Posts tagged ‘Kitty Hawk’
Been Fishing Lately?
Well I have and it’s been a banner year. I have fished many places but the best was on Jennette’s Fishing Pier.
Seems it doesn’t matter what time of day or bait type, you will be catching fish. Pier fishing is at its best in July.
This time of year, I focus on two primary methods of fishing – top water jigging and standard bottom rig. I always take two rods on any fishing trip, one is a medium spinning rod and the other a light tackle set.
I use the light rod for the top water rigs such as “gotchas” or small lead heads with chartreuse twister tails. Sometimes a double white buck tail will catch a nice trout or single bluefish. The best (worst kept secret) bait has been the Berkley white grubs. This bait is a little on the expensive side but worth their weight. Next trip to the tackle shop, you need to pick some up. One important tip – makes sure the leader materials are a little heavier and if possible, only use fluorocarbon line. Fifteen to twenty pound test is fine. When using this type of line, it becomes nearly invisible under the water. And this prevents spooking the fish.
On my medium rod set, I use the standard two hook bottom rig. Remember; always try to use a new bottom rig on each trip because even though the older one looks fine, rust can wreak havoc on the metal. You will need “top of the line gear” when fighting that big fish. The worst things that can happen are to lose that fish in the water or just as you are bringing it over the rail.
I try to use all circle hooks. I like #2 or #4 for the best all-around success. Finally, weight – look at the current and select the best one to just hold the bottom. Too large a weight will cause you to miss those bites. Pyramid types are best.
Bait choices for bottom rigs are fresh shrimp or blood worms. I try to buy only shrimp for eating. It seems this type, verses the tackle shop version, gets more bites. It might be that store bought is fresher. Go with the fresher store bought shrimp if possible. And peel it. My best days are with peeled shrimp as bait.
Any trip to the pier must include back up gear. You are going to lose rigs, hooks and weights. Make you bring plenty of extras. A good hat and sunscreen are a must to keep skin damage to a minimum. At least one rag to wipe sweat or dirt off your hands. Also, great for holding that fish. You will find this to be the most valuable tool.
Finally, water and snacks keep you satisfied when you get those hunger pains. Hydration is the name of the game and results in a more pleasant trip. Someone told me that alcohol and fishing go together – but not in hot weather.
Tip of the day – you need to go early. Fish typically are more active early morning and early evening. Check with the pier manager or tackle shops for best times, baits and methods.
Second tip of the day – when fishing the Jeannette’s Pier, watch out for the sunken piles from the old pier. They were left in place for some unknown reason. You can find them on the north side between the second and third turbine. See the picture at the top of this blog. Another way to locate – no one will be fishing at that spot. Don’t get fooled.
Good luck and let me know how you did.
A final note on conservation – only keep what you can use and release the rest. Fish are too valuable to catch only once.
Until next time, Tightlines.
Your Link to the Outer Banks
I recently updated my web page to incorporate many Outer Banks links. These links will direct you to the many fishing, boating and recreational resources. These sites are a great place to start for both locals and visitors. They can give us “what’s happening” when we want to enjoy the waters surrounding our banks.
Several links will direct you to fishing information such as local piers, weather, Sun and moon data and high and low tides in many of our sounds and ocean as well as obtaining the mandatory saltwater fishing license. I also included links to fishing and conservation clubs.
Others to marine and boating. These links provide guidance to marinas and repair services as well as many others to help your day on the water enjoyable.
The remaining links should provide information on handling emergencies, researching media and obtaining other local news, recreation and travel and ferry schedules.
My favorites are the beach web cams. These cameras are positioned on many areas so you can enjoy the surf conditions even though you may be hundreds of miles from our coast.
Keep checking back for additional links and great fishing and boating information.
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.
Old Man and the Sea
An angler named Ernest Hemingway once said: “In hunting you know what you are after, then he added but who can say what you will hook when you fish the saltwater. Because the ocean holds fish of size no one may ever see”.
The picture at the right is Ernest Hemingway and Henry (“Mike”) Strater with the remaining 500 lbs of an estimated 1000 lb marlin that was half-eaten by sharks before it could be landed in the Bahamas in 1935.
Until next time, Tightlines
Lunch Anyone? Try This One
Many of my friends ask where locals go for a real good meal. I tell them that there are many excellent places to eat both on and off the beach. But, yes there are several that we patronize whenever possible.
One of our favorite spots for lunch is Sam and Omie’s Restaurant. It is located on the beach road in South Nags Heads. It is conveniently located across the street from the new Jennette’s Fishing pier.
The restaurant opened in 1937 and served as a meeting place for commercial fisherman. As time passed this became the place were visitors could hook up for a recreational fishing charters. Commercial fishermen were only happy to make a few extra dollars by taking the visitors out. This was probably the beginning of charter fishing here on the Outer Banks.
Times continued to change and so did the owners. This happened several times over the years but the camaraderie between anglers and visitors continued to grow. And a real love for this unique gathering place grew.
My first visit had to be over forty years ago. Back then, one of the prime seats was near the windows. This seat afforded you the view of the old pier, beach road and a catch that fresh ocean breeze. No air conditioning back then. And you were always welcome; even in your bathing suit and sandy bare feet. The old wooden floors covered in sand were as normal as was the local faire.
We continue to frequent this famous landmark as often as possible. Summers are very busy but the off season is ours. The staff is just as friendly as the original Sammy and Omie’s one.
If you go, my recommendations are the fried vegetable baskets and she crab soup. And make sure you tell them an old local fisherman told to come.
Their motto has a certain angling ring – “Everyone should believe in something; I believe I’ll go fishing.” –Henry David Thoreau
Until next time, Tightlines
Fishing on Foot – Mission Accomplished
Memorial Day was a fishing day for me. We got up early and headed to the Washington Baum Bridge (better known as Pirates Cove Bridge). My goal was trout but I would have settled for anything including just a beautiful day with the First Mate.
Tides were still incoming with a slight southwest breeze. Sun, some clouds and air temps in the 70’s made the day picture perfect. The boardwalk was noticeably absent of anglers. Several guys mentioned that a group had just left with their limit of specs. This news did not sway me from my mission.
I took up on the north side of the dock about three fourths the length and casted into the deep channel about 50 yards out. The channel was caused by vessel traffic going in and out of Pirates Cove marina. I used my 7 foot Falcon Light Gulf Spin with a Daiwa Procyon reel loaded with 15 pound Ohero braid. My casts easily reached the channel.
After several missed bites, I hooked up with a nice 16 inch spec. Not the monster I was hunting but all the same within the slot and definitely dinner.
I had many other hook ups but no keepers. As a true conservationist, each release was designed to allow the spec to grow larger and give someone the thrill of catching that fish again.
Advice on fishing this dock – stay on the north side when both bottom or jigging. The south side has rubble and an oyster bed. When fishing the south use top water or float rig to avoid snagging. The east end is a popular spot but you need to know the bottom – plenty of bottom structure to steal you rigs.
So if you want to leave the boat on the trailer and need a great place to take kids and catch fish, the Washington Baum Bridge catwalk is the place to be.
Natural Resources Officers often frequent this area. They were checking licenses and catches, so keep them legal.
Until next time, Tightlines
Take Time to Say “Thank You”
Memorial Day is the traditional start of summer. It usually involves picnics, family, time away from work and many other fun activities. For me it usually signaled the start of the marathon of beach trips.
But the real truth, the significance of this day is far from those peaceful days at the pool or beach or BBQ grill, it’s to thank those men and women who fought dozens of wars sometimes thousands of miles away from family and friends. And regardless of the cause, these brave men and women answered the call to duty and to protect our way of life.
Our current and past military personnel have given a lot to each and every one of us. And many of those have given the ultimate sacrifice.
So today is the day that we thank those brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines for their supreme commitment to our way of life. Thanking them for the freedom we enjoy. Freedom is not free – just ask one of the spouse, children, parents and friends of a lost one, just how much Freedom costs. You would be surprised.
So, if for only a minute today, take time out of your day to thank these brave and dedicated men and women for their service.
Until next time, Tightlines
Can You Pass the Test?
May is a great month to launch your boat and enjoy the water.
The first thing you should plan for is a “Vessel Safety Check”. This check is done by the local USGC Auxiliary and involves a courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel). It is designed to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by State and the Federal regulations.
The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of the United States Power Squadrons or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will make you a safer boater.
This is not a boarding or a law enforcement issue. No citations will be given as a result of this encounter. Most times they will perform the inspection while your boat is still on the trailer.
The USCG Auxiliary inspector will also supply you with a copy of the evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Great news: Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal.
Please note: This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter.
So don’t forget: Safe Boating Week is May 22-28, 2012. Do your part by being a safe boater.
Tip of the Week: Before you set out on your first trip, take the time to get your boat inspected. This safety check will give you a head start for a safe boating season.
Until next time, Tightlines
NCsaltaire 