Posts tagged ‘beach’
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!!
“Birds Rule” at Cape Hatteras
It has begun a little early this year. The National Park Service has closed a major section of Cape Point in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is one of the most popular fishing spots – with anglers and beach visitors enjoying this stretch of sand.
The closing is court-mandated but usually is not until later in the year. The reason they closed it early is an effort to protect rare shorebirds that “might try to nest in the area.” Strange wording to promote their objectives of complete closure some day. Hopefully this is not the case and common sense rules.
Funny thing – These little birds typically do not even show up until summer. For many years, both anglers and wildlife have co-existed on this beach together.
I am not trying to judge the value of this annual closing but the impact on the entire community is devastating. We need to protect all threatened species but at what cost.
All is not lost, we still have the northern beaches, piers and bridges. Hopefully, we can continue to use these without restriction.
Surf water temperatures have risen into the 50’s over the past week. And the fish can’t be far behind. Time to load the rods!!
The Redfish of Matlacha Florida
With our kayaks in tow, 
we traveled to an area just south of Punta Gorda and Northwest of Cape Coral and Ft Myers to find another fishing spot and the beautiful Redfish. Our destination was Matlacha, Florida.
Matlacha is one of five communities on Pine Island, although technically, it is located on a smaller island in Matlacha Pass, east of Pine Island. It is an “Old Florida” fishing village home to many brightly-colored art galleries, island boutiques, seafood restaurants, and traditional Florida cottages.
We put the kayaks on one of the town’s many beach launch access. Our 13′ hobie sit upons were just perfect to navigate the calm waters of the Pine Island Sound.
This protected area is surrounded by mangroves and grass flats. We found water depth at a mixed three plus feet with many pot holes and bars. Perfect ambush spots for waiting reds.
I always had success with a Rapala X-RAP floating jigs. I choose a light green with red spots. This matched the hatch for the day. The bait in the area met this size and colors.
It wasn’t long before we hooked up with a beautiful 16″ Red. We had a great day on the secluded water way. And look forward to our next trip.
NC Sea Trout & Flounder Regulations
Proclamations – FF-29-2011 & FF-30-2011
FLOUNDER
Effective at 12:01 A.M., Monday, February 21, 2011, minimum size limit for all flounder species has changed from 14.5 inches to 15 inches. This applies to all recreational anglers who fish in the internal coastal, joint fishing waters or the Atlantic Ocean. A total creel limit is six (6) fish per day as long as the does not exceed one calendar day.
SPOTTED SEATROUT
Effective 12:01 A.M. Thursday, February 17, 2011, it will be unlawful to possess spotted sea trout in all coastal and joint fishing waters for all recreational anglers.
This action is being taken in response to recent cold stun events affecting mainly spotted sea trout. The intent of this action is to prevent harvest of vulnerable cold stunned fish which may recover with warming water temperatures. We anticipate the fishery to re-open on 15 June 2011.
Please take extreme caution when landing and releasing these fish. A conscientious angler today will preserve this fishery later.
For more information, check with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries.
March Means Spring Clean up for Boats
March winds signal the start of the boating season for me. No, not the type that requires a launch, cruise or fishing trip. It is time to begin the clean up and repair process. 
In North Carolina the winter season can be un-usually harsh on marine equipment. This can inflict a significant curse on the gelcoat, deck surfaces and stainless.
I start with a good scrubbing of the hull and decks. Trying not to miss the small crevices around the center console and battery and rear wells. It is good to use a mild soap – I use either boat wash or plain liquid dish soap. Both work well.
Next, I spray all stained surfaces with a stain remover. The areas I focus on is where dirt, grease and scum from the winter and maybe last year’s final trip hide. I always use ZEP Mold and Mildew Stain Remover. Less than $10 per gallon from Home Depot. This is alot less than West Marine Hull cleaner but very effective.
I allow the surfaces to dry thoroughly. I then apply two coats of Star brite Marine Polish to all gelcoat surfaces. I make sure I don’t miss the center console, glass fronts on the gauges and all metal, plastic and fiberglass surfaces.
I always catch the stainless rails and cleats with a good stainless polish. Any brand works well for this clean up. But a very important step. Salt aire can corrode the metals quickly and then cause clothes and fishing gear to snag on these rough surfaces when you least expect it. If you don’t have this polish – the marine polish works well.
Paying special attention to this initial clean up will pay many dividends during the boating season.
Remember, when using any cleaners or chemicals, use extreme caution. Gloves, masks or other protective gear may be needed when handling hazardous materials. For safe handling procedures, read the label. Always clean up when finished including your hands and clothes.
Until next time.
Annual Florida Trip 2011
Well I am back. Computer is up and running. I can’t believe how difficult it is to not have one. I guess I have graduated into the modern communication stream.
We traveled to Florida on 17 February to begin our annual 11 day pre-spring break.
There would be fishing, boating and kayaking. We planned to visit several crafts shows both in Punta Gorda and Ft Myers. The highlight of the trip included two fishing classes – 1) Old Pine Island Marine and 2) with Capt CA Richardson from the Flats Class TV show. We planned to see relatives and many old friends. WOW. So much to do and only 11 days.
Did I forget the famous Florida Grouper Sandwiches. If you have never had a Grouper Sandwich into Southwest Florida – you really don’t know what you are missing.
I will keep the information coming.
Stay tuned!!
Virginia Beach Boat Show 2011
Still waiting for those Stripe Bass (aka – Rockfish) to show up in the surf here in Kitty Hawk. Heard of many reports that some medium fish have been caught in the surf on the southern banks – near Avon.
So here we go again. Another excuse to see and dream about that new boat.
This year’s show will be held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Show will run only three days – Friday thru Sunday from 11 February to 13 February 2011. For hours, check the website.
Eight dollars will get you in but if you go to this website, you can save $2.00.
http://www.vaboatshow.com/event-info.php
See you at the show!!
NCsaltaire 