Head Boat Fishing in Va.
I had an opportunity to saltwater fish in Hampton, Virginia this past week.
A friend leased the Ocean Eagle 65 foot head boat for the day. It was reward for a project team of 30 for a “job well done” this past year. Helping the project team over the past year with their successes, I got this invite.
We fished the waters just west of the entrance to the Chesapeake bay off Ft. Monroe where the James River meets the bay. Waters were 20 feet, alternating over the bars. We used typical two hook bottom rigs of 4.5 foot light spinning reels. The bait of choice was squid.
Our prey was bottom fishing including spot, croaker and flounder.
Fish of the day was croaker – of which hundreds were decked as well a handful of other small bottom fish.
A picnic style lunch was served along with a surprise.
The first mate filleted a number of croaker and fried them right on the boat. What a treat.
If you want a great time, consider a head boat trip in your area or the Ocean Eagle in Hampton, Va.
You will not be disappointed. Tightlines!!
No License – No Problem – Not This Time
Each year Morehead City, North Carolina sponsors a “Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament”. This year’s contest had an interesting twist. After a Hatteras-based vessel thought they had caught the winning fish, it was discovered that the first-mate had forgotten to buy a $30 non-resident fishing license.
Too bad, because that lack of judgment cost the angler and crew the top prize of over $1.2 million dollars.
For info on the tragedy, see the Washington Post article – 24June 2010.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/23/AR2010062305322.html
For more information on North Carolina Fishing Licenses, see NCfisheries.net or your local tackle shop.
Next time you decide to fish, please don’t forget your license.
A Special Thanks for the Lesson
Happy Father’s Day, Dad. You always had time to take me fishing. It was a small gesture that turned into a lifelong passion for me.
You always pushed me when I thought I should stop; gave a comforting word when I needed support; a hand when I was searching; a smile when I was disappointed; and a friend to share good times.
One of my favorite life sayings applies here:
Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. (Ancient Proverb)
Pier pass – $10.00
Fishing equipment – $30.00
A day fishing with Dad – Priceless!!
Thanks for teaching me about fishing and life.
Fishin’ Great – No Reason Not to Go
Summer is here in the Outer Banks. There is no better activity than grabbing a fishing pole and heading out. One of my favorite spots is the Pirate’s Cove Pier. It can be found at the base of the Washington Baum Bridge. The pier is long and lined with a firm guardrail and plenty of benches (Very safe for young kids). You will find shady areas most of the day. It is also handicap accessible with plenty of parking.
I typically fish here with a double circle hook bottom rig with light tackle. The hooks should be No. 4 or greater. It seems that most species are looking for that small sample of bait. You should use “fresh shrimp”. I see plenty of frozen squid, blood worms and cut bait being used, but I have best luck with shrimp.
The pier travels east west so you are going to cast north into the sound or south under the bridge.
Casting north, try to reach the Pirates Cove channel. I have the best luck using a bank sinker and pulling it slowly toward me – keeps it away from the crabs.
You can also cast south under the bridge but watch the snags. Plenty of oyster beds to get hung up on. But flounder love to hang out on either sides of the piles. Keep the bait fresh and moving.
Before you go, always check with the local tackle shops and local guides for your best bet. Bring plenty of cold drinks, snacks, sun screen and bait. And don’t forget your fishing license. A cooler is a plus to keep your catch.
Feeding the crabs between catches can be expected. So plan accordingly.
Using the Right Chum Catches More Fish
I met up with Marty Brill, a former captain, entrepreneur and a local radio personality the other day and the topic of sea (motion) sickness came up. We talked about a friend of mine who was persistent at offshore fishing but could not seem to shake that sickness. He has created his own personal chum each trip for a least 10 years. He wants to fish but can’t solve the problem.
Capt. Marty’s recommendations are as follows:
1) Limit or no dinner the night before your trip
2) No alcohol the night before (Sorry “big” guys – I know it’s a right of passage when fishing but none at this time)
3) No milk, coffee or orange juice on the fishing day – bad on the stomach
4) Leave the dock with an empty stomach – be real hungry
5) Consume only ginger ale and dry crackers for the first several hours.
Once you gain your “sea legs” and you are hungry, the chance of sea sickness has diminished.
Not an official nor medical prescription, but it worked for his clients for many years. Hopefully, it will work for you.
Remember – using the right chum, catches more fish. Good luck!!
Crabbing Season is Here
Memorial Day has always marked the beginning of summer for me. And summer always means hard shell blue crabs. Here in Carolina, we have many places to get your crabs. Some just take the easy way – buy them steamed and seasoned. Other people use a variety of methods to catch them – trot lines, nets, or traps. Either way, you can always count on a good meal.
To catch my crabs, I set large pots in the Currituck Sound. As a recreational crabber, I am only allowed five pots. But this number has always produced plenty for us.
I typically bait the pots with chicken backs or small fish. Some commercial crabbers use bull lips or pigs feet. Not sure I am ready for those baits just yet.
I will be checking the pots several times a week so check back for the results and more tips on catching crabs.
Toadfish a Plenty
We started our day at the Daniels Bridge (causeway). We used bloodworms and fresh shrimp with out luck.
The weather and tides were perfect for success – Wrong.
We then moved to the William Baum Bridge – (better known as the Pirates Cove Br.)
Armed with all the “standard fishing tools”, my Dad and I proceeded to the end of the dock. There we caught pinfish and some medium Spot. And to finish the day, I got hooked up into a school of Toadfish. Each cast brought a 3″ fish to the dock. 
I know he was just plan ugly. Ugly or not he was too valuable for me or anyone else to just catch him once.
Tonight, he (or she) is enjoying the freedom of the Albemarle Sound.
Godspeed until we meet again.
Wise Old Anglers
An Angler named Ernest Hemingway once said,
” In hunting you know what you are after”, then he added, “but who can say what you will hook when you fish the saltwater, because the ocean holds fish of the size no one may ever see”.
Not What You Expect – Oak Hill, Florida
Several weeks ago, I found an interesting fishing show on ESPN2. The show “Get Schooled” is hosted by Capt Eric Mannino. This is one great show that must not be missed.
During this program Capt. Eric stopped by a bait shop in Oak Hill, Florida which is just south of Daytona Beach. Well, we decided to find this unique place, too. And it was definitely not what we expected.
The huge shop was now a microcosm of what the video showed. – it was now all but five by 10 foot area in the back. The rest is now a Mexican restaurant.
But owner Al knew the area very well. He had fresh shrimp and a recommendation that could not be beat – north end the famous Mosquito Lagoon.
With the bait bucket full, rods rigged for Redfish, and plenty of time, we headed out. Unfortunately,the beautiful Florida afternoon turned into a slow gale. The winds picked up and I couldn’t even hold the bottom. The only activity was feeding the crabs.
This peaceful afternoon turned great expectations to just a great day out.
Well at least with this great location, Iwill definitely put this spot on a list of “return to in the future”.
Kayaking in Heaven
Punta Gorda is an amazing place for kayaking. The Charlotte Harbor area has over 200 shoreline miles of canoe and kayak trails.
At 270 square miles, Charlotte Harbor is the second-largest aquatic preserve in Florida, where rivers meet the ocean and salt marshes, seagrass flats and dense mangrove beds provide nature’s nursery for hundreds of species of fish and shellfish. Birds, turtles and other wildlife feast on all this bounty.
World-class angling has put this area on the map for kayak fishing.
Here, beginners and experts can find the pristine and quiet commune with nature that kayaking offers. Down the hidden coves of Coral, and Shell Creeks, the Peace and Myakka Rivers, around Don Pedro Island State Park, Gasparilla Sound or along the Intracoastal Waterways, up-close wildlife encounters are likely to include swallow-tailed kites, eagles, herons, ibis, ospreys, Roseate Spoonbills, thousands of migratory white pelicans as well as dolphins and manatees. Out on the Gulf, experienced sea kayakers can explore deserted barrier islands with challenging forays into the wind and surf.
Just a little peace of heaven.
NCsaltaire 
