THIS WEEK I’m finally getting around to that article on light tackle fishing. But before I do, I’d like to take you on a scenic trip. How many of you have visited Menr’s restaurant at the intersection of Deisea Drive ^nd Fulling Mill Rd. in Rio Grande? Now, I remember way back. There was a Menz restaurant on the VihelandMillville border. Many a memory flashes through my mind as I think of the groups who used to stop there. Well, for many reasons — mostly attributable to the hectic world we live in today — I didn't get around to visiting the Rio Grande location until last Monday. I was fascinated by it, and a little ashamed to admit that I’d missed it for four years. First of. all, their hours .are currently 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and if you’re going there on a weekend you’d better call for a reservation. (886-5900 or 888-5691). The first person that greets yon is old'timer Franklin Menz, and he sets the stage for a very hospitable and delicious meal. All through the restaurant are mounted deer and fish and memorabilia unique in this area. There’s a stuffed coyote that was killed at the Cape May County Airport, a bob-cat that was taken near Tuckahoe, a two-headed calf, the Jersey Devil, and many more exhibits. AFTER you've finished your meal (no one hurries you), there’s a barrel full of taffys waiting for you to choose from if you’ve cleaned your plate. You can also get take-outs of seafood, chicken, or any of the delicious old-fashioned things on their menu. The take-out’s all right if you’re in a hurry, but why not take the time to enjoy a good meal in these cozy surroundings. Get the "Old Timer" Franklin Menz to tell you one of his tales (they’re not only interesting, but most are true). The time you spend won’t be wasted! Now, back to the subject of light taojcle fishing. I want to first qualify myself. I am not, at the present time, a light tackle angler. I have some small reels, some light line, and 3 or 4 light tackle rods. But I need a lot more experience and a whole new philosophy before I caji say I’m a light tackle fisherman. THE CLOSEST I’ve ever come to catching a good fish on light tackle was this summer when I caught a 58 lb yellow-fin tuna 4 on 20 pound test line (this is not an earth shaking event). Most of the light tackle anglers I’ve known have developed over the years

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as they became more knowledgable about what they were catching. Many of them developed from first being a freshwater pond fisherman. Then some of their catches came about because they had their freshwater rods and reels with them when they went saltwater fishing. I would be apt to think that a lot of our saltwater light tackle developed from freshwater beginnings. I’ve known a lot of light tackle saltwater fishermen over the years, and I would say that they are a group set apart from the norm. They are still anglers, but anglers .who are ready to pit their experience and skill more on an equal basis with a fish species. Most of them are old-time anglers who have developed a degree of patience in fishing. They like to give the fish an equal chance. NOW THERE is a minority who fish light tackle for records, and they have a different dedication. I knew a fellow named Joe Dove from Anntfpolis, Md., who fished for channel bass with 6 pound test line. When he hooked one from a boat, it began a 3 to 5 hour , battle — with Capt. Emal Foster at the controls — to land the fish. Joe holds the world record on Channel Bass, and he earned it. Some other light tackle champions I know don’t just fish for records, but they've broken world records because they always have a light line in the water. Edward "Reds" Hansen set our angling world on fire a couple of seasons back when he landed an 11 lb 8 oz weakfish on 6 lb test and held the title for two months. Jack Osborne, of Court Houses caught a 96 lb black drum on 6 lb test line over near the mispillion on the Delaware side. It’s an uncontested world record. Jack was fooling around plugging when that monster grabbed his lure. He had one thing going for him. He had always fished light tackle on-and-off. He made the right moves and so did “Little Gish" Spalding, his gaffer. Today Jack holds the world record with a fish that is hard, to find on conventional tackle — a fish that if hooked on light tackle will probably break off. YOU HAVE to have everything going for you when you hook a big fish on light tackle. Your reel must

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run smooth and your line must be good and run through the guides easily. If you’re smart your rod and reel will be balanced for the line class and a double leader will be tied on and working. Gary RU4y, of Murphy’s Mart, is another fellow who keeps light tackle around. He had itjwith him the day he broke the world’s record for a 6 lb tippet with^ 10 lb 4 oz weakfish. Gary is an old-time freshwater fisherman, and he's gotten into the expert category with ultra light 4 lb. best and better. As he said when I talked with him last Saturday, the International Game Fish Association is concentrating on light tackle fishing, and he thinks it’s great. I would further state that if you want to be a light tackle angler, get a lot of experience in catching fish and be prepared to lose almost as many as you catch. You’ll have a lot more sport on light tackle, but your catching number will go way down while your concentration will go way up. You’ll find you become a better sportsman with light tackle, but none of those ‘'kite-string" boys will tell you it’s easy. You have to learn to catch a fish with the spring or whip6f a rod, and that takes practice. \

Over the Rainbow Card Shop and Needlers I| remained in first and second place, respectively as both teams won a pair of matches last week in Women’s Volleyball. The Rainbow sur^ prisingly disposed of perennial title contender Plumbers Wrenched SEA ISLE CITY - The M&F Plumbing team fought a tough losing battle in the Adult Basketball League Pat's Market with only five players until help arrived in the second half. The final score was 79 to 74. Steve Hartley, (26), Jim Lingerficld (16) and Mark Shannon (16) were leading scorers for M&F and Capt. John Marlin (24), Jim McClory (18) and Bob Milano (12) lead the winning efforts for Pat’s. IN THE SECOND game, which was more of a defensive struggle, Cape Insurance took the game away from Pfeiffer's Dept. Store 57 to 53. Hot shooting in the second half by John Larkin (23) and Brian Kulmer (17) led the way for Cape Ins. For thelosing Pfeiffer’s team, there was balanced scoring all around; Fred Freda (14), Jerry Rutledge (8) and Chip Conti (7). / After three weeks the standings are: y WINS IOSSES Cape Insurance 2 I M&FV Plumbing 2 1 , Pat's Market I l Kix I/wnge I 2 Pfeiffer's Dept Store | 2

Ocean Academy in consecutive matches^ sweeping all three games both times. Led by Paula Fontannez, Lynnda Hawley and Marlene Mediuch, Over the RainboW appeared to. be a tidal wave of serves and bumps to Ocean. Debbie Brett and Marghee Beatty offered most of the Ocean Academy resistance. ■ Benefit B’ball n WILDWOOD There’ll btt a doubleheader on the Convention Hall basketball court this Saturday, and the first game benefits the Burdette Tomlin Hospital fund drive. The .fund raiser, featuring the Hospital five and the team from the Wildwood Fire Dept., will tip off at 6:30 p.m . prior to the Wildwood Waves game Tatfcr in the evening. Proceeds will go lowaTd the hospital’s multi-million dollar m o d.e r n i z a t i o n • enlargement project.

Serving was the name of the game end the Needier* were much sharper than the Emporium. Darlene Axelsson, Debbie Palmer and Charlotte Lamach propelled the Needlers while Stie McKee and Phyllis Brinker did likewise for the Jewel Box Emporium. STANDINGS

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1 Ov*r (he Rainbow

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2 NeecUtn II 3 Oc«an Academy, 4 C-View Inn 5 Jewel Bo* Emporium io a 6 Woody'a Comer . ,.j. 6.21

25 I 17 16 M 25

Cape Over SIC The Cape May Youth Hockey All-Star Team rocketed to a quick 1-0 on Jon Axelsson's goal in the first minute of the game enroiite to a 3-1 victory over the Sea Isle City Stars last Week. Axelsson punched id another goal and Tom Moore scored.in the second period ns Cape May built a insurmountable 3-0 lead ’ Bob Lyndsey slapped in f. goal for Sea Isle in the final period.

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