In today's podcast and blog post, we introduce you to longtime My Fishing Cape Cod Member, Carol Girard-Irwin. For Carol, fishing has been a lifelong passion that began during childhood summers spent in Beach Haven, New Jersey.
While her father preferred trolling from his 33-foot boat, Carol discovered early on that her true calling was a more direct connection with the water. That desire would eventually lead her to the challenging yet rewarding world of surf fishing, and ultimately to My Fishing Cape Cod membership.
Click play below to start listening to our conversation with Carol, or scroll down to access a table of contents and written version of everything we cover.
A Note Before This Interview
Before we jump into today's post, we wanted to give you a quick heads up. This interview was originally recorded back in 2024, and while we had every intention of publishing it sooner, life got busy and it ended up sitting on the shelf longer than we planned.
But here's the thing—the insights and information shared in this conversation are just too valuable to leave unpublished. So while you'll hear some references to the 2024 fishing season throughout the episode, the techniques, strategies, and experiences discussed are absolutely relevant and worth your time.
We think you're really going to enjoy this one and take away some great knowledge that'll help you on the water. So with that said, let's dive in.
A Natural Progression
Carol Girard-Irwin has a passion for surfcasting the beaches of outer Cape Cod.
After building a career with New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, Carol's love for the outdoors and fishing continued to grow. She was particularly drawn to surf fishing, appreciating the intimate connection it offered with both the environment and the fish. "I like the idea of being out there and connecting with the fish directly," she explains. "Everything that was involved with it."
However, Carol quickly learned that surfcasting the picturesque beaches of the outer cape demanded more than just enthusiasm. "There's a lot involved with surf fishing," she notes. "Even if you've done it a lot before, there's really a lot to it." This realization led her to seek out resources and community support as she developed her skills.
Finding Her Community
In 2017, while still in New Jersey but planning for retirement on Cape Cod, Carol discovered My Fishing Cape Cod. After experiencing less-than-welcoming attitudes on other fishing websites, she found MFCC to be refreshingly different.
"People actually answered questions," Carol recalls. "We want people to be successful. I want people to catch fish, and I'm happy now after so many years that I feel like I can contribute too."
Carol regularly attends MFCC events and has been able to expand her social and fishing network exponentially since moving to Cape Cod in 2018. Events like the 36-hour grind and annual season kickoff are ways Carol and other members can network and become knowledgeable in new areas.
A Successful 2024 Season
Now residing in Truro, Carol's 2024 season exemplified the rewards of persistence and adaptation. Her first striper of the year came on May 8th on the bayside, followed by her first backside beach striper at Race Point on May 22nd. Throughout the season, she observed abundant bait, including unusually early appearances of shad, along with spearing and mackerel.
A highlight of her year came from an unexpected source – a souvenir from Ireland. During a trip to the Wild Atlantic Way, Carol discovered the Kilty lure, a versatile metal lure that proved remarkably effective for multiple species, including striped bass, bluefish, and even bonito. The lure's success led to what Carol describes as "one of the most exciting days" of fishing, particularly during a memorable bonito outing in Wellfleet.
A highlight of Carol's season came from an unexpected source – a souvenir from Ireland. During a trip to the Wild Atlantic Way, Carol discovered the Kilty Lure, a versatile metal lure that proved remarkably effective for multiple species, including bonito as pictured above!
Adaptation and Partnership
When September's northeast winds disrupted the traditional fall run on the backside beaches, Carol and her fishing partner Jean Lapiene, whom she met through MFCC, adapted their strategy. They shifted their attention to the bayside, where they discovered extraordinary action under working birds.
Carol and Jean found that obtaining information in the My Fishing Cape Cod Forum on where the bite was this season, especially at night, had them exploring different beaches. Carol emphasizes the importance of the connections she's made through MFCC, particularly for safety reasons.
Carol utilized the My Fishing Cape Cod Forum to find the bite, especially at night. She and her fishing partner Jean emphasize the importance of using the buddy system especially when fishing new coastline in the dark.
She's now part of a network of MFCC members including Tommy Lee, Gretchen Stiers, Mark Ward, and her regular fishing companion Jean Lapiene.
Looking Ahead
As she looks toward next season, Carol has set her sights on new challenges, including more extensive pursuit of false albacore from shore and exploring opportunities for topwater tuna fishing. "I don't care if they're rat size or football size," she says of the tuna, highlighting her enthusiasm for new fishing adventures.
Looking forward to 2025, Carol has set her sights on new challenges, including the more extensive pursuit of false albacore and bonito from shore.
For those considering exploring the outer Cape beaches, Carol offers measured advice based on years of experience. She recommends treating fishing like a puzzle, carefully considering factors such as wind, tide, sand structure, water temperature, and moon phases.
Her personal preference is fishing around the new moon, particularly in June, and she emphasizes the importance of understanding how northeast winds might necessitate a shift to bayside fishing.
Closing Thoughts: The MFCC Difference
When asked what makes MFCC special, Carol emphasizes the community's authenticity and focus. "I find it is the most honest information," she explains. "There's not really a big ego faction on MFCC." She particularly values how the community stays focused solely on fishing, providing a welcome escape from the divisiveness often found on social media platforms.
Through her journey from New Jersey to Cape Cod, Carol Girard-Irwin has not only found success in surf fishing but has also discovered a community that shares her passion and values. Her story exemplifies how dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from others can lead to success in both fishing, and in life! 🎣
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