Archive for November, 2011
Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks
Thanksgiving Day on the Outer Banks always brings out the best of our town. The towns are alive with both locals and visitors busy shopping and just enjoying the area. Many the houses are full of family, friends and much good will. Our home was equally busy – our family arrived on Wednesday evening and stayed several days. The weather was beautiful this year. The mornings were a little nippy, but the afternoon temps rose into the 70’s each day. With bright sunshine and warm temps, you could not ask for a better environment.
We fished once on Saturday afternoon but were met with continuing stiff winds and rough surf. Since last week’s blow, fishing had slowed to almost zero. It didn’t help that the water temperatures are continuing to drop. The ocean temps now fluctuate between mid to upper fifties.
Many anglers were out each weekend day on the bridges, piers and up and down the surf. It seemed they were looking for that “after turkey day” seafood dinner. But unfortunately, none was to be had.
It is predicted that weather should improve over the next several days so there is still anticipation that the trout will remain here for a couple more weeks. No news yet on the big blues or ocean rockfish. Anglers are still catching plenty of stripe bass in the sound especially around the Wright Memorial and Mann’s Harbor Bridges. Eels are the bait of choice.
One point of bad news is that three of our fishing piers close today for the season. You can still find your way on the piers if the doors are open but the basically tackle shops are closed. Kitty Hawk and Jennette’s piers are still open but only Jennette’s has regular winter hours.
Hopefully, I will have better news on fishing in the next blog entry.
Until next time, Tightlines
Meet “Henry The Fish”
I spent the last week in San Diego on a work conference and with the rough weather on the Outer Banks, I did not miss much. Water temps, now in the 50’s, have dropped significantly. With plenty of wind and grass, catching has been a challenge. But there still are plenty of opportunities to fish, so you might as well get off the couch before actual winter sets in.
While I was in San Diego I did the tourist thing in afternoon. One of the stops was a sea port museum. There I found “Henry the Fish”.
Henry is a collection of plastics, aluminum cans, dish soap bottles, lids, bottles, toys and many other trashy things found on a beach. These items may seem harmless but fish and birds are impacted from eating them or getting wrapped up.
Also, many of these plastics contain harmful chemicals and once eaten by fish, birds or other sealife, the cycle begins to enter the food chain. And unfortunately, this food chain leads up to us.
A group of concerned citizens assembled Henry to send a message. I think I got it.
When fishing on the surf, pier, bridge or other locations do your part by disposing your bait and gear wrappers, assorted debris and food trash in a proper receptacle.
Not only will it increase the health and mortality of our fish and wildlife, help to prevent a fouling of our waterways and recreation areas but it just looks good and makes sense.
So for a more pleasant experience, do your part. Pick it up.
Until next time, Tightlines
Changes to Speckled Sea Trout Fishery
Changes are coming to the Speckled (spotted) Sea Trout Fishery on the Outer Banks effective Monday, November 14, 2011.
According to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, recreational fisherman may now only harvest four (4) speckled (spotted) sea-trout per person per day by hook and line. This is a change down from six (6) during the last proclamation.
The minimum length is still fourteen (14) inches total length. But the most recent proclamation eliminates the restriction where there is a limit to the total length. In the past we can only keep two (2) fish over twenty-four (24) inches. Now the restriction on the maximum size has been lifted.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind my angler friends that we still have a very delicate Speckled sea-trout fishery, so conservation is still the key to a complete re-bound.
Until next time, Tight lines
Been Tricked Not Treated
Weather on the Outer Banks has just “frightful”. This week following Halloween has been rainy and windy. The surf has not been this angry since Hurricane Irene visited us several months ago. Fishing has been halted in it tracks. Last weekend is, we caught all the trout, croaker, spot and black drum we wanted. But not this weekend. And the conditions don’t look to get better for another several days.
Thought you might enjoy the scene at the Avalon Pier today.
Heard earlier that even the ferries from Swan Quarter, Ocracoke and Hatteras have been suspended. Extended forecast is better weather first of the week. We sure hope so.
I plan to ride the beach and visit several of the sound side bridges on Saturday. With a little luck, I might find a calm spot and a fish that seems to like my lure better than holding on the bottom.
Until next time
Tightlines
NCsaltaire 