Montauk Pioneer - May 15, 2009 - The Word At Paulie's

"It's happenin'," Paul assured the guys as he glanced up from his stance behind the front counter as he repaired yet another reel during these first hectic days of Montauk's surfcasting season. Whatever it takes, Paul is a master at repairing reels, customizing rods, answering questions, reporting fishing conditions, and giving advice. It is the man himself along with his versatile right hand gal Susan who provides a dream come true for all anglers seeking top-notch gear and service as well as unparalleled camaraderie 24/7.

It was a drizzly, foggy mixed week with sporadic peeks of sun tweaked with Ray Sherry's nighttime catch of small stripers on May 5th. On May 6th gannets were spotted down from Paulie's during their feeding frenzy. The 4:30 p.m. mixed blitz of bass and blues were fueled by rain bait prompting Bob Hoffman, "The Hack" as he is jokingly dubbed by Paul, to grab his pole and head on down to the southside sandy beach. Bob caught seven 5-7 lb blues and one 18" bass. The "Sandman" Glen Grothman landed a nice sized blue on a tin, which he filleted for me for dinner.

The high hook of the week on May 7th was James De Pasquale, who caught and released his 27 lb bass on a purple bucktail with red pork rind during a midnight run on the southside.

To add to the excitement Paul Melnyk, renowned Montauk Skisher, joined the gang at Paulie's late Friday afternoon after shooting a segment of his skishing talents at the Point for National Geographic, to be aired this fall.

Just in time for Mother's Day, local Jeremy Samuelson bought a rod and reel for his wife, Carlissa. Paul set up the gear as Susan created a goodie bag of appropriate lures. For the fisherman there is no doubt that Paulie's is better than any candy shop.

As all agree, surfcasting brings out the best and sometimes the worst in fisherman. Montauk surfcasters who have a lingo unto themselves, using terms such as surf rats, wabbits, midnight riders, rock hoppers, and bird chasers also use the term "googin." Now a googin is generally thought of, "as any jerk who can drop a bucktail into an inlet and catch a bass."

Some of Paulie's surfcasters describe a googin as a "guy with a 7' rod and a Zebco push button reel," or an inexperienced, ill-prepared person, not in touch with reality, who will fish clam bellies with a 20 ounce sinker under the Light where guys are fishing with bucktails. He can also be "a wanna be sharpie," or as another humble surfcaster said, "someone without much experience; we all were that way once."

Surfcaster Chris Trivelli announced he is giving a course titled, "Googin Reform." Anyone interested, please call Chris at 555-I8I-U812.

"Thank God for Montauk," Jack Yee headlines on his web site, jackyee.com. The surfcasters reply, "Thank God for Jack Yee," for it is Jack who in his many lectures, articles and conversations emphasizes the importance of following these fishing tips, especially now that the big season is underway:

1. Ease up on your drag when you hook into a big fish; chances are a big guy will make one last chance at freedom especially when he feels the bottom.

2. Change your line often; every two weeks if you fish hard.

3. Replace rusty, dull hooks ASAP.

4. Carry two lights when night fishing.

5. Always carry a knife, especially wearing waders.

6. Check line and leader often by rubbing your hand down them after catching each fish.

7. Use "3X" or 4X Strong" hooks for plugs.

8. Always carry pliers; Manley is the best and reasonably priced.

9. Always bring an extra vehicle key tied around your neck.

10. Don't bring a cell phone; you fall, it drops. Lock in your vehicle.

11. If you fish the rips and lose your footing, use your rod like a cane.

12. If you hook your hand, finger, lip, etc., call Paulie's Tackle ASAP; 631-668-5520.

"You must drive slowly around the Lighthouse at night," Jack Yee insists, "because of the deer."

Fluke season begins tomorrow, May 15th. Those "doormats" are out there. You all catch 'em up. We'll catch you next week.