Archive for August, 2009
Keeping Them Alive
Fishing is like playing cards. Sometimes you can influence the outcome by having an ace in the hole. Well fishing with live bait is like having that “Ace”.
There are many types of baits but I have found that live shrimp out performs any other.
When fishing with live shrimp, it is important to use only active shrimp. Many friends ask, well how do I keep them alive?
I use a combination of flo-troll bait holder or a variable speed aerator. It is important to only buy fresh live shrimp. Check for aggressive ones only.
But having fresh shrimp is only half of the process. Placing the shrimp on the hook properly ensures your invitation will be accepted.
Tightlines and live shrimp might just give you that “Ace” in the hole.
Nice Waves
Well, Hurricane Bill came and went. It was just a Saturday event. During his trip he gave us some real nice waves – but no wind or rain. Only Carolina blue skies. Red flags were flying.
The first mate and I went out just before high tide to enjoy his fury. As predicted, the waves were tremendous – at least 14 feet high on their crests. The huge waves would crash on the beach followed by another and another. At high tide the water almost covered the entire beach. It was amazing watching the surf creep toward the dunes with relentless pounding crashes. As one wave toe would reach the beach another would crash over it. It was almost as though each incoming wave was racing toward a finish line.
Rip currents were numerous along the beach. With so much water being pushed ashore, the sand bars easily gave way to the escaping seas.
Not a good fishing day– this was a watching day. Nature’s power and fury – Just Beautiful.
Waiting for Bill
Hurricane Bill’s effect will be felt along the Outer Banks this weekend. High surf with many rip currents – but no rain and minimal wind. Amazing that a catagory “125mph” storm just a short distance off shore will produce nothing but a wimper. Though the “word” is out on the Banks – “NO SWIMMING”.
We are expecting spectacular wave action starting Saturday morning – up to 17 feet.
I took this interesting picture of cloud formation just over the ocean yesterday. It appears to resemble a wine carafe. I believe the message from this picture is to get a bottle of wine and head to the beach for the “Bill Show”. We just might do that!!
Trotlines and Dip Nets
Summer in the Outer Banks to me means sun, surf and picking crabs. After doing the beach scene, one of the most popular family activities, is the act of catching your own crab dinner. It combines some skill and a lot of luck. And crabbing just happens to be the easiest seafood to target on the Outer Banks.
The best way to catch crabs is with a trot and bait line and a net. You attach a chicken or fish part to a thin cotton string, find a place adjacent to the water, heave that bait out (don’t forget to hold the string line) and wait for the tug. You grab a hand dip net, retrieve your bait slowly and with some patience and stealth, you are off to a great meal.
The fist mate and I use a more aggressive method – commercial crab pots. For the last three months, we have been setting our pots in the Currituck Sound. The sound is a ten minute boat ride from our house. We have five pots and collected well over three bushels this year.
This week we introduced our son to the art of crabbing using pots. Seems we just gave him another reason to visit. As if he needs another reason to visit paradise.
Mission – Almost Accomplished
What a great day!! My Dad, youngest son and I took off this afternoon for a day fishing.
Everything cooperated except the fish. The weather was atypical at best. Mild temperatures and cloudy in mid August is not what you expect on the Outer Banks.
We tried three different baits – shrimp, worms, and cut menhaden. Only success came with three small croakers. We fished both the Daniels and Pirates Cove bridges.
Even though we were unable to accomplish the main goal of our journey to fill the “box”, we filled our day with each other’s company. No amount of success can replace that.
NCsaltaire 