Posts filed under ‘Places’
The Perfect Spot If You Know What to Look For
There are many ways to locate a perfect surf fishing spot. The old saying is, “you should fish where the fish are”. But without being facetious, that is not always easy. You can always call a local tackle shop or pier. They can only give you what other people have called in or what “has or is” happening at their location.
My plans don’t always allow me to fish at any optimum time or place. So I go when I can. My favorite spot is the surf. There are so many opportunities there. But you must know where there is a possibility of fish. Blind casting is fun but not very productive.
My first observation when surf fishing is to study the wave action and the beach configuration. I look for a steep drop off at the water line and the rip current. A good indication of a steep spot off is a gravel /shell pile.
Typically fish will be found in the sloughs. A slough is a channel of deeper water between the beach and the sand bar. The sloughs during incoming tides create a “river” of water traveling parallel with the beach. At the weak point in the bar, the water rushes out to sea. This is the rip current.
You should try to fish in this “river” just north or south of this rip. 
In this picture, you can see the beginning of a rip current being formed.
So next time you plan a trip on the surf, look for that tail tale sign. Now that’s where the fish are. Take it from me, this is where I have been most successful.
Until next time,
Tightlines
Isn’t It Time for Circle Hooks
Several years ago, here on the Outer Banks, I would watch dozens of fish get wasted – just left on the beach to die. At the time, many of the anglers would try to catch as many fish as possible. They never considered the impact of over fishing. And even less about returning this resource back into the water to be caught again. This resource was unlimited so they thought.
Although, many times anglers did try to practice conservation and consider releasing them only to find that the gear they were using caused deep gut hooking. This gut hooking caused significant damage to internal organs and would cause them to bleed out quickly. With a reduced survivability, these fish were just left on the beach to either be eaten by the birds or rot in the sun.
The culprit was “J Hooks”. These hooks were designed to increase the hook ups. Once you feel the bite, the angler sets the hooks and bingo, you are successful. But they decreased the survivability rate.
Recently, there has been a movement to change to less damaging gear. The circle hooks meets that goal.
I have begun to use circle hooks on almost every gear set up. And guess what? I haven’t reduced my catches at all. In fact, I am catching more fish and releasing most to be caught again. You will find that most of my catches are with circle hooks. Check out the Black Drum I caught the other day using circle hooks. See how it just grabs the corner of their mouth?
Is there a place still in fishing for “J hooks” – sure but careful selection and use is imparative. Common sense plays a major role with their use,
Isn’t it time you jumped on the conservation fix? Our fisheries are not unlimited, and if you are not harvesting one to eat, release it to be caught another day. I think that is a pretty neat concept. How about jumping on that bandwagon with me? Future anglers will thank us for our commitment to this fishery.
Until next time,
Tightlines
Black Drum in the Surf
I spent several evenings over the past week trying my luck at surf fishing. It seems that this was my lucky week. I hooked up with a smorgasbord of bottom fish. I caught Black Drum, flounder, spot, croaker, bluefish, sea mullet and blow toads.
I selected the best times where the incoming tides hit the beach at the early evening. Two to three foot waves struck the beach causing a slight chop. Water temps were still in the low 70’s.
Once on the sand, I searched for the break on the bar where the weakest point of the slough pushed water back off the beach. This is where the chaos begins and weak fish tumble in the waves being tossed around in a confused state.
I found this spot easily and proceeded to cast into the wash – just inside the breakers. Bingo – fish after fish. I used my 7’ Falcon Medium Gulf Spin rod with just enough backbone and a light tip – great for felling those tender nibbles. My Daiwa Coastal 3000 reel gave me the ability to retrieve the fish before, they could spit the hook. Fresh shrimp was bait of choice and definitely small pieces on the #4 circle hooks.
There were times I was catching two at a time. What a day!
They say October is for playoff baseball but this week it was for great bottom fishing on the Outer Banks surf.
Until next time,
Tightlines
Trophy Redfish on the Tampa Bay
Our annual Labor Day fishing trip to Florida was extremely successful. We chartered a trip out of O’Neill’s Marina in Tampa with Capt. CA Richardson on 7 September. He is a professional guide and host to a very popular fishing show – Flats Class TV.
Pictures say more than a thousand words – so here they are:
Fantastic trip. If you are traveling in the Tampa area and have a free day to fish, you gotta call Capt CA. You will not be disappointed.
Look for more details on this unbelieveable trip in future blog entries.
Until next time, Tightlines
One Last Look at “My Irene”
The Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina area got hit very hard. I am very lucky compared to many others. Several new inlets were cut on Hatteras Island, 25% of the new beach was lost in Nags Head, significant damage to sound side homes and property and many other horror stories both from friends and in the news. With all that was lost by others on the Outer Banks, I am very thankful.
One result of the storm was a neighbors pontoon boat broke its moorings and ended up in my yard. Not sure how we can move it. “No, I don’t need another boat.”
Also, a huge tree fell and landed on my flats boat in the driveway. There was minimal damage even though it appears worse. A BIG thanks to many helpful neighbors who assisted lifting this tree off the boat and moving the debris to the road.
And finally, several huge trees blocked our road. Again, a big thanks to the Town of Southern Shores for the quick cleanup.
Now it’s time to focus on the purpose of my blog – Fishing. As I write this blog, I am heading to Florida. I plan to fish several different areas in the southwest regions; Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Longboat Key and maybe a trip south to 10,000 Islands.
Hopefully, the fish cooperate.
Stay tuned for Forida fishing news.
Tightlines.
An Angry Lady is Heading North
As I write this blog, Hurricane Irene is just around the corner. In the past several minutes, she leaped over my barrier island into the Atlantic. Now heading for the Tidewater area and the northeast. The storm had a significant impact on my region and our property. Huge trees and limbs were no match to the intense wind gusts. Be prepared should be your main focus.
We had a huge tree fall directly in the driveway on the smaller boat and the car. Our road is also blocked in both directions, so we are “land locked”‘. We have many other trees and limbs about the yard but I don’t plan to evaluate until the weather passes. Probably in the morning.
There are many reports that Hatteras Island and the southern Outer Banks took a terrible beating. Many homes and stores were damaged. Many beach areas sustained severe erosion. Even though we live in a low area, flooding is a major concern. The entire Dare County is under a strict curfew until further notice.
For those who are yet to experience this ladies’ fury, don’t take her lightly. She is an angry storm looking to spread more wind and rain.
Heed those warnings, “Hunker Down” and watch the storm from the comfort of your living room. Don’t take her lightly!!
Tightlines
A Little Humor – Thanks to Irene
Gotta love those natives. They know how to get their point across.
Tightlines.
Hurricane Irene – 24 Hours to Go
I walked on the beach this morning and there was a sense of an impending major event. It was in the air. The winds were light and warm. Series of clouds formed into wispy trails as well as towering chimney formations. A dark line was visible to the southeastern horizon. The sun tried to peek through the thick clouds, but was losing the battle.
Beach goers were absent from this last big summer weekend. Only a few birds were spotted as they were searching for a safe haven. I believe even they knew, it’s time to get out!
Many of my neighbors and friends are staying put. They have spent hours and days securing their homes and possessions. I too have secured everything possible. Only time – the next 48 hours – will tell how well we did.
Well here she is, in all her fury – Hurricane Irene just 24 hours prior to her arrival on the outer Banks.
Hold on tight!! Until later – Tightlines
Watchful Waiting for Irene
Weather is still beautiful here on the Outer Banks. Mid eighties down to mid 70’s. Slight breezes out of the southwest and one foot waves on the beach make the conditions seems like another typical end of summer. But as we all are aware Hurricane Irene is looming south in the Bahamas and traveling on a due north path right at Cape Hatteras. All reports put the storm directly over the thin stretch sand bar commonly know as the northern Outer Banks sometime this weekend.
Water temps are in the mid 70’s with plenty of croaker and spot about the surf
. Blood worms and fresh shrimp are the best choice. I always like to fish just before a significant barometer change. It seems the fish are more active or maybe they just know conditions will not be favorable for feeding for several days. Take advantage of this increased action.
Hyde County has issued a mandatory evacuation of Ocracoke Island on Wednesday morning for all non-residents. Thursday morning brings the evacuation order for residents.
No news for the upper Outer Banks but if Irene continues on the current path, we should expect that order Thursday or Friday.
One point of caution, stay out of the water. With the impending storm, comes an increased risk of rip currents. Remember rips during low tides are the most dangerous. Use caution when fishing in the surf.
Funny thing is happening in the news media. Not that they are using words like: devastation, major impact, monster storms and the like. Its the final statement they have been using and it goes like this, “say a little prayer she moves a little east – if not, well…”
Keep a sharp eye on the local weather forcasts, get prepared and stay safe.
Tightlines.
Fishing At It’s Best
The weather has been just summer super; warm days and very pleasant evenings. (I’m trying to ignore the “hot” spells.) We spent a little longer on yard work than we had planned and my goal for surf fishing was becoming distant.
The First Mate surprised me and helped pack the gear quickly after the tools were stowed and with a short trip to TW’s for fresh shrimp, we made it to the beach just before dusk.
We took two rods – 5-1/2 and a 6-1/2 loaded with light mono and rigged with my new pompano dropper rig. One ounce pyramid was all we needed. Waves were less than two feet. Water temps were into the mid 80’s. Just prefect conditions for those warm water species.
My first cast found the slough and my first sea mullet. Over the next two hours, I caught dozens of mullet, trout, croaker, spot, and flounder and yes a blue fish – all on fresh shrimp. No size but plenty of action.
No question, this was the best evening surf fishing in memory. So if you find the need to just slip away from the hustle bustle, grab a light tackle rod, fresh shrimp and steal away to the beach.
You won’t be disappointed; at least not this week. Oh, yes, there are plenty of flounder in the surf. You just have to have patience.
Until next time, Tightlines.
NCsaltaire 