This week marked our annual discussion on season goals.
From year to year, I keep a few constants—fish smart, break 80 pounds in the surf, and so on. Beyond those, though, I usually identify a handful of areas I want to improve, experiment with, or add to my regular rotation.
As I mentioned in this week’s episode, I really only made progress on one of my three publicly announced goals last season: getting back to fishing eels more consistently. I fell short on the others—spending time with the Ava jig and finding a reliable, accessible source of bunker for chunking (I get into the reasons why in the episode).
For 2026, I’ve outlined a new set of priorities to work on and incorporate more deliberately. The biggest of those is rethinking how I approach fly fishing for striped bass, which will require the most commitment on my part.
In the past, I tried to force the fly rod into my surf routine—picking it up after finding success on conventional gear and assuming I could replicate those results. That approach didn’t really work. It did, to a degree, but nowhere near the level I expected.
Moving forward, I plan to fish the fly rod when it’s actually the best tool for the job—or when I know fish are present in front of me, regardless of size.
The goal is simple: build confidence. By consistently putting a bend in the fly rod, I hope to shift away from the cycle of limited success leading to limited use. Instead, I want to reach for it more often—especially on nights when it truly might be the most effective option.
It’s not a new or groundbreaking concept, but it’s a useful one. If you’re trying to improve with a particular tactic, scenario, or lure, putting yourself in position to succeed with it—even in small ways—can make all the difference.
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