Archive for October, 2012
Coming to the Festival?
Are you going to be in the Outer Banks this weekend? I sure hope so. Well, if you are not here now or have other plans, you should try to change them. There is going to be a great function related to our local fishing community this weekend.
On Saturday, 20 October 2012, the Outer Banks will be holding it first annual Seafood Festival. The festival will be held at the old Windmill Point property in south Nags Head on the bypass. The festival will run from 1100 through 1800.
The festival will include cooking demonstrations, many exhibits, vendors, music and many other activities for both adults and children. The activities will focus on the Outer Banks commercial fishing industry. The show will host many of our local experts in the commercial fishing trades. I am looking forward to seeing some old friends and making new ones who have a long history of supporting our local commercial fishery and supplying seafood to not only us locally but worldwide.
The best thing is that the festival is “free” – including parking. That’s right – “FREE”.
There will be local food samplings and beverages will be for sale at the festival. You will need tickets to purchase of samples our seafood specialties that are featured at our many restaurants. These can be purchased on the day of the festival.
Weather is projected to be perfect. So there should be no excuse. It’s free, it’s local and will be a blast.
For more information, please see the festival web site.
http://www.outerbanksseafoodfestival.org
This will be a special event. Hope to see you there.
Until next time, Tightlines – Capt. Tony
Fall Fishing on the “Banks”
The fishing season has been an exciting one for me. I started in September in Southwest Florida. I hunted big gator trout and redfish with my friend Capt. CA in Tampa. And I caught trout and snook in the Charlotte Harbor area near Punta Gorda with my first mate.
Back home in North Carolina, I caught dozens of “specs” from both the bridges and surf. Seems the Trout fishery might just be the best it’s ever been in eastern Carolina.
I traveled up to Ocean City, Maryland for my annual off-shore charter out of Sunset Marina. This trip produced dozens of dolphin – “mahi-mahi” and a 35 pound yellow fin Tuna.
Work travel allowed me to give the rods and reels a chance to “cool off”.
October brought me more time on the water and it was almost like the light switch was never turned off. I caught puppy drum (southern anglers call them “redfish”), speckled trout, blues, black drum, and spot. It did not matter which bait I used. I caught specs on cut bait and spot on lead head with a twister tail. Just amazing for this area.
I am off for another short trip but plan to get back on the surf soon.
My best bet for success this week would be to use a standard bottom rig, #2 or #4 circle hooks, light pyramid sinker and cast into the wash from any pier or the surf. If you are fishing from a pier, try the north side in fall. It seems the old guys tell me that the north side in fall and south in spring and summer works best. Cast just past the white foam as the wave crest passes. You should find plenty of puppy drum and specs.
Remember the regulation – puppy drum 18-27 and speckled trout – 18 inches or larger.
I would also keep a light spinning set ready for those occasional runs of tailor blues or heavy trout during their migration south.
Until next time, Tightlines. Capt. Tony
NCsaltaire 