Author: John McMurray

(Note: A condensed edited version of this originally appeared on the Saltwater Sportsman Magazine’s website: The Numbers Game: Is It Ever OK to Share GPS Coordinates to Offshore Bites? | Salt Water Sportsman) The politics of sharing locations and burning spots By Capt. John McMurray “I don’t know how to put this but I’m kind…
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Ever wonder why most of us aren’t so nice?

An impossible rationalization of fishing, saving the world, and life on the back nine By Capt. John McMurray PG13 – Reader discretion advised.  It wasn’t too long ago that living past 50 was extraordinary. At the beginning of the 19th century, no country in the world had a life expectancy longer than 40 years, and it…
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The grind, the glory, and the absurdity of giving a crap Well, it’s done.  Finally.  Jan 2, the 36’ Contender just got wrapped and the 31 is stripped and on a trailer, ready to go north for some long overdue shop work.  The Maritime Skiff’s rear-end is bare, waiting for a new motor – it’s…
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An recent piece in Anglers Journal by Capt. John McMurray Small v-wakes form on a glass surface, almost unnoticeable to the untrained eye.  After hours of squinting though salt-stained sunglasses, I’m unsure what I’m seeing is real.   Maybe rays, maybe porpoise – don’t want another false alarm.   But as we get closer dark backs materialize,…
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Maybe the recreational fishing experience is more important than we think it is Let me preface all this by saying that I’m not a great dad. At least I’m not as good of a dad as I always thought/hoped I would be. I have two 8-year-olds. Yes, twins. A boy and a girl. They are awesome.…
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Surfers, divers, fishers…  This is our legacy.  So speak the hell up! My name is John McMurray, and I’m an ocean-junky. I make a living from the sea.  And saltwater courses though my veins.  Almost every day, I get my fix – when the alarm-clock starts screaming at 3am; when I start the engine up;…
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I’m darn lucky to be doing this, but how long can I keep doing it? As I’m writing this, I’m on my way to Vermont to spend Thanksgiving with my parents. My wife is driving, snow is falling. And in a rare moment, my kids are quiet, heads down in laptops. But me… my mind…
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2017 was a good year, but in the end, it can all go away pretty easily Let me be clear about something…  I’m not done by any means. The stripers are still going, and for sure I’ll get a few, hopefully more than a few, more cracks at them.  And, I’m pretty sure, or at…
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