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.
Tight Schedules
It’s been a little busy around our family over the past several weeks. Between working and dodging the honey-do list, I have had little time to mess around on the water. Thought you would a least enjoy several fall pictures from the Outer Banks.
Fishing at first light
I got up early this morning before dawn to hopefully catch a sea trout for dinner. As you can see the morning was beautiful. The sun was rising over the horizon with trout rolling in the surf.
The equipment was there,
but so was the porpoises.
Thought for the day – Enjoy every day, you never know when you will run into a “porpoise”.
Rocking & Rolling with Kyle
We began our weekend with anticipatory trepidation. We were scheduled to fish the Gulf Stream for big fish on Sunday. Hurricane Kyle was looming just off the Carolina coast and our off shore trip would originate in Ocean City, Maryland. Would we go on our annual off shore trip or not? The forecast was for waves up to 15 to 24 feet with winds of 15 to 20 knots. Not good. But at 0500 Sunday morning, with Kyle just north of Atlantic City, four buddies and I boarded the Marli, a 58 foot Custom Carolina yacht out of the Sunset Marina with Captain Brian and first mate Buck. It was dark, real dark. The clouds and ground fog shielded us even from any stars or city lights. Sun up would not rise until seven – more than an hour and half of flying across the huge swells at 20 miles per hour using only radar. The only lights were from the dimly lit cabin. Not a comforting feeling but we had a very competent crew.
We traveled east over 40 miles before we wet the lines the first time. Swells were alternating between 12 and 14 feet. When we were in the trough, the waves appeared to be as tall as a two story home. But at least when in boat sunk in the trough the 20 knot winds were somewhat blocked.
Two false albacores were quickly decked. With the monkey off our back, we then proceeded to deck a 117 pound Blue Fin tuna. It took four anglers over an hour to deck that fish. No we were not weaklings, we alternated reeling in the Blue Fins, because Blue fins just happen to be the toughest fish to land. Within the next hour and half, we caught and released two more 100 pound plus Blue fin tunas. By eleven o’clock and in spite of Hurricane Kyle, we were on our way to a good day.
We then focused on the dolphins, no not Porpoises boys and girls. Dolphin is a game fish also referred as Mahi Mahi. To find the dolphins, we traveled another 15 miles east into the warm gulf waters – into the throws of Hurricane Kyle. The weather was relentless – swells continued to rise well above 12 to 14 feet, but the winds had died down fewer than 10 knots. We found four lobster buoys in 75 degree waters, and there we found the fish. It took us two hours to fill the box.
At 1430, we were wore out – was it the great fishing day or did we meet our match with Kyle. Truly, of all my years on the water, this day was the toughest on the water. The trip home wasn’t as eventful as the trip out, but more rewarding. With the decreasing swells at our stern, we cruised at 35 mph toward the dock.
If one statement could describe the day, our captain said, “Everyday he is on the water is treated as a tournament”. Good for us because between fighting the weather conditions and our fantastic catch, we really did come home as winners.
Doing Nothin’
The past weekend marked the end of the summer season on the outer banks. Fall arrived like a lion. Winds, up to 30 mph gusting to 50mph from the northeast, pushed the ten foot waves crashing onto our beaches. The weather was cloudy and cool and felt more like a late fall day. Even the water cooled down to the low 70’s.
Fishing was non-existent. Surfers were also surprisingly absent. Maybe the weather was too nice. I even tried to cast into the ocean’s close in wash for a late leaving pompano or a lazy puppy drum but the winds kept my line from even reaching the near slough.
I had hoped to go fishing with my Dad on Saturday who had come down for the week but because of the nor’easter type weather we were resigned to just enjoy our company. What a great way to do nothin.
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
Hanna – Not your typical Nor’easter
We spent Friday afternoon securing the house and yard for the approaching storm. With Hanna teetering just below hurricane status, we were worried a complete lock down was an over kill. Living within ear shot of the ocean, we weren’t going to take any chances at which level of intensity or impact Mother Nature would throw at us. We locked her down anyway.
Friday evening, the first mate and I went out on a picture taking mission. The last time we went out the night before a storm, Hurricane Isabel took direct aim at our shore and destroyed many things including the Kitty Hawk pier. I had confidence that we would not have a repeat performance, but we weren’t taking any chances. We wanted memories of the island.
First light on Saturday brought a mild morning. A light breeze and cloudy skies early turned ugly and raw within an hour. With our rain gear in tow, we ventured to the ocean front to see the storm. Winds topped 30 miles per hour, gusting to 45 with the ocean waves crashing into the beach up to twelve feet. The rain was torrential. The wind and waves shook the beach and our truck. It was all we could do to hold our vehicle on the road. We spent most of the day just touring the island and the exploring this weather phenomenon.
At noon the rain had stopped, but the wind continued. And with the help of the incoming high tide, the south wind began to push the water up into back bays and canals. By mid afternoon, the waters had breached our bulkhead, over washed our dock and poured into the yard. Fortunately, the winds began to subside and the water receded just before dusk. The news reported the storm was well on her way to New England.
We surveyed our home and found only minor limbs and debris. A quick clean up was all we needed. We survived another brush with nature’s fury.
Best restaurant not on the beach
The most frequently asked question I get from our out-of –town visitors is “What’s the best place to eat on the beach”. With hundreds of restaurants to choose from, it is hard to identify just the right one for their taste.
They typically follow the first question with: “Then where would you eat on the beach”. Our response surprises them when we tell them that our favorite restaurant isn’t on the beach at all. It is located in a little town called Water Lilly, North Carolina, just 25 miles north of the Outer Banks. Their response is then, “how long will it take us to get there”? We tell them is takes most people thirty minutes drive when they go by car but when we go, it takes two hours. We prefer to take another mode of transportation – Fantasea II.
Fantasea II is our twenty-five foot Robalo cuddy cabin power boat. Two hundred, twenty five cubic inches of engine pushes us through the water with ease. It has all the comforts of home and it is perfect to carry four boaters but works best when the first mate and I steer her into North Carolina Sounds – just us two.
On Saturday we decide that we were in need for boat ride. So off we go, heading to Coinjock for lunch. Our trip began in our neighborhood canal system and into the Jean Guite Creek. We then proceeded into the Albemarle Sound and up the North River. The weather was a little testy for the first hour, but once in the river it smoothed out; resembling a sheet of glass. We cruised along the Inter-coastal waterway at 25 knots with the wind in our hair. The winding river took us through the many estuaries, small ditches and canals along the ICW. Although, the deer and other wild life were not visible from the water, the birds were abundant.
After two hours of cruising, we pulled along side of the marina dock, gassed up and headed into the restaurant for lunch. We had an outstanding meal of crab soup, crab cakes and fried chicken and that famous southern ‘sweet tea’.
With two full tanks, and back on the water, we headed south just ahead of a slow moving tug pushing a large barge. Another beautiful day on the water in paradise.
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.
Lazy Dazes
It was another pleasant weekend on the outer banks. Weather was warm, sunny with high fluffy clouds and a slight breeze off the ocean. The island was awash with visitors trying to get in that last week before school begins. There was a hint of afternoon showers but that did not detour anyone’s objective to have that bronze look for the first day back to impress their friends. They say “if you lived here, you be home”.
I spent the weekend searching for a new location to launch the Fantasea II and readying the gear for the fall fishing frenzy. After two trips through the back roads to the tackle shop, mission was accomplished – fishing box re-stocked. (Oh, did I tell you, I know roads the visitors don’t)
Next on the agenda, to find that launching spot. I traveled south along the Woods Road Area, on one of the many roads that runs through our many maritime forests. We found the new ramp area busy with visitors having a picnic and chasing water snakes off the floating docks. A slight sprinkle of rain began once we parked. I quickly scoped out the access and retreated back to our vehicle. Second objective met. Fantasea II and I will return to this little part of paradise once the summer season has concluded. This is the solitude that the locals yearn for every year about this time.
NCsaltaire 