I'm Capt. Michael Eichenseer. My homeport is Ryder's Cove, Chathamport, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. I'm interested in discussing International Game fish Association record setting attempts with men and women who are serious about records in the lightest tippet and line classes for striped bass and bluefish and perhaps a number of other gamefish that may be a by-catch of any record pursuit. (fluke and various sharks come to mind, sometimes you never know what will bite!)

I am gearing up again this year to set records in men's, women's and junior's divisions. Flyfishing and light spinning.

Let me be blunt. My family will be pursuing records again this summer with me. I've decided to offer record attempts as part of my charter business as well. This is a lot more work but I like the idea of setting new game fish records and I'd be pleased to contribute to anyone's success.

Why record attempts now ? Perhaps every twenty years or so the conditions are right. Right now the fish stocks are up, they've been able to mature to a point where a concerted effort to catch a big fish (or two or three) stands a reasonable chance at success. Given the past few years of fish growth and my clients' averages of getting onto big fish, I believe 2000 will be an excellent year. And it will take hooking more than one record to land one "for the record" (we experience breakoffs more often than we'd like with very light line, even taking all the precautions possible, but that's why they're records after all). Hence, the necessity for preparing the best in every element of the tackle and technique employed.

I already have secured the quality lines, tackle and gear that is necessary for an maximum effort. In addition, I customize the flies and the lures that I use to further increase the likelyhood of success.

Of course, any record attempt must be pursued with a practical eye to the basic difficulty of such an undertaking. If records were easy, everyone would have one. But as it is, only one person in the world can hold a world record. To do this by any means other than blind luck one must maximize every factor that can be controlled. The best gear, the best technique, the best local knowledge are only fundamental to achieving the goal of a world record fish. It also requires patience and perseverance and I have ample amounts of both.

World record game fish require access to world class fishing structure and holding locales. The area of the Cape that I specialize in chartering to: Monomoy Island flats and rips, and the waters off of North and South (barrier beaches), Nauset as well as Nantucket Sound provide both ample and optimal fishing diversity.

Perhaps just as importantly, I am a problem solver. My friends sometimes call me intense. A psychotherapist by profession, I am used to judging the qualities, limitations and resources an individual brings to any challenge. I am used to taking in the gestalt of a situation, utilizing all my senses, recognizing the subleties and honoring my intuition. I bring that same depth of judgement and assessment to my fishing interests. I will readily admit that when I go "fishing" my purpose is to enjoy the day and learn something new if I can. I believe this is a wise appoach. But when I go "catching", my goal is to succeed in finding and boating fish. I like to succeed.

In 2000, from my boat, I fully expect to set at least one and possibly four new men's records, at least two and possibly a half dozen new women's records, and at least half a dozen and possibly a dozen or more new junior records. If you are interested in attempting to catch a world record fish on the Cape this summer, drop me a line by e-mail or give me a call at (508) 945-6052 and we'll discuss it.

One last note. I don't believe you need to be independently wealthy to take a reasonable shot at this. Any record seeker simply needs to make the decision to expend a reasonable effort to catch a record and nothing less. I think a record might well be possible in a single outing rather than a whole campaign, given the right conditions. The odds of this would certainly be improved if you lived within commuting distance of the Cape and could respond to a promising opportunity on a day's notice but again, any day might be a record day given the effort and favorable conditions. The fish are there, that's clear. We only need to bring 'em to the boat.

If you think this is for you, drop me a line.

Capt. Michael Eichenseer

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Written 2/18/00.