Unificationist Women Practice True Father’s Love for Fishing

Inspired by True Father’s love for the sea and fishing, on Saturday, June 17, a group of Unificationist women went out fishing for striped bass, bluefish and flounder in the New York Harbor and Sandy Hook area. In the report below, Naria McGee describes the experience being at sea.

The forecast foretold scattered showers and chance of thunderstorm, but we decided to just go out and if the weather turned for the worse we’d head back. A total of six ladies, chaperoned by Captains Manuel Liba and Megumi Watanabe, fished for the entire day. Because the waters were getting warmer, striped bass and bluefish were not difficult to come by. It was not until our 14-year-old guest, the youngest in our group, got our first catch. It was a bluefish.

Captain Liba was ready with the net as the young girl, then her mom, struggled to reel in the fish. As the fish was brought up to the boat and the net plunged in to catch it, the line snapped. The bluefish’s notorious sharp teeth had cut the line, letting it escape in the last moment. But after no bites by any fish for over an hour, this attempt was exciting and encouraging for the women.     

Going further out to sea near Sandy Hook, the fog began to come in thick. Surrounded by a blanket of mist, we were mesmerized by the beauty and silence of the ocean. During the women’s fishing journey, it sprinkled intermittently. The ladies felt they were fortunate when they discovered that it was pouring rain in the Bayonne and New York Harbor area.

Our next target was the flounder, a very tasty flat fish. Switching out the hooks and bait with squid and spairing, the flounder’s favorite, the ladies pulled up six flounders with three that were keeper sizes. 

In another location we found out that other fish also like the flounder bait. As the rod tip pitched downward, we were sure it was a big one. What greeted us at the surface was a skate, a relative of the manta ray. We sent the skate back into the ocean, and then not long after another bite hit the line. This time it was a dogfish, a species of small shark with no teeth. It was exciting to reel in and discover all the different species in the area.

We had the opportunity to reflect and contemplate while fishing as True Father often did and mentioned. The ocean is truly the best place to think as you leave behind all your worries and concerns on land. We hope next year more ladies will be able to join us for this fishing expedition!