Bob Smith, age 90, first weigh-in.

Bob Smith, age 90, first weigh-in.

The Plum Island Real Deal

Bob Smith has been around. Yeah, he’s 90 and was fishing the river this morning at first light, 5:30. What? You were asleep? Yeah, me too. Not him. 13.8 lb Striped Bass. 30”. 5:30 am bottom of outgoing tide on a bucktail jig at the mouth of the Merrimac!!

If you don’t know him, Bob’s a Plum Island living legend. He started fishing here in 1953. A longtime Surfland customer and close friend of Kay Moulton, he ran a Beach Buggy for a while, and then got into boat fishing. He’s the real deal. If you get a chance to pick his brain, he’s happy to oblige. But speak up a bit, Bob’s hearing is not one of his superpowers.


Today’s fish

There were 4 herring inside his bass this morning

White Bucktail Jig with no longer produced Bomber Bucktail.

Segment from Reel People The Fishermen of Plum Island: Living Legend Bob Smith from James Waldron Design on Vimeo.
(See the entire Film here)

Bob’s Beach Buggy around 1960

 


Bob Smith on his Boat, The Keeper

 

 

 


Parker River Striper Ice Fishing, 1964

 

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Stickman
stickman@surflandbt.com

Stickman is the resident web design guy at Surfland. We pay him in eels.

14 Comments
  • Erik
    Posted at 09:06h, 16 May

    The ice fishing pic is a great shot

  • Russ Gunnard
    Posted at 09:28h, 16 May

    Bob is one great friend. We are so lucky to have him in our lives.
    The first keeper of the season. Way to go Bob!!

  • John
    Posted at 09:32h, 16 May

    Great catch Bob Smith.

  • Jim C
    Posted at 10:33h, 16 May

    Stickman & the crew from SBT. That photo of Bob with the bass caught through the ice may be the single best striper photo I’ve ever seen!!!
    Jim C

    • Peter Philbrook
      Posted at 08:05h, 21 May

      In that ice picture – Bob’s trunk is still open from taking his mounted fish out. Funny photo though – nice mounted fish too!

  • James Jewkes
    Posted at 11:21h, 16 May

    Saw Bob at the Plum island Surfcasters meeting last night what a legend congrats Bob

  • Nanci Smith
    Posted at 20:08h, 16 May

    Awesome Dad! I so remember that beach buggy and many early morning fishing on The Keeper. Love you

    • Laura Smith
      Posted at 16:40h, 06 April

      Hi Nanci, I reached out to you on Facebook. I’m your half cousin, my dad is your dad’s half

  • Peter Philbrook
    Posted at 10:21h, 17 May

    I noticed Bob doing the old, pull the scale down during weigh-in trick! – Just kidding…nice fish – can’t wait to get out there!

  • Al Williams
    Posted at 16:41h, 17 May

    That’s a terrific pic of Bob. He’s not just a PI legend and an exceptional fisherman.
    He’s one of the classiest gentlemen you’ll ever meet.
    Well done!.

  • sully
    Posted at 20:09h, 17 May

    Outstanding Report!

  • Joe Witt
    Posted at 13:55h, 19 May

    Great story about Bob Smith. 90 Wow

  • jeff H
    Posted at 16:45h, 19 May

    Spectacular post. Thank you for all this great info and history. Such a gift.
    Love it.

  • Peter W Seeley
    Posted at 13:23h, 23 May

    I grew up on Plum Island over 55 years ago.I use to go fishing with Bob Smith and my father George Seeley. Ask him about the night Peter dropped all the live eels while climbing up the cliffs at Boars Head N.H.,we had fished all night pulled out 4, 35 lb plus stripers.Great night,great memories. That was 45 years ago.Bob Smith one of the nicest guys on this planet.Good job ,Bob work that buck tail jig!

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