Posts tagged ‘beach weather’
Nothing could be finer, than to be in Carolina
Today, that saying is as perfect as can be. 
At 1045, the grand opening presentations began for the revamped Jennette’s Fishing Pier in Nags Head. If you weren’t there, you missed an outstanding show. It began with the many congrats to all involved in the construction to the mass entrance for the visitors.
Four members of the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team made a grand entrance. Landing on the beach.
Next the many dignitaries made congratulatory comments. Then Govenour Perdue broke the champanye bottle a piling. As should be expected, the bottle was connected to a fishing rod. She just reeled the bottle into the pier.
Then the race was on. Hundreds of spectators poured into the new pier house, classrooms, gift shop and of course the 1000 foot pier. The new structure included many sheltered areas, benches, fish cleaning stations and signs instructing the visitors to the various sea life. It will be as much a vacation spot as it will be a training center.
Enjoy my pictures.
Tightlines!!
Fish Stories
Thought for the day:
“Don’t tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where the people know the fish.” Mark Twain.
Fishing Has Slowed But Will Pick Up Soon!!
Even though the water temperatures have risen to the low to mid 60’s, fishing has slowed a little. Anglers on the piers are still catching fish but it’s early in the morning.
Expect some bluefish, spot, croaker and black drum. The reports I have received show your best bet is the “little bridge”. Use bottom rigs with blood worms, squid and of course the favorite – fresh shrimp. Crabs are just showing up so plan for plenty of re-baiting.
Boaters are catching plenty of blues and flounder near the inlet. TW’s reported several cobia were caught last week.
Bluefish continue to be taken with “gotchas”. Red head over white seems to be the hot number.
It might just be the calm before the fishing storm. This time of year fishing usually picks up at all venues. Remember, you should always keep a variety of rods and equipment ready this time of year.
Tightlines
Cape Hatteras Off-Shore Fishing
We had an opportunity to do an off-shore trip this past Friday and had a great time. First mate and I traveled south to Cape Hatteras, stayed in Buxton and fished out of Teach’s Lair Marina. 
Weather was a patchy with sun and clouds. Temps ranged a warm 70 when the sun was out to a cool 65 under the clouds. Constant north winds kept us cool. Two to three foot swells made the day interesting. We had several brief showers but they never reduced our enthusiasm for the day.
Teach’s Lair is a small full service marina at the southern most point, near the ferry dock, with 12 vessels that travel off-shore and 5 that stay in or near shore. We fished with Capt Derek on the Carolina Girl. This vessel is a 42′ Carolina Custom sportfishing boat. Brian, his first mate, worked had all day to make our trip a memorable one.
We fished mostly east and south of Ocracoke, NC. Ran into several scattered dolphin, false albacore and huge bluefish. Teased several Wahoo but could not entice them to the bait. Overall a great day on the water.
I would definitely recommend Capt Derek and the Carolina Girl to a good day on the water.
When fishing out of Cape Hatteras, there a several nice hotels and restaurants to choose from. We stayed at the Lighthouse View Motel in Buxton. This was about 20 minutes north of the marina. All of the rooms were very accommodating with half facing the ocean. Small frig, microwaves and wireless in each room. A very good value.
We ate at to local favorites, Captains Table for dinner and the Orange Bloom Cafe for breakfast. Two places that should not be missed.
So if you are looking for an in-expensive off-shore trip, do not overlook traveling about an hour south of the Nags Head and try the Carolina Girl or other boats moored at the Teach’s Lair Marina.
The first mate and I will definitely be back.
Tightlines.
Fish Grip – Might Be The Right Choice
Ever hook up a fish, fight it to the shore, dock or boat and then look for the hand net. Only to find that it is under your gear, some distant spot or worse defective. This is the time when you realize that you should had bought that new one at the tackle shop.
I purchased several different fish holders over the years. See my mainstays in the photo. Now focus on the orange gripper.
I took a class from CA Richardson, host of the Flats Class TV show, several months ago when we visited our home in Punta Gorda. He had one on display and uses one during his taping of shows. I had to have one.
This new type of “fish grip” allows for quick hold and release without injury or damage to the fish.
Since I first discovered this new device, I looked at numerous shops and on the net, only to find it at Cabella’s online for 19.95 plus tax and shipping – NO WAY.
I was traveling to Houston this past week for my real job and happened to stop by the local Bass Pro. And yes, there they were!!. I could not believe it. Picked up one for $14.95. Not sure it would pass the airport security but I planned to take my chances. During my security clearance, the agent asked what this was and I replied a fishing device. The next unexpected comment, “can I go with you?”. TSA agents are human and enjoy fishing just like you and I.
It works great for professional anglers, but not tested by myself. I will experiment and report back. Stay tuned.
Tightlines!!
Blues and Sea Mullet
Fishing should be excellent this coming week. Water temperatures are in the lower 60’s throughout the entire northern banks. Small front with slight chance of rain is moving into the area on Tuesday. This should make fishing improve over the next couple of days.
No report from the surf, but all piers are reporting sea mullet, dogfish, and small blues on “Gotacha” lures” and blood worms.
Blues are hitting anything that moves. Color does not matter. Lighter colors work best in cloudy water. Clarity changes quickly, so bring a variety of colors.
Sea mullet and dogfish are hitting the worms using bottom rigs.
We been waiting a long time – Go get’em.
Tightlines.
Sunscreen – Not What You Think
The huge billboard shows an innocent little girl’s butt cheeks being exposed by a rude dog for the entire world to see. The letters on the sign reads, “Don’t be a pale face,” “Use Coppertone.” Back then we were all mesmerized by the message. Pale is bad, the sun is good but only with Coppertone!
As a child, the lesson to “stay protected” came from my parents. It seems they were always interrupting our games to smear gooier sunscreen lotion on our exposed skin. Little did we know at the time how this would influence us later in life?
Being an avid outdoors person, I have spent many countless hours in the sun over my lifetime. Whether its fishing, boating or just working in the yard, I have always remembered that lesson to use some type of protection when outdoors.
My latest stop at the drug store for a sun protection product left me confused and frustrated. With so many to select from, I could not determine which provided the best protection. So after a little research, I found an interesting web site that thoroughly discusses various sunscreens.
http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/
Be sure to review each tab. And don’t be ashamed to find out that your popular brand has no protection at all. I know I found mine did a poor job protecting me. Going forward, I will be more careful to the brands of sunscreens I use.
Will you?
Three Piers are Now Open
On Thursday 14 April marked a spring milestone on the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks Fishing pier opened for the season. The Avalon Pier began the process on 02 April, followed by the Nags Head Pier on 12 April and now Thursday’s opening of Outer Banks pier. So now there are “three commercial piers open for business”.
One mainstay – the Old Kitty Hawk Pier – Hilton Gardens Hotel stays open year round.
WOW. What a change from just several days ago. Water temps jumped from the upper 40’s to 57 degrees on 15 April.
Pier access fees have increased slightly but still a bargain. Especially for those who have travel maneuvering the surf beaches. These piers can supply you everything you need to make you day fun!
Reports of sea mullet, small croaker, dogfish and plenty of skates on the northern banks typically knock the cobwebs out of the hardened angler.
Drum are showing up on Hatteras and other southern beaches.
Remember – no speckled trout fishing. The NCDMF closed this fishery due the major cold snap earlier this year. Watch for more news here but it appears 15 June is still the re-start of this fishery.
Tightlines.
First OBX Fishing Pier is now Opened
Well, its been a long winter and finally we can look the light at the end of the tunnel. Avalon Fishing Pier is open. The pier offically opened on Saturday, 2 April to beautiful day.
Several bottom fish were caught including some small croaker and dogfish. The water temperature is still fluctuating between 48 and 50 degrees.
Once we have a consistent warming trend, the fish will not be too far behind.
I’m ready!!
Gas Treatment – Is it Worth it
Longer day’s means more day light at the end of my work day. The later sunsets gives me the time to ready the boats for the season. Just like doing a complete exterior and interior cleaning, your focus should now be on fuel system and engines.
I attended a fishing equipment flea market several weeks ago and spoke with a dealer of a gas treatment product called Gas Shok. I am a loyal customer for Sta-Bil marine gas treatment but I am open to anything to help with the ever increasing problem with ethanol. If you remember, last year not one but both boats had fuel problems during the season. This was very expensive and definitely it was not on the First Mate’s budget.
I did a little research on both products and found that they might just work together nicely. So I bought a 32 ounce bottle; enough to treat 320 gallons.
For many years, I have used Sta-Bil to keep condensation at bay and found this to be a great winter fuel conditioner. Gas Shok on the other hand also works well in winter but also removes any moisture from the fuel left over from the previous year. It is also supposed to increase the octane levels. And the label indicates you should get better performance. Again, another positive I hope to appreciate this year.
Well, this year I am taking no chances. I used Sta-Bil in a full tank of gas this past fall and just recently added the recommended amount of Gas-Shok to the tanks.
When I de-winterized the boats last weekend, the engines started up quickly and believe it or not, they ran exceptionally well.
I am not recommending using two products when one has worked in the past, but school is not out yet. Proof will come when I take my first cruise and everything works great.
I will let you know how it works out. Are you ready for fishing season – I know I am!!
NCsaltaire 