On the Run: An Angler's Journey Down the Striper Coast [Paperback]

David DiBenedetto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2004

Each autumn, one of nature's most magnificent dramas plays out when striped bass undertake a journey, from the northeastern United States to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, in search of food and warmer seas. Writer and angler David DiBenedetto followed this great migration -- the fall run -- for three months in the autumn of 2001.

On the Run offers vivid portrayals of the zany and obsessive characters DiBenedetto met on his travels -- including the country's most daring fisherman, an underwater videographer who chucked his corporate job in favor of filming striped bass, and the reclusive angler who claims that catching the world-record striper in 1982 sent his life into a tailspin. Along his route, DiBenedetto also delves into the natural history and biology of this great game fish, and depicts the colorful cultures of the seaside communities where the striped bass reigns supreme.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Using a new line with the old formula of the trout fishing-road trip memoir, DiBenedetto, an editor at Field & Stream magazine, creates an original debut about striped bass fishing. Following the fall migration from Maine to North Carolina, the author captures the fish's rich history, which has seen it go from being one of America's premiere game fish to near extinction, and its present state as the prime example of how a fish population can rebound thanks to the joint efforts of fishermen, conservationists and politicians. The combination of history and science fleshes out the fishing scenes and makes the book more than a young man's romp down the coast. Adding to the local flavor at each stop is the cast of characters, some salty and some sweet, who accompany and guide DiBenedetto on his journey. Eschewing trite euphemisms for fresh interpretations of the natural world ("this wad of baitfish spinning like a disco ball"), DiBenedetto is both informative and entertaining. The imaginative language combined with forays into the uncharted waters of atypical sports like spearfishing, underwater videography and skishing (think ocean fishing without the boat) brings an adventuresome, open-minded attitude that much fishing literature lacks. Written during the fall of 2001, the book's high point is DiBenedetto and his young nephew's trip to New York Harbor when "a cloud still emanated" from ground zero. Fun and refreshing, DiBenedetto's book will hook fishermen and may even net its share of landlubbers as well. Illus., map.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

A story of the road, rod, and reel, this chronicle covers the author's fishing trip in 2001, which took him from Maine to North Carolina. DiBenedetto sought the striped bass on its autumnal migration southward, seeking not only the fish but also the subculture it inspires. He persuaded guides of local renown to show him around their fishing haunts. Ocean bass fishing turns out to be many things: obsessive, competitive, and equipped with etiquette one breaches at one's peril--cross a surf caster's line and you're dead. At one point, the author expresses concern that he might not survive a night of "skishing," in which one swims away from shore to fish the striper. He enters the Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby on Martha's Vineyard; tours the clubhouse of the Cuttyhunk Fishing Association, a Gilded Age hangout for wealthy devotees of the striped bass; and soaks up the urban ambience of fly-fishing. With background on the fish's environmental ups and downs, DiBenedetto's account will be of most interest to anglers. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: It Books (September 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060087463
• ISBN-13: 978-0060087463
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Never Wrong, But..., October 21, 2003

By 

Mr. Jazz (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Run: An Angler's Journey Down the Striper Coast (Hardcover)

When a friend gave me a copy of "On The Run, I figured that I would skim through it and put it with all the other books that I'll never read again. After all, what do I care about striped bass, or the people who fish for them. I'm never wrong about these things. But this time, I wasn't as right as I'd like to be.

This book isn't about fishing. It's about a journey taken by a man who loves to fish and his contacts with a group of similarly-minded and sometimes unusual people. It's very well written and organized by a man with a great eye for detail and a fine sense of humor. Even better, it is replete with facts I never knew. In short, this book is a real page turner. ( started reading it in my porcelain study and only put it down after my feet and legs fell asleep).

This book is a definite keeper.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stripers for Novice Dummies, October 23, 2003

By 

Dr. Joseph D'Agostino (Fairfax, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Run: An Angler's Journey Down the Striper Coast (Hardcover)

I just finished Dave DiBenedetto's very readable and informative book.
As someone who has never gone fishing, I found it so refreshing. He did talk about his fascination with the awesome Stripers throughout the volume, -BUT, he weaves into the recounting of the stripers a lot of history, humor, local culture, unforgettable characters, and the flavor of familiar and unfamiliar venues up and down the east coast. Couldn't wait to turn the page and meet the next fun group of fanatical personalities on his trip.

Dave has quite a gift for keeping the narrative moving without losing his focus on the prize stipers.
I thought his subtle references to family members made him a warm, fuzzy author.
He is someone with whom I would feel very comfortable sitting down before a roaring fireplace, with a bit of refreshment and just swapping stories... -starting with stripers.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Already Reading It Again, September 17, 2003

By 

"stephenmd" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Run: An Angler's Journey Down the Striper Coast (Hardcover)

I consider myself a reader and a fisherman and I thought this book was super. DiBenedetto takes a great topic and uses a combination of nature, adventure, history and crazy characters to produce a book that is immensely entertaining. While hardcore fishermen will most definitely enjoy DiBenedetto's experiences and insights, just about everyone else is sure to be equally captivated (At one point I had to wrestle the book away from my girlfriend). DiBenedetto's smooth prose, upbeat tempo and abundance of material has resulted in a book that is as exciting as it is interesting.