Posts tagged ‘beach’
Best Time to Fish is Now
Mid-August brings the most diverse species of fish near our shore. The warm waters on the Outer Banks are a perfect environment for just about anything that calls the near shore ocean its home. I always enjoy a brief visit to the beach each evening during August watching the vacation angler hook their first fish and excitement it brings to the kids on the beach.
One question that always comes up when friends visit me – what do I need to catch a fish on the surf?
Well, you need several items to be successful. In a previous post, I mentioned how an aggressive a sales person was when he sold this vacationer a basket full of waste. I am sure our visitor caught fish, just not with the help of this person.
I would like to give you a brief needs list for successful surf fishing. Obviously, this blog could be dozens of pages so I will just begin with the basics.
You need a good rod and reel. The in-expensive combinations in any store will work. I like to tackle shops but any place will do. Next, you need tackle – this can include a simple bottom rig. The bottom rig is a double hook assembly with a swivel on the top and clip on the bottom for a sinker. Tie the rig on with a simple uni-knot.
Here is where you should not skimp. Pay a little and get a lot. Now we need hooks. I use circle but “J” hooks work fine. Get the ones with dropper line already attached. They are easy to attach. To hold the bottom, only use the minimum amount to keep the bait in one location. One to two ounces is plenty in summer unless you have a strong current. Pyramid types are best.
Now you are ready for the bait. Fresh shrimp or blood worms are the best choice. Everything eats these two baits. If you can find sand fleas, these are the best baits for pompano. I only use a small piece on each hook. Keep changing the bait to increase your chances. One important point – keep you bait fresh – in a cooler if possible but definitely out of the wind and sun.
Fish are typically near the shore – just inside the wash. I also alternate my distances so to cover more water. A good rule is within 2o yards of the beach are where most fish will stay. Also, look for rough water spots or rip currents. These spots hold plenty of fish.
Tides, wind and water temperatures are important but this topic is for another blog post.
Most anglers will need a bucket, sand spikes, knife, cooler with ice, and a tool to remove hooks. I also bring sun screen, a hat, drinks and a snack. My list is a little longer but we are talking basics now.
Most times with just basic gear, you will be successful. But other times, you will need patience. Take your time, enjoy the experience, and take a kid fishing. Fishing on the beach memories last a lifetime.
Fresh bait and persistence catches more fish. For more tips, email me.
Until next time, Tightlines
Have a Safe July 4th Holiday
Have a safe fourth of July Holiday. Remember – leave the fire works to the professionals. You need all fingers and eyes to reel that trophy fish.
Until next time, Tightlines
Skin Cancer Risks Start Young
The summer season is in full throttle on the Outer Banks. Anglers are catching the standard summer fare – spot, croaker, sea mullet, blues, trout, Spanish, cobia, and some pompano. Whether you are in the surf, the various piers or many bridges, there is very little chance that you will be unsuccessful.
One catch you want to definitely avoid is skin damage for the sun. In past blogs, I steered you to an outstanding site that will give you everything you need to select the best sun screens.
One of the topics on this site is “skin cancer risks start young”. I know when my two boys were young we lathered them with sun screen every hour. Our requirement was that every snack or drink break, was a sun screen application. My hope was that this regimen helped them learn a valuable lesson.
So when you are outside whether fishing or just enjoying the beautiful Outer Banks recreation, remember to “lather on” the sun screen. My boys thanked me and so will yours.
Here is the link to the best sun screens on the market. Hopefully the one you use is near the top of the lists.
EWG Skin’s Deep – Http://www.breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/
Until next time, Tightlines.
Saturday Morning Trout Bite
This first weekend in May has brought many of our summer fish species to the Outer Banks. But with the warm weather and abundance of fish, so came the crowds. The numbers of anglers on the fishing piers were close to a typical summer weekend. This influx of visitors is great for our economy but not for me finding pier railing space.
I had a little time today, so I decided to try the causeway bridge (better known as the Daniels Bridge) for some early action. The weather was perfect with a slight south breeze and air temps in the lower 70’s and water temps in the sixties. With the Super moon coming tonight – luck was on my side.
When I arrived, the bridge was fairly crowded on the south side – some jigging and others bottom fishing. It was a little slow with an occasional croaker or spot being caught. Some anglers brought many under size trout in but no keepers. Oh, yes the crabs were there too.
I had been fishing for about an hour and after changing jig head and plastics several times I found the perfect lure – chartreuse jig head with a green and orange twister tail. Whether it was my choice of lure or just the change in water direction, it seemed the bite was on.
Over the next 30 minutes, I caught three trout – one 22 inch and the other two under slot size of 14 inches.
This was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.
Until next time, Tightlines
Super Moon Spring 2012
Super Moon – The largest moon of the year will raise above the horizon on Saturday, 5 Ma 2012. Not only will it be a phenomenal sight but when it coincides with a high tide period, it tends to produce outstanding fishing. This large moon appears once per year when it is closest to the earth.
Some anglers, including myself, monitor for this combination of full or new moons and high or low tides throughout the year. We are always trying match the moon and tides. But once a year, when these two – Super Moon and high tides – occur at the same period – GAME ON.
I have found when both of these occur, the bite is tremendous. As usual, best times can be early in the morning or early evening.
With the advent of this huge super moon, fishing will start to improve on Thursday, peak on Saturday and slowly wind down by Monday. There is usually a 5-7 day window on each side of the full or new moon.
If you get a chance to get out this weekend, you might find fish bite better than other times.
Oh, and don’t forget your camera. This should be a “super sight”. See you on the beach.
Until next time, Tightlines
Got to Fish Hard for Success
The end of April typically brings in many bottom fish. Piers and bridges are catching blues, shad, blow toads some small trout. Water temps are in the lower 60’s so May should be an outstanding month. Some nice trout and blues can be found in the surf near structures and piers. Early morning and late evenings are best.
The hot spot has been the Daniels Bridge (better known as the “little bridge”). Anglers have been catching blues and many keeper trout early in the morning. Although some small fish have been around all day.
I read a report today that the anglers are using an old “Florida Trick” to catch trout in the sound. They are using a popping cork with a gulp shrimp on the hook. We have been using this technique in Forida for many years with good success. I am sure it has been used locally, but this is the first time I have heard it being used here.
As you can see from my picture, I had the opportunity to fish off-shore last weekend and hooked up with a nice tuna.
Best bet this week is gulp shrimp suspended on a popping cork early in the morning or lead head with twister tails for trout or blues. Lighter colors work best in spring with slow steady retrieves with an occasional jerk are a must.
Until next time, Tightlines
Time to Stretch Your Legs
Get ready, get set, go. For those who love the Outer Banks, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse,one of the most famous landmarks on the east coast, is opened for the season.
Starting today you can climb the 140 year old lighthouse from 0900 to 1630 daily. Cost is a minimal $7.00 for adults with a discount for kids and older adults. The trip to the top is worth every penny. And the views from the top deck are just stunning.
For those who are not familiar with the lighthouse, it is located in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The seashore park is approximately one hour south of the Nags Head in the town of Buxton. The national park houses a beautiful seashore and many out building describing the history of the “move of the century” and various wildlife inhabitants and the historic lifestyles of the island residents. The move of the century occurred in 1999, when the ocean threatened the lighthouse and the park service had to move it back 2900 feet to its current location.
If you can find the time while visiting the Outer Banks and you want a spectacular experience, a visit to this lighthouse is a must do. One suggestion, get there early. Crowds and long lines can cause a significant delay at getting to the top.
Tip of the day – Don’t forget your camera on this climb to the top.
Until next time, Tightlines
Keep’n Sharp for More Catches
The first several days in Florida were filled with time spent searching tackle shops and mainstay fishing “holes” that have been successful in the past. Having not been there in quite some time, species and techniques change along with the seasons.
The weather was just “Florida” beautiful, but the stiff breezes clouded the water on both the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor.
My reliable back up spot was the neighborhood lakes. The lakes are full of many salt water species that get flooded in from the Charlotte Harbor through huge inflow pipes during storms. So there is always a good chance to catch something.
On Sunday evening, I hooked up with dozens of small snook using a Rapala X-rap saltwater artificial. Just before dark, I latched on to a monster snook. Played him several minutes but he broke free.
Not thinking about the sharpness of treble hooks, I again fished the same lake the next evening. Hooked up dozens of times but not one catch. I checked the sharpness of the hooks and sure enough, I found them to be dull. Went home, replaced the hooks and “bingo” – success.
Lesson learned, after every trip where you have caught many fish, check those hooks. Good advice, you should think about changing them often.
Replacing the hooks and snap rings is a simple and quick process. A smart tip is to use a treble hook one size larger than the older one. This small change increases your hook up significantly.
Until next time, Tightlines
New Spotted Sea Trout Regs
More changes are coming to the Speckled (spotted) Sea Trout Fishery on the Outer Banks, effective Monday, February 27, 2012. As you recall we had a major kill off last year and the Division of Marine Fisheries has been working to help the stock recover. We are close but we still need to conserve.
According to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, recreational fisherman may still harvest four (4) speckled (spotted) sea-trout per person per day by hook and line. There is no change from the limit in the previous proclamation.
The minimum length is still fourteen (14) inches total length. But the most significant change states that DMF have eliminated the limit of fish over Fourteen (14) inches. Previous rules state that only two (2) fish over twenty-four (24) inches could be harvested. Now there is no limit to size over fourteen (14) inch size.
As a community, we have all worked together to help this fishery recover. But the work is not over. When fishing for spotted trout, only take what you can use today and return the rest to be caught again.
Only with aggressive conservation can we save this fishery for future generations.
Until next time, Tightlines
Winter Fishing is Slow on Outer Banks
Fishing has been extremely slow on the Outer Banks over the past two months. The only news has been to discuss how beautiful and mild the weather has been. The big Rockfish have yet to make it south. They seem to have found a home off Virginia Beach. Want Stripers, head north just off the beach. Don’t want to travel, skates and Spiny Dogfish are plentiful on Jennette’s pier.
Water temps remain in the uppers 40’s so it anyone guess if we will get those monster stripers this year.
Spring is around the corner so it’s time to ready the gear. You need to go through you tackle box and throw away those old rusty hooks, lures and rigs. You should also change your line on each reel. The worst thing to happen is to hook up on that first fish of the year, only to lose it to defective gear.
I always clean and oil the reels and tighten any lose parts. Check the guides on your rods and if you are inexperienced, let your local tackle shop replace them.
This is a great time of year to step back and take a complete inventory of your gear and ready it for another fantastic fishing year. The spring season will be here before you know it.
I know the question you are asking, ‘Did you catch that monster tarpon in the picture?” And the answer is no it’s an artificial model hanging on the dock at a marina in the Florida Keys for pictures. But you can hook up with one of these beauties. Book a trip to Bud and Mary’s in Islamorda, Florida and you could be in a picture like this.
Until next time, Tightlines
NCsaltaire 