Arnie’s special sandwich scores again. This time, Roger will let you in on the secret

Last year around this time I shared my unconventional secret to catching big stripers, a special sandwich that had worked like magic for me on my fishing trips. Now it’s time to reveal the rest of the story and its incredible conclusion.

To recap last year’s column: I had gotten into the habit of ordering a sandwich the night before a fishing trip from a nearby deli counter manned by my buddy Arnie Storelli. It became evident that whenever I ordered my special sandwich, big things usually happened on that trip.

I didn’t reveal the location of Arnie’s deli back then; fishermen have to have a few secrets! But I always figured there’d be a time to tell the rest of the story.

Fast forward to Sept. 10.

I’m planning on fishing the next day at San Luis Reservoir; lunch is on the to-do list. I intended to get something different, but when I drove past my iturn, I thought, “Maybe I need to get my sandwich from Arnie after all.”

Ten minutes later I’m at the Save Mart at Herndon and Marks avenues and I head for the deli. Sure enough, Arnie is in. “Hey, are you going fishing tomorrow? Need your sandwich? Maybe I can make a sandwich that’s extra special for you! Improve your luck for a big one!”

I go shopping then head back to the deli. Arnie says, “I put some extra TLC into making this sandwich, and I hope it helps you get something huge, maybe a new personal best!”

He had never said anything quite like that before. I thought, “You never know.”

The next day I’m out with two guests. It’s a good day with lots of fish and fun.. We’re eating lunch and I pull out my sandwich. One guy says, “Where did you get that? That’s some sandwich, you make it?“

“Nope, it’s made special and it’s big fish lucky, too!“ I say. They laugh. They head home around 4.

I decide to stay and do some scouting. I head for a good spot and start fishing. My sonar is showing a lot of fish below me. Moments later I get a solid hit. The fish seemed normal-sized as it swam toward me but that all changed when it decided to head south at warp speed. . My big reel is screaming like I’ve never seen, with the fish refusing to slow for probably 60 yards. An incredible freight train. It then heads down to the bottom at 80 feet and just sits there. I keep the pressure on and the big fish slowly comes up.

I’m just praying I get to see the fish. The huge shape surfaces ... OMG, it’s huge! I net it. Lifting it onto the deck by myself was tough.

The fish weighed 40.88 pounds, spanned 45-plus inches and had a massive 30-inch girth. A tank, my personal-best San Luis striper as well as my biggest striper in 22 years. Arnie had predicted this new PB the day before!

Afterward, I looked down, and there was the other half of my lucky sandwich sitting right there on my deck. Perfect

Two takeaways: Arnie’s my sandwich guy at the Herndon/Marks Save Mart deli, treat him right. But if you order the “Roger’s Special,” remember, mojo is not usually transferable. However, you’re welcome to try!

Never give up! You never know what you might catch next.