Winter Reading: Top Fishing Book Recommendations
The fun never stops for the truly obsessed! At this point, most northeast fishermen have their boats hibernating under shrink wrap with their equipment neatly tucked away, all while daydreams of screaming drags fill our imagination anticipating the next season. However, there is no rest for the weary, as winter provides an opportunity to reflect on the successes (or failures) of your season. As we start working on our “punch list” of inventory, maintenance, replacements, upgrades, and creative ideas, it is also time to learn something new. I’m always researching different fisheries and techniques through various outlets, but nothing is quite as satisfying, easy to reference, and loaded with intricate details like reading a useful book.
The following is a list of books that have I have read over the years that helped me take my game to the next level and that I highly recommend to check out this winter. These are not your typical “basic” fishing books, but rather high-level thought factories that not only describe certain techniques and situations, but give you the reasons why. It would behoove any fisherman to pick up some of these books to take you game to a level that you never thought possible. These books tend to skip over the basics like which rod and reel to choose (all of these books are outdated in that regard), what knots to tie, rather, they focus more on the things that actually matter.
Striperman: Confessions of a Commercial Pin-Hooker
By Sherwood Lincoln
Sherwood Lincoln shares secrets from his past as commercial striper fishermen spanning over decades. In Striperman, Lincoln goes all out discussing techniques never seen in print, stories that emphasize his philosophies, and is chock full of minute details or some tips and tricks. His common-sense approach to tricking stripers leads to innovative fishing tactics that will make you scream “Why did I think of that!”
Monster Shallow-Water Stripers
By Capt. Jim White
Capt. Jim White takes us into his world as longtime charter guide. His forte is fishing shallow water, both during the day and night. Living up to its title, Monster Shallaw-Water Stripers covers how to read different ecosystems within a river and ways to target big fish. He covers a wide array of techniques including soft plastics, lures, live bait, and even fly fishing. Mixed-in with all the knowledge Capt. Jim drops on the reader are some fantastic stories tying his points of emphasis together.
The Fishermen’s Ocean
By David A. Ross, Ph. D
The author, David A Ross, is a marine biologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and an avid fly-fisherman. The Fisherman’s Ocean takes a scientific deep-dive into the Northeast environment covering every environmental variable and how fish relate. This Fisherman’s Ocean should be on every serious angler’s bookshelf and be in the back of his/her mind on their way to water.
Cod
By Mark Kurlanksy
“Cod” may not put anymore fish in your boat, but it is one the best history books I have ever read. Shockingly, the impact of the early days of cod fishing has influenced many aspects of our modern lives. The impactful lineage of cod fishing from the early 1000’s is truly unimaginable without the tutelage of author Mark Kurlansky.
The Most Important Fish in the Sea
By H. Bruce Franklin
Similar to “Cod”, “The Most Important Fish in the Sea” details the utter importance pogies (menhaden) have on our daily lives. As the most commercially harvested fish in the US, pogies are sought after for numerous commercial products, but are more vital to the marine ecosystem. H. Bruce Franklin uses historical facts and data to show us why pogies are dubbed the "Most Important Fish in the Sea”
The Shark Troller’s Bible
By Capt. Fred Archer
Capt, Fred Archer was a world famous captain, taking clients sport fishing out of Southern Cal/ Mexico. Originally from the east coast, he was well known for meshing different techniques and thinking outside the box. It doesn’t get more against the grain than the Shark Troller’s Bible. I consider this book to be the pinnacle of sport fishing books. This book changed the way I think about fishing, and not just sharks. With a humorous tone throughout, Capt. Archer comes across as a mad scientist. I have had this book for 10 years and I still refer to it
UPDATE: The Shark Troller’s Bible was very hard to obtain and I cannot find it online anymore. However, I do have a PDF Version that I will make available to paid Mouths of the Merrimack Subscribers. If you’re not a subscriber yet, please click the below for access to the Shark Troller’s Bible and much more!
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