetings three excellent speakers. This Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7:00 PM CSA is excited to welcome Fran McGrath speaking about the Housatonic River. Many members fish the mouth of the Housy, accessing through the Audubon Coastal Center, Milford Point. Fran will cover this area along with the miles upstream to the Derby Dam. Great fishing. My son and I have pulled from the Derby Dam area sea-run trout, salmon and stripers into the upper 30-inch range. But between the dam and the mouth are miles of very fishable water.
The March 5th meeting features N.Y.S. licensed guide, Montauk’s own Bill Wetzel speaking on matching the right lure, technique for various conditions. Bill has visited our club a few times over the past few years. He is always unpredictably enjoyable. Be prepared for possibly a few cusswords and venturing off topic in the most entertaining way.
Then for our April 2nd meeting Toby Lapinski will redux his recent Demo Day topic on soft plastics. Toby will be presenting why soft plastics aren’t just for schoolies. He knows his equipment as well as anyone in the industry he being the former The Fisherman, New England Edition editor, now Editor in Chief of Fishing Tackle Retailer, a national retail tackle publication.
IMPORTANT REMINDER – the February meeting IS NOT in our usual Madison, Conn. location but at CSA member Doug Well’s tackle shop business, The Surfcaster, located at 97 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, 06484. Look for The Surfcaster lawn sign at the beginning of the driveway located immediately at the edge of a very prominent Shell gas station. Consider arriving at least half an hour before the 7 o’clock start time. Doug promises great browsing opportunities.
Tight lines everyone,
Mike S.
Club Contests
Striper a Month 2025
Each year CSA runs a year long contest to see who can catch a striped bass in the 12 month period between December of the previous year and November of the current year. The following members have managed to catch at least one bass a month from December 2024 through January 2025.
Joe Esposito
Mike Mullen
Jim Munson
Dave Nguyen
Liam Rosati
Bill Tesbir
High Hooks and Top 10
High Hook Rules are as follows:
1. Fish must be caught from shore or surf, with both feet planted on Terra Firma.
2. The High Hook club tournament generally runs from the first Sunday following Thanksgiving for a period of one year.
3. Overall length, measured from the tip of the lip, to the end of the tail, is used to determine the winner. Weight is optional and not used to determine a winner.
4. Entries must be reported by the first membership meeting following the catch.
5. Entries can be sent to Mike Mullen at mike@highhooklures.com or the current Club President via email or submitted in writing at the next club meeting.
Some Winter Fishing Related Activities by Mike Mullen
I did ask if anyone would like to share what they are doing that may be related to fishing during the cold times we’re in and nobody, not one of you lazy you know what’s bothered. Hey, what’s new.
I’ve been busy. I don’t really have time for any of this newsletter nonsense either, but at least I’m not a deadbeat like most of you readers. Work? Let the other guy do it. That seems to be your M-O. I, on the other hand, have actually been busy with fishing related activities. To start with I was actually out catching fish at the beginning of the month, while most of you were probably still soaking your heads from all your holiday fun. Then there were the fishing shows to get ready for and go to, where I try and sell the lures I make. Actually, I was happily surprised that, even with the low catch rates of fish last season, the shows were kind of busy and sales were good. Fishermen are optimistic and love to talk about the sport. It was good to see everyone.
Then in the middle of everything I got a call from my daughter asking me to come down to Key West and help her out because her husband was recovering from some emergency surgery. She needed help with her kids and just keeping the house going. Luckily, I didn’t have to change any diapers. I was mostly involved with keeping the house picked up and doing shopping and cooking. I also managed to get out fishing for a couple of hours each day, trying my best to fool the barracudas from shore. As I said earlier, I had follows and one whack, but no hook-ups. It was just nice to get out on the water in a warm place.
Now that I’m back in the cold I’ve been out in the workshop most days working on lures and trying to stay warm. Spring is coming.
Fishy Reads by Mike Mullen
A Handbook of Salt-Water Fishing by O.H.P. Rodman was published in 1940. I found it at last weeks fly fishing show in South Winsor, CT. I have other books by Rodman. He was a very active fisherman up and down both coasts and all over as far as I can tell. He spent a lot of time surfcasting. To quote from the dedication, you will be pleased to know, “You will find few real anglers in jail.” I guess that’s because we’re just too busy fishing.
The book covers a lot of different fish, talking about their habitats and what you need to fish for them and basically, how to do it. What I like are the similarities in how to go about fishing and and the differences in the tackle from years ago.
I like picking up old books I find at different shows. This one cost me a dollar and I’m quite sure I’ll get a lot of enjoyment reading it over the long winter months.
Please remember to support our sponsors.
Editor’s note: SUDS is generally better when more members contribute. Do your part and write something up. And remember, adding pictures can make a difference.
Mike M.
Our next meeting
will be
February 5th
7:00 PM at
The Surfcaster
Come early and look
around the store