Posts tagged ‘charlotte harbor’
Celebrating the 4th in Style
Happy Fourth of July!!. As we celebrate this holiday, we need to take a moment to remember those dedicated men and women throughout our history who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. For without that commitment to the cause of freedom, we would not be able to enjoy this day.
So on this beautiful day from the Outer Banks, I would like to toast those who served to our country both past and present with my traditional July 4th menu from Capt Tony’s.
I salute you!!
TIghtlines
Finally – Fishing in Alaska
Fishing in Alaska was in the cards. We 
stopped by the local sporting goods store for gear and advice. Sportsman’ Warehouse is like a Dick’s / Sports Authority and Bass Pro all rolled in to one. This store was enormous. Your could find gear for all types of fishing and hunting and probably a little of something else. Wow, what a place.
My first question: What can I catch in one outing? The salesperson told me that “Graylings” were running in the Chena River. I was sold – What do I need. ( A Grayling is a fresh water fish in the Salmon family but very small)
I picked up a small 5-1/2 Diawa spinning reel and had it loaded with 6# mono-filament line. No leaders are recommended here. Several small Mepps spinners and believe it or not, they also use small flies suspended under ball floats. Obviously, and out-of-state license was needed.
The best place to catch Graylings was in the Chena River. It was a 45 minute drive northeast of Fairbanks. With no time to spare, we were off.
We arrived at the recommended spots and found them to be absolutely beautiful. Clean, fresh and very cold water.
I tied on a Mepps gold spinner and after several casts, we hooked up with some nice fish. But the enjoyment was short-lived.
The misquitoes were unbelieveable. They would swarm you and soon as you got out of the car. The only saving grace was the occasional breeze.
We fished for several hours that evening. The sun set was scheduled at 1230 am and rise and again at 0335. Actually it would be dusk for three hours then sun rise. My flight was scheduled for 0630, so our time was very limited that evening.
Memories of that beautiful area will be with me forever. If you ever get a chance to fish Alaska, just do it. Just don’t forget your bug spray.
And if you were wandering what an Alaska fishing area looked like, well you are in luck.
Here is my secret spot.
Until next time,
Tightlines.
New Destination this Week
Fishing been slow all week here in the Outer Banks. Croaker, spot and plenty of sea mullet could be found both on the piers and small sound bridges. Water temperatures have stayed around the upper 50’s. So you have to work hard to get their attention.
Temps are predicted to rise this coming week. Fish are here but we need to just try many different tricks to catch them.
Work has required me to be away from home and the beautiful Outer Banks this past week. And coming week is no different, but my travels will be taking me to a real fascinating place.
I will be flying into Fairbanks, Alaska on business. The trip will take me through Minneapolis to Anchorage then into Fairbanks. The final destination is Delta Junction, AK.
Schedules are pretty tight but since there happens to be over 20 hours of sunlight, I might find time to seek the water after hours. I have found that there are many places to wet a line in this region. Although I am not familiar with Alaska fishing or any of their techniques, what a great time to learn. Like they say, “No time like present to learn a new lesson”.
Stay tuned for updates on my trip.
Until next time, Tightlines
Special Message from the US Coast Guard 2011
This past Saturday marked the start of National Safe Boating Week 2011. It is no coincidence that this week, focused on educating boaters about the latest safe boating practices, takes place in the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the recreational boating season. Whether you plan to spend the summer sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding or just relaxing by the water, it is important to educate yourself on proper safe boating practices as you enjoy the majesty of our nation’s lakes, rivers and coasts.
Many of you will be taking your boats out for the first time in months and should keep an eye out for the men and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Nationwide, the Auxiliary offers free vessel safety checks at various locations convenient to boaters including docks, marinas and launch ramps. The vessel safety check is a courtesy examination to see if your boat is properly equipped for an emergency. One of the best aspects of the safety check, besides the fact that it is free, is that it does not constitute law enforcement activity and citations are not issued regardless of the result of the exam. If you don’t know when the examinations will take place in your area, you can always schedule one here.
Until next time, 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.
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!!
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?
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!!
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.
NCsaltaire 