Posts filed under ‘Reel Job’
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.
Welcome Back
Finally got some time to get back to the Carolinasaltaire blog. Many things have occurred here is beautiful Carolina but will not bore you with them now.
Glad to be back!!
Florida in February
We traveled to the west coast of Florida this week for our annual trek to the sun shine state. On Saturday we spent most of the day on Gasparilla Island. This secluded area is on the northwest corner of the Charlotte Harbor and borders the Myakka River to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Access is gained by either car or boat. The road leading to the island is lined with mangroves and lush wooded tracks. Some older homes can be found marked with the history of storms and neglect. Fishermen know this place well. In spite of the toll bridge and skinny two lane road, the traffic was smooth. 
Gasparilla Island boasts many exclusive homes and famous residents. There is a small business district with a few but quaint shops and restaurants. Several beautiful parks and multiple walkways outline the town. But this area is most famous for its seclusion and proximity to outstanding beach access and fishing. At the southern tip of the island, there is a lighthouse and museum that describes the long maritime history of the area.
The beach had been widened by over 150 yards over the past year. The shore line now extends to the deep Boca Grande channel. This channel is known for its world class Tarpon fishing. One hundred pound tarpon are the standard. Fishing Charters coming out of the Charlotte Harbor are motoring just yards from the surf. Water can be twenty feet just off the beach. Swimming is prohibited because of the swift tidal currents.
Dozens of fishermen lined the west shoreline. Many caught mullet and saltwater catfish, but one lucky angler found a hole and his cooler was full of pompano. These giant fish schooled in the channel adjacent to the beach within casting distance. It seemed that each cast brought the fight to his light tackle rig.
Carolina Christmas on the Water
Parades are fun for everyone, but a Christmas Boat Parade is one for the ages. The First Mate and I had the opportunity to participate in the community boat club parade last weekend. We ordered 12 volt lights for the boat, strung them on and waited for parade day.
We woke up to a cold and windy day. By late afternoon the skies cleared, the winds died down and the bright full moon rose in the east.
We headed out with 36 boats from the two neighborhood communities. Words nor pictures can describe the feeeling of being out on the water with thousands of multi-colored lights blinking in each direction. The parade proceeded on a pre-marked course, close to the crowd filled docks. Spectators cheered as the boats passed by.
After the parade, we enjoyed picnic of soups, stews, and chili. And of course steamed oysters. Two large kettle fires were there to keep us warm, but all we needed was the camaraderie between mariners.
Nothing could be finer
The first mate and I began our day trying to decide – fishing for rockfish on the boat in the sound or sea trout in the surf. With the winds blowing a little stiff out of the west, we decided not to fight nature and try and enjoy the calmness of the ocean.
We loaded the truck and headed for Coquina Beach, just north of Oregon Inlet. With the waves less than one foot and a slight breeze on a low tide, I knew we were just going to catch some sun. As the day grew long and unsuccessful, we moved up the beach to Southern Shores. There we settled in to one of my favorite spots just before high tide.
Wading my way through the sloughs and ever increasing rip current, I found the edge of a large hole. These “holes” are created when incoming tides rush onto the beach, churn against the shore and find a weak spot to escape back out to sea.
In these holes, aggressive fish wait to ambush other’s struggle to their attempt to secure a safe spot from the violent surf.
I tried several different lures and casting methods and with each cast. I felt the line pull unlike that of the current. With a lot of luck and fairly good skill, we had a four pound Sea Trout for our dinner and a 26 inch puppy drum (or “Redfish for our Southern neighbors) for later.
Finally, on a perfect day in the Outer Banks, we found ourselves catching.
Covering all Angles
Southwest Florida is known for many things including beautiful year round weather and world class boating and fishing. As an avid fisherman, I am always looking for that perfect location or magic cast that gives my lure the best opportunity for success. But sometimes, just enjoying the scenery gives you an un-expected result.
This past weekend we traveled to Punta Gorda, Florida. During our trip, we found time to explore a local nature area. Ponce de Leon Park is located on the east bank of the Charlotte Harbor and is arguably one of the premier fishing destinations in all of Florida. With plenty of free time, we took a leisurely stroll along the sandy beach and the many elevated walkways that wind their way through the thick mangroves growing into the water’s edge. The trees and the root system provide an excellent shelter for many of the fish and birds that call this place in paradise their home.
Some people think they might be smarter than a 5th grader, but we found a blue heron that just might be a little smarter. A great Blue Heron had claimed his stake on the beach between the water and a fisherman’s cast net. I guess if the Blue Heron is unsuccessful at fishing himself, he could always just steal a meal from somewhere else. By covering all the angles, he might just be the smartest bird on the beach.
No time to wait
“Twenty years from now will you be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the harbour, catch the tradewinds in your sail…explore…dream”.
– Mark Twain
Up, up and away
My real job took me to several different locations this past week – Panama City, Florida and Dallas, Texas.
Panama City is a unique place. Not only is it one of the top fishing stops along Florida’s gulf, the scenic coastline and amenities make it a “need to visit” destination. One new area we visited in Panama City was Pier Park. Pier Park, located on the gulf beaches in the heart of the city, was not designed for fishing as the name might indicate. It has over a million square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment for every age group. You got to say, “I been there and done that” at least once.
My second stop this week was Dallas, Texas. Although it was miles from any saltwater, it championed many fresh water lakes that would envy any pole yielding angler. Several locals boast their lakes, parks and recreation activities rival all others. I have to say, there were as many boats being trailed in the Dallas/Lewisville area as I saw in Panama City. This might lead to a pretty good argument. And to add insult to injury, there was a new “Bass Pro Shop” in town. They don’t build outdoor and sporting goods store like this in the middle of nowhere.
I enjoyed my brief visits to both areas but found my time short for anything other than wishing for more time to explore those regions and longing for the smell of salt air from my back porch.
NCsaltaire 